Author's note: It feels like more and more people are reading this story, because I've seen some new faces for reviews! So glad people are still reading...yes, I self-doubt a lot.
Chapter 38 – 99 Problems
"It's ready!"
Yuzu smiled as she passed a bowl of soup to her sister and cousin, both whom were sitting together at a table.
The table had multiple bowls, all empty.
"Uhh…..thanks Yuzu, but maybe you should….I don't know, take a break?"
"Break? Break? No no, don't be silly! Break, me? No…..no…..!"
Karin and Ganju both winced as the younger Kurosaki shivered as she walked back to her area of preparation. The trio were sitting inside of the 10th Division barracks, as not all Shinigami were ordered to go off and fight.
Best of all, Hachigen Ushoda had sealed the Soul Society away from danger. But Yuzu was still scared either way.
"Hey…..what should we do?" Ganju whispered.
"Dunno. This is how Yuzu copes. By cooking and cleaning."
"You mean when Aunt Masaki…..?"
Karin nodded.
"You worried about your sister, Ganju?"
"Pfft! Are you crazy? We're Shibas! We don't get scared in the face of danger, we laugh at all! I'm sure Kukaku's beating the crap out of hundreds of bad guys!"
Karin deadpanned.
"Then why are you shaking like a leaf?"
"Uhhh…."
"Karin-san, do you need anything?" A Shinigami asked, stepping into the room.
"Nah, we'll be okay. Thanks, Obashi."
As the recruit left, Ganju turned to Karin.
"Hey uh…..don't worry about Ichigo. I fought with him to get into this very citadel! We were the baddest team out there!"
"I can't worry about Ichi-nii…..never."
"Huh?"
Karin gestured to herself and Yuzu, who was washing dishes and still shaking.
"He's our brother, and he's made a promise. He's always kept us safe…..so the best thing we can do is trust him and Dad will come back."
"…y-yeah."
"Wonder how long it'll be." Karin drawled, laying down. "Maybe a long day? Maybe a week?"
"….."
"Your friends okay?"
Ganju sighed. "They'll hiding in their villages. Everyone in Rukongai is definitely terrified, even if some of them just curse out the Shinigami."
"Kuu-chan said you guys used to hate them, too. Because of Kaien's death?"
"…yeah. But that was the past! Kukaku's gonna be a captain….and I guess I'm going to go to the academy."
"Cool. I want to go there too."
"HUH?!"
Karin was smiling now.
"But why?"
"Because….why should I stay a little girl that has to be protected by my family? I want to do the same. I want to protect innocent souls from Hollows and stuff."
"You know Uncle Isshin and Ichigo might say no."
"Who cares what they say? I can ask Retsu or Kuu-chan to teach me, or even Rukia-nee."
Ganju scratched his head.
"…..but don't you have a life in Karakura?"
"Yeah. I do want to finish middle school at least." Karin replied. "But what does my life matter in the grand scheme of things?"
"….?"
"All I do is watch TV and play soccer. Sure I can get a good job when I get older….maybe actually be a pro player…..but at the end of the day…..there's still people missing family. There's still Hollows afoot."
She thought of her mother's smile.
"…..people who keep suffering. My mom used to say…that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from…..as long as you can help out someone in need…..that's all you should do."
"…I hear ya. But would you really want to say goodbye to all of your friends?"
"'Course not. Who said I couldn't visit them?"
Ganju glanced at Yuzu.
"What about her? Think she feels the same way?"
"Yep."
"Really?"
"Call it twin telepathy. Yuzu gets all misty eyed when she sees a dying bird in the street. She's always working herself to make the rest of us happy."
"….."
"So if we're gonna be here for a while, let's pass the time, Ganju."
"Uh sure. What do you want to do?"
Karin smiled again.
"Tell me about the first time Kaien came home from a mission."
The skies were blue and proud all across the city. A few clouds littered the air, but it seemed it was going to be sunny all day. The skyscrapers were towering as ever. And a certain stuffed lion poked his head out of a dumpster.
"Stupid Urahara! Why the hell is he putting me in danger like this?! If Aizen or somebody scary like that sees me, I'm toast!"
I have a special job for you, Kon. Want to hear it?
Kon quickly got out and landed on the ground. He was in a back alley.
"How did that mustache guy make all of this, anyway?"
He walked out and looked around. Not a soul was around, but cars were still parked in the streets.
