Okay, first off, my life as of late as been insane. Between the recent death of my Grandmother (which means I've reached the point in my life where I now have NO grandparents), my work hours, and demands from family, all of which happened as I was in the process of moving yet again.
Now, to briefly address Gorguts5's comments: I can only guess that fatigue from everything going on in my life led to all the grammatical screw-ups (at least way more than normal for me) getting through. After reading your review, I went back and touched up what I find, but I wouldn't be surprised if I still missed a few of them. Also, I'm glad you noticed the little PoV 'Easter Egg'. I mean, it's not the first, since I 'borrowed' (stole?) the characters of Kumiko and Franque from her story, because they were just so dammed funny that I wanted to work them in somehow.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXXI:
"The Mouth of Madness"
Soul Society...
Division Twelve HQ...
As soon as Urahara had entered the room, he was met by the sight of Szayel, sitting motionless on a metal folding chair before a strange-looking machine, with his hand outstretched to the controls and a distant look on his face.
"I can assure you, Karin-sama, that Aizen has no idea as to the true nature of your heritage." Szayel spoke, as if he were in the middle of a conversation. "Not that you'd need to resort to using that Claim of yours to compel me. Believe me, I have no desire remain that man's plaything."
"Szayel, what on Earth are y-" Urahara began, but was cut off mid-sentence when he was overcome by a sudden and overwhelming sensation, such that he dropped to the floor with a gasp of pain.
"Aghhh!" The former Shinigami cried out in agony, clasping the sides of his head as whatever force that was affecting Szayel suddenly overtook him. He stumbled back, his mind in a haze as he collided with the open door frame he'd just come in through, before sliding down against it.
It was almost as if he was paralyzed, futility stuck in the doorway, completely prone and only able to look on helplessly as the bespectacled Arrancar remained trapped in his seat, the seemingly enthralled by the machine and well within its metaphorical clutches...
"...Oh my god." Urahara uttered aloud, utterly transfixed by the expanding area of effect that was being generated by the alien machine, the entire room nearly encompassed in the maelstrom!
"It's..." The blonde-haired man struggled to say, his pale eyes gone wide as he was gripped by fear and uncertainty in the moment. "Oh my god, it's- it's... a MADHOUSE!"
The same time that he'd spoken those words, it was if his brain was accosted with a what he would later liken to some kind of kaleidoscope of images... imagery he was at a loss to make sense of.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm...
Ichigo entered the room just behind Darkwood, the two of them stepping into a new locations that was already filled with a number of people- some of familiar, as well some others he didn't know...
The room was fairly large, with a high ceiling and rectangular in its dimensions, and dominated by a long wooden rectangular table. There was an ornate cabinet at the far end of the room.
He instantly recognized the huge biker-looking guy decked out in a metal-studded leather jacket, and the woman clad in tight black leather and adorned with tattoos and piercings- as if she was right out of the centerfold from some popular tattoo enthusiast magazine. To be honest, Ichigo could still vividly recall their most recent encounter when the two of them had been present for his 'beat down'.
There was also the guy in the long black coat and dark glasses with the long reddish-brown hair, as well as the man in the flashy outfit with the head of long wavy black hair. Both of these men had been present during Ichigo's beat-down, and had most likely participated as well.
Another person he recalled was the guy in the Stooges t-shirt and camou pants, with short black hair and a bandanna across his brow. Oddly, the other man- the one with the Iron Maiden shirt and baseball cap- was nowhere to be seen, thought Ichigo wasn't interested in prying into the matter.
Additionally, there were a handful of people that he didn't recognize, including a fair-skinned woman with high cheekbones and collar-length blonde hair and a man with slicked-back dark hair and sporting short tapered sideburns- with a guitar case over his shoulder.
The teen turned to look as a man approached him. He had a wispy black mustache and goatee and his dark hair was braided into dreadlocks that reached down past his collar-line. He sported a long tan coat over a button-up shirt and vest, along with jeans and boots, and a pair of fingerless leather gloves.
Something else, the young man noted to himself, was that the man- despite his unusual appearance and manner of dress- looked to be Asian, though he couldn't narrow it down to anything more specific...
He extended his hand to Ichigo, who accepted and shook it. "You must be Ichigo Kurosaki," the man started with a small smile. "I'm known as 'Slash'." He continued. "I've crossed swords with your former comrades in Soul Society, and I look forward to seeing your skills in the coming days."
The orange-haired youth wasn't sure how to respond to the second-to-last comment he made, with the man still holding his hand and looking him directly in the eyes. Ultimately, Ichigo opted to simply give him a polite smile, rather than rustle any feathers, merely replying "Thanks."
