Things have been pretty chaotic for me... First off, a glitch made it impossible to reset my password, and this was such a persistent issue that the FFN admin eventually had to manually reset my password. So, to start with, I want to express my gratitude for Ie-maru, RG-Guest, and TheBretonBookDragon for providing feedback on the previous chapter I posted. At this point, I've finished writing the main story arc, and I've just working on the "Epilogue" chapters.
In regard to Ie-maru's observations: each time Orihime has transformed, her appearance builds upon the previous transformation. While she's the embodiment of an eastern goddess (Marishi), I just had this image in my head of a combination of a Valkyrie, a Greek Goddess, and an Angel (what with her gown, armor and wings). So the Shun Shun Rikka turning into a wreath made sense to me. Regarding Hawke, my initial intent was that he & Pierce would be this quirky duo, which morphed into the idea of them being a couple. As for Ulquiorra, I've tried to find a balance between him being protective/possessive of Orihime AND his urge to be all "This is my mate, look at how beautiful and powerful she is." I really got a kick out of your observations on Ulquiorra dealing with Ronnie!
Moving on to RG-Guest: your mention of Jushiro and Stark potential swapping adversaries was a brilliant idea, so much so that I worked it into the story, and it ended up improving their roles in the conflict. And, as I've joked about in the past, you've always had this uncanny ability to perceive parts of the narrative that I've either missed or failed to acknowledge, which has consistently forced me to become a better writer (lol)! Case in point, based on your recent comments, I'm starting to suspect that you've reached a few conclusions regarding what the hell is up with the "higher powers" at work...
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XCV:
"The Heart of Darkness, Part 1"
In An Unknown Location...
"Huh?" Darkwood sounded off, a sudden look of surprise on his face.
"What's going on?" Ichigo asked him. "Did something happen, just now?"
The brown-haired, brown-eyed man turned to the teenager. "It seems that in spite of all of our efforts, that our adversaries have actually succeeded in breaching our parameter."
"It won't be long now..." Darkwood continued. "Already, I can sense their eminent arrival."
Ichigo regarded him briefly. "Then, what are we supposed to do?"
"As of this moment, our fundamental objective is to keep the core functioning." Darkwood replied as he looked the teen. "To that end, in order for the Great Work to succeed, we're going to need to be able to rely on you... The time has come, this is your moment, to be our champion."
Ichigo hesitated momentarily. "Yes, of course, I understand."
"Good, because it won't be much longer until the machine reach full power." Darkwood replied as he looked to the core. "It's just a matter of a few hours now, before the pulses at last become a continuous stream, at which point, there's nothing our enemies can do to stop it."
"And yet," the bearded man went on. "I can help but suspect that those who are now opposing us will have reached a similar conclusion." Darkwood mused. "How else are we to explain their actions, their desperate push to reach us... Yes, they are not to be underestimated."
"Who is coming, then?" Ichigo asked.
"Two individuals." Darkwood replied. "Both of whom should be more than familiar to you."
"Of course." The teen replied. "So, then the time has finally come, our rematch!"
Just then, the two men looked to the distance, only to see a spot begin to distort a specific point in the 'barrier' that encompassed the vast structure, before then morphing into a swirling like a vortex.
"They're coming, I-" Ichigo was cut off by the older man.
"Wait, hang back for now." Darkwood cautioned. "I'd prefer that I have a chance to first take stock of things, before you reveal yourself them." He continued calmly. "For now, it's best you conceal yourself and wait for my cue, only then should you act- do you understand?"
Ichigo did as suggested and slunk back into the cover of darkness...
Darkwood watched intently as the distortion intensified, until morphing into something resembling a portal. The black-clad man looked on with a degree of amusement...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
Outside of the Ishida Residence, Uryu and Tatsuki emerged from the latter's house, all the while as the young couple glancing about the surrounding area.
A moment of silence passed between them, before the bespectacled youth thought to take the smaller hand of the sporty young woman beside him, gently clasping it as she was quick to move in order so as to ensure that the two of them took their seats on the lawn.
"It's strange, you know," Uryu started, gazing into the distance. "It seems like I'd only just sensed the danger, and had arrived here, only for the conflict to just as brutally subside."
"I know what you mean." Tatsuki replied as she looked to the young man beside her. "And, well, to tell you the truth, I'm just as confused as you are in the wake of everything."
"Then, at least I'm not going nuts." The young Quincy responded. "Never the less, there's still a part of me that can't help but feel restless in the face of everything that's going on."
It was at this point that that two young people processed what was unfolding before them...
"Hey," Uryu started, looking upwards. "Something's changed... The mood of the city feels different."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Uriah looked up, adjusting his glasses. "What are you doing here...?"
Dario smiled, regarding the dark-haired man seated at the computer. "I could ask you the same thing?"
"Something's happening, something serious..." Uriah observed intently, before he turned around and gestured to all of the data being displayed on his monitor. "Just take a look at this: whatever Darkwood is using this particular line of transmission for, it's experiencing a shitload of activity!"