"Are you kidding me? He actually made a monorail?"
"Hey, what's that?"
Kon shrieked and quickly dropped to the ground, playing dead. A few figures had walked up to it.
"Tch. It's one of Urahara's toys."
Soi Fon scoffed and shook her head.
"Onward, squads!"
She and her vice-captain quickly dashed onward with many Shinigami trailing behind them. When they were gone from view, Kon sighed and sat up.
"My heart can't take this….."
"Delta squad, you go that way! Beta, that way!"
Toshiro Hitsugaya finished directing his troops and turned to his vice-captain, who was jumping from tree to tree with him.
"Matsumoto, where did Captain Shiba go?"
"He said he was going to lead the alpha team." Rangiku replied.
Due to Yamamoto's earlier decree, she had to stay by her captain's side through the entire battle. Not that she minded.
"…..you think Karin and Yuzu are safe?"
"Matsumoto, we shouldn't worry about them. Our enemies will not be able to access the Soul Society as long as we stand."
"Right, right! ….so who should we target first?"
"…"
Toshiro and Rangiku landed on a grassy field, but there seemed to be something large in the distance. The two continued, numerous Shinigami alongside them.
"…I'd like to get my Shikai and Bankai back from that creep…..without those, I have no chance against Aizen."
"Captain….."
"Are you thinking about Ichimaru, Matsumoto?"
"…"
"Are you?"
"…..yes. But I won't lower my blade when the time comes, Captain Hitsugaya. I serve you first."
Toshiro nodded, but narrowed his eyes when he saw multiple Hollows approaching. He unsheathed his zanpakutou.
"Look alive everyone! We've got company…..!"
With a multitude of Hollows behind him, Barragan and his fraccion arrived at a small town. The main feature was a large tower sticking out in the center.
"Tch…how gaudy. Cuulhorne…..take that eyesore down."
"Yes your majesty!" The effeminate Arrancar replied, sonidoing away.
"Listen up, you fools. This shall be our base for the remainder of this war. Understood?"
The low level Hollows instantly obeyed, circling around the town as a means to produce a shield.
"So what plan did you have in mind, your majesty?" Findor asked.
Barragan grunted, feeling all of the various reiatsus all around him. He leaned back in his throne, made of solid bone.
"I think this is finally the chance to show who's the real king."
"Barragan-sama…..you can't be suggesting…." Ggio stammered.
"I am, Vega. I'm forced to collect scraps, pick up little girls, and leave my own kingdom purely because Aizen has given the command? He has made a poor decision, spreading everyone out. Now I can make my own plans."
He watched Charlotte destroy the tower.
"…there is no point to having Espada any longer." He declared, stunning all of his fraccion.
"Is it because Zommari, Aaroniero, and Szayel Apollo are gone?" Poww inquired.
"Members could always be replaced, but the idea is what I've come to despise. 10 Arrancar to serve as nothing more than personal guards? Furthermore…..look at what's it done."
Poww, Ggio, Avirama, Findor, and Nirgge all stared at their king.
"I am no fool, gentlemen. Stark and Harribel have been forming their own agenda from the very start, and it's disgusting to see Vasto Lorde like them go out of their ways to assist Shinigami and Quincy."
He waved a hand, and more Hollows began to remodel (read: destroy) buildings to his liking.
"What's more….Neliel Tu Oderschvank returns to the castle, and the first thing she does is assist intruders? Ridiculous. Where is everyone's pride as a Hollow?"
"Gone with the rest of their qualities." Findor replied.
"Tch. It's pitiful. Look at our enemies. The Vandenreich? Quincy eradicate souls….mere humans given the power to erase souls from existence! As if they were judges and we were the judged!"
"If only the Gotei killed all of them off." Ggio muttered.
"Today begins the dawn of revolution, gentlemen. If I am to reclaim what belongs to me….I must destroy everyone."
"Everyone….?" Nirgge wondered. Avirama was grinning, having taken that as a challenge.
"Yes. Aizen and his cohorts shall die for making a mockery of my sovereign, all Shinigami will die for their arrogance, and Quincy…..ohohoho, they shall die the most horrific of all."
"What of the other Espada?" Findor asked.
"It is unlikely they will join up with me…..they're probably trying to defect to the Gotei right now. Nevertheless."
Charlotte reappeared back to his king, batting his eyelashes.
"Did I do good, Barragan-sama?"
