First off, I wanna start this off by expressing my thanks to TheBretonBookDragon, RG-Guest, and Ie-maru...

Quick Note: In the Brethren's second attempt to abduct Orihime, she accidentally ended up 'killing' a member of the Brethren named "Pierce". I mention this only because in a recent chapter, I mixed up Pierce and Hawke, depicting the latter as the one still alive. This chapter sets the record straight.

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter LXXXIX: "Nightfall"

Soul Society...
Division Twelve HQ...

"It's... a Light-Saber."

Urahara sighed on hearing the other man's observation. "Really?!" He exclaimed in annoyance, as he looked to the other man. "Is that seriously the only thing you can say?!"

Presently, the two men were looking at an object on a table. It was around twenty-five centimeters in length, with the circumference varying from tip to top- giving it a fairly ergonomic design. The exterior also looked to be entirely composed of metals- with a matte-finish, and formed polymer.

"Please, I'm by no means trying to disparage all of the work that went into this," the Octavio Espada replied with a smile. "By all measurable aspects, what you've succeeded in creating is nothing short of a miracle of science and innovation..." He paused as he picked up the object..

Urahara looked on as the other man activated it, and a light blue beam abruptly projected forth from the 'head' of the strange mechanism. "But outwardly, it's... a Light-Saber."

Urahara took a long breath, composing himself, before exhaling. "I can assure you, that it's more than just a 'Light-Saber'." The former Shinigami countered, picking it up. "Don't forget," the man continued pointedly."It's based on the same technology that I used in my 'Light-Gun'."

"Light-Gun?" Szayel inquired, as he reached up to adjust his glasses. "Just a sec, isn't that what people called the 'pistol' thing that was attached to the old NES?"

"NES?" Urahara repeated. "What are you talking about?" The ex-Shinigami reacted, taken aback by the other man's assertion. "No, what your thinking of the original Famicom."

"Yes, yes," the Arrancar conceded. "Now, could we get back to the matter at hand?"

"Right, if this technology is capable of harming that creature calling himself 'Darkwood'," the scruffy man went on as the glowing beam of energy once again took form. "Then, I believe it may very well be the only viable counter-measure to both him and that 'energy' he's peddling."

The Espada smiled as the illumination reflected off the lenses of his 'glasses'. "Indeed."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The Living Realm...

"We've received reports that the Shinigami and their Allies have begun mobilizing their forces."

"Then, it seems that we're at last approaching the 'crossroads'."

Ichigo had watched the exchange between the two men. "Wait," the teenager interjected, as he looked toward the older man. "How could Soul Society be that much of a threat?"

"We're not just talking about the Shinigami, kid." Dario retorted.

"It's true." The bearded, brown-haired man added. "The Soul Reapers have been forging alliances," he revealed. "With the Arrancar, and the Quincys." Darkwood explained. "While this was to be somewhat expected, the truth of the matter is, that they're far more prepared than they should be."

"But, what do you mean?" Ichigo asked. "How are they able to threaten us?"

Darkwood exchanged a look with Dario. "Over time, through our interactions with the Shinigami and their allies, we've observed multiple instances that have lead us to increasingly suspect the existence of a third-party at play, working in the shadows," he went on. "Clandestinely aiding them."

"What ultimately lead me to suspect this true, was the fact that they were able to counteract us during our first incursion into their realm." Darkwood explained. "The level of technology required in order to achieve anything like that is centuries ahead of what they should be capable of."

"Then," Ichigo started. "What does does this mean for the plans you spoke of?"

"Nothing," he countered. "Our plan is still the same." Darkwood continued. "All that's different, is that they've forced our hand, which in turn means that we simply have to move our plans forward."

The orange-haired youth nodded. "Alright, let's go, then."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Soul Society...
Gotei Council Facilities, Council Chamber...

Shrugging off any lingering sense of apprehension or reluctance on his part, Shunsui Kyoraku buried his doubts as he stepped out into the bustling room- filled with noise and movement!

Monitors and keyboards were visible at every seat of the angled circular table...

Clearing his throat, he spoke up. "I need status updates on our forces."

"O- of course, right away, Captain." One of the technicians, a brown-haired male Shinigami wearing a pair of rectangular-framed glasses answered him. "Here, on this monitor, if you'll take a look- this is a visual representation of the deployments of troops across all three realms."

