Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach and Tales of the Abyss.
A Day in Hokutan
Asch was on the ground and he was bleeding. Asch clenched his teeth and he looked up and at the person who caused him physical pain. The one who did it was Guy who was giving Asch a cold glare and held his katana in hand with Asch's blood dripping from his blade.
"All this," Asch said angrily, "for that…that…dreck?
"I swore that I would make you pay," Guy said, "everyone else may have been willing to just forgive for what you did," Guy pointed his blade at Asch, "but I sure as hell won't."
"Guy, stop!" Natalia's voice screamed.
Guy and Asch looked over and saw Natalia who was panicking over what was happening.
"Guy please," Natalia pleaded, "please don't do this."
"He killed Luke," Guy said and then turned his attention back to Asch, "all he's done is belittled and blame Luke for everything going wrong for him, labeling himself as the victim and completely ignoring the fact that Van was the one who set things up…he's a vile coward."
"Guy, what do you hope to accomplish by doing this?" Natalia asked.
"To avenge Luke," Guy said, "I'm not going to just ignore and turn my back on what happened to Luke, unlike the rest of you."
"Guy, no one is ignoring what happened to Luke," Natalia said, "what happened to Luke was sad and you were right in what you said before," Natalia looked down, "you and I are partly to blame in the way Luke grew up. I'm not denying it. But Guy, killing Asch won't set things right."
"No it won't but," Guy said, "at least Asch can't hurt anyone else, even if they are replica."
"Tch, you always were a fool Guy," Asch said with venom.
"Well, I have always hated you," Guy said harshly as he raised his sword, "Luke was a better person than you. I would choose him over you many times."
"Guy, please don't!" Natalia screamed as she rushed over.
Guy swung his sword down on Asch and moments later, blood splattered up in the air and then on the ground and Natalia looked on horrified.
"N-No," Natalia said with her eyes widened, "Nooooooooo!"
Natalia's screamed in anguish as loud as she could. Meanwhile elsewhere, Tear was facing her brother Van and she had just coughed up some blood from her mouth.
"Mystearica," Van said.
"Don't," Tear said angrily, "don't you dare Vandesdelca."
Van narrowed his eyes toward his sister, "Can't you see that all of your efforts are in vain. My plans are moving forward and you cannot stop it."
Tear fell on her knees and she coughed again.
"The miasma in your body is really taken a toll on you," Van pointed out.
"It's the same with you, is it not?" Tear replied.
"As long as my goal succeeds, what happens to me afterwards is of no consequences," Van said, "the planet's memory will be destroyed and the world will be freed from the Score."
"Van, I'm begging you," Tear said, "please stop it."
"Join me my sister," Van said, "at the very least, I want you to live. You should know by now that your efforts are meaningless. Don't risk your life just because of that defective thing."
Tear was shocked and looked at her brother, "You're referring to Luke, aren't you?"
"Of course, this is why you're going out of your way in hurting yourself," Van said, "Mystearica, there's no need to go so far."
"You lied to Luke from the beginning," Tear said, "manipulated him and played with him…all for your sick and twisted plans."
"It was not an easy thing for me," Van said, "I did not enjoy doing what I did but that replica was pathetic. That thing couldn't really do anything on its own, not even controlling its own hyperresonance."
Tear was livid and threw a knife at her brother but Van easily deflected the thrown blade with his sword.
"You're horrible," Tear said upset, "Luke was not a thing! He had feelings, no different from you and me. How can stand and play with people's lives so easily? You might as well kill me because I want nothing to do with what you're doing!"
"Mystearica," Van said showing pity towards Tear as he clenched the hilt of his sword, "You are…"
Meanwhile in Daath Cathedral, Anise was on her knees with tears streaming from her eyes and she had her head down.
"I'm sorry Ion," Anise said sadly, "I…I…"
"There's little point in saying things like that now," Jade said suddenly.
Anise jerked up and turned to see Jade.
"Colonel…" Anise said sadly.
"I just want to know one thing," Jade said looking at Anise coldly, "tell me little miss spy, how long have you been reporting to Mohs?"
Anise looked away in shame.
"It now makes sense why the God-Generals seemed to always know where we would be," Jade said, "and now, Ion is dead and you contributed to his death."
"You don't need to remind me Colonel!" Anise replied breaking down, "I already know that! I know it's my fault that Ion is dead! I know I was betraying him from the beginning."
Jade sighed as he pushed up his glasses and then he turned around.