"…tch. Gentlemen…..I expect all of you to cooperate with me in this endeavor…..you know the price if I detect even the slightest disobedience."
"YES YOUR MAJESTY!" They all replied.
Good…now…..to begin….
The 11th Division troops were being lead by Ikkaku and Yumichika through a canyon.
"Ugh…." Yumichika's lip curled up in disgust. "Why do I have the feeling that a hideous person was just speaking somewhere?"
"You think tons of things are hideous, Yumi."
"I do not!"
To everyone's (slight) surprise, the entirety of the 11th Division had volunteered themselves for battle. While they certainly did not have the most members of the Gotei, other divisions had purposefully left members behind to secure some Shinigami in existence if things went south.
Not for Captain Kenpachi Zaraki's division. All of them wanted their last moments to be in the greatest battle possible. All of them wanted to make their captain and vice-captain proud.
"Alright men, who wants to bet when Captain Zaraki will arrive? He and the Vice-Captain will probably have tons of hides for their battle trophies!" Ikkaku grinned.
"Hahaha yeah!" Someone agreed.
"Right now we have to focus on ourselves, Ikkaku."
"I know that! Geez….."
"You may have to use…..it."
Ikkaku's eyes widened. His Bankai? Something that he refused to show because he didn't want everyone to make him a captain, removing him from the man he admired so much?
"…."
"Remember what Captain Zaraki said. No screwing around."
"…tch. I guess I'll be sure to poke everyone's eyes out before I need to use it then!"
"Ikkaku, this isn't a game."
"Well what about you? Get ready to use that Shikai of yours."
Yumichika gulped. His true Shikai? Something that he was ashamed of, because it went against the code of the 11th. Wouldn't the others alienate him for using it? But then again…..wasn't his captain working on his own?
"….hmm. I guess I'll be sure to kill everyone before I need to use it then." He answered absentmindedly.
Ikkaku narrowed his eyes, suspicious of the reply….
"Third Seat Madarame!" Makizou shouted. "I see spirit arrows!"
Ikkaku and Yumichika flash-stepped to dodge the barrage, with the others quickly moving as well. The bald man reappeared on the ledge of the canyon wall.
"Come out, Quincy! If you think some toothpicks are gonna kill us, you're wrong!"
Ikkaku unsheathed his zanpakutou when he saw a figure with many faceless soldiers.
"A game of numbers, it seems."
Robert Accrutrone.
"Heh…everyone! Take on the mooks! Yumichika, let's go!"
Yumichika unsheathed his own zanpakutou, and the other 11th Division members spread out with the Quincy's soldiers. The canyon was soon lit with battle cries and the sound of arrows firing.
"Well…..I'm not a fan of two on one's."
"Too bad!" Ikkaku grinned like a shark. "This is war….and our captain told us to not underestimate you Vandenreich idiots!"
Robert deadpanned.
"I see…state your names, gentlemen."
Ikkaku and Yumichika were jumping to get closer.
"Third Seat Ikkaku Madarame, of the 11th Division!"
"Fifth Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa, of the 11th Division!"
Robert readied his pistols….and quickly fired.
Kukaku led her division to a run down theme park.
"…..? What the hell is this? I didn't think Tessai had a sense of humor about this kind of stuff. I wonder if the rides even work….?"
"Um, Captain?"
"Not now, Kira! Hey, we should make this our base!"
"Not likely."
Kukaku turned her head to see a figure with more of the faceless soldiers.
Jerome Guizbatt.
"…...Kira, spread everyone out. I'll take this guy on."
"Yes ma'am."
The Shiba head stared at the Stern Ritter before her, a menacing man with ape-like characteristics….and cornrows, curiously enough.
"Heh heh…..my lucky day…..I can kill a captain right off the bat." Jerome sneered.
"Well, at least you don't have the brains of an ape. Although let's see how far you get, mm?"
The air above them was aflame with battle. Kukaku grinned and began to stretch.
"So…..there's what, 20-odd of you guys, right? I'd be doing good to kill one from the get-go. Unless, of course….you want to surrender?"
"Why would I do that?" Jerome asked in his deep voice. "I have my orders, and so do you."
"Oh, okay…..we're doing the usual "kill or be killed" route, eh? Alrighty."
"You seem far too casual for someone who's about to get their ears blown out."
"…?"
Kukaku stopped stretching.
"Guess it's game on, monkey man."
Jerome growled. "Don't call me that, Shinigami."
