Bleach – The Heart of the Matter
By Tayla Drago
From the World of the Living and the Soul Society to be doing well by getting lots of reports back from both Rukia and Renji to tell the other Soul Reapers about everything - the news about Dracula's attack lately. Getting crazier little by little 'with Yoruichi going back and forth to do the same thing in person'. While some of the Hollows were being stopped, and saving the Wholes to performing the Konso; Renji and Rukia were getting back in doing just that and training from after their other job was done - school thing to then leave the area as Soul Reapers 'for hiding their Gigais somewhere safe'. Not bad for those two to be working as a team to get things done for Renji has been having feelings for Rukia to love her since they were kids and he still cares about her, but does she know about it? Oh, boy…We already know those two are a very cute couple with Renji and Rukia just using Flash Steps to get back to where they were living in to stay in the World of the Living. So it was all in a day's work, so where were Ichigo, Sonia, Alucard, and the others? Just those two for today…?
"That was an easy Hollow hunt today and saving a couple of Wholes, huh Renji?" Rukia asks him. "Not to mention more background check to this Dracula person. I think we need something from one of his monsters to learn about our new enemy, with any luck."
"Oh, really…?" Renji's face turns red when look at Rukia. "(Wow, I forgot how cute she is up close.)"
Oh…Super cute. And then Rukia yells in Renji's ear to come back to reality.
"Renji!"
"Ouch!" Rukia's yelling has gotten his attention. "What!? I'm right here!"
"Are you sure you're feeling all right? Also, did you hear what I just said?"
Renji was in love, and can be clueless 'sometimes' but he wasn't deaf.
"Yeah, of course I did." he said. "Something about getting one of Dracula's monsters to research on our enemy while aiding Sonia."
Rukia says the rest to add in Renji's sentence.
"And Alucard since he's a half breed to stop his own father for revenge from killing his human mother as well, don't forget."
"I knew that already!"
Yeah, right…But for Rukia to see that Renji sometimes forget to remind him all the time, like I said 'clueless', yes. An idiot to have trouble hearing…Doubt it, much.
"(Sure you did…)" Rukia kept to herself. "Look, let just get back for me to go to Ichigo's place and you at Urahara's-!"
Soon enough, Rukia felt something out from above them for something was flying the skies to sense out strong Spiritual Pressure. It could be trouble. As she gets moving for Renji 'finally' feels it out as well once he sees her taking off.
"Rukia?" Renji was lost right now."Where are you going-?" he sees what was up. "(What are those things? They look too weird to be normal looking bird!)"
It would seem like they were no ordinary looking birds at all to almost look human, they were demons! Working for Dracula to be swarms of them flying around to be after something from the skies to go after it form the small ones are like normal birds, with the other two that were very different. Looks like Rukia and Renji weren't the only ones in the area…
"Renji! Those things must be demons working for Dracula! I also feel both Sonia and Alucard are both be nearby!" she uses her Flash Step to get going. "Come on!"
He uses Flash Step too for him to join with Rukia from behind to get a move on.
"Hey! Wait up!"
Into the woods for the two Soul Reapers to find Sonia Alucard for they were getting chased by an army of bird-like creatures to be working for Dracula; as those two were doing something today to be stopped by their enemy's and their armies to try to stop them for they were known as Harpies. Beautiful to look at, but deadly to be mess with an army of those things 'from Castlevania Legends on the Nintendo 64 version', as the others were a Hawk type of demon as the male type and commander of the group. With their leader was a female captain as Maiden Harpy – with a blue appearance of beauty 'like from the video game Castlevania: Curse of Darkness', to be very violet to get the job done by killing, more like those birds were like bad bounty hunters to still work for Dracula but only to get the money. Of course Dracula has hired them to stop the two.
The Harpy is an enemy in the Castlevania series. It is a vicious bird-like creature with the head and torso of a woman. In Greek mythology, harpies would steal food from their victims while they were eating, and also carry evildoers (especially those who have killed their families) to the Erinyes. They seem originally to have been wind spirits. Their name means "snatchers".
Zeus punished King Phineus from Thrace for revealing the god's secret plan by using the gift of prophecy, given to him by Zeus himself. Phineus was blinded and put on an island with a buffet of food which he could never eat because harpies always arrived to steal it out of his hands. This continued until the arrival of Jason and the Argonauts. The Boreads succeeded in driving off the harpies but without killing any of them, following a request from Iris. The harpies returned to their cave in Minoan Crete. In this form, they were agents of punishment who abducted people and tortured them on their way to Tartarus. They were vicious, cruel, and violent, and lived on the islands of the Strophades.
A vicious bird-like creature that has the torso of a woman. Harpies are the most common type of bird people in the Castlevania series. First appearing in Haunted Castle, the Harpy has made herself known for being a quick and tough enemy to beat (and harder in numbers). She replaced the Eagle in her console debut in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, where she would drop Gremlins/Ghoul Rabbits. In later games, she appears holding a dagger in her talons and starts attacking by throwing it at the player. In Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, she can grasp onto the heroes with her claws and drop them from great heights. Harpies are usually paired with Iron Gladiators or other large monsters, like a Cyclops or a Red Ogre.
They attack in a number of ways:
Swooping down and slashing with their feet.
Firing a blue energy ball.
Picking up someone and carrying them around for a moment while constantly ripping at that person with their talons.
To steal from them, the player must allow to be carried by a Harpy and attempt to steal as soon as she lets them go. The window of opportunity for stealing is very small, however, and many attempts may be required. Since attacks from other enemies may hinder the process, it's recommended to dispatch of all surrounding opposition first and leave behind only the Harpy intended to steal from.
"Alucard!" Sonia was fighting back. "Be careful! These guys are-!"
"I know! Harpies are the wild and crazy ones to not be mess with!"
Guess he already knows about it as Sonia does as well, those harpies will be hard to be in greater numbers this time.
"A sister of Richard Belmont and Lord Dracula's disgraceful of a son, huh?" spoke Hawk. "Maiden, we sure have ourselves a couple of enemies who need to be dealt with by our hands. Or claws…"
Their leader Maiden Harpy will get the job done, even if she had Alucard killed as the only son of Dracula.
