Ultrabross's Vision

CHP51: Overtaken

Everything was way quiet as the Dark Knight passed down and through the halls at a slow pace. It almost felt as though the enemy was watching his every move from afar. Inside one's fortress with the tech and planning Ultrabross possessed only added to his suspicion. Easy as it was getting around with no guard in sight seemed like an ambush waiting to happen. It was the exact thought that crossed his mind earlier gaining access to the main computer system. He heard footsteps around the corner so slowed up, and luckily appeared to be headed in a different direction.

"Well, well I never imagined you'd be an escape artist."

Someone spoke from behind, freezing for an instant before straightening his posture. He'd heard the voice enough times to know who it was without looking, "Morrigan," He spoke slowly facing her. For the next moments stared her down but kept his hands close to specific pouches on his belt. Facing her directly was something he wanted to avoid, given her physical abilities outweighing his own. The mood became less tense as she let out a chuckle.

"Look at you, all serious…I don't think I've seen you crack a smile even once since we met. I must take a peek into your soul and dreams, and who knows; maybe then there will be some understanding."

"Not going to happen." The dark knight pulled two projectiles from his belt.

"Come now, must everything be a fight. You can put those things away I have no intention of fighting, and even if I did your toys are useless against me and you know it."

"What do you want?" He maintained his stance.

"Nothing in particular. You're quite the clever one, I didn't think of it initially but I know how you made your escape. When I got close you pulled the keycard off me and didn't realize it at the time and only became aware of it when I returned to your cell. Frankly there's no way you make it out of this whole ordeal alive. But I'd gladly like to see you try, in fact the thought of it sounds rather entertaining."

"You're rambling and avoiding my question."

Morrigan giggled leaning against the wall opposite of him.

"Ultrabross instructed that I find what I could from you concerning your knowledge and method for disposing of his creatures. According to him no mere mortal should posses the ability to do what you did. But more important, wanted me to kill you once I accomplished that. And believe me, manipulating or getting into your head wouldn't be difficult. We succubi specialize in that sort of stuff, no matter how strong the mind."

"Then what's stopping you?" Batman questioned.

For a couple moments didn't speak, running a finger through her hair.

"I'll follow Ultrabross and go through whatever he has planned but even I have certain boundaries. One of which I refuse to take on missions beneath my principles and second will not destroy anything I find to my liking or see use in."

"What does any of this have to do wi…"

"Don't play dumb," She cut him off rolling her eyes, "I've taken a liking to you since we met back in Gotham. Even if you choose to ignore the truth, deep down it's a no brainer and you know it. That said this doesn't mean I'm your ally. If you're to be captured by Ultrabross's men and killed that's on you. I'm not playing both sides of the fence here, I'm still you enemy it's just…hhhmm complicated."

A period of silence followed, both staring at the other. And what was like a minute felt ten times that.

"You're probably wondering where all the guards disappeared, correct? A lot has transpired since you were first brought here. Ichigo Kurosaki and the rest of his group are here to rescue Moka, the silver haired vampire. Yes they managed to make their way over into this world shortly after you and the wolf. Most security has relocated to the perimeters of the fortress which is why you have so much free room to roam." Morrigan explained.

Hearing Ichigo and company were also somewhere near was definitely a plus. With Ichigo in play meant a solution to his travel problem back to Gotham. The death god had made the trip once before from a faraway galaxy so didn't see why he couldn't do it again. Asking the succubus directly did come to mind but doubted she would comply and even if she did, would probably want something in return.

"If you're looking to escape your best chance is down that hall and following it until you reach the armory. Once there, make a left and you'll notice a nearby exit; I'm almost certain the section is left unguarded."

"How do I know you're telling the truth, and this isn't an ambush?"

"You don't, it's your choice if you want to believe what I said or not. However you don't have very many options and if you don't take my advice will be re captured. I could have taken you down on sight but elected not to. You need not worry about the wolf boy, Ultrabross has no intent of putting him down just yet."

She circled around passing down the hall opposite of him. There wasn't much time to think things over so made a quick decision. With that in mind knew he'd keep his eyes peeled for any activity. He didn't trust her in the least but had no other options and was at a disadvantage far as knowledge regarding the ins and outs of the fortress.

XXX

Bad as things were previous didn't compare to the scene before his eyes. The inner world and home dimension of Zangetsu was completely destroyed. The skyscrapers that once occupied the space were no more and the blue sky was replaced by one of red. He floated high staring at what looked to be an endless ocean of lava, whichever direction he looked. There were dozens more black holes in the sky, possibly tripled from his last visit. He had no clue what to make of them or the scenery as a whole.

"Zangetsu!" The death god shouted loud as he could.