Dario stepped in and looked at the screen. "Right now, the most important thing that you can be doing, is to continue monitoring the activity coming out of this channel."
The technician rolled his eyes at this. "And I fully intend to." He answered. "While I may not possess powers like yourself and the others, I consider myself to be just as much one of the Brethtren."
Dario nodded, smirking. "But of course," he replied. "After all, Jesus' disciples weren't chosen because they had super powers... But rather, because they all had some higher calling."
Uriah nodded, adjusting his glasses. "That's very true..." He began. "Though, in our case, there's no Judas Iscariot amongst us." The went on to remark. "Right?"
"I can assure you," the hoodie-clad man started. "When the crucial moment does at last come, that all of- in that moment- will know where it is that we stand."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Orihime, along with Ulquiorra were hovering in a seemingly infinite black void...
It took the fiery-haired woman a moment to process the reality that they had traveled at the speed of light, along with the fact that they were in another dimension!
She was still processing all of this when she looked down, only to gasp in amazement...
Below the duo, was a giant "cross" shaped structure, with a moving 'core' situated in center of it all, where the vertical and horizontal sections intersected in the middle with one another. In addition to this main structure, there were multiple floating concentric platforms- all of them hovering at a higher elevation- as well were also multiple hexagonal pillars, orbiting the overall structure along different axises.
Orihime was understandably at a loss as to how to process the alien nature their surroundings, taking a moment to compose herself. By comparison, Ulquiorra was (at least outwardly) unfazed by the sight of it, remaining composed and focused, almost cagey in his defiance to the nature of the new setting.
Without comment, the couple descended down onto the main central platform. "I can't believe what I'm seeing, this is like nothing I've encountered before..."
"Stay focused." Ulquiorra replied, looking to his partner. "While this place might appear fantastical at first glace," he went on in a cautious tone. "Right now, we can't let our guard down."
The two were alerted to presence of another person, as a familiar figure approached them, smiling and clapping their hands. "Orihime Inoue, Ulquiorra Schiffer," he started with a smile. "I must congratulate the two of you for making it this far." The black-clad man offered. "It's not often I receive guests, so it's a pleasant surprise to see the both of you again, after all this time, after everything that's happened."
"So then, what do think of all this?" He went on to ask. "It really is quite an accomplishment," the black-clad man went as he glanced about thoughtfully. "All of this... It's at the heart of everything that we've accomplished up till now- it really is amazing, if I do say so myself," Darkwood remarked in a friendly tone, before looking back to them. "Wouldn't you agree?"
The Arrancar and the human woman eyed him wearily as he continued. "Never the less, I can't help but find it fitting that it should happen to be the two of you that would finally reach us."
"Us?" Ulquiorra asked pointedly.
"Wait!" Orihime chimed in. "Are you talking about... Ichigo?"
"Don't confuse the situation," the Espada cautioned. "That... creature is no friend of ours."
The redhead seemed about to offer some protest, but he cut her off. "He betrayed more than just his family and friends, but his so-called comrades as well." Ulquiorra spat. "And as far as I'm concerned, once he chose to side with you, he turned against Soul Society and its allies- against us!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way," Darkwood responded in a serious tone. "If it'd been possible, I would have preferred to be more forthright with all of you when it came to carrying out our mission. But the unfortunate truth is that the manipulations we carried out were a... necessary evil."
"What you have to understand, is that the stakes were simply too high." The bearded man continued as he addressed the duo. "We couldn't risk losing Ichigo- he's far too important to our cause."
"He's right." Ichigo spoke up, stepping out of the shadows s he revealed himself on one of the elevated platforms. "At first, I was like you, I couldn't understand, but now... Now, I finally know the truth, and I can't allow Darkwood and his people to fail in achieving their ultimate goal." The teen went on to say as he leapt down from his perch. "Not when there's so much good they can do."
"I- Ichigo...?" Orihime spoke, her voice hushed and uncertain.
"Good?!" The Arrancar fired back indignantly. "What kind of fools do you take us for?!" Ulquiorra continued darkly as he glared at the youth. "People have died- are dying!- right now, even as we speak, all the way from the Soul Realm, to your precious Karakura, and Huecco Mundo!"
"All this chaos and mayhem, all this slaughter..." Ulquiorra continued. "And you have the nerve to stand there and try to claim that this is all in the name of this 'cause' of yours, that you've come to care so goddamned much about!" He exclaimed. "You're either a liar or a fool!"
Yet, even in the face of his outrage, he remained eerily calm. Ichigo's only reaction was to seemingly let all of this wash over him, without comment or any other form of rebuke, as he looked to the young woman beside the Espada, smiling warmly. "Orihime, it's good to see you again."
Right away, Ulquiorra stepped between them, eliciting a smile in the process. "Heh, so it is true, the two of you did get together." He paused. "These last three years, I've had a lot of time to think back on all the things I've done... But more precisely, about what I did to you."
