I'm uploading the last two chapters together. This is the last one. The previous is the longer one with all the fights :)
It was over.
But not really.
Ichigo had seen Yhwach as the father figure that was missing from his life when he was kidnapped and forced into the Lichtreicht. His memories had been cleared, and only returned as he got older. But that man. That ancient Quincy, turned out to be the worst person he's ever, and will ever encounter. He trusted him. He believed in him. And in the end, he participated in the plot to kill him.
The time after the death of the emperor was chaotic to say the least. Whatever Quincy that was still loyal to the Wandenreich, was killed. Many of course did not give up their will to fight. However, many of those were not Sternritter. During Yhwach's last moments, he used his Auswählen to get rid of any Quincy he could in order to increase his own power.
Gerard Valkryrie and Haschwalth were the last have their lives consumed.
The only ex-Sternritter still alive were:
Sternritter "S" Kurosaki Ichigo
Sternritter "A" Uryu Ishida
Sternritter "E" Bambietta Basterbine
A clone of Sternritter "V" Gremmy Thoumeaux
Sternritter "H" Bazz-B
And Sternritter "D" Askin Nakk Le Vaar
All of the other friends he had.
Liltotto. Candice. Cang. Meninas. NaNaNa. Shaz.
Consumed.
Taken.
And so, the war ended.
Ichigo was now the de facto leader of whatever Quincy were left and didn't want to fight. A peace treaty was formally engaged. It was difficult, to say the least. The Shinigami had suffered a lot on their own. With many of their best warrior's dead. But this war solidified whatever tension between the races there were. The biggest concern was the balancing of the world. Ichigo guaranteed the transfer of the Lichtreicht into a new world. One more akin to Hueco Mundo or Soul Society. That way the Shinigami can know the Quincy aren't literally living within their shadows.
The new leader of the Shinigami, Kuchiki Byakuya, was not someone who enjoyed compromise. But with the weakening of the Shinigami, he felt he had another choice. As long as the Quincy kept in their own world, and didn't upset the balance of souls, then peace can be established. Ichigo had asked the "Visionary" to help rebuild whatever he could for the Shinigami. Just a basic sign of solidarity.
As for the Soul King, it was complicated. The Mimihagi had used its power to restructure Yhwach into the same strange encasing that the Soul King had been placed into. It had also infused itself into the former emperor. That way, the Mimihagi can use the body as a catalyst in order to keep the world from collapsing.
After everything that was settled accordingly, the question had to be asked.
What are they going to do now?
"So, why didn't you go back to the human world?"
Ichigo hesitated before acknowledging the question. He looked down and continued doing what he was already doing. Digging a hole into the ground. It wasn't a fun job, but it was one someone had to do. It's not like the hole was deep. It was just deep enough to where he could throw in deceased body in it. Someone had to take back the corpses of his fallen comrades. And he felt that job should be him. Eventually, he finished and looked over.
It was Giselle.
He sighed, "You're dead."
This image of Giselle shrugged, "So?"
"I wish you weren't."
"Better hope Bambi-chan doesn't hear that."
That's right, she was dead.
"Just tell me."
The now older Quincy clenched his fist, "You know why. It just… wasn't the right time. I thought if I fought for Yhwach, if I did what I had to do, I would go back there and everything would be. Everything would be there the way it was when I left."
Giselle then asked, "So, what happened?"
Ichigo felt a pinch of pain in his chest, "The world moves on. With or without you. I didn't fit there. It was just childish to believe I could just go back and everything would be, everything would be the same. Here… I belong here. This is where I grew up. My home is the Lichtreicht." It was the truth. He was naïve, "And my dad… he's still gone. My sisters are still too young. It will be a long, long time before they or I can forgive myself for that."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He knew the answer wasn't because she asked, "Because you're the only one I could ever talk to like this. The only one who would ever listen."
Giselle made a sad smile, "But, what about Bambi-Chan?"
He smiled, "I love her. I would be… lost without her. Sometimes I just want to walk away from all this. Just go to Hueco Mundo and roam the desert for all eternity. But then I remember she would be very upset if I did." She would be more than upset, but Giselle knew the idea, "I'm going to ask her to marry me someday." He confessed.
