Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Tales of the Abyss.

Next Phase

Seigen was in Yamamoto's office within the First Division Barracks with Yamamoto sitting down in his desk.

"So what did you want to see me about Captain Suzunami?" Yamamoto asked.

"I want to ask you about Yhwach," Seigen replied.

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes at the 10th Division Captain.

"Why do you want to know?" Yamamoto asked.

"You fought him many centuries ago," Seigen said, "surely you know what he was like, you know how to deal with him and all that."

"Seigen, you've been doing some investigation about him for decades," Yamamoto said.

"Well I wasn't exactly trying to hide the fact sir," Seigen replied, "I want to know all that you know about the one known as the Father of the Quincy."

"There is nothing to tell you," Yamamoto responded.

"No sir, I don't believe that's true," Seigen responded back, "Captain-Commander, surely you know exactly more about this Yhwach."

"You should just concentrate with what is going right now," Yamamoto said, "not something or someone who may or may not ever appear."

"There is a Quincy song that speaks of the sealed king," Seigen said, "and according to that song, the seal will be broken would regain his heart after 900 years. 90 years after that, his intellect will return and 9 years afterwards, his power would return and in order to do that, he will steal the powers from impure Quincy."

"I am aware of that song of the Quincies," Yamamoto said.

"It's something to take seriously though," Seigen insisted, "and with everything that I have read and investigated on, there is no doubt that he will return and when he does, he will attack the Soul Society, attack the Seireitei."

Yamamoto was silent and thought about what Seigen was telling him.

"Sir, what are the measures we have when the Quincy King attacks?" Seigen asked, "We should be ready when that time comes."

"If it happens, we'll deal with it," Yamamoto said.

"So we have nothing," Seigen replied with a sigh and shook his head, "With all due respect Captain-Commander but that makes it easy for him to invade and crush us. In fact, it just makes it easy for our enemies."

"We'll repel against them," Yamamoto said, "it's as simple as that. There is nothing to worry about. We will stand our ground and defend the Seireitei, the Soul Society as a whole."

"We need have coordination with other divisions of the Gotei 13 and even with the Onmitsukido and the Kido Corps," Seigen suggested, "have plans and measures for our defenses and offenses should enemies attack us and the Seireitei."

Yamamoto looked at Seigen and then thought about what had occurred nine and half centuries ago and he faced and fought against Yhwach.

"If not with Yhwach, then at least something we can do to improve our defenses and have better ways to counter attack against our enemies," Seigen said, "With that…"

Yamamoto continued to listen to what the 10th Division Captain was telling and took serious mental note with what was red headed captain was telling him. Meanwhile the advance students were back from their field training in the Human World. The students were pleased with themselves with the results of the training and thanked the six-year students for their guidance. Luke was among the six-year students pleased. Later on, Luke was meeting with Onabara and Luke had a sad expression as Onabara looked concerned.

"An Arrancar," Onabara said.

"Yes sir," Luke said, "the Arrancar showed up…"

Luke explained what had happened when he faced Asch although he did not give much detail about Asch and the reason he appeared. He just told that the confrontation with the Arrancar and his teacher listening in. Afterwards, Luke was leaving the classroom and bowed to his teacher and left. It was then he met up with Guy and Ion. Luke nodded and went to his friends. They ended up at the exterior area of one of the training halls.

"So that was surprising that Asch would show up," Guy said.

"Yeah it really was," Luke said, "and it seems that he just will not let go his resentment."

"Asch has become an Arrancar," Ion said, "in which he has become our enemy."

"He was always our enemy," Guy said with a frown.

"Still it's me he is after," Luke said, "and I can tell that he won't stop. No, he won't stop until I'm dead. He wants to kill me like he did back in Yulia City."

"You don't need to worry Luke," Guy assured, "I won't let it happen."

"Thanks Guy," Luke replied, "but please don't feel that you have to."

"I do, I'm responsible for this," Guy said, "after all I'm the one who took his life."

"You did it out of retaliation," Ion pointed out, "and besides, Asch is the one who killed Luke and it was unfair for Luke to be blamed for everything."

"Hey guys," Senna called out.