With that last word, Ichigo's focus shifted to Ulquiorra. "Killing you, that day, when I wasn't in control of myself or my powers... it's always been one of my greatest regrets." He revealed. "Once the darkness of my own soul took over... well, even an idiot like me knew it wasn't a true battle- one fought between two warriors. And yet, I would've had to live with the guilt of a tainted victory that I didn't earn."
Orihime and Ulquiorra watched as he went on. "That was, until... Well, if it wasn't for you, Orihime, I would still be carrying the weight of that fateful encounter with me- even now- to this day."
"You see it now, both of you," Darkwood chimed in. "Just how much progress he's made? Though, I hasten to add that the change that you now see is entirely his doing." He added. "My contribution was minuscule by comparison." The man offered magnanimously. "The only thing that I did was to provide him with the guidance and the proper environment for it to happen."
"I know why you two are here, you're trying to stop us." Ichigo spoke. "Ulquiorra, the fact that you're standing before me... It almost seems like fate." He remarked. "Looking back on things, well, maybe I should've seen this coming- that you'd be the one to stand against me."
"Kurosaki..." Ulquiorra uttered under his breath.
"No, it's not just him!" Orihime was quick to retort, with a determined look on her face as she stepped forth to take her place beside Ulquiorra. "I- I've come here to stop you, too, Ichigo." The young woman declared, grasping the Espada's hand as she fixed her gaze on Ichigo. "I'm sorry, but I can't just stand by and let that man carry out his plans- we're here for the same reason as everyone else!"
The simple tactile contact between the the redhead and the dark-haired Arrancar wasn't lost on Ichigo, smirking as Orihime took Ulquiorra's hand and continued. "I'm here, right now, out of my own choice, and I've accepted that I have a part to play... That, more than the powers I've gained, or if I was chosen by fate itself- all that matters is that I've come to put a stop to whatever you're trying to do!"
"You've grown..." Ichiho responded, momentarily thrown by not just the young woman's declaration, but the force of her presence in that instant. "So then... it appears the 'players' are more or less the same as back then." He countered. "The only real difference is that the roles have changed."
"I mean, in your eyes, I'm the 'bad guy'." The teen continued, collecting himself, his smile and tone darkening slightly as he spoke. "But if I'm the 'Villain', then that could only mean that you, Ulquiorra, you are the 'Hero' of this story... or, one of them, at least."
"Don't insult me!" Ulquiorra spat.
"On the contrary," the youth rebuffed, holding his hands up. "The truth is, that I wasn't really much of a success as the gallant white knight in shining armor..." Ichigo admitted. "But you, Ulquiorra, you're not the 'dragon' now, not in this story." He added with a disarming smile. "Something tells me you'll fare far better in the role of the dark anti-hero in shining black armor, eh?"
Ulquiorra narrowed his gaze, reaching into his pocket, then he made his move- lunging at Darkwood! But just as quickly, Ichigo appeared in his way, a 'sword' suddenly manifested in his hand, the gleaming weapon composed of amber-colored energy intercepting the other's faintly blue glowing blade.
"But then, if you're the hero," Ichigo continued. "Then that could only mean that I'm your dragon?"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society, Division Six HQ...
Shigeru Kimura staggered into the grounds of his Division, before he bent over and threw up!
With that out of the way, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, before reaching up to remove his glasses with shaky hands. "Oh... Oh my god!" The Shinigami exclaimed.
"Shigeru?!" A familiar voice called out.
He looked up, in time to see the tanned, sandy-haired Arrancar, Ylforte Grantz...
"Good lord, look at you!" The Fraccion exclaimed. "You're a wreck, what the hell happened?!"
There was a distance in his eyes, and his body was trembling. "For god's sake, Shigeru, tell me," he exclaimed as he grabbed the Shinigami by the shoulders. "What the hell happened out there? What the hell happened to you?" He asked, shaking him, only for the man to start rambling incoherently.
Feeling he had no other options, Ylforte slapped the Soul Reaper across the face, which seemed to be enough to snap the man out of his stupor. "Shigeru, please, talk to me!"
"I..." He began in a distant voice. "I wasn't ready... for just how bad it could get..." Shigeru elaborated, finally looking up to at last meet his gaze. "One moment, I was standing there, with Captain Kuchiki... then, just like that, Captain Kenpachi was dead- killed, right in front of me!"
"The only thing I could think was that I had get away from there," the glasses-wearing man continued as he looked to the Arrancar. "All I could feel then was this overpowering sensation of fear and disgust, and I couldn't let my Captain see me lose it like this... I- I-"
Suddenly, the dam that had been holding his emotions back finally broke, and tears abruptly began to stream down his face. At the same time as this, Ylforte for his part, was quick to act- throwing his arms around him and pulled him into (what he hoped was) a comforting embrace.
Several moments passed, before Shigeru spoke once more. In the meantime, he was preoccupied with taking a drink of water from the bottle he'd been given, before spitting out, and then taking a long drink from it as he tried to calm down. "I don't know what to think now." He admitted tearfully. "I thought I was ready for all this... But then, I panic and lose it at the first sight of death!"
The Shinigami had exclaimed, going on to exclaim "Some officer I am!"
