Chapter 37 – Night on Bald Mountain
"Will you put me down already?!"
Mashiro Kuna, now conscious once more and healed, was speeding down the halls of Las Noches, her captain (against his will) on her back.
"Kensei, you took more damage than I did! So it's my turn to help you!"
"You're insane, woman! I'm not a child!"
Mashiro wasn't listening. She was bemoaning the loss of another scarf.
"Kensei…"
"WHAT?!" His veins were popping out of his forehead.
"Hime-tan is in the fifth tower, right?"
"….."
"We can't leave until she's safe again."
Kensei looked up.
I sense a shit ton of Hollows all around us….what the hell is going on?! Did Aizen spring some last minute trap before he left…..or was this Kurotsuchi?
"Fine, but can you put me down already?!"
"Nope! We need to get to the roof!"
Kensei watched in slight shock as some low-level Hollows busted through the walls, but Mashiro jumped on each one, rocketing up to the next floor. By making another hole.
"The roof?"
"Yep! Then we'll break every tower until Hime-tan is safe!"
The green-haired Vizard was always known for her limitless energy and acrobatic feats.
"Mashiro, I don't think-"
Kensei was cut off when Mashiro turned and planted her lips on his own. He was speechless, but she merely pulled back and smiled.
"Thanks for not dying, dummy."
(With Byakuya and Rukia)
Rudobon Chelute collapsed to the ground, bleeding heavily. His limbs were sliced off, and his mask was cracked.
"Damn…..you…..!"
His resurreccion had faded, including each one of the cavalaras he had summoned. Byakuya appeared in front of him, the remaining blades of his Bankai flowing around him.
"You only have to blame yourself."
Byakuya was still holding Rukia with one arm.
"You tried to kill the person I cherish the most. And besides that….you foolishly insisted in following Aizen's orders."
Rudobon stopped moving.
"Even when he already sentenced you all to death."
"Byakuya….."
"Relax, Rukia. I will find Captain Unohana immediately."
"You don't need to look far."
Byakuya turned his head, and saw Retsu and Hanataro approaching on the familiar green manta ray.
"Captain Unohana."
"Come, Captain Kuchiki. We need to find Vice-Captain Ise and Sado-kun quickly."
(With Orihime)
Ulquiorra stood up and scoffed, his robes singed now.
"I see…you've gotten stronger. Perhaps the Hogyoku was responsible?"
Loly and Menoly glared at him, and Orihime dispelled her barrier.
"Hey….Menoly, you sense it too, right?" Loly whispered.
"Yeah…..lots of Hollows outside of the castle…."
Orihime looked around. She was feeling the same thing; the sensation that a swarm of hungry beasts were coming to hunt down their pray, but she was also concerned for her friends.
Uryu and Chad were both alright.
Rukia was weak.
Ichigo was close to death.
But Tatsuki's reiatsu had diminished, meaning…..some way or the other, her released form had been defeated. So she was….back to normal, in a sense. Her thoughts were halted when Ulquiorra sonidoed forward and slashed, but once again, Loly and Menoly were at the front and ready.
"Ha! ….it's too bad you don't have a fraccion, Ulquiorra! Maybe you could use some help?" Loly grinned, hoping to make the composed Espada lose his cool.
But the Quarto grabbed Menoly and immediately threw her through the wall.
"MENOLY!"
"How the logic spins around….you become more vulnerable with help. With things like concern and emotion."
He slid to the side to dodge Orihime's next attack, and casually blocked Loly's next.
"You bastard….!"
"Go, Loly Aivirrne. Cling to the new master that you've accepted and perish with her. You will regret ever disobeying Aizen-sama."
Ulquiorra reappeared behind her, and with a forceful kick, sent her flying through another wall.
"Trash."
He immediately sonidoed away to avoid Orihime's fire.
"Staying still will not help you, woman."
Orihime suddenly felt a pale hand grab her face, and Ulquiorra quickly threw her so hard, she crashed out of the tower itself. Unfortunately, her head was spinning from the sudden collision, so she was not focused enough to reject anything, and she crashed into the bare dome of Las Noches.
"Aaah….."
Ulquiorra simply stared at her from his vantage point, taking note of all of the Hollows flying towards the castle.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi….what exactly have you done?
He didn't even turn his head to block Loly's incoming slash.
"You want to go help her?"
Loly swung again, panting, but Ulquiorra dodged with ease. She kept at it, but the Quarto was simply too fast for her. He raised a finger and pierced her with a thin beam.
"Ah!"
"You want to throw away your worthless existence so easily?"
Ulquiorra grabbed her and smashed her into the floor, the tiles cracking upon impact.
"Then I will make sure the three of you face true despair."
He noticed Menoly about to strike from behind, but he quickly grabbed her face as he turned around.
"And you. I see that fear has taken over your entire mind. You fear Orihime Inoue, and you fear her more than me. Am I correct?"
Ulquiorra's grip was so powerful that it left the blonde-haired unable to move, and only capable of making choking sounds.
"Menoly!"
"Answer me, Menoly Mallia. Or will you merely soil yourself?"
Ulquiorra's perpetual vision noticed that Loly had stood up, and she angrily pointed her zanpakutou at him.
"Poison, Escolopendra!"
(With Neliel and Nnoitra)
Neliel raised her lance.
Nnoitra staggered to his feet, and wearily sprouted new arms to attack. He was getting slightly anxious now, because he had never seen the former Tercera look this angry. But he would win. He make sure of that.
"Heh….no more…..things getting in the way now."
Tesla was still watching, now frozen in fear by the combined reiatsu of two Espada released. Not that he could move to begin with.
"…"
In a flash, Neliel appeared in front of Nnoitra and swung her lance, the Quinto doing the same with his own weapons. A shockwave boomed out.
"It's better…..they…..died anyway….!"
The two sonidoed around the room, matching strike for strike, albeit Neliel's had much more power.
"You really wanted them to live like that?! I did you a favor!"
The two reappeared at their original position, but Neliel cut off Nnoitra's arms again. All of them at the same time.
"Did…me…..a favor….?!"
Tesla was starting to choke, even while stuck in his released form.
