Fracturing Skies

by ShilaMazeri

Two parallel universes collide with devastating consequences for both. Magic, Beasts, Vampires, Werewolves, and several OCs. See summary within. AU Bleach with some canon material that diverges (things are not always as they seem *hint* *hint*) OP Ichigo that is earned. biggest divergence begins in CH10 at the end of Shattered Shaft. Romance and Hurt/Comfort themes.

12. Chapter 12

67

Fracturing Skies: Chapter 12. Draft 1

Chapter Twelve

-Changed Fate-

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Welcome back to Chapter 12 of Fracturing Skies!

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Thank you to the one person that has followed the story and the two that have favorited it so far. It really means a lot and I hope you enjoy it!

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NOTICE! This story is being listed as a Mature Audiences story due to impending dark themes, blood and gore, swearing, and maybe, later on, some sexual themes/limes/lemons.!

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XXX!Note: There is talk about male-male sexual interaction and being gay or coming to terms with one's homosexuality or rejecting it entirely. This will be a topic that comes up from time to time in the storyline, whether implicitly or explicitly, along with an acceptance and hatred of such behavior. I will do my best to be respectful of the topic and anything that results in it. And while the story itself will not be focused on such behavior, there is a possibility of such storylines expanding while the timeline diverges from the Bleach universe.

There is also a possibility of multiple partners/bisexuality that may or may not be explored (depends on where the characters go. I haven't mapped these specific details out because it wasn't the entire focus of the story, just meant as background noise, but here is a warning just in case it does get expanded so you all know my thoughts going forward.)

There is also some depression and suicidal thoughts/ideation (beyond Rukia's own in the story although I am expanding on some of this). One of the genres of this story is Hurt/Comfort and dealing with conflicting emotions and realizations about who someone is and who they want to be (they are teenagers, after all) will be covered as this story continues on. Just a warning in case anyone is triggered by these sorts of things. (everyone that has watched/read the anime should already know about Rukia's issues between Kaien and Ichigo but now I am adding other characters and expanding on some of the stuff that wasn't expanded on a whole lot in canon. Seemed to me that Rukia just…moved on after she was saved, and I felt that it didn't do the premise justice. After holding such guilt and self-loathing for so long—and even though she was a strong woman—it should have taken a little while longer to work through all of those negative self-thoughts and set herself straight again). !XXXX

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I have seen people put disclaimers at the beginning of their stories. So, I will do the same.

***I do NOT own Bleach, nor any of the characters associated with that universe. *****

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Speaking guide:

Normal text.

Thinking.*feelings*

"Spoken out loud."

'Weapon speaking. *feelings*'

'White Zangetsu speaking. (The true Zangetsu) *feelings*'

'Old Man Zangetsu speaking. *feelings*'

Spoken through an Imprint. Primary Wavelength. Blood Imprint. Dragon Imprint. Plant Summons. *feelings*

'Spoken through an Imprint. Secondary Wavelength.' 'Demon Imprint.' 'Familiar Imprint.' 'Regular Summoning Magic Summons.' *feelings*

"Spoken through an Imprint. Tertiary Wavelength." "Beast Imprints." "Mental Communication Spells." *feelings*

Essence ribbon/Spirit ribbon sensing. *feelings*

'Essence Aura/Spiritual Pressure sensing.' (Sensing using these are basically ONLY feelings of how strong someone is, how someone is feeling, etc. which is why there is no need for the '*')

Mental communication outside an imprint. *feelings*

'Mental communication through a connection. Not a spell or Imprint. Blood Tie communication is marked like this. Miseanu Meizerai communicates like this. *feelings*'

"Recalling what someone else said."

I think they are thinking this with their face.

I am recalling something I read to myself. Blood Memories are written this way. *feelings from Blood Memories*

"I am reiterating what I read or heard about out loud. Blood Memories are talked about out loud this way."

I am dwelling on what happened. *I am dwelling on how I felt.*

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*Name* is indicating the character the following passage is told from.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

*Chapter 12: Changed Fate*

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*Jonas Mazeri*

As the light and deafening sound died down, Jonas blinked his eyes, trying to disperse the spots dotting his vision. Rubbing them didn't help, unfortunately, and he was forced to simply blink repeatedly until they faded. As the dust cleared, he saw Kisuke behind a cracked red shield, hat absent from his head, letting his blonde hair stand out under the false lighting of the underground training area's fabricated sky.

"Phew," the blonde muttered, spiritual pressure shuddering from a mix of subtle 'shock' and 'awe'. "If not for my Blood Mist Shield, I probably would have lost an arm just now." Finally, his striped bucket hat fluttered and landed beside him, its flight ended by the lack of power and wind flowing through the air. He picked it up, brushed it off, and then settled it on his head, saying with a hint of fond sadness mixed with amusement, "That wasn't very nice…I do believe, you killed my hat." It was then that the blonde appeared to get a good look around him and Jonas gasped in shock as he did as well.

There was a huge gash torn into the earth, a deep crevasse cut into the ground, widening as it went further away from Ichigo. He couldn't see the depths that it reached from his location, but by the appreciative whistle Urahara released, it must have been impressive. "All this from just one slash," Kisuke commented aloud, his voice reflecting a hint of reverence for the power of that attack even though Jonas was nearly certain he could have done something more about it if he had been prepared. Yretro had been strong, after all. "Ichigo…you're a scary kid."

Said orange-haired teen stumbled slightly before planting the tip of his sword into the ground, the one that screamed wrong to him, and Jonas could feel his *exhaustion* permeate their imprint, the attack draining his twin a lot even though he managed to keep his feet. Ichigo chuckled, "Heh. Sorry about that." He scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish, a grimace crossing his face as he realized he had reached with his left hand and the claws there before pulling them from his hair. A few orange strands fluttered to the ground. "I really couldn't control it."

"Don't worry about that. I'll teach you control next. But for now…take a break. You passed lesson three. I'll be back shortly," and with that, Kisuke spun on his heel, passing Jonas, heading for the ladder leading back up to the shop to do…whatever it was he was going to do. Jonas frowned while Tasha Rein giggled from his lack of information even while Ichigo trailed slowly a fair distance behind the shopkeeper, his movements riddled with exhaustion, yet not truly following him, just simply meandering in the same direction as Urahara.

But Jonas couldn't shake that lingering feeling of *not right* that Ichigo's sword gave off and he spoke up, not wanting to let a chance to deal with it pass him by, "Wait, Kisuke." The blonde stopped and stared over his shoulder at him, waiting for him to continue. He waited a moment, allowing Ichigo to get close enough to hear the conversation before he asked, "How do soul reapers usually communicate with their swords?"

Kisuke turned around to face him, a confused frown marring his face before he could cover it with his fan. Ichigo glanced in his direction, brown eyes darting between Urahara and himself, his face reflecting his own lack of understanding as he approached, 'curiosity' permeating both his spiritual pressure and essence aura. "Why do you ask?" the blonde inquired, pale gray eyes peering deep into his own dark blue orbs.

"Well…" Jonas looked away. How should he explain it? That Ichigo's zanpakuto, a type of Magic Weapon he had never dealt with before, felt wrong in a way he couldn't explain? Felt different than Benihime had when Urahara had used her? He set his jaw and gazed at Kisuke. "His sword. It just feels…wrong." Ichigo's *alarm-confusion-concern* shifted across his awareness, and he gently nudged it aside, "I can't explain it, but I want to speak with his weapon and determine the cause. I'll…I should be able to use his sword like Neil and Shila can use each other's and I think it would be a bad idea to ignore this feeling."

Kisuke eyed him for a moment, humming to himself, before he said cheerfully, "Well, it couldn't hurt to make sure the both of you know this technique." He shifted his attention to Ichigo and beckoned him closer. The teen followed the instruction, pausing to pick up Tasha Rein with his left hand, which Jonas had forgotten—he cringed away from her in his mind as she growled at him for the slight. I'm sorry! I'm sorry, okay!—on the ground when he had stumbled away earlier, with his own sword still gripped in his right.

Once Ichigo was close enough to Jonas and Kisuke to be capable of fully following the conversation, and interjecting, if necessary, the shopkeeper began, "The true way a soul reaper communicates with their zanpakuto is by taking a meditative pose, such as sitting cross-legged, and placing their sword over their lap. Once you have done that, then simply focus on connecting with the sword in your inner world. This technique is referred to as Jinzen. I want you two to focus on that while you're resting."

Ichigo's gaze was thoughtful and determined and as he handed Tasha Rein to Jonas and sat down where he was standing, taking the position without comment despite the *curiosity-eagerness-excitement* that shuddered through their imprint, his blade placed across his knees. Jonas pondered their similarities as he followed suit, settling Tasha Rein over his own. So, soul reapers have 'inner worlds' just like we do. That's nice to know.

The silver-haired teen touched Ichigo's knees with his own, the barest of physical connection between them. When the orange-haired doppelganger cracked a curious eye open, watching him with confusion and a hint of wariness, Jonas commented, "I want to speak with your sword. I…have a feeling that I want explained. Afterwards, I'll take you into my own inner world so you can meet my Weapon."

"Why?" Ichigo's ignorance shined like the sun in his mind and Jonas realized just how much hadn't been explained to him. Of how much of his skills and their own were unknowns. Of how many times he had pulled himself out of a nasty situation by instinct and blind luck. The silver-haired teen blinked in surprise, slowly formulating a response in his mind.

"Well, I've never…" he frowned, then shook his head. What was done was done. There was no sense in dragging Ichigo through his quagmire of self-doubt, self-loathing, and disgust any more than he already had. "As far as I know, this is the first time an Imprint," a Blood Imprint—don't forget what you have done you monster, "has been formed between someone with powers like mine and someone with soul reaper abilities." His words began falling over each other, tumbling from his mouth faster and faster, "I want to know if we can share Weapons like Neil and Shila. If we can, then we'll need to practice that, and I figure meeting each other's Weapons would help with that." Jonas looked away, feeling his face heat with embarrassment.

I feel like an idiot. Why he felt stupid, he couldn't fully explain. But near the end of his explanation, his words had begun tumbling over themselves in an effort to be free and he had barely had a chance to utter them all before they became jumbled and confused. With a huff, he tried to pull himself together, almost afraid to look Ichigo in the eye, hearing the metaphorical gears turn in his twin's head as he absorbed what he had heard.

'But your words were sound,' Tasha Rein retorted, wrapping him in '*pride-reassurance-belief*, warm sensations that shifted around his worries and freed them from his grasp. He shuddered and let loose a gentle sigh, momentarily letting go of his insecurities to bask in his Weapon's presence. Trusting her to protect him from himself and others. Believing that she wouldn't abandon him because of what he was.

'And they were true,' Miseanu added, either she was ignoring his self-doubt or was oblivious as she continued, 'You two will need to work on your connection to each other. And then expand that to the others. This bond cannot be neglected, no matter your feelings on the matter,' Miseanu added sternly—no such luck, apparently she had been paying attention—her voice full of steel, laying down the law in his mind like she had a say in the matter. As if following Jonas's unconscious thoughts, her dark blue eyes narrowed with a hint of red to them and stated, 'I will not have any of my children fall because they foolishly cling to their old lives and render themselves helpless.'

Jonas closed his eyes but refused to look inward toward his mother's twin. Toward her '*rage-disappointment-sadness*'. Focused instead on Ichigo's zanpakuto, turning his face away from his own inner world for the time being. What was done was done, and he would deal with his feelings on the matter at another time. When it wouldn't endanger anyone around him. For now, he needed to find out why his own twin's sword felt wrong. And determine if he could do anything about it.

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*Ichigo Kurosaki*

Ichigo tried to settle himself. Tried to push aside the *confusion-loathing-sadness* he kept getting, sensations he was thoroughly certain did not belong to him even as he glanced at himself. The teen wrapped his tail around his legs, feeling the way the appendage readily responded to his thoughts. Stared at it and the hands in his lap. It was all so strange… The black glove on his right hand, covering his knuckles and his palm to the wrist but leaving the fingers exposed. Armor he could feel like a hardened outer skin that let sensations filter through, but which seemed impossible to break. His pale white left hand ending in short black claws, a defined line ending at his wrist where cold, bone white skin met warm tanned skin. The tail that was split lengthwise, each half colored the same as his twisted body. The white, cold as death, while the black hummed with heat.

