The Tierce Gardeur, Wedyenoh, had just used his Fondre. He now had four insect like feet and a stinger on his abdomen section. From the waist up looked human except for his arms which were shaped like a praying mantis's arms.
"So which of you wants to come at me first?" Wedyenoh asked.
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!" Rukia shouted as she prepared to unleash the beam of ice from Sode no Shirayuki and Tatsuki pulled back her arms to launch another stream of flames at the same time at him. Suddenly they were both hit by a pair of small stingers. They quickly discovered that they couldn't move.
"Oh my-my. How foolish of you. To think that I didn't see that move when you destroyed Eppilihp earlier. Oh how I enjoyed being a fly on the wall for that battle." Wedyenoh said with a chuckle.
"What did you do to THEM?!" Ichigo roared angrily as Orihime attempted to heal them.
"Oh don't worry, that was merely a paralysis stinger. They'll be fine in a few hours…well if I wasn't about to kill them that is." Wedyenoh said as Ichigo growled.
"You bastard!" Ichigo roared.
"Ichigo!" Yoruichi said as she blocked him with her right arm.
"Let me handle him. We've wasted enough time as it is." Yoruichi said as she stepped forward.
"Now what sort of little morsel is this? Is that a Cat I smell?" Wedyenoh asked curiously.
"Perhaps." Yoruichi said with a smirk.
"Odd…I thought I shot one of my paralysis stingers at you." Wedyenoh said as Yoruichi raised her opened left hand.
"You mean this?" she asked. Clutched between her fingers was one of the stingers.
"What?! How?!" Wedyenoh asked as Yoruichi smirked again.
"Perhaps introductions are in order. I am Yoruichi Shihoin, former Captain of the Second Squad and former leader of the Soul Society Punishment Force." Yoruichi said as she quickly flung the stinger at Wedyenoh but the stinger simply bounced harmlessly off his armor.
"Ah, a Captain, eh? I've been eager to show how strong I truly am. Perhaps upon your defeat, I will be elevated to the title of the Seconde Gardeur or maybe even the Premier Gardeur. This fight may be interesting." Wedyenoh said as Yoruichi smirked.
"Bring it on then." Yoruichi said as she launched her fist forward and caused a powerful Shakkaho to launch the unprepared Wedyenoh away and into the wall above the gate.
"EVERYONE MAKE A BREAK FOR THE GATE IF YOU CAN!!!" Yoruichi shouted as Ichigo and the others nodded. Orihime was still healing Rukia and Tatsuki in an effort to rid them of the poison.
"Oh no you DON'T!!!" Wedyenoh roared as he started firing stingers at the other members of the group. Chad and Uryu suddenly were hit but Nel, Karin, and Ichigo managed to flash step/Sonido through without a problem.
"Chad! Uryu!" Ichigo shouted. Suddenly they both disappeared and then reappeared lying next to Rukia and Tatsuki.
"Ichigo! MOVE!" Yoruichi shouted as the three reluctantly nodded and ran into the castle.
"Looks like you've failed in keeping us all out." Yoruichi said as Wedyenoh glared at her.
"That's what you believe. There are still three other members of the Sept Gardeur within the castle, just waiting for them." Wedyenoh said as Yoruichi arched a curious eyebrow.
"Three? You mean two, right?" Yoruichi asked.
"Well technically yes but that's because of the Premier Gardeur. The Premier Gardeur, in life, was a pair of Siamese twin Bounts that were killed in action during the three way war between the Bounts, the Quincy's, and the Soul Reapers. When they became LeBlancs they were separated into two distinct beings but they act in perfect tandem. They were recently assigned to keeping direct watch over the Key Girl. If your friends there wish to reach the key girl then they will have no choice but to face the Premier Gardeur. But that's enough of the explanations for now." Wedyenoh said as Yoruichi shrugged.
"Oh well...after this fight's over, there'll still be only three Sept Gardeur left." Yoruichi said as she quickly flash stepped into the air. She then reappeared and delivered a devastating kick to Wedyenoh's back.
