Author's note: What's this? Another chapter? Whipped it up for you guys, despite my current cold. :)

Review Time:

Linkonpark100 - All will be answered next chapter.


Chapter 55 – Deicide

How…?

As Bach was falling off the block – blood falling from his wound with him – he could only stare in disbelief as Yachiru jumped off as well.

How…..how is this happening…..!

Orihime and Aizen were watching the emperor fall.

"Yachiru…..!"

"…"

Aizen pointed his palm downward, and at a much faster pace than the two falling below him. He only had one question.

"How, Orihime Inoue? How?"

"….."

"You do not want to answer?"

"You're the God, Aizen." She said bluntly. "If you're the one…..can't you figure it out?"

"…"

I see. She has done something to Yachiru Kusajishi. She has somehow absorbed Ichigo Kurosaki and the others. But why? Why her?

Yachiru was closing in to the emperor, Ichigo's sword slung over her head.

The final blow!

No…..!

See the Shinigami destroy you, villain!

N-No…..!

I told you Yachiru would kill you~

NO!

Kill him, Vice-Captain!

NO!

Finish it….!

Bach moved his hand to try to block, but it was not going to help – Yachiru was much faster, and the Holy Zangetsu had moved past his arm.

Until…

"I reject."

Yachiru felt a painful golden light engulf her and Bach, eliciting more screams of agony from the Almighty. But she herself didn't scream at her rotting form.

"I reject!"

Now the light was no more, and Yachiru continued her fall, body restored.

"I reject!"

Now the light had came back.

Don't be scared, Yachiru! You have Orihime on your side! She'll protect you!

"I reject!"

At this point, Bach was frozen in a perpetual state of shock. Aizen had started to "reject" him and Yachiru away from existence – like The Yourself and The X-Axis – but Orihime had rejected the process.

"I reject!"

And Aizen had rejected that process.

It's…..a never-ending cycle….

Both Gods had the power to run marathons around Yachiru and Bach, so each rejection and subsequent rejection was like a light switch being turned on and off rapidly.

"I reject!"

Orihime won't let you disappear, Yachiru!

"I reject!"

Burn in Hell, Juha Bach!

"I REJECT!"

N-No…..how long is this fall…..how long must this continue….?!

Bach's sight was mostly blocked by Yachiru falling above him, and even when her body was rotting to shreds, she still had the same look in her eyes.

"I REJECT!"

The look that she would accomplish what she had set out to do.

"I REJECT!"

Just hang on, Yachiru!

W-Why…why is this Shinigami not afraid?! She's….just a child….!

"I REJECT!"

Bach was vaguely aware that the space around them was starting to bend into itself. And the fall seemed to be endless for him and the Vice-Captain of the 11th Division.

"I REJECT!"

For the club. That's why you're fighting!

WHAT IS THIS CHILD?!

Yachiru seemed to be getting closer and closer, but both of them were getting farther and farther from the two Gods constantly rejecting each other's work. There was nothing he could do.

"I REJECT!"

I can't lose. I can't die. I can't disappear. I can't break. I can't crack. It's impossible.

"I REJECT!"

T-THIS IS INSANITY!

"Enough of this, Orihime Inoue!" Aizen roared, his composure starting to break. "Stop interfering! Both of these lesser beings…..they are specs of dust compared to you and me!"

But Orihime ignored him and continued.

"I REJECT!"

Yachiru was gaining millimeter by millimeter, and Bach's heart was about leap out of his chest.

NO! I am almighty! I cannot die!

"I REJECT!"

Time was starting to become nonexistent for both of the falling fighters. In the span of less than a second, the light would appear and start to rot them. And in the same span of time, the light would fade.

But why was Yachiru getting closer and closer?

"Still haven't figured it out yet, AIZEN?!" Orihime shouted. She could barely see Yachiru now, but her eyes could not mistake the faint pink of her hair in this white void.

"You are just delaying the inevitable death of them! A God does not waste time on the lesser beings!" Aizen shouted, but the Hogyoku's voice had eclipsed his own at this point.

MAKE THIS STOP! Bach screamed mentally.

The space of the void had almost curved inward completely. And being too focused on his anger, Aizen – or rather, the Hogyoku-controlled vassal – did not notice both the titular orb and the pins of the Shun Shun Rikka cracking more and more.

"I REJECT!"

For at this point, the orb was determined to best its antithesis.

You're getting closer, Yachiru! Just picture it! Picture the blade piercing his throat. Picture the blade cutting him to pieces!

Both objects and their respective masters could do the same. But when have they competed with each other in this way?

"I REJECT!"

Nothing is impossible! JUST DO IT!

"I REJECT!"

Orihime realized the void was dangerously close to imploding on itself from her side vision, but she kept her focus downward. Any slip ups and Yachiru would be gone for good. She had to stall.

MAAAAAKE IT STOOOOOOOP!

Mmmmm…..scream for me, you bastard! They sound so beautiful, don't they, Gigi?

Yep! I wonder if he'll cry!

Orihime Inoue had cooperation amongst her confined vassals, but Juha Bach did not. And all it takes is one slip up to have the metaphorical rebels start the metaphorical revolution.

You can do it, Yachiru!

"I REJECT!"

Sweat was starting to gather on Orihime's face, but her mind kept picturing Yachiru safe. Yachiru unharmed. Yachiru landing the finishing blow.

"I REJECT!"

