Review Time:
Linkonpark100: It shall. :)
RG: I skimmed the fic you suggested, and while I *think* I see what you were talking about, I'm not exactly the biggest Inuyasha fan, and I was a little afraid the more I would read, the more I would unconsciously borrow from it. But a few ideas have been rattling in my brain, and there's something long-lasting to occur from all this.
Chapter 54 – The Don's Vow
"Wh…..wha…..?"
Ichigo Kurosaki had opened his eyes, and what he saw looked nothing like a world about to be sucked into a spiraling vortex. The sky was blue, and only one cloud was present.
"Where….am I….?"
He noticed he was on the side of a skyscraper.
What the hell?!
He stood up and looked himself over. He didn't have any wounds, and his shihakusho was completely repaired.
"….Zangetsu….?"
He ran down the side of the building, jumping to reach the correct orientation on the concrete.
"ZANGETSU!"
He ran through the streets, now starting to panic.
"ZANGETSU! ARE YOU THERE?!"
"Ichigo."
The avatar of his zanpakutou materialized before the substitute, and much to his relief, his appearance had improved since the battle with Grimmjow – the sunglasses looked brand new, and his hair had no strand of gray.
"Zangetsu! Is it really you?"
Zangetsu smiled.
"…Yes."
"What happened? I….I was…..fighting that creepy Quincy that tried to kill Tatsuki….then…..the Hollow….!"
"The Hollow is no more."
Ichigo's eyes widened.
"….what?"
"Yes." Zangetsu floated over to his master and looked at the bright sky. "Your Hollow…..no longer exists in this world. I do not feel even an ounce of his presence clouding this place."
"….but how?"
"Isn't it obvious, Ichigo? Orihime….rejected him."
"But…..the last time I saw you, old man, he stabbed you. You looked like you were about to…..die." He mumbled, looking up at the sky with him.
"…Orihime's powers are what started this, Ichigo. You had quelled his lust and controlled him after your training with the Vizards, right up until you went to Hueco Mundo. But when she healed you…."
"…."
"….It caused the balance to shift."
"…..because Aizen combined her pins with the Hogyoku. Which blurs the line between Shinigami and Hollow?"
"Correct." The spirit replied. "It was an unfortunate side effect, even if Orihime herself had no intention of doing it. You kept him under wraps just before you defeated Grimmjow, but….in that moment of anger-"
"I'm sorry, old man." Ichigo shook his head. "I…..I knew Tatsuki wasn't weak anymore, but I wasn't going to let her die a second time."
"Do not apologize, Ichigo."
"…does this mean I'm weaker now? I can't use the mask."
"Your spiritual form no longer has any Hollow character. But this doesn't mean your power shall stop here."
"What do you mean? I….thought the Bankai was the highest I could go."
Zangetsu smirked.
"You have an unsual zanpakutou, Ichigo. Unlike every other Shinigami…..you did not create it in the same way academy students do."
"…..there's some kind of secret form, Zangetsu?"
"Never you mind. You must focus on what is happening now…..Juha Bach and Sosuke Aizen have climbed to a higher level and destroyed the false world."
Ichigo gasped. "Everyone-!"
"Relax. Hachi and Orihime have shieled the fallen fighters. But now your destiny has changed, Ichigo. In the context of this battle…..you are one of the six apostles."
Ichigo looked confused. "…..the what? I'm not really religious, Zangetsu."
"Ah, it was the term the morphed Shun Shun Rikka created…..essentially, you and five others have the strongest ties to Orihime. With your help…..only then will she be able to destroy Aizen and save the worlds from destruction."
"But…..what am I supposed to do?"
Zangetsu turned to face him.
"You must never give up, Ichigo. Remember my first lesson?"
Ichigo remembered the words vividly.
"Retreat and I will age. Hesitate and I will die. So….I have to keep trying, and I have to believe in Orihime to end this war."
"Yes."
"We'll end Aizen and Bach….we'll put the Soul Society and Karakura Town back….and we'll go home. We'll see all of our friends together."
The strawberry looked up at the sky one last time.
"Together. We'll always be together."
Then Ichigo opened his eyes, only to find himself lying on a large block.
"…?"
He saw Chad and Tatsuki lying next to him, and with a quick turn of his head, he saw Yachiru, Nemu, and Uryu.
"Guys….."
All six were on the floating block amidst others…..in a void not unlike the one they had crossed in between worlds. But there was no black or outer boundary to be seen.
Did Orihime make this?
"Man….." Yachiru yawned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "That was a bad dream…."
"Not a dream, Yachiru."
Her eyes shot open, and she looked around.
"Are we dead, Ichi?"
"No….Orihime saved us."
"Hime-chan…that voice said we were the apostles or something like that. I wasn't really listening."
"Yachiru, what happened when I was…..busy rampaging?"
Yachiru looked over at Nemu, and then at Tatsuki. She smiled a bit at their peaceful forms. It seemed like an eternity ago that all of them had massive burns and bloody wounds.
"Stuff. This really loud Quincy was being annoying, so a bunch of us beat him up." She stood up and began to shake the two awake.
"…!"
Ichigo noticed two hearts on Yachiru's hands – one for each. He looked down and lo and behold, he had a sword symbol on each of his hands.
"Yachiru….?"
"Nemu-chan…..Suki-chan….wake up, please."
The two sat up.
"Ichigo….." Tatsuki whispered. "You're back. Your Hollow…."
"I'm sorry I lost control, Suki." He said, shaking Uryu and Chad awake. "But I've moved past it. We have to focus on…"
"Aizen." Yachiru quickly said. "He and that Juha Bach guy…they can't be allowed to hurt anyone anymore."
"Argh….."
"Ichigo…..?"
The other two teens sat up as well.
"Where are we?" Uryu asked. "What happened to the false world?"
"More importantly….." Chad looked around. "Where did Orihime go?"
"….She's got to be around here somewhere." Tatsuki muttered, jumping to the next block. "Come on. If….we're the only six left to fight…then we have no time to play 20 questions."
The other five began to jump from block to block with her.
"Orihime!" Ichigo called out. "Can you hear us?!"
"Kurosaki, not so loud! Do you want Aizen to find us?"