Ylforte drew back, leaving his hands resting on his arms. "Shigeru," he began firmly, giving a warm smile as he went on. "There's no use in beating yourself up like this. The plain and simple truth, is that death is always a very dirty, very bloody business, and nothing can ever prepare someone for it."
"I can't begin to imagine how shocking and disturbing it must have been for someone like you."
"Like me?" Shigeru replied, his tears starting to subside. "What do you mean?"
The sandy-haired Fraccion just smiled. "You're a very kind and thoughtful person, Shigeru." Ylforte explained coolly as he brushed some hair of his eyes. "I come from Huecco Mundo, so I've seen some truly terrible things, things someone like you should never have to be witness to."
"But don't worry, that's one of the things I like about you." He added, before leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his cheek, then withdrawing from the now flustered man, smiling playfully.
Ylforte drew back, leaving Kimura with a stunned expression. "Are you insane?!" The bespectacled Soul Reaper exclaimed indignantly, his face red. "You... you shameless flirt!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
(AN: The fight is set to the track "Clubbed to Death", from The Matrix: Reloaded.)
Ulquiorra hadn't expected to be able to take Darkwood down with a single attack, and so he had been far from surprised when Ichigo had moved in to intercept his light-sword with a weapon of his own that he had conjured up- resulting in a flash of light as their "blades" collided!
Darkwood merely smiled, watching as the two fighters squared off against each other.
The young man watched as his focus shifted too, as Ulquiorra came at Ichigo, bringing the luminous 'blade' of the light-sword down against the other weapon as the teen blocked him! The Espada fired off a Cero, prompting the young man to draw upon the energies of Manifest to form a 'shield' to deflect the blast, before then moving in to cross blades with the Espada.
The two ended up in their first stand-off with one another, locking blades, before the young human swung at him- his strength amplified by the powers he'd gained- and actually sent the Arrancar flying with the force of his attack. The tales of his white jacket flapped as he was sent sailing through the 'air', coming dangerously close to hitting the barrier that protected them from the void...
"Ulquiorra!" Orihime exclaimed in a panic, a glowing 'net' of pure energy forming immediately to catch him in its glowing embrace. At the exact same moment as this was happening, a barrier of shining golden-white energy rose up between herself and Darkwood, blocking him from intervening.
Orihime leaned in close, speaking in a hushed tone. "Ulquiorra," she began. "We both failed at first to register the fact that he could see you." This revelation was enough to garner his undivided attention as she continued. "While he may have learned how to use these new powers, I don't think he has the same degree of mastery over them as he did with his spiritual powers."
Dropping all pretense, he looked to her in earnest. "Then," he started. "What do you suggest?"
At this, she nodded. "He's strong, but he lacks the experience of an Espada like yourself or one of the Captains or other veteran Shinigami." Orihime advised. "Whatever this 'Manifest' is, it's not something he was born with a natural affinity for." The redhead paused. "Watch him, and look for blind spots."
He nodded as she went on. "I know you, Ulquiorra, so I know you can do this." Orihime told him in a reassuring tone. "He can't brute-force his way through this fight, so you can outwit him."
Bringing Ulquiorra back safely to the ground, the fiery-haired woman turned to face Darkwood as the barrier came down, the black-clad man merely gazing impassively back at her. Orihime then zeroed her gaze in on the Great Machine. This shift of attention wasn't lost on the man...
At the same time, Ichigo and Ulquiorra fixed one another with withering gazes...
Orihime focused on her objective, centering herself, before dipping into the seeming infinite reservoir of energy within her, unleashing a blast of energy and staggering Ichigo and the older man beside him. However, it didn't stop wit them, as it moved further on- directly towards the Great Machine!
Darkwood turned to watch as the shock-wave continued onward to the giant engine, a look of genuine surprise and concern now on his face. Ulquiorra seized the moment to attack Ichigo. At the same time, Darkwood's focus was on the object in the center of the structure. While the human and the Arrancar continued fighting, his eyes widened! The mechanisms around the engine that was the Great Machine appeared to have slowed, if only temporarily. At a loss, he turned back to the girl.
"Good lord, what terrible majesty." Darkwood confessed in a tone of awe. "I wouldn't have thought it possible, that you could be so powerful as to effect the Magnus Machina..." The man went as he turned back to face Orihime. "I always knew you were powerful," he paused. "But I can see it now- that it's indeed true- your powers really are nothing less than godlike."
Meanwhile, as this was happening, another event was unfolding on one of the higher platforms...
Ulquiorra evaded a slash from Ichigo, before retaliating with a swipe of his own. The two men then successfully crossed swords, creating a bright flash of energy and sending off sparks when their blades collided, locking the fighters once again in a standoff, before Ichigo managed to use his greater size and physical strength to turn the tide against the smaller leaner Arrancar!
The Cuatro Espada managed to back away from him, though not without some cost, as Ichigo's attack nicked the horn of his Mask Fragment and cut into his shoulder- drawing blood!
