You know, there's a part of me that just want to sit back and ask "how many times" am I going to have to keep acknowledging and apologizing for the disconnect between Ichigo and the rest of the cast... But then, I'm not so full of myself as to not realize that I made a mistake.
As ever, I first want to extend my sincere gratitude to two of my regular reviewers, known respectively as TheBretonBookDragon and RG-Guest. Both of whom have stuck it out with this series, consistently providing me with regular feedback, on how I'm doing. I'm also looking forwards to hearing from gorguts5, Ie-maru, and others think about all this!
Also, you guys might be interested to know that I'm now in the middle of writing the epilogue chapters, that how close I am to completing this. But don't worry there's still a lot to read, especially since epilogue is gonna be multiple chapters!
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XCII:
"The Long Twilight Struggle, Part 3"
Huecco Mundo...
Renji and Arachne had made their way up an incline, to the top of dune, when suddenly the area around them began to shake. The Soul Reaper halted and turned to face the giant Phantom.
"What are you doing Renji?" Arachne asked, mostly out of exasperation. "What is it now?"
"Something's happening!" He responded emphatically. "Except, that I don't believe that all this shaking that's happening is some kind of tremor... No, this is something different!"
Sure enough, when Arachne looked closer, she could see that the activity seemed to be the strongest in the immediate area around the behemoth. In fact, it looked to be coming apart...
And then, the ground was torn asunder in an eruption of earth and rock, in what proved to merely be the prelude to the emergence of a colossal armored worm-like creature!
The couple of the Soul Reaper and the Hollow could only look on in stunned amazement as the titanic beast went on the attack as it coiled itself around the massive Phantom...
Once again, the crimson-eyed Arrancar watched as the growing smile fell across Renji's face, as the Lieutenant looked on, seemingly totally enthralled as the giant Shadowy form became entrapped in the stranglehold of the monster, as it began to pull it downwards- the ground shaking in an ungodly manor as the attacker was drawn downwards into the depths of Huecco Mundo!
"Hey, Ando, are you seeing this?!" Renji exclaimed excitedly as he grabbed hold of Arachne, his smile never waning as they took in the scene. "This is it, this proves you were right!"
"Are you seeing this, Kenta?!" The tattooed Shinigami went on. "You were right all along! This is it, the 'Deep Ones', they're real!" Renji exclaimed. "This moment, this is your moment!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Soul Realm...
The giant Captain of the Eleventh Division had moved in close, a determined look as he deflected the blow from his enemy, before bringing the long battered blade of his battered Zanpakuto down upon the shadowy figure before him- effectively cleaving through it with his downward swing!
Kenpachi stepped forward. Right away, from the moment he'd run into the first gang of those shadowy fuckers, he'd been on cloud-fucking-nine!
Now, as he felled the Phantom impostor that had tried to eliminate him, he was now faced with a new loll in the fighting- which wasn't the best for the adrenaline driving him on.
While he'd killed countless scores of enemies, so too had the Shinigami Commander has paid the price for all of this. Much of his body was marred with the cuts and stabs of numerous wounds, leaving both his flesh and clothes stained a dark crimson and dripping blood. The imposing man paused as he shook head, attempting to rally himself as he started to lean onto his weapon.
He only took a few more steps forward, before the Captain dropped down onto a knee, his breathing becoming heavy as he struggled to catch his breath and collect himself in spite of the intense pain and exhaustion that he was feeling in that particular moment.
After a moment, the weapons-master heard a sudden rustling of movement nearby, prompting him to look back up as a new figure appeared before him...
"You?!" The giant man exclaimed.
There was a new 'Shadow', completely different from any he'd seen prior to this. The creature was unusually tall, with a slender frame and long limbs. Because of his current state and frame of mind, it had taken the massive man to recognize the form of this new opponent.
"So..." he started in a dark tone, his previous fatigue seemingly vanishing, while he rose back up onto his feet and readied his battered sword. "Then I get to fight you again, you insect bastard!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"We have to time this just right..."
Kensei had spoken those words, to the mixed force of Shinigami and Arrancar serving under him, as they all looked on as the vast mob of dark figures began to move.
Everyone looked on, with baited breath, as the enemy force advanced...
Kensei proceeded to flip a switch on the board, which triggered a detonation of a series of explosives that devastated the core of the mob of attackers!
The ensuing series of successive explosions were incredible, truly a sight to behold as each of them in-turn wiped out scores upon scores of the Phantoms. Everyone hunkered down behind the barricade had looked on in stunned amazement at the unfolding chaos and the immediate aftermath...
"It worked," Hisagi called out excitedly. "They've been routed!"
"Amazing..." Edrad remarked under his breath. "This has to be the start of a new era!"