As God, her will was absolute.

"I REJECT!"

Both pin and orb were getting dangerously hot. And still, Aizen's mind was more determined to best the human next to him. Bach's mind was too fixated on the pain.

GURAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

Yachiru continued to stare down at Bach as their descent – endless at this point – continued, second after second, minute after minute. And she saw the face of a man on the verge of breaking.

"I REJECT!"

A man that had powers beyond that of a regular Quincy. A man that had created a base in between the dimensions to hide his soldiers. A man that blessed 25 other Stern Ritters with unique powers.

I'm almost there, everyone! Just watch!

A man that had almost succeeded in wiping out the Shinigami race, and install a new world order….be reduced to nothing more than a helpless victim in the wrath of the *true* Gods.

About to be fallen by a Shinigami child.

"I REJECT!"

Now the void was starting to crack all around, with the space flashing with the colors one would use to induce a seizure. But Yachiru still focused on what she had to do.

"I REJECT!"

WHYYYYYYYYYYYY?!

The godly tools were starting to spark, but their users still refused to lose to the other.

"I REJECT!"

Watch me, Hime-chan! Watch me win this war, for all of our friends! And….Aizen will go down next!

"EXPLAIN YOURSELF, ORIHIME INOUE!" Said mastermind screamed. "When will this tedium end?!"

Reality (or whatever it was to be called in this artificial space) was starting to fall apart. Bach's heartbeat had gotten so loud, everyone was able to hear it now. He watched as the color peeled off him and his Shinigami opponent.

Please…!

"I REJECT!"

Please…!

Juha Bach wasn't even screaming anymore whenever Aizen's light appeared to rot him away. He simply stared at Yachiru, his stare devoid of any energy or emotion.

"I REJECT!"

Please…..END THIS ALREADY!

Now the Shun Shun Rikka and Hogyoku were both glowing, their sparking intensified. The void's edges had wrapped around both Gods, and all of the blocks were destroyed.

"W-What is this?!"

That was the chance.

"I REJECT!" Orihime screamed at the top of her lungs, focusing the energy of all of her souls to make the result a little more specific. Yachiru and Bach finally hit solid ground…..or rather, what was left of it.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Aizen demanded, finally noticing the cracks in his prize.

"I didn't do ANYTHING! WE did!"

Yachiru stepped over to Bach, the color still lost from her form. She raised the shining blade over the Quincy emperor, infused with her power and that of the other five apostles.

"Please…!"

Bach laid before her, the color also lost from his form. His eyes were struggling to comprehend the utterly warped and destroyed space above him. In fact…..they were watering.

"Please end this, Shinigami…..!" He said, tears falling. "I…..can't take anymore….!"

Yachiru narrowed her eyes.

"No more…!"

She moved her other hand to the hilt.

NOW! The five apostles screamed in her head.

"No…!"

And with a final stab, Yachiru thrusted the tip of Holy Zangetsu through Juha Bach's head, the colorless blood pooling out of his brain.

"…more…..!"

She stared at his face, and watched as his arms slackened.

The Almighty….had been slayed.

"….."

Yachiru watched as Bach's body glowed with his signature rainbow light, and saw the images of five figures rise from his corpse. The five that had resisted his absorption, unlike The Deathdealing and The Miracle.

The Heat.

The Balance.

The Superstar.

The Explode.

The Zombie.

"Thank you…..Vice-Captain." Mask de Masculine said with a large grin. "Thank you….for making my final moments…..to see true heroism…."

He dissolved into nothingness.

"Thank you….Vice-Captain Kusajishi." Jugram Haschwald said sincerely. He turned to his friend, who was smiling as they rose.

"Glad you finally saw the truth, Jugo."

"Bazz…..I'm sorry it had to come to this. Me…..shooting an arrow through you….I was a fool…can you…..forgive me?"

But Bazz-B hugged him as the two began to dissolve.

"Shut up, Jugo. At least…we got to see that bastard fall. And that's all I ever wanted."

And when they were no more, Yachiru saw Giselle Gewelle with her fourth friend, Bambietta Basterbine.

"Yachiru…thank you." Giselle whispered. "For everything."

"Yeah." Bambietta said, wrapping her arms around Giselle's form. "Can you do us a big favor? I mean….if it's not too much trouble…."

Yachiru cocked her head.

"Take good care of Candy, Lily, and Minnie." Giselle said, hugging Bambietta back. "It's a shame…the five of us couldn't be together in the end…."

"But now…..we know they'll be in a better place. Hopefully…..they won't be too mad at us for dying. Hopefully…..they'll always have the love and care they deserve."

Yachiru nodded. She smiled when the two Quincies looked into each other's eyes.

"So this is the end, eh Giselle? What a sucky ending."

"Ha…..I have you, Bambi. It's not so bad!"

"Heh….."

The two girls closed their eyes and began to kiss each other passionately, dissolving together in one final embrace. Yachiru looked down, and saw Juha Bach's frozen form doing the same.

The Vandenreich…..was officially no more.

Goodbye, Giselle…..and Bambi. I'll tell Kitty and the others you'll miss them.

She yanked Holy Zangetsu out from Bach's head, and the last of him…..dissolved into nothingness, not a trace of the emperor to last.

"Yachiru…."

We did it, Hime-chan. We beat him. Gramps would be so proud of us, right?

"Yachiru!"

Oh definitely the rest of the SWA, too! I hope they're safe, wherever they are….