It was no different than what he went through during his battle with the arrancar. Even the atmosphere of the space wasn't the same. Something was definitely wrong but had already been certain of that from the previous trip. And just when he thought things couldn't get any weirder the unexpected happened. One after another, hollows of all sorts emerged from the black holes filling the skies.

"Ultrabross, this must be his doing. It all makes since now, Zangetsu nowhere to be found and the destruction of this inner world and now these hollows. Perhaps if I defeat them all can somehow take back control and put a dent in his plans." Ichigo said aloud.

The shinigami grabbed hold of his Zanpakuto, and if he was to go down wouldn't be without a fight. Blitzing at top speed, Ichigo eyed the closes of the hollows. As he came within a foot of the first pulled back, blasting upward. Destroying them was one way to look at it, but perhaps that's what Ultrabross wanted. After all it was the slaying of the hollows that put him in the current predicament. Still they were inside Zangetsu's realm and allowing them to stay around couldn't be the answer. A lot went through his mind but figured it a reverse effect was possible.

Disposing of the hollows inside the realm might bring things back to normal, including him. With a tight grip over the handle of his blade charged the pursuing hollows. He dodged off to the side as one slashed at him before elbowing another of them out of the sky. An extended tongue wrapped around his throat from behind swinging him around numerous times before chucking him downward. Ichigo managed to regain his balance before making contact with the lava.

"That was way too close, I'm gonna have to keep my guard up. Screw this, I'm going to find a way to beat whatever he did to me and then Ultrabross is going down!"

Ichigo zipped into the sky once more but with more determination and precision. Everything was assumptions to that point; nothing guaranteed but looked to prove his prediction true.

Kurumu and everyone throughout the room looked down on Ichigo. He was somewhat fidgety and let out groans here and there.

"What's happening," The succubus stomped looking at Ultrabross directly, "What the hell did you do to him!"

The king chuckled taking a couple steps.

"If you paid attention to anything I said you'd have some idea of what's happening. Though It's quite obvious you and the rest of your friends are unfamiliar with hollows. I needn't the time or energy to explain either. To tell a long story short your friend Kurosaki is having an inner battle with the very beasts his kind battle day and night. But a battle he will inevitably lose, there is absolutely no chance for him. His mind will be lost and belong to this establishment doing exactly as I command him to do."

"You bastard!"

Kurumu jumped forward, wings sprouting from her back looking to smack the grin off the king's face. She was met halfway through the air as Feyaglia tackled her. Two additional guards aided her in holding the succubi down. Much as Moka wanted to jump in and do something knew it wouldn't help the situation, so just watched in disgust.

"Ladies and gentlemen the transfer will be complete soon. And Kurosaki will be unable to distinguish between ally and foe. Let us go through with the merging of the Vertaq cube's core to my being so that we do not undergo any potential setbacks."

"Agreed, there's no telling how this one will react after his spirit and mind are taken over." Feyaglia voiced.

The two guards moved Kurumu off to the side forcing her to her knees. Kurumu or Moka didn't know what was about to happen, but if there was a time to try and escape it was in that moment. Still even if they did would have to leave behind Ichigo, which neither wanted to do. And if they did takeoff likely wouldn't get far. Kurumu could only watch with tightened fists as Ultrabross stepped out into the middle section of the room. He wrapped his fingers around the object speaking in a language she couldn't understand, before repeating a single chant. The light from within glowed brighter than any time before and Kurumu watched first hand as the power source from within erupted smashing the cube that contained it.

Due to the blinding light closed her eyes for a few moments before opening them . The dark energy circulated around Ultrabross at that point, but was still much too bright to see him clearly. Little by little it died down merging with his body. When the process was complete Kurumu didn't notice anything different about him…well at least physically. His spirit energy however was an entirely different story. Unlike before was unable to get a clear read on it, jumping all over the place. Spirits and souls were down her road of expertise and was beyond odd.

"I can see it written all over your face girl, you're baffled. Yes I expected just as much from someone of your kind, but why don't I clear some things up. I contain the life force of all the hollows Kurosaki and the Gotei Thirteen purified…or so they thought. As of this moment I remain in my normal state which is why everything remains unbalanced, or incomplete if you will."

Kurumu tried standing but held down by the two guards.

"What do you mean by incomplete?"

"Simply put, what you see before you is level one. Or in better terms untransformed; yes the Vertaq and I are now one in the same. However I have not yet combined my own personal spirit with those of the hollows."

"So what's stopping you?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. The time has not yet come; I shall unleash this power on those that stand in my way. Sooner rather than later I'm sure, with their little substitute out of the way I shall deal with them next. With my newly acquired power and the aid of their own guarantees my victory."

Most of what went on Kurumu had no clue, especially concerning the players involved. Ultrabross claimed Ichigo was a shinigami, linked to some organization called Gotei Thirteen. Who or what they were was a mystery. That was really all she had to go off of, and Ichigo didn't exactly deny any of it.