"To start things off," he continued, gesturing to the screen with a pen. "Here, within the bounds of the Seireitei, some of the more powerful individuals at our disposal have been dispatched- sent to the more critical points, both within and along the established parameter..."

"The Tercera Espada, Lady Halibell, along with her Fraccion Mila Rose, have been tasked with the defense of the Academy." He explained to state to the senior Shinigami. "While, the Primera Espada has been assigned to the Ukitake Estate- to defend both the grounds and the surrounding area, along with both Ukitake Captains, and their family's personal retinue."

"While the elder Lieutenant Kotetsu remains in commands the Fourth Division." The tall scruffy-faced swordsman added. "Which, in turn, will be defended by Sternritter 'Volunteers', right?"

The bespectacled man nodded. "Also, a special team has been sent to reinforce the barriers."

Shunsui nodded at this. "Good," he replied. "And now then, what of the other Espadas?"

"In addition to what Ken said," another technician, in this case a red-haired female Shinigami sporting a pair of oval-framed glasses interjected. "The Sexta Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, along with the Arrancar of the 'Unaligned', will be assisting the members of the Fourteenth Division to defend Huecco Mundo during the fighting to come." She explained to him. "A detachment from the Sixth, under the command of Lieutenant Abarai, has been sent and will be providing further support."

"Beyond that," she continued. "Reinforcements- drawn from the Third, Seventh, and Ninth Divisions, and under the command of their respective Senior Officers- have been dispatched to Huecco Mundo, in order to bolster the combined Shinigami and Arrancar forces of the Fourteenth Division."

"If you look at this display," the woman continued, gesturing to another feed. "Detachments from the Second and Tenth Divisions, under Lieutenant Shenkai and Captain Hitsugaya, have been deployed to the Living Realm, in order to reinforce our people and Ryuken Ishida and the Quincy Agents."

"Thanks, Ran," the male tech resumed. "In the mean time, teams from the Fifth, Sixth, and Thirteenth Division are being dispatched to reinforce the Soul Realm." He went on. "While, the Sternritter will be deployed to defend the grounds of the Fourth and the medical center."

Nodding, the Shinigami Captain responded "Then that just leaves us with the Captain of the Eleventh, and his forces." Shunsui recounted for them. "Then, that means we just have to make sure that Zaraki Kenpachi remains in reserve- for when the fighting becomes the most pitched..."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Karakura City...

"And so, that's the situation at the moment... At least, as best as I can explain it."

"I see, so it's finally come to this..." Isshin Kurosaki responded, rubbing his hand against the stubble-covered chin of his scruff face. "I have a suspicion that you didn't just come by to update me."

Yoruichi Shihoin nodded. The two of them were seated across the table from each other in the dining room of the family home. At the moment, at least, they were the only ones there in the house, as neither one of his daughters had yet to return from school- the first being Yuzu, with Karin arriving later, due to her prior commitments as a member in her junior high soccer club.

"I'll be candid with you," the dark-skinned woman began. "The truth of the matter is that Soul Society expects things to get pretty dicey in the coming days." She explained. "They're sending troops from the Second and the Tenth Divisions, to bolster what forces Ryuken Ishida had managed to gather..."

"While they don't expect the fighting to be as bad, here in Karakura," Yoruichi continued, taking a sip from the cup of coffee she'd been offered. "Never the less, we still have to consider the bigger picture, and that means taking the safety of others into consideration." She reasoned. "I'm talking about Jinta and Ururu, and... I suspect you're just as concerned about the well-being of your girls."

Looking down at his own cup of coffee, he brought the cup up to take drink from it, before he looked back up to meet her gaze once again. "So, you think it would be best if Karin and Yuzu were sheltered in the underground facilities beneath Kisuke's shop?" The father asked pointedly.

"I won't ask the same of you." The shape-shifter answered. "But, it's my belief that they're too young and lack the experience for something like this." She went on. "And while I'm not a parent myself, my instincts tell that this city will soon be no place for children or civilians."

After a moment, Isshin nodded. "I understand..." He responded grimly. "I won't argue with your logic in this regard, but... what do you mean when you say 'civilians'?"

Yoruichi gave a wry smirk. "Let's just say that you're not the only person I'll be paying a visit today."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

In an Unknown Location...

"Where... are we?" Ichigo asked- visibly confused- as the two of them exited from a portal- stepping onto a new surface and looking to the other man. "W- what is this place?"