"It's time to properly cut these bastards in two!" Kensei exclaimed.
As soon as the Vizard had said this, a second round of explosions started going off, effectively cutting them off from any immediate reinforcements from the rear.
"And now for the coup de grace!" Kensei declared as he flipped a third switch on the board.
At the same time as this was unfolding, Shinobu Eishima, who was now the Third-Seat Officer of the Ninth Division, looked on in a state of nervous anticipation. "This- this is it..."
The next moment, a third round of explosions went off!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Gotei Council Facilities...
Central Operations Command Hub...
"Deer god..." Shunsui lamented, looking over the incoming intel. "I mean, we fully understood that something like this a distinct possibility." He went on. "Even so, for it to actually happen... well, that's something else entirely." The Captain lamented. "On top of everything else, he's on the loose."
"The 'Drones' the Twelfth created," Nanao started in her usual tone. "The footage they've transmitted back confirms that Captain Kenpachi has gone rogue and left the Eleventh Division." The bespectacled woman explained, adjusting her glasses. "...And, that most of the Officers have as well."
The disheveled swordsman sighed, shaking his head. "Diverting forces to try and contain him would just be a pointless waste of manpower." Shunsui remarked. "Nanao, do we have any kind of intel that could give us an idea of where his current location could possibly be?"
The slender dark-haired woman nodded calmly. "We can use the location data from the footage we've received to extrapolate a rough idea of what his likely heading might be."
With that, the two of them observed the holographic representation of the Seireitei as it flickered with activity, before a section lit up differently. "He should be somewhere within this area."
Shunsui nodded. "Captain Kuchiki and his force are closest to that area." The Captain went on as he reached up to adjust the brim of his hat. "Quick, we need to alert him to the situation right away."
With that, he turned to a nearby Adjutant. "I need you take down this message." Shunsui started, his tone becoming much more authoritative than was normal for him.
"The startled Shinigami nodded, producing a small notebook and pen. "Captain Kuchiki is to form a team and head to the indicated area." The Captain continued. "If he observes Captain Kenpachi, he is not to intercept him. He is to observe him, assess the situation, and take actions he deems fit."
"Yes sir," the Adjutant replied. "I'll see to this right away!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Four, Medical Center...
"It won't be long now..." Candice Catnip mused as she looked off into the distance.
"What?" Meninas MacAllon asked, turning to the blonde.
"I'm talking about the fighting." Candice replied pointedly. "It's coming, I know it... Can't you feel it?" She continued insistently. "Because I can, I can feel it in my blood and in my bones."
The busty pink-haired woman could tell that both the other Sternritters and the Shinigami stationed alongside them- in order to form a defensive parameter- were less than enthused by this...
Meninas watched as she rubbed her upper arms and exhaled. "To be honest, I have a bad feeling about all of this, but then-" She was interrupted when Candice called out.
"Here they come everyone!" The curvy blonde exclaimed, moving her head in order to 'pop' her neck and cracking her knuckles. "Get ready, all you guys, this is it- time to nut up!"
A few of the Shinigami and Sternritter exchanged nervous looks...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in Central Command...
"Tell me," Shunsui started. "Do you have any explanation for the increasing level of the opposition?"
"The only possible explanation that comes to mind at the moment," Szayel responded to him over the line of the intercom. "Is the possibility that the purpose of these pulses are- in point of fact- a means of 'seeding' our reality, a method of somehow making our realm more hospitable for them."
"That theory may then go some way to explaining how exactly they're able to maintain an increasing presence in this reality." Szayel continued. "They adapt through experience, so the more they venture into our realm, the greater the strength of their forces might become."
"B- but the rate of the pulses is getting faster." Ken spoke up in amazement.
"If it keeps up like this," Ran started. "It won't be long before it becomes a- a continuous outpour!"
"Captain Kyoraku, I wish I could tell you more," Szayel offered over the line. "Sadly, the truth, I fear is that some very hard decisions are going to have to be made- and that I don't envy you."
"Thank you, Captain Grantz." Shunsui offered in a resigned tone. "Yourself and the Twelfth are our only real chance," he went on to state. "So, I fully understand now, that it's our job to ensure- whatever the cost- that your efforts to reach the enemy's realm are successful."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
Tatsuki deposited herself dejectedly in a cushy chair in the rec room of the Ishida Residence...
The dark-haired, sporty young woman currently found herself sequestered within the 'protections' of the walls of her boyfriend's family's home. The reasoning she'd been given for why she was inside the house was to watch the grounds of the large home. But, in truth, she suspected that the real reason for why she was here was because both the younger and elder Ishida was to "keep her safe".
