Chapter 67

Tensión II – The Second Act

"Aawon! Get up already, Aawon! AAWON!"

Nel's screaming seemed to have no effect. Aaron remained totally still as his broken form sat between a pile of rubble. The grim sight amused Luppi Antenor to no end. The Sexta Espada made his way toward him, his eight tentacles writhing in anticipation.

"Finished already, Shinigami? What did you and your friends come here for if you're simply going to die to the first person you come across?"

"Aawon! Idiot! Dumbass! Dickhead!" Nel pounded her fists into him over and over. "Nel is tellin' ya to get up!"

A shadow fell over her, alerting her to Luppi standing dangerously close. A sick smile spread across his lips once she broke out in a cold sweat. His tentacles, just as gleeful, closed in to land the finishing blow on both her and her unfortunate companion.

"Bankai!"

A rush of energy swelled across the room. The fact it belonged to Aaron came as a shock to a Luppi. A dome-shaped barrier warded his tentacles off and shoved him a fair distance back.

"What in the…?"

"Sorry about that, Nel. Don't worry—I heard you the first time."

Aaron stood, clad in his Bankai. Nel stared at him in awe. Luppi, meanwhile, frowned at Aaron's shimmering, blue energy wings.

"Are you some sort of angel then? That's rather ironic for a Shinigami, don't you think?"

He sent his tentacles at his opponent again, but Aaron used his wings to take to the skies.

"Getsuga Tenshou!"

The white wave of energy cascaded over the entire room, and Luppi's eyes widened in horror as it swept past him. Most the area became nothing more than a burning wreck.

"Dammit, I cut it kinda close there," Aaron remarked as he caught his breath. Nel flailing around under his arm led him to say, "You alright?"

"Nel is 'fraid of heights!"

"Heh. Is that right?"

The smoke cleared enough for them to spot Luppi still alive and kicking. The Espada, shrouded by his tentacles, lowered them to reveal his livid features.

"Looks like you'll make this worth my time after all, Shinigami."

"Seriously? He used those things to block most of my Getsuga…?"

Aaron guessed Luppi wasn't called an Espada just for the hell of it.

The latter showed off another of his tricks, positioning his arms in front of him to charge a Cero. It flew at Aaron in the blink of an eye. Forced to use his twin swords to fend it off, he quickly found himself being pushed back. Finally, the Cero overwhelmed him.

"Shit…!" he cried, slamming into the floor with force. His blades flew out of his grasp. Unable to reach them, he instead rolled to avoid tentacle after tentacle. He sprang to his feet right as one would have decapitated him and then pointed a finger at Luppi. "Way of Destruction Number Four—Pale Lighting!"

It might have been a low-level spell, but it was huge enough to flood the entire room with light.

"You think a Shinigami's Kidou could beat me?!"

Luppi countered with another Cero. The two energies collided, crafting a shower of colors. Aaron poured more energy into his spell, and Luppi followed suit with his Cero.

"D-Dammit…!" Aaron snarled. Yet again, he seemed incapable of matching his foe's strength as his attack began losing ground. The Cero muscled its way through at long last and forced him to backpedal. "Nel, get outta here! I can't protect you while fighting this creep!"

Nel did the exact opposite by jumping in front of him. That put her on a crash course with Luppi's Cero. She showed no fear, opening her mouth and inhaling deeply. Both Aaron and Luppi looked on in awe while she swallowed the Cero whole. Seconds later, she spat it back towards its sender. Luppi might not have understood what was happening, but he had enough sense to dart out of the way.

"How in the hell did that brat—"

"Getsuga Jigokushou!"

Aaron not only got hold of his swords again, he used them to stab the floor. An enormous pillar of energy erupted at Luppi's feet. He dodged certain death thanks to his quick reactions, though the force of the blast still sent him sailing. He dug his tentacles into the floor to slow himself down.

"What…in the hell is this?!" he said through clenched teeth. "Play nice and let me break those necks of yours already!"

Aaron admitted that he too was a little lost. "Nel, what did you just do? Uh…Nel?"

Nel busied puking her brains out. Not keen on watching, Aaron turned his head away in a hurry.

"Nel's stomach hurts…" she moaned. "Dat Cero tasted awful."

"I bet. Thanks for saving my ass there. Looks like I bit off more than I could chew."

The unintentional pun caused Nel to vomit again.

"My bad…" Aaron muttered, growing pale. He fought back the urge to barf himself by returning his focus to Luppi. "You were saying something?"

"Funny." Despite his remark, Luppi wasn't at all in a humorous mood. "You're getting up there with that glasses freak in terms of pissing me off, Shinigami."

