I finally think I'm gonna be able to properly focus on this story... Only for a frigging pandemic to happen! Well, in spite of the fact that we're living in what feels like a real-life version of the movie "Outbreak", I've continued to work on this. I hope that for those of you who follow me, and who've been stuck in your homes because everything has been shut down, that this story has at least provided you with something to do with all this free time we suddenly now have.
But at any rate, I would like to take a moment to once again express my thanks for the continuing feedback from reviewer gorguts5, as well as take a moment to send my regards and well-wishes to everyone else. Considering the fact that pretty much every person in the world is busy just trying to stay healthy, I can more than understand that reading and reviewing fanfiction isn't a priority for most people.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXXVI: "Flashpoint"
Soul Society, the Ukitake Estate...
Just as suddenly as their dark and shadowy attackers had appeared, so had they then abruptly vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving everyone- everywhere- at a loss in the aftermath.
"They're... gone?" Stark spoke, lowering his guns. "Just like that... But how?"
"I don't understand," Mitsuki chimed in, as she managed to compose herself. "...What happened?"
"Who's to say..." Captain Ukitake interjected. "But then, rather than worrying about the 'how' or the 'what', for the moment at least, perhaps we should simply be grateful."
Jushiro then took a moment to catch his breath, sitting down on a nearby large stone in the garden, exhaling as he set about trying to make sense of everything that had happened. "All of this insanity, all this chaos..." The white-haired Soul Reaper remarked, exhaling. "So much destruction this day, and yet... why? To what end is all of this?"
"You sound so pessimistic." Stark, still in his Resurreccion, started. "That's not like you, Jushiro."
The Shinigami looked to the other man and nodded. "How well you've come to know me, my friend." The man replied, rising to his feet. "You're right of course... What was I thinking?"
"You are too hard on yourself my lord." Mitsuki offered her benefactor, discretely re-sheathing and tucking her weapon away inside the folds of her kimono. "Mine is but to serve you and the members of your august family, but yours is the heavy weight of the needs of the many." She added.
"Thank you, Mitsuki-san." Jushiro replied with a smile. "You've more than proved yourself to be a true and faithful ally to both me and my family." He added, folding his arms across his chest.
"My son, I must see to him." The Captain and nobleman added, departing into the house.
This left Mitsuki and Stark, the latter of which took this moment to return to his sealed state, which in turn restored Lillynette to her individual status.
"What now?" The now-reformed female Arrancar asked, her lone visible eye wide.
It was at this point that Jushiro returned to the rear courtyard, along with the infant Kiyoshiro cradled in his arms, as he appeared to address the now trio of individuals.
"Shiro-san," Lillynette called out. "Kiyo-chan is alright?"
He smiled, and nodded. "Yes, he's fine," Jushiro replied calmly. "And that is thanks in no small part to the efforts of all of you- and that includes you, Lilly-chan."
The young female beamed under the praise from the Shinigami, rushing to his side, to get a closer look at the infant held in his arms, if only to sate her own worries.
"Lilly-chan, my dear," he resumed gently. "I would mean a great deal to me if you could return to the Fourth Division, to inform my wife- Lady Captain Ukitake- that our son is alive and well."
As by now had come to be expected of her, the Arrancar's face lit up, a sparkle in her rose-colored eye as she nodded enthusiastically, striking a confident pose. "Don't ya worry, Shiro-san, you can count on me!" Lillynette proclaimed. "I'll find Retsu-san, and make sure she gets the good news!"
And so, with that, she was quickly gone in a flash of Sonido!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Six HQ...
Elsewhere, the Division's Captain similarly found himself at a loss in the face if the sudden and abrupt departure of their mysterious assailants- present one moment, only to to be absent the next!
However, rather than allow himself to be thrown by such a drastic paradigm shift, his noble upbringing imbued Byakuya Kuchiki with a thoroughly unflappable nature. And this attribute was one of the things that now helped him to maintain a genuinely calm and collected demeanor in the face of adversity.
Arachne, her Zanpakuto drawn and radiating energy, stood alongside Renji, as the scarlet-eyed woman and the tattooed man looked on silently at the figure of the Captain...
At the moment, he was busy assessing the current situation, which included the status of his Division and of its members. However, it wasn't long before multiple reports began to reach him, the dark-haired Shinigami accepting them without comment, an unreadable look on his face and looked them over.
