Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of the Abyss and I don't own Bleach.

Best Friends

Luke sat as he was welcomed into the Suzunami family. Luke was overjoyed and asked himself if he really deserved it. He looked on seeing the happy and smiling faces of his new family. Luke was grateful and he vowed that he was not going to take them for granted and that he was not going to take things for granted like he did back in Auldrant. With that, there was a celebration and servants came by and welcomed the new member of the family and Luke responded in kindness and they spoke to each other. Luke took the time know his new father, Seigen, his new aunt, Konoka, and his new siblings, Fujimaru and Matsuri. Later on, Luke was shown through the manor by his surrogate father Seigen and then afterwards, he was given his own room. Luke stayed in his own room and relaxed for a while but not before he asked his father about Senna and how he wanted to see her. Seigen didn't see it as a problem but he told Luke to be cautious with Ganryu. Luke nodded and understood and Seigen left.

Hueco Mundo

The red haired green eyed Hollow walked and had time to think about things.

Flashback: On the Tartarus, Auldrant

Luke looked on terrified at the dead Oracle Knight with his sword in his hand and Tear, Mieu, and Jade were with him.

"I stabbed him," Luke said horrified, "I killed him."

"If you're so afraid of killing, then throw away your sword, you worthless reject," A voice said.

"What the…?" Luke said.

Shards of ice suddenly rained down on Tear, Jade, and Luke. Luke and Tear were lost their balance and fell on the ground and lost consciousness but Jade was able to jump back and then someone appeared before Jade and he was in his black Oracle Knight uniform and he had long red hair and Jade was surprised when he saw the knight's face.

"And you're as tough to kill as they saw Necromancer," The red headed Oracle Knight said.

Two Oracle soldier arrived and a woman with blonde hair in her black Oracle Knight uniform arrived as well.

"Sir, what shall we do with them?" One of the Oracle Knights asked.

"Kill them," The red head said.

"Asch, have you forgotten your orders or have just decided to ignore them?" The blonde hair Oracle Knight asked.

The red haired Oracle Knight named Asch clenched his teeth and then had his hand on his head.

"Fine, restrain them and locked them in a cabin somewhere," Asch ordered.

Flashback End

The long red haired Hollow growled.

"It would have been better for me to just ignored Legretta and just kill that dreck," The Hollow said bitterly.

Flashback: Border Fortress Kaitzur, Auldrant

"But how are we going to cross the checkpoint?" Tear asked, "Neither Luke nor I have passports."

"You won't need any once you're dead!" A voice said suddenly.

Luke was knocked back and he fell on the ground. The attacker was Asch and he readied his sword and charged towards Luke but was stopped by someone else who had his sword and he was surprised to see that it was Van.

"Stand down Asch!" Van demanded.

"Out of the way Van!" Asch responded angrily.

"What do you think you're doing?" Van asked upset, "I don't recall giving any orders like this. Now stand down!"

Asch clenched his teeth and he looked over at Luke. Asch backed off and sheathed his sword and then he left.

Flashback End

"Afterward I realized that Van had plans for that dreck," The Hollow said, "and yet that stupid miserable defect was just too stupid…"

Flashback: Yulia City, Auldrant

Most of the people in the party started to walk and Tear noticed that Luke and Mieu were still just standing. Tear sighed and turned to face Luke.

"How long are you going to stand there?" Tear asked, "Everyone has gone to the mayor's house."

"All they're going to do is keep accusing me of stuff," Luke said, "I don't want to go."

"You're even more pathetic than I thought reject," Asch said harshly.

Luke, Mieu, and Tear looked over and saw that it was Asch and they were surprised.

"You!" Luke spoke upset seeing Asch, "What are you doing here? Where's Master Van?"

Asch scoffed, "You still call him Master even after he betrayed you?"

"Betray me?" Luke replied surprised, "So Master Van really did want me to destroy Akzeriuth?"

"Dammit, if I had realized what Van was planning sooner, this never would have happened," Asch then turned to Luke with anger, "and you…why didn't you think before using your hyperresonance?"

"So you're saying it's my fault too?" Luke asked upset.

"Of course it's your fault," Asch replied, "don't even try to deny it."

"It's not my fault!" Luke insisted, "It's not my fault, it's not…"

"Are all replica brains this defective?" Asch asked in disgust.

"Replica?" Luke replied, "Master Van used the word 'replica' too?"

Asch was surprised, "You still haven't figured it out? Is this someone's idea of a joke?"

"W-What the hell are you talking about?" Luke responded upset.

"I'll tell you 'Luke'," Asch said.

"Asch, stop!" Tear said.

Asch ignored what Tear said and couldn't believe that she would even tell him to.