"We've been looking for you guys," Momo said.

The three guys looked and saw Senna, Momo, Renji, and Izuru.

"Oh hi," Luke said waving at them.

"Hi Luke," Senna said, "How are you?"

"I'm okay," Luke said.

"So Luke, Guy, Ion," Renji said, "I'm just going to get to the point."

"You want to know about one called Asch and our connection," Ion deduced.

"Yeah," Izuru said, "can you tell us?"

Guy, Luke, and Ion looked at each and then back to their friends.

"I think it's okay," Ion said, "besides, we know it's just going to happen again."

Luke sighed and rubbed the back of his head and looked at friends and decided to go with it.

"You're right," Luke said and then he turned to Senna, "Senna, I'm going to tell you to full story of myself… well not just me, with Guy and Ion as well."

"We know it's going to be hard to believe but hear us out in what we're about to tell you," Guy said.

Senna, Momo, Renji, and Izuru looked at each other and then looked at their three classmates and friends and sat with them.

"Okay, we're listening," Momo said.

"Okay," Luke said, "myself, Guy, and Ion, we originally were alive and lived in world called Auldrant…"

Luke along with Ion and Guy began to tell their stories of the time in Auldrant, their original world and Luke also spoke of his own origin.

Hueco Mundo

In the sandy plains of the world of Hollows, Asch was on his knee and was panting as he was feeling bitter of what had occurred in the Human World.

"I can't believe that dreck got stronger," Asch said, "he definitely wasn't the same as he was before. But even the Fon Master and that damn fool Guy was there as well. Are they all training to be Shinigami?"

"It seems that you failed," A male voice said.

Asch flinched and then he stood up and turned around to see Arturo.

"Arturo Plateado," Asch said.

"You lost it would seem," Arturo said.

"I did," Asch said, "but it does not matter. I will go back and finish the job. That replica will not be lucky when I face him again."

"No, you won't be doing any of that," Arturo said.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Asch replied confused, "You don't want me to."

"It's not really a question of me not wanting you to do so," Arturo said, "it's the fact that you have such unique power and I want it for myself so that I will get stronger."

"Wait, what?" Asch replied shocked.

"I had you with me for one purpose," Arturo said, "for your powers, that unique power that you possess even when you were a mere Hollow. I didn't care about your… other half and how it would have resulted in your battle. I would only been upset of you lost and died by their hands because it would mean that I would get your power."

Asch stepped back and was shocked in what he was hearing.

"Wait just a damn minute," Asch responded upset, "you're saying that you had every intention to kill me from the very beginning?"

"That's exactly what I just said," Arturo replied, "are you having trouble understanding the words coming out of my mouth?"

"Y-You bastard," Asch growled.

Arturo cracked his knuckles and formed his Beam Saber from his right hand.

"That's enough," Arturo said and then he had a sadistic grin, "now be a good boy and die so that I can get stronger with your unique abilities."

Asch drew his sword and got in a stance, "You think that I'm just going to let you kill just like that?"

"Your compliance isn't a factor to me," Arturo said.

Arturo rushed with speed towards Asch who was shocked seeing how fast Arturo was.

Seireitei, Soul Society

Luke, Guy, and Ion just got through telling Senna, Renji, Momo, and Izuru about themselves and Auldrant. The four listening to them were taking in what they were told and it was taking them some time to digest everything they heard.

"Auldrant…" Izuru said, "Fonons…"

"The Kingdom of Kimlasca…" Momo said, "The Malkuth Empire…"

"The Score… the Outer Land…" Renji said, "the Qliphoth…"

"Yulia Jue," Senna said, "Lorelei… fomicry… replica…"

"This is a lot to take in," Momo said, "the world that you guys came from."

"We know that it's a lot," Luke said, "but it's the truth."

"Oh Luke, we don't doubt you," Senna said, "in fact with what you just told us… yeah, it makes sense and helps me understand."

"So Luke, Ion," Renji said, "You two are… or were, to say you were… replicas."

"Yes we were," Ion said with a nod.

