Author's note: Once again, a thank you to everyone who's read/reviewed/favorited/followed up to this point. I'm getting goosebumps the closer and closer I get. :D
Chapter 53 – Six Hearts Beat as One
Hachigen stared blankly at his feeds. The fire was still present across the scope of the world, but the world itself…..did not have much time left. He had his eyes closed previously to block out the horrific images of his comrades being burned alive, but he had caught glimpses of the Royal Guard.
"…"
He used his hand to remove the last chess piece from the board.
My role….is coming to an end, it seems. Forgive me, Shinji, Kensei, Mashiro, Love, Rose, Hiyori….and Lisa. I didn't tell you this creation would be fatal for me and Captain Tsukabishi.
He folded the board.
We've spent a long century together in solitude, making new bonds and memories from our days at the Gotei. I will cherish them always, even to my dying moments.
He set the board down.
Captain…
Hachigen closed his eyes.
…..I will do what I can. For all of our friends.
(With Team Ichigo)
Now in the sky was a spiraling vortex of black and white, threatening to undo everything in the false world. The force alone was enough to send some damaged rubble into the air, and it sucked anything into oblivion.
And worst of all, the entire span of skyline was breaking as well.
"FOR THE GLORY OF THE QUINCY EMPIRE, THE VANDENREICH!"
The energy from Bach's transformation was enough to give the Gods pause, and Hollow Ichigo was forced back slightly.
"Heh! I guess the kid gloves are off, huh?!"
Bach formed a single arrow in his hands.
"BEGONE, ALL SHINIGAMI! ALL HOLLOWS! ALL TRAITORS!"
And in a flash, when the arrow had fired – it copied into millions of them, all strengthened by the emperor's dramatic increase of power. Arrow after arrow fired through the city in a near light-speed flash of light.
Yachiru immediately forced the three Quincies to the ground to dodge the arrows, then held them tight as she flash-stepped to evade to the best of her ability.
Nemu-chan, where are you?! Suki-chan, Nel-chan, Pencil, Muscles….help!
Do not worry, Yachiru. You are the sixth apostle. I have them. I have all of you in my radar! Your life is guaranteed and shall forever exist…..to serve God….
Sixth what? Stop distracting me Voice, I have more important things to worry about!
But what of Orihime-sama? Are you going to let her die? You are her friend, right?
Yachiru gasped and stopped.
"You're right! HIME-CHAN!"
Then a sharp hand grabbed her shoulder, and the four were blitzing around the city once more.
"Yachiru, we can't slow down! We have to get to cover!"
The sharpest at using Hirenkyaku, Candice, moved the party to under an underpass. The girls all panted, and they saw some remaining cars being sucked up by the vortex.
"What do we do?!" Meninas shouted. "We don't have our powers, and Juha Bach…..he's gotten stronger! None of us can touch him!"
"Who cares about that?!" Yachiru ran out of the space. "He took your friend, and I'm going to make sure he pays the price! And Hime-chan's in trouble!"
"YACHIRU!"
Dozens of arrows whizzed past her face (thanks to careful dodging), but she only stopped when Chad and Neliel crashed into the ground, both nearly out of power.
"Muscles! Nel-chan!"
"This is where you finally fall, Gotei 13!"
Yachiru looked up at the voice, the sky still covered a massive flurry and folly of arrows. Gerard Valkyrie stood before her.
"His Majesty has released his true power….and so have I! You'd need a miracle to defeat me now! HAHAHAHA!"
His mask had shifted to cover his entire face, and his eyes had gotten white – much like Bach during his absorption. But Yachiru completely ignored him. "Muscles! Speak to me! Oh Nel-chan, you're bleeding badly….!"
"LISTEN TO ME, SHINIGAMI SCUM!"
The titan opened his mouth, unleashing a massive energy blast. Yachiru watched as the blast accelerated towards her, but a capulse was thrown in front. A shield was formed to deflect it, and it obliterated a nearby building.
"WHAT?!"
"Yachiru….." Nemu had appeared. "Did you come here with Candice and the others?"
"Yeah…"
Yachiru didn't point where they were lurking to avoid Gerard's wrath being directed at them – traitors to the Vandenreich would be no better than Shinigami in his eyes. And if they had no more of their special power….
But Nemu's sharp eyes saw them immediately. Candice mouthed "hurry".
"ENOUGH OF THIS! ALL OF YOU WILL FA-"
Nemu grabbed the three and flash-stepped back to the underpass, also ignoring The Miracle.
"Thanks…." Chad wiped some blood from his eyes. "This guy…..he's too powerful for us to take down. Any hit…..he just regenerates with ease. Even ceros…."
"Sado-san, it is recommended you do not fight anymore."
But why, Nemu Kusamiya? He is one of the apostles, just like you. All you need is to find Uryu Ishida and Tatsuki Arisawa.
"That voice…." She muttered.
"Voice? Nemu-chan, someone spoke to me too!"
"What….?" Liltotto stared at the two Shinigami. "The…voice talked about Inoue-san. That you, Yachiru….is an apostle?"
Candice and Meninas shrugged at each other. The voice hadn't spoken to them.
They are. Can you hear me…..Yasutora Sado? You, Nemu Kusamiya, and Yachiru Kusajishi…..are but half of the puzzle solved. If you wish for Orihime-sama to win…..I must have my apostles. All of you will survive. All of you will receive power.
Chad stared at Nemu and Yachiru. But before he could ask more, the ground shook violently. The underpass was starting to break off.