"Well, business is business to be taken care of after all. So I'll do what needs to be done." she gives her members an order."Now! Peck them both out, but make sure they're still breathing for us to bring back to our Lord Dracula for the money!"
And before Hawk and the other Harpies could all strike down at Alucard and Sonia to both be out numbered…Boom! Rukia fires at one of them by using her Kido moves to send one flying, and Renji on the rest of the group at a time with every hit he can give the bad birds. From one direct blast to a bigger one to take out the other in one shot! They have come to help the other two for Maiden Harpy wasn't stupid to know there were more enemies to their lord will only bring them more money for another day's work.
"Are you two okay?" ask Rukia.
"We came to help you guys out either way!" said Renji.
"Rukia and Renji?" confused both Alucard and Sonia here.
At least helped has arrived. Both Sonia and Alucard were surprised to see them for they had a chance to stop the harpy demons this time with four of them fighting all the armies off this time, payback time! This made the demon birds to get worried suddenly to not be part of the plan of Soul Reapers stopping them until now for Hawk to say something to Maiden Harpy.
"Ah! Soul Reapers!? What shall we do now, Maiden?"
The female leader of the harpy's walks up to the four.
"You're joking, right?" she asked to show her claws. "The more enemies who dare try to stop our Lord Dracula, the easier we can take them all out with a good price in stored…"
This gave Sonia and Alucard the chance to slow the harpies down…How so you may ask? She uses her metal whip to tie all the demon birds up, allowing Alucard to use his electric shock-like attack on all the harpies, Maiden Harpy and Hawk to be weaken; and allowing the two, Rukia, and Renji to make their escape as quickly as possible. Quick thinking there! They better get going before the power wears off as Rukia and Renji were amazed from their team work they just did there.
"Rukia! Renji!" Sonia calls out to them. "Snap out of it! We got to go!"
Alucard didn't think they would join them.
"But, Sonia-!"
"We have to keep on moving, Renji! At this rate, we're going to need their help after all! Now come on!"
So he goes along with Sonia's words to escape the area with her and the other two now joining them.
"You heard the lady, Rukia!" Renji joins them.
Then Rukia catches up from behind.
"(Such amazing skills those two have when it comes to working together…)" amazed Rukia. "(Whatever they were doing for those demons to come after them, Renji and I need to help them out. There's no turning back now.)"
The four kept on going 'wherever they were heading to as Renji and Rukia were now tagging along'. As they escaped from the harpy army, Hawk wasn't too happy at all as were the other Harpies either while Maiden Harpy was still as deadly and cool to be cutting an entire tree down with one hit from her claws to continue with the hunt, she enjoys it a lot.
"Let the chase continue." she said.
Hawk tells the Harpies to take flight…
"Oh, we shall…! Find them!"
I hope the four can out run the birds above them now than they were doing it from below. For Sonia and Alucard kept on going where they needed to be, for Rukia and Renji were tagging along now and for that have to continue where they needed to be from another harpy attack again, they'll be ready for them this time. Once all four were further away to be deeper in the woods was far enough to think of a new plan this time before continuing to move forward.
"I guess we've lost them." Alucard double checked. "Sonia, we might as well tell them now since the coast is clear."
Seems like Sonia must.
"Okay then. Rukia. Renji. Listen up, we're going to need some help to avoid those harpies. Please, help Alucard and me get to where we need to go to!" she says it to them. "Any of you ever heard of a person calling himself The Master Liberian?"
From the reaction on both Renji and Rukia's faces when Sonia said a name of a certain person, now this changes everything to their shocking surprise.
"The Master Liberian!?" the two Soul Reapers said.
"Yes, that's what Sonia said…" Alucard was acting very calm about it.
Seems like only Renji has learn of legends about this person calling himself the Master Liberian for Sonia and Alucard to be looking for him somewhere in the woods.
"Why wouldn't we know about him!? He's a legend!"
Rukia then does something with some pad of paper and some crayons with a pen to write it on, making another detail of show and tell from her child-like hand drawing of hers. It might as well listen in on what Rukia was about to say about the man that she and Renji need to help them out. Still…Why is Dracula sending out the harpies to go after the heroes? Care to show and tell, Rukia? For Renji to react to the man's name, there's a reason he needs to be found right away.
"He sure is. Allow me to explain…" she said.
Renji got mad for he was getting ignored.
"HEY! I KNOW ABOUT HIM TOO!"
As Sonia and Alucard sees through Rukia's drawings as she started to explain, to tell them all about knowing so much of the Master Liberian himself and Renji just goes along with it to be listening in. If only Rukia doesn't have a drawing of bunnies so much.
"The Master Liberian…He's the man who knows of everything in life. History of the World of the Living, making things to sell items like Urahara does, has a lot of books in his room, and so much more for this man to have everything in one building; for he lives deep in the woods to be very smart with some rare powers to use in battle from time to time. Mostly magical spells are his strong ones. They say from the battle of the curse of Dracula to be brought back to life in every century after centuries for him to appear and live for a very long time. He only gets paid from the heroes and some to be teaming up with the Belmonts the most to stop their same enemy for so long, this man has everything for anyone would need from potions, weapons, armors, and so on to upgrade. Since the last battle before this war had started to be shown again but this time the Master Liberian himself is hiding for the heroes who dare stop the Lord of Darkness as he's still useful for any Belmont family to guide them to victory. And it's Sonia herself this time and Alucard, to put an end to his evil half father. This is how Renji and I know about The Great Liberian, I've also been studying about the man a lot."
Before Sonia said anything about Rukia's drawing details again, she gives her the look of freakishness of 'don't say it…!' as Renji slowly pulls Sonia away to drop the subject in time.
"Let just drop the subject, shall we?" he asked nicely to be looking scared.
"Fine…"
And so, Sonia does so to make Rukia a bit happy again…Close call there!
"Good to know." she said. "So Renji and I both know about the Master Liberian, why are you, Sonia, and you, Alucard, want to find him so badly?"
"You want to ask him for his help in beating Dracula for good this time?" ask Renji.