Neliel seized the Quinto's throat.
"They were my brothers! And you killed them!"
Nnoitra quickly tried to regrow his arms again, but a powerful hoof kick had broken his nose and cracked his skull. He was flung into a sand dune.
"You think you can treat everyone's life as it means nothing to you, Nnoitra?!"
Neliel pointed her lance.
"Then I'll do the same for yours."
She quickly threw it into the ground, and as the lance zoomed forward, it begun to spin rapidly. Nnoitra quickly got up, but it was too late – and he had no arms to block.
"Lanzador Verde!"
The drill smashed into his body, eyes widened all the while.
Neliel simply watched as the attack continued, glancing once at the fallen corpses of her fraccion.
"Pesche….Dondachakka…..please forgive what I'm….about to do."
She sonidoed over to Nnoitra's now fallen form.
"Gaaah….."
Despite having a large hole and larger lance stuck in his bleeding chest, Nnoitra Jiruga was still refusing to give up. Neliel pulled the lance out.
"You…..damned…..!"
"Nnoitra, you wanted to fight me again to prove your strength, right? …..well here you go. Just like all of those other times…..you cannot defeat me."
A bloodshot eye glared at the ex-Tercera.
"Normally…..I try to avoid senseless violence. But…..considering…you nearly killed Ichigo….and killed my fraccion…..I'm afraid….."
Nnoitra had no strength left, but he tried to charge up a cero anyway. Neliel raised her lance.
"…this is the end, Nnoitra."
"FUCK YOU! IT'S OVER WHEN I SAY IT'S-"
His words permanently died when the lance was lodged through his brain, creating a large hole into the Espada's head.
Neliel watched as the remaining life died in his body, the form falling back into the sand. She pulled the lance out, and this time, transformed back into her unreleased form.
"…..Nnoitra….."
She closed her eyes, her tears now falling freely down her face.
"This could've been different..."
"Are you…..going to cry at a time like this?!"
Neliel opened her eyes and looked in Tesla's direction.
"Go on! Finish me off too, you wench! You killed Nnoitra-sama!" It was slightly surprising to see the transformed Tesla crying as well.
"…"
"DO IT YOU COWARD!"
"No."
Neliel sheathed Gamuza and walked past Nnoitra's corpse.
"Killing an Espada's subordinate when they're helpless….."
She glanced once more at the dead bodies of Pesche and Dondachakka, tears falling again.
"….is not what I like to do. Tesla…..do you wish to join the rest of us in this battle?"
"SCREW YOU!"
"…I'm not surprised by your answer. I'm glad you stuck with Nnoitra, even until the very end. But I must….be going now." She choked out a sob when she looked at her fallen fraccion again.
Tesla simply stared at his master's dead body.
"…please. I beg you…please kill me, so I can die with Nnoitra-sama."
"…"
"I have failed him. It is the only punishment I deserve. I'll accept nothing else!"
Neliel sighed.
"…..very well. I won't reject your dying wish."
And with a final swing of Gamuza, Neliel Tu Oderschvank cut down the frozen Tesla Lindacruz.
"thank…..you….."
"…"
Neliel turned back around and began to walk past Nnoitra's form once form, not trusting herself to look back at Pesche and Dondachakka and not cry again.
I must be strong…..I must protect Ichigo, I must save Orihime. Pesche, Dondachakka….I thank you for serving me, and I thank you…..for protecting me, even in your final moments.
Now four dead Arrancar were behind her.
I…..will avenge you both. I will destroy the man that made you this way.
She sniffled and wiped her eyes.
I…..promise you.
"….Nel?"
Chad was standing besides the fallen Ichigo, his eyes not believing the sight before her.
"…..You're Ichigo's friend."
"Yeah. I felt his fallen reiatsu…..Inoue was with you two, right?"
"She was taken away." Neliel replied sadly, crouching down to the fallen substitute. "Luckily….I do have some healing powers. I can make sure they won't die."
At the mention of the "they", Chad glanced at the bleeding Grimmjow, who had transformed back to normal.
"…Ichigo told me about this Espada. He was the one that invaded our town. He….almost killed him."
"…."
"But if you wish to heal him as well…..I won't stop you, Nel-san. But if he tries to hurt my friend again….."
Chad tightened his fist.
"He'll regret it."
"How did you transform your arms, Sado?" Neliel asked, then she quickly grabbed her ulva to throw up all over the two unconscious fighters.
Chad sweatdropped at the strange sight.
"…..long story. How did you…..turn into an adult?"
"I was always one…..it's a longer story. Orihime healed me."
"We should get moving soon. I….feel lots of Hollows all around us."
Neliel glanced up, but she noticed the boy wasn't looking at her.
"Something wrong? Don't worry…..I may have my memories back, but I'm going to help you guys until the very end."
"N-No…..it's just….."
Chad took off his shirt and handed it to her. He had a white tank top on underneath.
"Huh?"
"Your…..um…..bare chest is exposed."
(With Uryu)
"What…..the hell…..is this…..?!"
The last time Uryu had seen Mayuri's Bankai, it had taken the form of a baby-like creature with a cape. It was monstrous, but he had destroyed it after some struggle. This…..was not the same Bankai. A giant pregnant baby sat before his eyes, its immense size overshadowing the towers of Las Noches. It had lamp-like extensions from its ears, and kanji written on its chest.
What made it more horrifying was the partial Hollow mask over his face, expressionless as the previous one.
"Ha-ha! Isn't it wonderful?"
Mayuri gave a toothy grin.
"You…..I…how?!"
"You ask far too many questions, Uryu Ishida."
How…..am I supposed to combat this…..beast?! He's obviously upgraded his Bankai somehow, and I can't even use any of my spiritual weapons!
His eyes shifted to the clown captain.
This is why he had Shimu separate Nemu-san and I…I'm going to die if she doesn't arrive soon…..no wait.
Mayuri was glaring at him now.
I have….some tools. I'm not completely defenseless!
"I'm sure you're thinking of a way to destroy it, but that's currently impossible given the circumstances. Even if Urahara gave you all of the weapons in the world!"