"YACHIRU!"

She blinked and looked herself over, turning to face the vortex generated by the collapse and breaking of the void.

"Oh that's right. We're not done."

She ran towards the vortex with the blade in her hand, color returning to her body.


Reio's eyes began to look calmer.

"Master….what do you see?"

All that remains…..is Sosuke Aizen.

"That's great!" Ichibe said with a grin. But it faded when he saw the twinkle in his master's eyes. "R-Right? Doesn't Orihime Inoue have the strength to best him?'

Yes. But there is still the issue of the girl herself.

"Whatcha mean?" Nimaya asked.

Look at what has happened in this war, my servants. Hueco Mundo was attacked by a bomb that destroyed thousands of souls in a flash. Add in the amount the Vandenreich has destroyed. Orihime Inoue continues to decimate any space she is in.

"But….."

She…must receive judgement for what she had done. Her powers have allowed the fabric of worlds to be in danger, as she…..and her friends….have damaged the status quo.


Yachiru was running through a space – devoid of any color or features. It was pure white, just like the previous area.

"Hime-chan! Where are you?!"

"Yachiru….."

At the voice, she dashed into overdrive and soon found an interesting sight. Orihime was on her knees, and Aizen...

"How….."

Was also on his knees, his Hollow-like mask starting to crack into pieces. The rest of his eldritch form was starting to revert back as well. Why?

Yachiru noticed immediately both the Shun Shun Rikka and the Hogyoku were about to shatter into pieces. The slightest tap would cause it, and without its power, neither God…..

"How is this possible…..!"

…..could maintain themselves.

"I told you, Aizen." Orihime said quietly. "You knew as much as I did about the true limit of our powers. And like you told me….we've exhausted it."

Aizen moved a hand towards the Hogyoku, but stopped.

"That…..is impossible, Orihime. We have the power to reject anything."

"And I did just that."

Aizen's eyes widened…..and now his mask was no more, revealing the Shinigami face behind it.

"….."

"You let the Hogyoku take control of your mind, believing…..it was only natural for you to ascend faster. But I didn't do the same."

"…if our items were equals….they would try to obtain the same thing, with the same line of thinking."

"Yes."

Yachiru looked from Orihime to Aizen, and she gasped when she saw cracks on both of their forms.

"Hime-chan!"

"Yachiru…..it's okay."

"…but…..that does not explain Yachiru Kusajishi." Aizen said, glancing at her.

"You still haven't figured it out?"

"…."

Orihime stood up proudly.

"Giving my friends some of my power never meant that I was crippling myself. Rejection…..affects everything. Wounds…..missing limbs….even zanpakutou. I wanted the power to be shared, not diminished."

"….."

"All I needed…..was for everyone involved to trust each other." She said, her form cracking more and more. Aizen was following suit, but he didn't look nearly as confident.

In fact, this was the one and only time….

"What…..?!"

Sosuke Aizen would lose his cool.

"What are you trying to say, Orihime Inoue?"

"You never wanted to share the power, Aizen. That's your weakness. You told me…..my powers would benefit your army, but you had only wanted to use it for yourself…..right?"

Aizen looked lost.

"H-How does that make any sense? Power is the most concentrated when one entity has it."

"Yes, but what if an entity were to share it with others?"

"…?"

"Wow…..Hime-chan, you're really smart." Yachiru said. "You confused Aizen!"

"No….." Aizen muttered. "No, this cannot be."

"Well, I guess this is the end…."

"No."

Both girls glared at Aizen, who was starting to get angry.

"No, Orihime Inoue. You think you can let things end this way?"

"What do you mean, Aizen?"

"You…."

Aizen grit his teeth.

"You…..you're willing to let your power just…..end?"

"…"

"Hime-chan…..are you sure you're going to be okay?"

"Yachiru…..yes, I'm sure of it."

"Stop with this." Aizen said, his voice louder now. "You are about to break, Orihime, into the ether. Haven't you realized….what has happened?"

"Yes. I'm not stupid, you know."

Orihime moved her fingers into her hair, stopping short of the sparkling pins.

"We….as equals….lose together."

"Lose?!" Aizen banged the ground with his fist. "This isn't a game, Orihime Inoue. You're completely fine with the idea of your powers ceasing to exist?!"

"…Yes."

Aizen couldn't believe the answer. He honestly, hand to the Soul King, could not believe the response that had come out of her mouth.

"…Are you insane?!"

"Don't insult Hime-chan." Yachiru said, scowling.

"Are you truly the most clueless girl in the face of existence?! To think, I was impressed by your convictions! I was impressed that you managed to keep up for this long!"

Master…

Aizen ignored the Hogyoku.

"What kind of person just throws away the chance to be a God?! It makes no sense! It makes no logical sense! Who would refuse such a thing?!"

Being God was all Aizen wanted, ever since the day the idea had crossed his mind. And his entire life's planning had been building to the moment.

"I would."

But not Orihime Inoue.

"…..?!"

Yachiru watched in fascination. She was so used to Aizen being so calm, evil or not. Seeing him squirm was seriously fun.

"…..What."

"I would." Orihime repeated. "I told the Shun Shun Rikka…..the six of them corrupted by you….the same thing."

"Why the hell would you say that?!" Aizen snapped. This was not the possibility he could ever predict, in a million years.

But Orihime gave her answer.

