Author's note: I don't own any of the characters. They belong to Tite Kubo. The original characters belong to me.
Chapter 9: You Learn It, You Keep It
In the imperial palace of Esperanza, El Dorado, Hueco Mundo
With Urahara, Yoruichi and Tessai taking Ganju and Hanataro with them to the summit, Orihime, Chad, Jinta and Ururu were left to stay in the palace while they were gone. They had bid farewell to Ganju and Hanataro, since they would eventually rejoin the Shinigamis and return to the Soul Society. After seeing them vanish through the Garganta, Orihime decided to ask her friend about their next move.
"So…..any ideas on what we should do?" the orange-haired woman asked the tall man.
Chad faced her with his usual calm expression. "I don't know. But as Urahara said, it's best for us to remain here in El Dorado until we're prepared for the final battle" he said but suddenly noticed something. "Speaking of which, where did Riruka and Yukio run off to?" he asked while noticing that they were not there.
"They said they would be heading back to the tent outside the observatory" Jinta answered while resting his hands behind his neck. "But they don't have a chance of leaving El Dorado. This entire city is crawling with Hollows and Arrancars alike" the red-haired boy added to his words.
"Hmm…figures" Chad remarked lowly.
However, the four Humans snapped when they could hear loud steps coming from behind. They all recognized that Spiritual Pressure and turned around to see Yammy, already grinning his teeth like the bully he was universally known as.
"Heh! It looks like that blonde-haired bastard and his catty bitch are not here to protect you anymore! Which means, I can finish getting back at you for what you did to me!" he exclaimed while clenching his left fist, with red energy enveloping around it. However, he stopped it as his eyes caught a glance at Orihime's worried glance. It immediately made him recognize her. "Hey! I know you, lady! Weren't you Aizen's concubine or something?" he wondered aloud while scratching his head.
By hearing these words, Orihime immediately felt herself being thrown under the bus. The young woman lowered her head in shame, as she was still haunted by the manipulations. She had allowed herself to be taken advantage by Aizen for her compassion and kindness. Chad could see Orihime's distress and tried his best to comfort her.
"Don't talk to Orihime like that, ya big turd! She's done nothing to you!" the aggressive and outspoken voice of Jinta immediately changed the mood and it made Orihime widen her eyes at him in surprise.
Yammy quickly reverted back to his resentment towards Jinta. "You little brat! Try mocking me once I've stomped my foot upon that smartass face of yours!" he angrily slurred at the teenage boy.
Jinta and Ururu could see Yammy taking steps towards them, but he stopped as two Dechados were currently standing in his way, having just used Sonido. It was Nelliel and Harribel and they were preventing Yammy from reaching the group. Both women faced the brutish Arrancar sternly as if they were dispassionate about his behavior.
Yammy growled at seeing this. "Out of my way, whores of Aizen! I've got a bone to pick with these kids!" Yammy demanded while preparing a Bala in his left fist.
Harribel only narrowed her blue eyes at him, not holding back her willingness to harm Yammy. "You call us whores? That is awfully hypocritical of you to say, Yammy. After all, you were among his trusted bloodhounds" she said lowly, much to the tall Arrancar's anger.
"You bitch! What the hell's your deal!? I've got no beef with you! Move aside!" Yammy clapped back at her.
"His Highness have commanded that these Humans are to be left unharmed. Dechados are under orders not to inflict damage upon them. The same order goes for you Legionarios as well. Respect that!" Harribel pointed out.
"Don't make this harder for yourself, Yammy Llargo" Nelliel joined in, assisting her comrade. "Otherwise, we will resort to drastic measures to make comply" she added to her warning.
However, the tall Legionario was having nothing of it. "Screw you and the orders!" he spat back.
As Yammy was about to angrily attack the two ladies, he froze as he could see someone standing behind the group. By seeing this, he immediately became uncomfortable and quickly kneeled while shaking with fear, much to the group's confusion. However, Nelliel and Harribel eventually did the same thing and ceased their hostilities.
Turning around, they could see Augustus Zod Allowin, while he was surveying them with his watchful gaze. The group got intimidated by him, as they never knew what he could do with them.
But based upon the expression on the ancient Arrancar's face, he seemed to raise an eyebrow in an act of curiosity. His curiosity was only confirmed by seeing him crossing his arms. "I am amused by how you Humans have lasted this long in Hueco Mundo. Since you all passed the test, you do show some promises, each of you" Allowin spoke up, his voice ringing like a bell in the corridor.
The group were stunned to see how Allowin was being rather kinder towards them, as he had previously expressed hostility and rage upon Urahara and his friends. Still, there was no doubt that he still had a few levels of distrust in the Humans. They would do well than to misbehave.