"…"
"Let me guess. He took out my microbes….and he installed that tacky lead ball in Nemu's system….correct?"
Uryu kept his cool and stare.
"And if he did, Mayuri Kurotsuchi? Are you jealous of his intelligence?"
"Ha! That's a good laugh, my soon-to-be-dead friend. Let me ask you a question. Did he help you….because he wanted to, or because he was trying to erase some guilt?"
"…."
"Have you all forgotten? Who was it that even allowed Aizen to make these Arrancar? Him. He was the one that created the Hogyoku."
"So what? That'd be the same if I were to point out you created Nemu-san, who's done more good than you'll ever do."
"Don't try to change the subject, boy." Mayuri growled. "How do you even think he made it in the first place? Through altruism and good-will? No. It required souls."
Uryu didn't respond. He looked up at the monstrous Bankai.
"For all of your hatred towards me, you should remember that Kisuke Urahara….the man who released me from the Maggot's Nest 110 years ago…..is not blameless. His actions technically allowed for a myriad of bad things to happen."
Mayuri began to step forward.
"…Aizen's plotting….Rukia Kuchiki's attempted execution…..the transformation of Ichigo Kurosaki, and the rest of those Vizards….even your grandfather's torture. Because without him…there would be no me. In that regard, I must thank him."
Uryu glared back at Mayuri now.
"So remember that. Remember that jolly shopkeeper, who passes on like a perverted moron…..is just as cold and calculating as me or Aizen."
He was only centimeters away now. Uryu put a hand behind his back.
"There is no distinction between the three of us! We've all plotted, we've all schemed…..we've all terrorized the worlds with our minds have made."
More lightning bolts and ceros blasted in the distance.
"And I intend to make you see th-"
The sentence was cut off when Uryu pulled his hand back and threw a smoke bomb to the ground, disorientating the clown-captain just enough for him to Hirenkyaku away.
Tch! Childish weapons?
Uryu reappeared on top of Mayuri's Bankai.
It's not moving….perhaps I can destroy it here and now, and quick! That device can't work if he's not close to me!
But to his shock, the arrow still dissipated.
No! How much range does it have?!
His eyes shifted for a brief moment to see the transformed Candice Catnipp fighting alongside Jushiro Ukitake.
What…..happened to her?
But in his pondering, several wires shot out of the baby's back, and he didn't have enough time to slip away.
"Ah!"
The wires quickly tied him up, and they moved him so that he was facing the mouth of the large creature. Mayuri stepped out of the smoke below.
"How naïve. You think this device has a limit?"
Mayuri glanced to the side.
Although…..I do detect that Quincy shooting lightning…..hmmm…..it must be self-generated, or at the very least, a more sophisticated form of reishi? I should upgrade the next batch.
Uryu tried to break free from the wires, but he didn't have the raw strength to do so. His eyes widened when they pulled him closer and closer to the baby's mouth.
NO!
"Isn't it lovely? Your death will be the first one I tell to Nemu!"
But then, some force had destroyed the wires, making Uryu fall towards the ground. Another force grabbed him and disappeared.
Flash-step!
Mayuri turned around with a growl.
"Pencil, are you okay?"
Yachiru had set Uryu down next to her and Nemu, while both were glaring at the clown-captain. He was stunned.
"Nemu-san…and you too, Yachiru? Are you sure you wish to-"
"Pencil."
The response was a painful slap to Uryu's face.
"You think I would let you die?! You're my friend too, silly! And since you're Nemu-chan's boyfriend, you're practically a member of the club!"
"Well, well….the peanut gallery has arrived."
Mayuri and Nemu were staring each other down.
"I assume Shimu was detained?"
"Don't worry about her."
"Tch…that's quite annoying."
Mayuri jumped back when both girls tried to attack him, and he flash-stepped to the head of the baby.
"Come now! I have to waste my time and energy on you, Kusajishi? Don't you have some friends you need to coddle?"
"Shut up. I said I was going to break you, remember?"
"Is that so?"
"Uryu-san." Nemu whispered while Yachiru and Mayuri continued to argue. "What has he done?"
"Silver device, on his hand. I cannot use my powers as long as it is intact." He whispered back. Nemu nodded, and tapped Yachiru's shoulder.
"Let us begin."
"Okay."
The two Shinigami flash-stepped to Mayuri's position, Yachiru behind him and Nemu in front of him. He dodged both of their kicks, just as the lamp-like extensions glowed.
"Even if you throw an entire army at me…..you wll not win!"
The extensions quickly fired a dart into both SWA members.
Poison…. Uryu thought. Of course, what else could it be? But if the three of us work together…..we can win.
Mayuri sensed Uryu appear behind him, earning him a dart as well. The mad scientist flash-stepped to dodge more of Yachiru's and Nemu's strikes.
So…..not even my injection will slow them down? …for now, that is!
He quickly kicked Uryu off his Bankai, forcing Nemu to dive off the head to grab him.
"Nemu-san!"
"You cannot generate platforms, Uryu-san."
As the two disappeared via a flash-step, Mayuri quickly grabbed a blade jutting out from the Bankai head to block Yachiru's zanpakutou.
"You must be the stupidest girl in the world to challenge me, Kusajishi. Even with Nemu….you will still die horribly. For all that you've done."
"Don't take my lines." She growled.
"I take it you've seen Arisawa?"
A louder growl, a crash of reiatsu, and more of a push was his answer.
"I figured that'd be your response. Don't you admire my handiwork? I even did you a favor, setting up your path so that you'd find her!"
The two continued to clash, but eventually they both jumped to slide back.
"So what? You think you can enact your petty revenge scheme right here, and right now? My Bankai is not designed to be idle."
Yachiru didn't look concerned when she felt the baby stand up.
"You talk too much."
Mayuri deadpanned.
"I see…..well! Maybe it should go hunt down Orihime Inoue. Isn't that her, sprawled out on the dome?"
Although Yachiru knew he was trying to bluff her, she really did feel her reiatsu close by. She quickly turned her head, and peeking through the army of Hollows, she saw auburn hair.
Hime-chan….!
Yachiru moved her body back and forth to get a closer look.
"Oh."