"Because I don't want to be some thing people fear. I don't want to be some thing people obsess over. I don't want to be….something people don't understand."

"But that makes no sense!"

"Maybe for you. All I wanted, Aizen….was just to protect my friends. My brother protected me when I was a little girl, and Tatsuki-chan did the same after that."

She began to walk, Yachiru watching her carefully.

"And…..I wanted to do the same for Ichigo-kun…..the boy I love. And….I did. I have. I finally….felt useful. But….it came with a horrible price."

Aizen was watching her in the same vein, only his brain was still trying to make sense of it all.

"My powers were used for evil. My powers were used to almost bring the end of the worlds. Even myself….I had to outright reject souls that didn't do anything. All because I never really understood what they could be capable of…."

Orihime held up her hands.

"I've gotten much stronger, and I've protected so many people….even now. But….at what cost? If I didn't exist…..you might not have gotten to this point yourself."

Aizen just blinked.

"No one…..should have this power. People….mortals….are not Gods. And they shouldn't try to be."

"No…..no, I must be mishearing things. You are rejecting the idea of advancement, the idea of ascension, the idea of improving one's self!"

Aizen was cracking more and more.

"How can one change the system if they have no power?! How can one change Soul Society if they are nothing more than a regular soul?!"

"Because one person can't do that."

Aizen was stunned by the reply.

"One person….has no right to dictate how things should be. One person…should never force others to bend to their will. One person, alone….cannot change the universe."

Orihime had as many cracks as Aizen did, which was scaring Yachiru.

"A person….must rely on others to work with them to bring change. …..that's what you wanted all this time, isn't it….Aizen?"

Aizen stared with wide eyes…..before glancing at his own hand.

"So you devised your own plan, and convinced Tousen-san and Ichimaru-san to go through with it….maybe at one point, you did want others to reign with you. Maybe…if the circumstances were different…..we could've changed everything together."

"…."

"Why, Aizen? Why go through this alone?"

The mastermind, for the first time in centuries…..was completely caught off guard by the question.

"…why?"

"Yeah. You're a smart person. And yet….the most obvious solution never occurred to you?"

"…"

Aizen didn't know what to say.

"…."

"Well?"

So he started to clap instead.

"Aizen?"

"Congratulations, Orihime Inoue. All this time….I had considered my intelligence to be far above everyone…..and yet….even now…..not even in battle…."

He closed his eyes and allowed a small smirk to play on his lips.

"…you are still…..my equal."

"….?"

"Why are you so happy?" Yachiru asked. "You….lost, Aizen."

"I have."

He opened his eyes, the cracks moving past his face. And he let his smirk grew.

"It's just such…an exciting feeling. The notion that someone…..once far below my power…..has climbed the gap and bested me….."

Aizen opened his eyes, and his brown eyes stared firmly into Orihime's.

"…It's something…..I haven't felt before."

"Aizen…"

"Farewell, Orihime Inoue. If I am to lose, then so be it. If I am to fail at being God and changing the world….then at least I can take pride in one fact."

He turned around, chuckling one last time.

"I lost to my equal."

And with that…..Sosuke Aizen shattered into pieces, his remains scattering into dust.

"Aizen…."

"You did it, Hime-chan! We….finally did it…..!" Yachiru cheered and swung her friend around in a circle, giggling like a mad woman.

"Yachiru…."

Yachiru opened her eyes and gasped…..she noticed the cracks on Orihime's face.

"No…..H-Hime-chan…..!"

"Yachiru, remember what we said? We have to believe in each other."

"But….."

"I have the support of Soul Society. They trust me to win…and if they believe it so, then as God, I suppose it's only fair….I come back to greet them…."

She gently pushed Yachiru away, who was being sucked away into a new portal.

"HIME-CHAN!"

"You'll see me in a sec, Yachiru." She giggled. "As well as Ichigo and the others. Just wait, okay?"

"But…"

Yachiru held out her hand.

"…..do you promise?"

Orihime took her hand and smiled.

"…..I do."

Yachiru released her grip and waved, watching her disappear as the portal took her away. Orihime closed her eyes and put her hands to her pins.

"I cannot die here….my friends need me…..everyone…..needs me….."

And with the last of her power, supported by the collected focus of the residents of Soul Society, Orihime Inoue stopped the cracks from shattering her own body.

With one small price.

"…"

She took the pins off her head and stared at them.

"Orihime….."

The healer looked up…..and she saw six familiar faces: Lily, Ayame, Shun'o, Baigon, Hinagiku, and Tsubaki. All of them had materialized in front of her…..albeit, with cracks of their own.

"E-Everyone….is it really y-you…..?!"

"Yep!" Lily said with a big smile. "Orihime…..you did it. You finally did it."

"You're…..not speaking as one…you're not acting all calm and calculated….oh…it's a miracle."

"You've got it wrong, Orihime." Hinagiku said. "We were able to turn back…..because you willed it so. Our power….that's what it is all about."

"You're right…..it's done much more than simple healing and barriers…..but….what happens now?"

The six fairies all shared a frown.

"Well…..there must be a price, Orihime." Ayame said quietly. "You managed to stop your own destruction, but…..we were still part of the process. Like the Hogyoku…..our equal…..we must fade as well."

"But…."

Orihime fell to her knees. She smiled, but it was accompanied by a fresh round of tears.

"All of you have done so much for me. And now that I finally have you back…..I have to say goodbye?"