"I'll try not to get lost in too much detail." Darkwood began. "The reason we're all here now, is to remember an old friend, one who's no longer with us." He continued. "In one form or another, we've all lost friends and family, and the person most you merely as 'Crowley' is no exception."
"I first encountered him in Soviet Czechoslovakia, in the years after the end of World War 2, when the 'Iron Curtain' was upon Eastern Europe." He revealed. "And while the hardships that he'd survived are unimaginable, it meant he was left outwardly resembling some kind of shrouded monster... However, I can assure you that the irony of going by the name of a noted occultist was very much intentional."
"It's true." Dario interjected, speaking to the others. "The truth is, I didn't know him for half as long as Darkwood did, but then, I didn't need to." He went on to say. "Ultimately, it wasn't until after the fall of the USSR- when I finally crossed paths with Darkwood and Crowley- that I was released from the grip of of my own doubts and fears and uncertainties, and I understood what we were working towards."
Dario stepped forward. "Now, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to recite the 'El Malei Rachamim'." Dario began, producing a card from his pocket and clearing his throat. "I hope I said that right..."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Within an office in the heart of the Twelfth Division, a Shinigami was reclining in his chair, waiting quietly as microwave finished heating his instant ramen...
Only, just then, a light was cast upon him, prompting the man to look up toward a nearby monitor as a message began flashing on the screen before him: "ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!"
"W- what in the world?!" The Soul Reaper uttered in confusion, while straightening himself up in his chair, as a new message replace the previous one of the screen:
"WARNING: ANOMALOUS ENERGY READINGS DETECTED."
"Co- computer," he stammered. "Elaborate on the previous message!"
"Analysis: Inconclusive- Readings conform to no known type or form of energy." The system responded bluntly in its brusque monotonous tone. "WARNING: Additional- The Output Threshold of unknown Energy Source poses Probable Threat."
"Probable threat...?" He repeated, not liking the the sound of that.
"Computer, explain the last statement!" The Shinigami prompted, pointedly.
"ALERT: Present output of Anomalous Energy Source is comparable to 65TWpH."
"Sixty-five Terra-watts?!" He exclaimed in shock, his eyes going wide. "B- But that's the same as the energy output from a nuclear reactor- over a month!"
It was a moment before he made his next move. "Goddammit, pull yourself together!" He chastised himself, before opening a com channel. "Th- This is Osato in Control," he started. "Do you read me?" The man went on. "We have an urgent situation on our hands."
Akon appeared on another monitor. "I'm receiving you on a priority channel, what's going on?"
Osato nodded. "The systems are registering some sort of unknown energy source," he explained to man on the end of the link. "The only I've been able to figure out so far is that it appears to originate from somewhere in the upper levels- I'm sending you the data right now."
"Acknowledged." He replied, looking over the information. "Hmm, yes I see what you mean..." Akon mumbled under his breath, before looking back to him. "Whatever it is, it cant be coming from our own power grid, because as soon as such a high reading was detected, the emergency protocols would've gone into effect and cut off the power to that section."
Osato nodded. "The system can't give any precise information... Except, that it's definitely rising."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Meanwhile...
In one of the corridors in the upper levels, Nemu received an alert on her com-system, causing her to produce a cellphone-like device. "This is Lieutenant Kurotsuchi."
"Lieutenant, this Akon," came the gloomy man's voice. "It seems that the internal monitoring systems have detected a powerful unknown energy source within the Division."
The purple-haired woman stopped in her tracks. "Explain the last statement..."
"That's just it," the Officer responded. "It isn't like any known type of energy, and the other issue is that it's independent of our own power system, so we can't shut it down."
"Are you able to tell where readings are coming from?" Nemu asked.
There was a momentary pause. "Not a specific location, but we known that it... that the readings are currently localized in the upper labs, where you are."
The woman went silent for a moment. "I understand." Nemu replied simply. "Officer Akon, before we continue, has the Captain been alerted to the situation?"
"I- I'm sorry Lieutenant," he began uneasily. "But we haven't been able to reach Captain Grantz."
Nodding to herself, she spoke. "As of now, we must consider this to be an emergency." Nemu stated in a calm steady tone. "Until such a time that we are able reestablish contact with Captain Grantz, I am in acting command of the Division." She declared authoritatively.
"In the meantime, it's vital that we take all possible steps to contain whatever is happening." Nemu continued evenly. "Please see to it that no one else enters this area until I give the 'all clear'."
"Understood." Akon replied, after which Nemu tucked the communication device back into her robes and began walking once more, heading to where she suspected Szayel might be...
Turning a corner, Nemu immediately was met by a shocking sight at the end of the hall. As soon as she saw Urahara-san slumped down in the open doorway, she dropped the files and rushed inside.
Szayel's eyes were glazed over and he appeared be speaking, almost like he was in some kind of trance, but she couldn't understand what he was talking about.