"Has he found us?!" Neliel gasped.
"It could also be the world degrading more and more." Nemu said neutrally. "I am not sure how much time is left."
The underpass flew off and zoomed into the vortex.
"HA! YOU CANNOT ESCAPE THE MIRACLE!"
"Oh, it's both." Yachiru said. "Glubo, Pinky, Kitty…..what's the fastest way to kill this guy? He's really loud. We need to help Hime-chan."
"The best way there is!"
Grimmjow and Rose appeared, and the former was charging up the same cero he had blasted Ichigo with – a Grand Rey Cero.
"BLAST IT UNTIL IT'S DEAD!"
"YOU AGAIN?!" Gerard thundered. "All of you just keep coming and coming to try to stop me! But this is impossible! I AM AN ELITE!"
Find my apostles…find them…..
"Grimmjow-san…." Nemu whispered. "We have to…."
"I don't want to hear your stories! Rescue everyone, who gives a shit?! Just stay out of my way!"
Neliel stood up and held her zanpakutou sideways.
"Ishida…..Arisawa…..Loly and Menoly….they're all in danger." She stepped forward with Grimmjow and Rose, as did the three ex-members of the Vandenreich. "Maybe if we stall while we get everyone together…."
Yachiru and Nemu looked at each other.
"We're on it." They said at the same time.
XXXXX
Orihime….!
Tatsuki was hiding behind a particular sturdy building, but even that was about to get sucked as well. The ground continued to shake, and her heartbeat quickened at the feeling of dozens of arrows zooming through barely missing her.
Shit….I can't just hide here! I have to move….but to where! If I find Ishida and the others…..we can stop Ichigo's Hollow and take back control!
Relax, my second apostle.
Tatsuki gasped, but covered her mouth – the last thing she wanted was to have someone find her!
You are one of the most important people to Orihime-sama, her best friend. You shall not perish. You shall be one to ascend with my master.
You...
Tatsuki quickly thought of Orihime's last attack against the hand-shaped monster of a Quincy.
When Orihime spoke, it wasn't just her voice. Yours…..you've taken control of her! The same power that beat that Espada…w-who are you?
Hmm? Surely you know of me, even before your death. After all….you were there when Orihime-sama awakened her powers and defeated the Hollow named Numb Chandelier.
I…don't really remember that.
But before she could listen for the response, Tatsuki was jolted into the air by a nearby explosion. She screamed as she crashed into the ground, and worst to all, she felt stray two arrows pierce her arm.
SHIT!
"Tatsuki!"
She rolled and looked up, and a well-timed zanpakutou swung to deflect the next few arrows.
"TAKE MY HAND!"
Isshin grabbed her hand and flash-stepped away, reappearing a little further away from where the four titans – Orihime, Aizen, Hollow Ichigo, and Bach - were fighting.
"Are you okay?!"
"What about you, Kurosaki-san?! You're bleeding…..Ichigo's Hollow did that to you?"
"It's nothing." Isshin winced and looked into the sky. "Time's ticking, Tatsuki…..I t-think Orihime is the only one that has even a half chance against Aizen….but now….Bach….!"
"What about Urahara and Ishida's dad?!"
Isshin closed his eyes and focused.
"They're fighting the other Stern Ritters, and it's a lucky break they're not being targeted. But that Hollow is going to get Ichigo killed if he uses his body to do these reckless attacks!"
Ichimaru and Hirako….they slipped away before Aizen even noticed….but for how long?
"What do we do?"
"….I am not going to let my son be conquered by his Hollow." Isshin said, narrowing his eyes. "We promised Karin and Yuzu we'd both come back, and that's exactly what we're going to d-"
A flash of yellow light (and another explosion) blinded both fighters, and Tatsuki was launched into the air again. This time, she heard another familiar voice.
"Hold on Suki-chan!"
XXXX
With the ground continuing to shake, Uryu looked up at the sky, sweat pouring down his face.
How long….does this world have left….? Is this what would happen if the Quincy was left unchecked? It's unclear if Juha Bach alone would bring the end without Kurotsuchi's bomb….
He looked down at his wound.
And look me….a Quincy with barely any strength left. What can I even do, in the wake of this disaster?
"Ha…."
"Loly, it's okay…." Menoly had taken some salve from Uryu to tend to her sister. "W-We'll be fine….O-Orihime-sama will protect us…."
Loly nodded weakly, but she was shaking like a leaf.
Isn't it something, my third apostle?
Uryu spun around, thinking the voice was from an enemy. He summoned his bow, which only served to scare the Arrancar sisters even more.
I am not an enemy, Uryu Ishida. Don't you recognize me?
…..no…you sound like Orihime's fairies, but…..all fused together. Why….are you talking to me?! Does she want me to do something?
He winced at yet another burst of light in the sky, and the vortex was getting bigger and bigger.
You're correct…..but the six of you need to come together. From there….my master can destroy all those who oppose her! This false world shall break, but she'll make a new one!
Uryu lowered his aim. The voice…..sounded far too giddy for comfort.
What has the Hogyoku done to you?
"ISHIDA!" Menoly screamed.
The Quincy turned, but before the arrows in circulation could pierce the three of them, Nemu appeared and grabbed the trio, flash-stepping in time to evade.
XXXX
"HYA!"
Two mighty swords clashed together, and each collision would cause the city to shake more and more. Despite the vortex spiraling above them threatening to suck them in, one fighter in particular was having the time of his life.