"Than your fight is with this group linked to Ichigo, if so then what do you want with us! We have nothing to do with this. Sounds like you've got a personal vendetta, one in which we want no part in."

"Vendetta? You're misinformed, I've never encountered or crossed paths with them. One of great power and vision must methodically plan and foresee everything. For example the many obstacles that would stand in the way and destroy everything you've worked so hard for."

Ultrabross looked to Moka, positioning beside her. He ran two fingers over her chin in which she forced her head off to the side and away from him. The move prompted laughter from the king, glaring at the vampire for a few moments before looking away.

"If only it were that simple, but unfortunately isn't the case. Akashiya Moka is very much a part of my arrangement, we shall get into that bit of business later. There are other matters that must be taken care of first."

"What should we do with her sir, shall we take her to one of the holding cells?" One guard questioned.

"Yes, but not yet. I want her to witness the fall of Kurosaki and birth of a weapon. A weapon that'll be at my disposal for added insurance."

XXX

The inner battle waged on and didn't appear to be making much progress. Ichigo grabbed the throat of a hollow forcing it downward with a quick thrust of his arm, cutting at others of them. They swirled around; coming at him from various different angles but was prepared for everything they brought his way. It seemed as though no matter how many he destroyed, more arrived to take their place. The black dimension holes were still in the sky; the source for the continuous hollows appearing. If there was one thing that lingered in the back of his mind, was somehow disposing of the black holes.

How many of them total, the death god was unable to say and might be unlimited. He was only able to see them once they passed through the black dimension hole but couldn't detect or sense them. For the time being all he could do was destroy each and every one of them that appeared and hoped eventually there'd be no more. Speculation was all he had and could prove dire if his assumption was wrong; no matter the case had no time to think anything over.

Aside from all that noticed something else, and might have been the biggest issue. Taking a hit from a hollow was one thing, but this was unlike anything before. With each blow he sustained could feel his spirit energy fall off at a much faster rate than ever. He had no doubts it had all to do with the new enemy.

"Damn you Ultrabross, I will prevail over this and then you're next!"

He took off blitzing the hollows straight ahead but with a new approach in mind. Not that he wanted to previously, but made it a point not to take damage from a single of them. Attack and elude was the strategy in mind. Easier said than done especially given the speed and quickness by a handful of them. Ichigo retreated back raising his blade sizing up a group of them cluttered together.

"Getsuga Tensho!"

The destructive attack connected perfectly just as he'd envisioned. But of course more took their place emerging from the dark holes within the sky. His entire spiritual body became numb and got worse by the second. It started after a specific hollow took a deep bite into his left shoulder. It wasn't just the numbness, but was losing quickness and power. It happened sometime after he demolished the first ten he came in contact with. The biggest issue was his inability to sense them. It had not been that way until that point and because of it eight hollows came at him from behind dishing out their share of hits.

Ichigo of course overpowered and defeated them but grew weary in the process. It was more than apparent something was wrong. He was draining much faster than necessary and at that rate didn't look good. Dozens more hollows materialized from the black holes tripling their numbers. Ichigo ignored his fatigue rushing in and clashing with them head on. The battle seemed endless and no matter how many he cut down there were more arriving by the minute. He fought hard as he could but in the end just wasn't enough, given the unknown limitations.

XXX

Ultrabross observed with menacing eyes and knew the inner struggle was all but over. Ichigo's reiryoku slowly faded away and replaced by another power source. A glowing red energy developed around his body. Not only did she see it with her eyes but could also sense the alteration in his overall life force. It was unlike anything Kurumu had come across and mind blowing. Perceiving her expression brought satisfaction to Ultrabross.

"Ichigo has fallen and so has your chance at escape or victory. Not that any of you would hinder my plans. Now observe as your friend makes the full transformation."

Moka wanted nothing more than to slap him clear across the room but restrained herself from doing so. The death god's breathing slowed; bits and parts of his body twitching. His skin slowly turned pale and his body structure changing dramatically. Moka positioned a hand over her own mouth spotting horns grow from out of his head. She didn't know if it was Ichigo's true form coming to the forefront or perhaps something else related to what Ultrabross did to him. The visible hole through his chest was especially interesting. Whatever the case was certainly a frightening sight.

During the process Ichigo let out grunts and even his tone drastically altered. It wasn't long before his appearance had completely changed to the point of unrecognizable and when it finally took a stand was near seven feet tall. With cold lifeless eyes stared at everyone throughout the room before lifting its head and roaring. Moka and various others covered their ears. Once finished Ultrabross approached the mindless beast knowing the process was not yet complete.

"You won't get away with this!" Kurumu shouted.

"Save your breath dear…I've already won."

To Be Continued