He had no idea what he was going to say to the others. What could he say? He looked like a hollow! Hell, he had a hollow's mask! He pulled it out of his shihakusho, turning the outward portion to face him. It had been unmarred by all the fighting, staring back at him with empty eyes, two red marks trailing the left side above the eye socket. Hollow, just like all the beasts he had fought since first gaining soul reaper powers. But…was he a monster devoid of conscience now? He frowned. He still loved his family. Didn't desire to eat anybody. So, what did that make him?

Was he truly a hollow? Would he later snap and endanger everyone around him? Could he be trusted not to hurt anyone? Or would it be safer to lock him away and throw away the key? Or purify him with a zanpakuto? What luck…he had one in his lap…

Jonas nudged him with a knee, dark blue eyes narrowed in concern. Ichigo could feel that *concern-understanding-safety* ripple through his chest like it was his own. Like he was concerned for himself. Like he could understand how he felt. That he wanted to show himself that it was safe to be like this. Ichigo shook his head in confusion, the thoughts crashing through his mind like an overwhelming wave. That wasn't him…that was Jonas. How the hell am I supposed to keep us separate when I feel everything he feels? With a lopsided grin the silver-haired teen pointed out, "You know, you can't get into your inner world with your eyes open."

Smothering an eyeroll with a resigned sigh, Ichigo closed his eyes and focused on the skyscrapers where he met the Old Man. Willed himself back to that place. For a moment, he felt like he was falling. Down. Down. Down. And then, he was there, in the shadows, sitting on the side of the skyscrapers like he had before. With a startled yelp, he flattened himself to the side of the building he was on, pinning his tail painfully beneath him with a grimace, not wanting to fall like before.

'What are you doing?' the Old Man questioned, his brows furrowed as he stared at Ichigo, '*confusion-exasperation-amusement*' drifting to the teen's mind, the Old Man's thoughts flowing to him like they were his own, caressing his mind with gentle brushes of the spirit's spiritual pressure.

"If I stand up, I'll fall like before!" Ichigo retorted, his face sweating as panic clawed at his senses. If I fall again, what will I be able to do? He didn't dare sit up. Didn't want to fly headfirst toward the concrete again. Knew he was helpless here and pondered the craziness of that thought. The belief that he could die in his own mindscape would have been ironic if he wasn't so terrified.

'You don't have to worry about that,' the Old Man replied, causing Ichigo to turn his head to face his zanpakuto spirit with a confused expression, his panic slightly abating as the spirit got his attention. Elaborating, Old Man Zangetsu added, 'Falling was a result of your hollow transformation and vampiric Change. But see now that your inner world doesn't so much as quiver, even in the midst of heavy fighting.'

"So, you're telling me that this turned-on-its-side thing is actually normal for me? That's not exactly reassuring," Ichigo retorted as he sat up and pulled his tail free with a relieved sigh—forcing the appendage to bend in such a manner had not been comfortable after all—facing his sword's spirit.

'Finally, you arrive!' another voice crowed with delight making him jerk in place, startled, the source standing behind him. Ichigo turned to glare at the one responsible for making him jump and paused mid-scowl to simply stare, shock widening his brown eyes. He saw a bleached version of himself with black sclera and golden eyes. Pure white skin. White hair. Even his shihakusho was white. Completely inverted in color compared to his own black uniform—white where black was and black where white was. His duplicate had a matching hollow mask stuck in his hair—so, that's where my mask came from—but his tail was different, appearing all white with the red lines running lengthwise down its length as opposed to the split design of his own tail.

I don't remember him being here before.

'That's because I wasn't,' his pale duplicate responded to the thought with a frown before he offered Ichigo a hand to his feet. Ichigo eyed it curiously for a moment, both his twin's hands mirroring his left's, the little black claws curled inward in a nonthreatening gesture, before he finally took it, allowing himself to get hoisted to his feet.

"So, who are you, then?" Ichigo asked.

'I'm Zangetsu!' his bleached duplicate replied, his mouth spreading into a wide, crazy smile.

Ichigo frowned, glancing between the Old Man and his white twin. With a nod towards the Old Man, he remarked to his duplicate, "I thought he was Zangetsu?"

His pale twin sighed, a mixture of '*sadness-regret-resignation*' and glanced at the Old Man. 'Are you going to tell him? Or should I?' Why does his voice sound like I'm speaking through a fan? And what is he talking about? Why does he…feel…like that?

'I'll tell him. It was my idea.'

"Tell me what?" Ichigo gritted out between clenched teeth. He was confused and frustrated, completely out of his depth for the conversation happening around him. Not understanding what the hell was going on and why it seemed like these two had met already.

'I…never wanted you to become a soul reaper. My plan was to suppress your soul reaper powers and become the center of your strength.' The Old Man's voice was deep and demanded his attention, even though it resonated with a '*regret-sorrow-apology*'. An unspoken desire to seek his forgiveness for the perceived slight. A mistake he had committed that Ichigo was now only just becoming aware of.

Ichigo's brows furrowed as he asked in a small, wavering voice, "But…why? If you never wanted me to be a soul reaper, then why did you help me? And tell me your name?" Ichigo's eyes flitted between the two spirits as they came to stand side-by-side in front of him, allowing him to stop craning himself to see them both, betrayal and confusion wracking his brain as he tried to understand. His duplicate's eyes were downcast, '*shame-sorrow-apology*' evident in his frame and the way his shoulders hung. The Old Man fidgeted with his hands, revealing the same black gloves Ichigo had on only his right hand. '*Apology-regret-resolve.*'

The Old Man maintained eye contact, although his expression was mixed between awkwardness and determination. 'I did not wish for you to become a hollow. My presence within your mind was awoken when Rukia Kuchiki gave you her powers. And I watched you start down that path and wanted nothing more than for you to lose those misbegotten powers. I knew following that road would lead to only pain and suffering. But still…even after those powers were taken from you, you desired to regain them and save her. Against all odds, you wanted to fight for what you believed in. No matter what stood in your way. A soul reaper…that wanted to save a life, rather than to take it.' The Old Man paused for a moment and Ichigo found he had nothing to say. All he could do was stare at the man that had first introduced himself as Zangetsu and wait for his next words.

In that moment, Jonas shimmered into existence in his mind, taking in his surroundings with a raised eyebrow. The bleached version of himself pointed at his silver-haired doppelganger and shrieked indignantly at the Old Man, 'What the hell is this?!' '*Betrayal-rage-fury.*' With his duplicate's back turned to him, Ichigo caught sight of a bone exoskeleton running down the other's spine, beginning at the base of his neck and disappearing beneath his white shihakusho.

Before Ichigo could question what that was and if he had it too, Jonas raised a hand, awkwardly caught between a wave and a smile that somehow settled on a grimace and an aborted movement of his hand as his white twin tensed, ready to strike. Old Man Zangetsu paused for a moment to take in the newcomer in Ichigo's inner world, a knowing look crossing his face, before continuing his reveal, leaving the silver-haired teen to catch up and for Ichigo's white twin to sputter in irritation at being ignored.

'Hey!'

Turning his eyes back toward Ichigo, the older spirit kept going, 'I…obviously do not represent your soul reaper powers.' The Old Man glanced at Jonas for a brief moment before returning his attention to the orange-haired teen. 'I once only held your…Quincy…heritage within my grasp." He barreled past Ichigo's gasp of surprise with hurried words, 'However, with the addition of vampirism and other magical skills to your soul, I now exist as a separate Weapon, the fragment of my being given true life and a new purpose by the powers first imparted by Neil. A Magic Weapon, like Jonas and his friends have.'

"Wait a minute! What?! I'm a Quincy?! Like that bastard, Uryu?!" Ichigo exclaimed in shock and a little bit of dismay. The Old Man nodded his head and the orange-haired teen sputtered while training to regain control of his reaction. Seriously? This is too weird… Gaze flickering between the Old Man and his pale twin, he asked the older spirit in a level tone, "So, what, then? Is your name Zangetsu too? Or do you have a different name?"

The Old Man exchanged looks with his white twin. His pale duplicate shrugged before finding the glass beneath his feet quite entertaining to stare at. 'With the addition of Magic to your soul, I no longer have the name I once had. You may call me whatever you desire.' The spirit felt…expectant. Like he had braced himself for a negative reaction or even rejection. It almost came across like he was holding his breath, waiting for Ichigo's response before deciding to breathe again.

Ichigo hummed thoughtfully while Jonas glanced between them all. With a confused look toward his duplicate, Ichigo reiterated, "So, you're really my zanpakuto, Zangetsu?" His white twin nodded his head slowly, '*anticipation*' and barely contained '*eagerness*' shifting through his frame. He turned his attention toward the Old Man. "And you have no name?" The Old Man shook his head, '*waiting-regret-apology*' hanging in the air between them. Ichigo shrugged, mostly to himself, before saying, "Well, since you called yourself Zangetsu too, I'll stick with calling you Old Man Zangetsu. If that's okay with you?"

The look of disbelief and happiness that radiated through Ichigo's chest nearly caught him by surprise as Old Man Zangetsu nodded gratefully, eyes shining behind his glasses. '*Relief-happiness-acceptance*' radiated like a pulse of warmth through his sternum, causing a smile to cross his lips in response to the spirit's emotions. Did the Old Man seriously think that I would reject him? He helped me…didn't he know that I would never push someone away that helped me?

Ichigo turned his gaze toward his twin, a thoughtful expression crossing his face while the Old Man moved off to stand next to Jonas, the two murmuring between each other, voices too muffled for him to hear. "Can I call you White Zangetsu, then?"

His pale twin facepalmed, '*exasperation-disbelief-amusement*' shining through their connection, and muttered in his hand, 'You suck at givin' names, partner. Remember t' let your future spouse name the kids, okay?'

The orange-haired teen sputtered for a moment before he scratched the back of his head and shrugged, "Eh, sorry?" So, that was a resounding 'no' if I ever heard one. Zangetsu snorted in amusement, '*amusement-happiness-eagerness*' shifting in the zanpakuto spirit while his wielder pinned him with a frown. "Okay, so what's your story, then?"

'*Worry-nervousness-resolve.*' 'I am your true zanpakuto. I represent both your soul reaper powers and the hollow abilities at your disposal. While both the Old Man and I have access to varying levels of this new Magic stuff, I use more of the vampiric side while the Old Man handles the spirit stuff.' Zangetsu replied. The spirit eyed him closely, presumably watching for any sign of him rejecting the thought of working with him, even if he was a hollow.

But Ichigo simply smirked and nodded to him. While he had reservations about being a hollow himself, the fact that his sword represented that side of him—and had so far behaved itself and acted not hollow-like according to his experience—made Ichigo question the conclusions he had made regarding their kind. Question the sort of explanations Rukia had given when explaining their existence. This hollow seems almost…civilized. He isn't a mindless beast.

Zangetsu arched an eyebrow. 'Oh, I'm not tame, partner. I am part hollow. But those weak things have got nothin' on me!' '*Pride-resolve-strength*' fluttered between them. 'Oh, don't get me wrong. Some of t'em small fry are utterly stupid. But none of 'em are truly mindless. All hollows can think an' feel, even if all they do is howl an' follow their instincts. It's a mistake to think of a hollow as nothin' more than a beast. An' it could be fatal if you forgot that.'

Ichigo nodded, absorbing what he had been told, and realized, if he took Zangetsu's word at face-value, that his assumptions about hollows were all wrong. They had been hungry, starving for life and power he couldn't let them have. But…what if they hadn't been yearning to fill the emptiness in their souls? Would they have acted more like Zangetsu? Capable of holding conversation like any human soul or living person?

Zangetsu shrugged. 'It's possible but ultimately doesn't matter. Remember, those souls are purified whenever you break their mask with my blade. Don't get caught up in the what-ifs. If they attack you. Kill them.' Ichigo nodded in understanding, Zangetsu's '*happiness-pride-relief*' flowing to him as movement pulled his attention away from the spirit.

Jonas stepped forward with Old Man Zangetsu at his side and cleared his throat like he was going to speak. Zangetsu's gaze skewered him with a look of confused disdain, the silver-haired teen's jaw snapping shut with an audible click. '*Recognition-distrust-wrong*' hung heavy in the air, like Zangetsu had recognized him, but Jonas's power felt all wrong, twisting his face into a mix of disgust and acceptance as he moved to stand beside Ichigo, teeth bared in a silent snarl against he who had trespassed onto his territory.