"You know, if you just powered up from the start, Quincy, you could've been able to kill everyone! But no, you chose to hide behind your army like the coward you are!"
Tensa Zangetsu smashed into Bach's broadsword, and the two vied for control.
"Do not insult me, Hollow! This world…..it falling shall be because of me! My plans have stopped the Gotei's greatest weapon…by turning their leader's power against them!"
He smashed Hollow Ichigo into a building, but the albino impostor arose out and fired a large cero.
"Blah blah FUCKING BLAH!"
He dodged the return arrows, but they were starting to get too fast, even for him. He felt a few cut the surface of his boney skin.
"What kind of leader are you, anyway?! Someone that strong, to shake the foundation of the universe….I can speak from experience….."
Bach growled as he blocked another zanpakutou hit.
"YOU WANT IT, YOU TAKE IT!"
"Enforcer!"
Bach raised his hand, and the doppelganger was blasted away with by a burst of air. Turning his attention to Orihime and Aizen, he raised his sword.
"Blinken!"
The two Gods stopped their energy volley when they noticed that both of their arms came off….due to the same bullet-fast slash.
"Did you get bored by the Hollow?" Aizen asked.
"What is this…..?!" Bach snarled. "THE TWO OF YOU STILL WISH TO IGNORE ME?!"
Now to the utter surprise of both men, Orihime (+Shun Shun Rikka) was the one that burst out laughing. She pointed to the vortex.
"But of course. The future does not involve a man like you, Juha Bach. Once this is over….I ….shall stand at the crux of it all. The center of the universe! I have my six apostles, and they shall play a greater role than your pathetic Stern Ritters ever will!"
"Again with this. You are incorrect, Orihime Inoue….I am the one who will ascend. In fact, watching this role fall is but a formality." Aizen snapped his fingers and restored his other arm. "I do think it is time we stop playing around."
"Correct. Who shall have the honor of slaughtering Juha Bach first~? It is the fundamental proof I intend to show the Soul King that his reign is over. The mere sight of his removed head shall frighten him."
And then, both Gods stopped their arguing to notice another wall of arrows – millions now – speeding towards them. But both didn't look fazed at when they all pierced through at a high velocity.
"ON THE CONTRARY! I WILL DESTROY YOU BOTH IN THIS WORLD!"
"WILL YA?!"
Bach turned, and quickly seized the approaching Hollow Ichigo's sword arm.
"But of course. I AM THE ALMIGHTY!"
And with that, he roared as he ripped the beast's arm right off, but the horse wasn't going to go down for the count. Blood spluttering, he grabbed Juha Bach's almighty face.
"THEN LET'S PUT A SMILE ON THAT FACE!"
Ichigo's body double roared louder and threw the Quincy king as hard as he could.
XXXX
Ryuken flipped back and continued his swerves to fire at his opponent, but to his dismay, The Balance was slightly faster and sharper than he had assumed. It didn't help that more arrows had pierced through him AND he had to dodge whatever stray arrows from Bach's earlier attack.
"Give it up, Ryuken Ishida! Do you know why they call me The Balance?! All of my battle parameters are equally matched in every area! I HAVE NO WEAKNESSES!"
The doctor winced when another arrow pierced through his side, but he kept firing.
"While YOU…YOU are a washed up man! To think there was once a time where we wanted your son to join us! I see his weak genes would only slow us down!"
Angered by the insult, Ryuken turned his arm and managed to shoot at Haschwald's shoulder.
"I'd rather be weak and washed up than serve a tyrant like Juha Bach for even a second!"
He zoomed forward, barely dodging more shots.
"If you want to me kill me, boy, than I'll TAKE YOU TO HELL WITH ME!"
He moved to grab Haschwald's face, but the younger Quincy disappeared just in time. Then Ryuken felt more shots fire through him….and he twisted his form to dodge a shot aimed for his head.
I have to kill this Stern Ritter! The world is going to be nothing!
XXXXX
Hiyori opened her eyes, only to see (and feel) a familiar face holding her as he ran.
"Shin….ji….?!"
"Hiyori, don't start! I'm not going to leave you!" He shouted, dodging some close-call arrows. "Just hang on! We need to come together with the others!"
"You…..have a hole in your chest…..!"
"Shut up, brat. It's nothing I can't han….dle!" He coughed some blood onto the girl's face. "Where the hell did Love go?!"
XXXX
"Nemu-san, what's going on?!"
Nemu had moved the trio to a small alcove, but with each passing second, more and more of the city was being sucked up.
"I had to move you all from danger. We need to assist Sado-san and the others…."
Her eyes scanned the scene, and she caught the flash of a few ceros.
"….in killing this titan. And because the world is in critical danger…..if all of us are together, we can protect ourselves more readily."
Do not lie, apostle. Tell Uryu Ishida the truth. You wish to power up Orihime-sama, right?
Uryu narrowed his eyes at the voice, because he had heard it as well.
Power up Orihime? But how? Who are these apostles…..myself, Nemu-san…..
"Yachiru and Sado-san are the other two." Nemu finished, hearing his train of thought. "Arisawa must be one as well…and the last….."
Loly was close to passing out from the pain, but Menoly hugged her and continued her treatment.
"…..Kurosaki." Uryu gasped. "But he's rampaging….!"
The ground shook harder, forcing the four to the ground. When Nemu looked up, she heard the whoosh of another flash-step.
"You guys are okay?!"