"Then there's nothing more I can say to you," Jade said, "I'll be taking my leave. Sadly, I can no longer stand to be in the presence of a little spy like you."
Jade left and Anise broke down even further as she cried and placed her hands over her face while still crying. Meanwhile on top of the cathedral, the Shinigami sighed as he looked up in the sky.
"There's nothing I can do here and I'm out of time," The Shinigami said, "it's time I headed back to the Soul Society," The Shinigami drew his Zanpakuto and held it in front of him, "now unlock."
The Shinigami turned his Zanpakuto and a Senkaimon appeared and the door opened. The Shinigami sheathed his Zanpakuto and looked over the city of Daath.
"Good bye again, my home world," The Shinigami said.
The Shinigami walked in the Senkaimon and the door closed behind him.
Five Years Later, Hokutan, 3rd District of West Rukongai
Luke was walking through the forest carry two baskets, one he carried on his left hand and the other one on his back. He began to collect plant leaves and put them in the basket that he had on his back. He was also collecting various fruits, including dried persimmons. Luke looked at a persimmon and took a bite and he liked the taste.
"This is good," Luke said happily.
Luke continued to collect food and then he collected wood for the fire. As he continued to do these things, he was hearing people talking. He looked over and saw three kids, one small boy and two boys that were bigger than him.
"What's going on?" Luke asked in a quiet tone.
"Please, give me back my candy," The small boy pleaded.
The two big boys were keeping a small pouch away from him and acting in glee.
"Please, I beg you, gimme back my candy," The small boy pleaded again.
"Forget it," One of the big boys said, "besides you don't really need it any way."
"Yeah, why don't you just give up and just go, you little snot," The other big boy said as he pushed the small boy to the ground.
Luke didn't like what he saw and decided to stop the bullying.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" Luke said as he ran to the scene.
The three kids saw Luke rushing towards them and the two boys didn't like it that someone was sticking their nose into their business.
"Hey stay out of this," One of the big boys said, "this has nothing to do with you."
"Why are you bullying that kid and taking something that obviously doesn't belong to you?" Luke countered.
"Butt out," The other big kid said harshly.
Luke got mad, put down the baskets he was holding and went and knocked one of the big kids down and it was the one who had the small pouch in his hand and Luke picked up the pouch. The second big kid got mad at what the long red head did and charged towards him, only to have Luke dodge and trip the second big kid, causing the kid to fall down.
"Why you…" One of the big kids muttered.
"Just stop this right now, you shouldn't take something that doesn't belong to you," Luke said.
"Shut up," One of the big kids said as he and other big kid got up, "we just wanted some candy and it would be wasted to let someone who doesn't have any spirit energy to have any."
"That shouldn't matter!" Luke countered.
"What?" One of the big kids spoke and it even shocked the little kid.
Luke continued, "It doesn't matter if whether or not someone has spirit energy, it's not right to take something that isn't yours and even if this kid doesn't have any spirit energy and can't get hungry or whatever. I'm sure he can still enjoy the taste. Now, you two have a choice, you can leave right now or you can continue and I will keep knocking you both down."
The two big boys looked at each other and looked at Luke who had a serious expression and both of them came up with the same conclusion.
"Let's go, this is not worth it," One of the big boys said.
"Yeah, let's get out of here," The other big boy agreed.
The two bullying boys left and Luke sighed of relief.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked the small boy.
The small boys nodded and Luke gave him back the pouch that was full of candy.
"Thank you mister," The small boy said happily.
"You're welcome," Luke said warmly.
The small boy was happy and ran off with his pouch and Luke waved to him. As soon the boy left, Luke sighed again and left to head back to where Senna was. Soon, Luke arrived to a small house. Luke looked around and saw Senna sleeping when he went inside. Luke smiled and decided to let her sleep as put the two baskets down. Luke sighed and starting thinking about everything that has happened.
"It's been five years," Luke said in his head, "it feels like it was only yesterday that I came here," Luke smiled and looked over to the sleeping Senna, "and met her. I've been with her for five years…"
Senna twitched and slowly opened her eyes and looked around.
"Looks like you're awake," Luke said.
Senna saw Luke and smiled, "Oh hi Luke."
Luke chuckled and Senna slowly got up and stretched her arms and yawned.
"A good nap?" Luke asked.
"Yep, very," Senna answered with a smile and then she looked over the baskets, "great, you brought what we need."
"Yep," Luke replied.
Luke and Senna went through the things Luke had in the baskets.
