Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach and I don't own Tales of the Abyss.
Important Decision
Two children, a girl with spiked blonde hair with some bright pink and a boy with dark lavender hair were running for their lives in fear and screaming for help. A deranged looking Shinigami was chasing them with his sword in hand. Meanwhile a young woman with black hair and violet eyes ran and made in time to see the two small children and the deranged Shinigami that had them cornered. The Shinigami raised his sword and was ready to cut down on the children but the black haired woman yelled to stop and ran toward them.
"Rukia!" The blonde girl called.
The Shinigami saw the young woman named Rukia and swung his sword but Rukia dodged the sword swing by rolling and then she kicked him in the leg and brought him down. Rukia then followed up by punching the Shinigami in the face and knocking him off balance. Afterwards, she went to the small children.
"Rukia," The blonde girl said.
"Rukia," The lavender haired boy said.
"Homura, Shizuku," Rukia said as she hugged the kids, "are you two all right?"
"Rukia, behind you," The boy named Shizuku said.
Rukia turned and saw the deranged Shinigami get up and charged toward the three people. Rukia quickly used her spirit energy and pushed the Shinigami back and caused him to roll on the ground as he dropped his sword.
"Rukia, that was amazing!" The blonde girl named Homura said.
"Stay behind me," Rukia suggested.
Black spirit energy surrounded the deranged Shinigami.
"I want your spirit energy," The Shinigami said as slowly approached the three people as there was a spiritual entity that surrounded the Shinigami.
"Run you two," Rukia instructed.
Homura and Shizuku did what they were told and ran. Rukia proceeded to charge toward the Shinigami but the Shinigami grabbed Rukia's arm and then held Rukia by her neck and picked her up and Rukia looked on shocked.
"Y-You're not a Shinigami," Rukia said, "y-you're a monster."
The Shinigami chuckled as the parasitic spiritual being appeared.
"That's enough of that," A female voice said.
The possessed Shinigami looked back and saw another Shinigami and it was Gelda.
"You have one chance to put her down," Gelda demanded.
"Who are you to command me?" The possessed Shinigami replied smugly.
"Too bad you just wasted it," Gelda said.
Immediately after Gelda said that, there was a quick slash and the arm that possessed Shinigami used to hold Rukia was slashed off and the being screamed in pain as blood spilled from the chopped limb. Rukia moved away and Gelda stood with her sword in hand to shield her.
"You go and take the kids with you," Gelda said.
"Oh right, thank you," Rukia said as she went to the kids.
Gelda focused on the possessed Shinigami who was livid.
"I'll kill you!" The possessed Shinigami declared, "I'll kill you!"
Gelda started to glow and it was yellowish white and it surprised the Shinigami as well as Rukia, Homura, and Shizuku.
"What in the world?" Rukia spoke.
"You vile Hollow," Gelda said, "I'll free him from you right now. Sorry Ueda."
The possessed Shinigami yelled with sword in hand and Gelda charged and imbued the Seventh Fonons on the blade of her sword and cut down the Shinigami. The parasitic Hollow that attached to the Shinigami screamed as a bright light formed around the Shinigami and the parasitic Hollow screamed in agony as it started to disintegrate and the Shinigami crumbled and was turned to dust. Gelda was sad seeing that Shinigami was no more.
"That Hollow drained for all he had," Gelda said and then turned to the three individuals, "are you three okay?"
"Yes thanks to you," Rukia said.
"You saved us," Homura said.
"You really, really did," Shizuku said.
Gelda smiled at them, "I'm just glad that I got here when I did."
First District of West Rukongai, Junrinan
Momo looked with curiosity at Guy and Luke whiles the two young men in question sat by a tree trunk. Luke told Guy what had happened for him since he was killed by Asch from how he felt alone and was depressed to when he met Senna and how she helped him out. Guy felt sad as he felt guilty about what happened to Luke and he hated himself for being part of the problem when Luke was depressed and he praised Senna for helping Luke out. Luke then told Guy what had happened when they were attacked by a Hollow called Mad Eater and how Seigen along with Fujimaru and Matsuri came in and saved them and then Luke told him that he was adopted and became a member of the Suzunami family that resides in the Seireitei and then he told him about Senna and about how she was adopted into the noble Ryodoji family.