Tatsuki ran over to Nemu and helped her up. Yachiru moved to pull Uryu as well.
Yes…..yes…..! We are so close, my apostles! Oh…I suppose the next step is to destroy that titan that's still causing trouble. Yasutora Sado and the others cannot hang on for much longer.
The (now four) apostles all looked at each other, having the voice surge through their minds. Loly and Menoly weren't really paying attention to what was going on.
"….."
"This….voice is on Orihime's side." Tatsuki whispered. "….so why is speaking for her? Why has her powers taken so much of her control?"
Taken? I have done nothing of a sort. Don't you apostles want to spend the rest of your days with Orihime-sama? Is she not special to you all?
"Of course she is." Yachiru said. "But she's not you, Voice. So stop distracting us."
She dashed forward.
"Because we need to help her."
Casting a look of sympathy at the Arrancar twins, Tatsuki, Uryu, and Nemu all readied their respective weapons and followed, towards Gerard Valkyrie.
XXXX
Benihime reformed another stack of rubble around Askin, and Kisuke followed up with another chained energy attack.
"ENOUGH!"
Askin broke free and fired another barrage of arrows, but Kisuke flash-stepped to dodge.
"ENOUGH OF THESE GAMES, KISUKE URAHARA!"
"I'm not playing around, Quincy." He said seriously. "I've just got more important things to worry about than you."
"Is that supposed to be the catchphrase of the day?!" Askin snapped. "Can't you see that the Gotei 13 has lost this war?! His Majesty….his power now exceeds ANYONE in this world!"
"Oh I know." He said evenly. "But it seems to me that all of you are in sad, tragic denial to who exceeds his power."
"WHAT?!"
"Aizen and Orihime have much greater than you can comprehend, Stern Ritter. Together they can reject all of us and recreate the universe if they wanted to."
The ground continued to shake.
"But because none of you can see the reality….where only FOUR of you remain in this empire….you will die never comprehending the truth."
"Never compre-listen here, Kisuke Urahara! You're alone in this battle! Gerard and Jugram are busy fighting your friends, and even Ichigo Kurosaki has lost his control, his reason!"
Kisuke vaguely noticed the roars of his Hollow and Bach in the distance, with more bursts of yellow light from the Gods. Then he looked up at the sky, vortex widening each second.
"Am I? How tragic. Only I know of Tessai's final words…."
"What are you talking about?! That fool is merely hiding for a surprise attack, isn't he?!"
To his anger, Kisuke Urahara let out a throaty chuckle.
"Man. You Quincies really ARE dumb."
"HOW DARE YO-!"
His words died when a spiked club smashed into his face, knocking out most of his teeth and curving his face painfully as he was thrown back.
"….Love?"
Love Aikawa stood before him, outfit ripped and sunglasses long gone, but he had regained the strength to move around, despite his wounds.
"Need a hand?"
XXXX
"TASTE THE POWER OF THE VANDENREICH!"
Gerard swung his mighty hammer once more, demolishing yet another piece of the city, and once again, Chad was forced to the ground. His body couldn't take much more.
"You can't just die, can you?!"
Grimmjow darted around and unleashed his signature attack – a glass-like structure of blue energy that split into multiple blades.
"Desgarron!"
Neliel, now in her released state, threw her lance in her own signature attack.
"Lanzadore Verde!"
"IT IS USELESS!"
Both attacks pierced through The Miracle's large body, and he felt the frenzied barrage of arrows from Candice, Liltotto, and Meninas.
"FUCKING DIE ALREADY, GERARD!"
"NEVER! I SHALL TAKE EVERY ATTACK AND KILL YOU ALL!"
The three Quincies Hirenkyaku'd to dodge his next swing, leaving Rose the room to fire more sound waves from his Bankai.
"Persistent, aren't we?!"
From bloodied eyes, he noticed Yachiru and the others approaching, all of which had an angered expression.
"MORE LAMBS FOR THE SLAUGHTER!"
Gerard stomped his foot, erecting a shockwave to blow everyone back. The three Quincy girls smashed into a telephone pole, while Neliel and Grimmjow both hit a car. Rose nearly fell into a manhole, and Chad was thrown through a glass window.
"I AM GERARD VALKYRIE, THE MIRACLE! BY THE MIGHT OF JUHA BACH, I SHALL ERASE ANYTHING THAT IS AN ENEMY TO THE EMPIRE!"
He released a bloodthirsty battle cry that would give even The Roar a run of his money, as the vortex above him got larger and larger.
"Man! Yer so loud, just like Yammy."
Gerard turned his head immediately. "Who da-"
But he wasn't fast enough to dodge Kaminishi no Yari's stab through his torso. And while most people would think Gin Ichimaru's Bankai was merely a 13 km extension of his Shikai….
"And if I can quote Grimmjow, that's not a good thing."
….they would be missing the poison aspect of it all.
"Another Shinigami?! How many of you still cling to this world?!" Gerard roared and charged up another burst of energy from his mouth, removing the tip of the sword in him.
"Oh…." Gin smiled, despite his wounds, and retracted his sword. "We're like cockroaches. Did you know the only way to kill us would be to have a nuclear warhead detonate?"
"BEGONE, SHINIGAMI!"
"Wait! Turn around, there's a nice surprise waiting for you!"
Gerard didn't take the bait, but he blinked when he felt multiple shadows hovering over his head. He turned….
"YOU'RE ANNOYING!" shouted 10 different voices.
