I would have posted this update sooner, but the epilogue is taking longer than expected. Right now, I'm focused on wrapping up all of the loose ends as best as I can.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XCVI:
"The Heart of Darkness, Part 2"
In an Unknown Location...
The brown-eyed young man sized up the Hollow in front of him, before performing a backwards flip and landing on one of the hexagonal segments that comprised the main structure...
And just as inexplicably, the segment began glowing as it rose upwards, seemingly morphing into a six-sided column. However, even as Ichigo cast his gaze downwards to Ulquiorra, he had very little time to savor the moment, as the Espada leapt into the air- landing atop the pillar right in front of him!
Ichigo was unable to suppress a look of genuine surprise, his 'mask' momentarily slipping, before he managed to block his foe's blade with his own. It was in that instance, that the orange-haired teen found himself struggling to hold his own against Ulquiorra. He was confused, as the Arrancar wasn't asserting his power to any significant or measurable degree...
And yet, he felt himself being pushed back towards the edge regardless... Ulquiorra then broke contact between their swords and swung at him, causing Ichigo to reflexively step back and unwittingly leaving himself teetering on the edge of the claustrophobic space. The pale-skinned Arrancar seized this as his opening to land the underside of his foot square upon his chest and send him plummeting...
"Crap!" Ichigo exclaimed as he unceremoniously fell to the ground below!
The Espada brought the blade of his weapon down like a guillotine, leaping from the pillar as it sank back into the surface below, narrowly missing Ichigo as he scrambled to his feet. There was a bloom of sparks as the Arrancar steadied himself, fixing the teen with a withering gaze.
"Damn you," the teen exclaimed. "This is far from over!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society, Gotei Council Facilities...
Central Operations Command Hub...
Back in the Command Center, everyone present in the room was still struggling to properly come to grips with the full extent of everything that had happened up to this moment...
"So far, everything happening, across all of the battlefields, appears to be in keeping with what we do know at present..." Shunsui recounted. "Here, in Huecco Mundo, and Karakura... They're all the same." The Shinigami observed calmly. "Whatever is powering the enemy forces has been affected."
"It only makes sense that the immediate effects would be observed here- as we're the ones closest to the Anomaly." The swordsman went on. "Now, what information do we have from the other fronts?"
Just then, another alert came in. "Captain," Ken started. "We're receiving reports from all the fronts where our forces are engaged with the enemy." The technician went. "Included within these... are the initial estimations on the numbers of casualties and wounded coming in."
"Regarding the different realms," Ran spoke as she took over. "Our Allied Forces stationed in Huecco Mundo encountered significant organized enemy forces along multiple fronts, and as such subsequently suffered a higher number of casualties- almost entirely KIAs- and wounded."
"Internal reports from with the Seireitei are coming in." Ken chimed in. "While the enemy presence in the this realm was significant, our forces were able to effectively contain them." He went on to add as he looked over his screen. "By comparison, losses suffered during the fighting weren't nearly as bad."
Shunsui gave a protracted sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I feared as much..."
"Thankfully, the fighting in the Living Realm was comparatively negligible, with no serious losses to either our forces or the civilian population." Ran continued.
"Well, at least the people are safe." The Captain remarked. "The safe zones are all checking in."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
As Ulquiorra and Ichigo were in the thick of their battle, Darkwood looked once more to Orihime...
"As I said, I knew you were powerful," the man started. "But it's only now that I'm beginning to get a proper idea of just how inhumanly powerful you are." Darkwood went on to elaborate as he addressed the young woman. "I'm no fool, I understand I have no chance against you."
"After all, given the nature and scope of your powers, I couldn't imagine anyone more perfectly suited to oppose me than you." The black-clad man continued. "Who else, who other than you, could possibly pose such a concerted threat to us- to the Engine of the Great Machine."
"I'm not here to talk." Orihime countered pointedly. "I'm here to stop you!"
"Yes, yes, of course." The bearded-man countered. "But really... If you just stopped to take this all in, then you'd understand that conflict is just a matter of waiting." Darkwood reasoned. "It all comes down to simply biding ones time... Just look at this magnificent machine, once it reaches full power, there'll be nothing left to stop it. We need only to wait... and in a matter of hours, you'll see, as everything at last becomes clear- then, we'll all have the answer we're seeking."