"I don't really know how I feel being compared to Sasune. This is interesting though. You didn't look like the type to get so easily worked up. Guess I judged you too soon."

"Don't talk to me like I'm some sort of—"

"Sorry." Aaron shut Luppi up good when he suddenly formed his Hollow mask. "I don't have time to waste on you. Izumi's waiting. Way of Destruction Number Sixty-Three—Thunder Roar Sear."

The orb of crackling electricity was so huge, Luppi hadn't a hope of avoiding it. That left him no choice but to try to block it. With the aid of his tentacles, he had a rough but successful start. Even so, the Kidou continued to shove him backward. Bewildered, he thought it impossible his immense strength could be so tested.

This kid's energy…it's almost like I'm fighting another Espada!

"Way of Destruction Number Thirty-Two," said Aaron, holding his twin Zanpakutou sideways, "Yellow Fire Flash."

Energy beams issued from his swords. Luppi wasn't sure what he was up to until the second Kidou thrust into Aaron's first spell. The ball of lightning swelled before an incredible explosion rocked the battlefield. Nel, shrieking, held onto a pillar for dear life as the resulting shockwave nearly swept her away.

"Sorry, Nel!" said Aaron, coming to her rescue. His mask melted away as he added, "Don't know my own strength, I guess."

"Aawon, you masochist! Nel almost puked out her mouth penis again!"

"We're talking about your throat, right?"

"Is…is he dead?"

Aaron took stock of the destruction wrought by his hand. "…I damn sure hope so."

"Nel will check!"

"Hold on, Nel!"

Giggling, she had clearly thrown all caution to the wind. Aaron raced after her and couldn't decide if she was brave or just incredibly foolish.

"Come on already, Nel. We need to—"

"Don't count your blessings yet, Shinigami!"

Something glimmered from the settling smoke, something Aaron picked up on at the last moment. Whatever it was, it headed for an unsuspecting Nel. A burst of Flash Step put him in front of her. Nel's smile faded as blood spewed from one of his shoulders. Grimacing, he fell to one knee.

"A-Aawon…?"

"You're quite a handful, brat. He would've been able to dodge that if it weren't for you."

Nel's green eyes shrank in terror at Luppi's reemergence. Aaron too was lost for words. The Sexta Espada's Resurrección had taken a radically different appearance. What were once tentacles now resembled vines littered with thorns. The ends of the arms were as sharp as spears, one of which dripped with Aaron's blood.

"N-Nel didns't mean to…!"

"Don't listen to him." Aaron fought through his anguish to pat a tearful Nel on the head. "You saved me earlier. I was just returning the favor. Besides, this hurts like hell, but it isn't enough to stop me."

Nel's head dipped in sorrow despite his words. Though worried about her, Aaron knew he would have to leave her be for the time being. Luppi's bizarre transformation took higher priority.

"I can't believe some fake Shinigami is making me go this far," Luppi spat. "This is Trepadora's true power. Given how revolting this form is, I'm going to kill you nice and easy for putting me through the trouble of using it!"

His crazed laughter reverberated across the battlefield, leading Aaron to click his tongue.

"Are all of you Espada this much of a pain?"

He got on guard when Luppi's vines made a beeline for him. He took a swipe at them, but they never intended to hit him in the first place. Instead, they stabbed themselves into the flooring. The odd development left their supposed target unsure of what to think.

"AAWON!"

Aaron got the gist of Nel's warning and whirled around just as Luppi's vines burst out from behind him. He swatted a few of them away, but the others moved too swiftly.

"Dammit!" he growled at being ensnared. The vines lifted him into the air. As their owner cackled some more, they pressed down on their victim. Aaron, unable to breathe, immediately heard a number of his bones snap like twigs. It was all he could manage to suppress a scream. "G-Getsuga…!"

He really did shout when two free vines impaled his arms. He dropped his swords, and Luppi kicked them far out of reach.

"I've had more than enough of your tricks, Shinigami. Or…are you hiding another one?"

The only reply Lupii got was more screaming. It led him to sigh.

"Now it's gotten bo-ooo-oring," he remarked. "Is every Bankai you Shinigami employ this pathetic, or are you just the rotten apple of the bunch? Then again, I shouldn't expect anything better from a fake Shinigami and fake Hollow. Why don't you use that mask again?"

If Aaron could, he would have. The only thing he could do at the moment was look on helplessly while Luppi inched a vine near his heart.

"Stop bullyin' him!"

Nel charged at the Espada, only for a vine to capture her as well.