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*Jonas Mazeri*

-just moments before-

He hadn't known what to expect when he finally found himself in Ichigo's inner world, but somehow, a sideways city set under the night sky wasn't what he had thought he would see. And it had taken time to arrive, more than he had expected. A presence in his orange-haired twin's mind had prevented his access until he finally found himself thrust into the other teen's mindscape—right in the middle of a discussion between Ichigo and two other individuals.

Jonas immediately differentiated the powers between them. The Old Man he recognized right away, his presence familiar, previously emanating from the false zanpakuto that Ichigo had summoned. And the one that had barricaded Ichigo's mind from him. The other person—Ichigo's pure white duplicate—was not familiar, even though he felt a lot like Ichigo's powers had when he had first arrived in this world—the bit that was buried under that Rukia gal's powers.

One of the many layers, anyways.

He nodded in greeting to the Old Man, the feel of magic and something else sliding across his senses and waited for him to approach while Ichigo and his pale duplicate continued speaking, his ears catching their names in the process. Once he did, Jonas simply stated, "You were the one that prevented my access, weren't you?"

The Old Man nodded. 'Yes. He was not ready for you just yet.' The Magic Weapon's desire to protect his wielder wasn't any less than the zanpakuto's from what Jonas could sense, and he felt a smile tug on his lips as he let that resolve shift around him like a security blanket. He was glad that this had worked out okay. Part of him had been worried that his interference and Neil's influence—seriously, what had the dual wielder done that caused the Magic Weapon to credit him with its creation?—could have doomed the teen before he had really gotten started. But now, he had two powerful protectors. Maybe things are better now than they would have been? I hope so.

"And now?"

'I would not have permitted you if he was not ready.' '*Resolve, determination, protection*,' all the qualities of a good Magic Weapon shifted around Jonas, a manifestation of the spirit's intense desire to shield his wielder when necessary. The Old Man gave him a sidelong look as he stood beside him and faced his wielder. 'You have something to say.'

Is this guy a telepath or something? Jonas cleared his throat and with a sigh that radiated unease, he said, "Yes. I know that Shila and Neil and share powers through their imprint. I need to know if that is the same here." He supposed that he could have beat around the bush, attacked the idea from several different angles before diving straight into the heart of the matter. But he got the sensation from speaking with the spirit that Old Man Zangetsu wouldn't appreciate the roundabout request. The Magic Weapon had been short and succinct thus far and he hoped—assumed—that the man would appreciate the straightforward request.

'It is for me. But for Ichigo's soul reaper powers, I do not believe your method will work. Hollows do not share.' Was that a small smile he saw pulling at the older spirit's lips?

"That…might be for the best." The Old Man raised an eyebrow at him, a silent request for elaboration, and Jonas hurried along with his thought process. "What I mean by that is…he is strong. But he has no understanding of how a Magic Weapon works." Jonas licked his lips, deciding on what to say next on the fly. "It would probably be better, for now, if I use you while he uses his other sword. I know he can handle the split without difficulty—his reserves are incredible already—but I…"

'You needed to ask.' Jonas nodded. Before he could continue rambling, the Old Man stated, 'I agree. Him using a power he is familiar with will work to his advantage with the invasion of the Soul Society in such a short period of time. It would only risk him getting hurt if I thrust this new power on him so soon. However, he will learn my powers and this new Magic when he gets back.'

Jonas nodded gratefully. *Gratitude, happiness, relief*. "Thank you." There was always a possibility that the spirit would have rejected his request and denied access to his powers through the imprint. While his Blood Memories told him such instances were few, it had happened sometime during his bloodline's history, and it was a situation he wished not to face himself. And while he had his own Magic Weapon, being capable of pulling on a second one while in the middle of a fight—particularly when the other part of the imprint wasn't going to be using this aspect of his powers—could be used to catch any opponent off guard. It would be an excellent advantage.

'Now, let us share this news with them.'

With the Magic Weapon finished speaking, the two of them approached Ichigo and his zanpakuto while Jonas cleared his throat to get their attention.

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*Ichigo Kurosaki*

Ichigo unconsciously put his right hand on Zangetsu's left arm, calming the zanpakuto spirit with his anchoring presence beside him. He felt his bleached duplicate huff but relax, '*dislike-distrust-wrong*' shuddering just beneath his white skin, although he still kept wary golden eyes locked on the approaching duo.

Jonas glanced at Old Man Zangetsu, stopping himself from speaking after Zangetsu's reaction, and the Old Man spoke, 'We have come to an agreement we believe would be of benefit to you.'

'If you're wantin' me t' let that copy summon me, you've got another thin' comin'!' Zangetsu snarled in response, a finger stabbing the air in Jonas's direction, '*refusal-rejection-wrong*' echoing in the space between them all, his teeth bared once more as his body trembled with disgust at the very thought of someone else using him instead of Ichigo. The orange-haired teen nudged him with his shoulder, focusing on wrapping his zanpakuto in his power.

I won't make you if you don't want to.

'*Grateful-happiness-relief.*'

"Nope! Just the opposite, actually," Jonas remarked with a smile, possibly oblivious to their silent exchange although Ichigo was beginning to doubt it, his new connection through that imprint thing giving him the sensation that his duplicate was quite good at reading emotions through a person's powers. The orange-haired teen felt Zangetsu still, '*confusion-disbelief-relief*' at the forefront of the zanpakuto's mind.

'It is true. I will allow Jonas to summon my form into the world in order to expand Ichigo's Energy while Ichigo uses his soul reaper powers during the invasion. Such a passive exercise for him will allow his magic Energy to gradually expand and settle in his body without the potential to harm him during Rukia's rescue. Once Ichigo has returned home, then I will begin teaching him this portion of my powers.'

'Good! 'Cause I'm not lettin' anyone else access to my awesomeness!' Zangetsu declared with a scowl, pulling his arm free from Ichigo's grip and crossing both his arms over his chest.

Ichigo snorted and shook his head, faint amusement tugging at the corners of his lips even as disbelief also filled him. I never expected a hollow to make me feel this…at ease. Zangetsu's golden eyes flickered his direction as he tossed a faint smile toward his zanpakuto and looked at Jonas. "So, does that mean I won't meet your sword then?" He couldn't say he was disappointed. After all, he had his own sword to get to know.

Jonas nodded. "Yeah, I figure that you can meet her after we get back."

Ichigo nodded in understanding, watching as his duplicate shimmered and faded away with wide eyes, before glancing at Zangetsu. "Okay, so how do I call for you, then? Since I used the Old Man before."

Zangetsu's lips parted in a wide smile. '*excitement-happiness-bloodlust*

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*Jonas Mazeri*

The first moments of consciousness in his own body were disorienting. He could hear Ichigo's mind, just on the edge of his own. A cacophony of power and voices whispering and twisting within his reach. Jonas shuddered for a moment, feeling a rising headache tremble in his mind before it stilled just as quickly, falling away from him as he smoothed his mental connections with his hands.

There were so many voices in his head. So many different thoughts and feelings and desires thundering through his mind, nearly overwriting his own. But in the darkness just beneath full wakefulness, he could visualize all the different pinpricks of power and sort them accordingly.

Neil's flame burned steadily, slightly further away from him than Ichigo's own swirling power, although the two were closing in distance between each other, the two sources of strength reaching out tentatively before gently accepting the other's presence. Shila's icy core had apparently already connected with Ichigo's, the cool tendril of her powers having already wrapped itself around the newcomer.

When did that happen?

And while Jonas couldn't hear either Neil's or Shila's Weapons, he could clearly hear both of Ichigo's along with his own. Five rising voices within his mind that hammered at his control until Tasha Rein reached out and slapped them all, stunning them into silence. For a moment, Jonas thought he had somehow lost the connection between them all, but then, very carefully, the whispering began anew. First Zangetsu. Then Old Man Zangetsu. And finally, Ichigo himself.

Jonas broke from his trance with a relieved sigh, slowly rising out of the Jinzen pose and shaking the blood flow back into his legs. Sitting cross-legged for so long had made his legs numb and he gritted his teeth against the pins and needles sensation that rushed through his lower extremities. As he stretched, he felt Tasha Rein brush against his mind with amusement.

'Abandoned me already?'

Jonas sputtered, coughing on his spit as he replied, Of course, not! He glanced at Ichigo. The teen was still locked in Jinzen, the normal scowl on his face replaced with a content expression. I have not abandoned you, he grumbled back in feigned irritation, mentally swatting at Tasha Rein as he continued, But he will need more Energy than he has at the moment. I aim to give him that while allowing him to get more comfortable with the skillset he already knows how to somewhat use.

Tasha Rein giggled, 'I know. I'm just teasing. I understand why and I approve.' '*pride-amusement-approval*' wafted from the Magic Weapon, bathing Jonas in her warmth.

'I approve as well, however, keep in mind that you will not learn any skills that Ichigo would not already know or have learned. And that your control over a blade not your own will not be as strong as when Ichigo would use it.' '*concern-anxiety-worry*' thrummed through his connection with Miseanu, his mother's doppelganger shuddering with barely contained apprehension.

Jonas blanketed her in his *understanding*, draping a mental arm across her shoulder as he replied, I know. And I know that I'll have next to no warning when it will disappear until I get a grasp of the time limit. But being able to switch between two different swords will hopefully work to my advantage.

'So long as you do not dispel me, you shouldn't have any issues with becoming randomly defenseless,' Tasha Rein pointed out, both to his own and Miseanu's benefit.

Jonas nodded internally as Ichigo stirred, brown eyes fluttering open blankly before his gaze sharpened and he looked up, quickly noticing that his silver-haired counterpart was hovering over him. Offering his orange-haired duplicate a hand, Jonas asked, "Are you ready to try out your new sword?"

Sometime while they were in Jinzen, the fake zanpakuto blade had disappeared, leaving Ichigo once again weaponless. As his orange-haired twin nodded, Ichigo grabbed his hand and allowed himself to be pulled up. With a smirk, Jonas asked, "Want to spar against your Old Man Zangetsu?"

With a grin that eerily matched his white doppelganger, Ichigo replied, "Sure!"

Are you ready, Old Man Zangetsu?

'Of course,' the deep baritone voice replied. The older spirit straddled the line between their minds, allowing Jonas an easier read on the chaos within Ichigo's mind and granting the silver-haired teen better access to the tawny-haired boy's mind. Something he was rapidly discovering was quite appreciated.

Jonas focused on Ichigo's Magic Weapon. On the Magic Core within his orange-haired twin. And pulled.

"Darken the Light and the Spirit, Zangetsu!" Jonas cried, summoning the same blade Ichigo had wielded just moments before.

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*Ichigo Kurosaki*

Ichigo shuddered, a feeling of ants crawling all over his skin racing across his body as he felt the older spirit's presence dim in his mind. That feels weird. He had watched as Jonas summoned the Old Man into the world, seeing the familiar black blade appearing in his doppelganger's hands. All he could do was stare, still struck by how incredible the weapon looked—even if it was being pointed against him. *Awe-admiration-fascination*.

'You're tellin' me, partner. I hate that sensation,' Zangetsu replied, his '*unease-disdain-disgust*' at the feeling slipping between wielder and sword like they had always known each other. Of course, if Ichigo understood what his bleached twin had told him after he parted with his summoning call, then they were one in the same. He and the sword were the same. He was the blade. And the blade was him.

Are you ready?

'Tch. I was born ready.'

With a smirk, Ichigo mentally pulled his pale twin closer and declared, "Bleach the Shadows and the Soul, Zangetsu!" In his hands, a new blade shimmered into existence. An inverted version of the Old Man's blade. A white flat edge with a black sharpened blade and black bandages wrapped around the hilt. His true zanpakuto's appearance. He grinned, feeling Zangetsu's wide smile forcing his lips to part further, causing him to bare his teeth in a silent snarl, before he leapt for his silver-haired twin with a battle-cry.

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*Jonas Mazeri*

Jonas had half a second after Ichigo summoned his white Zangetsu before the orange-haired teen struck, brown eyes littered with sparks of gold, almost as if he and the pale spirit were blended together. He grunted against the strike before deflecting it, his black Zangetsu feeling strange in his grasp. *Strange-wrong-off*.