"However, the fact remains that you stand in our way," the older man commented. "And so, it falls to me to see that you not be allowed to ruin everything." Darkwood revealed. "While I can't hope to stop you, I've still learned a thing or two..." The man went on. "For more than three thousand years, have I walked the paths of those of this world, learning and gathering knowledge."
Meanwhile, the raven-haired Espada was on the move once again...
Ichigo touched down onto another one of the floating ancillary platforms situated around the larger main structure, with Ulquiorra hot on his trail. The teen turned to face his attacker...
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Ulquiorra entreated, coming to a stop. "Let me ask you something?"
"What's this..." The youth reacted. "You suddenly want to talk, perhaps?"
"No, not as such." The Arrancar countered calmly. "It's more a matter of curiosity... There's one point amidst all of this that I've been unable to come up with a suitable explanation for."
The teen observed him as he continued. "You don't strike me as someone desirous of attaining greater power or prestige, you don't need the validation of others as a means of justifying your own vanity and ego, you're not driven by some sort of dynastic revenge or harbor delusions of godhood."
"Your summary of me is... flattering." Ichigo remarked. "But what exactly are you getting at?"
"Simply this," the Espada replied. "What exactly do you stand to gain from all this?"
Ichigo smirked in response. "More than anything, I want to see Darkwood and his kind freed of the endless dark of this void." He answered. "Soon, the Great Machine will be at full strength, and then... then, nothing will be able to stand in the way of realizing this."
"After all, a warrior needs something to fight for, you should know that." The orange-haired youth went on to remark. "What I 'get' out of this, is being a part of making this dream a reality, and to be able to see the bold new world that they will help us to usher in."
"I see..." Ulquiorra acknowledged. "So be it, then."
Meanwhile...
"As a rule, I personally consider resorting to violence only as a last resort," Darkwood went on as he began to gather his energy. "But I cannot allow you to halt the Magnus Machina or hinder our efforts." He continued as he raised up his hands, focusing the power. "We've come too far to let everything come crashing down. And even if I can't stop you... I can at least do this!"
With that, the energy formed into a sphere above his right palm. With that done, Orihime was left to look on, her mouth agape as he turned and hurled to sphere into the distance, sailing on a path towards the area where Ulquiorra and Ichigo where in the middle of battling with each other!
Instantly, the Arrancar's advance was halted as the errant ball of energy went on to hit the area directly in front him- knocking Ulquiorra back- and reestablishing distance between the two of them once more as the green-eyed Hollow crashed to the ground. Ichigo seized the moment to reform his weapon.
Looking down, he watched as the Arrancar landed on another one of the floating structures, before he scrambled and moved to land on the main structure...
Shaken, Ulquiorra barely managed to get back to his feet in time to guard himself against the attacks of the advancing Ichigo. The teen doggedly continued, resulting in several more impacts of the 'blades' of their respective swords. After a point, Ulquiorra miscalculated, swinging and missing Ichigo, providing the teen with the opening to knock the Light Sword from his right hand!
"Now!" Ichigo exclaimed as he made his move. "No time to save your-!"
At the same time as the young man launched himself at him, Ulquiorra reacted to his assault with an expected degree of inhuman speed on his part. Without the the light sword, the Arrancar had reached down and been in the process of taking the handle of his Zanpakuto, drawing his sword as Ichigo had come baring down upon the Espada and plunged the end of his own sword into him!
And it was in that instant, as the teen drove the blade of his Manifest energy weapon straight through other warrior's chest, something else happened! In the middle of all of this chaos, Ulquiorra had drawn his sword from its sheath and drove the tip of his Soul Sword into Ichigo's lower torso!
The young man audibly hissed in pain as his body registered that he'd been stabbed... The weapon in his hand flickering out of existence as Ichigo was sent staggering back. His hand came down to his left side as he bore an expression of disbelief. Confused and in pain, he looked up in time to witness as Ulquiorra stepped back and re-sheathed his sword, never breaking eye contact.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," the Arrancar began, his voice calm and unwavering as he retrieved the light-sword, the white fabric of his uniform jacket was torn and stained with blood. "You're getting sloppy."
"H-how?!" Ichigo reacted in a hoarse voice, while he clutched his side protectively, droplets of blood hitting the floor, while also collecting and running down the corner of his mouth. Leaving him hobbled as he grunted in pain, withdrawing from the Hollow in front of him.
Having retrieved the light-sword, he silently reached up to draw down the zipper of his jacket...