Good question, why were they? For Sonia and Alucard to know about the dangers that Dracula was sending his monsters to kill them, they didn't seem to care to not worry about it at all. From Sonia explaining first and then Alucard to the two Soul Reapers one at a time…
"Because…" Sonia goes first. "Alucard just found out this time the Master Liberian has found a way to finally stop Dracula and ending the everlasting curse for good, and he's always right since he lived longer before I was born. This man lived longer than any of us and more compare to you guys as Soul Reapers from the Soul Society; for this man vows on revenge for Dracula's goons who took out his family and such and one missing younger brother to be unknown still for many centuries later for he's still alive to be looking for him to still be out there somewhere. And the reason why he's hiding in this forest it's hard to tell, but still Alucard and I have to find him!"
Alucard says the rest in his words next.
"We've been partners to stop my father several times over the past centuries, as we see each other a lot…He always told me he'll come up with something to stop him for good. Until then, I waited with anyone on my team to return to him someday with a Belmont member. Every time we were in war, he always hides in the forest to find a shining glare above the clouds to know he's around for me to feel him out; for which I did just around the area towards west of the forest." he points it out. "See? A sign means he, the Master Liberian has appeared again to aid us for it is where Sonia and I need to go to, and you two can help us out. The reason why Dracula, my so call father wants us killed by those harpies who are all rotten bounty hunters to play unfair to try capturing or to kill us. We can still make it; the only problem is…this man to be hiding at random places can be a bit tricky to find."
He was right, for this type of Liberian to be so powerful and a known it all will be a bit harder tracking him down. That's what he wants anyone who was an enemy to Dracula wants them to do. Even for Alucard and Sonia to try finding him in his own little game of his. Now Rukia and Renji must find the Master Liberian right away before the harpies do first.
"You're kidding me, right?" Renji complained.
But neither one of them weren't…
"I take that as a 'no', right?" Rukia took a wild guess right. "There has to be a way…"
Sonia was trying to feel something out of any remains of the Master Liberian with her powers of the cross to guiding her, to the direction where Alucard to be pointing at. Soon both Renji and Rukia looked at each other to know of a faster way to find the man in no time. And how's that?
"Hey, Rukia." Renji was about to say it.
"Yeah, I know." she said. "I think Renji and I might have an idea. Let's give it a shot."
Remember how Ichigo track down the bird 'with a boy's spirit to no doubt be in an animal's body' by pulling his Spirit Ribbon? Well, now Renji and Rukia give it a shot for the Master Liberian both do the same thing by working together…Soon the two felt it out to be pulling this spirit ribbon of the man they needed to find. This comes to a surprise to Alucard and Sonia on what they've just seen from a Soul Reaper's ability just now.
"Alright! We pinpointed his location!" Renji said with excitement. "Alucard. Sonia. Follow us!"
As Renji takes off on foot 'by using his Flash Step skills', Rukia tells Alucard and Sonia to follow them right away.
"(What just happened!?)" Sonia was lost.
"It just what us Soul Reapers do, Sonia." said Rukia. "Look, we'll explain about what else we can do later, okay? But for right now, we got someone we need to find! Let's get moving!"
Rukia goes to Flash Step to catch up to Renji next. As Sonia was still confused, Alucard places his hand on her shoulders to make her blush and tells her everything will be just fine to trust in their instincts.
"A-A-Alucard?"
"If our partners from a different world said they've found the Master Liberian, then we just must go with their words, Sonia." he said to her. "I feel like they're telling the truth. So let's get going."
If Alucard says so to Sonia to believe in him, along with Rukia and Renji too 'as well as learning a lot about Soul Reapers', then so be it to their point of views.
"(Oh…Why the hell not?)" she goes along with it. "(And I thought Soul Reapers were nothing more than a fairy tale when I was young, but it's the real deal.)"
Looks like the four headed out 'while one of the Harpies watched them from above', leaving Hawk to keep on reporting back to Maiden Harpy for all those dirty bounty hunter-like demons of Dracula kept on going all over the woods until they kill or bring Sonia and/or Alucard's bodies back alive to their master for payment. Kind of a sick twisted type of job, you know? As the four-kept searching around while tracking the ribbon for both Rukia and Renji to both do to try finding something…Alucard stops them and Sonia from going anywhere else to feel something out which could only mean more trouble was nearby.
"Wait! No one move any further."
"Is there something up, Alucard?" Sonia asks him.
There was alright. Alucard uses his fire skills to burn something to send two logs of trees from one end to another to crash in to each other, could've been the four to get smashed if they walk into the path. This half human and vampire was good to know of things very well.
"Ah, Rukia…"
Before Renji could say anything to Rukia, Alucard says something about the trap thing first.
"He made a lot of handmade traps." Alucard explains. "The Master Liberian doesn't take any chances with any type of Dracula's goons to try killing him, only for the heroes to follow through the ways to try getting to his hideout."
"Is he testing us?" Sonia guessed.
Alucard knew Sonia might be right.
"You could say that, yes."
So Rukia looks at Renji to give her the answer to try solving through the traps from the Master Liberian's doing…
"In that case, Renji, that's what Alucard's thinking about." she said. "We still need to track him down right away while following his spirit ribbon. Stay behind us, Sonia and Alucard. Let's go."
Rukia and Renji continue following the ribbon while Sonia and Alucard do their part to stop the traps on the way there, or try to avoid them all.
"You two back us up while we lead the way!" Renji said to them.
"We will!" both Alucard and Sonia said together.
And off they go deeper into the woods to try finding the Master Liberian 'still unaware that a harpy was following them'. And they do so while Renji and Rukia to follow the ribbon still as Alucard and Sonia worked together to stop the traps to cover the two; from a pit filled with spikes, a magical type of landmines be buried under ground, spraying some type liquid to pour out getting acid all over them, big boulders rolling down, falling deadly snakes to set them free instead, and a type of rope ties up on to a tree to hang you upside down.
So many traps were set up! But they were doing well…Just getting much closer now for the four to make it to their destination 'thanks to Renji and Rukia's help to see a lonely house in the woods right in front of them', they have done it. Well, for Sonia to sense another harpy to whip this one down to the ground to get stabbed from falling really fast to the heart. In pain, she makes her escape to report back to Maiden, Hawk, and the other harpy members right away.