'I am no longer able to keep the two of them separate. And Ichigo has readily accepted both parts of himself despite the questions swelling in his mind. It is no surprise to me that he would strike without warning. It is just like a hollow to attack immediately,' Old Man Zangetsu remarked in his mind, his presence shifting nervously beside Tasha Rein, '*awkwardness-insecurity-out of place*' before she wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close, giggling as he stiffened in '*confusion-disbelief-relief*'.

Jonas panted, narrowly avoiding getting gutted as Ichigo stabbed forward with his blade. He leapt backward away from his twin, only to see a hint of mischievousness flicker through his eyes before Ichigo wrapped a section of the black cloth around his right hand and hurled his blade at Jonas.

What the hell?!

Jonas hastily raised Zangetsu in defense, catching the tip of the white blade along the side of the sword, feet skidding across the dirt as the impact propelled him through the training ground. In horror, he watched Zangetsu crack from the strike just as Ichigo pulled his own weapon back, before it shattered and disintegrated.

What?

'I apologize,' Old Man Zangetsu replied with a shuddering pant, 'I believe five minutes is all he can manage at this time.' The older spirit then shuffled back toward Ichigo's inner world with an apologetic shrug, exhaustion weighing his shoulders down, his feet dragging as he shifted between mindscapes.

Ichigo paused, staring at Jonas with furrowed brows as he allowed his blade to tip toward the ground.

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*Ichigo Kurosaki**

The battle-lust had felt incredible. A rush of power and adrenaline that honed his instincts and sharpened his blade, the colors of the world brightening and shuddering into focus as he and Zangetsu fought together. A mental nudge had him tossing the blade like a flail, somehow hurtling it towards his silver-haired duplicate despite never having used nor seen such a technique before. In his mind, he felt like pale white hands were grasped over his own, guiding his body through the motion, similar to how a kendo teacher would physically correct a student's stance.

With a twist of his wrist, he had beckoned the blade back to his hand, allowing Zangetsu to move through him and catch the weapon flying towards him. Then suddenly, the black Zangetsu shattered in Jonas's grip and the Old Man's presence strengthened in his mind, radiating '*exhaustion-acceptance-pride*'. With a stifled groan of disappointment, Ichigo asked, "Is that it?"

Zangetsu cackled in his mind, sounding more than a little insane, 'Hehe. Sounds like you were let down, aibou.' '*amusement-teasing-pride*' flowed like water from the zanpakuto spirit.

Tossing a mental shrug back tinged with nonchalance that they both knew was a lie, Ichigo responded, I guess I am. I didn't expect to break him that easily.

'Your magic Energy is low. We aim to increase that by having Jonas call me every chance he can. For now, you must gain that part of your strength,' Old Man Zangetsu said. Ichigo got the distinct sensation that the spirit slumped against his pole to rest, almost instantly falling asleep. Zangetsu nudged him with a foot and shrugged when he got no response.

'Yeah, aibou, he's out cold,' Zangetsu announced as Ichigo felt his zanpakuto begin rummaging around his inner world like he was looking for something.

What are you doing?

'Nothin', don't mind me,' he replied as he absently waved his wielder away with a hand, his voice and spiritual pressure tinged with '*mischief-plotting-determination*'. With a frown, Ichigo decided to let him go on his merry way, trying to mentally track the spirit through his inner world until he lost sight of him.

I have a bad feeling about this for some reason.

Jonas nodded as he panted, sweat pouring down his face as he answered Ichigo's earlier question and pulled the orange-haired teen back to the present, dark blue eyes roaming over him with *curiosity-confusion-searching* deep in their depths. "Yeah. Apparently, you only have the Energy to summon him for about five minutes." He paused, catching his breath. Ichigo slung Zangetsu over his shoulder, patiently waiting for his doppelganger to steady himself when a commotion by the ladder caught his attention.

At the bottom, stood Orihime, cradling Yoruichi in her arms, Chad, and Hat and Clogs. Orihime's mouth was wide with shock, a hand slapped over her face as she gaped at him. Chad simply greeted him with a nod. Ichigo sighed in relief at Chad's acceptance, a hum of strength surrounding him that didn't appear put off by his appearance. But Orihime was another story, the ditzy girl frozen in place as she gazed in his direction, taking in the entirety of his new appearance. His eyes shifted away from hers and Zangetsu growled in warning in his mind, apparently paying enough attention to Ichigo's surroundings to not like what he was seeing. Yoruichi hopped out of her arms and ambled over, golden eyes looking thoughtful.

"Hmm…well you look better, Ichigo," Yoruichi remarked, his deep voice rumbling in his throat as his golden eyes swept his body in a measuring gaze.

Ichigo shifted his eyes to the black cat now a few feet away from him and gave him a short nod. "Yeah. I, uh, got my powers back," he explained, giving a subtle gesture with his head toward the blade slung over his shoulders.

Yoruichi smiled—and how he could tell on the cat's face, he wasn't sure—as the feline replied, "Yes, I had hoped you would have them back by now. I thought it would be a good idea to bring your two friends down here so you could all train a little together before going to the Soul Society."

Ichigo's eyes widened in shock, and he slid Zangetsu into place on his back, before stalking past Yoruichi towards Orihime, Chad, and Urahara. Crossing his arms over his chest, eyes flickering between Chad and Orihime, he demanded, "Did you two actually decide to go with me to the Soul Society?"

Chad met his stare head on and nodded.

Orihime looked to be torn between bolting for safety and standing her ground, but she gave him a nervous nod too.

"Do either of you know how dangerous this is going to be?!"

Chad didn't back down, pinning him with a serious stare. "Rukia saved my life once. I want to help her out if I can." His blunt statement served to ease some of Ichigo's worries about the arrangement, the gentle giant having always proven to have his back in the past. And the brown-haired teen seemed to look past his current appearance, seeing only the friend he knew. Ichigo nodded slowly, mostly to himself, feeling Zangetsu's '*calm-reassurance-trust*' wrap around his shoulders, before looking at Orihime.

"And you?" He wasn't sure what to think about her. He hardly knew her. And had only had one spiritual encounter with her—when he had battled her brother's hollow soul to save hers. But what he had seen made him pause when considering her. From his experience, he hadn't ever thought of her as a fighter. Much less one he could trust to watch his back. She was…quite frankly…an air head. And prone to moments where she spaced out.

Would she even be safe in a place like the Soul Society?

The orange-haired girl stuttered as she said, "I-I wanted…" She paused, gathering up her resolve with a sigh before she firmed up her stance and looked him straight in the eyes, brown eyes unwavering as they met his, "I want to protect you."

Ichigo felt his eyes widen in shock, not expecting such a serious response. Not from her. She wants to protect me?

'Ya really are blind, aren'cha?' Zangetsu snarked as he mentally nudged Ichigo's side, grin wide on his face. '*amusement-teasing-exasperation*' flowing from his zanpakuto.

Ichigo tossed an eye roll back towards him. I didn't really think she was a fighter. Why would I have expected this?

A smirk was Zangetsu's only response, leaving Ichigo to unsuccessfully mentally badger him for an answer. '*glee-mirth-happiness*' escaping from the sword before he clamped down on his feelings. 'Nope. Not tellin' ya. You gotta figure this one out on your own!'

"Are you sure you want to do this, Orihime?" Ichigo asked. He had to know. Had to hear her say it. It would be wrong of him to let her come just out of some half-formed desire to somehow want to protect him. He knew the dangers of what he was planning on doing. But did she understand the consequences? Did she understand that she would be risking her life? Her safety? Just to follow him?

"Yes. I am," the orange-haired girl replied, chin held in a firm line, her brown eyes—for once—focused on the present. He eyed her warily, still not convinced despite the display, and not sure what Zangetsu had seen. Tatsuki will kill me if anything happens to her. Her eyes pulled off his face for a moment as she angled her body toward Chad. They shared a look before he sighed and jogged a short distance away.

Ichigo eyed his best friend with confusion even as Orihime put herself between them. What's going on? "Stay back," she ordered, her voice firm as she gestured for him to shuffle back into place behind her. What is she doing?

Ichigo felt Zangetsu shift to the front of his mind, whatever he had been doing abandoned in favor of this. For a moment, the substitute soul reaper didn't feel anything from his zanpakuto. Then suddenly, he sensed '*anticipation-curiosity-intrigue*' filter from his sword.

What?

'Just watch.'

Ichigo frowned before his eyes widened in shock as a red armor shimmered into existence around Chad's right arm. There was a silent exchange between him and Orihime before she nodded to him. Then he began charging spiritual energy into his arm, the pressure surrounding him rising far more than Ichigo had ever seen before. Then he released a blast of spirit energy in their direction. Before Ichigo could grab Orihime and dash out of the way—and then berate the two of them for the dangerous display—Orihime's hair pins shined.

"Hinagiku! Baigon! Lily! Santen Ketsuhun! I reject!" An orange shield snapped into existence between them and Chad's attack, deflecting and scattering the spirit energy of his attack until it was harmless energy floating in the air. After a few moments, Chad ended his impromptu—at least to him—attack and Orihime released her shield, looking unruffled as she turned to face him once more.

Ichigo simply stared at her. Wow. That's quite an amazing ability. He gave her a small smile and nodded, "Okay." He wasn't sure what else to say, but the glow of happiness that shined on her face nearly blinded him. He snuck a glance at Chad and the giant shrugged as if to say, She tried telling you. Zangetsu stifled a snort of laughter, passing his '*acceptance-belief-amusement*' to Ichigo when he finally devolved into a fit of laughter in his mind.

"U-umm anyways…" Orihime's suddenly stuttered voice pulled Ichigo's attention back toward her. "What happened to you?"

"Well…"

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*Jonas Mazeri*

Jonas watched as Ichigo informed his two friends of everything that had happened. At least, all the things he understood. Occasionally he would pause and cock his head to the side, listening to Zangetsu's input before continuing once more, both teenagers stunned into silence by his words. Jonas could hear the speech echoing faintly in his own mind and allowed himself to get distracted from the conversation even as he approached, and his ears passively picked up what was being said.

While Ichigo spoke, Urahara and Yoruichi left them to gather up the others that were deeper in the training grounds. While Neil and Shila had stayed relatively close to him and Ichigo due to their own training, Michael, Casey, and Kienan had ventured further away, keeping to themselves so as not to interfere with their own exercises. It had been a good plan, but unfortunately kept them so far away that they were essentially cut off from them. He could feel their essence auras flitting through the air, but the power was far enough away that it was faint by the time it made the journey over here.

Jonas mentally beckoned for Neil and Shila to join him as he stepped into place beside Ichigo. Ichigo's two friends eyed him warily, glancing between him and their friend, before finally introducing themselves. Shortly after, Neil and Shila joined the group and they added their own names to the discussion, settling into the awkward flow of unfamiliar people.

With an internal chuckle at the distraction he was about to cause, Jonas focused on Ichigo and said, I think that now is as good a time as any for you to start practicing this.

Ichigo flinched and tossed a glare at him, oblivious to Orihime's furrowed brows or Chad's confused expression. Neither of them had any idea what had just happened. Jonas simply shrugged at him, ignoring Shila's eyeroll and Neil's snicker, and pointed out, You will need to learn how to do this. And the sooner you do, and the more you have going on around you, the better you'll get at masking the fact that you're communicating telepathically with someone.

Ichigo sighed, Fine, closing his eyes briefly before turning back to face his friends, explaining what was going on. Orihime lit up, her anxiety at Ichigo's changed appearance settling as she got used to him, rambling on about mental powers and superheroes.

Jonas stifled a laugh. She's quite a handful, isn't she?

A few moments passed before Ichigo replied with the equivalent of a mental shrug. She is kind of ditzy, I'll admit that. You'll get used to her. *Fondness-friendship-amusement*. There was a shorter pause this time, and before Jonas could ask anything else, Ichigo continued, Are you and your group coming to the Soul Society too? The orange-haired teen seemed to pick up the new skill relatively quickly, following both his mental conversation and verbal one with few awkward pauses or misplaced words, and he couldn't help but to shake his head at the other boy's latent talent.

Jonas passed him a mental affirmation, seeing Urahara and Yoruichi approaching with the others out of the corner of his eye. Why do you think we are training? We might as well get stronger while we figure out a way home. And besides…someone getting executed for saving a person's life is just…wrong.

Kisuke had explained it all to him just before Ichigo had returned to start his training. That Rukia had come here to protect Karakura town for a routine patrol. That she had been seriously wounded by a hollow she intended to kill. And that she had given her powers to Ichigo so he could save his family and kill the hollow. Apparently, such an act was illegal, and she had been brought back to the Soul Society—supposedly under orders for her execution. It all sat wrong to him, and he hadn't had too difficult of a time convincing the others to help. They all wanted to get stronger, and none of them felt comfortable turning their back on those in need.