"Nel!" Aaron hollered as she too got the life choked out of her. "Leave her out of this!"

Luppi's eyelids narrowed. "…Without paying her back for making me look like a fool? I don't think so."

Nel let out a shrill cry.

"Stop!" Aaron pleaded. "You can do whatever you want with me, but let her go!"

His desperation was music to Luppi's ears. So were a few more of his screams.

"Idiots. You go to the trouble of saving each other only to get caught in the end like a pair of rats. You two were made for each other. Well, Shinigami, how about I do you a favor and kill you first? At least you won't have to watch this traitor die."

"You—"

"Shut up and watch."

Luppi's vine squeezed down on Aaron even harder. It prevented him from speaking but wasn't enough to outright kill him. His eyelids grew heavy, and he sensed himself fading. Only his anger kept him afloat.

"It's hard not crushing you like a grape. You're so small," a smirking Luppi told Nel. "I can't let traitorous Arrancar off so easily. So-ooo-orry~!"

"And I can't let idiots like you manhandle my property!"

A Cero hit Luppi upside the head. He stumbled forward, blinking in confusion. Someone's blade severed the vine holding Nel captive, which wriggled about before coming to a dead stop. Luppi, observing it, couldn't grasp what was going on. He got an answer upon his looking above him.

"You…!"

"Me," Hiyori replied, cracking a smile behind her mask. "I was hoping my mutt would've killed your stupid ass on his own. That way, I could stop playing dead, but I forgot he can't even wipe his own ass without me."

"Playing…dead?"

"What, you thought a weakling like you could actually kill me?"

Hiyori got a good laugh out of the prospect. Not nearly as amused, Luppi's fists shook in a blind fury.

"My mistake! I'll make sure to properly butcher you this time, you little—"

A heap of blood spurted from Luppi's mouth, interrupting his threat. Slowly, his head moved down. A massive, silver energy sword stood in the center of his chest, leaving a gaping hole.

"Hangetsu…" Aaron uttered.

"H-How…?!"

Luppi understood 'how' once his trembling eyes got a load of the stream of energy extending from Aaron's fallen swords to their owner's hands. From there, that energy had impaled him.

"You lowered your guard." Aaron's blade receded as he lowered his arm. You assumed I was helpless without my swords. You should've just killed me while you had the chance."

"D-Dammit…! Defeated by…trash like you…!"

Luppi toppled over, his strength leaving him at once. His Resurrección shattered like glass. Freed, Aaron hit the floor himself and was in almost as rough shape.

That didn't stop Hiyori from kicking him in the gut.

"Get up, baldly! You're made of tougher shit than this! I know because I trained your lousy ass!"

Him moaning wasn't what she asked for, so she kicked him again. She would have done it a third time, but Nel latched onto her leg.

"G-Get the hell off! What, are you a dog turd or something?!"

"Stop bullyin' him!"

"I'm not bullying! I'm disciplining! There's a difference!"

"Cunt! Hoebag! Slut!"

"Who in the hell taught you to talk like that?!"

They stopped squabbling when Aaron limped his way to his feet. Hiyori wasn't so keen to scream his head off due to his ragged breathing.

"You alright there, mutt?"

"…I've been better. Look, I had everything under control."

"My ass. This little girl is tougher than you."

"Can't argue with that."

Nel beamed at the compliment. It left Hiyori without a leg to stand on. She coughed awkwardly, and blood swelled to her cheeks.

"W-Well…" she stammered. "I…I guess it's alright if…you're okay…"

Aaron nodded. "Thanks to you."

Hiyori blushed even harder. "A-Alright then! As long as we're clear!"

"Crystal."

"Knock it off!"

Getting the feeling he was making things worse, Aaron scratched his head and said nothing more.

Did she have to jump in so late though? I really did think we were goners

"Y-You'll all pay for this!"

Everyone got back on guard at the sight of Luppi clutching his wound. Blood poured out of it, staining the floor with every uneven step he took. Though seemingly on the verge of collapsing, his shaky arm still found the strength to draw his Zanpakutou.

"He…can still move?" said Aaron in disbelief, reaching for his own weapons. Another fight wasn't something he could manage in his condition. Just staying upright proved challenging.

"Of course I can! I'm the Sexta Espada!There's no chance in hell I'm dying to a bunch of scum like…like…you! Strangle, Trepa—"

"You've done enough, Luppi. Don't you think you've tarnished that beautiful face of yours enough?"

Everyone froze due to the person that suddenly appeared in the midst of the fighting. Arashi gave them all a chipper wave, smiling like she hadn't a care in the world.