"I see, so that what happened for the past five years," Guy said.
"Yeah, it's been one thing to another," Luke said.
"But I'm glad," Guy said with a smile.
"Guy?" Luke replied.
"I'm glad that you're doing well and from what I'm hearing, you have people who care about you," Guy said, "sounds like you and Senna are real close friends."
"Yeah," Luke said happily, "she really is kind."
"Yeah, she's definitely a better friend than I am," Guy said with a sad expression.
"Huh, Guy, that's not true!" Luke responded shaking his head.
"No, it is," Guy said, "and I know…"
"Huh?" Luke spoke.
"It was tough for you with what happened with Akzeriuth," Guy said.
"It was my own fault," Luke said sadly, "the people there died because of me."
"Part of that is my fault Luke," Guy said.
"But Guy you had nothing to do with that," Luke said.
"Hah, it's just as Mieu said how you would respond," Guy said.
"Huh?" Luke replied.
"But seriously it is partly my fault," Guy said.
"But…" Luke spoke.
"It's my fault that you went from a blank slate to a selfish spoiled kid," Guy said.
"What do you mean?" Luke asked.
"Well when you couldn't walk," Guy said, "or really to say you didn't know how, I was the one that looked after you. I didn't really put much effort to prevent you from gradually being selfish and spoiled. I learned my lesson, a lesson I learned too late."
"Guy, but…" Luke said.
"I'm truly sorry Luke," Guy said, "after what happened we all placed the blame on you alone and that wasn't right. Worse of all, I think we all knew that you weren't really to blame for every single thing from the start but it was convenient for us to do. You really had no idea what was going to happen and Van tricked to do what he wanted to do. He knew that you had absolute trust in him and it's understandable why. Van was someone you trusted who praised and scolded you and really he took you seriously and he was a father figure to you, more so than Duke Fabre and he took advantage of that."
"But even so, I'm the one…" Luke said.
"It's true," Guy said, "but all I'm saying is that you're not the only one who's at fault. We all are…even me. We realized that as days went by after you died."
"Guy…" Luke said.
Guy then proceeded to tell Luke what had happened in Auldrant. Luke was shocked in what he heard.
"You killed Asch?" Luke asked shocked.
"Yeah I did," Guy said with a dark expression.
"But why?" Luke asked.
"Because he killed you," Guy said, "and I wasn't going to let him get away with it even though the others would. Tear felt the same way and so did Mieu," Guy sighed, "of course Van didn't take it well when I ended Asch's life so in retaliation, he killed me and so…"
"That's how you ended up here," Luke said.
"Yeah," Guy nodded.
"What about the others?" Luke asked.
"Well I don't really know about the others," Guy said, "I haven't had much contact with the others since I cut ties with them. Natalia was there when I killed Asch and when I did that…well…" Guy looked away with a frown, "things ended between us with shouting and tears."
"I see," Luke said sadly.
Guy looked at Luke and closed his eyes for a moment and then he decided to tell himself.
"Luke, there's something else that I need to tell you," Guy said.
"Huh, what is it?" Luke asked.
"It's about myself, the truth about my past," Guy said.
"Your past?" Luke asked.
"Yeah, you see you've known me as Guy Cecil, your attendant and friend," Guy said, "I still consider you my friend Luke and it's because of that, you have to right to know the truth about me."
"The truth?" Luke asked, "Guy, what are you saying?"
"The thing is Luke," Guy said, "I'm actually originally from Malkuth."
"Wait, really?" Luke replied surprised, "you're from Malkuth…like Jade."
"Yeah, I was actually a noble who was born in Hod," Guy said, "on my fifth birthday, my family, my relatives, and all the servants gathered in my family's manor. However just as the Scorer was reading my birthday Score, the war began."
"The war?" Luke asked.
"The Hod War Luke," Guy said, "the war that lasted for a whole year. The one who attacked Hod was Duke Fabre."
"My father!" Like said in shock and then he shook his head, "No, I should say my former father."