Urahara and the others approached the group, ending the conversation where it was. "Alright, everyone! Here is what we will do!"

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*

Terminology

My Universe:

Beasts:

Dark Severiin: think of a Deviljho from Monster Hunter when you think of this thing. Physically, it is a bit different, but I am using a lot of comparisons to describe characters and things. This is the thing I am vaguely describing at the beginning of the chapter that Jonas and his friends were fighting. The characters from my story are being pulled from their timeline during the Dark Severiin fight in Arc 1 of Chronicles of Seraphia (the book series I am working on).

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Magic (General):

Magic Core: the core of an individual's magical ability. No Magic Core means that the person cannot wield Magic AT ALL. All Magic Essence that an individual can manipulate originates from their Magic Core. It is located in the chest just behind the heart along the spine. The Essence Ribbon for a person is tied directly to this place.

It is possible to transfer powers from one person to another through a technique referred to as a Spark Transfer. This can be done to awaken a person's dormant Magic Core, grant a Magic Core to an individual with no Core, or replenish the receiver's magic essence at the expense of the giver (giving energy directly from one person to another so the receiver can continue fighting, for example).

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Magic Wielder: an individual capable of manipulating the magic essence within and beyond their body to produce magical skills and abilities. Just because a person has a Magic Core does not automatically mean that they can use magic. Some people must have their Magic Core activated in order to use magic.

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Magic is divided into 6 Divisions: Spellcaster Magic, Weapon Magic, Incantation Magic, Spiritual Magic, Elemental Magic, and Ritual Magic.

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Magic Class: One of ten major classifications of various magics.

Mental, Arcane, Holy, Unholy, Nature, Dark, Light, Fire, Water, and Earth Magics.

Mental Magic is the ONLY recognized Class without a definite subclass.

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Magic Subclass: one of several magics that make up a magic class.

Space/Time Subclasses are part of Arcane Magic.

Holy/Angel/Blessing Subclasses are part of Holy Magic.

Unholy/Demon/Curse Subclasses are part of Unholy Magic.

Plant/Animal/Poison Subclasses are part of Nature Magic.

Dark/Death/Summoner Subclasses are part of Dark Magic.

Light/Life/Conjurer Subclasses are part of Light Magic.

Fire/Lightning/Chaos/Sun Subclasses are part of Fire Magic.

Water/Ice/Wind/Moon Subclasses are part of Water Magic.

Earth/Metal/Magma Subclasses are part of Earth Magic.

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Primary Wavelength: there are many different levels of magical communication. The space in an individual's mind directly below the Weapon Wavelength is this layer where communication through Blood Imprints, Dragon Imprints and Plant Summons exist.

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Weapon Wavelength: the layer in a person's mind near the top of their consciousness where a Magic Weapon of some sort communicates with their wielder. This is the level Engeta Zanu, Tasha Rein, and the other Weapons communicate on.

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Tending to a Wavelength: a mental process where an individual concentrates and focuses their efforts on increasing the bond between two sides of a connection (such as a Blood Imprint or Blood Tie), making the connection more stable. Needs to be done periodically to keep imprints etc. smooth. If not done, can lead to a lot of mental hardships. Must be done when adding to the existing connections or making new ones on the same wavelength to prevent signals from getting tangled. (think of it like untangling a ball of yarn and keeping it separated while continuously moving the string around and adding to it).

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Magic (Weapons):

Blank Magic Weapon: a basic summon of the primary form of an individual's Magic Weapon. Granted by the Weapon Essence when a person gains basic access to their magical abilities. Replaced once the wielder learns their Weapon's name and Summoning phrase.

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Magic Weapon: a magical Weapon bound to an individual from birth. Magic Weapons are created from Weapon Spirits that choose a child as it is born and meld with the newborn's spirit to become their Magic Weapon later in life. Weapon Spirits are reincarnated whenever they choose a new wielder (after they are separated from their current one). Typically wielded only by living people in either the Light World or the Dark World. Used to send spirits on to the realms.

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Weapon Magic Wielder: Weapon Magic Wielders are able to manipulate the Magic Essence in their bodies to summon powerful Weapons and communicate with the Weapon Essences to gain new powers and abilities.

If one can only use Weapon Magic, then they are also referred to as Guardians (this term can also be used for someone that uses a Spirit Weapon or Hell Weapon if the Weapon is the only magical ability they have).

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Weapon Spirit/Weapon Essence: the personality and appearance of a Magic or Spirit Weapon within and beyond the wielder's inner world. Each one has a unique appearance and powers. They choose to bind to an individual's spirit (typically at birth) and help to shape their wielder's development. In the end, it is hard (sometimes) to distinguish the two from each other (what is the natural state of the wielder and what part of the wielder's personality and traits were influenced by the Weapon kind of question).

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Tasha Rein: Jonas's Magic Weapon.

Humanoid Form: 5'5". Long black and silver hair and black eyes. She wore a black, form-fitting kimono with dark blue accents along the outer edges and dark blue cloth on the inside. Dark blue threads held it all together. While the body of the kimono was form-fitting, the arms and legs had plenty of room and were quite baggy.

Lore: Means 'Ultimate Darkness/The Black Dragon'

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Engeta Zanu: Neil Agamon's Magic Weapon.

Humanoid Form: looks like Neil except he is all white. Wears a dark orange kimono with a crimson inner liner and dark red stitches. Wears a pair of baggy red pants that flare at his feet with matching crimson socks slipped into a basic flat black sandal. There is a red flame design etched into the bottom of the robe's top half.

Lore: Engeta Zanu also means Twin Flickering Flames. The idea that a flame reflects the spirit of a person (hence why he is Neil's duplicate), with different colors indicating different moods and the color white representing the complete balance of all that power (since it is said that white is the conglomeration of all color whereas black is the absence of color). Engeta Zanu is a pair of dual long swords.

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Kisi Ri: Magic Weapon belonging to The Matriarch and, by extension, the feral vampires under her control.

Lore: functions by inserting vampire magical abilities into a person's Magic Core, thus transforming them into a vampire. High success rate.

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Juka Reyno: Shila Mezere's Magic Weapon.

Humanoid Form: 5'4". Long white hair tossed behind her head in gentle curls flowing to the center of her back. Stunned bright blue eyes. Wears a floor-length white and blue dress that shimmered as she walked, now streaked with lines of red and black.

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Weapon Release (Weapon State): Similar in nature to a Shikai or Bankai release. However, there are 10 Mortal Tier Releases (as opposed to the 2 levels that Soul Reapers can use).

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Kogomosa/Shikai: The 1st Weapon Release in the Mortal Tier of Weapon Releases. Equivalent to Shikai state, with fighters on average becoming twice as strong as their initial summon state. X2 Initial Summon.

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Magic Weapon Classes: Magic Weapons have classes which determine how exactly they are used, along with describing total size of the Weapons etc. Basically, a dual longsword class is different than a dual short sword class and indicates the length of the blades. There are also dual classes which will be explained later.

Weapons are Melee (up close), Ranged (far away), Defensive (which falls under the melee class), or Dual Form (two different types of weapons that are part of one weapon. Think of the weapons from Bloodborne and how almost every single one had 2 forms.)

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Sword Lengths- Daggers are between 5 to 10 inches long. Short swords are between 10 and 18 inches long. Long swords are between 18 and 30 inches long. Greatswords are between 30 and 48 inches long. Ultra greatswords are between 48 and 72 inches long.

Curved swords mean that the flat side of the blade (the part that is not sharp) is curved, along with the bladed edge. Regular swords are straight here, regardless of whether the blade itself arcs into a curve. (for a comparison, Zangetsu would be considered an Ultra Greatsword class.)

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Melee Classes- Single Form

Dagger

Dual Dagger

Short Sword

Dual Swords (2 short swords)

Long Sword

Dual Long Swords

Greatsword

Ultra Greatsword

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Curved Short Sword-

Dual Curved Swords- (2 curved short swords)

Curved Long Sword-

Dual Curved Long Swords-

Curved Greatsword-

Curved Ultra Greatsword-

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Sword and Shield-

Greatsword and Tower Shield-

Spear-

Lance-

Shield and Lance-

Shield and Spear-

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Claws-

Knuckles-

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Ball and Chain-

Scythe-

Dual Scythes-

Trident-

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Club-

Great Club-

Hammer-

Great Hammer-

Axe-

Greataxe-

Mace-

Tonitrus-

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3 Part pole-

Twinblade-

Vibratory Axe-

Saw-

Staff-

Whip-

Num-chuks-

Chains (Chains are called melee Weapons but they can be thrown and used as a combination melee and ranged Weapon. Chains are also typically used by Sinners and other Hell Realm denizens, but not exclusively.)

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Ranged Classes- Single Form

Wand-

Magic Staff-

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Boomerang

Throwing Star (shuriken)

Throwing knife

Throwing fans

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Short Bow-

Long Bow-

Greatbow-

Crossbow-

Ballista-

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Pistol-

Rifle-

Shotgun-

Sniper Rifle-

Rocket Launcher-

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Defensive Classes (considered melee)

Small Shield- A light shield mostly intended for parrying and not blocking. Cannot block heavy attacks but can block most light attacks.

Medium Shield- An average-sized shield for typical use. Allows the Wielder to move around freely while offering the most protection.

Tower Shield- A huge and heavy shield, capable of blocking the most devastating attacks.

Reflective Shield- An average-sized shield that reflects magic attacks. As competent as a medium shield with the added magic reflection.

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Miscellaneous Weapon Classes (dual form weapons)

Staffblade- (staff/longsword)

Staff Rifle- (staff/sniper rifle)

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Switchaxe- (longsword/greataxe)

Swordblade- (longsword/dual swords)

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Clawhands- (knuckles/claws)

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Clawblades- (claws/dual daggers)

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Sawblade- (saw/longsword)

Saw Cleaver- (saw/greatsword)

Saw Spear- (saw/spear)

Sawbow- (saw/short bow)

Sawwhip- (saw/whip)

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Swordlauncher- (ultra greatsword/rocket launcher)

Axeblade- (ultra greatsword/greataxe)

Great Swordblades- (ultra greatsword/dual long swords)

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Axelauncher- (greataxe/rocket launcher)

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Crossblade- (dual swords/crossbow)

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Vibratory Axeblade- (vibratory axe/ultra greatsword)

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Swordwhip- (short sword/whip)

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Scytheblade- (scythe/curved longsword)

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Bowblade- (long bow/long sword)

Bowblades- (long bow/dual swords)

Bowscythe- (long bow/scythe)

Bow staff- (long bow/staff)

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Great Bowblade- (great bow/ultra greatsword)

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Sniper Sword- (sniper rifle/greatsword)

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Staffsword- (magic staff/longsword)

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Hammerfists- (great hammer/knuckles)

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Twin Dual Scythes- (twinblade/dual scythes)

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Weapon Summon Spell: each Magic Weapon has a specific phrase or word that allows their wielder to bring them into the world (summon their weapon). This is similar to the phrase used by a soul reaper to awaken their zanpakuto to Shikai.

Initial Summon: The basic summon and first form of a Magic Weapon. Each Initial Summon has an activation spell (summoning spell) to summon the Weapon into existence.

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Kisi Ri summon spell: Turn Them

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Engeta Zanu summon spell: Burn

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Tasha Rein summon spell: Descend

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Juka Reyno summon spell: Pierce

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Weapon Dispel Spell: each Magic Weapon has a specific phrase or word that allows their wielder to disperse the magic essence forming their weapon, allowing it to disappear (dispel their weapon). Currently, there is no known way for a soul reaper to do something like this, since their zanpakuto is a physical creation and not summoned out of reishi.

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Tasha Rein dispel spell: Disappear

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Magic (Incantations):

Incantation Magic: Magic that manipulates the magic essence in one's body to cast powerful spells which are formed and guided by chants and body positioning. While divided into 14 subcategories (7 Mortal Tier and 7 God Tier), they also adhere to the basic class/subclass mentality introduced by Spellcaster Magic, giving their spells magic types.

This type of Magic is also referred to as 'True Magic'. Could be compared to Hado/Bakudo spells from Bleach or even the spellcasting from Charmed. Each spell has a specific name and number, along with a specific chant that allows the user to channel the proper amount of energy into the spell and guide it into the correct form.