Mayuri's blade was through her chest now, barely missing her heart. She turned her head back-
BAM
A white fist had knocked her off the baby.
"Yes, I do think that is what we'll do! If I kill her, she will not be able to heal you! And you'll get to see yet another friend suffer by my hand!"
Yachiru's eyes shot open as she fell. She removed the blade from her body.
No. You will not…..touch Hime-chan. She's suffered….enough….!
But then, a metallic hand had grabbed her and swung her overhead, allowing her to get a better view of what was around her.
Fact 1 – Jushiro Ukitake and Candice Catnipp were fighting the swarm.
Fact 2 – Orihime Inoue was on the dome.
Fact 3 –
"Release now, Yachiru!"
Nemu Kusamiya had Uryu on her back, her limbs replaced with very long metallic arms and legs, allowing her to stand up to the height of Mayuri's Bankai, who looked very annoyed.
"Riot, Sanpo Kenju!"
"This is what Urahara gives you, Nemu?! You look ridiculous!"
The baby opened its mouth to fire four bursts of energy, each aimed at the extended limbs, Nemu making her way closer and closer.
"Yachiru, Uryu-san! Be careful!"
I'd be the more one careful one, Nemu…..
Nemu quickly retracted each of the extensions to their usual length, allowing for the blasts to pass by harmlessly.
WHAT?!
Uryu and Yachiru jumped off Nemu, with the former throwing a ball at the Bankai face. It exploded with a burst of light, blinding it.
So these idiots have learned how to use their brains?
Thankfully the two had closed their eyes. Yachiru opened them and landed on the head, thrusting forward with her two beasts. Mayuri grabbed another blade to block, but they zoomed past him.
So….they're trying to destroy the head?
Uryu landed and threw another ball, which opened up a web to hold Mayuri in place.
"How many of these ridiculous weapons do you have?"
Yachiru moved herself into position, angling the blade downward, with her monsters following her movement. Nemu landed on the head and jumped to hit Mayuri.
"How cute, Nemu. You think you can beat me?"
Mayuri tapped his foot on the head, just as Yachiru moved with her Shikai and Nemu's bare first was about to hit his face. An fiery explosion engulfed the surface, blasting everyone but Mayuri off.
(With Byakuya and the others)
To save some of his power, Byakuya had resealed his zanpakutou. The manta ray was speeding along, with Retsu tending to Rukia.
"…..What is going on at the top of the castle?"
"I don't know, Captain Kuchiki. But we need to hurry. With every second, this castle becomes more and more dangerous to linger in."
Minazuki soared through a hole that Retsu blasted with a Byakurai.
"Captain Zaraki and Meninas McAllon had their organs removed?"
Hanataro nodded.
"Y-Yes sir."
"…."
"Captains!"
Nanao was approaching with a barriered Tatsuki floating next to her.
"Nanao-san…..!" Rukia coughed out. "You found Tatsuki?"
Minazuki lowered itself so the glasses-wearing vice-captain could get on.
"Yachiru and I, yes. She went off with Nemu-san to….confront Mayuri Kurotsuchi."
Retsu frowned.
"Which way did they go?"
"That way, ma'am. I suspect they're no longer in the castle, because their reiatsu signals have become…distant."
Minazuki moved faster, speeding through tons of sand and pillars. A command from Retsu made it swallow up Tatsuki for protection.
"….what has happened to Arisawa-chan, Nanao?"
Nanao shook her head. "Resurreccion. She had attacked us."
That earned gasps from Rukia and Hanataro.
"…..we must round up the others and assist Captain Ukitake immediately. Captain Kuchiki, you say you found the captured Quincy?"
"That is correct. If we find Captain Ukitake…..we can shelter her as well."
Ichigo…where are you? Rukia thought, her body under the healing light of Retsu's kido. We're so close to winning this battle! But we can't do it without you….
Then everything began to rumble violently.
"W-What's g-going on?!" Hanataro asked.
Retsu and Byakuya both narrowed their eyes. A large pillar was speeding towards them, as if it had been thrown. Luckily Byakuya destroyed it time with a kido blast.
"So I missed, huh?!" came a rough voice.
In front of the party stood one Yammy Llargo, the other Espada still remaining in Las Noches. His uniform was torn slightly, but his eyes were bloodshot.
"Doesn't matter….I'll kill all of you fucking Shinigami! Including you, Four Eyes!"
Nanao readied herself to attack, but Retsu stopped her.
"No. Who are you, Arrancar-san?" She called out, Minazuki not losing any speed.
"Espada #9, Yammy Llargo! You…..you bastards think you can make a fool out of me?! THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF!"
Despite the low rank, Yammy's reiatsu was crashing down on the group, forcing the manta ray to stop.
"Oh dear."
"Captain Unohana, shall I kill this Espada?" Byakuya asked.
"KILL ME?!" Yammy snarled, unsheathing his zanpakutou. "Ohohohoho….I'm going to grind your body into dust for saying that!"
"Yammy-san, can you please step to the side?" Retsu asked. "We really need to help our friends."
"Captain!" Nanao hissed. "I don't think he's going to let us move without a fight!"
"You got that right! Get enraged….IRA!"
The room began to shake violently as Yammy transformed, his form becoming much bigger and more menacing. He gained six more legs, with a spiked tail sprouting out on the end. The red markings on his face extended as his mask remnants fused to his face.
Nearly the entire body was tan in color, with five cylinders sprouted on his back. The final detail was that the gothic 9 on his chest had reformed into a 0.
"Oh…..dear."
Rukia, Hanataro, and Nanao were starting to sweat from the beast's menacing reiatsu. It was more concentrated and denser than Kenpachi without his eyepatch.
"I am the strongest Espada….Cero Espada!"
Yammy looked down the five figures, as if Godzilla was leering at the townspeople of Tokyo. The ceiling was cracking up.
"So…..who should I slaughter first?"
The question sent a chill down Hanataro's spine, but he was soon distracted by Retsu throwing her haori to him.
"Keep watch over this, Hanataro. I trust you to heal our comrades."
"What?! Captain, you're seriously going to fight this guy?!"
"Indeed."