"Crap, it's been following us!" Sonia was upset. "And we didn't sense it out…?"
Alucard stops her from doing anything right now.
"Sonia, wait!" he says it in time.
"But, Alucard…"
They have arrived at their destination now…
"It's fine. We'll be ready for them if they find us." said Alucard. "But for now, we better head on to Master Liberian's place right away."
He was right. As Sonia, Alucard, Rukia, and Renji stayed on track to get to the place of seeing the Master Liberian right away; while the other harpy was badly hurt, for she returns to Maiden Harpy, Hawk, and the other harpies to see one of their members was down for the count and reports back before her last dying breath, for they know of the heroes' location to take flight by going after them together this time. And their leader's a cold hearted bird-like creature who just pushes the demon's body aside! Rude! Well, this certain type of demon was killed because of her.
"Ah! Maiden!" shock Hawk and the other demon birds.
"You got any problem?!"
Maiden Harpy can be scary to not be questioned by her own members to drop the subject in time, even her commander Hawk fears her a lot more compare to the others.
"Never mind…."
"Good, now let us continue to follow our enemies." she said. "Fellow other backups of mine, go forth!"
Scary, isn't she? Maiden Harpy orders more of her members to follow the four as Hawk watches from above. As Sonia, Alucard, Rukia, and Renji still follow the ribbon to get where they needed to be as they get to the little small house, they were getting very close. As Alucard has his eyes closed to feel things out 'like he always does' and just in case anymore traps were around, Rukia was amazed from his abilities of his. Alucard is half human and vampire after all.
"I see you have powers to even withstand against your father." Rukia said to Alucard.
"Is that so?" he asked. "I guess this is what I am, I have reasons to never forgive him. To do anything I can to get what needs to be done. Answers."
Rukia was lost there.
"Excuse me?"
But Alucard just drops the subject.
"It's nothing. We should keep on moving, be on your guard, Rukia."
Ah…What was that all about? Weird. Well, I guess for Rukia will keep the words about Alucard to be acting very odd to herself; as Renji looked at Rukia to care for her and for Sonia to know what was on his mind right now. A childhood friend for those two working together for Renji's been in love with Rukia since they grew up together. Cute!
"What…?" Renji sees Sonia looking at him weirdly. "What's with the look you're giving me?"
"You love Rukia Kuchiki don't you, Renji?" she giggles.
This made Renji's entire face turn completely red all over and Sonia said that to him.
"Shut up!" he acted like he didn't. "What makes you think I do?!"
"Because you're acting just like Ichigo when he acts like that to Orihime. I can tell from the look on your face, it's written all over. So do you really like Rukia more than a friend?"
Seems like Sonia was right for Renji couldn't hide his true feels towards Rukia. A lot like Ichigo feels towards Orihime, am I, right? So, he tells her quietly while still on guard from any danger and whispering to one another.
"What of it…? She doesn't even notice me."
Sonia just laughs 'in a good way' to make Renji blush for he thought she would tell Rukia, but not really. As she tries to support him to tell Rukia on how he feels about her himself, the feelings from the heart really.
"Then try to tell her on how much you do feel for Rukia, you know?" she said to Renji. "Take my word for it…be yourself, say what's on your mind, show her how much you care for Rukia, and she'll like you back little by little. Trust me."
Renji believes in Sonia's words for he'll try to remember to do just that when he admits his feelings towards Rukia sooner or later, as he would think on Sonia will do the same with Alucard as well.
"Like you'll soon will too with Alucard?" he laughs.
This made Sonia blush to get mad about it.
"Renji! Come on!"
"What? I can tell between Ichigo and Orihime, Hayame and Uryu, and you and Alucard." said Renji. "You said so yourself, for me and Rukia do make the perfect couple. Just don't keep those feeling hidden from within you forever, Sonia, tell him. Because I will with Rukia soon enough. (And I will for you, Rukia.)"
Renji does have a point there for he'll do so if Sonia does with hers to admit her feelings to Alucard to be the same thing as Renji is, then they both laughed together about it to keep everything else aside to do so later.
"(He does make a good point. I guess, Alucard.) Very well, Renji, but until then…let's go visit the good old Master Liberian."
So Sonia and Renji both caught up with Alucard and Rukia after their talk for all was clear now to head on inside. They are there to check the place where the man was staying in 'or hiding' in to have a look inside for no more traps to be found anywhere; still to be alert from anymore harpies to show up real soon again to still be hunting them down for the four have a look around the house from the outside to find nothing, and the door to open slowly on its own. Weird…Still, they had to check inside by staying close to each other.
"Strange…" Alucard was curious.
"Alucard?" Sonia asks him. "Is he…?"
"Probably, let's head on inside. All of you stay alert."
He was…Alucard goes on in first 'since he knows of the Master Liberian longer than anyone else does', for Sonia, Renji, and Rukia follow him from behind to check if he was there. Looked dark and empty for a small house for a man like him to be living in.
"Hello?" Rukia calls out to him. "Master Liberian? Are you here? We are a friend to you and an enemy to Dracula. We seek for your help to stop him and his demons. Please?"
Searching around quietly, the door then quickly closes from behind them with no way to opening it back up now. Not good! Even Renji tries to from punch, kick, and slash their way out with no luck.
"Let us out of here!"
"Calm down, Renji!" Rukia said to him.
"Like hell I will! We just been locked in!" he said.
Then Alucard added…
"The Master Liberian had to protect us, after feeling us out…We're in the clear to be trustworthy to him."
He's right…I mean, hello? Alucard knew him for a long time now. Renji finally gets it to stop right away. Soon the man himself appears out of nowhere, from the same Master Liberian person from Castlevania: Sympathy of the Night video game character where you can buy items from and such; from long white bread hanging down, though looking and sounding old to be very powerful to use magic, a know it all, wears a red dark purple type of clothing, from hat too, always carries a book in his hands, with long fingers, and such for Alucard to remember him to look and sound the same as he was centuries ago. Also the first time for Sonia, Rukia, and Renji to see him in person.
