Bleach – The Heart of the Matter

By Tayla Drago

From what happened in the World of the Living, we cut back to the Soul Society again for Ichigo and Sonia to be talking to one another on the screen to tell him on what's been happening to everyone else who were getting stronger, the warning message from Dracula, and for Ichigo with his other friends heard it too; and to bring even more bad news about Richard knowing about Carrie and her Cousin to meet their ends. From one being of a vampire for curse to take over and the other to be killed to still be a fighter in the group. Sonia was shock to hear the whole thing to remember hearing about a Fernandez Warrior who aided her step-brother and got captured. Sonia wishes she could've done something for the two if she wasn't stuck in the first place, as well as taking care of her egg from the Zanpakto while still training.

"No way…Ichigo, are you be serious? Why didn't Master Shu tell me about this?!"

"Believe me, he told us after Rukia and I perform the Konso. Carrie will still be helping us out, somehow." he explains. "Look Sonia, it sucks, believe me. But what's worth, it was Dracula's fault, not your brothers. We will save him. I need you to be brave. Keep on training like we are and…" Ichigo got embarrassed to say something to Sonia. "And…don't let the curse take over you either."

Sonia knows of the whole issue to deal with carefully.

"I know, Ichigo, you guys be careful back in the World of the Living. I hope Uryu and Hayame are happy together, Rukia and Renji are doing well, other than liking each other more than friends, Chad's taking care of himself, Kon to not cause too much trouble, Ririn, Kurodo, and Noba are getting stronger; Urahara, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu, Yoruichi, also, tell both Maria and Howey I said hi to them. And with George on our side, this is great. And Furio, nice of him to show up again. And for you and Orihime…" Sonia laughs. "I hope you two started to cuddle and make out-!"

This made Ichigo blush to be spending time with Orihime to get really shy about it.

"Ah! Shut up, Sonia! That's none of your business!"

"What? It's true…Tell her you want Orihime to be your girlfriend soon, will you?" she said to Ichigo. "Uryu and Hayame already are and for Renji will soon to Rukia, you need to do the same."

"And what about your new love life since you're over Alucard?" Ichigo asks her.

It was hard to get over, but she was done to let that go now.

"I'm fine. I found someone I do love now… (Jushiro…)" Sonia daydreams about him.

That's right, they don't know about it, huh? Even for Ichigo who wanted to know who it was.

"You do? Nice." he was happy to hear. "So, who is he?"

"I'm not telling, Ichigo, maybe when you finally admit you love Orihime, then maybe…"

The two laughed for Ichigo to be patient with Sonia, he can wait until they finally meet in the Soul Society real soon.

"Ha, ha, very funny. Look, Sonia, I better get some sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow, okay?" said Ichigo. "And I can't wait to meet with your new boyfriend soon."

"And you do the same, Ichigo. Good night." she said.

"Later."

With them calling it a night for Ichigo to be tired and then passing out in his bed, Sonia gets back in hers to hope that Richard Belmont was doing well to soon be saved.

"(Big Brother, be strong for me. I will save you. I'm getting close to my Soul Reapers powers…and a curse to get rid of too like yours.)" she said to look at the night sky. "(Eichikiba, I hope you'll help me release you in battle soon. And this egg…Did this come from the weapon itself? What am I supposed to do with it once it hatches?)"

Good question, what will she do with it once it does? Back at Dracula's hideout for Succubus to hate looking at Sonia to have her killed, for the mind controlled Richard will go next to send out another demon, she had something to give to the two for them to use and getting the job done. Either that or she'll come flying back again later. Still, she is one sneaking bitch who can't take a hint of her boss not loving her back. You know what I mean? And whatever she was about to give to Richard could only mean trouble for Sonia.

"Oh, Richard, could I speak to you for a moment before you head on out again?" she asks while acting like her cute self to be flittering with men.

Like he cared to still see what was on Succubus's mind.

"Kind of busy taking care of a task for our Lord, remember? Make it quick."

Succubus gives Richard something for his next monster to use for battle that was…some type of sword that doesn't look too friendly at all, but rather…dangerous.

"Here you go, a gift from me for you to give to your monster." she explains on what it was. "Any creature will do to wielding it with wickens from within their souls. The Demon Sword. Once a monster uses it to kill their enemies who get in your way, with it can increase your monster to become twice as strong. Powers, physical strength, not afraid of dying, and such, it does all the tricks. It helps me in training a lot, so I was like…why not lend a hand. So take it, and do this for Lord Dracula."