"Why do you think you and I have the same face?" Asch asked.

"H-How should I know?" Luke responded.

"I'm a noble who was born in Baticul," Asch explained, "seven years ago, I was kidnapped by a villain named Van."

Luke was shocked, "You can't mean..."

"That's right," Asch said, "you're a second-rate copy of me, a mere replica."

Luke was stunned but he shook his head, "You're lying, it's not true, it's not true."

Luke drew his sword and Asch arched an eyebrow.

"You want to fight, Replica?" Asch asked.

"Stop lying!" Luke replied.

Flashback End

The Hollow just walked and huffed.

"If I had killed that dreck before hand, Akzeriuth would not have fallen," The Hollow said, "and yet, that bastard Guy had the audacity to kill me," The Hollow got angrier, "I didn't do anything wrong. It was that dreck that was in the wrong," The Hollow stopped and clenched his fists, "the vile thing stole my life. That thing stole my family, my home, my everything so why was I looked at like the bad guy?!"

The Hollow suddenly felt pain from his head and it was the feeling he was familiar with.

"Asch, fragment of my soul…" The voice said, "…heed my voice."

"Lorelei," The Hollow said.

"Asch, heed my voice," The voice continued.

On the other side, someone was watching the Hollow.

"There you are you bastard," The individual said, "finally I'm going to make you pay for what you did."

The Hollow suddenly felt a presence and got on guard.

Seireitei, Soul Society

At the Ryodoji Manor, Ganryu was standing in the balcony of the manor with Senna who wore a dark green kimono.

"A glorious day in the Seireitei," Ganryu said with a smile, "wouldn't you say…Senna?"

"Yeah, it's a great day," Senna said.

"It's only a matter of time before we seize the glory we deserve," Ganryu said and then he looked at Senna with a smile, "you'll take part of it."

"Huh, what do you mean?" Senna asked.

"You'll know soon enough," Ganryu said, "for now enjoy what you have now as a member of the Ryodoji Family."

Ganryu left with a smile and Senna looked on seeing Ganryu leave and Senna had sneaking suspicion of Ganryu. Later on, Senna left the manor and walked and then she saw someone rushing to get to her and she was relieved to see that it was Luke who wore a dark blue kimono.

"Luke," Senna said happily.

"Senna," Luke said happily.

They met with each other and felt relief. They walked together in the Seireitei and had their conversations.

"Your new family sounds nice," Senna said.

"Yeah, they really are," Luke said happily, "it a lot better than—"

Luke stopped himself as he thought about the time of his own parents, or the parents who were really Asch's parents and then Luke felt sad and guilty feeling ashamed.

"Luke," Senna said with concern, "thinking about your past in your old world again?"

"Y-Yeah," Luke said, "sorry, I really shouldn't be a downer."

Senna shook her head, "It's not your fault."

They were checking out places in the Seireitei and were impressed in what they seeing in the city that was the capitol of the Soul Society itself. They've also wandered in other places were members of the Soul Society's nobilities would hang out. Senna looked on and she sighed and then she hurried and moved away. Luke noticed and quickly followed Senna.

"Hey Senna, are you okay?" Luke asked.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," Senna replied, "sorry, it's been a day and it's still hard for me to believe that I would be here."

"Yeah I know what you mean," Luke said, "as for me…being back in the nobility. It's different from Auldrant."

"Oh yeah," Senna said, "You came from a noble family. You were the son of a duke and nephew of your country's king."

"Yeah," Luke said and then he got depressed, "but that was before I knew who I really was and the life that I had was a lie. The life that was never mine in the first place."

"Sorry Luke," Senna said with regret, "I made you remember something sad."

Luke looked at Senna and shook his head with a smile.

"No, don't feel bad," Luke said, "I admit that the memory is painful for me especially with how I took things for granted and didn't pay attention to anyone but myself."

"Luke," Senna said.

"You helped me when I felt lost," Luke said with a smile, "and I'm always going to be grateful to you for that."

Senna looked at Luke and smiled, "I see."

Later on, Luke and Senna continued with their walks and they were seeing member of the Gotei 13 walking by.

"Luke, look," Senna said.

"Yeah I see them," Luke said.

Luke looked on and smiled as he remembered how his new father and siblings fought and eliminated Mad Eater and he was impressed with how strong they were.

"They may be," Luke said and then he shook his head, "no, I'm sure they're stronger than even Master Van."

"Imagine seeing you here," A male voice said.

Luke and Senna were surprised and they saw a Shinigami and it was Marcel.

"Hello there," Marcel said, "it's good to see you again Luke."

"Huh Luke, do you know this person?" Senna asked surprised.