The Arrancar reached up to touch his shoulder, noting the blood on his fingertips. Flicking it aside, he closed his eyes and took deep breath, straightening his posture and exhaling. Ulquiorra thought back to what Orihime had said- he had to be the smarter fighter! Rather than brute strength, he had to out-think his enemy, pick his moments, and- if successful- force him to fight on his terms.
The orange haired teen took a step back. "What now, are you trying to find your zen?"
Ulquiorra opened his eyes, brandishing his light-sword. "That's for you to find out."
With that, he vanished in a blur!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Gotei Council Facilities...
Central Operations Command Hub...
"Captain!" Ran called out. "I'm not sure what's going on, but- just now- I registered a suddenly drop in the Dark Energy output from the Oken Anomaly."
"Confirmed." Ken chimed in. "She's right, my terminal is showing the same thing... There was nothing showing prior to this... but now, the readings have begun dropping."
Shunsui appeared beside the two bespectacled Shinigami. "What could possibly be happening...?" He mused as he looked at the monitors. "Is this same occurrence happening in the other realms?"
"The readings are the same in Karakura City and Huecco Mundo." The red-haired female technician replied, before adjusting her oval glasses as she looked back to the screen.
"While the total drop in the output so far is significant, it's hasn't actually stopped." The brown-haired male technician added as he moved to adjust his own rectangular glasses.
"What's this?" The tall swordsman leaned in. "Hmm... Now it appears to be leveling out... Something's definitely happening on the other side of that damned distortion looming over us."
"The Twelfth, their plan worked..." Ran murmured, perking up.
"Then they sent someone through." Ken added cautiously.
"You two might just be right..." Shunsui replied. "In the mean time, we need to get in touch with the Twelfth, and see if we can get some sort of confirmation from those two."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Huecco Mundo...
Both the Blue and Red Lieutenants of the Fourteenth, Lisa Yadomaru and Katsuro Onigiri, were in the thick of the fighting, as they battled the waves of attacking Phantoms...
In the midst all of the fighting, the Vizard and the Arrancar were caught off-guard when the hordes of the enemy forces- that had previously seemed endless- abruptly began to dwindle. The two Lieutenants were left to mere stand there and look on in confusion at the sudden turn of events...
"What?" Lisa started in surprise. "What the hell is going on?"
"I don't think this is part of the enemy's plan." Onigiri remarked. "For them to suddenly stop like this... Something must have happened..." He added. "But what?"
"If I understand correctly," the bespectacled woman began. "Then this is has to be related to the efforts being carried out in Soul Society, by the Twelfth, to counter the enemy."
The red-haired Arrancar turned to watch as Cirucci touched down nearby. "Oh yes, the Privaron..."
"What the fuck is this?!" The pig-tailed, purple-haired woman exclaimed. "This is bullshit!" She yelled as she looked around. "Aghhh! DAMMIT! It was only just starting to get good!"
Meanwhile, as the fashionable woman raged, Lisa received an alert on her communicator.
"This is Lieutenant Yadomaru." She started as she took the hand-held device from out of her robes, as the small screen lit up, revealing Nelliel's face. "Captain? How can we help?"
"I'm at our Eastern front, along with Jaegerjaquez-san and Westward-san," the green-haired Espada explained over the channel. "We were in the middle of engaging hostile forces, when the momentum of the enemy suddenly began dying off." Nelliel revealed. "What's the situation on your end?"
"It's the same here." Lisa replied. "The presence of the Shadow Forces has markedly dropped."
"Captain, I just checked in with Cyrus and his forces," Onigiri started, his swords returning to their sheaths as he held up his own communicator. "He's reporting the same situation."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
His disappearance had the desired effect of putting Ichigo on edge. As a split-secant later, Ulquiorra appeared at his side, forcing Ichigo to block his attack, only to then vanish just as rapidly in the blink of an eye, before he could possibly retaliate. But this wasn't the end, as the Arrancar appeared at his other side, vanishing once again- completely avoiding the teenager's attack!
"He's still fast..." the Arrancar wordlessly observed. "Except, it looks like he can't perform anything like either Sonido or Shunpo..." Ulquiorra noted silently as he moved.
This time, it was the Espada's turn to go on the attack... With that, Ulquiorra advanced in on the other fighter, not wasting any time as he engaged with him once again! The bright amber glow radiating off of the Manifest Blade reflected in Ulquiorra's green eyes and off of the edges of his Mask Fragment, as the light blueish-white glow from the light-sword reflected in Ichigo's dark brown eyes...
Once again, the two warriors found themselves caught in another stand-off as they locked gazes with each other in that moment. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, growing frustrated, as he pulled back and brought the 'blade' of his weapon down repeatedly. Each time, Ulquiorra managed to deflect the strikes with the blade of his own weapon- 'sparks' flying as each success impact landed...
With that, the dark-haired Arrancar leapt back, placing some space between the two of them- resulting in the teen's final swing missing his receding form entirely and scouring the smooth surface beneath their feat as Ulquiorra landed on the lower main platform! Collecting himself, Ichigo stood up straight, taking a deep breath as he regarded his foe. "Somehow... I had a feeling that I'd wind up enjoying this fight with you." He remarked. "And, you haven't disappointed me!"