With many veins on the blade, like a flesh from someone's body, bones on the hand, an eye in the middle, and having lots of energy coursing through the weapon…it was too powerful. As Richard takes it to give to one of his monsters to use for today's mission, he'll do it for Dracula to care less about Succubus's odd behavior to not fall for her seduction.

"Fine, I'll make some use out of it. But I'll take the credit on this one." he said.

"Glad I could help, now go have fun…And let the Belmont Girl's death be a good show to be one, little, and very surprising accident to happen…" almost giving out her evil plans away to act like her happy self in time. "Ahem…Anyways, get going now, Richard, bye."

With Richard taking off with the Demon Sword, Alucard walks in to see what Succubus was saying just now. Good hearing he has…

"What was that, Succubus? You were mumbling something from earlier." asked Alucard

"Me? Say something…? Ha! Nice one, Alucard. I only said to Richard was this..." Succubus lies to come up with something else. "And give those Soul Reapers a good soul and blood stealing while you're at it is all. You need to lighten up, Alucard." she said laughs and then flies around the castle. "Now if you would excuse me, I need to take a nice hot bath. So, no peeking…" she winks.

Like Alucard would do something like that to Succubus herself.

"As if."

Okay, something's up with Alucard because he doesn't seem to be doing much to be against the others to still join with his father. Something was up to watch over Sonia from time to time and Richard Belmont. The next morning for Sonia to be sleeping well, Ukitake 'to get healed in time from his girlfriend's powers' from his illnesses to smile as he wakes her up with a kiss on the lips.

"Oh, Sonia, it's time to get up." he said to be happy to hug Sonia and kissing her. "Hi, cutie."

"Hi, Jushiro." Sonia wakes up to hold her boyfriend. "I like waking up by your side." she gets the egg to see it doing well. "How did you sleep, my little friend?"

Ukitake laughs to see Sonia to get better overcoming the curse a little, training hard, using her Zanpakto to master little by little, and the egg as well that came from her weapon.

"Too cute! Just seeing you do so many things like this."

"What about it?" she asks with a smile on her face. "I thought it would be best for my Zanpakto Eichikiba. That stands for Winged Demon of Darkness. Or that's what he told me. I've seen it, but I have no idea about the powers to awake it yet or this egg. I hope it'll come around soon."

Tayla: Funny thing about Zanpaktos of Shikai and Bankai is this…

Shikai

Shikai (Initial Release) is the second (or first upgraded) form available to a Zanpakutō. To activate it, the Shinigami needs to learn the name of their Zanpakutō. This is not as easy as simply picking a name, for the living spirit of the Zanpakutō already has its own name. The Shinigami must be able to communicate and harmonize with their Zanpakutō effectively, which requires being able to speak to the spirit within its world.

The blade changes shape and gains special abilities by chanting a Kaigo (Release Call), or release incantation. Using the Kaigo, followed by the name of the Zanpakutō, activates Shikai. It is crucial to memorize each phrase, for every Zanpakutō has a different incantation.

The commands vary between users and range from a simple imperative verb to a short poem. They often relate to the Zanpakutō's signature ability or hint at the nature of its spirit. This step may be bypassed by expert Shinigami who have learned how to use their Bankai.

Achievement of the Shikai is a mark of control of a Zanpakutō, and it is a requirement for advancement within the Shinigami ranks, for most seated officers are capable of Shikai. It is required to achieve the rank of lieutenant, for it is a requirement which most captains look for.

Bankai

Bankai (Final Release) is the second and final upgraded form of a Zanpakutō. Prior to Ichibē Hyōsube giving this form its name, it was known as a Shinuchi (True Hit), and when a Shinigami achieved it, they would possess an "Evolved Zanpakutō" (Shinkashita Zanpakutō). To achieve Bankai, one must be able to materialize and subjugate their Zanpakutō spirit. Materialization means the opposite of getting dragged into the Zanpakutō's inner world: the wielder needs to summon the Zanpakutō's spirit into the physical world. It usually takes 10 years or more to achieve, plus the experience needed to master it. Despite the Zanpakutō spirit being subjugated for their Shinigami to learn Bankai, the Zanpakutō also becomes stronger and learns Bankai at precisely the moment their Shinigami learns it. Even though Bankai is the final stage of a Zanpakutō, it does not mean the Shinigami's growth ends there. A Bankai, especially one recently obtained, can evolve even further as its Shinigami gets stronger.

The power and forms of Shikai and Bankai are dependent on the Zanpakutō, and vary according to the wielder's strength and training. But in general, one's power can grow 5 to 10 times greater by attaining it. Only the strongest Shinigami can use it, and it is the ultimate technique of a Zanpakutō. Even the four noble families, whose members are always exceptionally talented, only have a member capable of Bankai every few generations. Those who achieve Bankai always have remarkable roles in the history of Soul Society.