Those that can ONLY use Incantation Magic are referred to as Witches.

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Magic (Spellcaster):

Spellcaster Magic: Magic that manipulates the magic essence in one's body and surroundings, allowing a Spellcaster Magic Wielder to influence their surroundings and environment on a basic level. It is separated into 4 sub-categories, which are then broken down into the ten major classes and their numerous subclasses.

This type of Magic is also referred to as 'Basic Magic'. Could be compared to the Bending Arts from Avatar in that there are no specific names that are exclaimed when certain attacks are used (although some signature spells have unique names). While all uses of the magics have basic names, many spellcaster spells are not special enough to have a specially designated name and the 'names' given to these basic spells is just so one can differentiate different levels of attack.

Those that can ONLY use Spellcaster Magic are referred to as Wizards.

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Cosmic Magic: 1 of 4 sub-categories of Spellcaster Magic. Represents Mental Magic, Arcane (space/time) Magic, Blood Magic, and Transmutation Magic.

Only Mental Magic and Arcane Magic are considered Magic Classes. Blood Magic and Transmutation Magic are considered separate types of Magic and are NOT recognized by the Dragon Clans.

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Godly Magic: 1 of 4 subcategories of Spellcaster Magic. Represents Holy (holy/angel/blessing) Magic and Unholy (unholy/demon/curse) Magics. Both Holy and Unholy are considered Magic Classes.

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Worldly Magic: 1 of 4 subcategories of Spellcaster Magic. Represents Nature (plant/animal/poison) Magic, Dark (dark/death/summoner) Magic, and Light (light/life/conjurer) Magic. Nature, Dark, and Light Magics are considered Magic Classes.

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Elemental Magic: 1 of 4 subcategories of Spellcaster Magic. Represents Fire (fire/lightning/chaos/sun) Magic, Water (water/ice/wind/moon) Magic, and Earth (earth/metal/magma) Magic. Fire, Water, and Earth Magics are considered Magic Classes.

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Magic (Spiritual):

Spiritual Magic: Magic that manipulates the Magic Essence within and around an individual's spirit to cast powerful spells similar to spellcaster magic. These spells are empowered by the strength of one's spirit and are solely used by the dead or those influenced by the dead. There are 5 subcategories of Spiritual Magic: Dark Spirit Magic, Hell Spirit Magic, Hell Spirit Weapon Magic, Light Spirit Magic, and Spirit Weapon Magic (although, really, the Weapon Magics fall under the purview of general Weapon Magic for the most part, even though there are a few differences between them all).

This type of Magic is also referred to as Dead Magic or Magic of the Dead. The basic idea could be compared to the spirit magic in Bleach in spirit (pun intended), but they have no chants or anything like that. It would probably be closer to the hollow skills if one insisted on the comparison.

If one can ONLY use Spiritual Magic (and they are still alive), then they are also referred to as Spirit Guardians. (Infusers also fall into this category if Spirit Magic is all the magic ability they have.)

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Magic (Elemental Spirit):

Elemental Magic: Magic that manipulates the Magic Essence within and around an individual's body to make themselves more compatible with a desired Elemental Spirit. These wielders are capable of physically/spiritually binding to an Elemental Spirit, borrowing an Elemental Spirit's power for a set amount of time, or subjugating an Elemental Spirit. There are 3 major ideologies (Druidism, Shamanism, and Subjugation) for Elemental Magic users, and none of them get along.

This type of Magic is also referred to as Ancient Magic because it is the basic premise of returning to magic's roots and working with the elemental spirits governing certain magical abilities.

Druids operate much like the Avatar in which an Elemental Spirit enters the body of a person and lives within them, strengthening their body and allowing their magic to pass through them.

Shamans borrow the power of an Elemental Spirit by gaining favor with an Elemental and getting a portion of that spirit's power.

Warlocks subjugate an Elemental Spirit and force that spirit to do their bidding.

If one can ONLY use Elemental Spirit Magic, then they are referred to as Elemental Spirit Guardians.

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Magic (Ritual):

Ritual Magic: Magic that manipulates the Magic Essence within a person's body and from their surroundings using special rituals and ceremonies to cast powerful spells or create magical artifacts. They use combinations of otherwise powerless objects to craft special spells for numerous purposes. They are known as the group packrat and typically either have lots of control using magic, or next to none. Rarely, are they average in their controlling abilities.

This type of Magic is also referred to as Object Magic because it is based around items and ceremony, oftentimes relying heavily on both to form the magic as opposed to any input from the caster.

If one can ONLY use Ritual Magic, then they are referred to as Mediums.

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Vampire Specific:

Vampire: A subspecies of humanoid. Draws magical power by draining the magic from a target's bloodstream. Very good users of ranged magics. Known for their usage of Blood Magic. Predominately female-led society.

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Blood Imprint: a type of magical connection through blood. Made between a vampire and someone else. On the Primary Wavelength.

This type of connection allows the imprinter and imprintee to use each other's magical abilities and Magic Weapons.

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The Change: the process of transforming into a vampire.

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Primary Bloodline: Bloodlines named after and descended directly from the vampire offspring of those that wielded the 10 Dragon Champion Weapons in ancient times. They are well known for their mastery of their particular Magic Class.

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Secondary Bloodline: Bloodlines named after the specific matings of the Primary Bloodlines. Known for their ability to wield two Magic Classes related to their names.

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Tertiary Bloodline (trash bloodline): unstable bloodlines. Too numerous and diverse to be able to name them all. Not known for anything special. Fall to feral status easier because of their magical instability.

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Forced Submission (vampire): This is something that can ONLY be done by a Primary or Secondary Bloodline on a vampire going through The Change that is in their feral state. Primaries can ONLY be force submitted by other Primaries. Secondaries can be force submitted by either primaries or secondaries. While Tertiaries can be force submitted by any primary or secondary but are unable to force submit anyone except other tertiaries. (this is due to the strength of the bloodlines involved.) When a Primary or a Secondary force submit a Tertiary, they are essentially birthing their target into their bloodline.

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Blood Tie: a magical connection between two vampires where one force submitted another. This loosely connects all that are directly connected with the two involved in the Blood Tie (includes any imprints on both sides. For example, Jonas force submitted Neil. Neil is Blood Imprinted with Shila. Therefore, through the Blood Tie, Jonas is connected to Shila.)

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Blood Memories (genetic memories): Primary Bloodlines and Secondary Bloodlines pass on genetic memories and abilities through their blood, gifting subsequent generations with the same skills and memories of days long past. (this is possible even though magical ability isn't technically passed on this way.)

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Rein/Mazeri Vampires: Descended from Miseanu Meizerai/Rein. They are masters of the Dark Magic Class and specialize in stealth, summoning, and raising the dead to fight again (necromancy). Jonas's particular bloodline is spawned from Bequaki Mazeri, who was once known as Bequaki Rein, but she changed her name and began the Mazeri bloodline when she disagreed with the other primary vampire bloodlines and their decision to attack the werewolves.

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Lore:

When a vampire first begins The Change, they have a brief period where they 'go feral' (i.e. go insane, lose themselves to bloodlust and instincts, etc.). Most vampires turn back toward the light shortly after their body full changes, but not all. There is a higher chance of someone with a tertiary/trash bloodline of staying feral than someone belonging to a primary or secondary bloodline.

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In the canon storyline, the Matriarch, while powerful, is simply a strong Mental Magic user from a tertiary bloodline. In fact, her Weapon, Kisi Ri, should work far better than it does in controlling her victims, but it doesn't because of her lineage. Because my characters are now in the Bleach universe with no ready means of returning home, they are cut off from the majority of her mental influence. Therefore, Jonas was able to defeat the portion of her power struggling for dominance easily whereas Neil (and by extension, Shila) had to struggle and required Jonas's aid.

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Okay, so Ichigo had a tertiary bloodline (because he got his vampirism from Neil who got it from The Matriarch and Neil had stabbed Ichigo with Kisi Ri before Jonas Force Submitted him). But, as Jonas realized, while he was a tertiary bloodline, he was rapidly becoming a powerful trash vampire. To the extent that, while he normally wouldn't be able to Force Submit Jonas (because Jonas is a primary and tertiaries can't normally force a primary to submit), he would have been able to had Jonas failed to repel him. This, of course, would have had drastic consequences, which thankfully, we don't have to worry about now.

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Jonas is a Mazeri/Rein vampire by birth which is a Primary Bloodline. Neil was transformed by The Matriarch's power, and she came from a tertiary bloodline. So, when Jonas forced Engeta Zanu to submit, he was birthing Neil into the Mazeri bloodline. Basically, Neil is a Mazeri vampire now with all the bloodline skills etc. that come along with that with the exception of the Blood Memories which he does not have. Blood Memories can only be passed on from ancestor to direct descendant, not through a forced submission.

Jonas force submitting Neil's vampiric side is also why Jonas can feel what Neil is feeling. And he can sense Shila through Neil because Neil and Shila are imprinted. (normally, Neil biting Shila for that short period of time would not have caused an imprint. However, because she broke the barrier between them in her inner world and went to him in his, she cemented their connection.) This connection between the three is ONLY because Jonas force submitted Neil's vampire side. (this connection works similarly to an imprint in that they can sense each other's feelings. However, power sharing is NOT included in this.)

Engeta Zanu made the comment that he was 'back now' to Jonas when Jonas force submitted him. This is because of how the transformation took effect on Neil. Because Neil was not born from, nor ever descended from a vampire, he was not meant to become a vampire. The Matriarch's power had infiltrated his spirit and tried taking over Engeta Zanu (which she could because he had no natural bloodline to resist her). Once Jonas forced his bloodline onto Neil, it caused the hold on Engeta Zanu to disappear, allowing the Weapon's regular personality to reemerge.

The fact that Jonas is a Mazeri vampire is the entire reason why the transformation went differently for him than it did for Neil. This is why it took the shape of his mother and acted more like an outside force attacking rather than a possession.

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Werewolf Specific:

Shini/Light Spirit Specific:

Shade/Dark Spirit Specific:

Sinner/Hell Spirit Specific:

Demon Specific:

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Essence Ribbon Specific:

The color of the Essence Ribbon is determined by the individual's spellcaster magic aptitude. Ribbons only demonstrate the powers the individual is aware of and capable of wielding.

The color of the Essence Ribbon is also affected by whether or not they are a Weapon Wielder or an Incantation Wielder and they also change depending on their vampire/werewolf status and spiritual status.

Those that do not wield any Magic whatsoever have pure WHITE ribbons. This means no spellcaster magic, no incantations, and no Weapons—no magic anything. Ritual Magic users also show no magic potential due to the nature of that magic and are the ONLY ones capable of using spells without affecting the appearance of their ribbon.

Vampires have a red aura surrounding their essence ribbon. Werewolves have a blue aura. Werepires have a purple aura. Light Spirits have a light gray aura. Dark Spirits (otherwise referred to as Shades) have a black aura. These auras are only sensed when the individual is blatantly showing off their subspecies abilities or if the person sensing their essence ribbon has great detection abilities.

Those that wield Weapon Magic have a black outline to their ribbons. If the ribbon is also black, then there is a white line separating the outer edges from the main body of the ribbon to denote the two abilities within. If the individual does not wield spellcaster magic, then a silver line separates the outer edge from the main body of the ribbon to denote the lack of other ability.

Those that wield Spellcaster Magic have the entire body of the ribbon as a specific color. If the individual is capable of wielding Magic from two different classes, then the body of the ribbon will be striped with the corresponding colors. If the wielder does not wield incantations or Weapons, then the outside edge of the ribbon is pure white. If the ribbon is white, there will be a black line separating the outer edges from the main body to denote the lack of incantation or Weapon abilities.

Arcane Magic Class wielders have translucent white ribbons. Specks of black represent Time Magic and specks of purple represent Space Magic.

Mental Magic wielders have amethyst ribbons. There is no subclass and so there are no specks in the ribbon.

Fire Magic Class wielders have red ribbons. There will be specks of ruby representing fire, gold representing lightning, orange representing chaos, and black representing sun.

Water Magic Class wielders have blue ribbons. There will be specks of sapphire representing water, white representing ice, green representing wind, and gray representing moon.

Earth Magic Class wielders have brown ribbons. There will be specks of bronze representing earth, specks of silver representing metal and specks of ruby representing magma.