In a flash, all six suddenly saw what Orihime did prior – Hachigen Ushoda protecting the fallen while she ripped away Hollow Ichigo.
"…..!"
Then the image switched to both the super-powered Bach and the ascended Aizen.
"What the hell…!"
"Aizen has transformed once more?" Nemu asked, looking at the others. "What….how far can the Hogyoku go with Orihime-san's powers?"
"W-What the hell?!"
Several members of the Gotei 13 – still in the Seireitei – had noticed a bright flash of light, alarming everyone still in the compound. When the team rushed over to investigate...
"How….did….."
The unconscious forms of Isshin Shiba and others laid on the ground. All of them were extremely wounded, but they had managed to hold on thus far.
"T-That's Captain Shiba! How did he come back?! I thought the Soul Society was sealed away….!"
"Look! There's some Arrancar and Quincies here, and even Gin Ichimaru!"
"W-What do we do?"
"DAD?!"
The squad turned their heads, only to see Karin and Yuzu run over to their unconscious father.
"Kurosaki-san….the two of you are supposed to be hiding at the 10th!"
Karin looked up at the golden sky.
Orihime-chan…her power…did she save everyone here?
"Step aside, girls!" A Shinigami commanded, drawing his zanpakutou. "We have the chance to eliminate some threats to the Soul Society right here and now!"
"NO!" Yuzu shouted. "Why would you cut down unarmed people?!"
"But t-they're-"
"If they somehow got here, then it's okay! Look! Urahara-san is right here! He's the one that helped set up the seal, right?" Karin said.
"But….Gin Ichimaru! He's a traitor!"
"Then why is he still alive, then?!" The eldest twin snapped. "Obviously the rest of the Gotei didn't think he was a threat anymore!"
"Look, Karin-chan! Kuchiki-san's here too!"
"Wow, really?! Then what happened to Rukia-nee…."
The squad all looked at each other. These girls were ordered to be protected by those still in the compound, as per the orders of Captain Hitsugaya.
"What the heck are you guys just standing around for?! These people need some beds, or something! Yuzu, help me grab Dad!"
"Right!"
"They really are Captain Shiba's kids…." One Shinigami whispered.
Speaking of Kuchiki…..
Rukia opened her eyes, feeling very numb. Moments earlier, she was sure intense flames were burning her body from head to toe, but now….
Huh. No burns or scars…..but how? I guess Captain Unohana saved everyone.
She smiled, but quickly noticed a couple of key points.
Fact 1 – She was underwater.
Fact 2 – She did not have her zanpakutou.
Fact 3 – She was naked.
WHAT THE HELL?!
Rukia quickly swam to the surface, and took a massive breath of air. She looked around. She was (somehow) in a large hot spring, and she didn't have to look far to see the other (equally naked) members of the Gotei 13 – as well as some Arrancar in the spring with her.
"Hey! It's not time for you to come out, Shinigami!"
Two very large and muscular servants stood near the water's edge.
"Your body is still recovering. Boss's orders!"
"What is this place?! Where am I?! What did you do to my allies?!"
"They're soaking in the springs with you."
She saw her captain, nearly every other member of the SWA….but yet, Ichigo, Byakuya, Yachiru, and Orihime were nowhere to be found.
"Everyone….."
"Just relax in the water, will ya? You can come out when the battle is done."
Rukia turned around, but a sharp pair of fingers struck her shoulder and knocked her out.
"Damn…this place just goes on forever!"
Ichigo stopped on a particularly high block and looked around, but he still couldn't see anyone else. No sign of Orihime to be found. He jumped down and landed next to Chad.
"I've noticed….." Uryu began, cleaning his glasses with his sleeve. "The symbols we all seem to have. Orihime had the same six on her person when we attacked Aizen in the city."
"Yeah…." Tatsuki stared down at the suns on her hands. "But…..what do they mean? Did Orihime transfer her power to us? Did she…sacrifice herself just to-"
"NO!" Yachiru shouted. "Hime-chan's still around here…..I can feel it."
"But Yachiru….." Chad double-checked his pocket for his memento and picture. "….we can't sense her reiatsu."
"So? We're her friends! And we need to have faith in her!" Yachiru put her hands around the other members of the group. "She chose us for a reason, right? So if we work together, we can beat Aizen and that Bach guy with ease!"
"Speaking of….." Ichigo muttered, his eyes wide.
"What, Ichi?"
"GET DOWN!"
Ichigo shoved his friends to the ground as a wave of blue whizzed by their heads. Multiple spirit arrows – all aimed for them – flew past into the distance.
"…."
Yachiru squinted and saw the figure who had fired. Nemu helped her up, as Uryu wordlessly summoned his own bow and Chad transformed his arms.
"Come out, Juha Bach." Ichigo said, readying Tensa Zangetsu. "You can't hide anymore."
"I was never hiding."
The Quincy emperor stood before the six on a block of his own, only he had changed slightly – his rainbow wings and sword both glowed with a marvelous energy.
"I'm hitting him first." Yachiru said, only to be pulled back by Tatsuki.
"Yachiru, remember what you said. We have to do this together." She whispered.
"Is this what remains of the Gotei 13's forces? One human, one substitute Shinigami, two actual Shinigami, an Arrancar, and a boy who should bite his tongue off before he calls himself Quincy?"
Uryu narrowed his eyes and aimed his bow.
"Go ahead and fire, Uryu Ishida. I now possess enough power to easily run circles around you six, and considering that Ichigo Kurosaki has lost his little transformation…this won't even be a challenge."
"You forget one simple fact." Nemu said. "Orihime Inoue has confined you in the same manner that she has to us. There will always be the tier between you and her."
"Ah yes…the false god." Bach tightened the grip on his broadsword. "Before I am to destroy you six….tell me. Why devote yourselves so much to that girl?"
"Y'know, there's a little thing called friendship." Tatsuki said sarcastically. "Maybe you've heard of it, over the mindless slaughtering and sacrifice of your own people?!"
"…"
"I know probably the least about you out of everyone here…..but we follow Orihime because she's important to us. All of us. And as her friends…..we'll always have her back. And that's more anyone can say about you."
"Is this an attempt to insult me, Hollow scum?"
"Shut up." Yachiru said seriously. "And give back what you took."