Yachiru, Nemu, Uryu, Grimmjow, Neliel, Candice, Liltotto, Meninas, Rose, and Chad were all about to unleash whatever attack they could in tandem. All were bleeding heavily, but all lookedpissed.
"Bye bye." Gin waved, still smiling.
XXXXXX
As the sky erupted with more flashes of golden light, Hollow Ichigo was starting to realize that he didn't *quite* have the capability he needed.
"Damn it! Stay still!" He shouted, as Aizen warped to dodge his slash once more. The price for missing was a painful bombardment of energy bullets into his back. Then he felt Bach's sword cut off another limb.
"You think you can stop me, Hollow scum?!"
As Bach turned to attack Aizen, Orihime warped to behind the two and spoke a command.
"Holyga."
When the sky exploded with light, she rushed downward and met Hollow Ichigo as he crashed into the ground.
"Damn….it…..!"
Orihime watched the beast repair his lost limbs, but with each second, each moment of the climatic battle….the rate was slowing….
"Hollow. You've taken control of Ichigo Kurosaki…how long do you want this fun to continue?"
"Fun….?!" Hollow Ichigo cackled as he stood up. "What's this woman, you want me to stop too?! I already had to cut down so many fools to get to this point! Not even YOU can stop me!"
"Oh I beg to differ." Orihime pointed upward, not looking at the multitude of arrows approaching. "Can you survive this?"
The beast growled and used sonido to evade to the best of his ability. It was apparent that Ichigo's raw power had climbed to dramatically high levels, and not even the top three Espada combined would be able to fell him. But his opponents had more than raw power….unlike himself.
"Your power is remarkable, and that is to be expected from Ichigo." Orihime said, not bothering to evade any of the arrows – she could repair any wounds in an instant. "But…..Aizen and myself are on a higher level."
"What?!"
"You and Bach make formidable opponents…..but neither of you will be able to close the gap. There is nothing you can do."
"Says you!" Hollow Ichigo growled, dodging the last arrow. "I came here to claim it all, and NOBODY IS GOING TO STOP ME!"
"….Cease this action, my apostle. I need you. I need your power."
"…?"
"You six…..are the souls that are the most focused in protecting and serving this body. You six will make excellent sources of power to me to surpass Aizen and claim the title….Soul King."
"Fuck you! I'M the king, NOT YOU!"
Orihime's smile turned into a cold scowl in a mere second. "Do you forget…..who even gave you the chance to exist…..Hollow? Know your place."
Instead of moving upward, Hollow Ichigo advanced towards Orihime.
"Know my place?! This body is FINALLY under my control….and you think I'm going to submit to anyone?!"
"…go ahead then. If you wish to strike me down…..go ahead and try…..horse."
Hollow Ichigo moved to attack, but he stopped – a rather large arrow cut through the surface of his mask, like a hot knife through butter. The piece fell to the ground, revealing the yellow eye.
"Fuck you, Bach!"
Both he and Aizen were zooming towards the ground, but they were also firing at each other.
"THAT'S IT! EVERYONE DIES!"
But in the mere second the beast moved to jump, he felt a blade pierce through his body.
"Stay still, apostle."
Time was crawling to a halt as Orihime extended her hand and put it on the Hollow's face, still scowling…and still uncaring of the opponents getting closer.
"What are you-?!"
"Perhaps I shall reject this disobedience out of you. You are my apostle, and I demand respect! I am God!"
No!
Orihime's hand stopped.
….what?
I won't let you hurt Ichigo-kun!
Orihime-sama, be reasonable. This beast has hijacked his control. I merely wish to turn him to our desired condition.
I said no! You need to stop this, right now! You're the one who said I was the master! Why are you doing this?!
I serve you, Orihime-sama, and I-
NO! These same hands rejected Ulquiorra out of existence and all of those souls! These same hands crippled Catnipp-san, Lamperd-san, McAllon-san, and Nemu-san! These same hands destroyed a Quincy completely! STOP THIS!
…..how did you…..even…..
You've seen all I saw in Karakura and Hueco Mundo. And I'VE seen all you've seen in this false world! This is what the Hogyoku has done! It's made you into more of a monster than Ichigo-kun is!
You….misunderstand me, master. I wish to install you as God. Together we will-
Is it I or is it YOU?! Because I don't want to kill the Soul King! I don't want to kill everyone who gets in my way! I DON'T WANT TO BE A GOD!
Orihime stood frozen in time, the two forces of her being duking it out.
But…..no, that's incorrect. You are mistaken, master. That is what the heat of battle does sometimes….clearly, you are delirious. Have you forgotten what Aizen and Bach have done?
Oh trust me, I'm going to make sure they won't survive this battle. But YOU….YOU think you can play with my body, acting on your own agenda?! YOU think you can trick me?!
N-Never! But master, all of this has occurred because-
Let me ask you a question….whoever you are! All this time…..has the concern for me and my friends been because you honestly care, or is it because you've been plotting from the start?!
The first one! Master, please don't start doubting me. Your heart needs to be free from-
SHUT UP! Aizen put my pins to the Hogyoku, and I heard you….what you used to be. Tsubaki, Baigon, Hinagiku, Shun'o, Ayame, and Lily! All of you were screaming in pain, in agony! Then when you finally come back…..you act calm and calculating, just like Aizen!
Don't compare us to that false god, Orihime-sama!