"W-What the…?! Where in the hell did she come from?!" wondered Hiyori.

Aaron, blinking, asked himself the same thing. "Wait, you're—"

"Oh! It's you!" Arashi gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth. Of course, neither Aaron nor Hiyori bought her surprise for a second. "Still alive, I see. Oh, you brought one of those Visored with you too. As much as I'd love to dissect her, I'm afraid the game isn't over just yet."

Her words were about as confusing as her sudden appearance to Aaron, who shouted, "Where's my sister?!"

Arashi ignored him, facing the fuming Luppi. "Time to go, I think. It looks like someone needs to lick their wounds."

"D-Damn you! I don't need your help! I have these miserable maggots right where I want them!"

"Oh, dear." Arashi sighed. "You Espada sure are troublesome. I think it's clear you're outmatched here. Completely."

"Excuse me?! As if I'd—"

Arashi gave Luppi the cold shoulder this time, turning back to Aaron and Hiyori.

"Keep up the good work, okay~? I'll be cheering you on!"

By the time the two dashed toward her, both she and Luppi were nowhere to be found.

"T-The hell?!" squawked Hiyori, who searched all around to no avail.

"She's…gone?" Aaron muttered, rattled to his very core. "That…that wasn't Flash Step, I think."

The two said nothing more. The tenseness of the situation explained why they nearly had heart attacks when Nel Tu screamed at the top of her lungs without warning.

"G-G-G-G-Ghost!" the girl cried, shaking like a leaf.

"Probably not," replied Aaron wearily. He wasn't sure what to think of an Arrancar being afraid of a spirit.

Wait, don't they eat ghosts?

More importantly, he couldn't sense any trace of either Luppi or Arashi.

"What…just happened?"

Hiyori frowned fiercely, returning her Zanpakutou to the sheath on her back. "Good question. I wish that freak would've jumped in. Something about her stupid face makes me wanna chop her head off. So, that's who replaced Aizen, eh? …Creepy bitch."

"Yeah…I don't like her either."

Aaron, biting his bottom lip, didn't think he would ever get used to someone so nefarious looking identical to Kana Mitarashi.

Hiyori and Nel noted his miserable tone, as well as his matching expression.

"Calm down already, idiot," Hiyori told him. "Your sister ain't dead. If these assholes went to the trouble of kidnapping her, they must need her alive for something big. As long as they're trying to stop us from rescuing her, they ain't did it yet."

Aaron nodded. That made a lot of sense to him. Besides, if Hiyori Sarugaki of all people was trying to cheer him up, he saw little point in remaining down in the dumps.

"…Thanks."

"Yeah, yeah, crybaby. Well, that was…something," said Hiyori, shrugging. "I'm serious. Don't let her get to you, mutt. We're obviously gonna have to take her down if we wanna to get your sister back."

"…"

"Stop making that stupid face. Even if you're hurting, it ain't nothing that's gonna kill you. …Or are you saying my training was easier?"

Aaron grew as white as a bedsheet and shook his head feverishly. He would never claim that anything topped the hellish torture she had put him through. Just thinking about it made him ill.

"That's what I thought. If you wanna give up, give up on your sister, then turn your sorry ass around right now. Did you think they'd just let us waltz through here and take her back? That piece of crap you just fought was right—we are gonna run into way stronger guys than him. They ain't gonna give a damn if you're licking your wounds either. If you give even a little damn about your sister, pick your ass up and let's go."

Hiyori headed off on her own, leaving Aaron to mull her unexpected advice.

"…Alright already. I get it."

The tongue-lashing aside, his head felt a bit clearer.

"Aawon?"

The person in question leered at Nel. The worry on her face made it clear to him that he didn't have time to sulk.

"Right. I guess Kurosaki is waiting for us too. Shall we?"

Nel climbed onto his shoulder and exclaimed, "Let's find Itsygo!"

"Yeah…"

Her enthusiasm proved infectious. Of course, it did nothing about the bevy of Aaron's wounds. Limping, he didn't bother trying to keep pace with Hiyori.

Why didn't I ask Kana to teach me some healing kidou? Ouch…

#

"I dunno know who Aaron was fightin', but it looks like the punk won."

Konoka smirked at the fact while she cut down an Exequias. Chad shouted with vigor and punched the head clean off of another. The two then backed into each other. While they had taken down scores of enemies, they still found themselves surrounded by plenty more.

"I love bumpin' heads as much as the next girl, but this is gettin' ridiculous," Konoka noted. She had trouble catching her breath, and sweat covered every inch of her.