Seireitei
With the city being viewed from the corridor of one of large buildings, the blonde Shinigami was walking by. The man stopped and took in the view of the city. As he looked on, he couldn't help but think about his past.
Flashback: ND2015, Daath Cathedral, Auldrant
The blonde man was wearing an Oracle Knight uniform with a sword in hand and was reading the Score. The man was shocked in what he read.
"N-No, it can't be," The blonde man said.
"You shouldn't have done that," Van suddenly said.
The man was shocked and he turned to see the man he admired, Van Grants.
"V-Van, it's you," The blonde young man said surprised.
Van walked over staring down at the blonde Oracle Knight.
"Marcel Oslo, you know it's a serious offense for someone of your rank to read the Closed Score," Van said.
"Van, I…" The man named Marcel spoke, "I was just concerned. Surely, we can prevent this. Isn't that better than just letting people die?"
"Marcel, you're not at least a Maestro so you have no right to read the Closed Score," Van reminded, "I cannot ignore what you just did."
Flashback End
Marcel sighed, "Not long after that, I was killed in the Battle in Chesedonia," Marcel paused a bit, "Van probably read from the Score and intentionally sent me to die, even though I did volunteer to help him and he never did force me to do it."
"Hey, Marcel!" A male voice called.
Marcel looked over and saw a young man who was fairly tall and had spiky raven black hair, aqua green eyes, and he had tattoos on his arms.
"Kaien," Marcel said with a smile, "how it's going?"
"Very good," Kaien said with a grin.
"A good day for both of you," A woman's voice said.
Kaien and Marcel turned and they saw the female Shinigami that had red eyes and pale pink hair.
"Gelda," Marcel said.
The woman named Gelda approached the two men.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Gelda said.
"Yeah, ever since you transferred to the First Division five years ago," Kaien said.
"Yes, I've been really busy being under the command of the Captain-Commander himself," Gelda said, "So Marcel, what about you?"
"Me?" Marcel replied.
"Yes, I've heard that just a few weeks ago, you were transferred to the 2nd Division," Gelda said.
"Oh yeah," Kaien said, "The 2nd Division and Onmitsukido just got a new a leader, right?"
"That's right," Marcel said, "my new Captain is Soi Fon."
"Of the Fon Family," Gelda said.
"Yep," Marcel said and then he sighed, "I still can't believe that Captain Ukitake would have me transferred there," Marcel looked over to Kaien, "tell me Kaien, what did I do wrong?"
"Don't be like Marcel," Kaien replied, "you didn't do anything wrong. Look, the reason Captain Ukitake had you move there is because he's confident that you'll do just great in the 2nd Division and it would benefit you to get better. That is just how Captain Ukitake has much confidence in you."
"I suppose," Marcel said with a sigh.
"By the way," Gelda said, "have either you two heard from Erika recently?"
"No, I haven't," Kaien said and then he looked over to Marcel, "how about you Marcel?"
"No I haven't it," Marcel said, "although I doubt that she would even talk to us," Marcel shook his head, "no, it's really me she wouldn't want to talk to and all because of her hatred towards Van."
"Van," Kaien said, "the man you talked about before."
"Yeah, Van Grants," Marcel said, "I once looked up to him," Marcel sighed, "consider yourself lucky Kaien."
"Hmm, why?" Kaien replied.
"You're lucky," Marcel said, "that you never lived in a world where people become obedient slaves or who are extremely dependant on this thing called the Score."
"Hmm, I agree," Gelda said, "I do wonder how things are going on back in Auldrant. Is our original world still alive?"
Raku'uta, 8th District of East Rukongai
A female Shinigami was walking on a path. The female Shinigami wore a sleeveless Shihakusho with black long gloves and had purple hair that went down to her shoulders. After some walking, the woman stopped and saw someone.
"Ah, there he is," The female Shinigami said.
The woman saw a boy who wore a gray sleeveless robe with a brown sash tied around it and the boy had green hair. The boy was sitting by the trunk of a tree and the woman walked up and approached him. The boys turned and saw the woman.
"So then," The woman said, "How are you Fon Master Ion?"
Ion looked at woman and nodded.
"So you were able to get some time off. Thank you for coming," Ion said, "I really appreciate it Cantabile."
Cantabile shrugged, "So anyway, I did speak to Gelda about what you wanted to know a few weeks ago, although I didn't mention it was you."
"Well?" Ion asked as he stood up and looked hopeful.
"Well yes," Cantabile said, "Asch's replica is indeed in the Soul Society as well."