Under any sort of normal circumstances, she would have been offended by this. But, given everything that was at stake, Tatsuki could at least understand their reasoning... even if she didn't agree with it.
Tatsuki also suspected that this was one of the reasons why she wasn't alone in the house, and why the person that was "keeping her company" happened to be an older female Quincy. The two of them must have reasoned that she would feel more comfortable being with a woman.
And to be perfectly honest, if she had to be stuck in the house with someone, then she would honestly prefer to pass the time in the presence of this affable woman...
"Hello, you must be Tatsuki?" She begun when they first met. "My name is Ingrid, Ingrid Hofstadtr, I'm an old colleague of Doctor Ishida." The Scandinavian woman explained.
She noted that she was dressed in a white uniform reminiscent of the ensemble Uryu wore...
The woman had gone on to reveal to her that she hailed from Brønderslev, which was situated in the heart of the the Jutland island that formed the northernmost region of Denmark.
Tatsuki looked up as the woman entered the room, heading over to a nearby dry bar, pausing to set her weapon- a scoped, custom modified M1 Garand bolt-action rifle- down on the counter as she moved to retrieve a glass and get some ice from a small fridge built into the cabinets.
The girl shifted in her chair to observe as the woman chuckled faintly, seemingly when she spotted a bottle of what appeared to be Scandinavian vodka and retrieve it from the glass display cabinets above the waist-high counter, along with a bottle of tonic water.
"I imagine you must find this all rather frustrating." She offered while she set about pouring herself a mixed drink, and then turned to face her. "On the contrary, you very much strike me as the kind of girl who knows how to take care of herself." She continued, holding up her glass. "Cheers."
Tatsuki smiled as Ingrid took a sip of her drink.
"Now that I think about it," she started in a thoughtful tone. "I can't help thinking about just how much of a beautiful young lady." Ingrid remarked with a smile, causing Tatsuki to blush.
"What, r- really?" The dark-haired girl responded, a surprised look on her face. "Are you serious? I- I mean, I'm not anything special." She insisted, avoiding her gaze. "I'm just-"
"Oh, nonsense." Ingrid responded, giving a shake of her head. "It seems more likely to me that you're just not used to being complimented." The woman went to explain her reasoning.
Tatsuki was starting to calm down when the Quincy began conversing with her once again...
"You know, I have two sons of my own." The woman offered. "My elder son is a sophomore in college, though my younger son Nic is about your age." She added. "Would you like to meet him?"
W- w- what?" Tatsuki stammered, blushing again. "B- but Uryu and I..."
"I'm just joking, my dear." The woman countered. "I know a bit about the two of you, though I can't help thinking that Doctor Ishida's son is a very lucky young man."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The massive warrior advanced against the dark simulacrum of his former foe!
Kenpachi smiled with murderous intent, his previous fatigue suddenly forgotten as he crossed blades with the shadowy doppelganger of the Fifth Espada. "Whatever the hell you are, you fucker, you have no idea how much I've been dreaming of having another fight like this!"
Most people would have questioned the reality of such a situation, but not Zaraki Kenpachi!
When one was regarded as being a mountain of a man, it wasn't often that the giant Shinigami had to actually look up at an enemy, but this was one of those rare exceptions...
The doppelganger of Nnoitra Gilga brandished a weapon that was physically identical to that of the absurd Soul Sword wielded by the late Quinto Espada, complete with the large over-sized segments of chain that formed the bridge between the base of the weapon- with its two massive crescent-shaped blades, set in opposing alignments to the other- to the back of his waistline.
The blade of the Captain's battered Zanpakuto "Weather Beaten" crashed against the sharpened inner edge of the giant upper crescent blade of the false Santa Teresa!
The dark warrior deflected the Soul Reaper's weapon, before then moving in to strike him- the giant blade cutting into into him as they continued fighting. This culminated in Kenpachi bringing down his extra-long sword, similarly damaging the Phantom in the process!
Memories of his bloody encounter with the original in Huecco Mundo flooded the Captain's vision as he focused in on the Phantom. At the same time, the double leapt back, flashing a 'toothy' grin!
"That's it!" The huge warrior exclaimed. "Don't stop now you sonovabitch, keep it coming!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the Living Realm...
"Now, it's time for the foreplay!" The leather-clad, tattooed woman had uttered in a sultry tone as she advanced forward, smiling with an ominous look in her eyes...
"As I previously mentioned," Jinx started in a sultry tone, as the ink on both of her arms began to glow as both the green Chinese Dragon and the heavily armed and armored Samurai manifested at either side of her as she made her way toward him. "I've seen both of your 'arms', just as you've seen both of mine." She explained. "Except, I still have a trick I want to show you."