"I only call them as I see them! Geez…..it's okay, I'll find you a banana!"
Jerome's response was to open his mouth and release a loud roar, the force of which blew Kukaku into a tree. She blinked.
"So the monkey's got a bad temper, hmm?"
The Roar zoomed forward to attack her.
"That's okay….."
Kukaku reached to her side and threw 3 red balls from her belt.
"SO DO I!"
The balls exploded when they struck Jerome. Kukaku quickly got up and rushed into the cloud, delivering a solid (golden) fist into his face, smashing him into the bumper car stand.
Sound attack, huh? I can keep my distance just fine. With any luck, I don't need a zanpakutou!
She gasped when Jerome's next roar blew a car straight at her. Luckily, she ducked before it.
Damn it. Oh wait! I think he's one of those strong but dumb types! Well, this gal knows how to play cheeky!
Jerome arose from the stand, now angry.
"Hey Quincy!"
Kukaku quickly turned and mooned Jerome.
"If you want to kill me, catch me first!"
She laughed when Jerome chased after her. On the Ferris wheel, Kira sweatdropped.
She's…..is she even taking this seriously?
He quickly cut down another soldier with the transformed Wabisuke.
Sajin Komamura led his division onward through the sky, a vast sea underneath them.
"Wow Captain…the attention to detail in this place is somethin'…..I think I saw a dingy a few meters back."
"Don't get distracted with the sights, Tetsuzaemon. We have Hollows incoming."
"R-Right!"
The pack leaped into action to attack the band, Komamura using his raw strength to bat away his foes with ease.
Aizen…..this is your game? Send an army to weaken us just enough to finish us off? I know you're hiding somewhere!
"Smash, Tenken!"
In a flash of light, Komamura became giant, his large size easily being a match for the tall forms of Menos Grande alike. He swung his zanpakutou in a wide arc, beheading them with ease.
"Fight hard, everyone! We cannot afford to slow down from these beasts!"
"YES SIR!" Everyone shouted, Iba releasing his own zanpakutou as well.
Tia Harribel and her fraccion, somehow enough, had managed to reach a desert, complete with cactus and pyramids.
"What is this crap? We leave one desert to find another?" Mila Rose scoffed.
"Some things never change." Sun-Sun remarked.
"…"
Harribel scanned the area, definitely noticing Shinigami approaching.
"Guess it's time we fight?" Apache asked, taking out her zanpakutou. "I mean…..what choice do we have now….?"
The Hollows behind them were getting hungry for blood.
Harribel squinted her eyes…..she saw a flask of pink and….a hat.
"…ladies, you don't make a move unless I command."
In a flash, the low-level Hollows roared and charged, several low-ranked Shinigami meeting them with battle cries of determination. Soon the desert was filled with clangs and cero blasts.
The figure of pink was getting closer.
"Don't move. A Captain is coming."
"Damn it…..are you going to talk sense into it?"
"How rude….."
Shunsui Kyoraku smiled as he came into the view of the four Arrancar.
"I am not an it."
His third seat was by his side.
"Alright Captain!" Enjoji shouted. "Go take on that Espada! I'll take the three…..beau…..tiful women?!"
Shunsui grabbed him by the ear.
"Nah, I'll be okay on my own. Go help the troops, okay?"
"YES SIR!"
Enjoji roared and jumped to attack the nearest Hollow he could detect. Shunsui calmly walked towards the four, not even taking his zanpakutous out.
"Well hello, hello…I didn't realize Aizen had such beautiful ladies under his command."
The Tres Bestias all took a step back.
"State your name." Harribel answered, fingering the hilt of her zanpakutou.
"Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of the 8th Division. Whew!" He wiped his forehead. "It's so hot today, wouldn't you say?"
Harribel glanced to the side. Everyone else was too busy fighting to bother them.
"…do you intend to challenge me, Captain?"
"….it's funny. You're definitely strong…..a Vasto Lorde, right?"
Harribel nodded.
"Right. And yet….I don't feel any killing intent on you."
"….."
"Not on your subordinates, either."
"If any of yours attack them, you'll see some, Captain."
"Right, I can understand that…..um?"
"Tia Harribel….Tercera Espada."
"Right."
Shunsui's robes were fluttering in the wind.
"Harribel-san…..you seem like a reasonable person."
"….."
"Well I'll tell you a secret…..I don't like fighting myself. It's too messy. Why not talk things over instead?"