"So Luke is here," Ion replied, "I'm so glad."
"Well that's it," Cantabile said, "I did what you wanted."
"Cantabile," Ion said, "Where is he anyway?"
"Well, he's actually in the 3rd District on the west side," Cantabile said.
"Can you please take me there?" Ion asked.
Cantabile just looked at Ion, "Why?"
"I want to talk to Luke," Ion said.
"For what exactly?" Cantabile asked.
Ion looked down and looked ashamed, "To tell him what happened after Asch killed him and to tell him what had happened since then."
"That fool was a willing idiot going along with whatever Van wanted him to do," Cantabile said, "and it's not like you had a hand in his death."
"No, but I didn't stop it like I should have," Ion said sadly.
Cantabile sighed and shook her head, "I can't do that. I can't take you to where he is."
"But why?" Ion asked disappointed.
"You know that the Seireitei is the center of all of the Soul Society," Cantabile explained, "In order for you to get to the west side of the Rukongai, you would have to go through the Seireitei and you're not allow to go there and I can't just take you there just for you to get to where that replica is."
Ion had his head down and was upset.
"I just…" Ion spoke.
Cantabile just looked at Ion and shrugged.
Hokutan
Luke and Senna were walking together through the market area of Hokutan. After purchasing some supplies, they headed out for the next place. They soon arrived at a place where a large pond was and they were seeing fishes in the pond.
"Okay, ready to do this," Luke said.
"Yeah," Senna said.
Senna was in the pond luring the fishes as Luke was impaling them with a long sharp stick. They went on with it for a while until they both felt they got enough fishes. They both were proud of the work they did and decided to head back with their haul. As they headed back, they were unaware that they were being watched by eyes of a creature that was staring at him and the creature quietly laughed. Luke suddenly felt something and he stopped and looked around behind him.
"Luke?" Senna said seeing Luke stop and looked around, "Luke, what's wrong?"
"Um Senna?" Luke spoke, "Did you hear something?"
"Huh? No, I didn't," Senna replied shaking her head, "Is something wrong Luke?"
Luke looked and didn't feel or hear anything. He turned around and scratched the back of his head.
"Maybe I'm just imaging things," Luke concluded, "I'm sure it's nothing."
"Well, all right," Senna said, "If you say so."
Senna and Luke continued on their way and the creature was still in hiding and had its eyes on Luke and Senna. The creature went to another direction with speed. Luke and Senna arrived back to the place they lived when they suddenly heard some noise.
"Huh, what was that?" Senna asked.
"Don't know," Luke said, "Something feels wrong."
Senna and Luke continued to look around when an intense reiatsu was suddenly released and it threw the two of them off balance and felt pinned down.
"What the hell?" Luke asked shocked.
"This reiatsu," Senna said shocked, "so powerful…"
There was a crash that occurred real close to them and it caught Luke and Senna off by surprise. Luke and Senna heard laughter and they looked and were shocked in what they saw. What the two of them saw was the creature that was eying them earlier and the creature stood up. The creature itself was fairly large that had four tusks coming out of his mask, red hair that extends below his chest where its hole lies, and sharp claws on either hand. Luke and Senna were shocked and mortified seeing the creature.
"Oh no, no," Senna said, "A Hollow!"
"Hey, what the hell?" Luke said still mortified, "A damn Hollow!"
"Heh, heh, heh," The Hollow chuckled, "You two have such unique and delicious spirit energies. So tasty…heh, I'm looking forward to it."
The Hollow charged towards Luke and Senna and they both quickly dodged the Hollow's attack. The Hollow just stood and laugh and the creature turned towards Luke and Senna who looked terrified.
"Damn it," Luke said.
"This is not good," Senna said, "this is not good at all. To think that we would be targeted by Mad Eater."
"Huh?" Luke responded and looked at Senna, "Wait Senna, you know this Hollow?"
"Um well," Senna said and then she looked at Luke, "sort of."
"Oh, how interesting," The Hollow called Mad Eater said, "you know about me? I'm flattered."
Mad Eater laughed as he was pleased. Senna clenched her teeth and placed her hands on Luke's arm.
"Luke, we need to get away," Senna said.
Luke looked at Mad Eater narrowed his eyes.
"Damn it," Luke said in his head, "I should do something, at least to help Senna get away."
Luke clenched his fist debating whether or not he should try to take on the Hollow.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Mad Eater continues his pursue for Luke and Senna and Luke decides to face the creature and his innate power aids him.