"Of course...!" Ichigo exclaimed, his brown eyes wide. "Y- your Hollow Hole... I got careless. How could I have forgotten something like that?" He mused, as he wiped the scarlet stain from his jaw and smirking slyly in reaction to the realization and ensuing clarity. "My last attack..."
Straightening himself back up, he flashed a wild smile. "I let myself get carried away... it was always bound to fail. How could I harm you when there's no heart for me to pierce."
This time, it was Ulquiorra who smirked. "On the contrary," he spoke, gesturing towards his chest as he locked gazes with him. "There's a heart... it's just simply beyond your reach."
The last bit didn't go unnoticed by Orihime, as she blushed faintly...
"No, I suppose not." Ichigo retorted in an unusually calm tone. "But you, well you did a pretty good job on me, that fateful day in Huecco Mundo." The teen recalled glibly. "You pretty much had me dead to rights back then, the only question now, is is you can do it again?"
The other fighter raised a brow at this. "I don't know what you're playing at," Ulquiorra responded in his usual steady tone. "But never the less, I hope that invitation isn't an idle one, because I'm not here to engage in whatever game you're playing at." He went on coldly. "I'm not interested in your motives, or in discussing your desires and dreams..." the Arrancar proclaimed as he activated the light-sword.
"However, what I do care about, regardless of anything else," he paused. "Is the fact that once again I'm standing before you, like this." Ulquiorra continued. "The context of the moment may be different this time, but you're still an adversary standing in my way. And so, I will kill you."
Both Orihime and Darkwood were so fixated on the two that they could only look on silently...
With his intentions made clear for all to hear, Ulquiorra charged the teen, though Ichigo reacted quickly enough to block the green-eyed Arrancar's attack. With that, he stepped back, quickly nearing the heart of the main structure- close to the spherical core and all of moving apparatus around it. Built into the structure that housed the Great Machine, were multiple 'rings' rotating in different directions.
Ichigo migrated onto one of the moving circular platforms, instantly sending his off in a clockwise motion and moving him out of the reach of the Arrancar. In the face of this, Ulquiorra stepped onto a different ring- sending him moving in an opposing clockwise rotation.
It was only a matter of secants before the two were in sight of one another, as both of them brought up their weapons in time to collide with the other's- causing a burst of multi-colored light. They shifted to keep track of the other as the rings continued rotating in opposing directions. Ulquiorra hopped onto a different ring to bring him towards Ichigo much quicker- allowing him to take another swing.
In the wake of this, Ichigo flashed a glowering look, clearly having had enough of this, as he stepped of the ring he'd previously been occupying, back onto the steady ground of the main structure.
Like a predator stalking its prey, Ulquiorra's gaze was firmly on Ichigo, as he stepped off the moving section and back onto the stationary expanse of the main structure...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
Yoruichi had exited the sub-structure of the Shop, stepping out into the open, where she was met by the source of the very voice that she'd been speaking with earlier.
"We were right in the thick of the fighting." The pretty female Shinigami explained, with her collar-length black hair and hair-band that kept her bangs out of her eyes. "My team and I, we were one of the many involved in a concerted sweep of the area- moving block by block."
"Except," the dark-skinned woman interjected. "Something happened that changed your mandate."
The younger Soul Reaper nodded. "One minute, the hordes of Shadows seemed endless," she went on to explain. "And then, the next minute, they were more or less gone."
"Sounds to me, like these 'Shadows' your talking about lost their 'wi-fi' connection." Ikumi commented as he was in the middle of fiddling with her phone. "Speaking of which... I'm establishing a connection with the security cameras installed around the outside of my property."
Akiko turned to Yoruichi with a questioning look, but the woman just smiled and shrugged...
"Shihoin-san, I admit I'm not terribly familiar with your associates." She started. "But the dossier on Urahara-san's operation didn't make mention of this woman."
"Oh, don't worry about her." Yoruichi countered. "She a recent addition to our inner circle."
"Oh, hey." The businesswoman spoke. "Weird, I was worried that there might be more damage to the property... But the shop and our home look pretty much untouched."
"Wait, Ikumi-san." The dark-skinned woman started. "Where's your son?"
"Don't worry." The other woman replied. "Kaoru's perfectly safe inside of the shop, along with those two kids you have working for you, and Ichigo's sisters." Ikumi relayed to the flashy-looking woman in a calm collected tone. "I think they're playing cards with that big guy with the glasses."