"Former father," Guy said and then he shrugged, "I see…but yes Luke, Duke Fabre was the one who attacked Hod and he killed my family, my relatives, our servants, everyone. He destroyed everything I loved and laughed as he did so I set out to do the same thing."
"The same?" Luke asked.
"Yes, I entered House Fabre as my plan for revenge," Guy said, "I was going to kill him, Duchess Fabre…and you or really to say that it was Asch that I was going to kill."
"Guy…I see," Luke said feeling sad, "but you must have changed your mind."
"Yeah I did," Guy said and then he smiled at Luke, "and that's because of you."
"Me?" Luke responded confused, "How did I…?"
"Sometime after showing up in the manor, when we thought that you lost your memories, I once asked you if it was hard for you to not have your memories."
"Oh, you did?" Luke asked.
"Yeah and what you said to me was something I would never forget," Guy said, "You said, 'you can't keep forward if you keep looking back'."
Luke scoffed and shook his head, "Really? That was something. I didn't lose my memories; I never had any in the first place."
"Regardless, I thought that was insightful," Guy said.
"You did?" Luke asked as he was not sure.
"Yeah I did," Guy said as he placed his hand on Luke's shoulder.
Guy and Luke continued with their conversation and Seigen came by along with the old woman and joined in the conversation and Momo and even Toshiro came in as well.
Eighth District of East Rukongai, Raku'uta
Ion was walking and had his thoughts and he thought of thinking of how and where to find Luke. Ion was making a decision on something he thought of since the last time he spoke with Erika and after some time, he decided to go for it. Ion was filled with regret that he didn't do much when he was Fon Master and felt that he really let the world down and he blamed himself for his naïveté and weakness led to problems that could have been avoided.
Flashback: Yesterday
Ion was sitting by the trunk of a tree and Erika was standing.
"Ever consider being a Shinigami?" Erika asked.
"Huh?" Ion responded surprised looking at the former God-General, "A Shinigami? You mean like you?"
"Exactly," Erika said.
"I never thought about it," Ion said, "Why?"
"Well you'd be able to take care of yourself," Erika said, "you said that you couldn't stand the fact that you feel helpless and let's be real, the person who was suppose to protect you betrayed you and led you to your death. At least if you learned how to fight and be able to utilize your spirit energy, you'll have a better chance and with you being a Shinigami, you'll be able to reside in the Seireitei and therefore, you can spend your free time going through places in the Rukongai and look for the Asch replica."
"His name is Luke," Ion replied strongly, "please don't refer to him as the Asch replica. His has name and it's Luke."
Erika sighed, "Whatever but anyway Ion, what do you say?"
"I…I don't know," Ion said as he looked away, "I'm not really much of a fighter."
"The Shin'o Academy trains Shinigami," Erika said, "they can teach you how to fight and even after you finish the curriculum there, you can still continue to train yourself to fight and get better."
"Um…" Ion responded.
"Well this how I feel would be best for you," Erika said, "I really recommend it."
"Yes," Ion nodded, "I understand."
Flashback End
Ion stopped walking thinking about it. Afterwards, Ion thought about everything that had happened in the past and he believed that he was really didn't really do much back in Auldrant. He knew that there was nothing that can be done regarding Auldrant and his past but he did feel that he should change himself and even though he held no ill will towards a certain someone for his death, he didn't want be vulnerable.
"I'll do it," Ion said.
First District of West Rukongai, Junrinan
"I'm so glad to see you Luke," Guy said.
"I feel the same way Guy and thank you," Luke said.
"Huh?" Guy responded.
"Thank you for telling me more about yourself," Luke said.
"Well I felt that you needed to know," Guy said, "honestly I should have told you the truth about myself years ago."
"Don't worry about it Guy," Luke assured, "I understand why you didn't."
"I see," Guy said.
"I'll come by again to visit you as often…no every day before things get busy and then on my free time, I'll visit you again," Luke said.
"When you get busy and have free time?" Guy asked, "Luke, what do you mean?"
"Oh well the thing is that I'm going to be enrolling a place called the Shin'o Academy," Luke informed.
"The Shin'o Academy…" Guy spoke and then realized, "wait, Luke you're going to train to be a Shinigami?"
"Yeah, I am," Luke said with a smile.
"Luke…" Guy said surprised.