"We're sorry, Orihime." Shun'o said. "But there is no more rejection to be had. At least our powers were able to do something for all of the souls out there…Soul Society will certainly change now, right?"

"Yeah. But…..you all worked as hard as I did."

"Nah." Baigon began. "You're the master, Orihime. Everything went according to your will. We were just followin' orders! Sorry we…..um, tried to take you over."

Now each fairy looked like they were about to shatter, like Aizen.

"Don't be sorry. The Hogyoku corrupted you all."

"Woman."

Orihime glanced at Tsubaki – the most hot-blooded of the group and the one that used to hate her passive nature, because it inhibited his attacks.

Not anymore.

"…..Thanks. For everything. At least we can go out as ourselves, and not slaves. Looks like you gained a spine after all, hmm?"

He smirked under his bandanna.

"E-Everyone…."

Orihime bowed her head, tears falling harder.

"Thank you…..for helping me get this far! Without all of you…..I would be useless…..I wouldn't be able to save and protect all of my friends…..I OWE YOU ALL!"

"You don't owe us anything." Lily winked.

Orihime looked up.

Each fairy held out a hand and smiled.

"You were our friend. And that's what friends do to each other."

"Lily…."

"Take care of yourself, Orihime. Your brother would be proud."

"Shun'o…"

"We'll never forget you, no matter what happens."

"Hinagiku….."

"Good luck in everything to come. Make sure you don't let that strawberry kid get away!"

"Baigon….."

"May fortune shine on you and all of your friends."

"Ayame…."

"Stop crying, woman. Don't you know? This ain't the end of an era…it's the start of a new one. And you're strong. You won't walk down the road alone."

"T-Tsubaki….."

Each fairy closed their eyes….and with a last smile, all of them shattered into pieces.

"Everyone!"

Orihime banged her head on the ground…..and even though she was crying as hard as she did when Tatsuki died, she was also happy.

"I won't forget you all! I promise!"

She was happy her friends served her until the end.

The space around her soon shattered to pieces as well.


"Oooh….."

Yachiru Kusajishi opened her eyes and sat up. She seemed to be on a flight of steps. A quick look down, and she noticed the heart symbols had faded. Her zanpakutou was her own, not Ichigo's.

Speaking of, the other five apostles were standing over her.

"You okay, Yachiru?"

"HEY!" She shouted, standing up. "You're all okay!"

"Yeah…." Tatsuki rubbed her head. "We kinda woke up here a few seconds before you did. What is this place?"

"It has to be…..the Royal Realm." Uryu said, looking at the structures before his eyes.

Yachiru looked at her friends carefully. Nemu and Ichigo looked completely normal, but….she couldn't sense any Quincy reiatsu on Uryu. Chad's arms weren't transformed.

And Tatsuki no longer had a bone collar.

"Everyone….."

"Yachiru." Nemu reached down to hug her small friend. "I'm glad you're safe. What has happened?"

"I….killed that Bach guy. And Aizen broke into pieces."

"What?" Uryu said, turning around. "You….did?"

"Yep! We can put flowers out for your dad, Pencil. He wouldn't hate Shinigami now, right?"

"…..No." The archer smiled. "He….would not."

"Where's Orihime?" Ichigo asked.

"Ah, guests!"

Ichibe Hyosube had appeared at the top of the stairs. He gestured for them to follow.

"Welcome, welcome….to the Royal Realm! Do you folks want some tea or some coffee? Maybe some sparkling mineral water?"

"We would like our friend." Tatsuki said.

"…..ah. Then follow me."

The Soul King palace was truly a magnificent structure. Its gold and silver colors made it akin to some kind of treasure (which is was), and it was much much larger than the Seireitei itself! The six apostles were led through the large double doors into the foyer.

"Wooow…..!"

"So, um…..Orihime's okay, right?" Ichigo asked.

"Do not worry, substitute! Your girlfriend is a-okay!"

"…..the peace sign has two fingers, not three."

Chad and Uryu were looking at the vases and pieces of art on the walls. Yachiru was doing cartwheels.

"Come, come! We can do a tour later."

Ichibe led the group up a particularly long flight of stairs.

"The Soul King…." Ichigo whispered. "Aizen wanted to kill this guy. I'm….not sure if he'll be that much welcoming of Orihime."

"But she saved him, Ichi! Maybe he's her biggest fan!"

"Yes and no." Ichibe called out.

"Don't eavesdrop!"

"What happened to the other….Stern Ritters?" Uryu asked Yachiru.

"Oh…..they disappeared. But they were happy. Happy I finally killed him."

"Yeah, that Juha Bach was a nasty one. Glad it worked out well!"

"Stop eavesdropping!"

The vassal grinned as he stopped at a golden door.

"Well…..here we are!"

"The Soul King is behind….this door?" Chad asked.

"Yep! As soon as we take the elevator and go down 53 more hallways!"

The entire group (except Yachiru and Nemu) deadpanned.

XXXXX

Eventually the seven reached the mighty throne room of Reio, who was still floating in the orb. The other members of the Royal Guard met them at the door.

"Welcome." Shutara said, dusting off Ichigo's shihakusho. "Reio-sama has been expecting you all."

"Where's Orihime?" Tatsuki asked.

"Hey, hey….you'd better leave that attitude at the door, friend." Nimaiya said. "You gotta be respectful in this situation."

"Where's Orihime?" Ichigo asked this time.