"As attentive as always, Unagiya-san." Isshin remarked as he stepped forward.
The woman in question looked to him. "Those robes are very flattering on you, Kurosaki-san," Ikumi casually quipped. "It'd be interesting to see what Ichigo looked like in them."
Isshin nodded, relaxing a bit. "How are the girl's doing?"
The businesswoman's face lit up. "Oh, Karin-chan and Yuzu-chan, the girl's are doing fine."
Another person arrived on the scene, two people, in fact.
"Ah, Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Matsumoto." Wakabayashi began smartly with a bow.
"At ease." The young Shinigami responded. "Now, Shihoin-san, in regards to the current situation, is there any additional information that you or your associates might be able to offer?"
Putting away her phone, Ikumi turned to see Yoruichi speaking with two new arrivals, also clad in the black robes she was growing increasingly familiar with.
As the shape-shifter was busy relaying what information she could, Toshiro had spared only a brief glance about of his surroundings, before awkwardly making eye-contact with a tall curvaceous woman, with brown eyes and medium-dark black hair- drawn in a ponytail with a scrunchy. She was dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a t-shirt, and wearing a beige cap with a pair of goggles, along with gloves.
The Captain's eyes widened in surprise upon realizing that she could see him!
For her part, the woman merely smiled, before taking off in their direction...
"Oh my goodness, just look at you!" She remarked, smiling brightly. "You're just so cute," the woman continued as her hands came to rest on his shoulders. "Oh, er, sorry, what I mean to say, is that you're a very handsome young man." The woman corrected. "I bet you're pretty popular with girls!"
Toshiro's face flashed red in embarrassment and indignation. At the same time as this was happening, Yoruichi could only smile in amusement at the scene now unfolding in front of her. On the other hand, Rangiku was instantly and visibly incensed at what was happening.
"I know!" Ikumi spoke, inspired. "How about I introduce you to-"
She was interrupted mid-sentence as Rangiku swooped in like a hawk to snatch the Captain away!
"No!" The strawberry-blonde exclaimed, her face red. "Toshiro is mine!"
It took a moment, before Ikumi tilted her head and smiled. "Oh, I see what's going on." The woman remarked smoothly. "Sorry, I didn't realize that you were taken."
Both the snowy-haired Captain and his buxom Lieutenant blushed right away at hearing this, though the busty woman didn't immediately think to let him go, much to his irritation.
"I mean, speaking from my own experiences, I'm really in no position to judge you." Ikumi offered the duo playfully. "And yet, looking at the two of you right now," the dark-haired woman explained. "With that said, I can't help but think that Toshiro-kun might just be a bit too young for a grown woman such as yourself."
"Ikumi-san," Yoruichi interjected gently with a smile. "While Captain Hitsugaya may outwardly appear to be just a boy, the reality of things is that he's far older and experienced than you might think."
The young Captain looked to his Lieutenant, leading her to relinquish him from her clutches.
"Oh." She responded chipperly. "That makes sense."
"Wait, I realized..." Isshin cut in. "How long have been able to see spirits, and how aware are you?"
"While I'm nowhere near as powerful as the rest of you guys, or Ichigo and his classmates, I've always had this odd sense that there were things happening around me, but I couldn't really see everything." Ikumi responded in a matter-of-fact tone. "That is, until this last year or so."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Darkwood looked on with concern, seemingly about to intervene, only to be blocked once again by a familiar barrier that rose up and encircled him along with Orihime.
"I don't want to hurt you, but I won't let you interfere again." The fiery-haired young woman cautioned the black-clad man. "Please, don't force to do anything more than this!"
The bearded man relaxed his posture. "So be it, then." He calmly replied. "I just hope you understand that you're playing a very dangerous game right now in doing this."
"What do you mean?" Orihime asked. "You're not going to be able to intimidate me!"
"It's simple, really." He responded, gesturing to heart of the vast structure. "That machine, over there, there's much more to it than what you can see." Darkwood explained. "It's been operating continuously since the rift created by the disruption of the Oken occurred."
"You may have successfully managed to impede it's functions for the moment." Darkwood continued as he faced down the young woman. "Your determination is commendable, my dear, but it doesn't alter the fact that it won't be long now before it's at full power, regardless of your efforts."