Just as winded, Chad nodded. "They're coming out of the woodwork."

"Yeah…but that asshole still ain't jumped in."

Konoka nodded toward Rudbornn Chelute. For whatever reason, he appeared keen on merely observing the proceedings. Konoka, swatting aside another Arrancar with her Maternal Gift, didn't like that one bit.

"He's up to somethin'."

Chad nodded, agreeing with Konoka's assessment, before chucking an Exequias into a group of its comrades.

"I'm gonna go and give the bastard a piece of my mind!"

Konoka used the path Chad cleared to speed toward Rudbornn. Said opening closed in a hurry thanks to the arrival of yet more Exequias. More than sick of them, she blasted them out of her way with a gigantic energy blade.

"I did not think you would have this much strength left," said Rudborrn as he blocked her glaive with his Zanpakutou. "Your vitality is commendable…for a human."

"This 'human' is about to rip you apart, freak!"

The two exchanged blows, with Konoka putting her all into every swing. Even so, Rudbornn held his ground. Though annoyed, Konoka could at least take solace in not being ambushed for once.

"It would appear you move with skill," Rudbornn stated, "Of course, your swordplay is rudimentary at best."

He sang a different tune when blood spurted from a fresh gash on his chest.

"Talk all the shit you want," a jubilant Konoka replied, "I'm still takin' you down!"

"…"

"Cat got your tongue, or are you just actin' like a chickenshit because none of your boyfriends are around to save you?"

"Your confidence is misplaced. Defeating my men will not gain you victory."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I see. Lesser beings such as yourself need a display to comprehend. Very well."

A rush of energy blew Konoka back just as she readied to land the finishing blow. It came at the same time as a jump in Rudbornn's spiritual pressure.

Huh? He was holding back…?

"Grow," said Rudbornn, holding his Zanpakutou horizontally, "Árbol."

White tree bark erupted from the floor just then and wrapped around his body before hoisting him into the air. Ten lightning-shaped branches sprouted from his back, with each growing a small skull at the tip. He carried an eleventh branch in his hand, pointing it at his foe.

"What…in the world?" asked Konoka breathlessly. Not much rattled the Red-Haired Beast, but a bead of sweat rolled down her slightly pale face. She honestly wasn't sure what she busied gawking at.

"Rather than explaining, allow me to show you," said Rudbornn.

"BEHIND YOU, MITSUMI!"

Chad's booming voice woke Konoka out of a momentary stupor. She spun around to repel an attack that would have cut her clean in half. Her would-be killer being yet another Exequias confused her. She thought she had taken down the majority of them.

"Where the fuck are all you pieces of crap comin' from'?!"

A point-blank blast from her Fullbring took care of the problem in front of her. She shifted her focus back to Rudbornn, only to be floored once more. The skulls on his branches grew bigger, mirroring budding plants. Gradually, they warped into a familiar, and terrifying, shapes. The fresh batch of Exequias wasted little time in pouncing on Konoka.

"Y-You've gotta be kiddin' me!"

"Do you understand now?" Rudbornn inquired while she fought tooth and nail. "This godlike ability to produce loyal soldiers without end, my Calaveras. It is without parallel. It matters not if you defeat one. Another can be grown in its place. And another. And another.Perhaps this power is hard to comprehend for a mortal such as yourself."

"Oh, now you wanna yap my ear off, huh?!"

Konoka got dizzy fending off attacks from all around her.

"There is no point struggling," Rudbornn added. "The harvest shall soon be complete."

He shifted his head slightly. Chad swooped in from behind, energy swirling around his gauntlet.

"El Directo!"

"Not fast enough, human."

A flock of Calaveras answered Rudbornn's call by stacking themselves in front of him and forming a living wall. They didn't flinch in taking the massive burst of energy Chad loosed. While a number of them were vaporized on the spot, Rudbornn remained unharmed. Chad, speechless, lowered his armored arm just as the surviving Exequias rained Ceros on him.

"Sado!"

Konoka grabbed and then pulled him out of harm's way with a timely use of Bringer Light.

"Sorry, Mitsumi…"

"What're friends for?" she replied wearily. "Hate to say it, but we might be screwed here. I can't believe that bastard can make more of those freaks! He's like some…creepy ass parasite! Dammit! There's not gonna be any end to this shit!"

Chad's last technique was stronger than anything she could muster, and it hadn't accomplished much at. All the while, Rudbornn continued to birth more and more Calaveras. Konoka actually calmed down despite—or maybe because of—the ridiculous sight, an idea hitting her just then.