Chad tensed up, watching as the inked woman held out her outstretched arms. Jinx narrowed her green eyes, followed by an out-pouring of energy, whipping the air into a swirling maelstrom and culminating in her black leather vest being abruptly torn to shreds as her power flowed outwards from her back and a previously unseen third figure materialized behind her.
The burly dark-skinned young man was given pause at the sight now before him...
So stunned was the teen that he hardly registered the fact that the exotic woman that stood in his way was now left topless in the aftermath. Rather, it was the presence of this new figure- hovering above the woman, in her wake. It was covered in the fabric of a black cloak, a skull visible under the cover of the hood and skeletal hands clutching the length of a massive scythe!
"Th- The Reaper...?" Chad uttered in disbelief.
She smiled at hearing this, licking her lips. "The one and only."
She took a step forward, light glinting off of her belly piercing. And, Chad almost could have sworn that her perfect abs glistened in the light like polished marble!
"Previously, I've seen how you handled my Dragon and my Samurai," Jinx continued smoothly as she sauntered forward. "Now, it's time to see how you cope with my Reaper."
The swarthy teen almost lost his footing as he stepped back, partly because he'd unknowingly averted his gaze from the sight of the woman- if only for a brief moment.
Following his gaze downward, Jinx chuckled. "As endearing as you are, I'd advise you take a moment and remember the importance of staying focused and keeping your eyes on the prize!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Inside of a dark interior, someone swept a hand across the surface of a worktable, clearing it up, before they hefted up a large object and deposited onto the high wooden table.
With that, they reached down turned a small spigot, resulting in a faint hissing noise becoming audible in the darkness. The individual next righted the object on the table and slipped their arms through a pair of heavily padded shoulder-straps and buckling a similarly padded belt around their waist- followed by taking a moment to adjust and tighten them up, in order that it fit properly.
That out of the way, the individual held up a metal object in one hand, while bringing it to the end of the object they were holding in their other hand. Squeezing the object drew something like a piece of flint against a section of metal- the ensuing sparks igniting a small blue jet of flame.
The creation of the small flame had been enough to cause a momentary flash, with the burst of light in turn being reflected off of the darkened lenses of a pair of welding goggles.
Casting aside their goggles, they pressed a button on a nearby wall...
This was followed by the metallic rustling of machinery, as chains rose upward, as a shutter-style door began to rise up while the individual held up the object, gripped with both hands. They squeezed down on the trigger, causing a burst of flame, all while sunlight began to spill into the room.
The shutters fully rose up with a clatter of movement, revealing the buxom leggy form of none other than that of Kukaku Shiba, now brandishing an M2 Flamethrower!
Grinning wildly, she pulled the trigger...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Twelve HQ...
Urahara had "tagged in" to monitor all of the incoming intel from the fronts, leaving the bespectacled, pink-haired scientific Espada to track their progress in translating the mysterious coordinates.
With the former Shinigami Captain seated in front of a monitor, the task of tracking the progress with deciphering the data now fell to the Octavio. Szayel turned away from the display on the machine when he heard someone speak up, seeing his 6th Seat Officer Akemi Sonata.
The female Shinigami, with her bifocals and her wavy sandy brown hair held up with a pair of pencils, was holding a tray with cups resting upon it. "Captain, I made coffee."
The Arrancar smiled and nodded, watching as she picked up one of the ceramic cups and presented it to him. Szayel accepted the offered cup and took a drink. "Ah yes, just as I like it."
In short order, she made her way over to Urahara, simply setting his cup down beside him.
Looking to the woman and smiled, giving a polite nod. "Thank you, Officer." Urahara acknowledged as he lifted the cup and added some creamer and stirring it in with a mixing straw.
With that, the bespectacled woman nodded and went about offering cups to the others in the room...
Urahara pivoted in his chair as he took a sip. "Szayel," he called to the other man. "Where do we stand at the moment, has there been any change in the status of the data?"
Looking to the scruffy-faced man with his mop of dirty-blonde hair. "Presently," the Arrancar started as he adjusted his glasses. "We're at Seventy-four percent."
"At this rate," Rin spoke up. "It won't be all that much longer until we're ready..."
All the while, as this interaction was happening, Nemu silently wondered to herself about what might have happened to her if things had played differently at the end of the Winter War...
Nemu was struck by a vision of a life that might have been, of one in which she was the victim to the horror of death, her body reduced to little more than a lab specimen!
She nodded to herself, grounded in reality, struck by the softness and the fullness of how sweet his basic touch was. "Szayel-sama is the best thing to ever happen for me."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Rukia and the other members comprising her team were making their from rooftop to rooftop, with a large number of the Phantoms in hot pursuit of them.