Everything around the duo was shrouded in darkness, with the long shadows casting darkness over the majority of everything around them. As the young man glanced about, the other man turned to him.

With that, Darkwood merely smiled. "This place? Why, this place... is everything!"

"Just take a moment, and look around you..." The older bearded man offered him, prompting the teen to look about his surroundings. "This is it... Seize this moment, just stop and take it all in."

Immediately, at the same time as an unknown light source flickered to life, Ichigo properly registered the extent of his surroundings... Both Darkwood and himself were standing on a 'platform'- composed of hexagonal segments. Beyond that, there were multiple elevated platforms of the same construction, along with hexagonal clusters and pillars both floating and rotating around the main structure.

Aside from that, there was also a circular opening at the heart of the platform they were standing on, dominated by a large mysterious spherical object- the 'core', which was surrounded by multiple 'rings', including ones situated on the main platform, rotating around it, both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Beyond this, were also numerous rings, rotating around it, on multiple axes, in both directions!

Ichigo turned back to Darkwood. "Then... this is it?" He asked. "This is the heart of everything?!"

Again, the black-clad man smiled and nodded. "It is the power residing behind everything, the engine that drives all our efforts." Darkwood explained. "The power to make all things possible."

"Then, this... is some kind of machine?" The youth asked as he beheld the giant mechanism.

"No," the brown-haired man replied. "Not just any machine."

Ichigo looked to him. "Welcome, my son, to the Machine." Darkwood declared with a smile, while the teen took a moment as he looked over to him, all the while as the man in black watched him.

"Tell me something..." Ichigo started, somewhat uneasily. "If... if it's so critical to everything, does that mean that it's also the source of my powers... the power you've called 'Manifest'?"

Darkwood shook his head. "Not at all, Ichigo... Everything that I've told you up until now, well, I can assure you- here and now- that it's all true." He was quick to respond. "Manifest is real."

Gesturing to the power source, he went on. "In this regard alone, the Core's true function is that of a means of drawing in and harnessing the energy of Manifest." Darkwood added. "And in the process, it channels it in a way that others may then make use of it in a practical manner."

"Yes, I think I... I can feel it." The young man spoke. "I've never quite felt like this before."

Darkwood smirked, nodding knowingly. "And how is it, how do you feel?"

"I- I feel..." Ichigo looked to him, smiling. "I feel strong, but it's more than just that..." The brown-eyed teen reasoned. "It's not just about strength, I also feel free- in a way I haven't felt in a long time."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"We've established a number of key 'kill-zones', each of them set up across the different realms." Ken went on to explain. "To put it another way, we've set up a number 'traps' in specific areas- ranging from buried explosives in open areas, to controlled explosions in choke-points."

Shunsui looked to the female technician as she spoke up. "The members of Shiba Clan has been quite forthright in all their support- coordinating with our troops on multiple levels." Ran calmly explained to the tall swordsman and Captain. "The Shiba have been incredibly adaptive and industrious in adapting the new technological information that they've been provided with..."

The scruffy, broad-shouldered Captain nodded at this. "This display is in the Soul Realm, and this other one is in the Hollow Realm," Shunsui went on to remark as he looked at the screens. "But what can you tell me about our overall strength in Karakura, where do we stand in the Living Realm?"

The male technician nodded, reaching up to adjust his glasses once again. "As in the other realms, our forces are ideally positioned to manage the fighting in the City."

"We can't approach this with a view in terms of shear numbers. Rather, instead, we've adopted a far more strategic approach." The female technician swiftly chimed in. "We have reason to believe that the fighting will be the most pitched here- if for no other reason, then because of the distortion."

"Yes... We have to fight intelligently." Shunsui commented, rubbing his chin. "The enemy is almost certainly to concentrate the majority of their forces here- meaning that any other movements across the Living World and the Hollow Realms must be regarded as little more than a feint."

"Precisely," Ran replied. "We can't afford to lose sight of the larger picture."

"I- it's a gamble..." He reluctantly offered.

"But it's one we have to make." Shunsui finished. "The deployment of our forces and specific resource has to be considered, given the time frame that we're working with."

"Thanks to the efforts the info from the Archives and the efforts of the Shiba Clan, we've been able to maximize the overall effectiveness of our forces." Ran explained. "The explosives that they've created, they're perfectly suited to the landscape- they're perfect for maximizing enemy casualties."