"Yes, this was to be expected." He remarked to himself. "Lieutenant Abarai," he spoke up, turning to face the crimson haired officer. "It would appear that the phenomena witnessed here is in fact occurring all across the Seireitei- a sudden halt of the attack, followed by their disappearance."
"Given our current predicament, it's imperative that all efforts should be made to coordinate between the heads of the divisions and reestablish communications." He explained. "As such, I must make my way back to the Central Chamber." Byakuya went on, handing the reports to Renji.
"No doubt a meeting of the Captains and other leaders will soon be called." He mused aloud, before he turned back to them. "Therefor, I must leave it in your care for the time being."
Renji gave a bewildered look. "...Captain Kuchiki?"
The man in question looked to him. "Lieutenant," he began stiffly. "As my second-in-command, I fully expect that you will be more than up to the task of leading the Sixth Division while I am away."
Renji's eyes went wide for a moment, then he saluted smartly. "Y-Yes Sir!"
"Good." The nobleman replied with a nod. "I would hate to be disappointed upon my return."
With that, the Captain vanished, leaving Renji and Arachne to look on, neither saying anything...
"Renji, I think this means, that you're in charge." The raven-haired Arrancar reasoned.
He nodded. "Yes, of course." Renji continued. "Kimura-san, you comported yourself admirably in the face of everything that's happened today." The Lieutenant spoke. "As such, I'm going to submit you for a formal accommodation in recognition of your actions."
"I don't, I mean, that is," the bespectacled Shinigami stammered. "Er, thank you sir, but what about-?" He manage, looking towards the shotgun still held in his hands.
"Relax." The red-haired man responded with a smile. "For now, I think the best course of action is that you should be the on to hold onto it." Renji offered. "After all, someone else might hurt themselves."
And with that exchange, Renji turned away, with Arachne walking in step alongside him, and headed inward into depths the Sixth Division, to see to things...
A moment of silent realization passed, once out of site of everyone else, things fully sunk in, as Renji bent over and exhaled audibly. Secants then passed between the two, before he looked to Arachne once again, steadying himself before she leaned in to plant kiss on his lips!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Once more, seated in a sleek black leather chair situated in his study, Darkwood again found himself mulling over recent events. And this time, as he sat in silent reflection, he properly considered the fact that he'd truly miscalculated- that, perhaps for the first time, he'd trulybeen legitimately outmaneuvered.
And, this in turn, left him faced with the realization that somehow there was an unknown element at work, amidst everything else, something that he'd he'd failed to consider...
And this blunt truth was made no more apparent then by the fact that his adversaries had been able to so effectively counter his efforts: first in managing to field such resistance against them, certainly more than they'd anticipated. And second, in generating a force significant enough to be capable of not only interrupting their advance, but of actually disrupting their very presence in the Soul Realm.
"It's ironic, you know." Darkwood spoke up, looking to Dario, standing in the doorway.
The hooded man sat on the arm of the nearby chair. "How so?"
"That when everything is said and done, the events of today may very well have served to further bring together the Shinigami and Quincy." Darkwood lamented. "After all, they were already allied with their other greatest former adversaries, the Hollows of Huecco Mundo..."
"No," Dario replied as he shook his head, sliding down into the chair. "That alliance was always going to happen, it was just a matter of time." He added calmly. "They're desperate now, even more so than ever... And as the old saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures."
"Desperate enough to put a thousand years of bad blood behind them?" The bearded man inquired, as he cast his gaze over to the younger man seated close by.
He nodded. "Yes, so it would seem." Dario countered. "But what next, what of their technology?" The scruffy-faced man asked. "By now, they have long since made the connection between their 'Anomaly' and our presence in their realms- that's the only explanation for how they were able to interfere."
"Yes, now that point alone is... concerning." The brown-haired man admitted. "Somehow... They're farther along- technologically and scientifically- then they should be," Darkwood remarked. "Which in and of itself, leads me to believe that they're being helped..."
"An outside power?" Dario asked, arching a brow, while silently filling his glass with scotch.
"It's all a game," Darkwood remarked. "The most dangerous of games... And we're not the only force at play in all this conflict of high-stakes." He went on to comment. "We're talking about a power with the ability to see the long-term picture, and with the resources and scope to ensure that the Shinigami and their allies would be suitably prepared for us when the day of judgment comes."