To make sure that her bangs didn't obscure her vision, the female Soul Reaper had opted to hold her hair back with a white headband. Similarly, in order to improve mobility, she'd also chosen to secure the legs of her hakama with bindings below the knees. At present, Rukia gripped the white sheath of her sealed Zanpakuto Sode no Shirayuki in her left hand as she moved.
At the last moment, she changed the direction she was moving and diverted herself off to the side in a flash of Shunpo, just as a scythe-like metal object- fixed to the end of a chain- came crashing down into the surface, sending shattered roofing tiles and other debris flying!
A darkened figure appeared on the roof, rising to their full height (easily two meters) as they began swinging the weapon in the air above their head in anticipation of carrying out the next attack. Except, Rukia steadied herself and turned to face them as she started to cast a spell...
The lithe woman didn't waist any time in casting a familiar Hadō spell in anticipation of what was to come, unleashing the 73rd technique- that being the "Blue Flames of the Twin Lotus."
The blast of reiki vaporized the the shadowy figure!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in Karakura...
Shenkai ran through a cluster of the shadow enemies, eliminating each and every one of them before they could move to surround him with a series of flourishes with his Zanpakuto.
However, in the process, he was struck by a blast sent from the enemy!
Pausing in his attack, the lean Shinigami returned to his footing, in time to watch as magenta-colored Cero was fired off- wiping out another score of the Phantoms!
The Lieutenant and Black-Ops Specialist wordlessly watched as the golden-eyed cat-like Fraccion appeared on the scene, a confident look on his striped boyish features as he drew his weapon from its sheath- with its light yellow binding on the handle and its silver hilt.
Meanwhile, Ryuken Ishida and his son Uryu proceeded to unleash of a number of 'arrows' from their spirit bows, each of their volleys pinning one of the shadow-like creatures. The older and the younger Quincy looked on as all of the felled attackers vanished in a flicker of dark energy...
Leaping down from his vantage point, Shenkai touched touched down on the black pavement, while brandishing his distinctive Zanpakuto- itself resembling the form of a Chinese Dao- and proceeded to exclaim "Roar" as he began swinging the weapon in a circular motion. At the same time, reiki began being drawn in, forming into blue flames- which he then unleashed on their enemies!
One of the other Quincys, a dark-skinned woman with long black hair- with a jeweled Bindi on her forehead and wearing a colorful sash over her white uniform- held up a medium-length weapon with a hooked peak at the head (which she'd identified to as an "Aruval") and bringing it down- unleashing a wave of reiki that successfully eliminated a number of the oncoming Shadows.
Shenkai faltered as he was encircled and the blade of a sword penetrated his torso! In reaction to this, he reached up and hooked his arm around the 'neck' of his attacker, pulling down hard and snapping it! He then stumbled forward, pulling the blade out, before it vanished in a flash of energy!
Slumping down onto his knees with a hiss of pain, Shenkai cursed his bad luck. Ggio appeared at his side, concerned and hurriedly calling for the medic in their teams.
For the moment, it appeared as if there was a loll in the fighting, only for a dark figure to leap from out of nowhere towards Ryuken, only to taken down as the sound of a gunshot was heard!
"You must be Doctor Ryuken Ishida?" Accutrone inquired as he stepped forward.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
At the same time as everything else was playing out across the Soul and the Living Realm, a similar series of events had unfolded in the Hollow Realm...
"Yes!" Kensei exclaimed, turning and grabbing hold of Mashiro by the shoulders.
"Everyone!" The Captain called out. "Did all of you fucking see that?!" The Vizard continued as he pulled the confused woman beside him in close and delivered a crushing passionate kiss on her mouth, leaving his dumbfounded Lieutenant speechless in the wake of the act, visibly blushing and sporting a bewildered expression as he went on. "We took those fuckers to the cleaners!"
"K- Kensei-kun?" The blushing green-haired woman managed, in spite of her visible surprise.
Shuhei exchanged a look with Kira. "Man, I'm just glad I wasn't the one next to him."
In that moment, it was clear to everyone looking out across the battlefield that their attackers had been completely reduced to tatters, thoroughly devastated by the series of explosions...
However, despite his jubilation, everyone assembled behind the barrier understood that even after such a devastating onslaught, it wouldn't be long before their enemy was once more on the move.
Lieutenant Kira Izuru narrowed his eyes, zeroing in on the obvious movement already staring in the distance, fully recognizing it for what it was- the enemy was already regrouping!
Kensei looked over to Kira, who nodded in understanding. "Alright, everyone fall in, all ranged troops get into position!" He barked out to their forces. "Quick, get the artillery ready!"