"I was pretty ignorant about it," Luke said with a sad expression, "in fact, I was ignorant about a lot of things," Luke shook his head feeling ashamed, "if you guys had met me in Auldrant with how I was before, you would have been annoyed as hell. I was a selfish spoiled brat."

"And that was my fault," Guy interjected.

"Guy," Luke said.

"Remember what I told you Luke," Guy said, "it was my fault you went from a blank slate to a selfish spoiled kid."

"You still shouldn't hold yourself to everything I did," Luke pointed out, "I'm still responsible for my own actions."

"Luke," Guy spoke.

"How was it that you were responsible for it?" Momo asked.

"He wasn't," Luke insisted.

"I was," Guy rebuked, "You see, when Luke was struggling and didn't have memories, I was the one who looked after him. I never really instill what was proper and what was right and wrong about some things and well as a result…" Guy shook his head, "No, I think it was more of when I thought that Luke was actually the original who was Asch, I figured that it did not matter how he was going to be. The environment that Luke grew up in did not help and there was really one person who would praise him and scold him and had in what it looked… took Luke seriously. Unfortunately, that person did not really care about Luke and only saw him as a tool."

"Yes that would be Van," Ion said with a sad expression, "He caused not only the suffering for Luke but for Asch as well."

"So this Asch," Izuru said to Luke, "he is your… how do you call it? Your original?"

"Yes, as a result of fomicry," Luke said with a nod.

They continued to talk and things were explained further which also included for what had happened after Luke was killed by Asch in Yulia City.

Hueco Mundo

Asch was running with his sword in his hand. He was frustrated that he was actually running for his life.

"I can't believe that this is happening," Asch said angrily, "First Van and now him…"

Asch quickly in instinct moved out of the way as he jumped up when a Cero was fired and Asch landed on his feet. Asch turned around and suddenly, Arturo appeared right behind him. Asch was shocked and tried to counter but he was too slow to react and Arturo struck Asch with his Beam Saber causing the red headed Arrancar fall and tumble on the ground. Asch slowly loomed at Arturo who grinned and moved in on Asch.

"Enough with the pointless struggle," Arturo said.

Asch clenched his teeth in frustration and thought about Van who he was still bitter towards for everything that his former teacher had done and how things were presented him to convince Asch to stay with him.

"It's all the same," Asch said angrily, "I have the worse luck… meanwhile that stupid dreck is living the good life in the Soul Society," Asch shook his head, "No, I won't let things end like this."

The Seventh Fonons suddenly surrounded Asch which surprised Arturo and Asch let out a roar as he placed his hands together and Arturo was surprised as a blast occurred and the sounds from the Seventh Fonons echoed throughout the world of Hollows.

A few days later, Seireitei, Soul Society

The Shin'o Academy was in session and students were walking through the schools heading to where they needed to go for training and/or gaining knowledge. Luke was walking through the hallway with a book in hand. It would not be long for him and his classmates that they would graduate from the academy and move on to be in the one of three military branches of the Soul Society as Shinigami.

"Oh Luke," A familiar male voice called.

Luke stopped and turned and saw that it was Aizen.

"Oh Captain Aizen," Luke greeted.

Aizen approached Luke with a warm and kind smile.

"I had heard what had happened in the Human World," Aizen said, "I just wanted to know if you were okay."

"Oh, you heard about that," Luke replied rubbing the back of his head, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I was surprised to hear that you confronted an Arrancar," Aizen said and then he placed his hand on his chin as he pondered, "In fact, I recalled that you told your homeroom instructor that this Arrancar was after you specifically."

"Y-Yeah, it was," Luke said.

"Why was this Arrancar after you specifically?" Aizen asked.

"Oh um…" Luke said as he shifted, "Well um… you see…"

"Luke?" Aizen spoke with a concerned expression, "Is it something that you're not sure of? Or is it something that you don't want to talk about it?"

"I'm sorry sir," Luke said with remorse, "It's quite… complicated."

"Complicated?" Aizen asked.

"Yes…" Luke said.

Aizen smiled in response, "It's alright. I understand. When you feel up to it, you can tell me."

"Right, thank you Captain Aizen," Luke said feel grateful and smiled.