"I want to change for myself and be better," Luke said, "you know Senna that I mentioned?"
"Yeah?" Guy said.
"She and I have been talking and seen the actions of some of the Shinigami that we've met and then there's my father and my siblings who helped us. Ever since then I've been inspired that them. I've admired with what they do and hearing them talk about their duties and what they do as Shinigami such as keeping the balance and protecting people and the Soul Society," Luke said, "I can never make up for what I did and how I acted but ever since I've been here, I've felt that it can be change for a different path for myself."
"Luke," Guy said.
"I'm grateful for Senna for being my friend," Luke said, "I'm grateful to my adoptive father who took me in and made me a member of the Suzunami family with the love and support from not only him but also to my adoptive brother Fujimaru and my adoptive sister Matsuri as well as my adoptive Aunt Konoka. But not only that…"
"Luke?" Guy asked.
"You remember when I told you about the Hollow targeted me and Senna," Luke said, "I'm happy that my new family that took me in and want to protect me but I don't want to be a burden and I want to protect and defend the Soul Society."
"…You've thought about this, haven't you?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, I figured the path that I want to walk for myself," Luke said with a smile.
"Hmm, I see," Guy said as he smiled as well.
"I'm going to busy Guy," Luke said and then smiled at Guy, "of course I'll visit you as often as I can."
"You don't really need to worry about that," Guy said.
"Huh, why?" Luke asked confused.
Guy smiled at Luke, "I'll do it too."
"Huh?" Luke replied surprised.
"Oh come on," Guy said, "you know what I mean. I'm saying that I'll train to be a Shinigami as well."
Luke was surprised, "Wait, really?
"Yeah," Guy said then directed Luke to someone, "you see that girl?"
Luke looked at Momo who was talking to Toshiro.
"That's Momo, right?" Luke asked.
"Yeah, the thing is that she's plans to enroll in the Shin'o Academy to be a Shinigami as well," Guy said, "She insisted that do the same."
"Really?" Luke replied amazed.
"Yeah, I thought about if I should do," Guy said, "and now I decided."
"Guy…" Luke said.
"Hearing the things you said Luke," Guy said, "you really changed and you've decided and worked some things out for yourself and frankly, I want to do the same. If anything, I like to back you up and I'm doing this because I want to."
"Guy," Luke said amazed, "you really are something Guy."
"So are you," Guy said.
Luke nodded and looked at Guy excited.
"Let's do it," Luke said, "we'll become Shinigami and protect the Soul Society and the people in it."
"And we'll help each other out," Guy said excited.
Luke and Guy knocked fists with each other marking their agreement and their determination. Later on, Luke and Seigen said their goodbyes to the old woman, Guy, Momo, and Toshiro. Momo learned what Guy and Luke were planning and excitedly told Luke she'll see him at the academy next month and looking forward to it and Luke responded happily about it. Seigen looked at Luke and felt proud and both of them headed back to the Seireitei.
Seireitei
Luke and Seigen returned to the Seireitei.
"Luke, I have to go to the barracks," Seigen said, "I have things to discuss with my subordinates."
"I understand Father," Luke said, "I can head back on my own and Father."
"Yes?" Seigen replied.
"Thank you," Luke said, "if I hadn't come with you, I wouldn't have got to meet with my friend Guy again."
Seigen smiled, "I'm happy for you my son."
Luke grinned happily. Later on, Luke went on his way alone and then he saw Senna and waved at her. Senna was happy to see Luke and went over to him. They talked to each other as they made their way to the Suzunami Manor and Senna was surprised at what Luke told her.
"Your friend Guy?" Senna spoke.
"Yeah, I was surprised but there he was," Luke said, "I'm so glad."
Senna smiled and then she gave Luke a hug in which Luke was surprised at Senna's gesture.
"Senna," Luke said.
"I'm so happy for you Luke," Senna said, "I really am."
Luke was touched and hugged back.
"Thank you Senna," Luke said feeling happy.
"Oh how sweet," A female voice said.
Luke and Senna were surprised and they looked and saw Matsuri who was grinning.
"M-Matsuri!" Luke said.
Luke and Senna blushed and moved away from each other.