He then scurried onto his four feet and started firing poisoned stingers at his incoming foe. Yoruichi effortlessly dodged the rain of stingers before sliding underneath and between his legs, then caused his large stinger to become stuck in the wooden drawbridge beneath him.
"Why you little-!!!" Wedyenoh hissed as he shattered the boards that kept his stinger trapped and turned to lunge at her. Instead she quickly flash stepped under the archway to the gate and raised her right arm straight out to her side.
"Shunko." She said and instantly the clothes on her back and shoulders were torn to shreds as tendrils of glowing white Kido energy appeared. The remains of her orange over shirt floated towards the ground, revealing the front of her black Punishment Force uniform.
"What is this new devilry?!" Wedyenoh asked surprised.
"It's a combination of Kido and hand to hand combat, called Shunko. I have yet to master it fully but I at least know how to use it effectively." Yoruichi said with a smirk as she suddenly thrust her right hand forward and sent a wave of powerful energy at Wedyenoh. He quickly opened a pair of wings and flew up out of the way.
"Did you really believe that would hit me?!" Wedyenoh asked with an amused tone as Yoruichi simply smirked.
"Not really." She replied.
"But this WILL! "Sting all Enemies to Death, Suzumebachi!"
Suddenly a butterfly shaped stamp appeared on Wedyenoh's back with a unique whistle like sound. Soi Fon then appeared standing next to Yoruichi.
"What the-?! Who are you?!" Wedyenoh roared. Soi Fon stayed silent and leapt towards him but flash stepped into thin air. He then felt a piercing pain in his back in the exact same spot as last time and again accompanied by the strange whistle as the stamp started to glow bright red. Instantly he burst into tiny specks of glowing red dust.
Soi Fon then reappeared next to Yoruichi who had stopped using Shunko by this point. Soi Fon quickly dropped to one knee and grasped Yoruichi by the hand.
"My deepest apologies Lady Yoruichi for taking so long in getting to you." Soi Fon said before kissing her on the hand. Yoruichi chuckled.
"Soi Fon your timing is impeccable. I assume the other Soul Reapers are here too?" Yoruichi asked as Soi Fon nodded.
"General Yamamoto has ordered all Captains and Lieutenants to come. They're here right now and they're taking a diplomatic approach before laying waste to this cursed place." Soi Fon explained as Yoruichi nodded.
"Good. Remind me, but doesn't Suzumebachi work as a counter poison as well?" Yoruichi asked as Soi Fon nodded.
"Yes Lady Yoruichi. Have you been poisoned?" Soi Fon asked worriedly.
"No but those four have. They'll need to be cured of their paralysis before they can be of any more use out here." Yoruichi said as Soi Fon stood up and bowed.
"Yes Lady Yoruichi." Soi Fon said as she immediately set about to curing the four paralysis victims. Yoruichi then looked up into the sky, looking straight at the gathered Soul Reapers as they all stood in the midair. As Soi Fon had explained, all the Captains and Lieutenants had arrived. Not ones to miss a good fight, Ikkaku and Yumichika were even there.
General Yamamoto was standing apart from the rest of the group with his cane in his hands and his Lieutenants at his side. Almost immediately a small group of LeBlancs appeared in midair as well. Standing in the middle of the LeBlancs was the General who quietly approached Yamamoto and met in the center between the two groups.
"Are you the chosen spokesman for the Soul Reapers, here to beg for mercy before your inevitable doom?" the General asked Yamamoto.
"I am Shigekuni Yamamoto, Head-Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and I am not here to beg for anything. Instead I am demanding the immediate return of Yuzu Kurosaki." Yamamoto asked as the General cocked his head to one side with a curious expression.
"In exchange for what might I ask?" the General asked.
"In exchange for Yuzu Kurosaki we will spare you and your people to live in isolation here without any additional danger from us, the Arrancar, or anyone else who might seek to attack you out of vengeance." Yamamoto said as the General shook his head.