A sigh was heard, "Yeah… that was the only part of the plan that went wrong. I'm supposed to be wearing that ring." Even though she was dead, she could still make him feel guilty, "We were going to rule others, love each other, have kids, and be happy. But that Bambi-chan… you never told me you were interested in her! Not once!" He never told anyone who he was interested in. It was his own preference.
"How long are you going to be stalking me?"
"Until you forgive yourself for everything. And are able to move on."
Was he losing his mind? More than likely. But he wasn't complaining about it. Even if she is dead, he still wishes to have her help. Her guidance. She always knew what to do when he was growing up in the Wandenreich. She had all the answer, she was a source of reliance. But he was independent now. No longer can she hold his hand through life.
The world moves on.
The world had moved on. It was different. It was better.
The Lichtreicht had been "moved". It was no longer hiding within the shadows of the Seireitei but now in its own dimension like Hueco Mundo. This was not an easy task. Gremmy and Ichigo had been the architects of this move and it put their abilities to the test. Luckily, the "older" Quincy was strongly proficient in the use of shadows. Once this transfer was complete, the land was free. It no longer had to be afraid of being exposed to the rest of the universe.
The only rule of course being they cannot intentionally venture off and kill Hollows. There were Shinigami stationed in this new world in order to control the Hollows. Some Quincy objected, Ichigo didn't mind it. It built trust. Solidarity. Unity.
Quincy could only "kill" Hollow in self-defense. Other than that, a simple bind of the creature could save its soul from being destroyed.
It was great system which built relations between all three worlds. Something the Quincy could be proud of.
At the center of the Lichtreicht was Silbern. This was where the new "emperor" of the Quincy resided. Even though said emperor did not enjoy having such a title.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
Emperor of all Quincy in the Lichtreicht. His job was enforcing order throughout the land, and improving daily lives for Quincy who had no interest in becoming fighters. No conscription meant labor had more hands, no tribal wars meant stability ensured. With stability came safety, with safety came trade. With trade came an economy. With an economy came economic improvement for everyone.
As self-righteous as It sounds, he loved it. If there was one thing about Yhwach he admired, it was the fact that he was the father to everyone who was lost. Everyone who needed a place to be, a purpose. He couldn't lie about it anymore. He didn't want to be Yhwach, but he did want to have his status. To be that admired figure who could change things.
It was his hidden desire. One that he didn't realize until after the war had ended. Long after.
No one really missed Yhwach. Ichigo was a local hero. From the slums of burned down villages to killing Yhwach. He had local support, and personally led Sternritter to quell whatever issues the towns in the Lichtreicht were facing. It was fulfilling. It was a purpose. All of his former Sternritter comrades had stayed. It was also there home. Only Uryu Ishida had returned to his origin, and is now living his life to the fullest. They still communicate.
"They're coming."
He looked over to the edge and smiled, "It's good to see you. It's been a while."
Giselle smiled back, "Yeah. It has. I can't believe you did it all. It feels like just yesterday you were digging a hole in the ground to store body's into."
"It took 10 years for this. 10 long… painful years. But I couldn't have done it without you."
"Yes, you could have, because you did."
Ichigo brushed aside her reply, "I feel better. I feel good. I'm… happy."
The subconscious figure laughed and then frowned, "I guess you don't need me anymore then!"
He quickly shot back, "I will always need you..."
"And I'll always be there for you."
…
"Who are you talking to?"
He turned around and was faced with a familiar presence, "No one, Bambi." She looked at him with a hint of suspicion, but was in too good of a mood to persist. The Sternritter had changed throughout the years. Her hair was shorter, and was tied up. She wore more trendy winter clothing and no longer sported her old hat.
He walked up to her and grabbed her right hand. She was skeptical, but allowed him to kiss her the top off her hand. He didn't let go, "No, no, no." Bambietta pulled back, "Not this again. I know what you're trying to do."
Ichigo was hurt, "And what am I trying to do?"
She answered, "You know what you're doing. And the answer… is no." He pretended to be offended, "You think it's funny being pregnant? Three kids. And it doesn't get any easier."