"Then you mean...?" Dario trailed off, taking a drink. "No... You- you told me yourself that it's strictly forbidden for them to intervene in events, for risk of affecting the Causal Nexus."
"The Causal Nexus..." Darkwood repeated wearily. "Otherwise known as the 'Will of the Universe'."
"Somehow," Dario interjected. "You don't strike me as the sort to kowtow to some 'Cosmic Plan."
Darkwood nodded, taking a drink from his own glass. "I don't believe they're actually intervening, at least not directly." He replied. "Like I said, they're playing the long game... No overt actions, but rather subtle manipulations- giving them 'clues', pointing them in the right direction, and so on."
Dario took another drink, before looking to the doorway, to Ichigo. "Kurosaki, what brings you here?" The fair-skinned man asked of the teenager, a wild grin marking his face.
The youth's deep brown eyes met his sharp green ones. "I have questions..."
"And," Darkwood chimed in. "You're in need of answers?"
"Well then, in the spirit of brotherhood," Dario picked up. "Please, feel free, to ask away."
"These powers you've awakened in me..." Ichigo began. "Tell me: what's the point? I mean, what's the 'endgame' in all of this?" The teenager continued. "You keep talking about how I'm so important to the 'great work' you all are doing... But, I can't help but feel like I'm just being used again."
The two other men exchanged a brief look between them, then Darkwood smiled. "I suppose that's a fair enough question..." He started, giving Ichigo a sympathetic look. "After all, I know what it's like to be faced with a lot of unanswered questions- life can be so very uncertain sometimes."
"You're young Ichigo," Darkwood continued. "And while you've experienced a great deal during the course of your relatively short life... The one thing you lack is experience."
"Experience?" Ichigo countered. "I've experienced a hell of a lot. Remember, I've faced down enemies in battles of life and death, and come through alive, in spite of everything!"
Darkwood nodded. "Indeed." He replied, looking the orange-haired teen in the eyes. "But the fact is, that experience alone isn't enough to lead to true wisdom."
"He's right." Dario inserted smoothly. "When you've taken your time and lived a bit longer, when you've become an older and more seasoned man... Then, and only then, will you truly understand the scope of just what it is that you are now a part of." The hooded man offered.
"Then what about you?" Ichigo countered, looking over to Dario. "The truth is, despite your powers, you don't look all that much older than me... Even so, it's not like I can speak from any kind of superior experience. So then, what's your part in all this, what do you stand to loose or gain in the end?"
The other man grinned "My motives, my goals, we keep coming back to that point," Dario recounted coolly as he looked on. "That metter really bothers you, doesn't it?" He asked. "I can only imagine how much easier it would be for you, if you could distill me down to a single point, a clear motive: am I the victim of some injustice, have I lost a loved one, am I rebel, or do I just want to watch humanity burn?"
"No, you don't strike me as the type who's out for personal gain," Ichigo responded. "For you, this isn't about money or power over others or chaos." He reasoned. "So then, what do you want?"
"You're very observant." Dario answered, finishing off his drink. "I want the same you want, purpose."
"Ichigo," Darkwood at last spoke up once more. "Do you remember when we last spoke of what it is that there is to gain from a deeper understanding of Manifest?" He asked. "The ultimate understanding, the answer to the ultimate question?" The bearded man reminded him.
"What is life?" The orange-haired youth recalled.
Darkwood nodded. "Soon, you will have your answer to that question." He replied. "But for now, we must remain focused on the present dilemma now before us."
"In that case..." Ichigo paused. "What happened today, what went wrong?"
"What went 'wrong'," the bearded man started. "Is that your former friends and allies are proving to be far more resilient and adaptive than we had initially anticipated." He answered. "In the end, when all is said and done, this now means that we may have no choice but take more drastic measures." Darkwood went on to say. "And to that end, you, my dear Ichigo, you will be our vanguard- to serve as the living bridge- between our native dimension, and the different realities."
Darkwood rose to his feet. "Of course, we also have to expect that Soul Society and all of its allies will waist little time in fielding their own Champion, to stand against us." He posited. "Now, tell me then, Ichigo, are you willing to stand and fight against that individual, regardless of whoever it might be?"
Ichigo took a moment to respond, before at last nodding. "Yes, I will fight them... Whatever happens, I'll stay the course and fight anyone who tries to stand in our way, between the Followers of the Ways of Manifest and the realization of the ultimate objective of completion of the Great Work."