"I…I don't think so," Luke replied to Senna confused and then he turned to Marcel, "I'm sorry but I don't think that—"

"Actually we have," Marcel interjected, "but it's not surprising that you don't recognize me."

"Are you serious?" Luke replied.

"Yeah, think back five years ago," Marcel said, "we met after you were…killed."

Luke was surprised and then remembered as he was wide eyed.

Flashback: Five Years Ago

"I'm dead, I'm really dead," Luke said to himself.

"Such a sad fate for you," A voice spoke.

"Who's there?" Luke asked looking around.

"Over here," The voice said.

"Huh?" Luke said.

Luke looked over and saw someone and it was Marcel and he held his sword in his right hand.

"W-Who are you?" Luke asked.

"I'm a Shinigami," Marcel said.

"A Shinigami?" Luke asked.

"Yes, you still have some bit of Seventh Fonons that keeping you whole for now but you'll completely disappear soon unless I take you to the Soul Society," Marcel explained.

"The Soul Society?" Luke asked, "What's that?"

"A place where souls reside, the afterlife of sorts," Marcel said, "so with that…"

Marcel went to Luke and stamped Luke's forehead with his pommel and a mark was placed on Luke's head.

Flashback End

"It really is you," Luke said surprised.

"It's been five years," Marcel said with a smile, "I know it's late but let me introduce myself. I'm Marcel Oslo."

Meanwhile Erika was walking through the corridor of one of the tall buildings. As she kept walking, she thought about Ion and how he wanted he wanted to reunite with Luke. Erika sighed as she also recalled what Ion had told her regarding the events that had happened in Auldrant with the destruction of Akzeriuth and the things that had happened when Asch's replica had died.

"I should have known that Tear didn't really have what it took to end Van," Erika said bitterly, "she was all talk. She had no business in being an Oracle Knight."

"Hello Erika," A male voice said.

Erika stopped and clenched her teeth as she recognized the voice and it was the voice of another person she hated. She turned around with a calm expression and saw that it was a man who was a Shinigami Captain that had brown short hair and brown eyes and he wore his squared glasses and it was Sosuke Aizen, Captain of the 5th Division.

"It's been a long time Erika," Aizen said with a kind smile.

"Captain Aizen," Erika said, "yes it's been…uh, 20 years. Time sure does fly by."

"Yes indeed," Aizen said.

Aizen and Erika walked together and it took all self control Erika had to not lash and attack man she hated.

"I can't help but reminisce about when you joined my division after graduating from the academy," Aizen said.

"Yes and 30 years afterwards, he sent me to the 9th Division," Erika said.

"I believe it was for the best," Aizen said.

"Right but what is it that you want to really talk to be about Captain," Erika said, "I know you didn't just want to just talk about the past."

"Yes, there's something I want to ask you about Erika," Aizen said.

"Hmm, what is it?" Erika asked.

"It's about something that had occurred yesterday," Aizen said, "the same phenomenon that occurred 60 years ago…that you were involved in."

"…I see," Erika said.

Erika was annoyed internally as she knew that what her former captain was getting at and it was about Luke and how the hollow called Mad Eater attacked him. There was no doubt for Erika that Luke may have emitted the Seventh Fonons and may have created a hyperresonance.

"I won't help you," Erika said in her head, "you vile bastard. To me, you're same as Van."

Eighth District of East Rukongai, Raku'uta

Ion was standing in front of three grave markers. Ion closed his eyes, placed his hands together and prayed silently. After the silent prayer, Ion looked at the three graves with sadness. Afterwards, Ion turned and left to walk on a path.

Flashback: Mt. Zaleho, Auldrant

Ion was being taken into Mt. Zaleho by Mohs and Anise. Ion realized that Anise was working for Mohs and that she had been feeding him information from the start. Ion looked and saw the sad expression on Anise's face and he knew that she felt ashamed.

"Anise, are you okay?" Ion asked concerned.

Anise was surprised that Ion asked her that and it made for feel even more guilty.

"Ion, why are you asking me that?" Anise asked upset, "Don't you see what's happening?"

"Yes but it's not like you have a choice," Ion said and then he glared at Mohs, "Mohs is holding your parents hostage."

"I'm doing what I have to do Fon Master," Mohs replied.

"It's disturbing that you're trying to justify it," Ion said, "just as all the terrible things you've done and for what?"

Mohs stopped which made Ion and Anise stop and he turned to face Ion.

"I'm shocked that you even have to ask," Mohs said, "this is for the sake for the Score. Everything that I've done has been for the sole purpose of having the Score followed and lead Auldrant in prosperity. With the way things are now, if we don't rely on the Score, the world will be doomed," Mohs got close to Ion and glared at him, "you may be willing to let that happen but I won't."