"If he really is makin' them, then we just need to kill him. We do that and it's over," she expressed, shutting her eyes in an effort to block out her rising apprehension.

"Are you alright?" said Chad once he caught wind of her continued panting.

"I'm fine…"

Truthfully, she was anything but. Her injuries were hardly the cause of her discomfort. Something weird was going on with her Fullbring to the point that she could hardly keep it up. She glared at her golden glaive as if that would fix the issue.

You're pickin' a shitty time to crap out on me…

"Sado, I know this ain't some crappy manga, but tell me you're hidin' some kind of godlike technique," she said as the fresh batch of Exequias sped toward them.

"I might have something in mind."

Konoka, pleasantly surprised, replied, "Don't leave me hangin', man."

"I'd actually have to land a hit on him, but I think it would do the trick."

Though yearning to rest her weary body, Chad's words perked Konoka up some. "Yeah? I think I might actually have somethin' too."

Chad lent her his shoulder, something she was grateful for. Together, the two stared down their approaching enemies, realizing they had little time to strategize.

"I've…never tried this in an actual fight before," Konoka admitted, sweating bullets, "so I can't promise I won't kill us both, Sado."

Chad nodded. "I trust you, Mitsumi."

Nothing about his remark was all that stunning. Nonetheless, Konoka found her eyes widening like saucers. "Don't…think anyone's told me that before."

Try as she might, she could hold back a smirk.

"Mitsumi, have you felt strange ever since coming here?" asked Chad abruptly.

Konoka blinked. "Y-Yeah, as a matter of fact, my powers have been goin' completely haywire. Like, just usin' my Fullbring is tirin' as hell."

"…It's the same with my arm. I think there's something about this place, something different from our world."

Before Konoka got the chance to ask Chad what he meant, a Cero slammed into his chest.

"S-Sado!" Konoka cried as the sudden attack hurled her friend into a wall. She jumped to her feet to check on him, only for the Exequias to bar her path.

"Enough of this shit!" she roared, swatting furiously in all directions. "Get the hell outta the way already!"

Her furious efforts aside, her blood spilled as her foes slashed at her left and right. The pain eventually reduced her to her knees. Unable to stand under her own power, she used her Maternal Gift as a crutch while trying her hardest to remain conscious. Her blurring vision alerted her to her enemies drawing in for the kill, her fearful expression reflected in their swords.

"You have struggled enough," said Rudbornn. "You cannot fight reality, human. You were destined to die the moment you foolishly stepped into our world."

Both he and his men stood in confusion when raspy laughter rang across the room. In spite of the blood dripping from her many wounds, Konoka continued to cackle as she forced herself upright. When she lifted her head, everyone bore witness to the huge grin plastered across her lips.

"Man, somethin' about being sliced up hurts, but it also feels good as hell. I can finally hear myself think over my poundin' heart."

Those surrounding her never saw her savage attack coming. Rudbornn looked on helplessly as his men got tossed aside like rag dolls. It coincided with Konoka's spiritual pressure skyrocketing. The remaining Calaveras kept a safe distance, with some leering back at their creator for further instructions.

"What is this?" Rudbornn wondered. He gazed at Konoka like he had never seen her before. "Where exactly did you find this second wind?"

"Dunno," she answered honestly. "My body feels light all of a sudden, like I took off some heavy ass weights. I bet it's the same for you too, Sado."

"…Impossible," uttered Rudbornn at the sight of an imposing figure trekking through the settling smoke. Chad, stretching his neck, rejoined Konoka. He didn't have a scratch on him. This was in spite of Rudbornn putting enough power behind his Cero to cause instant death. "What…what are you two?"

"Yeah, Mitsumi. I think I understand now," said Chad.

"His arm…"

Rudbornn saw that Chad's gauntlet had undergone some sort of transformation. It had become a red and black shield, one with menacing pattern of Hollow-like teeth in its center. The mere sight of it left Rudbornn lost for words. Something about it, something his instincts couldn't put its finger on, felt off. Perhaps that had something to do with, like Konoka's, Chad's resurgent strength.

"Ever since I got my power, I realized they aren't anything like a Shinigami's or a Quincy's," Chad began. "If anything, they're more like a Hollow's."

"Yeah, I get it now." Konoka nodded. "That Urahara guy told me a long time ago that a Fullbringer gets their powers when their parents are attacked by Hollows. That's why this place is makin' 'em go crazy. They've finally come home."

"I need to thank you for that last attack," Chad told Rudbornn. "I think my arm had been crying out for it. It's like Mitsumi said—the violence was like a homecoming."