Retsu Unohana had not been in a true fight in centuries. Her job was more directed on healing people, not killing them.
"Captain….allow me to assist you." Byakuya said.
"No, that is alright. You lead the others to the roof to assist Captain Ukitake. Protect Liltotto-san and Orihime-chan at all costs, and hopefully Kurosaki-san will be alright. I sense him….being healed, just like before."
She jumped off the manta ray, but not before the creature spat up two katana blades for her to use.
"Thank you, Minazuki." Retsu rubbed the beast's tail in gratitude.
"What is this garbage?!" Yammy thundered. "You're just a medic! Aizen-sama told me all about you!"
"He did? Hmm. Hanataro, go on. Minazuki will listen to you."
"Captain, you can't do this alone! I won't let you get yourself killed!" Hanataro shouted, the sweat on his face starting to build and build. He was too scared to even look at Yammy.
"Go, Hanataro. Or do I detect disobedience?" Retsu smiled her trademark "you will die if you don't listen to me" smile.
Minazuki quickly sped past Yammy's large form.
"Oh no you don't!"
"Yammy-san."
Yammy looked back down at his opponent. There wasn't even a threat in the sentence, it was just a declaration of a name. But….he felt every inch of command in the words.
"….whatever. You can be the warm-up." He sneered.
"Oh? Well I might be a little rusty….but I promise you, I won't bore you."
And for the first time in many centuries, Retsu Unohana began to untie her long braid that she kept in front of her body…..something she only did before when bathing or swimming.
"…..? The hell?"
"Excuse me. I need to get myself in the right state of being." Retsu said politely.
"Lady, you think I care about your damn hair?!" Yammy asked, and began to charge up an absurdly large cero from his mouth.
"You should."
Retsu let her raven-colored locks flow freely. She was only dressed in her shihakusho and hakama now. She picked up the two swords.
"Because I'm afraid…..I can't control myself when a battle like this is going to occur."
Yammy raised an eyebrow at Retsu's shift in expression, looking even more menacing than Kenpachi Zaraki's bloodlust. But he fired the cero anyway.
Forgive me, Hanataro….Rukia-san, Nanao-san….Captain Kuchki….Jushiro….
Retsu got into position.
But I don't like when people see me so…..hungry…
(With Orihime)
The healer moaned as she slowly got to her feet, her head still spinning.
"He….threw me...bare-handed?"
Her eyes shot open.
"What….the….?!"
Orihime was right in the center of the action; the Hollows swarming to the castle in droves, Jushiro and Candice fighting them off, and Mayuri's large Bankai towering over everything.
"No…..what is this? W-Wait! Loly and Menoly! If I don't get back to help them, they'll!"
A large crash made her turn her head.
"HIIIIIIIMMMMEEEEEE-TAAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!"
Mashiro crashed into the girl, grabbing her into a tight hug.
"You're okay! Yay!"
"Mashiro….-san…?!"
"You idiot! You're crushing her spine!"
Kensei had landed on the dome as well, looking annoyed.
"We did it, Kensei! We found her!"
"What happened to searching the towers?! No no, you say you feel her close and smash the nearest wall! Stupid!"
"Mashiro-san, please let me go! I have to get back into the fight!"
Several Hollows had surrounded them. Mashiro released Orihime and jumped to attack each one, smashing their masks.
"Go away, you pests! I'm hugging my friend!"
"Mashiro! We need to fight." Kensei winced as he stepped closer. "Inoue, just heal me a little bit, to finish up Unohana's job. Then I won't be hindered by my shit leg."
Orihime nodded and quickly healed the Vizard.
"Hime-tan! We'll go home soon, okay?"
Kensei and Mashiro both jumped into the air, doning their masks.
"Mashiro, let's help Ukitake!"
"Right!"
The two flash-stepped away.
"….at least they're okay….."
Orihime's musings were interrupted by the sound of the dome cracking.
"What?!" What's going on now?!"
Her eyes caught Ulquiorra appear one of the towers. He raised his zanpakutou.
"Bind, Murcielago…."
The burst of reiatsu was so dense, it made Orihime freeze up as it crashed down on her. It took the form of a dark-green rain. Under her feet, the dome was about to break.
Ulquiorra disappeared.
He…..transformed to attack them…..?!
The dome finally shattered, due to the density of Yammy's and Ulquiorra's release reiatsus being close to it. Orihime screamed as she fell through….….until she landed on a soft surface.
"Orihime! You're okay!"
Yet again she was hugged by someone. Rukia was overjoyed to see her.
"Don't worry, we have Tatsuki protected."
"You do?!"
Nanao nodded. "She is safe in this manta ray."
Minazuki soared higher, through the density of Hollows out and about.
"We have to go back to the fifth tower!" Orihime shouted. "I have people there that need my help!"
"I'm trying! But there's too many of them!" Hanataro protested.
Byakuya quickly released his Bankai again to cut down more of the attacking swarm. He jumped into the air.
"I will assist Captain Ukitake and guard Liltotto. Before you go…Inoue, can you quickly heal Rukia?" He said, and disappeared with a flash-step, the waves of pink still circling around the manta ray.
"Byakuya, she doesn't have to-"
Rukia was bathed in a golden light.
"O-Okay! Where's everyone else?"
Nanao took off her glasses and put them in her shihakusho.
"Captain Unohana is busy with an Espada, and Nemu, Yachiru, and Ishida-san are with Mayuri Kurotsuchi. I do not know where Ichigo Kurosaki and Yasutora Sado are."
"Kurotsuchi?!"
Orihime looked back at the Bankai. She stopped healing Rukia.
"Orihime, what's wrong? We're all here to help!" The Kuchiki declared, but she noticed her friend was holding her head.
What do I do…..Loly and Menoly need my protection….but there's so many Hollows around here….and Kurotsuchi released his zanpakutou…and I-Ichigo-kun! I….
Nanao and Rukia began to fire kido blasts at the Hollows that broke through, Byakuya's Bankai still circling around.
I…..don't KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Doing all of that is not impossible, Orihime-sama. You are a god.
W-What?
You are a god. You stopped that Arrancar because you willed it so. If you wish to help everyone…..do it. There is no time to ponder why or why not. Just….do.