"Enjoy?" Ulquiorra repeated angrily in an incredulous voice. "This isn't about your amusement, so to hell with whatever you're trying to do!" The Espada exclaimed. "You can try and rationalize away your actions as much as you want, but the truth that you don't have your inner Hollow to hide behind."
with that, Ulquiorra threw the light-sword at him, causing a burst of sparks as the the blade cleaved through the structure around him. The Hybrid teen had to frantically duck out of the way, in the same time as the Arrancar moved to retrieve his weapon. "So then," the dark-haired warrior started coldly as the other fighter landed unceremoniously. "You only have yourself to blame when you lose!"
Ulquiorra then vanished in a flash of motion, before reappearing before Ichigo to strike out at the teen once again."Et tu Ulquiorra?" Ichigo entreated the other fighter with a smile as he reformed his own uniquer weapon in time to defend himself. "Such passion!"
With that said, he stepped back and looked to the Arrancar in front of him. "I wouldn't have thought that you were capable of it before today," the orange-haired teen spoke. "But I can see clearly now, and I can tell that you really must love Orihime... I envy you."
Ulquiorra hesitated in his response, even as he leveled his light-sword. "You can speak that word so effortlessly... And yet, what do you know of such things?!" The Arrancar exclaimed, before moving to go on the attack once again- the glowing blades of their weapons colliding!
"You," the pale-skinned Espada spat angrily as their blades clashed. "You're in no position to lecture me about emotions!" The raven-haired Arrancar exclaimed. "You, the one who failed to see what was right in front of you!" Ulquiorra went on to state, crossing the beams of their weapons. "You have no right to speak her name so casually- you're not worthy of Orihime!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Chad was knocked back, looking a bit worse for ware in the process for his troubles...
"Come on, stud!" Jinx exclaimed as she advanced. "I know you've got more in you... Besides, things were only just starting to get good!" The tattooed woman declared.
Just then, there was a sound like thunder, above them in the sky, causing both the dark-haired swarthy teen and the heavily inked and illustrated woman to stop and look upwards.
"Ugh... is this another one of you or your people's tricks?" Chad asked as he got up onto his feet.
She gave a thoughtful look, before shaking her head. "No, not this time," Jinx answered, bringing her hands to rest on her hips. "This isn't our style, and it's certainly not my style."
"Then... what exactly is happening?" Chad was quick to retort.
"Don't ask me." She quipped back, grinning as she looked around. "Except, this isn't something that I was told to expect..." Jinx went on on to explain "Clearly, something strange is happening, and the only difference is that I don't know what to make of whatever the hell this is... So then, what now?"
Chad rubbed his neck as he regarded the woman, blushing. "...First off, we need to find you a shirt."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Four, Medical Center...
"Let me see to your wounds." Hanataro remarked, as he looked to Franz and Kintaro.
"I'm fine." The Sternritter answered. "He's the one you need to worry about."
"Ugh." The Shinigami grunted as the other man helped him into a seated position. "He's right... They really tore a strip out of me." Kintaro offered. "I'd probably be dead if not for Franz."
"You're being too humble, Kintaro." Franz quipped. "After all, you still saved my ass."
Sungsun observed as the two men exchanged looks, both smiling. At the same time, the slender demure Arrancar looked over to the sullen figure of the Quincy with the cotton-candy colored hair.
The young Third-Seat Officer nodded, as he started to tend to the other Shinigami's wounds... As this was happening, Meninas silently observed the interplay between the two men, wordlessly sitting down on a nearby bench as the medics went about tending to the wounded.
Sungsun was busy finishing up helping to treat one of the people brought in, observed the distant look in the pink-haired woman's eyes, opting to sit down beside her. "Officer MacAllon?"
"Are you alright?" She asked, prompting Meninas to look to her.
"I don't have any serious wounds, if that's what you mean." The woman, with her cotton-candy pink hair replied in a detached tone, looking back int the middle distance.
"That's not what I'm talking about." The female Arrancar responded. "And, I think that you know that as well as I do." She went on to add in her usual demure manner. "I was there, I saw it all, the same as you, Meninas, the same as everyone else." Sungsun offered. "Candice, she was your friend? In the end, she was very brave, she saved a lot of people today... That won't be forgotten."
"I'd like to think so..." The curvy pink-haired woman replied. "I knew her for a long time, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything that happened in the end." The female Sternritter spoke in a distant voice. "Candice... she gave her life, she sacrificed everything for something more." She paused as she looked to the Fraccion. "Is it worth loosing a friend to save others?"
"I don't know..." The female Fraccion replied. "Except, that it's not a question that anyone should ever have to think about." Sungsun offered. "That... And I hope the cost amounts to something."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"You're not worthy of Orihime!"
The young woman in question blushed as she heard Ulquiorra speak those words...
"Ulquiorra...?" She uttered under her breath, gazing breathlessly as the Espada in question broke the stand-off as he delivered a pointed kick to Ichigo, the 'boot' of his foot crashing against his chest and sending the young man reeling while using the move to launch himself off of him in the process!