"Well we should go ahead and get going," Aizen said, "soon you and your classmates will graduate and become Shinigami."

"I'm looking forward to it," Luke said with excitement and then he grinned, "and I know which division I'm going to join."

Aizen looked at Luke happily with a smile.

"Yes, I'm sure I know which you are referring to," Aizen said.

Aizen went on his way and Luke went on his way as well. As Aizen walked through the hallway, he had a grin.

"Quite interesting," Aizen said in a quiet tone.

Meanwhile in the Ryodoji Manor, Senna was sitting in the common room with her adoptive father, Ganryu and she frowned as Ganryu was smiling.

"I heard something very interesting Senna," Ganryu said.

"What would that be?" Senna asked.

"Your friend Luke Suzunami," Ganryu said.

"Luke?" Senna replied, "What about him?"

"I heard that he had an encounter with an Arrancar," Ganryu said.

Senna was surprised hearing what Ganryu said.

"How did you hear about that?" Senna asked.

"Come now, do you really need to ask?" Ganryu asked, "You know that I people in that school and you know that people talk."

Senna looked away with a frown.

"So Senna, are you going to tell me what I know to know?" Ganryu asked.

"There's nothing to tell," Senna replied, "An incident occurred and was solved. There's nothing more than that."

Meanwhile back in the academy, Luke was walking and was making his way out of the academy and was heading to his home, the Suzunami Manor. On his way out, Luke was greeted by three people and they were his surrogate family members, his father Seigen, and his older twin siblings Fujimaru and Matsuri."

"Father," Luke spoke, "Fujimaru and Matsuri."

"Hi Luke," Fujimaru greeted with a grin.

"Hi son," Seigen said.

"Luke, so glad to see you," Matsuri said as she went and hugged her younger brother.

"What brings you all here?" Luke asked, "I mean I'm happy to you all here but it's just unexpected as I was going to see you back home."

"We just wanted to greet you Little Brother," Fujimaru said, "we finished with our duties earlier so we figured that we come and see you so that we could walk home together."

"Oh… yeah, I like that," Luke replied happily.

"There is one thing though," Seigen said.

"Father?" Luke responded.

"Actually Luke, there are two people who want to see you," Seigen informed, "one of them is Gelda Nebilim."

"4th Seat Nebilim of the First Division?" Luke responded.

"Yes and there is one more person and he's someone you're familiar with," Seigen said.

"Huh, who is it?" Luke asked.

"You'll find out," Seigen said, "so shall we go?"

"O-Okay," Luke responded feeling curious.

The Suzunamis headed to their manor and Luke was curious about the people that were there to see him and wondered what was going on. When they arrived at the Suzunami Manor, they were greeted by two maids and Konoka.

"Welcome back Lord Seigen, Lord Fujimaru, Lady Matsuri, and Lord Luke," The two maids said in unison.

"Welcome home," Konoka said with a warm smile happy to see her brother, and her niece and two nephews."

"It's good to be home," Seigen said happy to see his sister.

"We're home Aunt Konoka," Luke said happily.

"We're back," Fujimaru and Matsuri said in unison.

"Oh good, you're back," Gelda said.

Gelda made her appearance and smiled at the Suzunamis.

"4th Seat Nebilim," Luke said.

"It's good to see you again Luke," Gelda said with a smile.

"Yeah, you too," Luke said.

"Hey, it's good to you again Luke," A male voice said, "I'm glad to see that you're doing well."

Luke was surprised to hear the second voice as he remembered that voice. Luke looked and sure enough, the person Luke saw was Marcel Oslo of the 7th Division. Luke was surprised as he remembered him from before.

"Y-You…" Luke said surprised, "I remember you…"

Flashback

Luke still existed and somehow was able to stay together.

"I'm dead, I'm really dead," Luke said to himself.

"Such a sad fate for you," A voice spoke.

"Who's there?" Luke asked looking around.

"Over here," The voice said.

"Huh?" Luke said.

Luke looked over and saw someone and it was Marcel who held a sword in his right hand.

"W-Who are you?" Luke asked.

"I'm a Shinigami," Marcel said.