Why not?! Now HE's not even bothering to fight the Hogyoku's control over his mind, because that's exactly what he wants. But me….I know better! And for the rest of this battle, YOU WILL listen to me!
But Master I-
I SAID LISTEN TO ME! THIS IS MY BODY!
In a flash, Orihime's eyes returned to normal, and now she was aware at the trapped Hollow Ichigo before her.
"I-Ichigo…."
She was now aware of the two titans about to strike her….until someone appeared in between and swung his energy-charged zanpakutou.
"GETSUGA KONSHOU!"
Isshin released a dense arc-shaped wave of energy to blast Aizen and Bach.
"Orihime! Hurry! FIX MY SON!"
"NEVER!" Hollow Ichigo charged up a cero. "I'LL KILL EVERYONE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS!"
But when Orihime moved her hands to do what she could, a new voice entered her head.
Congrats, Orihime. You truly are stronger than I given you credit for.
A….Aizen?
But then she heard his voice for real.
"Holypa."
Then in another flash, the entire city exploded with a brilliant flash of multiple colors….everyone being caught in the attack as well. The force alone ejected everyone away….….towards the flames.
The members of the Royal Guard all stared in disbelief. Although they couldn't see what their master could see, it was very, very, very rare that they were able to see the feeling of actual panic on the Soul King's face.
"M-Master? Is everything…okay?"
….Hyosuke…..prepare the strongest spells you can muster. You and the others. Right now.
The five looked at each other.
"But…..what's happened?"
I said right now. Those who strive to be God…..I know outsiders….will be here…..
Once again, Orihime found herself floating through pure white. Everything was moving so slowly around her, and she barely could keep her eyes open.
Did…..we make it…..?
She looked at her bloodied body, and naturally, she was being healed with ease.
So…..my power….it's still here….
She moved a hand to her pins, which were still stuck to her head. However, she felt that the pins were cracked and they felt unusually hot.
Ah…..I need to….heal everyone….
As she floated, she began to see projections of different events. One was Ichigo being stabbed by Rukia to transfer her powers.
What….?
Another was Uryu challenging Ichigo to the contest that led the Menos Grande to Karakura Town.
These….memories…
Another was Ichigo purifying her brother.
They're…..no, they're not just me….
Another was Chad's arm being transformed for the first time, followed by Orihime's fairies appearing to help her against Numb Chandelier.
They're…..of my friends….
Now she saw Yachiru on Kenpachi's shoulder, giggling as she rode with her father of a captain. After that, Rukia had her head bowed as she reported to Byakuya.
And…not just my friends in Karakura….
The memories were starting to expand. She saw Yachiru staring her club. She saw Hans the orphanage director rip Meninas's dress. She saw Kisuke start his shop with Tessai and Yoruichi. She saw the death of Hisana Kuchiki, followed by the death of Masaki Kuroaki, Kaien Shiba, Miyako Shiba, and others.
Everyone…..
She saw the SWA have their first party, while the five Vandenreich girls toasted each other and drank from the bottle Liltotto raided from the cabinet. She saw Ichigo use his Bankai for the first time. She saw Aizen cut down Toshiro with ease.
Even….of Aizen….
She saw Yachiru crying over Rukia's anger for the execution. She saw a young Gin Ichimaru see Aizen take some of Rangiku's spirit energy for his own gains.
So…..that's why….
She saw Isshin comforting his daughters on the anniversary of Masaki's death, and she saw Kisuke comfort Yoruichi in one night of missing her brother and student from the Seireitei. In another, she saw Yachiru hug Tatsuki upon finding her in Hueco Mundo.
This…..this is…..
She saw a young Uryu Ishida watch his father look at his mother's dead body, and then Soken Ishida laughing as he told him a story. In another, Nemu Kusamiya was taking her first steps as a new creation.
She saw Ichigo crying as his mother stabbed herself with his sword to finally purify herself, and she saw Neliel crying at the death of her fraccion.
Omniscience…
She saw Liltotto comfort the sobbing Candice in one painful bout of memory, and she saw the girls begin their training under the Vandenreich name.
Orihime looked at her hands again.
How….did it come to this?
She saw her friends at school eating lunch on the rooftop, while Tatsuki shoved Chizuru for yet another pass. She saw Kisuke say his final words to the dying Tessai.
How…..did it all come to this, everyone?
She saw Giselle pour her heart out as Yachiru stood over her, then her moments of sacrifice to save the girl from the light.
I'm sorry…..I really am.
She saw Ichigo's body warping in agony as the Hollow took control.
…this war…..
She saw Haschwald strike down his own friend, and she saw the look of horror on Liltotto's face when Bambietta was dissolved as well.
….it's caused nothing but pain and misery for everyone….
She saw Byakuya cut down Ichigo for the first time, and she saw Uryu learn the truth about his grandfather from Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
….
She saw Liltotto's painful experiments, and the dead in her eyes when Byakuya found her in Las Noches. She saw Meninas spit up blood as Szayel crushed her organs.
No more.
She saw Giselle, in a frenzy, pierce her own two friends and attack Yachiru.
I will be the one to end it all.
Now images of her six "apostles" floated in front of her, blocking out the memories she was seeing.
Ichigo Kurosaki, the 1st.
Tatsuki Arisawa, the 2nd.
Uryu Ishida, the 3rd.
Yasutora Sado, the 4th.
Nemu Kusamiya, the 5th.
And Yachiru Kusajishi – her friend, her president, the girl helped her get to the point that she was today….the girl that always looked out for her and Tatsuki – the 6th.