The Master Librarian is a character in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night. The Master Librarian is one of Alucard's allies in his quest to find the reason for the castle's resurrection and his own awakening. For a price, he will supply him with weaponry, accessories, maps, and other useful articles. Although he seems to fear Dracula, he is not entirely loyal to him - perhaps since Dracula is not yet awake, he has fewer consequences to consider and is thus more willing to aid the Count's estranged son.
He is keeper of the Long Library in Dracula's castle. He has accumulated wealth of knowledge over the centuries and some special items as well, which he will part with...for a price. The items from which the Librarian will sell depend on the version and overall progress made in the game.
"Ah…Alucard?" Sonia questions Alucard. "Is that him?"
"It is." he answered. "The Master Liberian himself in the flesh. (Funny, he hasn't age one bit since the last time I saw him.)"
The Master Liberian looks at the four to see 'and feels them out by using his hand' to know who was who to be sure for himself. He does this to always make sure of it.
"I see now…I see all."
I guess the old man's first words to be speaking up.
"(I don't believe this, it's really him! This is the only chance for Alucard and me to ask this man for help, because if we don't…then Dracula wins…!)" Sonia speaks up to him first. "So…Are you him? The-!"
The Master Liberian speaks up first to answer that question for Sonia. I guess he was also psychic as well.
"Yes, it is I. The Master Liberian." he said. "Please to meet with you, Ms. Sonia Belmont…If that's who you are…I feel something from within you other than your older brother Richard Belmont has been capture by our enemy Count Dracula, the King of all Vampires. Damn him…!"
Right on the dot there!
"(Wow! He's too good! But who I am…? I am me, right?) Anyways, we're asking for your help to beat Dracula. Please."
"Hold that thought for me for a moment if you would be so kind, I need to feel out your other comrades…And please, do call me George Thomas if you would. It's my real name." he feels out Renji next. "So, you are a Soul Reaper I see."
He introduces himself.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"I know all, my boy. A top member of a sixth member to the Soul Society, am I correct?" he then goes up to Rukia next. "Along with your partner here. Member of the squad thirteen in a royal family name, you two know each other very well…"
"Rukia Kuchiki of the Kuchiki Clan, sir. Renji Abarai and I are here to protect the World of the Living."
Rukia does say things and more with Renji as well.
"I see…I'm very glad to see you two for the first time in my long years…" he then felt something out from Alucard to be very shock to be seeing him again but in a gasping kind of way. "Oh, dear…the son of Dracula but an enemy to him, Alucard…! Is it really you?"
Strange...what's gotten into him all of a sudden? Was there something wrong Alucard for George Thomas 'to be his real name' to act this way?
"Of course, George. It's really me. Why so worried?" he asked.
"Well…it just…"
Sonia says something next to get to the real problem.
"It was hard to see him again for the curse to continue on, we get it." she said. "Listen George sir, we need your help. We know that you know on how to stop Dracula as Alucard said to me, Rukia, and Renji as well. We've come to see you."
George gets it now…
"And avoid the traps while stopping Dracula's goons to follow you? Hmm…Well, it means you're all smart to come this far to watch out for the real danger to come real soon…But for now, yes. I've found a way to stop Dracula once and for all, after three long centuries I've been alive for another reason to be told another time...But in return to do the rest for the other Belmont members who I've aided and Alucard's as well way back over the years. So yes, I will tell you all."
This was great!
"You will?" questioned Sonia and Renji.
"Any enemy to Dracula, is a friend of mine. So please, come and listen in. Come on now."
They do so for Alucard, Rukia, Sonia, and Renji follow the man from within his hidden basement 'of another underground part from his small house' for him to have tons of books in his shelves to look up on and read, while walking around to tell them all about it, lots to learn.
"Then I guess we've come to the right place." said Rukia.
"Please, George, tell us everything you know." Alucard asks George. "If you would be so kind."
And so, George tells them all about it 'with the harpies getting near the house to find their targets from above to go after them'. As well as Hawk, Maiden Harpy, and the other army members catch up. As the four listens in on what was going on so please pay attention here…
"Very well, so listen well to what I've discovered…Count Dracula has lived for some long no matter how many times he gets killed from anyone trying to stop him besides the Belmonts for I've been studying him for centuries; as his trustworthy partner who's the Grim Reaper also known as Death himself to always have a spell to revive him for human's have dark hearts to make it happen repeatedly, nonstop for what I've seen. It never ends, although sometimes besides having the original Dracula himself, how so you may ask? Rumor has it at times Dracula comes back from not only from virgin women to be sacrifice for blood and soul, but the flesh as well from males to become the new Dracula to do the same cycle in the future, also it happened a few times leaving the other one to be killed. At least, that's how Alucard here and I've knew during the time. As I've been studying a lot about his army of vampires to understand Dracula can be defeated from his spirit and decaying his immortal body forever, and that's by chanting out a spell from a Belmont from the power of teamwork from your Spiritual Pressure…Gathering in a circle to surround him, having the blood drawn to trap both his body and spirit, and then chanting out these sentences to make it all happen: 'Shrouded by evil, with allies combined. Be gone, you demon, forever be demised'. If we can do it all to him with more than one Belmont by rescuing Richard from that monster, then maybe…we might have a better chance of winning this war and ending the curse for good."
Well, this makes sense for Alucard to believe in George's every word.
"Yes, it all makes sense." he said. "We need to save Richard, gather up together to stop his and your blood too, Sonia, and chant the spell to stop my father for good."
For Rukia and Renji to believe in it and were both speechless, as Sonia understands it all as well.
"Now we know Dracula's weak point to put an end to it all… (This is great!)" she then asks George another question on her mind. "Say, George, if you don't mind me asking…other than thank you very much for that information to finally be discovered…Why did you made yourself to be immortal if it's not to stop Dracula?"
Well, he tries to clear his throat loudly 'to not say anything there' for George was hiding something big from all of them.
"Ah…Any who, that's all I can tell you." he said to speak up clearly now. "For what we're dealing with today, you two are going to need my help on this one."
"We do?" Renji and Rukia said at the same time of confusion.
"With many reasons. My magic's very well done, I have my other reasons alone, and…we have an unwelcome company…Right now, from outside of my little hideout, as we speak. Allow...me!"