"A Shinigami?" Luke asked.

"Yes, you still have some bit of Seventh Fonons that keeping you whole for now but you'll completely disappear soon unless I take you to the Soul Society," Marcel said.

"The Soul Society?" Luke asked, "What's that?"

"A place where souls reside, the afterlife of sorts," Marcel explained, "so with that…"

Marcel went to Luke and stamped Luke's forehead with his pommel and a mark was placed on Luke's head.

"It's time for you to go to the Soul Society," Marcel Shinigami said.

"Wait, who are you?" Luke asked as he was confused of the whole thing.

A light formed around Luke and Luke still didn't know what was going on and Marcel just smiled at Luke.

Flashback End

"I'm glad that you remember me," Marcel said, "and yes, I'm the one who brought you from Auldrant to here in the Soul Society. In fact, I did the same for Guy and Fon Master Ion."

"Wait, what?" Luke responded surprised, "You did the same for them?"

"Yes I did," Marcel said, "it is sad seeing the state of our original home world."

"Our original home world?" Luke asked, "What are you…?"

Seigen placed his hand on Luke's shoulder making Luke look at his adoptive father.

"Let's take this inside," Seigen said, "I'm sure you have questions my son so let's take it inside and Gelda and Marcel can explain everything to you."

"Oh, okay," Luke said with a nod, "yes, you're right Father."

They all headed inside the manor and the things they would explain to Luke would surprise him.

Hueco Mundo

Asch was walking and had just arrived in a forest. Asch was able to escape from Arturo but he wondered how long that would last.

"That bastard," Asch said angrily, "he's no different from Van… someone is always using or manipulating me."

Asch remembered when he confronted Luke again in the Human World and when they fought again with things being different from what happened in Yulia City and then Asch recalled when he faced Ion and Guy.

"They'll become Shinigami," Asch said, "they will be beings that hunt down and kill Hollows and I'm still a Hollow," Asch narrowed his eyes, "well, they are welcome to try to and try to kill me… especially that dreck. He won't be so lucky like last time. I will kill him," Asch sighed, "For now though…"

Asch looked around and continued on in the forest.

A few months later, Seireitei, Soul Society

In the homeroom of the Advance Class within the Shin'o Academy, Onabara smiled as he looked at all of his students in the room.

"Well students," Onabara started, "the time has finally come. You have all completed the curriculum of the Shin'o Academy. The time has finally come and tomorrow, you will all be graduating from the academy and moving on in service in whatever division you will be in. It has been a pleasure for the past six years to be your homeroom teacher. Work hard and excel yourselves as you move on," Onabara nodded, "that is all. Now all of you head to main hall to pick up your Shihakushos."

All the students in the class stood up and bowed to Onabara.

"Thank you for everything Onabara-sensei," All the students said in unison.

Onabara nodded with a smile and students were gradually leaving and heading to the main hall to pick up their Shihakushos. Later on in the main hall, the graduating students were picking up their Shihakushos and there was excitement of graduating the very next day.

"We did it," Momo said happily as she picked up her own Shihakusho.

"We sure did," Izuru said happily as he held his own Shihakusho.

Luke, Senna, and Guy picked up their own Shihakushos.

"This is it," Luke said.

"Yes, it is," Senna said.

Next day

The graduation ceremony commenced in the Shin'o Academy and all the graduating students in were file lines, wearing their Shihakushos. The faculty members of the Shin'o Academy were present on the platform and two more people arrived on the platform and it was the Captain of the First Division as well as the leader of the Gotei 13 who founded Shin'o Academy, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto and next to him was his lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe. Yamamoto stood and looked at all the graduating students of the graduating class.

"Congratulations to all of you for graduating from the Shin'o Academy," Yamamoto started, "By going through the six years, you have become part of the tradition of becoming a Shinigami and being part of the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukido, and the Kido Corps."

Yamamoto continued on with the speech for the graduation class and it was a new beginning for the students now Shinigami. The journey through the Shin'o Academy was over and the service as Shinigami began. The graduating class began to join or get recruited in the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukido, and the Kido Corps.

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The beginning in the Gotei 13.