"What…..I took?"
Bach smirked, then he collapsed into a hearty bout of (bitter) laughter.
"You have some nerve, Shinigami! Your kind has decimated the Quincy name, and yet YOU are the one to demand I give something back?!"
Yachiru looked at Uryu, who looked back. He shifted his gaze back to the Almighty.
"What happened in the past…cannot be erased." Uryu said, cleaning his glasses again. "Once upon a time…..I almost hated Shinigami as much as you did, Juha Bach."
The emperor stopped laughing and glared at Uryu.
"But…..I've learned that not all of them are malicious or hostile. Some feel remorse for their actions. And I'm proud to call some of them my own friends. And my father did the same."
"Your…..father?" Bach's eyes twinkled with that sadistic edge. "Why yes….he was in the same boat as you, Uryu Ishida. One that had lost their way and scarred the name of the Quincy."
"And he wasn't the only one." He replied. "My mother….Kanae Katagiri….a woman that I barely knew…..she died because of you."
"Huh? Your mother…." Ichigo looked to Chad, who only shrugged.
"Yes. My father told me the truth. You….you claimed the lives of all the Quincy you deemed as impure….did you not?"
Both Quincy were glaring at each other.
"Why yes….the Auswahlen."
"Nemu-chan, what's that mean?" Yachiru whispered.
"It is German for-"
"And I'm sure your mother will be happy…her husband has joined her in the eternal void of nothingness, Uryu Ishida."
"What are….you talking about? Orihime shielded the others – Kurosaki's father, Grimmjow, Neliel-san, Urahara-san, Hirako…with him."
Bach grinned evilly.
"Do you have proof of such a fact?"
"Stop trying to trick Ishida, you bastard!" Ichigo shouted. "My dad would NEVER leave his dad behind!"
But in that moment, the six apostles saw another scene from the previous battle – Isshin screaming at Ryuken to flee, who had refused, wanting to buy time. He rushed forward, towards Bach….
"…!"
Uryu Ishida dropped his glasses to the ground when he saw his father's head get blown off.
"And with my highest state of being…..there is no second life for your worthless father. His soul….has been destroyed."
"…n-no…"
His blue eyes were watering. First it was his mother. Then his grandfather. And now….the only person he had left to call family. His father, whom had tried to repair the bridge between the two. Did he have the feeling he would soon be no more?
He didn't even have one last conversation with him, not even to confirm the death of Soken Ishida's murder…..Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Ishida, he's lying! Orihime….s-she can…."
"She cannot. There are some things Gods cannot do, Ichigo Kurosaki. But thank you for reminding me. Before this war can finish…..I must slaughter Candice Catnipp, Liltotto Lamperd, and Meninas McAllon."
That got Yachiru's attention in a flash.
"No. You will NEVER touch Kitty, Glubo, OR Pinky." She said, stepping past Tatsuki. "I don't care HOW powerful you've gotten. You took their friend anyway from them. You made them cry. You hurt them. I hate people who hurt my friends."
"Ha! Just one, you think? Both Bambietta Basterbine and Giselle Gewelle have been absorbed into my essence! Those five carried on together, as girls are wont to. The former deserved it for her treachery, and the latter was just doing her duty – to serve the Vandenreich until death!"
Nemu recognized the look Yachiru was giving him. It was same hateful stare she gave to Mayuri before he left the Seireitei.
"So I'll just hurt you twice as hard to make you pay." She replied. "And if you don't give them back…."
"How dare you, Shinigami. A child like yourself has no business commanding ME, a Quincy and A GOD!" He shouted. "Traitors….are NOT to be forgiven!"
"Why?"
The simple question caught Bach off guard, as his eyes drifted to Nemu. Uryu himself had glanced at her, his own mind paused from the despair of losing his father.
"…?"
"Why do all of this, Juha Bach? Your goal is to eliminate all Shinigami in an attempt to make up for the damage we have done to your kind. But…..your methods make no sense. If you wish to perpetuate the Quincy name, how does resorting to slaughtering any who cross you produce results?"
"….."
"Looking at the facts…..Uryu-san, Candice-san, Liltotto-san, and Meninas-san…..are the only four Quincies that have either managed to avoid the outcomes of war….or your own wrath. And while the craft can be taught…..you clearly have an aversion to those doing so who do not possess Quincy parents."
Nemu narrowed her eyes.
"The race…..as hard you try, it cannot be build back to the same state it was before our purges. It is tragic, and it is sorrowful…..but it is the reality. And a leader who cannot see reality, for good or for bad…..is no leader."
"Nemu-san…"
Bach simply stared at her for a few moments…..before giving another round of bitter laughter.
"Do you think I am just an average Quincy, Shinigami? Do you think this war does not have an ulterior motive?! When the Soul King falls…..and I take his place…..then I will possess the power to rebuild the Quincy race. And the Gotei shall crumble into dust!"
"Here's another plan."
Now Bach glared at Ichigo.
"The six of us, along with Orihime, will kill you and Aizen, and we're going to save everyone and all of the worlds. And there's not a damn thing you can do about it."
"….."
Yachiru withdrew her zanpakutou, as did Tatsuki. Uryu put on his glasses and wiped his eyes one last time. Chad gave a nod to his best friend, who nodded back. Nemu readied both of her palms.
"So let's go, Bach. It's just us….."
The six apostles all jumped off the block they were on – and in a flash – each symbol was beginning to glow with the usual golden energy of Orihime's powers.
"….and you!"
Elsewhere, one figure was moving around the true boundary between the worlds – the same location the rescue team was traversing earlier in the battle. Armed with his usual barrier, the figure calmly pressed through the black and white folds.
We are getting closer…..it feels almost breathtaking to be this close to accomplishing our goal. A century and more of careful planning and patience….
Master….
Dear Hogyoku, can you believe it? Together we shall stand at the very top. I do wonder…..who is even worthy to ascend into a new era with me? All of the Espada….Kaname….they're gone.
Master, how can you forget….
Hmm?
The antithesis. The false God. The girl. Orihime Inoue. She is the one who challenges your might. She must be destroyed. She cannot be allowed to exist.
Aizen stopped in place.
The antithesis….