Tayla: Now back to our story…I just wanted to explain about the forms of a Zanpakto. But the egg part of the weapon Sonia has, it's a mystery there.

"I take it your uncle told you all about Zanpaktos, correct?"

"He did." answer Sonia. "And this egg…you think I'll reach to Shikai from my Zanpakto and then Bankai?"

Ukitake hugs Sonia to laugh again to make her feel happy, while explaining the rest to her.

"Oh, Sonia, I can't resist your cuteness…And in time, it will happen." Ukitake said. "From one thing to another for your Zanpakto to call out to you again, like it was with mine to have it only in Shikai mode. Some have the same or have both forms to make them stronger. So there's no need to worry if yours is in one mode, because it's good to just be yourself."

For Sonia to feel out both the egg and her weapon to see that something might come around for her until then, something good to trust in her boyfriend's words.

"(Listen to my Zanpakto…)" Sonia gets it. "You're right, Jushiro, I'll listen to what my weapon has to say. I'll do my best."

"At a girl." Ukitake kisses Sonia's head.

Just then…an alert goes off all over the Sereitei of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad of another break in the Soul Society of one of Dracula's henchmen, the Mind-Controlled Richard Belmont to appear again. But that's not all, last night a Soul Reaper goes missing to report it to all of the captains and lieutenants to find someone; even for Kiyone and Sentaro rush in to the room to tell both Sonia and Ukitake that right away.

"Captain Ukitake! Sonia! Urgent news!" Sentaro said.

"It's not good at all!" Kiyone said.

Before those two can argue at each other 'yet again', Sonia stops her friends to ask them what the situation was.

"(Again with this…) Kiyo! Sen! Focus! What's wrong?"

Thanks to Sonia's words, they snapped out of it. As both Kiyone and Sentaro say it together on what the problem was to stop an enemy of Dracula 'and also to save Richard' and saving the missing Soul Reaper, whoever it is.

"Right! Lieutenant from Squad Seven, Tetsuzaemon Iba! Another enemy has appear as one of Dracula's minions and Captain Sajin has send us a rescue mission for him right away! He could be in grave danger!"

Once they said that part out loud, it wasn't good for Sonia to hear about Sajin's lieutenant to go missing.

"Sajin-Wolf's lieutenant is missing because of an enemy…?" shock Sonia. "(Dracula!)" she takes off to stop her brother and goes to rescue Iba right away. "You two stay with Jushiro! I have to go!"

And taking both the egg and her Zanpakto, she uses her Flash Step to sense out Iba right away.

"Sonia-!" Ukitake was a bit too weak to do anything until he fully heals to be ready for anything. "(Please be careful.) Kiyone. Sentaro. Get everyone else to have a look around and then the two of you. We have to find Lieutenant Iba."

"Sir!" said both Kiyone and Sentaro.

With Kiyone alerting the rest of the Soul Reapers to start searching and Sentaro does the same thing too while checking on Ukitake. At least the Captain of Squad Thirteen will be fine 'thanks to Sonia', as she rushes all over the Sereitei to find Iba to check around the area somewhere and her brother without giving up; from every of the other captains and lieutenants do the same thing from up, down, left, and right without giving up. Sonia doesn't stop to go even further down the court yard next, as Rangiku joins with Sonia.

"Sonia! Wait up!"

"Rangiku, hey!" Sonia was surprised to see her friend. "Have you see any enemy or Iba to be found? Sajin-Wolf told me about his lieutenant. I've seen him a few times with Hisagi and Ikkaku. A nice guy."

Sonia seen him a few times in her training and hanging out with her friends to tell each other on how cool Sajin was to be liking Iba, a nice guy to be a cool fighter. Rangiku understands how she felt to finding him right away.

"He is a good man, Sonia, let's keep on searching. This way!" Rangiku leads while Sonia follows her and explains who Iba was. "Iba was originally the fourth seat of the 11th Division and Ikkaku Madarame's superior, but transferred to the 7th Division because getting promoted to lieutenant in the 11th Division was more difficult, if not impossible. It is rumored that he wished to become a lieutenant not out of personal ambition, but to please his mother, Chikane Iba. As a result, his former compatriots in the 11th Division look down upon him, as they deem the other divisions weaker than they are. Despite this, he has a habit of hanging around their division's headquarters. Despite having left the 11th Division, it is clear he still enjoys a good fight, and during his duels with Ikkaku reveals a maniacal grin much like his sparring partner."