"…..yes."
Elsewhere, Renji Abarai and his division were already battling some of the faceless soldiers in a city.
"Don't drop your guard for a second, men! They fight like a regular Quincy!"
Renji flash-stepped to dodge a stream of arrows, and reappeared and easily sliced one of them in half. He swung Zabimaru to deflect more of them coming.
Damn…..already things are already getting tough!
His eyes widened when he sensed a figure approaching from behind.
"Hahahaha! YOU shall be my first opponent!"
Renji turned, only to have a large fist smash into his face, knocking him into a building.
"Renji!"
Rikichi, the young soldier that joined the 6th purely out of admiration for the pineapple, pointed his zanpakutou at the Stern Ritter before them.
"Hahahaha! You wish to challenge me, lad?" Mask grinned, James on his back as usual.
"I won't hold back on you! HYAA-"
"STAND DOWN!"
Rikichi froze. Renji got up from the rubble and dusted himself off, wiping his lip all the while. He stepped over to The Superstar.
"You don't do anything but help the others, got that?"
"But Renji! I can help! I just obtained my Shikai!"
"That's not enough! You're unseated, for crying out loud! Don't risk your life just to play the hero card! NOW GO!"
Mask nodded in approval as the boy quickly ran off.
"Good eye, my friend. A hero never does a 2 vs. 1 battle!"
"Hero? Why the hell are you calling yourself that? You guys want to kill all of us, don't you?"
"Correct!" Mask got into a pose. "It is my duty….as the Vandenreich hero, to defeat every Shinigami!"
"But…..how can you do that if you only want to one vs. ones?"
"…hmm…..good point."
Renji's eyes widened as the costumed Quincy casually grabbed three passing Shinigami, and with a simple tear, ripped them all in half.
"You…you monster…..!"
"Monster? Ha! Vice-Captain, I'm sure you yourself have done that to our kind as well! It's part of my origin story, actu-"
Renji immediately jumped to attack, his eyes now bloodshot with rage.
"ROAR, ZABIMARU!"
Isshin had arrived in a small village with his small squad of the 10th.
"Alright, alpha team! Spread out, because I sense people approaching. We need to-"
He sweatdropped at the sight of every member of his squad holding out a book and a pen.
"Captain Shiba, before we fight, can we please get autographs?"
"N-No, we should prepare ourselves…..!"
"Please!"
"Do you want me to tell Captain Hitsugaya?"
That got everyone to move immediately. It didn't take long for more of the faceless soldiers to start attacking, spirit arrows firing into different directions. Isshin easily cut a pack of them down.
"The hell are these things?"
"They're called Silber Kriegern, old man."
In addition to the voice, Isshin felt a burst of heat approach him, so he quickly flash-stepped away. When he reappeared, he was face to face with Bazz-B.
"…..hmm…..so you've got some fire powers."
"Burner Finger." The mohawked Quincy grinned, pointing his finger again. "These would give the Head-Captain some stiff competition."
Isshin smiled. "Nah, imagine if five suns fused together and became an assassin. That's Yama-jii's flames."
"…..what?"
"Oh never mind! Kids these days…."
"Kid? Well how about I burn that cocky attitude right off your face, geezer?"
Bazz-B quickly fired a jet of flame at Isshin again, but he easily dodged it.
"And how about I beat that disrespectful attitude from your face….boy?"
Bazz-B looked a little stunned, but he growled and continued to fire.
This is gonna be tough…..but I have time to make my moves….
The 13th Division had found a pack of hungry Hollows, so they quickly sprang into action, fighting in a quaint town that looked like it belonged to the Tuscan area.
"Blue team, that way! Red team, this way!" Sentaro shouted.
"Sentaro, look!" Kiyone whispered.
Her gloved finger had pointed to an Arrancar snoozing on a bench, completely unaware of the things going around him.
"….maybe we can take him out….?"
"But he's not even armed. Captain…..always says to fight those who can fight back. Where's his zanpakutou?"
The two third seats dodged several claw swipes while dashing over to the bench.
"Hey! Wake up!"
Stark opened his eyes and groaned.
"Aw man…..I knew Shinigami would ruin this nap. …..hey, don't you guys have a captain?"
"We can fight you just fine, Arrancar! We're the 3rd Seats of the 13th Division!" Sentaro declared.
"…not interested."
"W-What?"
Stark rubbed his head, sitting up.