"...What do you take me for, I'm a scientist, not a magician!" Szayel rambled on.
"...Szayel-sama? Szayel-sama!" The purple-haired woman exclaimed frantically as she rushed to his side. However, when he didn't respond, Nemu realized more extreme measures were required.
"OOMPH!" The bespectacled Arrancar cried out, as soon as he felt Nemu's palm crash against the side of his face as she slapped him. His cheek stinging, he looked to her. "Nemu, what are you-"
"Szayel-sama, turn the machine off!" She interrupted frantically, cutting him off.
"Sz- Szayel!" Urahara cried out, his eyes wide, mustering all the strength he could find to fight against the oppressive malaise of the force filling the room. "Now! Do it NOW!"
A look of confusion passed over his face for a split secant, before understanding dawned on Szayel and he ratcheted down the dial on the control panel. That done, he leaned back, taking a breath.
"Th- hank you... my darling Nemu." He spoke after a moment, as he looked to her.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Lenny cleared his throat, as Sid stood close by, idly strumming his guitar. "I was asked to say a few words today, so I'd like offer a poem-it's called 'The Shropshire Lad', by A.E. Houseman..."
"Into my heart an air that kills," he began in his deep voice. "From yon far country blows: What... What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those?"
"That is the land of lost content," Lenny paused, before continuing. "I see it shining plain: The happy highways where I went... And cannot come again." The man finished, taking a deep breath.
Ichigo Kurosaki noted the reactions from the others in the room. In particular Jinx, who at first merely crossed her arms, then slid her hand up to rest over her mouth as the poem had went on.
Darkwood, who in turn had been observing Ichigo, couldn't help but smile to himself.
"I have to say," Ichigo remarked, while he furtively glanced around the room. "This isn't like any wake I've ever been to..." He paused. "Not than that I've been to that many."
"I take it, then, more specifically, that you mean that this is unlike a Japanese wake?" The older man asked the teenager, receiving a nod from him. "Well, despite everything you've experienced, you're still young, and there's a whole world out there- varied and wondrous- and all of it waiting for you."
"Oi, Harry," Ozzy called out to the man with the slicked back hair. "Raise the mood- play 'Paint it Black' for us!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The doors to the waiting room opened, and a woman in a white lab coat entered. She had wavy brown hair, pulled into a bun in the back, and green eyes set behind a pair of bifocals.
"Captain Soifon, Vega-san," she began in a friendly tone. "My name is Akemi Sanota, I'm the Eighth Seat Officer of the Twelfth Division, and I'll be seeing you two today."
The two of them stood up as she gestured towards the doorway. "This way, please."
Once inside the exam room, Soifon was instructed to lie down on the examination bed. She deposited herself on the bed, while Ggio busied himself on a nearby chair. "So, first off, to address the elephant in the room, you're seeing me instead of the Captain- as in the past- because he's busy with important and essential work, not just for my Division, but for all of Soul Society."
"Now that we have that out of the day," the bespectacled woman continued. "So tell me, Captain, how have you been feeling recently- any issues, any concerns?" She asked.
Soifon folded her hands across her lap and took a breath. "Well, I haven't been having any mourning sickness for a while now." The Captain of the Black-Ops responded. "Truthfully, I have to say I've been feeling pretty good these days," she paused unsure. "And, um... I think my breasts are bigger."
A broad smile formed an Akemi's face, as she reached out and placed her hand on the other woman's in a reassuring gesture. "It's okay Captain, I'm a woman, I understand." She offered. "And that's really not all that uncommon," the female Shinigami went on to comment. "After all, your body is dealing with a lot of hormonal changes right now, so it's only adjusting accordingly."
"And now, based upon notes that Captain Grantz left," she continued. "I believe that it's now possible for us to use the ultrasound to successfully produce sonogram image of the child."
Both parents perked up at this. "Really?" They both asked- in perfect time with one another- before then blushing as they exchanged embarrassed looks.
Soon, Soifon had changed out of her uniform and slip into a medical gown, while a bashful Ggio held her neatly folded clothes in his arms as she was lay back down on the exam bed.
Akemi Sanota was seated beside the bed, glancing back and forth to the monitor as she moved the ultrasound probe along her exposed stomach. "Well, I've got some interesting news," the woman spoke with a smile."First off, the child is perfectly healthy. Now, how much to you two want to know?"
"You mean, like if it's a boy or a girl?" Soifon asked.
The wavy-haired woman nodded. "Among other things."
The Captain looked to her partner, who nodded excitedly, then back to Akemi. "Tell us."
"First off, you're having a girl." The Shinigami announced. "Now, as I alluded to, she has no physical issues to speak of," she paused. "Aside from all that... well, this is where we get to the interesting bits." Akemi continued, turning the monitor toward the parents. "Do you see that?"