It was true he had been planning to ascend for a significant amount of time. Killing the Central 46, giving the orders to imprison Rukia….sending Gin Ichimaru to intercept her rescue team at the gate…..and watching. Watching Ichigo Kurosaki battle his opponents to unlock more of his potential. Watching the sands of Hueco Mundo for Arrancar candidates.
In the end, all Aizen needed was himself. All of his minions – namely, the ones now dead – were nothing more than pawns for him to make his moves in secret.
Orihime Inoue and her power provided fortune for his agenda, and it was capitalizing on the intelligence of Mayuri Kurotsuchi that allowed him to take it one step further – and for himself.
Orihime….Inoue…..
Now was the chance to seize…..or was it? Did Orihime truly have the strength to best him, even now? Or was it all a bluff?
Destroy her. Only then can you claim the title.
Destroy…..her…
Destroy her!
"…"
Aizen stared emptily into the abyss, until he heard his own voice speak to him.
"Is that a gamble you wish to take?"
He turned his head, and the mastermind saw a vision of himself – normal and dressed in his Hueco Mundo attire – staring calmly back at him.
"You…myself…and us…..everything has gone so smoothly. Breaking down the dimensional barriers should be child's play. The Royal Guard will be unable to stop us. Killing the Soul King will be destined to happen…for a long time….."
"But what good is the title if she still exists?"
Now a version of the Hogyoku – looked as it did when Aizen extracted it from Rukia's chest – appeared on the other side of him, having its own voice to spare.
"In the back of your mind….you'll always know of her power. How can you prove that you're the next Soul King and not that girl? You must confirm."
"Orihime Inoue is nowhere to be found. She will have less success in stopping us if we kill the Soul King here and now." Shinigami Aizen said.
"No. You must stop that girl. You wish to show your might, correct? Showing her fallen form to those still alive…..will force them to submit to your might immediately."
Both the Hogyoku and Shinigami Aizen moved closer to the true Aizen.
"Make your decision….what will you do?"
"Don't imply you still have autonomy. You WILL destroy Orihime Inoue first."
Aizen glanced at his once-present form.
"….."
"One cannot be certain of something until they see it for their own eyes. If you best the girl….then there will be NOTHING that will stop you."
Shinigami Aizen simply frowned when his master body moved towards the Hogyoku.
"I see…..is that the course of action you wish to take?"
"….."
He closed his eyes, the form beginning to dissolve into the ether.
"Very well. It shall be an interesting display."
The Hogyoku followed suit, and now the mastermind stood in space, waiting patiently. He didn't wait long – Orihime appeared before him with a barrier of her own.
"…Aizen….."
"Orihime Inoue…..I see you did some quick work. The look on your face tells me you protected the six still in the false world?"
"I have. And I can't let you get any further, Aizen. We're….going to settle this, here and now."
She was not unnerved in the slightest by his frightening transformation. At this point, neither fighter had a drop of reiatsu to be detected.
"What makes you think…..I won't leave?"
"Because, Aizen. You've come this far…..even you wouldn't let some stray chance of failure get past you. Right?"
She is truly your equal. She is correct.
She…..is correct.
Orihime raised her scepter and created a portal.
"…..are you ready?"
"I cannot imagine why you chose those six…..even Ichigo Kurosaki's potential now pales in comparison to mine and yours. Did you not reject his Hollow form outright?"
"H-How….do you know that? Hachi-san trapped you when I did it!"
"No, trap implies I couldn't escape. At best that was a minor annoyance. As for me…..it's because we share the same powers, Orihime."
Orihime suddenly saw Aizen reject Lille Barro and Loyd Lloyd, as well as the moments against Isshin and the others before she arrived with her friends.
"Omniscience…."
"Yes."
Now the details were becoming clear to the mastermind. He saw the struggle in Hueco Mundo, the finishing blow on Ulquiorra, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi's final bomb.
"So that's how you escaped….."
And he saw Uryu Ishida shoot the final arrow through his head.
"….and that explains what happened to Mayuri-kun. How…..interesting….."
"Aizen, I don't think either of us should stand around and just watch."
"You're right. As God….I must do."
Must do…..
Orihime put a hand to her chest, and she thought of all of the souls technically confined in her body. If there was a way to win…..
"Come, Orihime Inoue. Or….perhaps the destruction of your friends will motivate you?"
Aizen stepped into the portal, and Orihime quickly followed.
Everyone….in the Soul Society…..
She closed her eyes as the portal closed behind her, and her pins were starting to crack more and increase in temperature….
Despite losing his Hollow form, Ichigo still had access to his Bankai, and as such, still was able to outpace the others in raw attack speed. Unfortunately…
"Come on, boy! Is this truly your best?!"
…..he didn't have the proverbial ace in the hole to increase his offense. Ichigo flash-stepped to behind Bach once again, but the Quincy emperor turned and blocked his sword with his own.
"You call yourself the son of Isshin Shiba?!"
"Damn it….!"
Bach smashed his free hand into Ichigo's stomach, knocking him away. Then he took one step to the side to dodge a blast from Chad. The half-Mexican punched forward for a La Muerte attack, but Bach dodged it again.
"Too slow….human!"
He didn't even need to look up to feel Uryu's 1200/second arrows raining down towards him.
"Tch…..a pitiful effort….."
He Hirenkyaku'd to dodge each one with ease, taking a second to smash Chad into a faraway block. Then the dust cleared, he appeared behind Uryu.
No!
"But it is NOTHING!" Bach slashed forward, aiming to cut the boy in half….but Nemu appeared in time to block the sword with her bare hand.
"Nemu-san!"
"Uryu-san….." The blood was leaking from her bare hand. "Fire!"
Uryu turned and quickly took a shot, but Bach disappeared once more. Both he and Nemu felt their bodies being cut, forcing them to hit the ground.
"Don't have a zanpakutou, Shinigami?"
"I do."
Bach looked up, and saw Yachiru's Bankai-induced copies all staring at him, sword raised. She waved her baton and gave the command to rush to attack.
This is for you, Giselle. So watch me!
But the emperor didn't look amused. He rushed forward and readied his sword.
"Blinken!"
Yachiru stared in shock when the copies all fell at once, with a slash she couldn't even register in time. Bach appeared before her and raised his weapon, to kill.