"And then, by which point you won't be able to stop it."
Meanwhile, Ulquiorra advanced towards Ichigo. "Running away again?" He observed in his usual calm collected tone. "But then, I shouldn't be all that surprised, given that that seems to be all you know how to do in a crisis." The Arrancar went on. "Honestly, I'd have thought that your mother would've raised you better then that... but then, perhaps she never got the chance t-"
"SHUT UP!" The orange-haired teen exclaimed as he went on the attack. The entire time, while all of this unfolded, the Arrancar was keen to evade the swings from his opponent. Rather than lashing out at the other man, he instead opted to remain on the move, keeping Ichigo uncertain and on his toes as he continued attacking him. "What the hell do you know about me, and my life?!"
It was then that his swing made contact!
The 'Sword' formed from the energy of Manifest, being wielded by the teen, struck the beam of the light-sword with such significant force that it transferred through it directly into Ulquiorra. The Hollow was sent flying once again, colliding with the Great Machine, ricocheting off of the moving parts and finally came to a halt after hitting the other side of the structure and skidding across it.
Several secants passed, as everyone present looked on, before the silence was broken when Ulquiorra let out a groan, gradually shifting into a seated position. The Arrancar was 'shaken' up by the hit, to the point that he briefly went through the motions of 'dusting' himself off.
Then, he snapped back to reality. "Ah... yes, umph." Ulquiorra murmured half under his breath as he shook his head, collecting himself. "Well now, I must say, if I were human," the Arrancar mused wryly as he looked to the teen. "I suspect that last attack of almost certainly would have killed me."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Twelve HQ...
Back inside of the bounds of Soul Society, Captain Szayel Grantz and former Captain Kisuke Urahara were focused on the activity of the distortion in the sky above them.
"Something is most definitely happening," Szayel commented. "Wherever they are right now, they've passed through everything we understand as reality." the Arrancar spoke. "And I can only comprehend what's going on with the Anomaly as proof that those two are achieving something."
"Earlier on, do you remember what you told me?" Urahara asked, turning to face the pink-haired man standing alongside him on the rooftop. "You said that we have to hope..."
Meanwhile, as the conversation was playing out on the roof, a nearby door opened up and Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi wordlessly stepped out. "Szayel-sama, Urahara-san." The immaculate, purple-haired woman spoke as she addressed the duo. "I have the findings you requested."
There was an unflappable look in her striking jade green eyes as she handed over a display pad with the readings from the anomaly to her Captain and partner. Upon receiving the data, Szayel leaned in to plant a quick kiss on the woman's lips, before proceeding to look over the information.
"Hmm, yes... interesting." He mused aloud as he looked it over, as his Lieutenant was left blushing in the wake of the unexpected kiss. "Hey, Kisuke, take a look at this."
"Of course." The shopkeeper replied as he accepted the pad. "Hmm, let me see..." The disheveled man commented under his breath, adjusting his hat. "Szayel, what should I be looking for?"
"Check the most recent readings from the Dimensional distortion." The golden-eyed Arrancar replied as he adjusted his glasses. "As you surmised, the continuing changes in the output supports your theory that something is happening on the other side of the rift- take a look at the levels."
Urahara's eyes widened as he looked over the information. "You're right," he started as he looked over the lines of data. "The output from the distortion seems to have leveled out..." The ex-Shinigami noted as he skimmed through the contents displayed on the small screen. "Right now, literally everything is riding on those two, so this is it... It's either make or break."
"Still, win or lose," Szayel remarked, smirking. "Orihime and Ulquiorra will have achieved something that the rest of us can only ever dream of..." He continued. "They've traveled to another universe."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"...That last attack would have killed me."
Ulquiorra had recounted. "Except," the Cuatro Espada declared to the other fighter. "I'm beginning to suspect that no matter how hard you try to fight... the plain and simple truth is I don't believe that your heart is really in this." He announced as he steadied himself. "So then, what now?"
Ichigo gave an outraged look, but didn't offer any kind of rebuke as he rushed forward to resume the battle with the dark-haired Arrancar. However, despite the outward fierceness of the Human-Shinigami hybrid's attacks, Ulquiorra had little trouble defending and deflecting his blows. By comparison, Ichigo found himself 'floundering' as he struggled to maintain the pace and intensity of it his attacks...
At a loss, Ichigo drew away from the Hollow and leapt up onto one of the higher platforms...