"What did he say, you damned punk…." Kirinji scowled. "You want to die, or something?"

"Where's Hime-chan?" Now it was Yachiru's turn.

"Um…..o-over there." The former 12th Division Captain pointed forward. Orihime was indeed there, lying unconscious on the floor before Reio.

"ORIHIME!"

The six ran over to her, and Ichigo tried to shake her awake.

"Orihime! Wake up! It's us!"

Cease your actions, Ichigo Kurosaki.

He stopped, having heard the regal voice inside his head. Reio had spoken to him….telepathically. The voice – much like the Hogyoku – was of indeterminate gender.

"…"

Stand at attention, the five of you.

They did.

Welcome to the Royal Realm. I….am the Soul King. It is a truly a pleasure for you to meet me.

"This guy's kinda arrogant, huh?" Ichigo whispered, earning a smack from all five members of the Royal Guard. Shutara's was the most painful.

I have been waiting to meet you all…if you're here….that is proof Juha Bach and Sosuke Aizen are no more. The war between the Gotei 13, the Arrancar, and the Vandenreich….has finally concluded.

"It….is." Uryu said. "But…..there's a catch?"

Perceptive, Uryu Ishida. I know of all of you, and all of your exploits. I must thank you for felling both of those men, as they were the threat to my existence…..my son especially.

"Wait. Aizen was-"

Not him.

The six apostles looked stunned.

"How…..did….."

That is a story for another time. I must address the issues at hand. It is true the Gotei has won…..but the cost…..was astronomical. Do you know what happened to Hueco Mundo?

"Mayuri blew it up." Yachiru said casually.

Exactly. By blow it up…..his Arrancar's explosion decimated the entire dimension and vaporized countless Hollows. That's thousands of souls – removed from the cycle.

"That's why….the false world broke." Chad said.

That is another thing. Surely all of you are aware of what went behind the creation of that world?

"Mustachio did his magic!"

Tessai Tsukabishi and Hachigen Ushoda created the world, knowing full well it would result in their demise…..as asserting one's self as a God…..is forbidden. They sealed Soul Society and the Living World away.

"But if they didn't do that, Aizen would've destroyed more souls!"

I am not blind, Ichigo Kurosaki. But there was no consequence-less alternative. And you have all freed a lot of souls from the mass slaying of Hollows and Arrancar…..they're currently in limbo until we can put the worlds back.

"But….that does not correct what has happened." Nemu said.

Yes, Nemu Kusamiya. There are more souls lost than souls saved in this battle. And I will have to do a lot to prevent the worlds from crumbling when I put them back…..

The figure's eyes drifted to Orihime.

Did you know she has changed the foundation of Soul Society? She asked for the cooperation of all of the beings inside, stabilizing herself and increasing her power. But she herself….has done something. Reject….all associated with Aizen.

"Huh?" Ichigo asked dumbly.

All of you – including the two world creators and Kisuke Urahara – have done wanton actions and destroyed the stability of the worlds. The status quo….has been challenged. In my eyes….that is heresy.

"W-What?" Tatsuki looked down at Orihime. "What does that mean?"

Orihime Inoue is the top culprit in my eyes. She….will be removed from the cycle as punishment.

Everyone in the room widened their eyes.

"No…." Ichigo shook his head. "You can't. She was just trying to protect everyone! How could you hate her for that?!"

"At ease, substitute…."

Hate? That is an emotion for mortals. I am immoral. It is the acceptable course of action.

"There must be another way." Uryu said firmly. "Destroying her….will not fix the problems you'll have."

Correct. But like others, she has asserted herself as God and challenged the fabric of reality on a whim. That is too dangerous for me to continue her existence.

"No."

Yachiru stepped forward and glared at Reio.

"She did all of that just to bring her friend home. She didn't want to be a God. She….wasn't trying to kill you."

….

"She's powerless….isn't she?"

The other five looked down at Orihime. The pins, given to her by Sora Inoue, were completely gone.

….Yes. Orihime Inoue currently has no powers to speak of, including Uryu Ishida and Yasutora Sado.

"What?!" Ichigo looked up. "Guys…."

"Don't fret, Kurosaki. We….were focusing on Yachiru to give her the strength to win."

"It was the price to pay." Chad said.

"So there HAS to be another way!" Yachiru shouted. "She made a promise to her friends, and she would never break it! Please…."

She bowed her head.

"She's been suffering for so long. She had to kill, she had to destroy….not because she wanted to, but because she had to. So if you really want to destroy her….let me go with her."

"Me too." Nemu said, stepping forward. "I will not let Yachiru and Orihime-san be destroyed alone."

"Do the same to me as well." Uryu said, stepping forward. "After all, I am a Quincy, no? Perhaps it is fate all of us are to be wiped out."

"Hey….you kids don't need to do that." Ichibe said.

Now it was Tatsuki's turn.

"There's no way in hell I'm going to keep on if Orihime is going to…..be removed. Take me too."

Chad followed suit.

"I want to be destroyed as well. I…never leave my friends."

And Ichigo did the same.

"Orihime's given up so much to make sure we're safe. She will NEVER be alone. So what are you waiting for, Soul King? Destroy the six of us…..right now."

"Kurosaki!" Shutara shouted. "Are you insane?!"

The lynchpin looked at each figure, all of which were staring firmly back at it.

…..I see. So you wish to share the blame?