"Yeah. I made a promise to myself, that I'm not gonna bother fighting anyone today. I….have no interest in battle. I don't want to be here."
"Yeah right! Anything to make us drop our gua-!"
Lilinette had smashed her foot into Sentaro's crotch.
"ACK….!"
"Hurry, Stark! Let's run for it!"
"Run for it? But…..if you don't want to fight….." Kiyone began, looking at her comrades fighting all around her. "….why not tell your friends to stop?"
"They're not gonna listen to me, because they have orders from Aizen to attack. I'm just the general, in a sense."
Sentaro continued to moan on the ground.
"…are you sure?"
"Look girl…I'm only going to attack if anyone goes for Lilinette." Stark replied, laying back down. "Otherwise, I'm harmless."
"…."
An Arrancar…..not wanting to fight? Maybe….we can get him to defect!
"Say, can I join you guys? You seem like you have honest faces."
That was fast!
Giselle and her pack was jumping through a dense jungle.
"La la la…..wow! This place is so weird, wouldn't you say?"
Her four "friends" all gave some kind of confirmation for an answer.
"Well no Shinigami yet…..but it's okay! We'll find tons of playmates very soon!"
As the Quincy passed a small stream, Hiyori and Ururu had peeked their heads out from a bush.
"…okay, we've tracked her."
Hiyori reached into her pocket and dialed on her cell phone.
"Yo."
"Love….we've got a read. No other people in sight, so we're gonna follow this cockroach bitch."
Ururu pulled on her sleeve.
"What? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Ururu grabbed her face and turned her around.
"You Shinigami are so odd…..why go after Giselle? Don't you know what her power does?"
The Wind had followed them.
"Out of our way, punk. Or I'll break your teeth."
"Oooh, we have a feisty one!" Nianzol smiled. "You're quite the cute one, might I add."
"Go follow her." Hiyori said to Ururu, who nodded and dashed off.
"So it's just you and me, Pigtails."
"Okay, first off, ew. Second of all, double ew. Third of all, if you don't shut your face…." Hiyori threatened, doning her mask immediately. Her opponent simply smiled again.
"Yes?"
"I'll shut it for you."
Meanwhile, back in the Vandenreich base, Bach and Haschwald were in B69's lab.
"So…there is no way to go back?"
The metallic Quincy shook his head.
"Something…..within the atmosphere of this world is preventing any portals from forming on its surface….but only in the inward direction."
"So things can enter just fine?" Haschwald asked.
"Correct. Nothing can exit."
Bach scoffed.
"It seems the Gotei's little trap is intended to be a suicidal one. I suppose they believe if they fail to kill us, we will remain here indefinitely?"
"…..something must be holding it all together." B69 guessed. "Or rather….someone."
"Urahara."
"…..no."
Bach stepped to the window.
"Kisuke Urahara is out and about in this world…..surely he must've realized everyone would try to hunt him down. Why doesn't he hide, then?"
"Perhaps that is exactly what he wants. He is being idle to trap people." Haschwald guessed.
"…..Your majesty, what is your action with your medallion?"
"Ah, yes. I do suppose I need to stretch my own wings. If As Nodt is truly on the verge of something adverse, it's all the more reason for me to not linger with Yamamoto's powers."
"…but isn't he going to hunt you down?"
Bach smiled evilly.
"I have my means to detain him, same with Aizen. From a distance, we can observe. Jugram."
"Yes, sir?"
"I want you to observe whatever you can in this battle.."
Haschwald nodded and quickly left.
"…..what shall I do, sire?"
"Remain here in this base at all times to keep producing our soldiers. You are to not move, B69."
"Understood. …..surprisingly enough…Liltotto, Candice, and Meninas are still alive." He gestured to the crest on the wall.
"They are. How surprising indeed. If Aizen has come to this place, than that means he's obviously sent someone to dispose of intruders in Hueco Mundo….."
"…you think Yamamoto is the greater threat, sire?"
"Of course. Aizen is nothing more than a spoiled brat whose arrogance will be his downfall."
The ex-captain in question was walking through a serene forest alone. He stopped to admire some roses growing.
"Ah…..how beautiful. It seems Urahara and his ilk paid a remarkable amount of detail to the creation of this world."
"Walking alone, Sosuke Aizen? Is that very smart?"
Aizen looked up. A hooded boy with blonde hair had appeared before him.
"…."