I guess it would make much more sense there and more about Iba by far, not bad…As the two girls kept on running all over the place to try to find Iba to be anywhere, Sonia felt out Richard to be nearby in the courtyards by going down there and see, while Rangiku kept on searching from above.

"Now I know more about him." Sonia then felt something nearby to be a strong one. "(Big Brother…)" she takes off. "Rangiku, I know where they are! Go search up high and I'll go in low! (Dracula's trying to mess with me again to send out Richard to try to capture me as my weakness, and by using a hostage is mess up to do. If I don't hurry, then he'll lose both his soul and blood. I won't let my Big Brother stay affected by the curse no more. For Carrie's Cousin, I have to try to save him.)"

Hopefully if Carrie's Cousin couldn't be saved, then saving Richard would do some good 'even for Maria's sake'. Sonia was fast for Rangiku was unable to stop her friend to also be worried not only about Iba's safety, but also for Sonia's too 'even due to the curse'.

"Hey, wait! Sonia! (Ah, man…Just be careful, alright?)"

Well, Rangiku kept on searching alone again to leave the other side of the area to Sonia now. As Sonia went in deeper of the huge maze of the entire courtyard to see someone tied up in the air on some pole lamp, she found him at least to use her water skills of it as she makes it sharp to free him to be unharmed or injured anywhere at all.

"(Good, I've found him to be the first important thing to do.) Iba!"

"Huh? Sonia?" he was in a daze to see her looking well. "What happened?"

She unites the rest of the weird ropes to free Iba.

"That's what I like to ask you. Do you remember anything?" Sonia asks him.

With Iba explaining to Sonia on what happened from late last night…He was on patrol all over the Sereitei to have some drinks a little to then hanging out with his friends, until something came up from behind and took him, tie him up, and the hung him around until someone found him. Doesn't know who it was to see that person, how he or she sneak up to hide their Spiritual Pressure, and such to let himself get kidnapped so easily.

"And that's what happened."

"Hmm…" Sonia thought about something else to ask to Iba next. "I see…Then answer me this, Iba, since you're unharmed. Good to know. Did you feel out the aura power of Dracula? Anything at all?"

Iba tries to remember well from the odd energy of Count Dracula to feel a bit familiar to have some human and some demon to be around that person.

"Oh, yeah!" Iba remembers. "One was human…and with him…was one of Dracula's goons. In fact, from that feeling to sense out…"

He stops for both Iba and Sonia feel out the two who were be nearby where they were in already. Not good. For Sonia to feel out that her step-brother is back to still be in Dracula's control to kidnap her and destroy anyone else who's in his way for blood and soul to collect, to get out her powers and Zanpakto to get ready.

"They're still here…! And they are…! Iba! Get ready to back me up!" she said. "They're here!"

"They…? Huh? Where?" Iba asks while getting ready just in case.

"There! (Big Brother!)"

And on top of the wall side from behind Iba and Sonia to see as Richard Belmont has appear to carry out the job and for the two to get ready to fight him.

"Hello, Belmont Girl, we meet again. I won't be caught by you so easily this time. I will bring you back to Lord Dracula and to kill anyone who stands in our way to achieve our goal, along with some blood and souls to gather from them. For me to be a demon master, I won't be stopped like the last time with one Soul Reaper to back you up." Richard said to showing the Demon Sword. "Allow me to introduce you to a weapon-like demon known as the Demon Sword to give this next demon a hand to defeat any of your friends in seconds." Richard uses his powers to open a portal for one of the monsters to come fighting out. "Now it's time to kill, Lesser Demon!"

And out comes a creature who could fly and fire off laser type of powers from his eyes to be both fast and dangerous with his claws to also summon other weak demons, who sounded like a fruitcake 'if you know what I mean, to still be powerful to battle'.

They are flying demons who patrol their territory and wield powerful magic. Some can summon demonic allies. The Lesser Demons can summon allies, and are temporarily invincible during this process. The first such demon encountered is a boss demon which can summon a Mudman, a Slinger 'as some skeleton in armor' or an Ectoplasm 'to be some undead spirit combine into one'.

With the Mind-Controlled Richard to throw the sword to Lesser Demon to grab hold and he was ready to fight.

"Ooo…Hello, enemies to Lord Dracula. How are we all doing?" the demon questions the two.

For both Iba and Sonia to be seeing Lesser Demon who sounded and acted a bit different from the other demons that Sonia herself has face with so far…

"Ah, hello…?" Iba was lost. "Is this thing serious?"

"Don't look at me, Iba." Sonia explains. "Lesser Demon are only good for are summoning other weak ones to sound like…this one is…" she then sees something in Lesser Demon's hands. "It's his weapon I'm more worried about to feel more alive…! The Demon Sword is bad news to upgrade this one."