"She's right," Ken remarked. "And once our field agents report their Sit-Reps, then we'll know that everything is ready to go." He declared confidently. "That- well, that's the exact moment when we'll finally know for certain or not that our forces are fully ready to act!"

"Still, I am curious about one thing..." Shunsui mused in reaction, as if he were merely thinking out loud to himself, as he looked between the different screens before them. "Perhaps, if possible, could you explain thinking behind the concentration of forces in Huecco Mundo?"

The female tech nodded. "In the end, we can't avoid the fact that behind everything else," Ran went on, before adjusting her glasses. "There's a certain... ruthless calculus to consider in waging a war."

Shunsui looked between the two, prompting the male tech to respond "In the end, wherever our forces are deployed, no matter what happens, just the act of keeping the enemy engaged is critical."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Ikumi regarded the dark-skinned woman. "What do you mean?"

"To be perfectly honest, I realize what I've told you just now is a hell of a lot to just suddenly drop on your plate..." Yoruichi replied in a sympathetic tone. "But the truth is that in a short time, the streets of Karakura won't be safe, least of all for a lone woman with a young child."

The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"

"It means," she started, something unreadable in her golden eyes. "In good conscience, and because of who you are, I can't leave the two of you in the middle of a dangerous situation."

Ikumi seemed to take a moment to weight her options. "Alright... What should we do?"

The Shihoin woman nodded. "I know this is sudden, but it's critical to use this time to go collect your son and gather whatever essential you and Kaoru will need." She continued. "And when your ready, I'll escort both of you to our secure facility situated under Shop Urahara."

The other woman nodded. "Okay," she replied. "That... sounds like a plan."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Elsewhere in the Living Realm...

Dario took a moment to regard the others presently gathered in the room...

"To begin with," the man offered. "I expect you all know the reason you've been summoned?"

"Then it's time." Lenny replied as he rose to his feet. "The only reason for all of us to be called here like this, and on such short notice," he went on to say. "This could only mean that we're ready to make our move against Soul Society and all of their allies."

The hoodie-clad man nodded. "They've moved against us." He countered. "However, while this act may have forced us to alter our plans, they appear to be moving forward under the assumption they've somehow struck some kind of critical blow against us- right to the very core of our operation."

"And so, this is it." Slash spoke up, looking to Dario. The incongruously-dressed swordsman spoke, unfolding his arms from across his chest and resting his hands on hips. He was resting against the far wall of the room, an eager look in his eyes. "I've been waiting for this moment."

In that instant, as the others continued to speak up, Slash reached down and withdrew his full-length katana from the depths of his long coat- where it normally hung, nestled in its sheath at his left side, in a custom shoulder 'holster', along with the weapon's shorter companion wakizashi...

"Me too." Ronnie remarked, stepping forward, flexing as he spoke. "I've still got unresolved business with the bat-winged Hollow." He declared. "This'll be payback!"

Holding up the sword, Slash gazed at it as light glinted off the blade. "After all this time, this will be the culmination of all my efforts." He thought silently to himself. "But, when the final moment comes, will I be able to live up to all of my hopes and dreams?"

"Speak for yourself." Lenny chimed in. "I've still got one last thing to check off of my 'bucket list'."

While everyone else present in the room was openly declaring their intentions, Hawke had secluded himself off on his own, alone a sitting in a leather-bound chair, quietly simmering...

Dario nodded to them, before he went on. "The fools believe that they've caught us by surprise, that they've created some kind of opening that they can now exploit." He explained. "But the only thing that they've managed to achieve in all of this is merely to change the time tables."

"And so now, this is where we come in." Dario stated intently, his tone slowly rising as he went on to address the others now assembled in the room. "This is it- our time- the moment for all of the members of The Brethren to shine- to go forward and to show what we're capable of!"

"To 'shine', hmm? I like the sound of that!" Jinx exclaimed. "Alright, you shits," the tattooed woman continued, turning to the others. "You heard him! This is our fuckin' moment!"

Dario's smile widened at this. "You all heard the lady!" He interjected. "What do you guys say?! Don't you think it's high time we get out there and start raising some serious hell?!"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Meanwhile, within the grounds of the Twelfth Division...

Urahara looked at the vast array of equipment, then to a bank of monitors, every one of the screens displaying different types of information- everything from moving rows and columns of numbers and other mathematical characters, to enormous amounts of ever-changing data, and visual representations of all the of data presently being cross-correlated and extrapolated.