And I can't do it alone.
Orihime closed her eyes.
I can't do it alone.
When she came to, she was aware of the burning flames around her body, causing her to sweat profusely.
"Everyone…"
She stood up, and noticed who was completely unconscious – Candice, Liltotto, Meninas, Grimmjow, Neliel, Loly, Menoly, and Hiyori.
"Orihime…..!"
Isshin, severely wounded, helped her to her feet. Ryuken, Shinji, Kisuke, Love, Rose, and Gin were all in the same boat, but they were still standing.
"W-Wait! What happened to….."
Her eyes drifted, and she saw five of her six apostles lying face down. With their outfits all ripped, she noticed that one symbol on her forehead and hands was on each one.
The shield was on Chad.
The sun was on Tatsuki.
The crescent moon was on Nemu.
The lightning bolt was on Uryu.
The heart was on Yachiru.
So that only left….
"Hahahahahaha!" Hollow Ichigo's mask was cracking more and more, and yet….his mind was captivated by the sight before him. "Hahahaha…it's glorious! It's like a literal Hell!"
"Such is the fire of Head-Captain Yamamoto."
All conscious heads looked up. There stood Aizen, floating in front of the vortex, but now his body had changed one last time. Now his face had turned black and he looked more…Hollow-like in appearance. His hair was still long, and the Hogyoku – still in his chest – was beating rapidly. But now he had extensions attached his back, all with a single eye.
His zanpakutou had ceased to exist.
"I am disappointed, Orihime. Your transformation….ends here? I wanted a challenge for my ascension."
"Aww geez…." Shinji spat on the ground. "I think we're fucked guys."
The vortex eclipsed the entire skyline.
"No." Orihime said seriously. "I can destroy Aizen. I know I can."
"Is that so?" Aizen asked. "Have you learned nothing, Orihime Inoue? I am leagues above everyone, now. Why….I even managed to trick you all with the simple suggestion my zanpakutou was even still working."
"…."
"Urgh…"
In the distance, Juha Bach stood up, wings flapping. Next to him the defeated and bloodied bodies of Askin Nakk Le Vaar and Gerard Valkyrie. Jugram Haschwald stood up as well, panting.
"Your…..Majesty…..we need to…..escape….."
"…escape, Jugram?" Bach asked, staring at Orihime and Aizen. "You think now….I am going to escape and flee?"
"…what can we do with…..only four of us? Askin and Gerard….they need treatment! We….have to…"
"No. My successor….I do believe….." Bach stared down at The Balance. "You have….outlived your usefulness."
Haschwald's eyes widened.
"W-What?"
"Yes….I had underestimated you." Bach said. "I thought you were capable. I thought all of you were capable. And yet….none of you….especially you….could not kill ANYONE on the enemy's side."
"But sire….I…."
"It is alright, Jugo. I can crush the rest of these fools….."
The Almighty's reiatsu rose, catching a look from the two Gods.
"BY MYSELF! I WILL CONQUER THE ROYAL REALM ON MY OWN!"
"But Your Majesty….!"
His promises of prosperity are garbage, and you know it! He just wants the victory for himself! Do you think he's shed a tear over the others?!
You think he would've sent a team if YOU were captured?! LIKE HELL!
Bach roared, and took out his master medallion.
"I WILL DESTROY ALL!"
No…..Bazz….! You…..you were…..!
But in a moment, he….Askin….and Gerard all dissolved into the rainbow light and integrated into the emperor's broad form, powering him up even more.
….you were right…..!
"HAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
As Bach shouted to the heavens, the world shook dramatically as the vortex begun to spin, picking up more and more debris. Isshin and the others moved to hold their allies down.
"So the child has thrown a tantrum." Aizen said, coolly. "Well then…..I suppose I should just end this all already."
"The cards haven't folded, Aizen!" Said a voice.
"H…..no, don't tell me…." Rose gasped…
Hachigen appeared right in front of Aizen, catching him off guard. Both palms were charged with black and white energy.
"IMPRISON!"
He moved his hands and unleashed his energy, trapping Aizen in a multitiered (smaller) vortex. Unfortunately, the world was starting to break off, piece by piece…as it lost its anchor.
"HACHI?!" Shinji gasped.
"INOUE-SAN!" Hachigen put his palms together. "FIX KUROSAKI-SAN! EVERYONE ELSE…..STALL JUHA BACH RIGHT NOW!"
Orihime turned to Ichigo and erupted a barrier, right as Isshin and the others zoomed forward.
"Get the fuck away from me, woman! You won't take this away from me!"
But before he could fire a cero, Orihime swung the reject blade again and stopped all movement.
"No…..NOOOOOO!"
"Stop it right now." She said. "Killing Aizen and killing Bach….that matters more than you getting your little power trip."
"YOU did this for me, Inoue! I thought you WANTED this!"
She grabbed his face and ripped the mask off.
"I want the man I love back."
She put a hand to his face, and Hollow Ichigo screamed in agony as a golden light enveloped them.
XXXX
Above, Hachigen crossed both sets of middle and index fingers.
"COLLECT!"
The unconscious souls below him – as well as the far away Byakuya, Kensei, and Mashiro all morphed into balls of light and floated towards him.
XXXX
"We have to stall him!" Isshin shouted. He unleashed one of his zanpakutou's attacks, as did Kisuke. "We have only seconds!"
But Bach roared and knocked each attack with ease. He fired as many arrows as he could.