Darkwood nodded. "More and more, you understand that while no sane man hopes for conflict, only a fool would be blind to the possibility." He stated. "That's why you're such a critical part in realizing our glorious new age of harmony and unity- for all people." The man proclaimed intently.
Dario, for his part, merely smiled as he poured himself another drink...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Shigeru Kimura sat down in the courtyard of the Sixth Division, taking a moment amidst the chaos to calmly regard the weapon presently gripped in his hands...
"Oh my god!" He commented inwardly. "I can't believe the Lieutenant... he just hands me this fucking thing, this goddamned weapon, like it's nothing," he remarked, before he removed his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. "All before heading off with his lady friend."
The Third-Seat Officer took a moment to further lament the seeming graveness of his situation, until he was snapped back to reality by the sound of a voice calling out to him.
"Hey, you, over there!"
The bespectacled Shinigami looked up, in time to see as a handsome lean-looking Arrancar with a tan and a main of long flowing blonde hair appeared on the scene. "Are you okay?"
Kimura stood up instantly. "Who the heck are you?!"
His brown eyes twinkled in response, and he simply smiled. "...I'm Ylforte Grantz, formerly a Fraccion of the Sexta Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, and now a member of the Fourteenth Division."
"Now then," Ylforte resumed, still smiling. "Who might you be?"
The brown-haired man seemed to relax a bit, as he sat down. "I'm Shigeru Kimura," he revealed to the other man. "Third-Seat Officer of the Sixth Division."
"However," he continued, pausing to look him in the eyes. "At the moment, however, I'm far more curious as to what exactly you're doing here, in the Soul Realm right now- what, considering that the Fourteenth Division is based out of Huecco Mundo."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
"I can only image what must be running through your heads at the moment..."
The silver-haired man took a moment. "You're all thinking: 'surely Ryuken Ishida has gone mad?'" He went on to comment. "After all, what other reason is there that could explain such an act of madness as proposing something so insane as what I'm suggesting to you all, today?"
"The thought had occurred to me, Doctor Ishida." A dark-skinned woman with sharp brown eyes and her long dark hair braided, spoke up. "Still, with that being said, I'm hoping that you'll have something clever to say to us that might assuage our concerns?" She went on to add.
"Professor Purandara," Ryuken countered steadily, with a wave of his hand. "Please, if you'd indulge me just a while longer, I think you may yet find your answer."
He was seated behind his desk, at the head of his study, while a dozen our so individuals- some seated in plush chairs, others leaning against the bookshelves, all of them looking to him...
Ryuken looked to the individuals before him. "But now, let me be perfectly plain with you... We, the Quincy, as an institution, are a dyeing people." He stated gravely. "But then, if it truly is indeed our fate to die- even as the Shinigami thrive and evolve," the physician paused. "Then, I would say to you, if we are destined to die, then let us die for something greater than ourselves."
"You called us here to relay your fatalistic portents of death and doom, and then you compel us to accept that it's our 'fate' to die- in the name of some vaguely defined higher cause," one of the men in the room countered. "And further that we should cast our lot in with the Shinigami, no less?"
He was tall, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, with a ruddy complexion. "Ryuken, in spite of your questionable views, I thought at least I knew you, but to hear you now..."
"Alexei." He shook his head, looking to him. "No, not simply for the Shinigami..." The elder Ishida corrected him sternly. "Rather, I am speaking of the fundamental defense of life, however you chose to define it, and I'm taking about all life, all men, women, and children- regardless of the gods they pray to, or whether they have a pulse or not, or even if they have one soul or many!"
"Wait, you're talking about the Arrancar?" Alexei asked, aghast. "Have you gone mad?! Explain to me, for whatever possible reason, that should I willingly endeavor to fight and even to die for monsters that exist and thrive upon death itself?!" He demanded.
"You speak as if the very idea of fellowship and family are limited solely to us." The bespectacled man countered sternly. "To think in such a way... Surely you might consider yourselves to be fortunate, as to know nothing of the bitterness and emptiness of harsh experience..."
"Let him speak." Purandare spoke intently. "Please, I'm eager to hear what he has to say."
"Ananya?" Alexei asked, looking her in the eyes, before simply going silent and nodding.