"Now, now, my dear, lest you forget," Darkwood began. "You still have me to contend with, and I have no intention of allowing either of you to interfere with our plans." He declared, prompting her powers to flair up and block his path, but the man only smiled. "Your miraculous powers... There's no way that I could possibly stop you, but neither can I allow you to continue."
"You say that with such determination." Darkwood began. "But I know what you and your allies are really wondering about... You want an explanation for everything that's happened, you're all desperate to find some deeper meaning, when the truth is that thing's couldn't be simpler."
"What are you saying?" The redhead asked cautiously.
"So many unanswered questions..." He continued. "Like 'why' am I doing this, or 'how' did I 'win over' Ichigo, no doubt you and your allies are wondering just what sort of 'dark magic' I worked on him." He went on to say. "The truth is that I can't change a person's nature, in the same way that you'll never find an obvious answer to 'how did we fail to see what was happening to him?'"
The fiery-haired young woman looked onward as he continued. "Especially, when you stop and look back on everything that's happened to all of you... How could people, busy living full lives of their own be expected to keep track of one person?" Darkwood offered.
"When people are dealing with a massive societal shift and are actively striving to win over hearts and minds, or coming to grips with notions like becoming parents, or falling love..." He paused. "I think, in all fairness, that you and your friends and colleagues could be forgiven for missing one little thing."
"But, getting back to the point, Miss Inoue, I can't help but find it rather fitting, that the two of you- together- should prove to be the ultimate obstacle to our success." Darkwood admitted as he brushed a hand through his brown hair. "Or, perhaps you only came to cheer on your lover?"
"I didn't come this far just to talk," Orihime replied. "I came here to put an end to this!"
"Well put my dear." He countered, still smiling. "Your conviction truly is most admirable."
"What's your game?" Orihime asked. "What exactly is it that you want?"
"What do I want?" Darkwood repeated, smiling darkly, while taking a moment to regard the woman standing before him. "Rather than ask me what I want, perhaps you should instead be asking what it is that we want." He went on. "I, no, we want what everyone wants- to be free!"
"We want more, we want to be able to live." Darkwood continued. "We may have originated here, in this dark empty void between realities... But this isn't living, this is nothing more than subsistence, and eking out a miserable life here is no way to live." He continued. "What we desire is to experience the richness and the fullness of the beauty of everything that comes with what it means to live."
Orihime was caught off guard by the impassioned declaration. She took a moment to look around, into the darkness surrounding them. The young woman could only conclude that there was no future in this place, no hope, no chance for something more. "I see... that desire, at least, I can understand."
"But regardless," the busty redhead went on to say. "No matter how I might feel about everything that's happened, and your reasons for it all, it's still no excuse for what you're doing!"
"Bold words, my dear." Darkwood replied, folding his arms. "But I'll say this now, that what I and my comrades have done up till this moment," the bearded man went on. "All of it wasn't done in the cause of an invasion," he continued. "Instead, you should think of this as a migration."
"And so, to that end," the older-looking man elaborated. "It's imperative that you realize that more than anything, what we desire most isn't power, but peaceful coexistence with the people of your reality."
Orihime didn't respond right away. "Something tells me that things aren't quite that simple."
Darkwood chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "Unfortunately, you're right." He admitted to the young woman standing in his way. "For as much as I'd like to tell you that what we're doing will be a seamless transition, the truth is that it's never as simple as that..." He paused as he looked into her eyes.
"No, the reality is, no matter what," Darkwood stated. "That to realize our bold new world, we'll have to make some changes." He explained to her. "That way, we can ensure that the end-result of all this is something that will ultimately prove to be beneficial to everyone."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Captain Kyoraku," Szayel had spoken over the com-link. "I'm reaching out to inform you that we've transported the Cuatro Espada and Orihime Inoue through the spacial anomaly."
"Of course." The disheveled swordsman remarked. "I've been fully briefed on the scope and extent of that girl's powers, so I understand your reasoning." Shunsui went on. "And, if Ichigo Kurosaki really is involved, then... well, we can rely on the Cuatro to... do what needs to be done, if it comes to that."
"Yes, I take your meaning." Szayel responded in a resigned tone. "But now, to the other matter urgent matter you inquired about," the Octavio Espada continued. "Just as you described, my Division's staff has observed the same phenomena that was registered by your people in the CC."
The Captain of the Eighth Division nodded. "Whatever is going on, we can at least take away the fact that it's bought us all some much needed time to breath." He replied. "In the mean time, please continue to monitor the activity from the Anomaly, and alert us of any changes in the situation."
"Understood." The golden-eyed Arrancar replied with a nod.
Just as the connection cut out, one of his Adjutants appeared. "Commander Kyoraku," he called out to the senior Shinigami. "We're receiving an urgent communique from Captain Kuchiki."
Shunsui nodded, looking back to the main screen as the Captain of the Sixth Appeared...