"She doesn't have a Hollow Hole..." Soifon spoke, confused, before looking over to Ggio.
"She's naturally born, Soifon, not evolved like most Hollows." Ggio explained softly to her, as he took Soifon's small hand in his own. "It means the only soul she has is her own."
It was odd, hearing him say that. She wasn't quite sure why, but just hearing him utter those few words, there was just something about it that really struck a note in her heart. The petite woman smiled warmly at the wiry Arrancar before her, seemingly wordlessly communicating with Ggio.
This meant that regardless of whatever actions or choices either of them had made throughout their many years of existence, their darkness would not be reflected on their daughter nor on whatever life she would choose to lead. Rather, their child would be an innocent...
Looking at them, seeing the excitement of the 'happy couple', the bespectacled scientist couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming scene. "Well, we can't forget that she's still half Hollow."
With their attention back, the brunette resumed. "The reason that I mention this, is because I have a feeling you might want to take a closer look- at this area in particular."
She gestured towards the baby's head, to the area above the forehead. "Note the bone-like protrusions along the cranium." Akemi pointed out. "The position and shape of the Mask Fragment will mean that once her hair starts coming in, it's going to look a bit like a rather fetching tiara."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Huecco Mundo...
Nelliel-Tu was standing beside Grimmjow, as the female before them spoke. Her face was painted up in black and white so as to resemble a skull, and her hair was an ashy color and drawn back- pulled into short braids on the sides of her face and in the back. She was dressed in a long loose-fitting cloak, and her hands and arms appeared to be wrapped up in cloth, with bracelets adorning her wrists.
"Captain Obberschank," the woman began in a steady tone. "I am Ellsingar, and I wish to thank you for agreeing to see me on such short notice." She introduced herself.
"Of course, the pleasure is mine." The green-haired Arrancar replied with a smile a polite nod, placing her hands on her hips. "Tell me, Ellsingar, what is your position within the Unaligned?"
"I am the Angel of Death." She replied in a matter-of-fact way. "Well, such as it is."
Nelliel sent a confused look to Grimmjow, prompting him to respond "A Seer."
"I see." The Captain responded. "Then, am I to take it that you have something you wish to tell me?" The former Tercera prompted. "No doubt, I imagine from your visions."
"Well guessed, Captain." The painted woman countered. "The truth, or what I've been able to discern of it while casting my sight into the Skjein, is that the threat from this 'Darkness' your Shinigami allies are facing is far greater than anyone realizes." Ellsingar continued.
"Darkness?" Nelliel repeated. "Are you talking about the Anomaly, or the Brethren?"
The other woman shook her head. "That hole in the sky, and the people you call 'the Brethren'..." She began to say. "What they are... they are simply facets of a much greater danger."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Szayel-sama, Szayel-sama!" Nemu exclaimed frantically, shaking his shoulders. At the same time as this, the purple-haired woman could hear a groan from Urahara...
A moment passed, before Szayel looked to her. "Nemu..." The Espada started, a twinkle returning to his golden eyes. "Nemu, my darling Nemu, my lovely butterfly..." He smiled. "Thank you."
"Szayel-sama?" The woman asked uncertainty. "What happened?"
"I could ask the same question?" Kisuke Urahara spoke up, rubbing his temples. "I mean, it was like a miasma had fallen over this room." The former Soul Reaper spoke. "As soon as I walked in, my was hit by an overpowering and debilitating migraine." The dazed man added, as he removed his iconic striped hat and brushing a hand through his messy pale blonde mop of hair.
Szayel exhaled, brushing back his pink locks. "Truthfully, I don't know," the scientific Hollow replied after a moment. "But, given how both you and I fell under its power... perhaps, it might be appropriate we both thank our lucky stars that my dear Nemu arrived when she did- to free us."
"I'll drink to that." The scruffy-faced Shopkeeper replied as he slowly got to his feat.
Again, the violet-haired woman gave a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
The Arrancar nodded. "That machine," he started, gesturing to the device. "It generates some kind of field that bombards and hyper-stimulates the organic mind." Szayel stated. "As soon as I'd turned it on, any normal person wouldn't have stood a chance against it, but Nemu..."
With some help from both Urahara and Nemu, Szayel was back on his feat as he continued.
"My darling Nemu," Szayel continued with a smile. "I believe that rather than in spite of, it's because of your unique nature, that you were immune to the psycho-sensory altering effects of the field that was being generated by the machine... and as a resultant, you saved us."
The green-eyed Lieutenant blushed at the declaration, but nevertheless, nodded in response and smiled as she met his golden gaze with her own. "...Thank you, Szayel-sama."
(- End of Chapter LXXI... -)