The bespectacled man narrowed his eyes. "The Wandenreich is gone, scattered to the four winds," the bespectacled man remarked. "But, when considering everything they did and would have done had they been successful, I feel this was only possible fate for such a corrupt and benighted institution."
"To say nothing of the fact that they abducted my son." He continued coldly. "Further more, we simply cannot ignore the clear and present reality that our two oldest enemies have now forged an alliance that will make both sides the better for it." Ishida reasoned. "What then does that say of us?"
"Yes, we've been hearing rumors for a while now," Purandare spoke. "Of a formal alliance between the Shinigami of the Soul Realm and the Arrancar of Huecco Mundo."
"Ryuken," another, older dark-haired man started. "Think about it, what you are proposing of us... you're asking that we put aside the very principles of our most basic beliefs." He continued wearily as he regarded the seated man. "On nothing more than your assurance."
"All of us gathered here, in this room, do you realize that you're asking us is to cast aside everything that we've been taught- since childhood- to side with being who's blood stains our hands... Surely you see the inherent conflict at the core of this request?"
"And that's somehow worse than the alternative?" The dark-skinned woman asked. "That of us being crushed between the newly allied hordes of the Shinigami and the Hollows?"
"Oh, Farhan, my old friend..." Ryuken lamented, before closing his eyes. "I must admit, it's good to see you again after so long, though I'm afraid you never were much of a good listener."
Ryuken removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose, before looking to them. "Gentlemen..." He exhaled for emphasis. "It is my hope that we have not grown so old and inflexible as not to realize that our time has come and gone... And, that the choice we are now faced with is that of weather we will be beacons for the next generation, or just fossils to stand in their way."
"Let me put this another way," the Doctor continued. "In ten, twenty, even fifty years from now... Will people even speak of the Quincy?" He posited. "What about a hundred years from now... Will the term 'Quincy' even be remembered- and if so, for what?" Ryuken continued. "I have no intention of being reduced to a mere footnote in the annals of history... And be sure, that history is being made."
"I'd never have expected such an impassioned argument from you, of all people." An older-looking woman, with long fair hair commented. "The truth may be, that perhaps we've become a little too set in our ways, too accustomed to not being able to trust others... Perhaps, we simply fear the unknown."
"Ingrid?" Ryuken asked, putting his glassed back on.
"I don't know about the rest of you gathered here," she stated to the others. "But I hope when the future generations speak the word 'Quincy', that other words: ones like 'heroes' and 'honor' would come to mind."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Gotei Council, Central Chamber...
Byakuya Kuchiki promptly situated himself with his usual measure of calm and poise in his seat, as he and the other Captains took their places within the chamber. The dark-haired noble watched as various screens came online as additional individuals were brought into the discussion.
The former Captain of the Twelfth, Kisuke Urahara, arrived and moved directly to covertly speak with the Division's current Captain, the ex-Shinigami and the Arrancar rapid-fire conversing with each other in hushed tones at the same time as the others in the chambers filed into their seats...
In additional to the Shinigami and Vizard Officers in the room, the Tercera Espada and the male half of the Primera Espada were also present, in the form of Halibell and Stark.
Visible on the multiple monitors on the far wall of the room, were a number of faces- such as Captain Nelliel-Tu Obberschank of the Fourteenth Division and the Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez- live from Huecco Mundo. But, perhaps even more surprising, was the fact that Doctor Ryuken Ishida was visible on one of the many screens, all the way from his residence in the Living Realm.
Meanwhile, also seated alongside him in their chairs were all of the other Captains... Who, along with him, represented twelve of the thirteen 'Active' Court Guard Divisions, with Lieutenant Sasakibe sitting in to represent the limited interests of the mostly sidelined First Division.
"To think," Jushiro lamented moodily. "That the very heart of Soul Society- no, the hearts of all three of our realms- that they could ever be breached so seamlessly..." The white-haired man remarked.
"He's right," Kensei began. "Truly, we've been as good as invaded."
"Perhaps not an invasion." Byakuya offered calmly to everyone assembled in the room, gesturing for the others to listen as he continued his address. "I'm sure that, like myself, the rest of you must be wondering right now about what exactly happened here today." The Kuchiki heir went on to say. "The events of today, they were... an example of what what our foe is capable of."
"In short," the nobleman continued. "Their objective was to make sure that all of us knew exactly what they were capable of and just how far they were willing to go in the name of that cause."