"Pathetic, Vice-Captain. RAW NUMBERS WILL NOT STO-!"
Tatsuki had appeared, and smashed her fist into his bearded face.
"Man…..you bad guys don't even shut up, do you?! You okay, Yachiru?"
"Suki-chan, look out!"
"Wha-"
"ENFORCER!"
With a thrust of his palm, Tatsuki crashed into Yachiru, and the two smashed into the same block where Chad was sent into. Bach wiped his nose, and growled when he saw it. Blood.
Caused by "Hollow scum".
"You all will fall…BY MY MIGHT! NOT EVEN A GOD CAN SAVE YOU!"
He roared to the non-existent sky, and a barrage of arrows – same as before, only these had the same soul-destroying properties as used on Love and Rose – came out of his body in all directions.
Nemu and Uryu watched them approaching with wide, unblinking eyes, but Ichigo winced as he picked his zanpakutou up.
No….those arrows…..how can we….even dodge them?!
But he looked down when he felt a tingling sensation in his hands. The sword symbols were still glowing, and now his zanpakutou was doing the same.
Our symbols…..if I have the sword…..then….
His eyes looked up, and an arrow was about to strike between his eyes. He watched….and blinked when a golden light flashed, deflecting it. A "shield" had been formed in front of him.
"….!"
"Ichigo!"
He looked through the mass of blue and gold, and saw Chad, behind a barrier of his own. Each arrow, baring the power of soul elimination, dissolved back into loose reishi.
Chad had the shield symbol!
Bach watched, obviously not missing the six golden lights before him.
What…? How could this be? Orihime Inoue is not here! Did she transfer her power to these fools in the midst of the false world dissolving?!
The last of the arrows dissolved, and the barriers – directed by Chad – faded.
Now the Almighty was paying attention to the strange symbols on their foreheads.
A sun….a crescent moon…..a shield…..a sword…..a heart….and…..wait, what? There's only five of them…!
Uryu Ishida had appeared behind him – baring the lightning bolt symbol – and readied his bow. The second Bach realized it, the boy spoke.
"Getting slow…old man?"
Bach quickly Hirenkyaku'd to dodge Uryu's round of fire, but he felt quite a few arrows pierce through him as he disappeared.
So…Orihime has given us all some of kind power…Sado can block, Ishida is faster….Ichigo, I guess, can slash harder or somethin'….but what power are suns? Tatsuki thought.
Her energy was clear when the stray arrows hit her body and dissolved into her.
Wait, what?!
"IT'S OVER, JUHA BACH!" Ichigo shouted, his zanpakutou glowing brighter. "You can't beat us now!"
The substitute zoomed forward and swung his weapon, again colliding with that of Bach's broadsword. The Quincy stared at the sword symbol on his opponent.
"What…is this….?!"
"The Holy Zangetsu."
Ichigo broke his guard and quickly slashed him, but Bach was fast enough to cut him back, knocking him off the block. He swerved to dodge Chad's incoming punch.
How have they all powered up? How far does this God theme lie for Orihime Inoue?
"HEY, BUCKBEARD!"
Tatsuki had appeared and grinned.
"Taste this!"
She thrusted her palms out to redirect the arrows, but to no avail. Bach knocked Chad away and rushed to attack her.
Uhhh….okay, stop playing around, sun! Where's MY power?!
Uryu appeared and quickly grabbed her to safety – his personal speed now eclipsing anything the emperor could muster.
"ENOUGH OF THIS!"
"I agree, Juha Bach."
His eyes narrowed and he quickly turned to cut Nemu, but she ducked to avoid the swing. She smashed her palm into his torso.
"Did you know….a sun and a moon run parallel to each other?"
A wave of golden energy engulfed Bach. And as he was blown back, he saw a golden blade appear and blitz over his body, cutting him multiple times.
"Wow…."
Yachiru looked at her palms. What power did the heart signify? She closed her eyes and focused….and now, her form was starting to fade….
XXXX
"DAMN YOU!"
Bach dodged Ichigo's next slash, as well as the follow-up from Tatsuki.
"ENFORCER!"
Both were blown back, and the former crashed into Chad. As the Almighty rebounded, he saw Uryu taking aim once more.
"NO YOU DON'T!"
With a flick of his wrist, his millions of arrows met the thousands Uryu was firing. Barriers were erected to block the others from the crossfire, but the younger Quincy closed his eyes and focused.
Father….
Bach moved as fast as he could to dodge each shot from the opposing side, but the amount of Uryu's fire was starting to catch up to him. He looked and noticed the teen had split into afterimages, each one firing with him.
…we WILL destroy him!
Now the entire space was being filled with blue, leaving the other four fighters unable to see. Tatsuki winced but looked at her hands again.
So….I absorb, and Nemu redirects. Without the other, we can't do much. But is the power automatic? I'm almost afraid to check…shit, there's so many arrows!
It's okay Suki-chan.
What…Yachiru? How are you….?
Hime-chan believes in all of us, and I believe in you. Remember when I said you were too weak?
H-Huh? That was back at Orihime's place when you and the others stayed there…and we tried going to Urahara's….
Yeah. But you're strong. You're super strong! In fact, I want you to join the 11th when we get back home! I can put you right between Baldy and Feathers.
What the hell are you talking about, Yachiru?! What's your power?
Tatsuki suddenly felt her heartbeat accelerate, but she also felt Yachiru's outline appear next to her.
Go on, Suki-chan. You'll be a-okay!"
Her eyes widened; her barrier was starting to crack.
Y-Yachiru, those things can destroy a soul outright! I….I can't….!
Suki-chan, I'm your friend. All you have to do….is focus. If you focus, if you believe in yourself hard enough….there's nothing you can't do!
Her barrier shattered.
GO!
Tatsuki closed her eyes as the arrows pelted her, but all of them were not piercing her. In fact, she was absorbing each one, collecting the attention of Bach and Ichigo.
"Tatsuki be careful!"
"You little….!" Bach growled and unleashed even more arrows, but Uryu simply generated more afterimages to counter the fire. Now neither were able to move away, as their focus had to be directed on each other.
She's nullifying the arrows….!
Ichigo watched in amazement, but he noticed Chad was struggling to keep the barriers up.