"Nothing to say?" The Visionary asked, stepping forward. "I see."
Aizen was aware of the large beast that appeared behind him.
"…."
He raised his zanpakutou to easily cut it in half before it could attack him.
"Was that your trump card? A cliché attack from behind?"
"Hahahaha….."
Suddenly the forest had shifted into a fiery cavern.
"I figured…..it would be interesting to test my power on you. They're so alike."
"Is that so?" Aizen asked, amused.
"Correct. I wonder if you'll figure it out?"
Now the two were underwater.
"Hmm….how fun! It's so much more exciting than some dingy forest."
Aizen couldn't respond. He had to close his mouth for air.
"Have nothing to say?" Gremmy asked, his voice with a malicious edge.
"…."
I…..did it? He didn't release his zanpakutou! I have him trapped in my own imagination! Why not skip all of the pleasantries and end him now?!
Gremmy's eyes lit up as he changed the scene to outer space itself. Aizen's eyeballs exploded as foam poured out from his mouth.
Hahahaha! THIS is the invincible Sosuke Aizen?! I can't believe how easy it was!
The scene changed back to the forest, Aizen now dead before his feet.
"….Hahaha…..his majesty will probably promote me!"
"Is that so?"
Gremmy's eyes widened.
What…..?
"Did you say your power was similar to mine? What a boast."
Gremmy nervously looked around, but he couldn't see anyone.
N-No…how…..?
"And here's my opinion on boasts."
The sharp edge of Kyouka Suigetsu was embedded through the boy's chest, then raised up through his head.
Your…..majesty…..
Gremmy Thourneaux was slashed in half, his two halves coming apart and falling to the ground. The real (and alive) Aizen simply stared at the dead Stern Ritter.
"If one cannot back it up…one should not make them, boy. My power and yours are leagues different."
In his last milliseconds of life, Gremmy noticed an orb embedded into the man's chest….
Nanana was watching carefully from an alleyway in a city.
He's all alone…..
The figure of one Genryusai-Shigekuni Yamamoto was standing, eyes closed.
Ha…maybe this is some kind of trap? I shouldn't go for this guy right away. I mean it's the Head-Captain! He'll fry me if I'm not careful.
Nanana fingered the medallion in his hand.
But…..CAN he fry me?
Yamamoto was still not moving.
No, it's too risky! I can at least use my special ability on him!
The Underbelly quickly used Hirenkyaku to move to a building across the city.
Here goes nothing….
He clasped his hands together, and they charged with energy. Two U's had formed on his hands. He moved his hands in the direction of Yamamoto and closed his eyes, although they could not be seen under his visor.
Let's see…..
"Ahem."
Nanana's eyes opened to see an enraged Yamamoto. His expression was dark as he stared down on the dark-skinned Quincy.
"So I suppose my first kill shall be you."
In seconds, Nanana Najahkoop's head was removed from his body.
Bach watched two letters fade from the crest.
"…."
"Really? Gremmy's power was something else! How on earth did he get himself killed so soon?"
Unbelievable…
"B69, send out more soldiers to make up for that loss. I knew Najahkoop was an oddball, but I thought Gremmy had more survivability. He shouldn't have went off alone."
"Yes sir."
"Hello! Is this thing on?"
Bach's eyes widened.
Urahara!
Having stepped out of the forest, Aizen was listening carefully to his rival's words.
"Hello, everyone! This is your lovely and sexy host, Kisuke Urahara! I know what ALL of you Hollows and Quincies are thinking – ooh big bad Urahara-chan made this!"
Aizen's expression was stoic.
"But sadly, I can't take the credit on this one. I did, however, secure the way to move the Gotei so this place COULD be brought out…..you see….Akon and I had to freeze the Dangai so time would not pass through and the Cleaner wouldn't get in our way."
He continued to walk.
"We transported the Gotei 13 there….then the Living World and Soul Society were sealed away! Fun, huh?"
"…"
"And this was brought out to replace the Living World! So none of you can harm any innocent souls in the crosshairs. Everyone can play to their heart's content!"
"…"
"And before you get the wrong idea, no I don't have Karakura or Soul Society on my person. Why would I be contacting you if I did?"
Kisuke was fanning himself while sitting at a golden temple.
"I wonder who has it! It's like a scavenger hunt!"
A ray of purple light had enveloped the temple.