"Perhaps..." Szayel spoke up, drawing eyes to him. "Though I'm not completely convinced that what happened today was only intended to serve as a mere show of force."
"And why do you say that?" Shunsui inquired, turning to the pink-haired Arrancar.
Calmly adjusting his glasses, the bespectacled Espada responded. "I believe that today's events served as a duel purpose." Szayel went on to state. "While they may have hoped to possibly finish us off with this sudden overwhelming show of force, that rather, their real goal in all of this was the keep hitting us- to wear us down as much as possible, as quickly as possible- before withdrawing."
"Today was a test." the golden-eyed Arrancar spoke. "And to that end, I believe it's more correct to assume that they always meant to withdraw..." He reasoned. "And that the only thing that changed was the issue of why they retreated." Szayel went on to state, looking to the others. "Of course, the hasty nature of their evacuation was never part of the original plan."
"A test?" Shinji repeated, becoming interested. "Then you're asserting they were probing our defenses, looking for any weak-spots, trying to figure out our numbers and so forth... a standard procedure."
"Go on." Byakuya prompted him, while Urahara watched intently.
Szayel nodded before elaborating. "I say this, because I believe that they were in no position to halt their advance- considering our enemies, for all intents and purposes, were effectively overwhelming us on all fronts, that is- until I directly interfered with their efforts." He revealed.
"Interfered?" Komamura repeated. " We faced a relentless foe, and one who appears to be becoming stronger and more adept with every engagement." He went on, glaring at the other Captain. "And, now, you're saying that you- alone- just simply stopped them, with the press of a button?!"
"I agree with the Lupine Captain," Ryuken chimed in over the screen. "Indeed, I too am eager to hear more of the good captain's accounts of just what exactly happened."
Szayel nodded to the others. "If you would all look to the main screen." He instructed them, with a gesture of his hand, while he motioned to the wall at the head of the room. "Nemu, please bring up the schematics that we discussed earlier." He spoke into his intercom, as a picture appear on the screen.
"What you're looking at, this machine, is one the main culminations of my Division's ongoing efforts to interpret and practically implement the vast sums of information hidden throughout all of the contents of the Celestial Archives." The Arrancar continued. "And, this machine is only a single component that makes up a much larger system, and it has proven to be very mysterious."
"Yes, but what exactly does it do?" Toshiro Hitsugaya asked.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"I'm far more curious as to what exactly you're doing here, in the Soul Realm right now- considering that the Fourteenth Division is based out of Huecco Mundo."
Ylforte merely smiled and nodded. "Well, as soon as communications between the realms began to break down, amidst all of the chaos, Captain Obberschank instructed me to reestablish contact with the other Division Commanders in this Realm." He explained. "In addition to dispatching others with the intent of contacting the Unaligned in our realm, and our agents in the Living Realm."
A moment passed, before the Shinigami nodded. "So, what you're trying to tell me, is that you just happened upon the Sixth, of all places," the third-seat Officer recounted. "And only then, you decided to move in- after the Captain and Lieutenant had left- to make contact with me, right now?"
The tanned Arrancar brushed a hand through his long blonde hair. "Well, when you put it like that," Ylforte countered coolly with a smile. "...I suppose that's about the short of it."
"How convenient." Kimura responded glibly, adjusting his glasses. "But, then, the question remains-why the hell are you here, and what precisely is it that you want?"
"A fair question." Ylforte replied suavely with a smile. "Honestly, rather than the 'why', I think the far more important and exciting point at the moment is what I've found upon arriving."
"Really now?" Kimura arched a brow, folding his arms. "Oh, but please," he continued smoothly with an unwavering smile. "I'm eager to learn about your findings, so please, do go on."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Yes, but what exactly does it do?"
"Well, that... depends." Szayel answered evasively, before looking over to Urahara and exchanging an awkward glance with the scruffy former Soul Reaper- that happened to be standing amongst the others gathered in the periphery of the council chamber.
"The initial iteration created a field of effect, which affected the perceptual and cognitive parts of the brain of those in close proximity to it. As the one who turned it on, I was the first person to be affected, and also the longest," he paused. "Now... as outrageous as what I am about to tell you may seem, keep in mind that the end result was what lead to the climax of today's events..."
"The field it generated, it allowed my consciousness to perceive alternate realities." Szayel revealed, to the expected disbelieving reactions of the others.