For a long time, Rudbornn said nothing. All the while, his men continued to gaze at him in desperation for their next orders.

"What nonsense is this? You humans dare to compare yourselves to grand beings like we Hollows?" The anger in Rudbornn's abrupt declaration was as clear as day. "I shan't allow this insult to stand. For Mistress Arashi's sake, you two will die."

He pointed at the pair with extreme malice. His Exequias responded by pouncing toward the objects of his ire.

"Allow me, Mitsumi."

Chad stepped in front of her and swatted a number of enemies aside using his shield. The rest swiped away at him, though he dodged their blows with ease.

"You all have gotten slower."

Rudbornn stood in complete shock as scores of his men flew past him. The sight made little sense. Besides the Espada, he and his Exequias were the strongest of Arashi's soldiers. Any who stood in their way ended up as nothing more than a footnote. How then could two humans be decimating his forces?

"Nice one, Sado!" Konoka cheered, watching a shouting Chad fire a massive wave of energy that annihilated another group of Calaveras. She whirled around to face a few more, but Chad darted in front of her and blocked their swords before knocking them aside. "Whoa. Save some for the rest of us."

"That shield…" Rudbornn noted.

"Its name is Brazo Derecha de Gigante, and it's a defensive power," Chad explained. "My Abuelo taught me to use my strength to protect others. I thought it was the only source of my strength, but I trained hard and discovered the offensive power sleeping within me."

Rudbornn again stood idly by, watching as white fluid formed around Chad's left arm in the shape of a second gauntlet. This one was far more slender than his right, with a lengthy, red stripe running down it. A spike protruded from his shoulder, and his clawed fingers made Konoka blink in astonishment.

"That's…kinda cool," she admitted.

"Brazo Izquierda del Diablo," Chad announced, holding up his new arm for all to see. He then leered back at Konoka. "I'll use this power to end things, Mitsumi."

Rudbornn would never admit it out loud, but staring at Yasutora Sado and baring the full brunt of the young man's power, the Arrancar really did think him somewhat Hollow-like.

"Well, I ain't got no fancy arms," Konoka began, twirling her Maternal Gift over her head, "but I can at least give you an opening, Sado."

Her enemies had no intention of letting her do so. However, they couldn't take even a single step toward her. Her energy lashed out, holding them at bay. Instead, they watched as she twirled her glaive faster and faster until it became a blur.

Done being a mere spectator, Rudbornn grew more branches from his form. This in turn spawned even more Calaveras.

"This farce ends now!" he roared.

Konoka murmured, "Well, you're right about that, freak…"

Suddenly, her golden lance burst into a shower of green light. It solidified and then took the formed into dozens of lances that hovered behind her. The sight of them stopped the charging Exequias in their tracks.

"Emerald Roar…"

All of them rained down in an instant, giving none of the Arrancar the time to flee. The lot of them were wiped out in only a matter of moments.

Several of Konoka's spears struck Rudbornn too, who again questioned if he had stumbled into some sort of nightmare.

"D-Damn you…!" he muttered, blood coating his anguish. Although heavily injured, he managed to rip Konoka's spears out of himself and shatter them between his fingers. They wouldn't be enough to kill him. With that in mind, he shouted, "Perhaps it is time you two understood the true nature of my power! As leader of the Exequias, it falls to me to destroy, but my Zanpakutou's ability also means that I create. I told you before that defeating my soldiers will not gain you victory."

As a panting Konoka fell to her knees, she saw what he meant when he simply regrew the branches she managed to destroy. He derived great pleasure from her energy fizzling out.

"That was your last, worthless gasp, it seems. That is the difference between us, I'm afraid. You are a mere mortal, while I am something of a god. My Calaveras are eternal. I can create an infinite number, more than enough to reduce you to mere dust."

"God, just…shut up already!" Konoka spat back.

"Mind your tongue. Did you truly believe lowly worms such as yourself could take down a god?! Remember your place! Mistress Arashi herself blessed me with these powers, so I would never dare to dishonor her name by—"

Rudbornn lost his train of thought. In the midst of his tirade, he had lost track of Chad. The realization prompted him to look all around.

"You might have hundreds of men," a voice from behind him stated, "but I doubt you have any real allies. God or not, in the end, you're still alone."

Rudbornn turned himself around just in time to spot Chad and the energy crackling around the latter's left arm.

"La Muerte."