Just…..do?
Orihime closed her eyes, and her pins began to glow brightly. Soon, they came off her head, and each pin split into three parts.
Two pins….three pieces each…..six voices.
"Inoue-san…..?" Hanataro called out, but she couldn't hear him, despite being a few centimeters away.
The first piece created a barrier to stop Minazuki in place, but also to shield it from attacks. Each cero and claw swipe bounced harmlessly off the barrier. Rukia and Nanao were shocked.
The other five pieces scattered in different directions.
Focus…..focus…!
Yachiru was falling down at a high speed, her robes ripped and head bleeding. She was too dazed to direct her beasts to attack.
Nemu…-chan….
She was only vaguely aware of what was going on.
Hime-chan…..you're close…are…..you…..okay?
Unforunately, several Menos Grande had begun to follow her descent. Not that Yachiru was in a condition to notice them.
Ken-chan…..if I die….I'm sorry…..tell Baldy and Feathers…..sorry…..
She tried to look up, but she was still dazed. She was not built like Nemu Kusamiya.
Bee-chan…..Re-chan…..Nan-Nan…..Blondie….Jiggles….Peaches….Boobies….Ruki-Ruki….Isa-chan…..Nemu-chan…Hime-chan…..was I…..a good friend….?
And then, she saw all of her club members. Only one spoke at a time.
Are you going to give up like this?
What…?
You're the president! You're supposed to watch over us!
Yeah…..
Please, Yachiru. This club has been through a lot, but we all promised we would bring our friends home! You can't break that promise!
Yeah….
We're all keeping it! You're the one that's so serious about this stuff, Prez. Do YOU want to be the one that lets us all down?
N-No….
We can defeat our enemies. So can you.
Y-Yeah….
If we win…..we can finally have that party, President. And indict our new members! Everyone will be safe.
You're r-right….
Don't lose hope, Yachiru. All of these wounds…..you're from the 11th. Captain Zaraki has suffered far worse, and so have you. They mean nothing to you.
Yeah….s-stupid wounds….
Do you want Mayuri Kurotsuchi to win, President?
Never.
Do you want to save Tatsuki-chan?
Yes please.
Do you want to beat Aizen?
More than anything.
Do you want to….save me from the Vandenreich?
Yachiru's eyes widened, and now she was aware of everything going on again. She crashed into the sand, and the force of collision made Las Noches's wall shake enough for it to fall down. Right towards the fallen vice-captain. The Menos Grande were about to reach her.
Nemu-chan….and Pencil! I have to save them!
"Hold it."
Time was frozen now, and Yachiru was now looking at a skeleton in a hooded robe. He had a scythe.
"Come, Yachiru Kusajishi. Your time is now."
"Nope."
Death stared down through his empty eye-holes.
"….what?"
"Nope. I can't die. Not today, at least."
"…..do you realize how far and how fast you were falling? Sand is soft, but it still hurts when you fall off a castle."
"I don't care. I'm protecting my friends, and you can't stop me."
"…you've been poisoned. It's going to kick in the very second time begins again."
"So? Poison is poison. Now move Mr. Skeleton, I NEED to save Nemu-chan and her boyfriend."
"They've fallen as well."
"Good, then we can all charge Mayuri together. He needs to die today."
"Ugh, what is with you 11th Division morons?! Every time I come for one of you, you always have to ignore me and insist on keep going!"
"Hey, do you have some candy? I could use a sugar boost."
Death facepalmed.
"Fine. Fine! You win this round, Yachiru Kusajishi….I don't think I've met a soul as brave and stupid as you."
"So that's a no?"
Death glared at Yachiru before vanishing.
Yachiru immediately stood up and barely dodged the falling rubble. Her legs felt weak, and she definitely felt a few cracked ribs. Her stomach and lungs were aching. Her skin was getting pale.
Hime-chan….Nemu-chan….!
But she still leaped into the air, jumping onto the Menos Grande masks to gain more and more height. When she got closer, she grabbed the wall of the castle and climbed, ignoring every pain in her body.
I will…protect you…..!
Her eyes caught a figure speeding towards her. It was Nemu. She moved a hand to catch her by the skirt.
"Ya…..chiru…!"
"Nemu-chan! Didn't you fall the other way?"
"I…..went up, but he knocked me down…..Uryu-san….is in danger!"
Danger.
Yachiru held Nemu tightly as she climbed faster, somehow still managing to dodge the ceros fired at her. She had to keep going, even if her body was going to self-destruct. She could not die.
She wouldn't allow it.
President's Orders.
When Yachiru put her hand on the platform's edge, she propelled herself and Nemu onto it, but it was starting to crack from the weight of the Bankai. A thick purple cloud engulfed it.
More poison! Nemu covered her mouth, but Yachiru dashed through it. Yachiru, wait! You're just walking into his trap!
Yachiru couldn't see in front of her, but she still could detect reiatsu. As she moved on and on, she began to cough, as if the poison was more concentrated. But she saw two shadows.
There!
"And now…..you can die first, Ishida."
Uryu was completely paralyzed in place in front of Mayuri.
"Oh wait! Won't it break Nemu's little heart if I make your last minutes painful?"
He perked up.
What the…..?!
He turned his head, only to have Yachiru's foot collide with his face, sending him to the ground. Not wasting anymore time, she seized his nose.….and began to smash his face into the platform itself.
"I always keep my promises!"
"You-!"
Ignoring her aliments, Yachiru merely increased her speed. She kept at it, not paying attention to the baby stepping towards her.
"You damned….!"
Mayuri flipped Yachiru over and smashed his foot into her stomach, cracking the platform enough for her to fall she grabbed his other foot to make him fall with her.
"You are a menace, Yachiru Kusajishi!"
Mayuri reached down to strange the small girl.
"Why didn't I poison your food before I left?!"
To his surprise, Yachiru's hands seized his own throat.
"Little..!"
The two strangled each other as they fell further and further. Unfortunately, Yachiru was weakened from the poison, allowing Mayuri to break free and kick Yachiru downward.
Upwards, Nemu ran over to Uryu.