She's right for the Demon Sword was bad news to be using in battle – sort of the thing boss from Donkey Kong Country 2 second boss part, sort of. To swing it around to summon a few weaker demons for the Lesser Demon was ready to fight.

"Alright, you know what to do. Get the Belmont Girl by any means and kill that Soul Reaper." Richard gave the demon an order.

Iba didn't like to be made a fool for getting kidnapped so easily.

"You were the one who picked the wrong Soul Reaper to fight with, you bastard!"

"With my new toy? I love it…Thanks, Richie boy!" he demon swings a powerful swing to make a wind to destroy the wall to make a hole in seconds. "Super strong…Now then, you two! Time to get you, girlie, and you mister, to die for me. Time for some killer exercise…Oh, boys…get the sunglasses person!"

With the three other demons going after Iba for him to fight them with his Zanpakto…From avoid drowning in mud to death, getting almost stabbed by the walking skeleton, and a strange demon who was trying to create a powerful energy wave to paralyze the man; as Sonia fights against Lesser Demon to fire both his beam-like attacks and swings his sword around. For her to use her Zanpakto to stop any slash type of strikes to laser type of blasts. Both fast, for the Demon Sword was making Lesser Demon twice as strong now.

"Iba!" Sonia was worried about him again.

"I'm good-!" he said while fighting with three demons. "Just try to stay strong, Sonia, I won't let you get capture! Watch it, ugly!" Iba cuts one of them down for a few seconds. "Sonia! I'm coming to help you out, when I can-! Wow!"

A close call there for that dude. For Sonia tries to do the same to use her water Kido moves at Lesser Demon to fly, use his powers, or cut them all down into a puddle. Nothing was working! The Demon Sword was too powerful to stop the demon himself as Richard watches to know that he'll get his job done thanks to Succubus's help 'or so he thought'.

"Oh, yes! I just love how this weapon can give me a boost to win this battle! No way you can beat me now, Belmont Girl…"

Sonia however did give up as she tries to push Lesser Demon back to get away to use one water move to hit his face.

"How about a little water, demon!" she fires one.

That move blinds Lesser Demon to have trouble firing anymore of his beam attacks to go all over the place to try opening his eyes.

"Ah! You bitch! I can't see! I'll get you!" the demon kept on going.

For Richard to get out of the way before getting hit, makes one demon melt completing. Allowing Iba to do the same to cut down the skeleton one once its sword was melted. And the same to be pushed and blows up. Three were killed thanks to this guy's sneaky skills to love to battle. While trying to keep his hair from burning off from Lesser Demon's out control attacks to be shooting out.

"I got them all." he ducks in time. "Hey! Watch it!"

"You idiot!" Richard tells him. "Use your powers with the Demon Sword to finish the job now!"

And Lesser Demon does so while trying to dry his eyes out to swing away to still be too powerful for Sonia to avoid, only for Iba to arrive and uses a Kido move on that demon to stop him and his new weapon.

"Bakudo! Number Eight, Seki (Repulsion!)"

One blast gets a hold of Lesser Demon to have his sword in his hands to try breaking free, but he was having trouble doing so.

"Hey! You cheated! Take this!" he fires another blast.

But Sonia and Iba uses their Zanpakto powers to push the beam blast back to shoot right into Lesser Demon's chest to get hit like so, leaving Sonia to finish the job with her special attack to wash this bad demon away and the evil sword with it.

"Step aside, Iba, I'll finish this!" she fires away. "In the name of the Belmont Clan! Holy Cross, I now Bathe ties the Evil. Be…Gone!"

One water attack of huge waves come up to wash Lesser Demon completely away with one hit…

"Crap! I'm dying…! But at least I'm going out in style!"

And the demon was no more now…Only for the Demon Sword to fall after that for Richard has failed again. Another victory for Sonia and Iba to win this battle easily, a bit too easy if you ask me. As Succubus watches the rest through a crystal ball back at Dracula's hideout to snap her fingers, 'to also have Alucard spy on her again'…it happens. For Richard doesn't see this one coming at all from the weapon to be moving in the air to be more than a sword, it was a real demon was really part of a weapon!

"Ah, Sonia…" Iba tries to tell her. "Good winning and all, but…why is the sword moving on its own!"

Sonia knew that this would somehow happen, and it did.

"(I should've known…!) Look out!" Sonia pushes Iba in time from the incoming sword to try stabbing them. "(The Demon Sword absorbs abilities than just give any demon who uses it for upgrade attacks, it's alive to do other harmful things to turn against their owners once they're dead for it to out for blood until its task is completed. Stopping the Demon Sword won't be so easy for neither Iba or me, or anyone else to do! Still, we cannot allow this dangerous toy of Dracula's to escape or try killing the others will be next!)" she knows by stopping the Demon Sword was the only way now. "Iba, we have to stop the Demon Sword now before someone else uses it for other bad things!"