"Oh you don't need to feel embarrassed," Matsuri said, "so Senna."
"Uh y-yes?" Senna asked still blushing.
"Just how close are you and my little brother?" Matsuri asked.
"Ah," Senna said as she was shocked.
"Matsuri, please!" Luke said feeling embarrassed.
Senna looked away still blushing but she didn't feel that it was bad question and as in fact, she wanted to be even closer to Luke. Senna looked and saw Luke complaining to Matsuri and his surrogate sister laughing and having fun with her younger brother. Senna looked and was happy as she didn't mind at all with what was going on.
Hueco Mundo
The Hollow who was Asch panted as he glared at someone and it was another Hollow. The Hollow was 5'11 and it was green skinned with some blue with glowing yellow eyes and the mask was that of wolf.
"What the hell do want from me?" Asch asked angrily.
"I'm going to make you pay from what you did," The wolf masked Hollow said.
"What do you mean?" Asch asked.
"I'm also from Auldrant like you," The Hollow said.
"You are?" Asch replied surprised.
"Yes, I was a soldier in the Malkuth military," The wolf masked Hollow said, "in fact, I was on a mission. That mission was to escort a VIP to Kimlasca. I was part of the 3rd Division of the Malkuth Imperial Forces and was the second-in-command to the commander of the 3rd Division, Colonel Jade Curtiss."
Asch was shocked as he started to realize.
"Y-You were…" Asch spoke.
"That's right!" The Hollow said angrily, "My name is Marco and I was on the Tartarus when you Oracle Knights invaded and killed me and my comrades going after Fon Master Ion."
Asch was taken aback as he recalled that he had indeed taking part of it. It wasn't something he was not proud of as he knew he took part of the killings of Malkuthian soldiers.
"Wait, you don't understand!" Asch said.
"Oh no, don't you dare!" Marco said angrily, "Don't you dare try to give an excuse of what you did and don't you dare try to say you didn't have a choice!"
Asch was upset and spoke in his head, "But I really didn't!"
Seireitei, Soul Society
Within the Suzunami Manor, Luke and Senna were sitting in a room and a female servant had brought them tea and Luke nodded as he was pleased.
"Thanks a lot," Luke said.
"You're welcome Lord Luke," The female servant said with a smile.
The servant left and Luke and Senna were enjoying their tea and the outside view of the garden.
"Again I'm sorry about Matsuri," Luke said.
"Oh don't worry about it," Senna assured, "I'm not bother about it. Really…"
"I see," Luke said.
They sat together and drank their tea.
"Are you prepared Luke?" Senna asked.
"Yeah," Luke said with a smile, "in one month…"
"We enroll in the Shin'o Academy to train to become Shinigami," Senna said.
"A path for us to walk on," Luke said, "and to prove ourselves."
"Yes," Senna said, "so that we never feel helpless again."
"Indeed," Luke said.
Luke and Senna thought five years ago when they were attacked by the Hollow known as Mad Eater and they swore that they never feel helpless and powerless again and protect people. Senna smiled at Luke and Luke was surprised a bit and then sipped his tea again.
Hell
In Hell's first level Mohs was running and he clenched his teeth as he was running from a Kushanada.
"I don't belong here!" Mohs complained, "I was brought here by mistake! Why doesn't anyone see or know that?!"
Suddenly another Kushanada appeared in front of Mohs and the former Grand Maestro was shocked and horrified. Mohs screamed no as he was quickly grabbed and picked up and Mohs pleaded with the Kushanada to not kill him again but his pleas were ignored as the Kushanada chomped on Mohs and blood splattered and Mohs screamed loudly. Elsewhere four Sinners looked on and saw what was happening with Mohs.
"How many times as it been now for Mohs?" One Sinner asked.
"I would say twenty-four times now," Another Sinner replied.
"That's how it is in Hell," Another Sinner said, "these torments apply to us as well."
One Month Later, Seireitei, Soul Society
Luke and Senna were standing and staring at the entrance of the Shin'o Academy.
"This is it," Luke said.
"It is," Senna said.
Luke and Senna went in ready to take the academy's entrance exam.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The entrance exams are taken with the results and the beginning in the Shin'o Academy.