"Uryu-san….this poison….."
"It…..it's…..not….from the Bankai….." He hissed out, his body still frozen. "He…..stabbed….me…..with…..a…syri-"
He started to choke at the sight before him. The Bankai's stomach was opening up…..
…..and a smaller baby, looking like the original Konjiki Ashisogi Jizou (albeit Hollowified) popped out of its pregnant form, releasing more poison.
No! I….have to….wait, Yachiru!
Nemu extended one arm into the hole to grab her friend, while she changed the other hand into a cannon.
The smaller baby was approaching the two with a mighty roar. Nemu's cannon arm was charging up energy to destroy it, but she was suddenly dragged through the hole…..leaving Uryu alone.
She fell until a white fist smashed her face, Mayuri being the one that pulled the arm to him.
"Nemu, you damned failure…..!"
Nemu moved to kick Mayuri back, and she zoomed downward to get closer to Yachiru, tying the extension around the clown-captain so he couldn't escape.
"Making a tough choice? Ishida will die because of you!"
Determined, Nemu quickly kicked off some falling debris to increase her speed, and soon she grabbed Yachiru. She pulled her arm away from Mayuri.
"No! You will die because of the three of us, Mayuri Kurotsuchi!" She called up, disappearing with a flash-step.
"Tch. Shimu! Can you hear me?"
"My apologies Mayuri-sama…I cannot move."
Mayuri shook his head and jumped to a falling piece.
"Worthless."
He flash-stepped away.
XXXXXX
Nemu reappeared on the platform, and she quickly changed her arm back into the cannon and fired, the energy having stored during the fall.
She blasted the smaller baby, but the smoke had blocked her view of Uryu.
"Nemu-chan….." Yachiru coughed. "We have to protect Pencil…..!"
"Yes….!"
Just then, a golden light had appeared before the two, and the poison cloud soon faded, as did the smoke cloud.
Uryu was still alive and intact.
"What…was that Orihime-san's power…..?" Nemu wondered out loud, her eyes still looking at the hulking Bankai. It was looking down at the three.
But she noticed Uryu's skin starting to melt away.
No! The extra poison…..!
"Nemu-san….aaah…..AAAAHHH!"
Uryu screamed horrifically as his skin began to melt off, as did his hair.
"PENCIL!"
The golden light was still lingering…..suddenly, the melting had stopped….and was now reversing itself….
(With Jushiro and Candice)
Elsewhere, Jushiro fired another cero back at a Hollow, his form starting to tremble and shake.
I'm….running out of steam…..
But to his surprise, Kensei and Mashiro had started to attack next to him, with the familiar pink of Byakuya's Bankai assisting.
"Muguruma? Kuna?"
"Ukitake! You look like crap!" Kensei declared, smashing an adjuachas mask with his fist.
"Yeah! Go see a doctor!" Mashiro shouted, jumping from Hollow to Hollow.
Jushiro turned.
The pink was shielding a scared Liltotto, but Candice looked just as weary as he did. She dropped to a knee, but she continued her onslaught of electricity.
"Damn….pests! Why…..can't….they…..die…..!"
A golden light suddenly fazed through, enveloping Candice, Liltotto, and Jushiro. The three looked confused, but….in seconds….Candice's strikes became faster and more accurate, with her skin turning back to normal.
Jushiro was now able to block multiple Hollows at once, and even cut down a myriad of Gillians. His skin also turned back to normal.
"W-What?!"
Liltotto gasped. She felt the scars on her body fade, and her hair was regenerating itself.
"W-What…..who's doing this…..?!"
Jushiro scanned the horizon to see the faint figure of Orihime, standing on a manta ray.
Orihime….she's…..healing all of us…..!
(With Chad and Neliel)
"Okay….they're finally stable."
Neliel had moved the two to a different room, close to the fifth tower. Her healing wasn't as efficient as Orihime's or Retsu's, but it had saved Ichigo and Grimmjow from certain death.
"Can…..they fight?"
"No…" Neliel shook her head. "They're unconscious…..they will be for a long time."
"….but we can't stay here. More and more Hollows….."
"I know."
Neliel looked sad.
"I'm sorry, Ichigo. I'm sorry….for everything…..you've always protected me….it's my turn to do the same to you."
She put a soft hand to his forehead, but she gasped when a golden light enveloped him.
"What?!"
Chad looked around. "It looks like Inoue's power, but…..since when can she heal at this range?"
Then the room went pitch-black.
"What the….?...ICHIGO!"
The darkness was nothing compared to the renewed sight of Ichigo's Hollow mask forming on his face, causing him pain again. This time, horns had formed on the surface.
Neliel quickly grabbed it.
"Sado, help! Ichigo can't lose control now!"
Chad grunted and helped the Espada rip the mask off, and Ichigo gasped for air as he sat up. His wounds had been healed completely.
The light faded.
"…..Chad?"
"Ichigo?"
"…why are we in the dark?"
Ichigo's ears picked up some rustling sounds and murmurs.
"…that you, Nel?"
"Yeah, Ichigo! Are you okay?" Neliel asked carefully, not bothered at all by the lack of sight.
"….yeah. I feel…..great. But it sounds like there's something…..chasing us."
Ichigo turned his head, and he vaguely heard the sound of a music box playing a melody.
"…..?"
When the melody finished, a horrific bear-like face had lunged for the substitute's face, mask illuminating in the dark.
"GURAAAAAA!"
But he quickly stabbed it with his zanpakutou.
"….that was weird."
He watched the beast fall to the ground, dead. The light to the room had returned.
"….!"
Ichigo quickly stood up. He was feeling many different reiatsus around him, some of them a lot more menacing and large than others. But he knew what he had to do. He jumped up and dashed up the stairs.
"Ichigo! Wait!"
"Chad, stay with Nel! You guys head outside and help Rukia and the others!"
"But Ichigo….!" Neliel protested.
"NOW!" He called down.
"…let him be. When Ichigo sets his mind on something…..there's no stopping him." Chad stood up, glancing down at Grimmjow. "….Inoue didn't heal him."
"….."
Neliel grabbed the two and sonidoed away.