Trying to duck away a lot more times for both Iba and Sonia to try not to get killed by the Demon Sword, this wasn't part of Richard's plan for Succubus to use him to get to Sonia to watch her die. Well, he doesn't know of it yet from her, and then he takes off to let the weapon do the work for him if it does.

"Ah, that stupid bitch played me! (I never liked Succubus anyways…)" he makes another portal to retreat for now. "Belmont Girl, you deal with this sword thing so I may get to you next time without anyone else tricking me."

There he goes again for Sonia to miss her chance again to save her older step-brother in time. Feeling the curse course through her body a bit from Richard, she had to try it the next time he shows up.

"No! Big Brother, come back!"

"Duck!" Iba saves Sonia to push her away from the Demon Sword to get try stabbing them and uses his Zanpakto to block the rest of the attacks. "Sorry, Sonia, but you have to worry less about your step brother later and more about your life from this thing!"

No kidding! How can both Sonia and Iba stop the Demon Sword to be swinging and stabbing at the two or anyone else if it was having free will? It was too strong and fast to stop it with another sword or any Kido attacks to cut or slice away on all of them. I guess saving Richard Belmont would have to wait again until next time; for Sonia and Iba couldn't let the Demon Sword go any further or attack it for it was too smart for them in battle to also be floating for Sonia to use some water hit of a gun-like blast to knock it to the wall to get stuck.

"Did it work?" she checks to see it getting out and attacks them again. "This is one weapon I wish not to have right now!"

Moving away again to keep on coming for the Demon Sword, Iba steps in to try trapping the weapon-like demon with the same Kido move again.

"Bakudo! Number-! Ah!" but he gets cuts many times from the Demon Sword's fast movements it was doing to him to protect Sonia. "Run away, Sonia…! Go!"

"Iba! But I can't leave you like this! The Demon Sword will end your life!" Sonia panics to have her arm with a deep cut to try slowing it down but couldn't.

"You must…! Otherwise, Dracula will get you for sure! Come at me, sword!" Iba tries out running the weapon.

This was too hard to watch the have Sonia be in pain again from the curse of Dracula while seeing the dangers of Iba to be risking his life for her. No! She couldn't even use any more water Kido moves, what is there for any of them to do now? Sonia to lose hope of seeing someone killed and another love one gone again to almost give up hope, only…the egg was glowing as was her Zanpakto, with another Belmont powers about to happen, only for Sonia's third and final step of becoming a Soul Reaper happens today. As her Zanpakto spirit Eichikiba appears next to Sonia to aid her again, as her half Soul Reaper powers are finally awakening.

"Sonia, can you hear me?" The strange creature appears for Sonia sees and hears him.

"Huh? Eichikiba?" she was surprised to see that time has stopped again to talk to her Zanpakto.

"So, you can hear me. Good." said Eichikiba.

"More like see and hear you really…I guess this means the egg and my weapon, have my powers of a Soul Reaper finally awaken?"

With her asking that and wanting to know more about the egg, Eichikiba tells her on half about it from his background story, but everything 'at least for now'.

"It is. For that egg shall be the other part of me to roam around anywhere by your side to soon become whole. While my true form you see in front of you is the real me. I have another half to be my powers for you'll know soon enough." he said. "Listen to me well, Sonia, you're fighting against Dracula to stop the curse and protect those you care about and love, and for the final test. Time…It takes a while to develop everything to learn and to fight back without giving up, and you are, Sonia. For me to be the rarest by any Zanpakto to wield me, I've chosen you to stand up and know your ways with a pure heart. You're not alone. If you can hear and see me now, that means your Zanpakto is ready to save you from any danger you're in, even from Dracula's curse…I won't let that monster have you!" Eichikiba roars on how proud he was. "Now, Sonia, take the sword and wield it. Unleash my powers."

Sonia knows of it now…From training, getting new clothes, learning developing her own Kido skills, searching for a new ability, finding her true Zanpakto, and now to this was the third and final step of training from becoming a Soul Reaper in time, and she has done all of it.

"(Unleash your powers…?)" Sonia grabs hold of her Zanpakto to feel it all out to heal quickly to fight back a lot more now than ever. "Yes, I see it now, Eichikiba…I can feel my weapon. I see I'm still me and a proud Soul Reaper. I can still win to be free from this curse, stop Dracula's never-ending battle, save my Big Brother, and all the worlds in time. I can do it!"