"DIE, GOTEI 13!"
Gin's eyes shot open in horror when two arrows pierced through Rose and Love….and upon contact, they dissolved into nothingness.
"ROSE! LOVE!" Shinji screamed.
He, Kisuke, Isshin, Ryuken, and Gin all spread out, but the arrow fire increased and increased. Each fighter barely had the time to dodge lethal hits.
No….he's gotten so powerful, he can destroy a soul with ease?!
Ryuken fired back some of his own arrows, and Gin extended his zanpakutou. But Bach dodged both with no effort.
"BEHOLD MY TRUE POWER!"
Kisuke kicked Shinji to the ground and fired a burst of red, but again…to no avail. Bach swung his sword, and even though the blade itself did not reach any of its targets, he and Gin collapsed as their blood splattered out.
Isshin grabbed the three of them and retreated.
"Shit….let's move Ishida!"
Ryuken watched Bach get closer and closer, still dodging arrows. He looked back….saw the world breaking up…and saw Orihime working to fix Ichigo. But most importantly, he saw his son…..safe, behind her barrier.
"…go, Kurosaki."
Isshin stopped, his eyes wide.
"No! I'm not leaving you behind, Ryuken!"
"GO, ISSHIN! We have to distract him, do we not?! I want my son and this world to be safe! And as such….Orihime Inoue is THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN STOP HIM!"
He pushed Isshin away and zoomed towards Juha Bach, still dodging arrows.
"RYUKEN!"
"So you're the next one, Ryuken Ishida?! Face your punishment….for DISGRACING THE QUINCY!"
Father…..Kanae...forgive me for my mistakes. Allow me…to use my final moment to try to help save the worlds…
Isshin had closed his eyes and was speeding back….but when he opened his eyes once, he saw it. He saw Ryuken fire an arrow through the emperor, and form a spirit blade to cut him.
Uryu…my son…
But he saw the emperor blast his head clean off.
I love you…..
"RYUKEN!"
XXXXX
"HURAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Orihime bit her lip as Ichigo's form thrashed and thrashed, and the screams had turned into screeches of a primal beast. But she focused. She focused on what exactly she wanted to reject.
"ORIHIME!"
I'll save you, Ichigo-kun! We can do this! WE CAN SAVE EVERYONE!
The Hollow continued his sounds of pure agony, but eventually….the mask in Orihime's hand shattered to pieces. Slowly but surely….Ichigo's skin was turning back to normal.
"NOOOOOOOO!"
"Fight it, Ichigo! Focus! FOCUS!"
The light intensified and Orihime was soon hearing the dying words of Hollow Ichigo.
Damn you! Damn you, damn you, DAMN YOU! WHY COULDN'T YOU LET ME HAVE THIS?!
Because Zangetsu deserves to come back…..and Ichigo deserves to be himself. To always be himself. To never have to worry about you. To….live in peace.
HE CAN'T WIN WITHOUT ME!
He can with his friends! HE DOESN'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!
But….
Now the words were sounding desperate.
But…..it was my chance….to be at the top….to….have everything I've always wanted….
That's the difference….between you and his zanpakutou. You don't want to work with him. If you did….from the beginning….maybe….
Ichigo had turned back to normal, in all aspects.
Maybe….things would be different.
Damn…..it…..
….goodbye…..Hollow Ichigo…..
She noticed Isshin appear and set Kisuke, Shinji, and Gin down, putting a hand to his face.
"O-Orihime…..my son…..is he okay….?"
Orihime nodded, but she gasped – Bach was getting closer. Hachigen looked down and moved his hand one more time.
"Good….."
Isshin smiled, but tears were falling for his fallen friend. He was transforming into a ball of light, much like the other three. Next to Orihime, her (now six) apostles were glowing.
"At least…..I have that…..!"
Hachigen teleported downward and with a snap of his fingers, all of the balls of light were being moved into an artificial container.
"Hachi-san…!"
"Inoue-san….there isn't much time. I've seen everything from my feeds….and now….I have to entrust the task to you."
Bach was closing in, but the world was almost completely sucked up.
He handed the container to Orihime, who quickly phased it into her form, like Kon and the Soul Society. She noticed all of the black marks on his body, and how his skin was getting more and more discolored.
Despite this, Hachigen flashed one last smile.
"I won't….let you down, Hachi-san. For everyone…..I'll fight until the very end."
"I know you will, Orihime."
His form was breaking apart.
"…I know you will."
"NO ESCAPE, GOD!"
In the span of one moment, three things happened at once. Bach shattered the barrier behind Orihime with one swing of his sword, Aizen escaped his artificial prison, and Hachigen Ushoda faded into oblivion, just like his captain.
Six voices…..six avatars….six apostles…
Orihime put her hands to the (decaying) ground and focused, muttering the last command to be spoken in the (remainder of) false world.
"I…reject."
FIN
Ending notes: No we're not done yet and no Bach and Aizen aren't defeated yet. :)
Why the apostles, you might ask? It's a theme I've been thinking of a long time - not only is a biblical reference, but the six corresponds to her six fairies. The transformed Shun Shun Rikka had a sacrificial-based idea in mind for them, but Orihime shall do something different. Teamwork makes the dream, as they say. Remember that she alone can't destroy Aizen? Remember that our pink-haired vice-captain still has a grudge to settle?
I also have a very special idea to announce, but it shall wait for the epilogue...whatever chapter that ends up being.
Next Time - The six apostles awaken.