Shuhei Hisagi looked on, the inked Lieutenant taking in the scope of the remaining enemy force, and reasoning to himself that- for the moment- they had the numbers for one more mass-attack. This meant that their effectiveness in managing the forthcoming assault would be critical.
A number of allied troops stepped forward and formed up into a line, all of them kneeling down and shouldering fire rockets. While even more troops formed up behind them- these ones brandishing bows and preparing special arrows with explosive heads as they readied their weapons. Lastly, multiple crews of Shinigami came forward and prepared a number of smaller artillery pieces.
All of their prep work paid off as everyone looked on with nervous anticipation as the Phantoms had fully regrouped and formed up, in preparation of launching another attack.
Receiving a nod from the white-haired Vizard, Kira gestured with his arm. "Ready, aim- FIRE!"
The command given, an initial volley was set loose- unleashed from several dozen rockets, with all of the the deadly projectiles finding a home in their target. The salvo mercilessly buffeted the enemy, and the effect was immediate- devastating their attackers' lines and spreading chaos.
But this was merely the first stage, as the countless archers got into position and readied their bows, everyone of them drawing back the strings, before notching and letting off hundreds of specially made arrows that set ablaze yet more enemies, further spreading the unforgiving flames across the ranks of the now staggered Phantoms. And yet, they had one more trick left...
Unlike those wielding the fire rockets, the Archers were far from finished, as each of them set about notching another arrow and drawing back the strings of their bows...
"Ready second volley!" Kira barked. "We must buy the heavy artillery time to get into position!"
They unleashed their second volley of arrows, peppering and spreading yet further flames amidst the ranks of the enemy. Yet, there was little time to celebrate as Kira called to the artillery!
Nevertheless, the unspoken truth in all of this mayhem was that for as effective as this skirmish had proved to be, both the Shinigami and the Arrancar understood that the only measurable thing that they were achieving was engaging the shadowy invaders and forcing them to sacrifice as many of their own troops as possible, with the hope that this would somehow weaken them on other fronts...
And so, when they launched a variety of incendiaries and explosives upon what remained of the once vast army that had previously stood before them, there was no expectation that they had accomplished anything more than to impede their foe- if only to buy time for their allies!
Kira, along with Shuhei and Edrad, looked on speechless as the horde of specters were bombarded by clay pots, which shattered and bathed the creatures in the unrelenting force of Greek Fire!
"We've delayed them as long as we can." Lieutenant Hisagi announced. "It's time for us to fall back!"
"Remember you assigned destinations." Kira chimed in emphatically. "Get ready to disperse and move out," the Shinigami continued, picking up a nearby satchel. "Now, light up the trenches!"
With that, a Shinigami tossed a lit torch into a canal, igniting it and raising up a solid wall of fire to impede the oncoming Phantoms and also granting them some time as they turned around in short order, heading in the direction of the nearby "Stone Maze" rock formations...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Shinô Reijutsuin...
Halibell was navigating her around the grounds of the academy, the female Arrancar moving fluidly while effortless evading the attacks coming from the enemy forces.
The golden-haired Espada touched down on the roof a building, pausing to see what was happening below on the ground level. In the process, she spotted a small moving form- dressed in a black and red running suit and sneakers, with her blonde hair pulled up into two short pigtails.
The short Vizard was wielding her Zanpakuto "Kubikiri Orochi"- the weapon now in the gigantic form it took when in her Shikai- with her face concealed under her striking horned Hollow Mask.
Taking notice that the other girl was being pursued by heavily-armed Shadows, the tall buxom Espada formed a "Trident" of pure energy, which she hurled at the trailing mob!
Meanwhile, outside of the female dorms, the mocha-skinned female Fraccion Francesca Mila Rose moved to intercept the latest wave of attackers, deflecting their attacks. However, this changed as soon as one of them thrust their arms underground- resulting in a darkened spike erupting upwards upwards from the ground- rending into the leonine woman's flesh in the process...
Landing unceremoniously in the nearby area, Mila Rose was hit by a sudden attack and sent crashing into the side of a nearby building, only to finish up tumbling to the ground below- the Arrancar's hand at her side as she registered the fact that she was actively bleeding!
"Mila?!" Hiyori exclaimed, halting mid-stride to look to the fallen Arrancar. "Are you-?"
The Vizard stopped when she spotted another individual appear...
Mila Rose looked up as a familiar individual appeared at her side. "Kyoko...?"
The petite blonde Shinigami smiled as she heard her partner's bewildered tone, a twinkle in her bright blue eyes as she held up her hands, beginning to cast a Kaido spell under her breath...
Right away, the dark-skinned Fraccion felt as the flesh at side rapidly began to mend.
"Yo, you two, listen up, leave these fuckers to me!" Hiyori exclaimed in a tone of mild annoyance as she continued to remain on the move. "Just see to the big lady, while I run interference!"