Allowin looked over to Nelliel and Harribel and faced the two women with humble eyes. "Nelliel, make sure that these strangers are well-guarded. I believe that they can be of some assistance to the empire, despite their fragile Spiritual Pressures" he told her and Nelliel bowed her head formally in return.
"As you command, my lord" she said in return.
"However, there is someone who would like to have a few words with those named Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue" the emperor revealed and the group could see Pieddot appearing from behind Allowin, bowing formally towards the two.
"Greetings, Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue" he said gently, yet cunningly. "I was wondering if you two would like to come with me to my study in the Conociomento and have a little chat together. I take it that Urahara has not told you anything more about your powers, yes?" the masked Arrancar quizzed them.
The two friends were stunned by hearing his offer, as they never expected someone like Pieddot to come to them and say those words. While Chad had some doubts, Orihime, anxious to know more about the so-called Interminables, felt the need to accompany go with the Dechado.
"Very well. I'll come with you" the young woman stated.
"You made the right decision, madam" he commended her. He then looked at Chad. "If you don't wish to come with me, then that is fine by me. However, considering what you are, knowing your roots would perhaps be beneficial to you" the Arrancar with burlap mask recommending him.
After thinking this through, Chad agreed and joined Orihime. He nodded at Pieddot but faced him suspiciously. "I will accompany you. But just so you understand, I won't allow you to experiment on us" he said while slightly warning him.
Hearing this caused Pieddot to chuckle. "Now, now, there is no need to be so defensive. By His Highness' orders, all of us, including the normal citizens of El Dorado are prohibited from causing any harm upon you, both physically and mentally" he repeated Allowin's order. "And besides, why would I experiment on you? You are both alive, not dead. The only living things I experiment on are Esclavos, like what those three used to be" he went on explaining, looking over to face the three former members of the Espadas.
While Yammy felt uncomfortable in hearing this, both Nelliel and Harribel faced Pieddot deadly, almost as if they could have kill him for saying that, had he not been a Dechado.
"Have no fear, ladies. I will treat them with the dignity and respect they both deserve. They are visitors, after all" Pieddot said and faced the two Humans. "Well then, shall we go?" he asked them and they nodded in response. The trio then went to the elevator, leaving Jinta and Ururu alone with the Arrancars.
Allowin suddenly began facing Harribel. "Tier Harribel. Come with me to the throne room. I would like to have a discussion between just you and I" he spoke to her.
This caught the blonde-haired woman by surprise, yet she lowered her head in a formal manner, indicating that she accepted the invitation. "As you wish, my lord" she said in return, and they to left the corridor.
As Ururu and Jinta watched them leave, they could still hear Yammy growl, as he felt irritated by not being able to get his hands on the teenagers. He sighed deeply and crossed his arms while grunting. "So you're now celebrities in El Dorado all of a sudden!? Bah! Call yourselves whatever you want! You're still a pair of spoiled, freeloading brats to me!" he spat at them.
But the brutish Arrancar, as well as Jinta and Nelliel, became surprised by seeing Ururu bow her head in shame to Yammy. It would seem that the meek girl was actually trying to soften Yammy's hateful soul. But could she succeed?
"On behalf of me and Jinta, I sincerely apologize for deceiving you. But we just wanted someone to help us find the road to El Dorado" Ururu said.
Jinta leaned onto her and began whispering. "Ururu, what the hell are you trying to pull…OUCH!" Jinta was interrupted when Ururu smacked his face and sent him flying.
She proceeded to talk with Yammy. "But if you really want to fight Ichigo so desperatley, I can give you all the characteristics I know about him. That includes his birthday, his phone number, his favorite food, his favorite types of magazines and…." Ururu was stopped by Nelliel, who covered the teenager's mouth with her hand.
"Just stop it! You have said so much about Ichigo that even I just can't take much more of hearing it!" the sea green-haired woman said while requesting.
As Yammy stood and listened, he shrugged his shoulders and turned around to walk away. "All this bullcrap is making me sick. Still, you can keep your apologies to yourself, girly. I'm not falling for it. Until we meet again…...bueno suerte" he said before vanishing by using his Sonido.
Both teenagers and Nelliel were confused at Yammy's sudden change of behavior as he was usually not that brightest type of Arrancars. Even so, Ururu and Jinta were still relieved over being spared from Yammy's wrath.
At Karakura Town, the Human World
The summit had so far been not what Shinigamis had expected it to be. By using the Fake Karakura Town without the Arrancars' knowledge, it had proven difficult for the Dechados to trust in their counterparts. But there was more.