"Not good enough. Try upping the ante." The General said as Yamamoto's eyes narrowed.
"This is not a negotiation, this is a demand. Give us Yuzu Kurosaki or be destroyed." Yamamoto said angrily.
"Then it seems that we have nothing to discuss…and since you are now technically trespassing onto LeBlanc territory, then that means you must all die." The General said as he reached for his cutlass but froze. He looked at Yamamoto who held his cane out to his side but it was no longer a cane, it was a sword.
Suddenly blue colored blood burst from the General's waist and arms. The General then started falling towards the ground, but as he fell his upper and lower body separated at the waist along with parts of his arms. He had been bifurcated clean through the center. His core had been cut in half as well.
(Music Cue: Number One – Memories of a Nobody version 1)
"Soul REAPERS!!! ATTACK!!! Reduce All Creation to Ash, Ryujin Jakka!!!" General Yamamoto yelled as he released his Zanpakuto. The other Soul Reapers were following suit behind him.
"Bite, Gonryomaru!" "Crush, Gegetsuburi!" "Raise your head, Wabisuke!" "Strengthen, Hensen Tatsujin!" "Snap, Tobiume!" "Scatter, Senbonzakura." "Bankai! Hihio Zabimaru!" "Bankai! Kokujo Tengen Myo'o!" "Flower Wind Rage and Flower God Roar, Heavenly Wind Rage and Heavenly Demon Sneer, Katen Kyokotsu!" "Reap, Kazeshini!" "Reign over the Frosted Heavens, Hyorinmaru!" "Roar, Haineko!" "Extend, Hozukimaru!" "Bloom, Fuju Kujaku!" "All Waves, Rise now and Become my Shield, Lightning, Strike now and Become my Blade, Sogyo no Kotowari."
Things got a little uneasy as Mayuri Kurotsuchi yelled, "Bankai! Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo!"
"WHAT THE-?! ARE YOU INSANE?! THE POISON WILL KILL US ALL!!!" Renji shrieked as Mayuri laughed.
"Don't be absurd. I changed the poison out for a special variant that only affects LeBlancs…at least I think it does." Mayuri replied. Meanwhile Kenpachi immediately went into a freefall, cackling all the while with glee and with Yachiru on his back and crashed into the ground with a skull shaped mushroom cloud.
Toshiro, Kaichou, Momo, and Rangiku were heading straight towards the castle in the meantime. Kaichou then skid to a halt in midair with a smirk on her face.
"What's the matter?" Toshiro asked confused, Kaichou then turned around to see Kukaku, Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko standing in midair. Ganju was desperately struggling to hold onto the twin's feet as he dangled beneath them.
"You didn't expect us to let you go off to battle without us did you?" Kukaku asked as Kaichou's smirk grew wider.
"Never." She replied.
"Captain! Look!" Momo exclaimed as she turned to see number of Maison type LeBlancs erupting up from the ground and start walking straight towards the other Soul Reapers.
"Then let's give them something to be afraid of!" Kaichou said as she raised Hensen Tatsujin.
"Ultima-Hensen: Okami Oni!" Kaichou yelled as her Zanpakuto quickly morphed around her into a massive mecha with a much larger version of Hensen Tatsujin's Shikai in each hand. Kaichou's arms and legs were attached to the mecha's own and the rest of her safely harnessed onto the machine.
"What is that?! Is that her Bankai?!" Ganju asked before getting punched in the jaw by his sister.
"No you fool! That's her Shikai's most powerful ability, Okami Oni. Because she hates using her Bankai so much, she's had to strengthen her Zanpakuto's Shikai form and this is as close as she can get to Bankai without actually using it." Kukaku explained.
"Thanks for the update Kukaku now get over here and let's give these punks a Shiba Bomb or two! Momo, we could use your assistance!" Kaichou said as she flew off into battle with Momo, the Shiba's, and the twins close behind.
"Captain what do we do? Do we join them?!" Rangiku asked as Toshiro's gaze focused back on the castle.