Yep, George was right for lots of demon harpies were trying to claw and peck as a group their way inside of the small building. For he senses them all out before Alucard, Sonia, Rukia, and Renji could. For one touch from his hand to place on the walls of the house from the inside, sending all the birds flying to be turn to dust and kills them. Nice!
"Come on, Renji!" Rukia was ready to go with her new gear to use for this fight. "It's time we all fought back too!"
Renji gets his to join with her outside of the place.
"Ah…thanks, old man. I guess…" he uses Flash Step to keep up. "Wait up, Rukia!"
Soon, Alucard and Sonia allowed George to join them for they catch up to both Renji and Rukia from outside as well to prepare for battle.
"Let's go! (I knew George would say something like this to aid us once again.)"
"Right! We got what we came for, and to join us. It's time to stop the harpies!"
All four were ready for battle as the other army of harpies were killed, allowing lots more to come flying by along with Maiden Harpy and Hawk to show themselves. As George was the last one to come out of his hideout to see the rest of the fight go down…for the other four heroes were all set to go. Could they hand this type of fight against the many demon-like birds? There were a lot of them!
"Maiden! They're here with the Master Liberian!" Hawk tells his boss.
So she and the others to all see from above, even for George to have a better looks at all of them.
"These are the harpy demons, I see…"
Like she cared but to get Sonia and Alucard the most for the money Dracula would pay for them, and to kill anyone who gets in their way for some extra coast.
"Never mind the old man! We are here for the Belmont and Lord Dracula's son, remember? We shall continue with our task and kill those who oppose us…" she then gives out the command. "We have enough army, so let's get with the program already. My followers, standby! Ready? And…Attack!"
All set to fight, Maiden Harpy, Hawk, and all the other Harpy demons all go in for the kill for the other four were on standby to fight back 'as George backs them up from behind'.
"Let's go, you guys!" Sonia said to the other three. "Charge!"
With Sonia using her fire to metal whips on some of them, Alucard cuts them all down with his sword to shock their bodies; leaving Rukia to have her ice skates to move fast to also be using her Zanpakto to turn the rest into ice to soon be shattered, and Renji to throw his boomerang to make the ground shake to try some and crushing them all to the bones. Ouch…! Doing well so far, until Hawk moves in fast to make the other four lose their guards for Maiden Harpy to make a powerful sonic wave to hurt their ears to get weaken. Same with George who couldn't stand the noise. Now this is playing unfair. And what's worse, more harpies come flying down to aid their leader. Cheaters!
"This is not fair…!" said Alucard to try getting back his hearing. "These guys always cheat!"
"From speed to their sonic wave attack, allows them to have the upper edge…! And calls up for more backup to hear for miles away!" George warns them about the harpies' abilities.
Hard to get your hearing back from yours ears was used and now they were outnumbered…! So Rukia tries getting back up to aim and fire at the leader with a direct hit by using her Kido type of attack and ice skating her way to female harpy.
"At last! We have the advantages now!"
"Not yet you haven't!" Rukia come charging in. "Bakudō Number 33! Sokatsui (Pale Fire Crash)!"
A direct hit, well…until a Maiden Harpy uses another one of her members as a shield to save herself from the attack, to catch Rukia by surprise.
"Big mistake, Soul Reaper." she grabs hold of Rukia to send her up in the air from her feet. "It's time we took a little flight, shall we? Hawk! Strike back at them with Lord Dracula's son and Belmont left alive!"
"Of course, Maiden."
"Rukia!" Renji started to panic. "Bakudō Number 31! Shakkaho (Red Flame Cannon)-!" But Renji stops for Rukia might get hit instead of Maiden Harpy to use her as a hostage/shield to protect herself with.
"That's cheating!" angered Sonia.
"And having more members just to throw them away…?" even Alucard a lot more. "By killing them like they were nothing?!"
Wow...Sonia has never seen Alucard this angry before. Well, we can't say we blame him to be this serious for caring on others. A bit too much from the looks of it. George even sees it through Alucard's eyes to still have an odd feeling about his behavior since the last time they've meant.
"So? We work as we get the job done for me and Hawk, if he's lucky to still be alive and by my side. All for the money and kills we do and die happy for it, we're not family to care like other weaklings do. We do it all to please our lord, that is all."
What a bitch, huh? For Sonia, Renji, and Rukia sees Alucard's point of view as well.
"Uncalled for…!" George feels the pain of others. "It's not fair of living by that monster's name!"
Hawk fires a feather-like arrow at George to shield himself in time.
"How dare you say that about our Maiden!" angered the bird demon. "We live, we served Lord Dracula, and die for him as she said all for the riches and blood. Now, my fellow birds, kill them all but the other two that we need alive!"
"Don't hold back!"
With both Hawk and Maiden Harpy say the words together 'and Rukia stuck with the main boss to try fighting back without falling to her death', the other three must hold them off to rescue their partner first. And from the many firing of sharp arrows to cut through anything they fired at. With lots more coming down at the other four…
"Everyone! Look out!" Rukia warns them.
For Alucard, Sonia, Renji, and George must block and shield themselves from the deadly feathers firing down at them. So much for them to keep up, but for how long? Even Renji tries to fight through while still getting hit a lot to still walk a lot from the arrows hitting his body.
"Rukia! I'll save you-!" but he gets hit again and keeps on going.
"Forget about me, you idiot! Save yourself-!"
"No! I'll die if anything were to happen to you…! I'll protect you with my life, Rukia!" Renji kept on going. "(I can do this…! Rukia will love me back soon enough, but for now…! She comes first!)"
Finally, he says it to Rukia's surprise from this part to come from his mouth as he kept on going. While Sonia, Alucard, and George try to hold their grounds.
"Don't stop attacking!" Rukia uses her Zanpakto to stab her in the foot to make Maiden Harpy scream in pain. "Ah! Why you-!"
"Can't fight me while you're clinging me with your feet, huh?"
With Maiden Harpy now mad, she flies around to weaken Rukia as she holds on to dear life. How can Renji and the others make it out alive?
"Renji!" Alucard calls out to him. "These harpies are too strong!"
"We can't stop their attacks for them to keep on firing at us forever!" Sonia said. "There has to be a way and save Rukia!"