Nature Magic Class wielders have dark green ribbons. There will be specks of emerald representing plant, specks of black representing animal and specks of purple representing poison.

Light Magic Class wielders have white ribbons. There will be specks of silver representing light, specks of yellow representing conjurer and specks of green representing life.

Dark Magic Class wielders have black ribbons. There will be specks of gold representing dark, specks of purple representing summoner and specks of silver representing death.

Holy Magic Class wielders have yellow ribbons. There will be specks of gold representing holy, specks of white representing angel and specks of red representing blessings.

Unholy Magic Class wielders have dark gray ribbons. There will be specks of silver representing unholy, specks of black representing demon and specks of red representing curses.

The Matriarch's 'thralls' (for lack of a better term—those The Matriarch turns into feral vampires and then controls) have iridescent essence ribbons (the colors are always shifting and never settle).

All living and non-living things have Essence Ribbons.

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Humanoid Characters:

Jonas Mazeri: main character in Chronicles of Seraphia. short, spiky silver hair. Dark blue eyes. 5'7". Skinny and toned. 16 years old. Wields Tasha Rein.

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Neil Agamon- 5'7". Short and straight brown hair. Brown eyes. He appears average build with clothes on but is physically fit. 16 years old. Wields Engeta Zanu.

Neil's Flames: so, there are different colors for different emotions/states of being, with colors having multiple meanings. He is a character that tends to speak without a 'filter' and got the nickname Firebrand for being such a pain in the ass. But despite how he behaves normally, he doesn't always intend to come across as rude/insulting as he does. He just doesn't convey what he means very well.

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Shila Mezere- 5'4". Long silver hair that reaches between her shoulder blades. Light blue eyes. Thin. 16 years old. Wields Juka Reyno. Uses Ice Subclass Magic.

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Casey Urdoni- 5'4". Long black hair. Dark blue eyes so dark they are almost black. Impassive face. 15 years old. Wields ?

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Kienan Urdoni- 5'8". Short black hair. Black eyes. 16 years old. Wields ?

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Michael Koto- 5'7". Brown eyes. Short light blonde hair. 16 years old. Wields ?

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Sheila Emetere- ?

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Sirta Mazeri- 5'5". Long silver hair. Dark blue eyes. Jonas's mother. (deceased).

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Miseanu Meizerai/Rein: looks just like Sirta Mazeri (except maybe a little more muscular. Long silver hair. Dark blue eyes.

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Maku and Sima Mazeri: They are fraternal twins. Maku is a boy. Sima is a girl. They are younger than Jonas by a few years and were there with Jonas when their parents died before their eyes. They are not present in this timeline.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x

Extra Notes/General Seraphia Worldbuilding:

Jonas Mazeri's appearance: So, I never fully describe exactly what his face (or anyone else's face really) in my universe looks like. I give the basic hair and eye color, heights, and builds but I leave the faces open to the imagination (unless there is a specific scar I wish to address). So, I thought, how cool would it be if Jonas looked like Ichigo? (guess you can figure out which character I like the most, eh?)

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Light World/Dark World: two different worlds that exist as copies of each other. This is where all life lives before it dies. (think of them like the World of the Living in Bleach.)

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Realms: There are actually 12 realms where spirits live after life. 10 of them exist where their specific magics are prominent (and each of these 10 have a light side and a dark side to them). Then, there is Hell (realm of Sinners). Finally, there is the Otherlands (which is the realm of ALL Weapon Spirits).

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Betweenlands: The dimension that keeps all the realms and the worlds connected. (kind of like the Dangai).

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In my universe, all things give off essence ribbons. Everything has a small amount of magic essence which then strongly or weakly gives off an aura of power. So, Jonas has the ability to see these ribbons (all ribbons) and since there aren't that many Essence Ribbons in this universe (because the only ones currently belong to him and his friends), it is far easier for him to search for his missing friend this way.

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In my universe, before the kids got sent to the Bleach universe, both Neil and Jonas were attacked by vampires under someone's control named The Matriarch. The Matriarch is a person with the Magic Weapon, Kisi Ri, and she can use it to transform people into vampires. Those that she initiates the change with, can use her Weapon to varying degrees.

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Primary School: the equivalent of High School in my universe.

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Trade School: the equivalent of college for people without magical powers.

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Magic School: the equivalent of college for people with magical powers. The graduates enter the Magic Squads (similarly to how those that go to the Soul Reaper Academy join the 13 Court Guard Squads when they leave the school).

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There are 10 Dragon Clans which represent each of the 10 Magic Classes. They do not recognize the existence of Blood Magic or Transmutation Magic, which is why those two are not considered Magic Classes.

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I mentioned earlier in this chapter that homosexuality is deemed as okay in my universe. This is because of my own personal beliefs on the matter (I'm not but don't have any problem with anyone that is). I added this information in because I wanted to explain Neil and Jonas's reactions to what was happening between Jonas and Ichigo (to clarify in case anyone misunderstood: it was NOT because of the boy/boy intimate interaction that caused Jonas's disgust. His disgust rose from him not wanting to be a vampire and then having no choice but to use his vampiric abilities to stop Ichigo's feral rampage.)

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And the people in my world do not use glasses. This is why Jonas has no clue what they are.

*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x*x

Bleach Universe:

Magic:

Kido: The over-arching classification of spells used by soul reapers. Divided into Bakudo, Hado, or Kaido.

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Bakudo Spells: Way of Binding. Spells used to restrain or restrict movement or spells.

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Bakudo #1 Sai: a weak binding kido spell that forces the target's hands behind their back.

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Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro: Six-Rod Light Restraint.

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Bakudo #99 Part 1: Restrict

Bakudo #99 Part 2: (Ban-kin) Constriction Band.

First Incantation: Shiryû! Bandage

Second Incantation: Hyaku Ren San! The hundred gate bolts.

Final Incantation: Ban-Kin Tai-Ho! Constriction Seal.

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Inemuri: Forced Slumber spell. User holds their hand in front of their victim's face, the victim's pupils dilate several times before they pass out.

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Hakufuku: White Concealment: a spell that causes the target to see the illusion of purple cherry blossoms falling around them, sometimes also along with the smell of sweet flowers. Then their vision blurs and their mind becomes disoriented and confused before they fall unconscious. Target has an unclear memory once they awaken.

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Tanma Otoshi: Time-Out Drop. The kido spell that Shinji used to knock Ichigo unconscious before his struggle with his inner hollow with the visoreds.

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Hado Spells: Way of Destruction. Spells used to inflict damage.

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Kaido: Healing Spiritual Arts. The spells and abilities used by soul reapers to heal injuries.

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Quincy Specific:

Quincy: A human that can manipulate spirit particles in the air to form a bow and arrow. When they kill hollows, they destroy their souls.

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Soul Reaper Specific:

Jinzen: the true method a soul reaper uses to communicate with their zanpakuto. By taking a meditative pose and placing their sword in their lap and focusing their mind into their sword, a soul reaper can reach heights of power and communication otherwise unreachable or taking more effort.

While soul reapers are always able to communicate with their swords, this allows a face-to-face encounter between the reaper and their weapon.

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Gigai: an artificial body

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Mod Soul: An artificial soul designed for combat. Project Spearhead.

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Gikon: Substitute Souls.

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Gikongan: Substitute Soul Pills. Contain Gikon or Mod Souls.

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Shihakusho: Garment of Dead Souls. The uniform that all soul reapers in the 13 Court Guard Squads are required to wear.

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Soul Reaper (Death God/Shinigami): A dead spirit that guides lost souls to the afterlife via Konso.

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Zanpakuto (Soul Cutter): a weapon born from a soul reaper's soul. The fragment of their soul that is forged for battle.

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Shikai: the first true release of a zanpakuto. Considered the second form of a zanpakuto since all normal soul reapers wield sealed swords.

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Release Shikai: To release a zanpakuto to Shikai in the bleach universe, each of them has a unique call phrase that causes the sword to transform into its shikai release.

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Seal Zanpakuto: Soul Reapers can seal their zanpakuto after releasing it and finishing their battle. Those wielding Magic Weapons can do the same thing.

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Bankai: the second and final release of a zanpakuto. Considered the third form of a zanpakuto since all normal soul reapers wield sealed swords. The achievement of Bankai can increase a fighter's power by 5 to 10 times and oftentimes takes up to 10 years to master its usage.

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Shunpo: the high-speed movement belonging to soul reapers.

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Konso: Soul Burial. Allows a Whole (Plus) to pass onto the Soul Society.

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Gotei 13 (13 Court Guard Squads): the military force that keeps the balance of souls. Divided into 13 squads that oversee the Soul Society and the World of the Living.

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Captain (taichō): the leader of a squad.

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Lieutenant(vice-captain, fukutaichō): the second in command/adjutant in each squad.

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Head Captain (captain commander, sōtaichō): The leader of all the Gotei 13.

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Secret Remote Squad (onmitsukidō): the stealth force.

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Hollow Specific:

Hollow: A spirit being that ate out its own heart in its suffering and one that continues searching for spirit energy and souls to relieve its never-ending hunger and desire to fulfill the emptiness of its existence.

(You all should read 'On the precipice of defeat' by MissFlesh. Holy crap! I loved the unique perspective of a Hollow that this writer gives. So many fanfictions skip over the gruesome aspects of existing as a hollow and portray it like some sort of glamorous existence that downplays how horrible being a hollow really is (they romanticize it, not that I am saying the other stories are bad by any stretch. They aren't, but they don't fully immerse you in the terrible state of being a hollow like this fanfiction does) and this author got into the nitty-gritty of life as a hollow and truly captured how bad life as one is. Truly a magnificent read and gives a whole new perspective of life as a monster.) It isn't completed and I don't think it ever will be, but there is plenty of story here to sink your teeth into that it fully captures the hopelessness of that life.

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Menos Grande: A classification of the three most-powerful forms that hollows can take. Gillian is the lowest. Adjuchas is the middle. Vasto Lorde is the highest.

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Gillian: that monster hollow that Ichigo and Uryu fought at the beginning. The lowest of the class of Menos Grande hollows.

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Hybrid (Visored/Arrancar) Specific:

Resurrection (Resurrección): Returning Blade. The first release of an arrancar that allows them to regenerate any damage they have sustained and return to their original hollow form.

Resurrection Segunda Etapa: Second Stage. The second release of an arrancar beyond the initial Resurrection that grants power far beyond the first release. Could be considered equal to, or greater, than a Soul Reaper's Bankai state.

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Characters:

Ichigo Kurosaki: Main character for Bleach. Wields the zanpakuto, Zangetsu.

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Uryu Ishida: He is a Quincy. Calls himself the Last Quincy.

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Rukia Kuchiki: The Soul Reaper that gave Ichigo his soul reaper powers. Member of Squad 13.

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Orihime Inoue: a classmate of Ichigo's. has the Shun Shun Rikka ability and with it, the powers of Rejection.

*Santen Ketsuhun: Three-God Shield. The defensive shield Orihime has. Formed from the spirits Hinagiku, Baigon, and Lily.

*Soten Kishun: Twin-God Reflection Shield. The healing barrier. Formed from the spirits Shuno and Ayame.

*Koten Zanshun: Lone-God Slicing Shield. Orihime's attack power. Formed from the spirit, Tsubaki.

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Tatsuki Arisawa: friend of Ichigo and Orihime.

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Yasutora Sado (Chad): a classmate of Ichigo's. his powers manifest in both of his arms, giving him powerful attacks and defensive capabilities.

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Tessai Tsukabishi: an employee of Urahara Shop and a childhood friend of Kisuke and Yoruichi. He is also the former Kido Commander in the Gotei 13.

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Yoruichi Shihōin: former captain of squad 2 as well as former commander of the stealth force and the 22nd head of the Shihōin clan. Can transform into a black cat.

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Don Kanonji: star of Spirit Hunter. A human capable of perceiving spirits. He inadvertently turned a spirit into a hollow and then worked with Ichigo to defeat it.

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Ururu Tsumugiya: Employee at Urahara Shop. Has black hair and keeps her hair in pig tails as a little girl.

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Jinta Hanakari: Employee at Urahara Shop. Has red hair. Picks on Ururu a lot.

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Mahana Natsui: one of Ichigo's classmates in school. She asked if Rukia had a crush on Ichigo.

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Gin Ichimaru: Captain of Squad 3.