"No, we're going to help Karin and the others in the Castle." Toshiro said as Rangiku nodded and followed after him through the sky.
In the Castle…
Ichigo, Karin, and Nel could sense the sudden and massive spike in spiritual pressure and they knew immediately what it meant.
"They've finally made it!" Nel exclaimed in reference to the Soul Reapers.
"Then let's let them do their jobs while we do ours!" Ichigo shouted as they continued on through the winding halls of the castle. Suddenly they found themselves within a massive chamber with sunlight entering in through barred windows.
"Oh great, what is this place?!" Ichigo asked.
"Quite simple…" a male voice from the other end said as a LeBlanc with a mask almost perfectly mimicking Nel's only covering his entire face, emerged from the shadows, "…this is the Castle Dungeon. Quite fitting that you found your way here since it is a place of imprisonment and death."
"This is a dungeon?! It's HUGE!!!" Karin exclaimed.
"Well of course! It has to be to for such a large city with so many criminals!" the LeBlanc replied.
"We don't have time for this! Where's Yuzu?!" Ichigo growled as the LeBlanc chuckled.
"She is currently being brought up to the highest tower in the Castle as we speak but you will never get that far. However I am a man that believes in a fair one on one fight and I will allow two of you to pass while the third must stay here and fight me." The LeBlanc said as the three looked at each other.
"You two go, I will remain here and deal with this rabble." Nel said as she drew her Zanpakuto.
"Nel?" Karin said.
"Yuzu is your sister and you need to be the ones to rescue her. I'll be fine on my own." Nel said as Ichigo and Karin nodded.
"Thank you Nel." Ichigo said as Nel smiled softly.
"No Ichigo…thank you. Because of you, I have been able to regain my true form and previous strength. Consider this my final act of thanks for all of your kindness." Nel said as Ichigo smirked.
"I may consider your oath fulfilled, but I cannot accept that this is your final battle. We're going to meet again after this, I swear by it. Truthfully I like having you around Nel." Ichigo said as Nel smiled back and nodded.
"Yeah, what he said." Karin said as she and Ichigo turned towards the door.
"Take care Nel." Ichigo said before he and Karin continued on through the halls.
"I will Ichigo. Declare, Gamuza." Nel said as she entered her Resurreccion form.
"I am Dalv, the Seconde Gardeur." The LeBlanc said with a respectful bow as Nel glared at him.
"I am Neliel Tu Oderschvank, the Tercera Espada. You have given me a reason to fight and fight you I shall." Nel said with her lance in hand. The two then immediately charged straight at each other in a climactic clash.
Meanwhile…
Ichigo and Karin reached a large open balcony that ran alongside of and between both of the two towers. The staircase that led up to the central tower started there as well.
"Come on Ichigo! We're almost there!" Karin yelled as she ran ahead of him.
"Karin! Slow down! This isn't a time to-!" Ichigo shouted before he sensed a large spiritual pressure nearby. He and Karin both stopped dead in their tracks.
"Whose is that?!" Karin asked, looking towards Ichigo as he raised Zangetsu. Karin reached for her Zanpakuto as well. Their eyes then widened as she saw something behind him and he saw something behind her.
"LOOK OUT!!!" they shouted in unison, diving towards the other just in time to dodge swings from a pair of identical twin female LeBlancs and each wielding a Jian sword.
"Who are you?!" Karin asked as she and Ichigo stood back to back and the twins approached.
"We are the Premiere Gardeur…" they said in unison.
"…I am Esile…" "…I am Alusru…"
"…and we shall be your demise." They said in unison again.
"How is that possible?! You're two people!" Ichigo shouted in confusion.
"We are identical Siamese twins. Separate we are nothing but together we are one." The twins said in unison.
"Where's Yuzu?! You have to know where she is! And if I have to beat the crap out of the both of you to tell me, then so be it!" Ichigo roared as he started glowing with blue spiritual energy.