So there's definitely a limit on how much we can take…! But that means….Tatsuki!
It's okay, Ichi! Just go and save her!
Y-Yachiru?!
She's our friend, and ever since that day in Karakura….all we wanted was to get her back home, right? Hime-chan's school friends will love to see her again…
But…
The substitute gripped his zanpakutou tightly.
Yachiru, if there's a cap on how much Chad can block….there's a limit on how much Tatsuki can absorb….
So MOVE!
The barrier shattered, but Ichigo flash-stepped as hard as he possibly could, swinging his zanpakutou around rapidly – in the same way he once attacked Senbonzakura Kageyoshi – to deflect as many arrows as he could. Tatsuki flinched but kept her eyes closed.
Nemu, it's all you!
Said vice-captain watched the flurry of arrows between the two Quincies, and her heart yearned to shield the person she loved from harm, even if his speed had become akin to that of a god.
Nemu-chan, it's your turn! Feel the power?
Yachiru….?
Nemu stared at the moons on her hands, which were glowing as brightly as the fire around her. She was almost certain Yachiru was nearby.
Doesn't it feel great, Nemu-chan? Just imagine….we'll go home with our friends…..pay respects to the fallen….and finally….we can have those talks we used to.
Yachiru….what exactly is the power Orihime-san gave you?
The best one there is. I'm so proud of you….Nemu-chan. You're….well….this battle isn't so scary when you think about it, right? I mean….we're with each other.
Nemu closed her eyes.
We are….Yachiru….no matter what happens….you will ALWAYS be my friend. You…meeting you remains one of the best moments of my life. You've done so much for me.
Hee hee…..go, my Nemu-chan.
The barrier shattered, and amidst the fire, Nemu flash-stepped as hard as her systems could allow. She moved past Ichigo and Tatsuki and headed towards Bach.
No….what is she doing?!
Uryu had more afterimages than ever, and now his fire was outpacing Bach's own.
What?!
"THIS IS IT!" Uryu shouted.
Bach turned his head ever so slightly – and felt Nemu's hands seize his throat.
"Fall….Quincy emperor."
A burst of gold – the same size as the explosion Shimu Kurotsuchi used to destroy Hueco Mundo – engulfed the two.
"GYAAAAAAAHHHH!"
The Almighty felt his entire body ablaze with the returned energy, and he could barely see through the pain.
"CURSE YOU ALLLLLL!"
"THIS IS THE END!"
His eyes widened in shock when the outline of Ichigo sped through the blast.
"The final blow….Holy Zangetsu!"
The tip of the zanpakutou was closing in, and now Ichigo's actual form was in front of Bach's eyes.
"NOW YOU DIE!"
No….this cannot be!
Then Ichigo and Bach suddenly froze in midair, the golden energy fading to nothing.
"….."
"….."
"Dear me….was I too late, Ichigo Kurosaki?"
The substitute slowly turned his head….and saw Aizen's outstretched palm.
"I apologize I didn't show up sooner."
Aizen!
"Holypa."
Now the golden energy returned, but with a greater radius and intensity. Ichigo screamed as his body burned up, but he heard one voice.
I'm coming Ichigo!
Then the other.
It's my turn to fight, Ichi! You guys can watch!
Ichigo's eyes shot open when he saw he was starting to fade.
W-Wait! Orihime….Yachiru….!
Relax, Ichigo…..this is a team effort. Zangetsu said in his head, the pain nearly blocking out the voice. Focus….and believe in the will of your friends.
Focus….!
"Man…..I wonder who these people are…."
Karin and Yuzu watched as the members of the 4th – who didn't go to the false world – scrambled to tend to the fighters that just appeared out of nowhere.
"Wait….Karin-chan, four of them are Arrancar! Do you think…one of them…."
"No." She replied. "If one of these guys….killed Tatsuki-chan….Ichi-nii would've ripped them to shreds by now."
The two stared critically at the unconscious forms of Grimmjow, Neliel, Loly, and Menoly ….soon noticing their Hollow mask remnants….were staring to crumble away.
"H-Huh?! Those Arrancar….!"
Karin and Yuzu looked at each other. What was going on? What was Orihime doing?
Everyone! Can you hear me?
All of the Shinigami froze, including the Kurosaki twins. That was definitely Orihime's voice speaking to them.
"O-Orihime-chan….?"
I'm sorry, but I need to ask you all a favor! This battle….if I don't win, the worlds will fall!
All of the prisoners in the Maggot's Nest looked up in their cells. What sorcery was this? Why was the voice of a girl speaking to them?
My name is Orihime Inoue, and my friends and I broke into the Seireitei to save our friend months ago….right now, I'm shielding you all from harm.
The residents of the village that Driscoll attacked a few days prior were all fixated at the golden sky, and the voice behind it all.
But it'll take more than me alone to beat Sosuke Aizen and Juha Bach! I know the Gotei 13 could stand to do a better job, but…..they've kept you safe this far. For this last battle, I want you to trust everyone fighting….including me.
The Omaeda family, in the middle of a meal, all looked up at the ceiling. Marenoshin Omaeda had dropped his glass.
We can only win together! And that's what Soul Society should be….a world of people working together! So please, I beg you! Lend me your strength!
Ganju was listening carefully.
Don't worry about reiatsu or kido or anything like that. Even the poorest members of Rukongai….all you have to do is focus! Focus your will and believe! Don't be scared! I'll die before I let someone hurt you all!
Likewise, the other members of the noble clans were utterly dumbfounded by Orihime's voice.
If you believe in me and my power….then this war…..all of this pain and misery….can finally end. Shiingami, Hollow, Quincy, human….we all fight with each other, but deep down, we all want the same thing.
"She's….speaking to our minds…." Yuzu whispered.
The Head-Captain is dead. Tons of Shinigami have died as well, but the same has happened to Arrancar and the remaining Quincy. It's time to stop all of this!
With a determined look, Karin moved her head to look out the window and up at the sky again. She held her arm out.
"Karin-san?"
So please….LEND ME YOUR POWER!
Yuzu had copied her sister, even if she didn't even know what she was doing.
WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!
The Shinigami all looked at each other, still nervous….but they followed suit. The figures in the beds stirred slightly, as if they too were hearing the voice.