Ulquiorra continued his pursuit as he followed him. "I don't know what exactly you're attempting to accomplish, but what does matter is that if you truly want to die so badly, then I'm more than happy to go ahead and accommodate you, and make your death-wish a reality."
This gave Ichigo pause. And, as Ulquiorra advanced once more, he was struck by a revelation as he looked at the other man: that he was on the verge of being overwhelmed by his "aura". And despite the fact that the teen was physically taller and broader, in the moment, it was almost as if Ulquiorra was somehow (metaphorically) 'towering' over' him as he stared him down...
"This... this is it. Ever since that day, when you first 'killed' me... Somehow, I always knew deep down that I was living on borrowed time." Ichigo mused aloud. "And now, now, at last, everything's finally come full circle..." He rambled on as he looked up to meet his gaze once more. "I see it, the end, the only end for a person like me- you've come to settle the score, and finally put things right."
With that, he gripped the 'handle' of his weapon with both hands. "Alright, let's finish this!"
"Fine!" Ulquiorra fired back. "If that's how you feel, then let's end this!" He exclaimed as he went on the attack once again. Ichigo managed to deflect the strike, then retaliated with one of his own- only for the Espada to narrowly avoid him and perform an upward swing. The movement of the blade knocked the beam of the teenager's weapon back, leaving him open as he went on the attack!
He formed a shield in time to deflect the attack, setting off a flash of light in the process. Ichigo had to squint as he backed up onto the foot of a floating set of 'steps' form a curving staircase that up to one of the floating platforms. The Espada was quick to pursue him up the staircase...
Ichigo reacted by bringing his sword to bare in time to intercept the other man's attack. The two of them locked up once again, but the truth was that it was quickly becoming apparent to both warriors that there was a measurable limit to just how much longer this standoff could last...
At the same time, the teenager was beginning to come to grips with the inevitable... Ichigo could feel as doubt started to creep into his thoughts, while Ulquiorra seemingly remained resolute!
Orihime made her way to the base of the floating 'steps' that lead up to the platform they were battling each other across. As all of this was unfolding, she covertly noticed that Darkwood was visibly uneasy- confirming in her mind, that he knew full well that something was amiss with his 'Champion'...
A moment came in the fight, as an alien fury became visible in the inhuman green eyes as the Espada, as all the emotions he normally repressed came forth from Ulquiorra- all his fury, all his outrage, all his anger and all his passion- all of it came down like floodwaters as he lashed out at him!
Sweat poured down Ichigo's temples, before his 'weapon' abruptly flickered out of existence!
In that instant, in that 'split-secant', there was no recourse or counter, as the young man was suddenly rendered defenseless and wide open as his 'hunter' cornered him, a look of shock and horror on his face as the blade of his foe now came down upon him like that of a guillotine!
Ichigo was helpless to stop Ulquiorra's Light Sword from crashing upon him with the full-force of his attack, cutting deep into him like a guillotine and scouring a large gash across his body! Ichigo's mouth opened, his cry of pain stifled by the blood filling his mouth!
A crimson spray splattered against Ulquiorra's torso and shoulder, a few droplet even hitting his cheek as Ichigo crumbled like a house of cards before him...
Ulquiorra halted, wiping blood from his face as Ichigo hit the floor- his shirt heavily stained red with his own blood, unable to do anything more than look up as the Cuatro loomed over him. All the while, as his attacker moved in, the two locked gazes with each other...
"Now, finish it!" Ichigo exclaimed, cringing from pain, even as a flood of imagery that comprised the narrative of his life up to this movement rapidly passed before his eyes.
Ulquiorra focused his gaze as he moved in, his shadow falling over Ichigo...
"So be it!" He replied as he raised his weapon, fully intending to see things through to the end...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Is this... death?" Ichigo mused to himself. "This feels different, somehow..."
Everything suddenly had come to a complete standstill as the youth lay prone on the ground, battered and bloodied as he looked up to his now-motionless adversary as he loomed over him...
Ichigo wasn't sure what the hell was going on at the moment. Everything around him had inexplicably turned hazy- lines and shapes blurring and loosing definition. It was as if the surrounding environment had somehow become out of focus to him- and in more ways than just to his eyes.
He struggled to gather his thoughts. "W- what's happening?"
"You may be scared now." This caused Ichigo see The Cat at his side. "But you know as well as I do that running from your problems isn't the solution."