With that said, she leapt into the air and lifted her weapon above head- in anticipation of bringing the blade down, performing "Suikawari" as she landed, cleaving a particularly formidable Phantom in two, before the jaw of the Mask opened up and fired off a red Cero- destroying another enemy fighter!
Meanwhile, Kyoko smiled as she went about her work. "Don't forget, I was trained as a healer by the Fourth, so this sort of thing is precisely what I've prepared for." Kyoko went on to explain, mindful as the damage inflicted on the other woman began to vanish in the wake of her efforts. "After all, what good would I be if I didn't put all of that training to good use!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Four HQ...
Medical Center, Emergency Treatment...
Orihime wiper her brow as she tended to one wounded that had just come in, all the while as the other members of the Fourth were hard at work tending to the others who'd come in...
"Alright everyone, keep it together." Hanataro had called out. "Just remember, we're all professionals, and there's going to be a lot of people's lives in our hands today!"
Sungsun smiled, watching the young man flit about the area as he barked out instruction with the sort of confidence that only came from first-hand experience.
She noted that there were numerous impromptu medical beds set up in long lines, each of the rows of the beds sprawling outwards, all laden with injured. Cyan Sungsun observed as various members of the Fourth flitted about- from its tall silver-haired Lieutenant, to the young boyish Third-Seat, and even the newer appointed Officer Shinzo Abe- who had been fast-tracked to the position of Fourth-Seat.
Despite his serious appearance, with his dark hair and eyes and his goatee, his appointment was still a relatively recent addition to the Medical Division, having only graduated from the Academy a year ago, before being accepted into the ranks of the Fourth. The tall, slender man had been running from bed to bed, checking in on and administering assistance whenever he could...
The operation had been moved to the first sub-level of the Fourth. However, this mean that while they were safe from any sort of direct attack, there was also no way for them to avoid the collateral damage caused by this, as everything unfolded above them! However, this had been anticipated in their planing, as there were Shinigami from the Barrier Corps tasked with maintaining special shields to protect the staff and the patients from the falling debris whenever the foundation rocked!
The smallish female Arrancar had her long main dark green hair was drawn up into a more functional ponytail, in order not to obscure her pale lavender eyes, while the sleeves of her Medic's uniform were held up in place, freeing up her hands in order to work. At the moment, the petite Fraccion wore a dark green sash around her waist- denoting her as a medic- a she moved from location to location.
The truth was, in that moment, that the member that made up one third of the Tres Bestias would find it unusually difficult in coming to grips with the full scope and extent of the suffering playing out around her. The fact that she, a Hollow, could be so affected by the suffering, she couldn't help wondering how all this pain and suffering must have affected her Shinigami colleagues...
In that instance, Hanataro had been called away by another Shinigami, in order to update him with the current sate of events as they played out directly above their location.
Not certain what to make of this in that moment, the Arrancar failed to registered an observation made by someone near to where she was standing- wondering about the present location of Abe amidst all of the chaos around her, leaving the Fraccion wondering where exactly he was?
If nothing else, she needed an excuse to distract herself from everything that was happening, from all the suffering around her (and possibly in search of a distraction from her own troubled thoughts), and so then the Fraccion had set about looking for the wayward Soul Reaper...
It took little while, but she eventually managed to located him- in one of the staff restrooms- bent over the toilet as he threw up into the bowl! Abe was so preoccupied that he failed to register her arrival!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the white sands of Huecco Mundo...
The Privaron Cirucci touched down, right in the middle of the ongoing fighting, taking a moment to analyze the mood of the fighting across the surrounding area.
She smiled in anticipation, observed all of the fighting going on!
As always, the purple-haired Arrancar was resplendent, with her done up in pigtails and decked out in her flashy monochromatic Gothic Lolita style attire. She brandished her whip- holding the length of it fully taut as she gripped it tightly on both ends. Cirucci smiled to herself, as she took down an enemy that had only just made a move to lunge at her from the side!
She moved to brandish her Zanpakuto "Golondrina"- bringing the "Iron Wheel of the Swallow" to bare once again- and swinging it at another one of the Phantoms headed her way!
"Bring it on!" Cirucci exclaimed. "Keep coming at me, I'm just getting warmed up!"
Grimmjow smiled as the scene continued to unfold, watching intently as the Privaron proceeded to tare her way through a swath of enemies. "Well, this should spice things up!"
Lisa looked to Onigiri. "Hey, Katsuro," she started, mildly concerned. "Is this gonna be a problem?"
"I wouldn't worry too much, Lisa." Onigiri replied with a smile. "She's just like any other girl when it comes down to it," he went on to comment. "She's just out to have some fun."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Ukitake Estate...