FOR SOUL SOCIETY!
Now Reio's eyes looked to be as bright as they ever were. Being an eons old figure, only the most chaotic and world-shaking events could elicit some kind of reaction from the lynchpin.
"M-Master…what do you see?"
I see…..Orihime Inoue. Could she truly be the one…..to end this battle….?
"Ha…"
Ichigo's vision was blurry and he felt heavy….his form was floating, but where? He was being targeted by Aizen a few seconds ago.
Then the strawberry felt one hand grab the left, and another hand grab the right.
Believe, Ichi. That's all you have to do.
He realized Uryu and Chad were the ones grabbing him, but Nemu and Tatsuki were close as well.
"Yachiru….."
Don't worry. Your girlfriend will be safe with me. It's like that day we explained stuff to Suki-chan! We're all in this together!
"…yeah….."
XXXXX
Where…..did they go…..!
Juha Bach was on the ground, his body bloodied and batted by the combination of Nemu's redirected energy and Aizen's generated energy.
Curses…..I….WILL NOT FALL!
His body was healing itself, and he gripped his sword. It too was being repaired.
I am the Almighty! The emperor…..all those who defy me….WILL PERISH INTO THE ABYSS! They….WILL NOT HIDE BEHIND THAT GIRL!
"Man….I guess you're not that strong after all."
Bach's eyes widened.
Yachiru Kusajishi's heart symbols were flashing multiple colors, and the wings on her back had completed their outline, much like Orihime herself. In her hand was….the Holy Zangetsu.
"Interesting."
Yachiru looked up at Aizen and scowled.
"Where are the other five, Yachiru Kusajishi? Your new power seems to be quite unusual….then again, I suppose the limit is endless for the Shun Shun Rikka."
She looked back at Bach, who was now fully healed and readying his blade.
"Y'know….two against one isn't very fun."
Bach charged Yachiru, and Aizen instantly warped to in front of her, readying the Reject Blade. His pupilless eyes bore holes into the small girl.
"Enough talk, Yachiru Kusajishi. Farewell."
But when Aizen raised the blade, she only smiled.
"Two on two is fairer!"
Orihime appeared in front of Aizen and smashed him away with her scepter, which was glowing in the same capacity as the Holy Zangetsu.
"Yachiru…..are you ready?"
"I have my friends, Hime-chan. There's nothing I can't do."
The God warped and began to clash with Aizen, leaving Yachiru to sidestep Bach's broadsword with a millisecond to spare.
Ever since the day Rukia almost got executed and Momo got stabbed by Aizen, she would come to make a vow as her role as SWA President.
"You DAMN SHINIGAMI!"
Yachiru warped with ease to dodge his next slash, and while Bach had gotten much more faster, Yachiru just continued to dodge.
To protect those she cared for, and hurt those who hurt her friends. And with the victory on the horizon….
"YOU SHOULD NOT BE THIS POWERFUL!"
Bach swung his sword, just in time to have Yachiru block it with Ichigo's zanpakutou. She stared into his cold, hateful eyes and thought of Giselle Gewelle.
"Shut up." She said. "Loud opponents are really annoying."
Then, much to the Quincy emperor's perpetual surprise, she began to move so fast around him, it left more afterimages than Uryu had did prior. The same surprise Byakuya Kuchiki felt when Ichigo unleashed his Bankai to outspeed him.
"W-What…..!"
She was one of the six. ONE! Her power should be like the others, and NOT be able to stand up to me alone! What did she even do with the others?!
In the distance, explosions of golden energy illuminated the space, but Juha Bach found himself unable to move. There was no telling where the girl truly was in the rush.
Her symbol….was a heart. What in the blazes does that even mean?! Orihime Inoue…..what ARE you?!
Then the Holy Zangetsu slashed him across his torso.
"I told you….."
His eyes locked on with Yachiru's, who had stopped warping around.
"….give back what you took."
Bach quickly moved to block her next slash, but he was in no mood to start playing guessing games with this child.
"Answer me, Shinigami! How have you exceeded the others?!" He shouted to his opponent, who had the focus and essences of the other five apostles.
You can do it, Yachiru!
Kick his ass!
We're counting on you!
You have to help Orihime! Don't let her down!
Yachiru…..the promise we made….for the club…..it's time to fulfill it….
She slashed through Bach without an ounce of uncertainty or fear in her heart. There was no mistaking it. She would fulfill the club mission, no matter what.
"Arggh…..!"
She jumped into the air and raised her blade, throwing an arc of energy towards Aizen. Being much more evolved, he dispelled the blast with ease.
XXXXX
"What have you done, Orihime?"
She and Aizen continued to warp around, blast meeting blast, strike meeting strike. Although the idea wasn't impossible, the mastermind had to know.
"You haven't transformed your body anymore."
Blade met blade.
"Your appearance is the same."
Grey eyes met solid white eyes.
"You have not changed anymore."
The two eventually broke apart and slid back.
"And furthermore….you are you. The Shun Shun Rikka seems to have lost control." Aizen said. "You are no longer acting in their interests?"
"I'm not you." Orihime replied. "I would never let something take over my body. If I'm going to defeat you….."
Both fighters pointed their fingers and fired a dense blast of golden energy, illuminating the passage once more.
"Then I'll do it as myself!"
No…..that isn't it. I don't sense any fear or doubt on her person. She is trying to destroy me, like I am to her. But it should be impossible.
Another set of blasts collided, followed by more warp chains.
We cannot reject each other. What does she plan to do?
Aizen put a hand to his chest in thought, but the Hogyoku had been the antithesis (and equal) to the Shun Shun Rikka for a significant time now.
It was also cracked and hot to the touch.
"Come on, everyone! Listen to what Orihime said!"
Karin and Yuzu were running through the Seireitei streets, shouting at whatever passersby they could find.
"Just close your eyes and focus!"
"She'll protect us!" The younger twin shouted. "She'll save everyone!"
"Yuzu, we gotta find Ganju and tell him too! Everyone has to work together on this!"
"Right!"
Inside of Orihime existed the Soul Society, home to countless Pluses. Many of them would never be able to comprehend the battle going on outside, just like how many of them were still trying to comprehend the voice that had just spoken to them.