"Are you high?!" Shinji responded, rising from his chair. "Astral Projection?! I thought that you were more intelligent than than to buy into something like that." The Vizard continued. "That's almost as bad as believing it's possible to bend spoons with your mind or heal people with magnets!"
Szayel held up his gloved hand. "Before you fully dismiss me, I would like to add the proviso that I'm not talking about some theory from the 'New-Age' movement." He went on. "What happened today is demonstrative proof of my theory that our machine is able to induce and to manipulate frequencies on a dimensional level." The Octavio insisted to the other man. "And my refined version of that machine is what staved back the invading forces from the different realms!"
"Then, it would seem, at least, based on your assertions... That beyond that spacial anomaly in the sky, that there's another dimension altogether?" Shunsui asked, receiving a nod.
"I believe that it's all part of the same thing." The pink-haired man responded. "The distortion formed by the Oken has continued to emit pulses, at an ever increasing rate."
"Putting aside the extraordinary nature of your claims," Byakuya resumed. "Are you saying that this machine, the make of which you divined from the archives, drove away the Shadows?"
"While I don't believe 'divined' is the appropriate word," the golden-eyed Arrancar began, turning to address the dark-haired Captain. "Yes, in the same way that the correct sound frequency is capable of shattering glass, I believe that I was able to generate a specific resonance that disrupted the Shadows' ability to exist in our reality- hence why they vanished so suddenly."
"Now, that is something useful." Soifon interjected. "If these creatures can only exist in our dimension under specific condition, then the ability to disturb their presence is an invaluable asset to us."
"Agreed." Chojiro Sasakibe spoke up. "And we need all the advantages possible if we're to succeed."
"Everyone." Szayel spoke out. "Before any you start to celebrate prematurely, I feel I should point out that the machine- at least so far- is only capable of disrupting their link between here and their home dimension." He added cautiously. "Regardless, we can't allow them to gain a foothold, because if these Phantoms are able to establish a beachhead, it would be virtually impossible to drive them out."
"Then you believe we're dealing with a clear timetable?" Shunsui asked.
The Octavio nodded. "The unfortunate truth is that while I lack anything concrete, we would be fools to assume that the Anomaly isn't in some way 'fueling' our enemies' actions..." Szayel responded. "Nor the fact that at its present rate- let alone if the rate of pulses were to increase in strength or frequency- I won't be able to stop it again, to say nothing of repulsing our enemy back to their own reality."
"Captain Grantz." Retsu Ukitake addressed the man. "Based on your calculations, can you offer some idea as to how much time we have before they're able to fully force their way into our reality?"
Szayel adjusted his glasses, then nodded. "Yes, at the present rate, I estimate that we have between six to eight weeks, at the very most." He responded. "However... if the rate of the pulses should happen to increase by as little as just two or three percent, then... we'd have less than a month."
"Captain Grantz," Jushiro Ukitake spoke gravely, looking the other man in the eye. "Tell me then, have you and your people made any other developments in your work as of late?"
"Utilizing the information we've uncovered, the Twelfth has successfully constructed a number of highly sophisticated mechanisms and systems," the bespectacled Arrancar responded. "But we're still struggling to understand how many of them are supposed to interact with one another."
"And yet, I take it that you stand by your belief in the machine?" Rose asked the man.
"I believe the resonance generator- as I've come to call it- is a core component of this grand system that we are in the process of deciphering." Szayel continued. "At the moment, we're juggling a mixture of such things like state-of-the-art alloys, to light-speed accelerators, as well as a number of machines that we are still trying to figure out the most basic functions of."
"Wait," Retsu Ukitake spoke. "Something you mentioned just now," the dark-haired serene woman recounted as she spoke. "Just what exactly is a Light-Speed Accelerator?"
Szayel nodded at this. "Oh, well... It's a specialized machine, designed to accelerate atoms through a continuous loop, up to the speed of 300,000 kps- ie, the speed light travels through a vacuum."
"But to what end?" Toshiro chimed in. "What practical function does it serve?"
"It's very useful in quantum physics." Urahara stepped in. "It allows people to study the fundamental nature of atoms, and how they function in an agitated state."
"That sounds... complicated." Shunsui remarked with a slight chuckle.
"It's also a means of studying how energy moves through the dimensions of time and space." Szayel offered, himself now perking up. "Wait, now that I think about it..."
Urahara noted the change in his tone. "You sound like you're on to something."