A lot of powers of the shadows and light, like Ying and Yang to be like it was part of Eichikiba's powers – darkness and light to take hold of to save Iba before the next attack might kill him from the Demon Sword's doing. Hurry…!

"Yes, Sonia, yes! You got this! You can do this! You know what you're fighting for…Are you ready?"

"I am!"

"Then say my name and strike at the sword while powering up your other Soul Reaper friend. Do it now!" said the Zanpakto spirit. "Do this to stop Dracula once and for all! Give him a message he won't soon forget!"

Sonia does so as Iba was powering up for another Belmont powers to have from within his body like Yachiru and Nanao has to fight and fire more Kido and other powers moves away, here we go…first move!"

"Lieutenant of Squad Seven! Tetsuzaemon Iba!" he charges up to say the last part next. "Power from within! Activate!"

With him moving away in time in fast paste for the Demon Sword to miss, it comes flying back to be held by his hand to be pushed away again, and for him to fire one attack to charge up for, leaving Sonia to finish up with hers to activate her Zanpakto.

"(Eichikiba…Please, give me strength…)" she prays and releases her Zanpakto. "Show Them No Mercy! Eichikiba (Winged Demon of Darkness!)"

Now her Zanpakto looked awesome! It was a sword-like fan to use to throw, dance, create wind-like blast, and can still be god at sword fighting with it, nice. Like the old Bount Yoshi – it's more without the armor or double weapon type of thing to be both beautiful and deadly, Ying and Yang things was part of this spirit's ability. Sonia was amazed to have something like this out 'at long last', for Iba to get back to the program right away.

"Ah, Sonia…I like your new Zanpakto, but…can we finish this now with my new powers and yours too?"

"Amazing…" Sonia loves he Zanpakto to get back to the program. "Oh, right! Let's go, Iba!"

Creating winds to blow the Demon Sword off to try to cut Sonia's weapon and Iba to aid her to have a double sword fight to be outmatched, of the stabbing as Sonia uses the chains next to tie it up allowing Iba to fire one more Kido move on it to hit this time.

"I'll go first, milady…" he fires away. "Bakudo! Number Thirty - Shitotsu Sansen (Triple-Flash Beak Slash)!

Direct hit! Iba did well for Sonia to hit the Demon Sword a few times to use some water Kido to blind the eye part and then for her to use the many slashes to cut away at it to finish the job. From there, Eichikiba heard Sonia's call to have enough power of both light and darkness of his to destroy the Demon Sword itself for good; as it blows up to be spinning in the air, and then catches itself on fire to fall for there was nothing more than tiny pieces left to die out. Nice one! Iba and Sonia high five each other to do another find job to stop not one, but two of Dracula's demons for today.

"Alright! We nailed it!" said Sonia to see her Zanpakto spirit again. "And thank you, Eichikiba, we make a good team."

He nodded a yes to leave for now until Eichikiba is called upon by Sonia again to battle for later.

"I will always watch over you, Sonia, use your weapon wisely. Until next time…"

"Ha! Now that was team work, Sonia! You and I were awesome!" he said with a big smile on his face.

As Eichikiba was gone 'for now' and Iba could tell that Sonia saw the spirit of her Zanpakto to smile…Rangiku and a few more Soul Reapers arrived at the scene to see that Iba was fine and they arrive a bit too late for the battle to be over.

"Sonia! Oh, I see you've found Iba. That's good." she said. "Anyways, what happened here? Another monster of Dracula's?"

Sonia and Iba looked at each other to say this to her Rangiku next…

"Don't ask!" and then they laugh.

Well, for Iba to be good to powering up for more of his special Belmont powers to be use for later, this guy can do more than Zanpakto skills, you know? He's cool. With that to call off the search to finding him and the enemy to escape to stop not one, but two demons today; for Succubus got mad to fail to see Sonia die, to also try keeping her cool afterwards by leaving Richard be after that mess. Only for Alucard to show up in her room to say something to her out of nowhere.

"I hope I'm not interrupting your makeup time again, Succubus."

"Huh?" Succubus acts like she didn't know what Alucard was talking about. "Well, if it isn't my sweet Lord Dracula's son. Or rather, his half son. What brings you into my chambers for today?"

"The battle for Richard to use Lesser Demon to have something to boost up his powers, a Demon Sword to also move on its own to get beaten. You were watching just now, weren't you?" he asked.

Succubus plays it cool from her charms to get away with any guy to fall for her lies.

"I did, and we failed once again to capture the Belmont Girl for our lord, a shame really…That man needs to find better demons to use next time."