But with such a tremendous power…..the voice was one to be obeyed.
"Ganju! Where are you?!"
And yet, it was not a malevolent force. It was not that wished to conquer all and bend the universe to their desires.
"I think he's this way, Karin-chan!"
It was a force that wished for cooperation and unity. A force that wanted to help each soul, no matter what was their background.
Fear is a powerful motivator….but so is hope. And with hope…..comes stability…a common cause.
Bach slid back again, but Yachiru continued her offense. With Uryu's speed, she was outmaneuvering him, and any stray attacks were deflected by Chad's shields.
"Why you?! Why did that girl chose to give you power?!"
Holy Zangetsu clashed with the broadsword yet again, but with each strike, the sword would decay each time. And each time, it had to be regenerated.
"You're just a child!"
I'll win. I'll win, and I'll be able to go home with my friends.
"You're not even taking this seriously!"
We can have that party. Suki-chan can join the club, along with Nel-chan, Grasshopper….well, all of the friends I've made today!
"STOP IT!"
Because everyone believes in me. Everyone is counting on me. So I can't lose. It's that simple!
Yachiru Kusajishi operated on her own wavelength, and she didn't change gears for anyone. Rather, people would go to her level.
I can't die. I can't disappear. I can't break. I can't crack.
"LISTEN TO ME, SHINIGAMI!"
Yachiru swung Holy Zangetsu one more time – and the final strike shattered Bach's broadsword to millions of pieces.
I can't EVER lose my way.
"You…..!"
He roared and summoned portals all around Yachiru, from a 360 degree scope. All of them began to fire arrows at the girl.
"BEGONE WITH YOU!"
These won't kill me. They can't.
Yachiru's vision of the emperor was now blocked by the mass collection of reishi. But she wasn't afraid in the slightest. She relaxed her body and let Tatsuki's absorption and Nemu's redirection do their work.
My friends have me, and I have them. They wouldn't let me die.
The arrows continued to rain down, and Yachiru simply closed her eyes.
We'll always be together.
And she continued her defenses.
That's a promise, until the very end.
Bach's heart was starting to race – his enhanced vision still saw her outline through his arrows, and he was forced to dodge any redirected attacks.
But…..this Shinigami! She's just a Vice-Captain!
He dodged more returned fire and looked up; Orihime and Aizen were still dueling, and neither looked to be having the advantage.
She…..doesn't fear me.
She…..isn't afraid to die.
She…..completely disregards my presence.
He glanced at Yachiru, wincing as his body was pierced yet again.
And she…..is the same. Neither fear me.
Sucks, doesn't it?!
Bach turned back to Yachiru, but the new voice didn't come from her. In fact, there would soon be multiple ones.
You called yourself the emperor of the rest of us?! You can't even kill ONE Shinigami!
N-No….!
Yachiru will kill you, silly. She's really mad you absorbed me and hurt Candy, Lily, and Minnie. And boy oh boy, you don't want to see her mad!
I-Impossible….none of you….should….
The true villain shall fall on this day, Juha Bach! The new hero stands before you!
H-How…..h-how are you….!
This is what you get, you scumbag. You only wanted to rule by yourself, and you used all of us as sick pawns. Once it became clear that we couldn't benefit you anymore….you killed us without remorse!
W-What…..IS THIS?!
To think, I followed you. To think, I allowed myself to be blinded by your power. I…..turned on my own friend. All in the name of you. And this…..is what happens?
I ABSORBED YOU ALL! WHY ARE YOU SPEAKING TO ME?!
The Almighty…..was beginning to panic. His fear was only accelerating when he caught another glimpse of Orihime and Aizen – the former was getting more and more focused.
"You cannot best me, Orihime Inoue. I am God, and you are but a mere imitation!"
Her eyes turned white.
"No! I will stop you, WITH ALL MY STRENGTH! There can only be one!"
T-That's….what she said in my vision!
Too distracted in his musings, Juha Bach only had the time to register Yachiru approaching him – her eyes locked onto his own – and nothing more.
"Not so scary now….are you?"
She raised Holy Zangetsu, and her heart was starting to beat as hard as the emperor's. This was it. This was the chance for avenge the fallen.
"Shini…..gami…!"
"This….is for the people you killed."
Holy Zangetsu cut through Bach's body before he could even make a move.
FIN
Ending notes: Oh boooy...I feel this is like chapter 40, where I was struggling on what to write for the climatic battle. If you think this makes no sense, I'll try to break it down - Orihime "blessed" each apostle with a specific boon, and they used the boons in cooperation to fight Bach. Yachiru's is the most abstract; being a "heart", its power comes from the support of others and receiving the same support. It's like all of the symbols and none of the symbols at the same time.
Likewise, what are the members of Soul Society doing? This ain't Goku charging up the Spirit Bomb! Orihime has everyone in her body, and asking for their cooperation invites a stability of sorts. And you'll see why she needs that...
Now I think it is time to address the elephant in the room - like I've stated in the early chapters, I really don't follow all of the stuff Kubo introduced in the recent arc. In my fic, Masaki is not a Quincy. Some members of the Vandenreich are not random parts of the Soul King. We don't have the utterly insulting twist that Zangetsu was Bach all along. Bach himself is not as godly and absolute as he is in the manga. "But why buff Orihime and Aizen to this insane degree and nerf Bach?"
In a word, I always felt like Kubo handled the Vandenreich...rather haphazardly. In the manga, barely any of them have redeeming factors and just seem to be evil/insane/sociopathic for the heck of it. Where's the grey morality? Why does Bach have to be an uber god because the plot says so? There's no charm to it all. I felt like borrowing some cues from FMA and the Ishival massacre - to breed some people willing to see the bigger picture but not forget (Cang), some willing to befriend their former enemy (Candice and the others), and some that are utter extremists (Gerard). And you can kinda see a similar theme with Aizen, but more on that next chapter.
Do I regret all of the deviations I've made? Absolutely not, as fanfiction is all about creating different possibilities and offering moments that weren't quite there in the source material. Am I 100% proud of how this is coming along? ...Hm, not exactly. I just don't want to let people down in this final stretch. The pressure is insane.
Next Time - The end of the War of the Worlds. (don't worry, it's not the final chapter)