After that, Mister Gallows appeared. "Ichigo, my boy, you're far too young to be thinking about dying, not when there's still so much to live for, and so many people who would miss you."
Ichigo took a breath, before slumping back down. "You're far luckier than you realize," Alistair, the next to arrive on the scene, spoke up. "The way I see it, not many people get a second chance at life, let alone everything you've enjoyed... So, seize the moment and make the most out of life."
"What is this...?" The teen wonder aloud to himself.
Next, the 'withered' Specter of Aizen arrived. "Any fool can die, that's easy..." He spoke. "Rather, the real challenge in life is making the most of the time you have, that takes real courage."
Ichigo closed his eyes, his head spinning. He opened his eyes, just as a humanoid man- dressed all in black, with long wavy dark hair and a beard- appeared. "What the hell is this?"
"Wait... Zangetsu?" Ichigo spoke, confused.
"Am I seriously really expected to believe that this is the best you've got?" The manifestation of his Soul Sword quipped in a pointed tone. "Am I supposed to accept that a punk like you is actually just gonna lay down and die, like this?" Zangetsu asked mockingly. "After all, if you're really the 'bad-ass' that everyone's relying on, then get the hell out there and do something!"
With that said, he stepped aside as Masaki arrived. "Now, now, don't forget about me." The young man's mother spoke with a gentle smile as she revealed herself to him.
"Ichigo, life is like the flow of a river- it only goes forward." She stated. "While your past will always be a part of you, in one form or another, living beings can't exist in the past, they can only move forward, my darling Son..." The woman continued. "Now, it's time you started living again."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"No, Ulquiorra- Wait!"
He halted, a glowing gold hand on his shoulder, prompting Ulquiorra to turn and see Orihime at his side, her entire body enveloped in the same radiant energy. What most struck him was the fact that the semi-transparent energy had taken the shape of a mixture between armor and a flowing gown.
And then, their was the fully-fledged majestic angelic wings that she now possessed, unfurled to their full glory and composed entirely of the same white-golden energy!
"Enough." She reiterated as she looked him in the eyes.
Suddenly and inexplicably, Ulquiorra felt himself overtaken in that moment, as he was filled with an overwhelming feeling of serenity and peace. "Of course." The Arrancar replied, lowering his weapon as his entire body relaxed, the tension melting away. "I understand... Orihime."
At the same time as this was playing out, Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka activated, all six of her Fairies emerging and flying off to form a circle around the Great Machine. Darkwood looked on as the 'engine' was shrouded in the woman's energy, quickly coming to a complete stop...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Meanwhile, in the Soul Realm...
The technicians were busy dealing with multiple reports coming, all of them recounting sightings of a glowing point of light soaring across the skyline like a shooting star...
Shunsui looked on as all of this was unfolding inside of the Center, listening to the mounting numbers of reports that were coming in. "This is insane... after everything that's happened so far, now we have to deal with this latest wrinkle." The Swordsman remarked. "This whole situation is nuts."
"Captain Kyoraku," Ran spoke up. "We're cross-correlating the reports, and the one commonality in all of them is a description a 'shooting star' flaying across the sky."
"Whatever the hell this thing is," Ken chimed in. "It's completely different to any kind of phenomena that's ever been observed before... Whatever it is, it's completely alien."
"Yes, and it's headed for the Anomaly." Shunsui observed. "By the point still remains... why?"
"Captain," one of the adjutants called out. "We're receiving another communique from the Twelfth."
As before, this was followed the main view screen coming to life, revealing Szayel Grantz.
"Captain, or should I address you a 'Supreme Commander?" The Espada inquired with a smile.
"Not this again..." The other Captain retorted in an exasperated tone. "As I recall, we all agreed that no single individual would ever hold that title again." Shunsui was quick to add.
"Yes, of course." Szayel replied, still smiling. "After all, decentralization of power is for the best."
(- End of Chapter XCVI... -)
Fun Fact: One of the reasons I decided that Ikumi would start being able to see spirits was to help keep in the loop with the main story. This was also a pretty last-minute choice on my part, to the point that I only put it into motion right before the Brethren's attack on Karakura!
As you can see, there's been a lot going on in this last few chapters, and I'd love to hear what you guys think. And as of right now, I'm happy to say that I'm only about two chapters away from finishing this. Any ways, talk to you guys later!