Just when all was loss to get killed by an army of harpies…Just then a few drops down to the ground dead in fast speed, and the others to be cut in half for backup has arrived for two more allies have come to the rescue. Rukia feels out on who it was…
"(It can't be…!)"
"What is this?!" confused the female demon. "Ah!"
One slash almost got to Maiden Harpy to move throw Rukia into the fire, only for Renji to jump in to catch her just in time. Nice one, dude!
"(Thank God she's safe!)" Renji was happy. "I got you."
Rukia was happy, but now was not to the time to be having a cute moment! For right now that is…
"Hey, Renji! Let go!" she hits him to be free. "We got a battle to win! It looks like Ichigo and Yoruichi has come to aid us just in time."
So Renji, Sonia, and Alucard sees it all next by feeling them out.
"Ha! You're right. Good timing!"
Yep, it was Ichigo Kurosaki and Yoruichi Shihoin to the rescue. None of the enemies didn't see this part coming at all. Looks like the other army of harpies were getting defeated one by one 'all thanks to Ichigo's training from before and the new one now'; while Yoruichi had no trouble at all just be fast to punch and kick, the Flash Master herself.
"Rukia! Renji! What's up?" said Ichigo to stop another harpy in his way.
"Sorry we're late, but Ichigo and I've finally made it." said Yoruichi to beat up the other ones from behind. "And that makes twenty for me."
Okay…? Ichigo sees Yoruichi was acting like her cheerful fun self from time to time.
"This isn't a contest you know!"
Looks like Maiden harpy and Hawk weren't happy as well.
"Ah…Maiden…two more fighters against us…" feared Hawk. "What do we do now?"
Maiden Harpy will still win for her money.
"Grr…! We'll fight until we get our prize and kill the others! Keep on fighting! Onward!"
"Yes, maiden!"
With Sonia glowing up again for both Rukia and Renji were good to go for another Belmont power up to be doing.
"Another aid for our allies, I see…" so says George. "You know what to do from here, right Ms. Belmont?"
He was right for Renji and Rukia know of this and Alucard still.
"What the?" both Renji and Rukia said together.
"I think we can still do this, Sonia, with Ichigo and Yoruichi here and both Renji and Rukia are powering up now…We might have a chance yet."
Alucard was right for Sonia gives it a go.
"Then let's give these chickens a run for their money! Renji! Rukia! Here we go with you guys!" she said.
With a smile and such for Renji and Rukia felt some power of the Belmont to awaken – as Renji had his boomerang gone bigger to armor up with borders around his body like a rock person; and Rukia all in winter-like outfit to still go ice skating to use for battle. For the two had that to also transforming along with it to say these things.
"Ready, Rukia? Let's give these birds some hell. Lieutenant of Squad 6, Renji Abarai!"
The two hold hands to work together, still caring for one another 'little by little', and powering up at the same time.
"I sure am, Renji. Time for a little payback they'll be give to these birds. Lieutenant of Squad 13, Rukia Kuchiki of the Kuchiki Family Clan!"
Then the two were ready to fight back while saying this last part together…
"Powers from within. Activate!"
Now they were ready for all six got in their fighting modes again for some harpies were dead, but not enough to stop the rest and then for the last two who were Hawk and Maiden Harpy. So here we go! With Renji getting out his Bankai ready….
"Bankai!" it appears into a snake mode while still all power up. "Hihiō! Zabimaru (Two Kings)! (Wow, I'm glad I can do two things at once…I like this!)"
And with this, the heroes have a better chance of winning. For Yoruichi using her Flash Steps to outsmart the other harpies for George to create some type of bubbles-like shield for her to keep on running to kick and punch the demons so many times in midair; leaving Alucard and Ichigo to use their swords to slash and dash at the rest of them, and Sonia to fire whip to burn them to ashes. As for Rukia and Renji give it their all for with their new powers: from Rukia's ice skating skills to freeze some of them up and others to throw ice shards at their wings to break in a huge circle; leaving Renji to bash the rest with his stretch of rock to defending himself to shield some other attacks to make the ground shake for the ice to break in to cold waters and his Zabimaru to stop the rest with his huge body. Wow, all the harpies were down but two more were left.
"We did it!" Rukia was happy to get back at Maiden Harpy and Hawk next. "Let's finish this, Renji!"
Now the two started to panic.
"Ah! Not good, Maiden! Our enemies killed all of our members! We're out matched now!" Hawk flies around like crazy in fear. "What are we going to do?!"
Maiden hits Hawk to make a run for it by flying away.
"We must return back to Lord Dracula to regroup!"
This leaves Rukia and Renji to handle with the rest of those two since Ichigo, Yoruichi, Sonia, Alucard, and George were done dealing with the rest…
"You two know what to do with those guys." said Ichigo.
As both Rukia and Renji were looking at each other to do their part - for Rukia uses her Sode no Shirayuki skills to trap the two demon birds, as she jumps and then kicks them both with her sharp blade type of ice skating boots. Leaving Renji to have Zabimaru to tie up Hawk to finish the job. By punching the little demon's lights out.
"Lights out for you, little birdie." and Renji does it to be crushed and disappears to be dead for good.
"Ah! Maiden!" said the last dying words from Hawk.
Yep, he was gone leaving Maiden Harpy left to try using her sonic wave powers, but for Renji and Rukia fire their same Kido attack moves straight at her.
"Renji, are you ready?" ask Rukia.
"Oh I am, Rukia." he answered.
Fire away, you two love birds!
"Hado! Number Thirty-One! Shakkaho!"
With this attack hitting Maiden Harpy to turn to a deep fire bird and her voice destroyed, this was Sonia's chance to finish the job. Also, with a lesson to be learn a lot more today besides demons or selfish and messed up ones.
"Deep fried harpy, how tasty if we could eat it. But still Maiden Harpy, you should always rely on your teammates, to never be used as pawns to any of your kind. You make me sick but Hayame to use her own powers very well. So it's time for payback for a cold-hearted bitch you really are." Sonia uses her weapon. "Now…have a little taste from my cross!"
"No…! Leave me alone, Belmont! All I wanted was the money! I die for the money!" and with one final hit, Maiden Harpy was no more for the bad harpies were gone for good.