Jushiro Ukitake drew back, as he regarded his double. At the moment, the white-haired Captain had allowed the Phantom to take the lead in their fight...
However, this wasn't for fear of the enemy, but rather an intentional effort on the part of the Captain to discern the full extent of their opponent's capabilities. Having merely unsheathed his Zanpakuto so far, the nobleman had continued to battle the fake purely with his physical weapon.
What this in turn had told him was that their enemies could only evolve through observation, meaning that any technique they had yet to display was likely unknown to them. This in turn had lead Jushiro to realize that he couldn't show his full hand unless he was certain he could finish off his adversary, as he would otherwise risk them coming back in an even stronger incarnation!
With this knowledge in mind, Jushiro made his next move as he brought Sōgyo no Kotowari to bare against his doppelganger, exclaiming "Waves, become my Shield! Thunder, become my Blade!"
With the incantation spoken, his lone sword transformed into a pair of matched Katanas, connected to one another at the 'pummels' by a chain sporting square-shaped charms. This would prove timely as the dark reflection of him performed a lunging attack- only to have its force turned back on it!
Overhead, the Primera Espada was busy dealing with his own imitator...
Stark turned to regard the shadowy form that was mirroring him. The transformed Espada considered his options for a moment, before taking off- his decision rewarded as he was able observe as swarm of the Phantoms that appeared to be converging on the grounds of the estate...
He was quick to act, readying his pistols and performing "Cero Metralleta", unleashing a rapid-fire barrage of Ceros down upon the encroaching horde of enemy attackers!
With that out of the way, he turned to face his double as it approached him!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Szayel watched as the display reached seventy-eight percent...
"Okay, everyone, right now we're approaching eighty percent." Szayel began as he turned away from the station to address the others in the room. "From here on out, everything has to be ready for the final stage by that point- we have to be ready to act as soon as we're at one hundred percent."
"Akon, get ready to run a final check of the power grid." The pink-haired Arrancar instructed the man, who merely gave a nod in response. "Nemu, my darling, make certain the systems are in working order and ready for us as soon as we we're ready to make our move."
"Of course, Szayel-sama." She replied dutifully, exiting the room.
"And you," he continued, looking to Niko. "Make sure that we have a clear path!"
"Right away, Captain!" The smallish bespectacled woman replied, before taking off.
"And now," the Arrancar resumed, looking to the others. "As for the rest of you..."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Yoko fixed the dreadlocked swordsman with a withering glare, before lunging at Slash, the blades of their weapons sounding noisily off of one another as she narrowed her eyes and brought her Zanpakuto down against the blade of the other fighter's weapon!
With a loud 'clang' of metal, the female Shinigami touched down, taking a breath and turning in order to face her opponent, each of them brandishing their weapons. The Soul Reaper and Brethren moved in time to act against each other, their blades colliding repeatedly!
"Damn him!" Yoko cursed inwardly as she moved.
Slash altered his posture, deflecting her attack, causing Yoko to go flying. Getting back to her feet, she blocked his attack in time to get back onto her feat. With that, the two crossed swords, igniting a heated battle between them as they matched each other blow for blow as their swords met multiple times.
They locked blades, Slash meeting her gaze. "You're brave, I'll give you that much."
Yoko grunted as she deflected his attack, then leapt back. "And you, you're not the man I expected..." She remarked, looking to him as she went on the attack!
The two seasoned warriors were fully focused on the conflict in the moment, neither of them allowing for any openings in their form. Slash blocked Yoko's latest strike, stepping back and ducking out of the way of the swordswoman's follow-up attack. He turned to watch as she fumbled.
At the same time as this happening, Yumichika arrived, observing from a distance as the two fought one another. "Yoko..." The purple-haired Shinigami murmured under his breath, steeling himself and unsheathing his weapon as he made a b-line for the two of them...
Slash, for his part, registered the approach of the other fighter right away and moved out of the way as he took a swing at him, leaping to a point where he was facing both of them.
"What's this?" Slash quipped. "Two of you now...? Well, you must think quite a bit about me."
(- End of Chapter XCII... -)
If any of you found that moment where Nemu just stops and thinks about her life... Well, I put that in as a dig at Tite Kubo for what happened to her character in the manga, that Mayuri stuck around in light of the horrible fate she had. If ANYONE should have died, it was him!
Man, this chapter a logistical nightmare! I had to write in some extra content, which resulted in this threatening to go way 8000 words. I ended up having to move some parts into the next chapter to improve the pacing and flow of the narrative, which resulted in THAT chapter getting out of control! This chapter and the next few following it just keep overflowing into each other like some kind of domino effect!