"Yeah. Spare Sandal Hat and the others if you can." Yachiru whispered.

….And you wish to order me around?

"….."

The Soul King looked pensive, and finally spoke again.

Very well. I did not think you would all be so willing to sacrifice yourselves to do this. There….can be an alternate method, since you have impressed me thus far.

The six apostles smiled.

Yachiru Kusajishi and Nemu Kusamiya…..the two of you are already Shinigami, so this does not apply to you.

"Huh?"

But Ichigo Kurosaki and the others….all of you were leading human lives before this happened….and despite that, you have been involved in the affairs of the Gotei 13 for a while.

"….."

You must give back. If you truly want to avoid destruction…then I sentence the five of you to spend the rest of your existences serving and protecting souls.

"What does that mean?"

I am not completely heartless. You may….finish high school, or whatever the term is….and spend the remaining time in the Living World. Then the day comes…..your bodies will expire.

The insignia of the Soul King appeared on the palms of Ichigo, Uryu, Chad, Tatsuki, and Orihime.

And from there…..you will spend the rest of your existences in the Soul Society. You must work to rebuild and ensure that this war will NEVER happen again.

"…what about me?" Tatsuki asked. "I….died."

Yes, and it seems Orihime Inoue actually managed to eject the souls you devoured from your person, changing you from a Minus to a Plus. But you have still died in the human sense, so…..you cannot go back to Karakura.

Tatsuki closed her eyes and smiled.

"So that's it, huh? Well….at least I'll have the others…."

In fact, I extend the sentence.

Reio's eyes flashed, and several of the symbols had appeared on Orihime's person.

"What the hell?!"

The Arrancar that survived, as well as the Vandenreich members that did not die…..the same shall befall them. To erase their guilt of working with Sosuke Aizen and Juha Bach, they must also join the Gotei. If they refuse, they shall be destroyed as well.

"Heh….I don't think they'd say no." Yachiru smiled.

"But…where is everyone?"

The remaining members of the Gotei 13 that fought are recovering in my hot springs. I can see, from the figures sent back to Soul Society…..Orihime Inoue has done the same Minus to Plus process to Neliel Tu Oderschvank, Grimmjow Jaegarjaques, Loly Aivirrne, and Menoly Mallia.

"Wow….!"

And the same shall happen to Tia Harribel, Coyote Stark, Lilinette Gingerback, Emilou Apache, Franceska Mila-Rose, and Cyan Sun-Sun. It was purely because of my kindness that I did not kill them when they arrived in my world.

"…."

Do you accept the sentence…apostles?

All of them nodded.

Good. I sense that the process to make them all Shinigami will become accelerated, and that is ideal – the ranks of the Gotei 13 must be rebuilt. On this day, I-

"Excuse me."

Everyone turned to Yachiru.

"Yes?"

"…..can we go see our friends?"

I….don't see why not, but-

Yachiru and Nemu quickly ran out of the room.

"Wait! Guys!" Ichigo shouted.

"Let them go, Ichigo." Tatsuki said. "The SWA…..never leaves a member behind."


Back in Soul Society, the sky had turned back to normal, catching the eye of everyone across the world.

"Hey….!"

"What happened?"

"What did Inoue-san do?"

Karin and Yuzu noticed it as well, but they finally found their cousin.

"Ganju! Are you okay?"

"Me? I'm fine! You guys….heard all of that, right?"

"Yeah." Karin said. "Orihime-chan protected all of us…..and I think…..we won?"

"Then…..we just have to wait for Kukaku, Ichigo, and Uncle Isshin to come back. You….think they will?"

Both twins smiled at looked at each other.

"Of course." They said together.


"Man…there's some cute girls soaking it up." One of Kirinji's servants remarked. "Some of them have some big boobs!"

"Boobs? Pfft, who cares about that?" The other servant said. "Everyone knows butts are the way to go! Look!" He pointed at Rukia floating on the surface. "Hers is like a peach!"

"You're nuts! Boobs are the best!"

"No, butts!"

"Boobs!"

"Butts!"

Both servants perked up when they heard frantic footsteps. They turned to see Yachiru and Nemu running towards them.

"Hey! How did you two find this place?!"

They didn't answer.

"You two can't be in here! The Gotei is still recover-"

Yachiru punched the left servant while Nemu punched the right, knocking them both out. Despite being dry and healed, both jumped into the water.

The hot spring was massive, but they could find each member with ease.

"Here's Ruki-Ruki!" Yachiru swam and grabbed the Kuchiki, and peeked down. "Oooh, I see someone else!" She dove down.

"Isane-san…." Nemu grabbed the Kotetsu and looked around. "And Rangiku-san…."

Yachiru came up to the surface, now holding the naked Rukia and Momo.

"Here's Peaches!"

Nemu swam and dove herself, coming up with Nanao.

"Nanao-san."

Both swam around the spring, passing by Jushiro Ukitake, Shunsui Kyoraku, Hanataro Yamada, Akon, Kukaku Shiba, Izuru Kira, Yasochika Iemura, Tetsuzaemon Iba, Marechiyo Omaeda, Ikkaku Madarame, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Renji Abarai, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and others.

"Here's Bee-chan!" Yachiru shouted, finding the captain by the edge of the spring.

Nemu dove into the water again and came up with Yoruichi. "Lady Shihouin."

Yachiru turned around and quickly found Kiyone, floating next to Sentaro Kotsubaki. "BLONDIE!"