"So, there's that…..oh, right! Since this place has replaced the Living World, all Hollows are going to be directed to here if they go from Hueco Mundo, so nice try, Aizen-chan!"
He snickered.
"As for Soul Society's space….it's just an empty void, if Hollows were to try to go there. All of us – including me – are trapped in this world."
His face was painted on the temple.
"And don't think we didn't think ahead, Aizen. Each town, each place…..is .0001 spirit miles short of the distance to make the Oken. So even if by luck, you found 10,000 souls…..heheheheh….man I wish I could see how mad you're getting."
Kisuke stood up and dusted himself off, noticing some Hollows had found him. He smiled, and dodged a cero right as he continued.
"Oh, how am I contacting everyone in this world? That's a trade secret! But if some of you are lucky…..you can find areas to help….or hinder you."
He walked over to a stereo.
"So let the games begin! Who's gonna be the last one standing!"
He pressed the play button, and a song started to play. Kisuke jumped into the air to attack the Hollows.
Old Godzilla was hoppin' around
Tokyo City like a big playground
When suddenly Batman burst from the shade
And hit Godzilla with a Bat Grenade
Godzilla got pissed and began to attack
But he didn't expect to be blocked by Shaq
Who proceeded to open up a can of Shaq Fu
When Aaron Carter came out of the blue
And he started beating up Shaquille O'Neal
Then they both got flattened by the Batmobile
But before it could make it back to the Batcave
Abraham Lincoln popped out of his grave
And took an AK47 out from under his hat
And blew Batman away with a rat-a-tat-tat
But he ran out of bullets and he ran away
Because Optimus Prime came to save the day
This is the Ultimate Showdown... of Ultimate Destiny
Good guys, bad guys, and explosions... as far as the eye can see
And only one will survive, I wonder who it will be
This is the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny….
Everyone fighting in the world heard the song, all at once. Some were amused. Some were too busy concentrating on fighting to listen. Others facepalmed. Others groaned.
And over half of the combatants…..cursed Kisuke Urahara's name to the heavens.
Elsewhere, Tessai and Hachigen were sitting in a large chamber.
"…well, I do wish we could see our handiwork in action."
"Indeed."
They were playing chess.
"Captain, are you sure…..this will work?"
"Hachi, there is nothing to fear. Even if Aizen or Bach summon enough power to break this world itself….the Living World and Soul Society will not appear to them."
Tessai moved his knight.
"….are they truly well hidden?"
"Kisuke will never reveal the locations. At the same time, he will not reveal where we are."
"…Aizen is not stupid, Captain. As soon as he knows Urahara-san wasn't responsible, he'll immediately look for me and you."
"Nobody else knows of our location. Nobody will be able to intentionally find us."
Hachigen moved his bishop.
"I suppose that's true…..I only wish I could assist."
Tessai looked up at the chamber's ceiling, where feeds of each part of their world were playing.
"…..as long as one of us remains here…..the other could come out to help."
"But….wouldn't it be a harder strain on that person?"
Both men were sitting, but a series of energy strands had wrapped them up and tied them to the walls of the chamber, which were glowing.
"…Indeed. Do you wish to go out, Hachi?"
Tessai moved a rook.
"Maybe later, sir. I do want to wish this game."
Tessai nodded, but he noticed the sweat on Hachigen's forehead and how his arm trembled as he moved his next piece.
"Hachi."
"Y-Yes, Captain?"
"Are you prepared….for whatever happens to us?"
Hachigen nodded.
"Yes, of course. From the very minute I agreed to help you, I knew the task would be a difficult one. I am ready to face anything that comes our way, sir."
Tessai nodded again.
"Hachi, you are a true friend. I won't be able to thank you when this is over."
That earned a smile from the pink-haired man.
"Now now, Captain, let's not talk so much. Let's just continue the game, shall we?"
"Checkmate."
Hachigen looked down. Tessai had secured the winning move.
"Oh dear. Well! Best four out of seven?"
The two begun playing again, and everything seemed content and normal among the two. However, if one were to look under their clothes, more of the strange black symbols had formed on their bodies…..
FIN
Ending notes: Remember what I said. If I focus on everyone, this fic will stop being fun to write. So, expect little glimpses from certain fights (obviously some ones will get a lot more attention), and the off-screen here and there. And yes, Gotei members are going to die as well.
I will try to avoid the annoying trope of "person describes their power, then gets owned because of it".
Next time - The battle against Mayuri continues.