"So what was the reason you got upset?" Alucard asks her again.

"Because I hate failing...?" she makes up another lie.

"Not quite…I have proof of you giving that demon to Richard to use for another to die for it and almost went out of control in the Soul Society." Alucard explains a bit more. "You strain of hair and lipstick marking on your finger had a lot on the blade's handle, to the smell of your perfume to know it was your doing. You're not trying to kill Sonia to have Father lose his bride to be, aren't you? Are you jealous, Succubus?"

Once Alucard said, told, showed, and asked Succubus another question for her to be shock about, she hides it by laughing to find it all to be one big bad joke.

"Me? Jealous?" Succubus kept on laughing. "Now why would I do something behind our Lord's back?"

Alucard then got mad to know of Succubus's trickery to grab her by the neck, pin her to the wall, and held her up with one hand to give her a little warning.

"Listen to me, you bitch…I know you want Sonia dead since she was bitten by my Father and she's his, Father doesn't love you. You're nothing more than a servant to him. You got that?!" he said in anger. "Because if I see try murdering her again to make it look like an accident, then I'll...!"

"Then what? You'll tell your Daddy on me? Is that it?" Succubus questions Alucard. "So what if I am trying to kill the Belmont Girl instead of bringing her back alive to Lord Dracula? And why did you get so picky…? Sounds like you're jealous of your father liking your old child friend. Am I right?" she laughs again. "And what more proof do you have on me, boy? Nothing! Now don't bother me again if you want to know what's good for you."

Alucard leaves the room to have one of Succubus's statues destroyed by his sword in seconds to be cut in two. Giving her a warning, he won't go easy on his commander the next time something like this happens. That is…if Alucard does have enough proof then to catch Succubus in the act this time.

"This isn't over, Succubus…! I'm on to you."

Once he leaves, Succubus had to do something and fast for her to get Dracula to love her instead of Sonia one way or another…

"(Is that so, boy? Well, we'll see who's jealous after I'm done with her and you…)"

What did she meant there…? Something was up with Succubus to do something different and alone now. As back at the Soul Society for Sonia to hang out with her friends, Rangiku, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Yachiru, Kiyone, Sentaro, Hisagi, Izuru, and Momo to tell them on what happened today and to celebrate on becoming a full time Soul Reaper now with her new Zanpakto. As her uncle Yamamoto says this to her earlier after the battle was won…

"Congratulations, Sonia Dear. You're now a full time Soul Reaper to complete all three tasks to becoming one. And for saving Lieutenant of Squad Seven Iba, I shall give you a medal of honor." he said to put it around Sonia's neck. "So now, may your powers keep on growing against the war against Dracula, saving Richard Belmont, our world, the World of the Living, and to get rid of the curse. Keep on training for that moment until then."

And with that said and done, for him and all the nine-other captain clap with joy, and for Ukitake to hold Sonia to kiss her, for Iba was happy to get a medal of honor…she then hangs out with her friends to get back to right now after the flashback to be having fun – only for all ten of them to stop partying to see a glowing light. And something to move coming from Sonia's egg as Eichikiba did tell her about the egg that was another part of him to roam around freely.

"Huh? It can't be…" Sonia see this. "No way… (Eichikiba was right, the egg is part of his other half.)" she tells the others. "Look, you guys. The egg's finally hatching!"

All of them gather together to see a miracle to happen. But what will Eichikiba's small form will look like? As the egg hatches up to crack, break, and finally open all the way. They see that Eichikiba's other half looks like…something like Mini Mew from Tokyo Mew Mew Anime series, only bigger, sounded like a girl, can talk a lot more at times to act cute and like a kid almost, flies, fuzzy pink, with a tail, big eyes, a big mouth when 'he' opens it, being fuzzy, soft, and with pointy ears too. Cute! He looks at the others to say hello and to be in Sonia's arms once he was born.

"Hello, friends! Hello!" he said a lot with joy. "Hello, Sonia, hello. Here at last as part of other big me!"

To Sentaro, Hisagi, Izuru, Ikkaku, and Yumichika's reactions were like this…

"That's what is in the egg?!"

Same with Rangiku, Momo, Kiyone, Yachiru, and Sonia 'the most'.

"The Zanpakuto's other half is cute?!"

For this little one to be giggling and looked happy to be born today to meet with friends like Sonia Yamamoto/Belmont.

"(I don't believe this…)" Sonia was left speechless. "(This thing is really Eichikiba's other half to be a pink little cutie…? I'm so lost right now!)"

And more to be explained to introduce a new character and part of the story the next time. This one will be all about the little guy that appears to be Eichikiba's another half the light one. Really…? Stay tune.