"Your threats are as hollow as the Arrancar who now attacks our comrade, the Seconde Gardeur. We do not fear either of you." The twins said as Karin drew her Zanpakuto while glowing with yellow spiritual energy.
"Then let's see if you fear THIS! Surge, Hekireki Megami!" Karin shouted as Ichigo grinned.
"You sure you can do this?" Ichigo asked as Karin grinned back.
"Let's do it together bro!" Karin replied as they raised their Zanpakutos.
"BANKAI!!!" they shouted in unison and a massive burst of yellow and blue spiritual energy appeared.
"Tensa Zangetsu." "Hekireki Megami no Tsuyoini Doragon."
Instantly the electrical dragon of Karin's Bankai formed and her electrical sword formed in her hand.
"Trapping us was your last mistake. Now you're going to see what happens when you cross the Kurosaki Clan!" Ichigo yelled as he and Karin stood ready for battle.
End Chapter 53.
The Black Wrangler: Behind the Scenes…
The camera switched on again and this time the person holding it appeared to be Ichigo.
"Yes! I have the camera at last and this time while Ichigo and the others are on set doing a scene, we're going to go spy on all the women with passageways to the VALLEY OF THE GODS!!!" Ichigo said. It was actually Kon possessing his body. Kon immediately ran down the hall to Women's Dressing Room A. He opened the door to find no one there. He did hear the shower running from the bathroom inside.
"Ooh this is turning out better than I expected!" Kon whispered excitedly as he tiptoed through to the bathroom. He poked the camera round the corner and sweat dropped at what he saw. It was Charlotte Cuuhlhourne in the shower. Fortunately for Kon there was enough steam that nothing could be seen.
Kon was out of there quick as a flash. (Bad pun alert)
"I think I'm going to be sick." Kon whimpered as he headed on down the hall towards Women's Dressing Room B. He poked his head in the door to reveal Soi Fon sitting quietly just doing nothing at her makeup table. She had her eyes closed and the shower was running from the bathroom so Kon decided to tiptoe inside. He was stopped when he saw Suzumebachi's Shikai being pressed to his chin.
"If you know what's good for you mod soul, you'll leave immediately. I won't let you walk in on Lady Yoruichi while she's bathing…especially when you have that camera." Soi Fon threatened as Kon ran screaming out of the room.
He finally stopped to catch his breath and found himself outside of Women's Dressing Room C. He poked his head in and saw no one inside. He didn't hear the shower running at all either.
He sighed once again and went into a small break room at the end of the hall.
"Well so much for that." Kon sighed again but as he entered the break room he heard a soft, intermittent humming sound coming from behind him. He turned and saw a shocking sight. It was Captain Unohana snuggled up on a couch, fast asleep and cuddling Kon's stuffed lion body. The humming was her snoring.
"Oh this is a dilemma. Captain Unohana has an impressive rack true but in this state she's just too…adorable to try and do anything mean." Kon said with an adoring sigh.
"Oh well. Sweet dreams angel." Kon said as he silently snuck out of the room.
"Well there's always Halibel and her Fraccion." Kon said with a shrug.
"What about us?" A voice asked from off screen. Kon spun around to see Halibel, Apache, Mila-Rose, Sun-Sun, and Nel standing behind him, each with their arms crossed over their chests.
"Well, Kon?" Nel asked impatiently as Kon whimpered in fear. The camera then jolted upwards into the air a bit as Kon screamed down the hall. Mila-Rose caught the camera and turned it slightly.
"Eh? This is Tatsuki's. How did Kon get a hold of it?" Mila-Rose asked.
"Don't know but we better see what he recorded. He's quite the pervert." Nel suggested as the camera turned off. A few seconds later the camera turned back on with all five of the women giving chibi eyes at the camera.
"KAWAII UNOHANA-SAN!!!" The squealed before turning the camera back off.
End.
A/N: I tried to think of the cutest thing ever and Unohana sleeping is probably (in my opinion) the cutest ever.