"I see, so the data is still being processed..." The ex-Shinigami remarked. "can you tell me then, what's the progress of our work on decoding the coordinates?"

Szayel nodded. "We still have a ways to go." He responded. "At present, our systems have deciphered approximately thirty-seven percent of the data relating to the coordinates."

"And so, here we are," Szayel lamented somberly, the pink-haired Arrancar observed, quietly adjusting his glasses before folding his arms across his chest. "Left with only a matter of hours, before the pulses from the Anomaly finally becomes so continuous that it's effectively unstoppable."

Just then, there was an audible alert, prompting both men to look to the status display, watching as the count changed. "Oh, look, it just jumped up to thirty-nine percent." Urahara observed, giving Szayel a slight smile in the process. "Well, regardless, that's still something, at least."

"I suppose so." Szayel replied with a chuckle, nodding. "Our working theory is that we need to figure out the six points that make up the three axes- in other words, that of 'X', 'Y', and 'Z'."

"Alright then," the former Soul Reaper started. "Just tell me how I can be of help to you in this?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

"I feel strong, but it's more than just that... I also feel free- in a way I haven't felt in a long time."

Ichigo then turned to face the other man. "Yeah, I can feel it... the power coming from this machine, it's like nothing I've ever felt before!" He revealed. "No! I... feel like myself again!"

Darkwood simply smiled and nodded in reaction to this. "I'm glad for you." He replied calmly as he approached him. "I had hoped that you'd take to this as well as you have." The man went on to admit as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "The truth is, Ichigo, everything you've endured- all of the hardships, your journeys, and so on- up until now, all of that's been in preparation of what's to come!"

The teen nodded, not breaking eye-contact with him. "And I have no doubt that you'll have realized by now that this moment is special- this time is yours." He continued, all the while gesturing emphatically with his free hand. "This is your chance- to become the champion I know you can be."

The broad-shouldered youth smiled. "Then, this is it... So, what exactly do you need me do?"

Darkwood motioned to the 'engine'. "This, this is the means to realize all of our dreams, the power behind everything that we've accomplished- both before now and in the coming days." The black-clad man explained to him, as he stepped towards it. "We call it the Magnus Machina."

"The... 'Great Machine'?" Ichigo asked uncertainly.

Darkwood smiled, nodding. "Yes, it's Latin." He answered earnestly, looking back to Ichigo with the most genuine smile the young man had seen. "Very good, Ichigo- top marks."

"But the fact remains, that it's only a matter of time before the forces positioned against us, are able to make their move." The man went on to say. "And that is when you'll have be ready to stand against our enemies, no matter the time or whoever they might be." Darkwood explained.

Ichigo nodded, then looked to the vast engine. "Is it actually possible that this can be threatened?"

"Not to worry." Darkwood replied with a shake of his head. "Even if something happened to me, the Great Machine was conceived with the intention of being capable of on running itself."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Bath within the grounds of the Twelfth...

Szayel stepped out onto the observation deck connected to the quarters he shared with Nemu...

"It's just as we discussed, not long ago, it's only a matter of hours, now..." The Octavio remarked, in a tone that hinted he was talking as much to himself as to the two others present.

Resting his gloved hands on the railing and looking to the horizon, he continued. "Kisuke, my friend, and my darling Nemu," Szayel continued. "Tell me, can either of you feel it, the darkness?"

"'The darkness'?" Urahara repeated. "What exactly do you mean?"

The bespectacled Hollow nodded, looking back to the two people before him, the man who had come to think of as a friend and the woman that was his lover. "I can't help thinking that as twilight falls, that there's the distinct possibility that this could be a lasting darkness."

Urahara moved to stand beside him. "And the Lord said: 'Stretch your hand towards the sky, so that a darkness will spread across the land." He spoke, glancing to Szayel. "A darkness that can be felt."

Szayel smirked, looking back to the horizon. "And Moses outstretched his hand, and darkness covered all of Egypt for three days." The Arrancar continued. "And none could see or move."

The former Shinigami nodded, a slight smile on his face. "Spot-on, my friend," he replied, tucking his hands into the pockets of his dark green overcoat. "It seems, that whatever else might happen, we'll be facing an oncoming darkness, an enemy that we don't properly understand..."

Not so far away from their present location, the Anomaly pulsed with increasing activity...

(- End of Chapter LXXXIX... -)

This is it guys... The time has come! There's a big storm brewing out on the horizon, and it's called "WAR!"