"No," Szayel replied, shaking his head. "No, it's nothing."
"Getting back to the main point, I believe that we're onto something major." The Arrancar revealed to the others. "Once we have some idea of how the resonance generator factors into the network created by the rest of these devices, I believe we may be able to trace these Phantoms back to their source."
"Then, it's just a matter of isolating the particular frequency with which these pulses of Dark Energy are traveling on..." Captain Nelliel-Tu observed. "That way, we might be able to figure out how they're being 'transmitted' into the other realm, and possibly even a way to block them."
"Or," Rose picked up, the Byronic man once more leading the conversation. "By that very same token, a means of possibly tracing them back to their point of origin."
"Yes, but to what end?" Shunsui asked.
"What else?" Kenpachi fired off iratably. "We go on the attack for once, and end this!"
"That's easy enough to say," Jushiro spoke up. "But actually carrying out such an ambitious action is another matter all-together." The Captain of the 13th cautioned. "Tell me, Captain, have you given any thought to the logistics of something like what your suggesting?"
"Just listen to you!" The large imposing man replied. "I'm sick and tired of sitting around here and procrastinating, while these people are allowed to continue picking away at us!" Kenpachi countered, standing up and glaring at the other Captain. "But then... maybe the real reason why you can keep on talking like you have is because you and your Division haven't suffered any losses!"
The white-haired man rose to his feet in a single fluid motion, unfazed as at he silently met the one-eyed gaze of the much larger Shinigami. "Captain Kenpachi," he started icily. "You, you people of the Eleventh Division... You speak so lightly of conflict, even when you know nothing of the very people that you are now so insistent upon going to war with..." He continued coldly.
Retsu Ukitake watched as her husband continued to take to task the Commander of the Eleventh- the source of so much past grief for both herself and the Fourth. "And then, lest we forget, you speak of loss..." He paused. "To wit, Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs." He continued coldly. "Or, perhaps you would prefer it that we should sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings?"
Kenpachi bristled at this. "Just what the hell are you trying to infer?!"
"Enough." Byakuya spoke in a calm but commanding tone, the dark-haired noble drawing the attention of both men as he too rose to his feet. "Captain Kenpachi, you're anger is misplaced, and you would be better served by directing it at its source- our enemies." He remarked.
"Lord Ukitake- as I shall address you, so as to avoid any further confusion with your esteemed wife, the good Lady Ukitake," he resumed, looking to Jushiro. "I believe you've more than made your point, in reminding everyone here that we have all suffered losses, in one form or another."
"Now," the Captain went on. "I feel that it's important that we remain on track with our discussion." Byakuya stated calmly as he addressed everyone. "And I believe that all of you here will agree that, regardless of whatever might normally divide us, we share a common interest... Victory."
(- End of Chapter LXXVI... -)
Well, here we are, the first step in the march towards the 'grand finale'! But don't think that means that means this is just going to be a mad dash to the finish line, because there's still quite a bit of story to tell- even with the end in sight!
Also, in response to gorguts5's latest review: I'm glad you took something from the alternate take on Ichigo's shift towards the "other side". I can't remember for certain if the Brethren were always a part of the story, though I had them in mind pretty early on. The genesis of them grew from the thought "what sort of people would be the most threatening to someone like Ichigo?" And my solution was they had to be completely out of left field, at least in the eyes of someone as "straitlaced" (how I see him) as Ichigo: they just show up one day, they have not clear motive, their only objective is to terrorize him alone!
Then I came up with the idea that they'd embody everything alien to someone his age: Immediately, they're anachronistic, most of them are right out of the 'punk' and 'metal' scenes of the late 70s to early/mid 90s. They're also foreign, and using names that reference things Ichigo wouldn't get, yet they also know things they shouldn't- and the only thing they do with the knowledge is screw with Ichigo, randomly appearing with the sole objective of beating him up!
As for Darkwood, I intentionally conceived him as someone who is instantly overtly sinister right from the get-go- a mysterious and enigmatic stranger dressed in black, with a stereotypical name, who inexplicably knows about Ichigo and wants to 'help' him, even going so far as to give him an apple. Except, at the same time, he's completely self-aware and genre savvy- almost to the point of being meta. He's cultured and charming. And, as far as he's concerned, he's the only one being totally honest with Ichigo, he offers guidance and encourages him to be introspective and find his own answers.