A torrent of blood spewed from Rudbornn's bull-shaped mask once Chad's fist rammed its way into his chest. For seconds, that was the only thing of note that occurred. Konoka, watching on, braced herself from a sudden and powerful shockwave. Her eyes widened at a giant shape gouging itself into the wall behind Rudbornn, the shape of an ominous skull. The Arrancar's Resurrección faded, leading him to tumble and then hit the floor a bloodied, pitiful mess. Try as he might, he couldn't move. No, the sole thing he could do was gaze at Chad, who stood over him, with malice.

"C-Curse you…!"

He said nothing more, passing out moments later. Chad gave him one final, and somewhat pitying, glance before walking away. He found Konoka just as she rested herself against a wall.

"Yeah…" she grunted when he crouched down to her. Forcing a smile, she even lifted her aching arm enough to pat him on the shoulder. "I'm…uh…not really one to let people fight my battles for me, but I'm really glad I left that to you, big guy. That was some seriously crazy power, better than anything I could've cooked up. So, is that bastard over there—"

"Dead? I'm not sure. I'm not really interested in sticking around to find out either."

"Fair enough. We should go before more of these assholes show up. Uh…Sado?" Konoka hesitated to finish her statement, her ears going a little pink. "…Thanks. Really. I'd probably be dead if you hadn't shown up when you did."

Chad gave her a thumbs up. She laughed at the modest response, thinking it very much like him.

"One more thing," she said in the same sheepish tone. "I…uh…can't move."

Despite her embarrassment, Chad had no issue hoisting her onto his back. Her face heated up at being treated so delicately, though she supposed beggars couldn't be choosers. It didn't take her long to swallow her pride and rest her weary head.

"Now what?" she asked.

"If you're here, Mitsumi, then I'm guessing your friends are too. We should meet up with them first. We can worry about tracking down Ichigo afterward."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's go."

Konoka saddled in as Chad sprinted ahead at full speed. Wherever they were going, she had a hunch more trouble awaited.

Well, I did my part, you guys. I'm counting on you.

#

Sasune lifted an eyebrow. The surge of energy he felt from far off seemed to peter out at long last.

I guess Miss Mitsumi and Sado beat whoever they were up against. Man, they had some insane power just now. Was Sado hiding it all those time we trained?

The thought soured his mood, but not as much as one of Loly Aivirrne's centipede-like arms coming close to crushing him. He darted out of the way and got another unwelcome sight when the pillar she hit started melting away. Most of the room was in the same sorry state. In spite of all her thrashing around, a smirking Loly didn't seem tired.

"I guess it's not surprising such a loudmouthed guy would be a coward," she taunted.

Sasune smiled too, although he wasn't too happy. "And you've done nothing but run your mouth since putting on that freaky outfit. I mean, it does show a lot of skin, but it's not really turning me on as much as I thought."

"Like I'd wanna do something like that, idiot!"

Loly grit her teeth, a welcome sight in her opponent's opinion. He didn't find her taking yet another swipe at him as agreeable, however. Tired of running, he fired a hail of arrows, hoping to at least slow her limb down. Not only did they do nothing of the sort, her poison eroded them like everything else. This left Sasune more than a little unnerved.

"Dammit! I'm tired of being shot at!" Loly barked. "Fight like a man already!"

"Oh, and using poison is fair?"

"If it gets you to shut up, yes!"

Smacking his lips, the Quincy went right back to fleeing. Loly, frustrated beyond belief, flailed her long arms every which way. Nonetheless, she hit nothing but afterimages thanks to her foe's expert use of Hirenkyaku. She finally had something to laugh about when her tentacles closed in from opposite sides and seemingly ensnared her thorn in the side.

"What?!" she hollered when she discovered it was only another afterimage. "I swear I'm gonna kill him once I—"

"Unlike those arms of yours, at least you run your mouth quickly."

A gasp escaped Loly once she picked up on Sasune standing behind her. He had an arrow loaded and ready to go.

"This might sting a bit. Licht Reg—"

"Not this time, idiot!"

One of Loly's tentacles crept up on him and wrapped around his ankle. It then flung him across the room. Her immense strength left him unable to stop himself.

"DIE ALREADY!" Loly hollered before launching a Cero big enough to cast a shadow over the entire room.

"Bad day! Bad day!"

Sasune thought it wholly unfair he could do nothing but watch the Cero race toward him.

"Where's that plot armor when I need it?!"

His brain kicked in at the last moment, and he held his bow out in front of him. It barely helped; the force behind the Cero sent him crashing through several pillars before he came to a violent stop in a wall. This came before a tremendous explosion.

"Ha! Serves you right, creep!"

Loly honestly couldn't get enough of her handiwork. Menoly Malia, on the other hand, sighed at her cohort going overboard like always.

"We really are going to be executed at this rate…"

END