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Renji Abarai: lieutenant of squad 6

Zabimaru: Renji's zanpakuto

Roar: The release phrase for Zabimaru's shikai.

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Byakuya Kuchiki: captain of squad 6. Adopted Rukia into Kuchiki clan.

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Kenpachi Zaraki: Captain of Squad 11.

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Extra Notes/General Bleach Worldbuilding:

Hueco Mundo: The world of the Hollows.

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Soul Society: the place where spirits pass onto (heaven).

Rukongai/Rukon District/Wandering Soul City: the residential area surrounding the Seireitei. Divided into 320 districts (80 in the north, 80 in the west, etc.) with the lowest numbers sporting the highest quality of living and being the closest to the Seireitei and the highest numbers sporting the lowest quality of living and being the furthest from the Seireitei.

Inuzuri: 78th district of the South Rukongai. Also known as Hanging Dog.

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World of the Living: Earth. Where humans live out their lives and die.

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Urahara Shop: the candy store belonging to Kisuke Urahara. Based in the World of the Living. Home to Kisuke, Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu.

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Chain of Fate: a chain that binds a soul to a body, allowing that soul to return to their body if separated from it before death. If this chain is severed, then the body dies and the soul is free to pass on to Soul Society (or get eaten by a hollow/turn into a hollow)

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Encroachment: the process in which the chain of fate dissolves and the hole in a spirit's chest opens and they become a hollow.

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Konpaku (Soul): The basic term referencing the spirit of a dead person. All-encompassing term that references Plus spirits, Hollows (Minus Spirits), Shinigami, and Arrancar.

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Hakusui: the source of spiritual power

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Saketsu: the booster for spiritual power

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Central 46: the ruling body of the Soul Society. Made up of 40 sages and 6 judges that made final legal decrees. Cannot be overturned by anyone, not even a Captain and serves as the Soul Society's version of the Supreme Court in the U.S.

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Close Similarities/Similar Skills:

Magic Weapon/Zanpakuto/Spirit Weapon: Magic Weapons and Spiritual Magic Weapons are similar to zanpakuto in that they are Weapons unique to an individual. However, their origins are different.

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Weapon Release (Weapon State): Similar in nature to a Shikai or Bankai release. However, there are 10 Mortal Tier Releases (as opposed to the 2 levels that Soul Reapers can use).

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Kogomosa/Shikai: The 1st Weapon Release in the Mortal Tier of Weapon Releases. Equivalent to Shikai state, with fighters on average becoming twice as strong as their initial summon state. X2 Initial Summon.

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Essence Ribbon/Spirit Ribbon: In Bleach, Spirit Ribbons turn red if a person is a soul reaper, otherwise they are white. This is how Uryu said that he figured out about Ichigo and Rukia. They are visible rays of spirit energy.

In my universe, Essence Ribbons change color and pattern based on the magical abilities the person has demonstrated to be capable of using. They can also have auras. They are visible rays of magic energy and get their name from magic's base term: Magic Essence.

In this fanfiction, one can detect how someone is feeling (emotionally or physically) by touching their ribbon. This is a more advanced technique than simply feeling someone's pressure/aura.

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Divine Sight/Seeing Spirit Ribbons: In Bleach, Rukia states that the ability to see Spirit Ribbons (rays of spirit energy) is something that only high-ranking soul reapers can use.

Divine Sight is the special ability to see Essence Ribbons.

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Essence Aura/Spiritual Pressure (Reiatsu): In Bleach, Spiritual Pressure is the pressure that a person's spiritual power (Reiryoku) exerts (described like reiryoku output).

Essence Aura is the pressure that a person's magical power exerts. It gets its name from magic's base term: Magic Essence.

In this fanfiction, one can detect how someone is feeling (emotionally or physically) by feeling their aura. This is typically a beginner technique, but the more advanced sensing requirements put it more in the intermediate category.

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Energy/Spiritual Power (Reiryoku): In Bleach, a person's spiritual power/spiritual energy is referred to as Reiryoku. It is their personal wellspring of power that is all their own. Each person has a certain amount and a limit they cannot surpass.

In my universe, this is referred to as Energy. In my universe, Energy can be divided into 2 categories: Magic Energy and Spirit Energy (with Spirit Energy being a mere subset of Magic Energy).

In this fanfiction, when one's spiritual power/energy is exhausted, the person collapses from lack of remaining energy.

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Magic Essence/Reishi (spiritual matter): In Bleach, reishi is what makes up objects in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. The concentrations there are higher because they are the two spirit worlds of Bleach although some does exist in the World of the Living.

Magic Essence: the basis of ALL magical happenings in my universe. My entire world is formed from Magic Essence (which broken down is called Essence Elements, which we won't touch on until much later). Therefore, nearly all magic skills have some part of their name coming from one of these two words.

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Essence Elements/Atoms (Kishi): Kishi is like the World of the Living version of Reishi and makes up nearly all objects in the World of the Living and is a term to describe atoms as a whole.

Essence Elements are my universe's version of protons, neutrons, and electrons. The term as a whole can be used interchangeably with magic essence while referring to a single element cannot. They are further broken down into Sub-Elemental Essences (which are basically subatomic).

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Inner World/Mindscape/Realm of the Zanpakuto: this definition is basically identical between universes. Regardless of what phrase one wants to use, they all mean the same thing. Inner World. Inner Mind. Mindscape. Landscape of the Mind. Realm of the Weapon Spirit. Realm of the Zanpakuto. Literally all refers to the place in a wielder's mind where the Weapon resides and where they go to commune directly with the Weapon that is a part of them.

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Magic Weapon Auto-Dispel/Zanpakuto Auto-Seal: Just like how zanpakutos revert back to their sealed state when their wielder is knocked unconscious, a similar thing happens when a Magic Weapon Wielder is knocked unconscious (their Weapon dispels).

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Yretro Kosuka- is Kisuke Urahara.

I know I stated that Kisuke is Yretro from my universe. So, based on the above information, one would be correct in believing that he should have an Essence Ribbon. However, the reason why this is not true is because he was essentially reborn in the Bleach universe. Therefore, he follows their natural laws not mine.

Benihime- Kisuke Urahara's zanpakuto.

Awaken- the release phrase for Benihime's Shikai.

Blood Mist Shield: one of Kisuke's zanpakuto abilities that creates a shield in front of him to block an incoming attack.

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Shini (Light Spirits)/Plus (Whole): spirits of those that have died. Equivalent to a Plus (whole) soul in Bleach universe.

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New Words:

Aibou: Japanese for partner (according to google and other fanfictions I have read.)

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Final Notes:

I want to thank Andygoesrawr from Reddit for the amazing breakdown of the differences between the terms Reishi, Reiryoku, and Reiatsu that he posted nearly 8 years ago on the Reddit page: The Difference between Reishi, Reiryoku and Reiatsu. He also covered the concept of Kishi. I found this page and read it to make sure I wasn't messing up the distinction between the three too badly (turns out that I really was and, in my confusion over the terms when I was laying the foundation for the magic in my world, I ended up doing the same thing as this here was. Go figure).

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I am also aware that I am repeating the terms, etc. at the end of the chapters, but I felt it would be easier on the reader than if they had to search a different chapter each time they wanted a refresher.

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I have to say that I love the Bleach Wiki. Here's a shout of thanks to everyone that made that website into the brilliant resource that it is. I would never remember all the specific spells otherwise.

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Okay, so I am being kinda lazy (ish). I was watching the anime (English dubbed) version of Bleach to get the dialogue right for the canon stuff when I decided that it is too much of a pain to watch each section of episode half a dozen times (since I can't type nearly as fast as they talk). Therefore, the dialogue will now be a mixture between the anime and the manga, along with a few word changes because I preferred something phrased a different way.

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Several of the canon events will remain the same in the upcoming arc while several things will be drastically different. I plan on following the current timeline (including flashbacks as necessary) to help keep my place as I work in my other characters and their character-building arcs.

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I realized that I did a lot of info-dump/storyline altering in this chapter. Hence the chapter name: Changed Fate. However, part of these explanations taking place now rather than they normally would have is because of the addition of Jonas and his group to the training right before the 'save Rukia' arc. I got the feeling from the story and what I had read in other places that Ichigo's teachers (Kisuke, mainly but I place some fault in Isshin as well) didn't tell him all the things about being a soul reaper because they thought, since he didn't ask, that he already knew (or that maybe someone else had already shown him it or he simply wasn't interested). Which I thought was a pretty stupid way for them to go about his training since he was going up against Captains that had been alive for far longer than he had been with experience putting him at a severe disadvantage.

Now, I'm not gonna give him Bankai right away (because what would be the fun of the early fights then) but I put in some things I felt should have been explained right away and added some explanations about his mixed heritage because I basically turned Old Man Zangetsu's plan on its head with Jonas there. I felt this allowed a divergence from the storyline that was (relatively) smooth and changed how Ichigo saw his hollow half/true zanpakuto while trying to keep everyone as 'in character' as I could.

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From the way I gathered things, Ichigo hadn't feared his hollow mask in the beginning. Because it had saved him in the fight with Renji and again with Kenpachi, he had thought of it as a good luck charm and hadn't really given it much thought beyond that (because, let's face it, canon Ichigo was very dense). I think it was Yoruichi and Hanataro's responses, combined with his experience while fighting Byakuya that eventually drove him to hate and fear the mask. In this storyline, he doesn't have all those prior influences changing how he thought about it, therefore he more readily accepted White Ichigo as Zangetsu while Old Man Zangetsu remains as part of his new Magic Weapon.

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I added another change to the timeline. At the end of the last chapter, Yoruichi decided to bring Chad and Orihime to Urahara's shop. I had this happen so everyone present can get acclimated to their powers and how they all fight (granted my guys had worked together before so they just have to work three new fighters into their group) and felt that it was perfectly in character for Yoruichi to make this kind of decision. I also thought that Kisuke would have apprised her of his plans regarding Ichigo's own training, so she knew how long she had to get them into fighting/not dying shape.

Now, with the part about Orihime 'proving herself' to Ichigo by having Chad fire a blast at her and have her block it, I felt it made sense that she would do that. While she merely has a crush on him now (and not the obsession that arose later in canon), she ultimately decided on following him into the Soul Society for the express purpose of protecting him the best she could. And with her shielding abilities, she was more than capable of handling that. But I think, with Chad knowing Ichigo as well as he did, that he would have only acquiesced to a demonstration if Ichigo seemed like he would reject the thought. And since Ichigo was wavering on that line…Chad stepped in.

I also wanted Orihime to keep some of that determination that she had, feeling that she was supremely weak despite the scope of her powers. (and I think she'll shape up to not be such a damsel in distress with the aid of the others, so just wait and see!) She'll still be a pacifistic ditz, but not worthless anymore.

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Ichigo's appearance: he has a tail attached to his tailbone. Split lengthwise between white and black. White on the left. Black on the right. (looks kinda like the lizard tail he got when training with the visoreds). On the white side there is a red line running down the length and on the black side there is a white line. His right hand has a black glove that feels like armor and that he can't remove, covering his knuckles and his palms but leaving the fingers exposed. His left hand was bleached white with fingernails that were replaced with short, black claws, a defined line ending at his wrist where bone white met tanned skin. His hollow mask comes off with little effort, although removing it from his face does not cause his tail to disappear. There are two red marks trailing the left side above the eye socket. Just like White Zangetsu, he has a bone exoskeleton running down the length of his spine, beginning at the base of his neck and continuing on to the base of his tail, effectively covering his spine with bone plating.

Ichigo's inner world: The sky has changed. There are two moons and dozens of stars littering a black sky. The sun is just dipping below the horizon, colored red.

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White Zangetsu's appearance: he has the same mask that Ichigo started with. He also has a tail, but it is pure white with red lines running down the length of it (as opposed to the half white half black that Ichigo has). He also has black claws on his hands (both hands instead of just the left like Ichigo). Gold eyes. Black sclera. Inverted shihakusho appearance. White uniform, black lining.

Shikai call: Bleach the Shadows and the Soul, Zangetsu!

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Old Man Zangetsu's appearance: the same as canon for the most part. However, he has black gloves covering his knuckles and the palms of both of his hands ending at the wrists, leaving the fingers exposed.

Summon spell: Darken the Light and the Spirit, Zangetsu!

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Hope you enjoyed! Please review and let me know what you all think! Thanks for reading!