And finally, Nemu swam past Jinta Hanakari, Ururu Tsugumiya, Lisa Yadomaru, the Tres Bestias, Tia Harribel, Coyote Stark, and Lilinette Gingerback….finding Retsu.

"Captain Unohana….."

Yachiru found Kenpachi and smiled.

"That makes 11!"

Both climbed out of the spring – their hair and uniforms soaked to the marrow now - and set down the members of the SWA on the ground.

"They look so peaceful….." Yachiru whispered.

"…..Rangiku-san's leg…."

"We should wake them up, Nemu-chan!"

"Yes. But how?"

Yachiru dug into her robes, fishing around. "Let's see….ah HA!"

She still had her air horn. So she did the only logical thing and squeezed the pump, waking up the 9 members up with a start.

"Hello, everyone." Nemu smiled.

"Y-Yachiru….?! Nemu….?!" Nanao looked around and promptly covered herself with her hands. "W-Why are we naked?!" Her glasses were gone.

Isane shrieked and covered herself as well, blushing like a fiend.

"You're all okay…." Yachiru smiled and hugged each member, not perturbed at all by their mass nudity.

"Yachiru…..what happened?" Retsu asked, her braid in its usual position. "Why…..are you both soaked?"

"More importantly, why are we naked?!" Soi repeated, covering herself too.

"Oh you were taking a bath." Yachiru said casually. "I did say the SWA should do that together one day, but Nan-Nan and Bee-chan weren't so fond of the idea…"

"Yachiru!" Rukia shouted. "What happened to Ichigo and the others?"

"They're fine!"

"And….Inoue?" Yoruichi asked. She was the only one that really didn't mind that she was naked. Clothes were always troublesome to her.

"She's SUPER fine! And best of all…..Aizen's gone! That Bach guy's gone too! We did it!"

"What?!" Kiyone gasped and looked into the spring where the others were still unconscious. "But….are you sure?"

"Yes." Nemu said. "We have fulfilled our promise, everyone. We can go home, back to our friends….together."

"Nemu-san….." Momo frowned. "Will the others…..be alright?"

"All of those in the spring will recover fully. This war…is over."

Each member looked at each other. Then at Yachiru and Nemu. Both were smiling in the same fashion and both looked completely happy.

"Soooo….." Rangiku squinted. "What happens now?"

Yachiru giggled and ran back towards the spring.

"Let's have that pool fun we never had with Byakushi's house! Cannonball!"

She jumped into the hot water as well, coming back to the surface and spitting up a stream of water. She giggled again and splashed around.

"Come on girls! Last one back in has to wear the rookie headband when we go home!"

"I don't believe it…..she's smiling, even now." Soi whispered. "After all that has happened….."

"That's our President."

Heads turned to Nemu.

"She is the one that will protect us until the very end, no matter what the cost is. She…..is our friend. Quirks and all."

Nemu ran towards the edge and jackknifed into the water.

"Aww what the hell!"

Yoruichi ran towards the edge and dove into the water.

"This is insanity….but if we truly won….."

Nanao ran towards the edge and flipped into the water.

"I guess….it's all over…."

Rukia ran towards the edge and trust fell into the water.

"Heh….race you in, Isane!"

Kiyone ran towards the edge and backflipped into the water.

"Oh…..why not, right?"

Isane ran towards the edge and cartwheeled into the water.

"Help me, Hinamori. Let's make a splash!"

Momo helped Rangiku stand and the two hobbled over, jumping regularly into the water.

"Tch…I suppose if you can't beat them….you join them."

Soi ran towards the edge and spun in a 360 degree arc into the water.

"Oh my…..I feel so young when I'm with these girls…."

Retsu ran towards the edge and belly-flopped into the water.

"I'm gonna get you, Nemu-chan!"

"Kiyone, stop splashing me!"

"Let's see who can hold our breath the longest, bee!"

As the servants laid on the ground, still passed out…..the members of the SWA were laughing and cheering as they played in the water. It was perhaps the first activity they had done in a while that wasn't connected to war or battle.

"Chicken! Chicken!"

"Okay, okay….let's do Isane-chan and Nemu-chan on the bottom!"

It was an activity where for a few moments, they forgot about all they had lost, all they had done, and all they had caused.

"Hinamori, get on her shoulders!"

"2 minutes! Beat that, Soi!"

And focused on what was truly important.

"Heehee! This water feels so good! Maybe we should get the whole Gotei to play!"

"C-Captain Unohana! That would be chaos!"

The fact that they had each other.

FIN

Ending notes: Well...this concludes the battle. I really like how it turned out - both Aizen and Bach being utterly dumbfounded by the outcome. I do enjoy when masterminds start to break, don't you?

Aizen's demise was something I had planned out for a while, and in my eyes - THIS would've made him a more compelling villain in the manga - doing what he did to invite change, but extremist change, to the way things were done. It would've made him a little more believable then inserting some half-baked notion that "he wanted to be weak".

The Soul King sentence was also something that I had planned for a while. So everyone named...they're safe! No more deaths, everyone. We're ending this fic on a bright note, after so many chapters of pain. But wait, isn't there more to all of this? Of course, but wait for the epilogue. I do have finals coming up, and I want to write another chapter of my other two fics, so expect this to take some time - I want to make sure I'm happy with it.

Next time - SWA reaches its conclusion.