"Captain Kyoraku, I regret that I have unfortunate information to deliver," he started as he addressed his fellow Captain and the others present in the Command Center. "First and foremost, it is my duty to report that Captain Zaraki Kenpachi of the Eleventh is dead, killed in action by the enemy."
Everyone present in the Command Center exchanged furtive looks as the nobleman continued in his usual steady manner. "In addition, it is further incumbent upon myself that I must confirm the deaths of Yumichika Ayasegawa and Yoko Watase, the Third and Fourth Seat Officers of the Eleventh."
A chilling silence fell over the room as the implications of the news sank in...
"Lieutenant Sasakibe's own report confirms this, sir." Ran announced.
"I see." Shunsui replied grimly. "Then... the 'head' is destroyed, and so the serpent dies." He went on to remark to himself. "And now, the Eleventh itself has become a casualty of this conflict."
"B- but what now?" Ken commented uneasily to himself. "The Eleventh's been gutted..."
"Captain, your place is in the Command Center," Byakuya remarked. "In the mean time, I will see to it that all of the concerned parties involved are properly informed."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
As Orihime stared down Darkwood, the battle between Ichigo and Ulquiorra continued...
Moving with almost inhuman speed, Ichigo appeared before Ulquiorra and brought his sword down, only for the Espada to evade the attack. However, he was caught him by surprise in that moment when the brown-eyed youth raised his free hand and fired off a burst of energy of his own- hitting the dark-haired Arrancar and sending him flying onto his back- the world spinning around him!
The teen stood up to his full height, looking on as the Arrancar swordsman sat bolt upright, taking a moment to wipe a trickle of blood from his jaw, before casually performing a perfunctory check-up of himself, registering that the fabric over his chest and left shoulder were markedly darkened and singed, leaving his pale skin visible through multiple tares in the garment. With that out of the way, he locked eyes with his adversary- his piecing green eyes meeting his own...
Nearby, Orihime spoke up. "I'm not nearly so naive as you and everyone else seems to think I am, and if you were as all-knowing as you claim to be, you'd actually know that!" She declared defiantly to the other man. "And now, after everything I'm been through, I'm done running and crying!"
"I'm not that frightened girl any more." The young woman continued. "I've grown and learned through experience, and so I will face my fears and see this through to the end!"
The black-clad man nodded. "Yes, I can see now: it's clear that you've become far more now than what you were. Just as I can see what Dario saw in you." Darkwood remarked. "You're made of much sterner stuff than I'd initially believed... that you've come this far more than proves that."
"But, there in lies the dilemma: what am I to do, given that it appears that you and I have now arrived at something of an impasse." Darkwood continued amicably with a slight shrug, as he tucked his hands behind his back. "I'm no fool, I know my limits, so I'm comfortable in admitting to you that I have no chance of neutralizing you." He paused. "Never the less, I'm far from powerless."
Ichigo looked on as Ulquiorra got to his feet. "Color me impressed, but it looks like it's going to take a lot more from me if I'm going to have a chance of keeping you down."
Ulquiorra glared as he held up his sword, presenting to blade towards him. "You're welcome to try."
(- End of Chapter XCV... -)
In all honesty, when I started writing this story, I was reading "Prize of Victory" by NovaAlexandria. Like others, I was troubled by the moral ambiguity of the story setting, but there were certain story elements that resonated with me. In particular, the concept of "Cohabitation". There was just something about the core idea that Shinigami and Arrancar could coexist (very much in spite of what led to this).
And with that in mind, I set out to write something that could be viewed a counterpoint to 'Prize', yet could (hopefullY) stand on its on merits. That said, there certain elements from POV that I just HAD to make use of (like the adorable paternalistic relationship between Lillynette and Jushiro). I loved being able to show this relationship grow between them as it happens. As I've previously stated, my portrayal of Ggio was influenced by POV & another story by Nova, which was also what inspired me pair up Hanataro & Lillynette in the first place. I'll cap things off by touching on a few of RG-Guest's other points (from their gargantuan review XD). First, I had this image in my head of Kukaku wielding a giant OS flamethrower- and Ozzy's reaction was just the cherry on top!
While I can't remember who I came up with first, Dario, Slash, Lenny, and Jinx were the first four OG Brethren I created. As for Hawke & Pierce, as much as I'd like to say I planned their arc, if that really was the case, then Hawke wouldn't have debuted ahead of Pierce, as it wasn't until later that I began writing them as a 'double act', and dropped a few hints here and there about them being a couple. Fleshing out Lenny was also a lot of fun. His showcase was as this crazy fighting lunatic, then the next time he's reciting poetry at Crowley's wake (lol). Regarding Slash, a lot of work went into his design and presentation, but I was constrained in how I could write him. He's basically a clasic samurai, so he's automatically going to be fairly stoic and aloof by nature.
As for Darkwood... Well, his ultimate motives should be getting pretty clear by now. A point I've tried to drive home throughout this story is that he's always being genuine in the things he says and does. But that's just my oppinion, and I intentionally wrote the man in a such way that alternate interpretations of him could be just as valid. Ei, what's seen as charming to one person, could be viewed as menacing to another.