The emperor laughed, "And where are those kids now?"
"Hunting with Bazz."
"So… we're all alone?"
"Yep. And it's going to be just you if you don't-"
Ichigo held her face and softly placed his lips onto hers. It never got old.
After defeating Yhwach, Ichigo really struggled with his place in the universe. He didn't want to believe his home was in the Lichtreicht. But it did not take long for him to realize why coming here was worth it. She wanted to be here. She was his new home outside the Wandenreich. The answer was so simple but he was just so oblivious to it. The hugs, the kisses, the cuddling, the sex, the intimacy, the love. It kept them together through the war, and it kept them together when they struggled to wonder what purpose they had in life. Her purpose was for him, and his purpose was for her. To be their for each other. To live. To be happy.
She wasn't as lonely as she was before. She wasn't as angry as she was before. She wasn't as emotionally dependent as before. Bambietta Basterbine had grown up as well. Even though sometimes Ichigo would intentionally push her buttons because of how much he enjoyed seeing her… dominate side.
"How long before someone bothers us?"
*KNOCK*
Ichigo sighed but refused to let her go, "You just had to jinx it…"
"Come in." He said with a hint of annoyance.
Peeking through the door was a lone Soldat, "Kurosaki-sama, a Shinigami has requested your audience."
His eyes widen, "What Shinigami?"
"He referred to himself as Urahara Kisuke."
The now adult Quincy looked toward his wife with surprise. She said, "Let's go!" Ichigo nodded and the two brushed passed the Soldat. It was rare to actually meet any Shinigami. But this man, he was always priority. He used his power to quickly traverse through Silbern. Taking Bambietta with him. The two appear at the first floor and eagerly approach the giant doors which separate the fortress from the Lichtreicht.
"Kurosaki-san, Bambi-Chan, it is good to see you two!" Urahara Kisuke. The man who never ages. It is to be expected considering he is a Shinigami, "I don't want to waist much time with our reunion. I think you have another one which is more pressing." Ichigo nodded, "It's time, Kurosaki-san."
"They're here."
The emperor gave him a confident smirk before approaching the exit.
"What's wrong?" Bambietta asked, noticing his sudden stop.
"I… I don't know…" Ichigo replied, "For some reason, I'm worried what might be out there." Bambietta knew what was wrong. But this it. The thing he has been wanting for so, so long. The last thing in his mind which is holding him back.
She grabbed his hand, "We're going outside."
They're here.
They're here.
"They're coming!" Giselle Stated
He opened the door.
There they were.
Both of them. Much older than when he had last seen them. He was worried on how it would go, but he couldn't dwell on it any longer. They're here.
"Karin…Yuzu…"
"You're here…"
Ichigo and Bambietta approached the two cautiously.
Urahara watched with a smile as the large doors of Silbern closed. Leaving the family together.
Long at last.
I can say so much, so much. But I don't think a huge A/N is necessary.
I apologize if the Yhwach fight was bs and didn't show much of Ichigo. Yhwach is OP, like, really fucking OP. It was hard coming up with a way to kill him that wasn't bullshit.
The ending does feel bittersweet to me, which is how I feel all endings should be. You should feel somewhat regretful? Sad? Strong melancholy? I don't know how to describe it but I'm just glad I finished what I started, even though it wasn't the ending I probably originally intended.
I started this in December 2016. It is not 9/8/2020. Time on this website is scary. Very scary. I don't like being reminded of how long it has been.
But I'm glad people stuck around and reviewed all the time. I may not directly PM you every time, but I do read every review because it is a strong sense of motivation.
This is probably not the end for me on this site. I do intent to "rewrite" Three Powers when the anime returns (I'll have enough energy for it). In the mean time, I may write some OneShots/Short stories. I had this idea of [AU] Ichigo being a cop and Bambietta is his partner etc (inspired from another story) but we'll see.
I will also likely "revamp" Three Powers chapters. Since I know the grammar/spelling is even worse than in this story.
I hope you're all healthy and happy.
This is not goodbye, because it is not the end. Just till next time, cya.