(With Loly and Menoly)
"…pathetic."
Ulquiorra's released form was something to not to be taken lightly. He had gained bat wings, and his hair lengthened and widened. His mask remnants had expanded, forming two large horns.
Loly and Menoly laid before him, both heavily wounded and near death.
"For the record….I only released to destroy that woman and the other intruders. I certainly didn't need to use it on you two."
Menoly fell unconscious. Loly's resurreccion had been destroyed.
"…farewell, traitorous scum."
He began to charge up a cero from his fingertip, not missing a beat. He fired….
….only to have a barrier form around the two, blocking it.
"…tch."
He stepped forward and narrowed his eyes.
"…..even at a distance….? How…..how did that woman protect them?"
"HEY!"
He looked up. Ichigo had ran into the room.
"Ichigo Kurosaki…what a surprise. You didn't die when Grimmjow fought you? Did that woman save you?"
"Ulquiorra….." Ichigo was slightly unnerved by the transformation and his large reiatsu. "….you're one of the few left."
"So it seems." He said neutrally.
"…..I get it now. Aizen probably left his strongest Espada before on purpose. Well that doesn't matter! I….I'm fully healed now…..and I'm going to take you down!"
Ulquiorra scoffed.
"How wrong your assumptions are, boy. But what grudge do you have against me?"
"….."
"Is it because I took Orihime Inoue to this world in the first place? Or is it because I was the one that murdered Tatsuki Arisawa?"
Ulquiorra was deliberately trying to anger the substitute.
"You….!"
It worked.
In a flash, Ichigo's zanpakutou had clashed with Ulquiorra's.
"You were the one that did that?! You bastard! I'm going to rip you to shreds!"
"I believe that's my line….."
He broke Ichigo's guard, and with stunning strength, easily threw him into the ceiling. He flapped his wings and followed him up.
"Ichigo….kun?!"
Orihime had re-entered the room, looking around. She noticed Loly and Menoly.
"Orihime-sama….."
"Loly! Where did….." Orihime looked up, feeling both combatants. "The….top….."
Your loved one will die at my hand, woman. This is the price you must pay….for defying Aizen-sama.
"Orihime-sama….t-thank you…..for protecting us….."
"Loly….I'm so sorry….I wanted to help everyone, but maybe I should've hurried back…."
"No…." Loly wheezed. "You made sure we didn't die. You…..your power is truly amazing….Orihime-sama…..go…your boyfriend will die…..if Ulquiorra gets to him…."
"But…..my pins have to come back….."
Oh no…Ichigo-kun…..!
(With Retsu)
Despite the difference in size, Retsu had easily dodged the cero aimed at her. She was staring upwards at the large Espada.
"Number zero...why mask your power? That doesn't sound very…..thrilling, if you ask me."
She jumped to dodge his punch, and ran up his arm.
"Shut up! You damned pest! You think you can kill me?!"
"Think? Well that implies uncertainty. I know for a fact I am going to kill you."
Although Yammy wouldn't admit it, part of him felt a little scared by that comment. This woman was barely armed, and yet, her very presence was large as he was! Retsu spread her arms out and began to cut up his arm with her blades.
"Ow! That smarts, you bitch!"
A large hand moved to swat her, but she easily flash-stepped to avoid it. She reappeared on his back.
"Whatever are these things?" She asked of Yammy's cylinders.
"You…..goddamn…..!"
She couldn't see Yammy's face getting more and more…..angry.
"You…..you think you can keep mocking me…..?!"
His tail lunged to strike her, but she flash-stepped yet again.
"Mocking? I didn't realize Aizen made his Espada so….sensitive."
Now she was on his nose, right in front of Yammy's eyes.
"…you…..fucking…!"
Retsu raised an eyebrow. It seemed Yammy was getting bigger, and more beast-like. She flash-stepped away to dodge a swipe from his hand, and reappeared back down on the sand.
Yammy Llargo's reiatsu was increasing as well. But Retsu Unohana wasn't afraid at all.
In fact, she was getting…..excited.
"Now you've done." He boomed out in his deep voice. "Wanna know my special ability? The angrier I get….the stronger I get. Sucks to be you, huh? Wished you didn't send your friends away so soon?"
"I didn't realize Aizen made his Espada so….lacking in brainpower."
Yammy snarled.
"They would drown in the depth of your reiatsu. Isn't that obvious?"
Yammy growled out a retort, but a golden burst of energy smashed into his face.
What was that….? Ah….Orihime-chan. She sent me a present.
Retsu jumped up, and with god-like precision and power…..easily cut off Yammy's tail, blood spewing out. As she landed, her face gave a terrifying smile.
I must thank her later.
She turned around, to see Yammy's perpetually enraged face.
"I'm going to slaughter you…woman…!"
"Ah, but that wasn't me, Yammy-chan." She said in a mocking tone of voice. "You should really pay attention to your surroundings."
Retsu Unohana was a demon in combat. No one that could attest to her true power….was still breathing.
Elsewhere, Shimu still laid bound by the various types of kido, still blinking. She managed to hear Mayuri's voice again.
"Well, you dunce….I need your help. Are you ready?"
"I will serve you until my death, Mayuri-sama. Intruders….must die."
"Excellent, then. So…Destroy, Genocidio!"
And at that, Shimu's eyes went completely white, matching her grey hair better than before. Her form began….its transformation, easily destroying the kido in place.
"Yes…..Mayuri-sama."
FIN
Ending notes: Whatever you think is going to happen with Ichigo against Ulquiorra, you're probably wrong :)
Retsu being the 1st Kenpachi or whatever sounds like a cool idea, really, but Kubo's execution is something I take serious issue with. But I'm not gonna rant here. I'm keeping it ambiguous here in the sense that she's not going to be officially named as such, but she will be very very threatening nonetheless. Enjoy!
Curious on what SWA member said what when Yachiru fell? Here's the order: Soi, Kiyone, Rukia, Rangiku, Retsu, Momo, Nemu, Nanao, Orihime, Yoruichi, Isane.
Next time - We take a pause here, and spend a whole chapter on the three-way war. Kisuke trolls everyone. Fun for the kids! (well not really)