With Renji and Rukia high fiving each other to stare for a while to keep to themselves only 'and Sonia keeps their moment to herself', now all was good…As Yoruichi and Ichigo's works were all done.
"Well, that's that I guess."
"Boy, you said it." she pulls Ichigo out of the area to wait for the others out of the forest. "Come on, Ichigo! Let's wait up for them back at the entrance of the forest! I'm about to get fleas and ticks on me if I stay here for too long."
And so, Ichigo wasn't happy to not be staying with the others, at least for today.
"Hey, wait! Yoruichi! This so uncalled for!" he argues.
Well, they'll be fine. As George was grateful for the four 'or six' doing a fine job for today.
"Well, done you two." he said. "We all make a great team today. With lots more to come around."
"That's true, George." Alucard sad. "I better make sure there are no more of Dracula's goons watching on us."
Alucard jumps down from one tree to another to be on watch for a few seconds for Sonia to say so to George.
"He does this all of the time…Anyways, George, thanks for all of the help today and joining our team. Where will you go from here? You don't want anymore of Dracula's monsters to try to get to you."
George turns his hideout into a little box to carry in his bag and his books.
"No worries, I travel a lot as you can plainly see."
So she does sees it…
"I suppose you're right." she said. "Anyways, if you like to live in Alucard and my village just west from these forest, go right ahead. You should be safe there and come to help us out at any time you like."
George will do so by finding the location no problem at all.
"I will. Thank you." said George. "And one day, I will tell you all about my real reason of me staying immortal. But for now…"
Sonia gets the picture.
"Right, stopping Dracula as you said on how to and his other goons come first. We'll be seeing you then. And we can wait until you're ready to tell us the rest."
George bows to say his goodbyes for now until the next time he shows up again.
"More like I'll come to you if you're needed." he said. "Farewell…But a little warning before I go, Ms. Belmont. For you'll know more about it yourself sooner than you think, and I would beware of Alucard if I were you."
Well, this was new coming from George as the Master Liberian himself leaving Sonia to be very confused.
"Why? What's wrong with Alucard? Is he sick?"
"Trust me…I'm leaving now, please excuse me. And please tell Alucard and your friends I said thank you for everything." George leaves the scene to hopefully be wrong on what he was thinking about.
As for Renji an Rukia…They were having their moment together to see George leaving, and for them to finally have their moment of their own type of love.
"Hey, Renji. We did well today you and me. Even with these new items and powers, we're going to win this war in no time."
Renji was blushing to be staring at Rukia again.
"Ah…Yeah, I know…" he was heavenly in love with her. "(Man, what a woman…)" Rukia hits Renji on the head to be correcting him 'again'.
"Renji! Pay attention!" she said in anger.
"What?! Ouch!" he said in pain. "Again, after I saved your sorry ass?!"
"Oh, yeah! Sure…! My dumb knight in shining armor to be grateful for and fall in love with, right?"
"That's right, Rukia! And I mean it because I have feelings for you since we were growing up together as kids-!"
Renji stops right there to saying the rest to Rukia. As the two stared awkwardly at each other, to have both of their faces turn red…a silly scene to be a very cute one they make.
"Renji…" Rukia was left speechless.
"Oh, no…" Renji panics. "I'm sorry! That came out wrong!" he ducks his head. "Please don't hit me again!" but instead, Rukia pats Renji on the head to feel a bit nicer for a change for her to smile.
"I won't, Renji, calm down. And…thanks. You were cool out there and all to save my life. Twice now."
And so, looks like their relationship was soon growing little at a time. Making Renji very happy to get Rukia to notice him at long last.
"Really…?" he keeps this moment in mind for Rukia's sake. "Ah! Thank you, Rukia. Maybe we can…hang out later?"
"Hmm…After we do a few more things to stop Dracula. How does that sound?" Rukia said to him.
Seems like a plan would be better than nothing for Renji was fine with it.
"Deal. (Well Sonia, you were right. It does feel good to let your feelings out to someone you truly love.)"
With them shaking on it, Alucard comes back down to see George leaving and for them to meet Yoruichi and Ichigo out of the woods now.
"Alucard." Sonia sees him back. "(Way a go, Renji, keep at it with Rukia. Small steps like Ichigo and Orihime along with Uryu and Hayame are doing the same thing.)"
"We're good to go, at least for today. We should head back." he said. "Come on, you love birds. We did well in battle, it's time we rest up."
So much for Renji and Rukia's moment in love together to be ruined now. Ouch. To get back to not admitting things again to be hiding from Alucard and Sonia.
"We're not in love! How dare you, Alucard!" angered Rukia.
"Mind your own business, will ya?!" and Renji.
Sonia just laughs for Alucard to just stand there to be all calm and all, still hoping he was still himself and not George warning her about Alucard's odd behavior just now…
"Are you coming, Sonia?" Alucard asks her. "We got more hunting to be done later."
It's time to get going, for Sonia was over thinking to leave it to herself.
"Oh, right, let's go! Lots more enemies to be stopped those who work for Dracula…Yep!"
The four leave the woods now for Rukia and Renji stayed close and Sonia and Alucard catch up with them.
"A lot to report back to the Soul Society later." Rukia said. "But maybe tomorrow I will."
"First we rest. Good thinking, Rukia…" said Renji.
"Thanks."
All's well that ends well for today as something was watching from above, who was Daku again to report back to his master Dracula 'as promised' to watch over the enemies to be studying on them every day, not good…As Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Alucard, and Sonia hang out somewhere to eat after a long day to rest up afterwards 'and Yoruichi reporting back with Urahara to let him know from what's was going on and such', while George was making his way to Alucard and Sonia's village-like home on foot all the way from the forest…something was on his mind for he wasn't making things up about Alucard that he warned Sonia about.
"(I sure hope Ms. Belmont hears my warning about Alucard, for he has changed for some strange reason I'm not sure of yet. But it has, on what though? As well as…that woman will soon learn about herself to be much different than a Belmont person, this much is true.)"
What did he mean for Sonia was different than a Belmont member? Also, what does he feel out from Alucard that he wasn't himself lately? For Rukia felt something from him on what he said from earlier, what was going on? More to come…