"There are other ways," Ion insisted.

"There are no other ways," Mohs said and then he huffed as he moved away from Ion, "hmph, I guess I should have expected this from a replica. You're deemed the best from the bunch but you still don't understand."

Anise flinched and looked away.

"Yes I am a replica," Ion said, "and I guess that's all I am to you and Van."

"Hmph, let's go," Mohs said as he turned and walked.

Ion looked on and Anise muttered sorry to Ion.

Flashback End

Ion continued to walk down the path and sighed sadly.

"Luke, I hope you're doing better than I am right now," Ion said.

Four Weeks Later, Seireitei

Luke was walking within the Suzunami Manor and he yawned and stretched his arms and he had a wooden sword in hand. He walked to the outer area on the Suzunami property. He started doing training himself practicing using a wooden sword and used moves that he had learned from Van. He wasn't sure of himself at first using moves from the man who had only saw him as a thing to be sacrificed and who lied and deceived him from the very start. Luke decided that he was going to be his own person as well as thinking that it should not get to him. Luke was practicing and training himself with a wooden sword and he had done so for weeks. Later on, someone came by and it was Seigen and he watched his adopted son practicing and he was impressed in what he was seeing.

"Nice, very nice Luke," Seigen said as he walked towards Luke, "you're getting better."

Luke stopped and turned and was happy to see his adopted father.

"Father," Luke said with a smile, "what a pleasant surprise."

Seigen grinned happily in response.

"Are you going to be spending time here?" Luke asked.

"A little bit," Seigen said, "I am going to have go back to the barracks by this evening."

"I understand," Luke said, "but any chance is always good."

"So with that, I'm actually going to heading off somewhere," Seigen said.

"Huh, somewhere?" Luke asked.

"Yes, I'll be seeing an old friend of mine who resides in the Rukongai," Seigen said, "so Luke, I was wondering, are you interesting in coming with me?"

"Uh, yeah sure," Luke responded, "I'd like to meet one of your friends."

"Great, she'll be happy to meet you," Seigen said, "I told her about you a while back."

"I see," Luke said as he was rubbing his head, "what did you tell her about me?"

First District of West Rukongai, Junrinan

Seigen and Luke arrived and Luke looked around.

"So this is Junrinan," Luke said.

"Yep, it's two more until Hokutan," Seigen said.

"Yeah, I'll never forget," Luke said, "you really saved us."

"I was just happy to do so," Seigen said.

Seigen and Luke walked through the district.

"So you're friend is has three people living with her," Luke said, "and one of them her grandson."

"Yeah, she was always a kind old lady," Seigen said.

"I see," Luke said.

"Oh, we're almost there," Seigen said as he and Luke saw the house.

The door to the house open and there was an old woman who came out.

"Hey there," Seigen greeted,

"Oh Seigen," The old woman said with a smile, "you've come to visit again."

"It's good to see you again," Seigen said with a smile.

"You too," The old woman said.

"Oh, we have visitor," A male voice asked.

Luke was surprised as he recognized the voice and couldn't believe it as he figured that it was not possible.

The old woman smiled and turned.

"Yes, it's Seigen again," The old woman said.

"I see," The male voice said.

The owner of the voice appeared and it was Guy and Luke was wide eyed as he was shocked and Guy was shocked as well to see Luke.

"L-Luke?" Guy said.

"Guy, it's you," Luke said.

Seigen and the old woman were surprised as they looked at the two young men.

"Oh my," The old woman said, "do you two know each other?"

"Luke, it's really you," Guy said.

"Y-Yeah," Luke said, "Guy I…I can't believe that I'm seeing you here."

"Yeah I am," Guy said with a nod and then he smiled and walked up and placed his hand on Luke's shoulder, "it's good to see you again Luke."

"D-Do you mean it?" Luke asked with worried, "Even when I…"

"I'm serious," Guy said, "I was depressed when you died," Guy shook his head, "you should have never have been killed," Guy felt ashamed, "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed it the most."

"But Guy, that was my own fault," Luke said.

"No, we all share the blame of what happened," Guy said, "I'm just so glad to see you again."

"Guy, I…" Luke said and he was tearing up, "I…"

"Oh, is everything okay?" A female voice asked.

They looked and saw Momo and Toshiro who wondered what was going on. Seigen and the old woman looked on and then they looked at each other.

"It seems that we have much to talk about," Seigen said.

"Indeed we do," The old woman said.

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Guy tells Luke of the things that has happened in Auldrant and eventually individuals decide to enroll in the Shin'o Academy.