Stepping stones


"I, Runuganga of the white sa-" Stepping onto the hollow with stride, Ichigo watched with a relaxed stance as the hollow reformed from the sand, moving to sit down, Loki watched Las Noches.

Turning his head as the others stretched in preparation before Terragon stopped, making Ichigo frown before Loki walked to the ledge, seeing his sons leg entrapped in ice, Loki turned to ichigo.

"Hey, you're third girlfriend is here" walking to the ledge, Ichigo blinked as two dots ran towards them, tapping Terragon's hand the giant lowered its hand for Ichigo to wave.

"YO, RUKIA, RENJI!"

"ICHIGO!?" smiling at the two Shinigami as they approached, Rukia leaped into Ichigo's arms while Loki helped Renji up, tapping Terragon's hands.

"So how are we gonna get into that thing?" rising up with Loki grinning, his answer made them all look at him.

"Smash the roof open" seeing all eyes on him with incredulous stares, he spoke with a frown.

"What?"

Alua was the first to answer.

"Loki, that is the most simple yet stupid plan you've come up with during the entirety we've followed you" seeing the wolf flinch like a slap was given to his face, Loki spoke while approaching her.

"Hey, the plans I came up with during my time in you're world were top notch!" seeing Alua cross her arms.

"You destroyed a continent sized island to rescue Raven, who proceeded to suck your face off for seven days as thanks" the stares Loki had gained… left him blank for a reply.

"It was worth it" moving away Terragon stopped, lowering them down to an entrance, Loki turned.

"Wha-wait wait, terragon what are you doing?"

"We do not have time for dynamic entries Father, we must proceed with caution for the life of a child is on the line" stepping off of his hand with Ichigo patting his palm, Loki sighed.

"Alright, go back to the land of the living, if anything happens help them" nodding to them, Terragon crossed his arms before his body paled, sooner falling to the ground in pieces.

Staring at the entrance beside Yoruichi, Ichigo sighed, gaining her attention.

Patting him on the shoulder, her other hand set her Claymore on her back.

"I call dibs on the bastard who took her" snorting as they stepped forward, Griffon and Shadow appeared beside them.

"Don't count us out of this one" turning to Griffon with smirks, Shadow gave a growl of approval.

Looking to his companions, Ichigo gave a snort.

"Wouldn't have it any other way" coming to the entrance it was after a moment of complete darkness did Ichigo speak.

"So anyone have a light?" turning to them with clear vision, Loki looked to Cayde who turned to him with his eyes the only light right now, Loki reached into a vortex before bringing out a rope.

"I got a rope, hold on to it until we find a bright- Flash!" blinking at the sudden light illuminating the area, Loki gave a growl of pain while holding his eyes.

"SON OF A BITCH!" seeing him stagger into Alex, the virus sighed while holding him up.

"I take it he has night vision?" turning to Ichigo with a nod, Apacci, Yoruichi and Cyan Sung-sun winced at the implications.

"Ouch" groaning while his eyes glowed softly, Loki spoke.

"You're telling me, sometimes I hate being a Faunus with night vision" moving to walk ahead, they all stopped however as a figure approached, flanked by two girls, one black haired with twin pigtails, the other blonde with her hair spiked back.

Tensing up at the sight, Ichigo went to send shadow at them until the man spoke.

"HELLO, HELLO, good day to you all" seeing the man bow with a wing like accessory on his left arm.

Standing tall with a fedora on his head, the man removed it to show a smile.

"wonderful time for a walk, no?" smiling with his mask fragment being a pair of glasses over his eyes, Ardyn Lucis Caelum set his fedora back over his hair with Loki approaching with a laugh.

"Ardyn, so Aizen did take an interest" seeing Ardyn approach Loki, the two girls turned to each other before stepping between Ardyn and Loki, making him stop as they flashed daggers.

"Not one step closer towards Ardyn-sama!" seeing this, Ardyn placed hands on their shoulders gently, making the two turn to him in confusion.

"It is alright my dears… they are the friends I spoke to you of?" turning back to Loki as he gave a nod in greeting, the black haired girl blinked.

"Lord Loki" frowning at the two awed looks he gained, Loki turned to Ardyn who gave a snort of amusement.

"What exactly did you tell them?"

"Oh I merely told them of the time you and I traversed the lands of Skyrim" giving a chuckle at Loki's sigh, He spoke.

"If I could I would fus ro dah you to pieces for reminding me of that shit storm"

If I remember correctly you got so drunk one time you married several women, that includes the high queen" stalking by Ardyn who laughed, the wolf turned and sucker punched him to the floor.

"ALRIGHT, LET'S GO SAVE A CHILD FROM A POTENTIAL PEDOPHILE!" laughing after Loki's moment of embarrassment, Ichigo and Yoruichi approached the duo arrancar who stood stalk straight with fear.

"We need to ask you several questions?" turning to Ichigo, Yoruichi spoke next.

"Where's the girl brought here?"

Perking up with her cheeks reddening, Menoly spoke.

"She's been sent to Szayelaporro's lab. I was able to hear him mutter a few things when walking with Aizen" narrowing their eyes, Ichigo spoke with Shadow growling.

"What did they say?" sharing a look with Loly, shaking in fear beside her, the blonde spoke.

"They were discussing… cloning, and some parts about failures being disposed of, few occasions they would mention Cifer-sama along with Harribel-sama, and any female Arrancar with a strong enough reiatsu"

"Do you know where exactly the girl is?"

"She was recently set under the protection of Harribel-sama" seeing their eyes light up in hope, the two lovers shared a look before Yoruichi brought them into a hug.

"Thank you" getting a nod form ichigo, the two watched them run off after the others.

Leaving them sagging to the floor with sighs of relief.

"That's the man who harmed Aizen-sama?"

"He felt like I was being judged by a Vasto Lorde"