Squad 2's stubborn and reckless Captain Sui-Feng foolishly believed that she could assassinate at least one of the Dechados by using her incredible speed. However, she had foolishly underestimated the extraordinary talents that the paragons possessed, including their fast Sonido. She was held as a captive by Diablo Gallante, who could've cut off her head with his scythe, yet for some reason, he only sought to teach her a lesson in humility.
Hoping to save Sui-Feng, Marechiyo, Ikkaku, Yumichika and Shuhei had launched their attack on Gallante, only for Ùnico Barcellos De Oliveira, Appius Titus Caesar and Ozzy Namatjira to intervene and disrupt their attack. Soon after, the three Vizard captains decided to make their move, by using their Hollowfication to impress their counterparts. Unfortunately, the Dechados were able to dispel the Hollowfications with a unique ability.
But after handing over Sui-Feng to the captains and lieutenants, the Dechados had decided to end their summit earlier by revealing them their Resurrecciòn. Annabelle Luisenbarn, Xerxxes Rureaux and Luddenwig Van Gogh had demonstrated their true forms, which to the Shinigamis' eyes was unlike anything they had previously witnessed from the Resurrecciòns belonging to the Espadas. In fact, Luddenwig's Resurrecciòn managed was so immense that is managed to destabilize and destroy the four pillars that held up the Fake Karakura Town. Thus, the real Karakura Town was shown, as night was descending upon the town.
"Damn…" Urahara uttered out words lowly while hiding among the trees, along with Tessai, Yoruichi, Ganju and Hanataro. "The Spiritual Pressure these Arrancars carry are unlike anything I have ever seen" he added to his statement.
"Furthermore, they were somehow able to dispel the Hollowfications" Tessai added warily. "I have a feeling that these Arrancars are capable of performing more tricks, based up what we have seen here!" he then said to his comrades.
But they both could notice Yoruichi, who seemed very angered by looking at Sui-Feng, as the Captain of Squad 2 was no standing on her knees. Nevertheless, Yoruichi still felt a great hint of disappointment towards her protégé. In fact, she even used Shunpo to vanish from the spot, much to her friends' surprise.
"Hold on, Yoruichi!" Urahara called out while following her to make sure she was alright.
So far, the captains and lieutenants had only stood and watched three of the Dechados unleashing their Resurrecciòns. While Annabelle, Xerxxes and Luddenwig had done that, Gallante was now removing his cover around his mouth, and it revealed everyone his Hollow-shell, which was formed like a devilish grin with evil teeth. In some ways, his Hollow-shell was similar to Harribel's.
The red-skinned Arrancar with the scythe took small steps towards the line of captains, who were still standing their ground, not sure whether he and his fellow paragons were planning on attacking them. But Gallante eventually stopped and put his left hand over his eyepatch, his other visible eye narrowing cunningly.
"Now that you have seen three Resurrecciòns, I think that a last and final one would be enough to convince you not to take us lightly. Allow me to demonstrate you the true meaning of the apocalypse itself, by witnessing my true form, created in the bowels of Hell itself!" Gallante declared loudly, his hand tightening his grip on the eyepatch. He slowly began removing it by uttering his Zanpakutou's release command. "Incinerate…...Infierno!" the moment, he said that, his eyepatch was removed and a shining golden eye was revealed for everyone to see.
Fire erupted from the ground beneath him and Gallante's entire body was taken by the flame strike. However, the ball of fire that was shown began digging itself deeper into the ground Gallante was nowhere to be seen, except for the crimson fire that sprouted up from the ground. The nearby grass withered, all thanks to the flame.
The flames stopped, but something quickly jumped out from the hole in the ground and appeared for the Shinigamis to see. It was Diablo Gallante, now in his true form. He looked like an archdevil with hooves, grayish armor and two white horns sticking up. However, he was still carrying his scythe, which was now covered in flames. With his Hollow-shell gone, Gallante had black facial hair around his chin. Meanwhile, his exposed biceps and his eyes were enveloped with golden fire. Needless to say, Gallante was now resembling more of a devil than an Arrancar.
Gallante narrowed his burning eyes as he faced the Shinigamis. "Consider this a warning to you, if you ever think about bringing us into your little conflict" he warned them, his breath spewing forth heat in the process.
Shunsui and Ukitake were had now activated heir Shikais, as they were ready to retaliate, should the Dechados change their minds about leaving them alone. However, the head-captain still felt that all of this was his responsibility, and tried to make their counterparts see reason.
"We are dealing with a common enemy who seeks nothing but the destruction of both the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo! Surely you must understand that!" Shunsui tried to point out a fact.
Xerxxes only grunted by what he was hearing. "We have no intention of risking the lives of our brothers and sisters for the sake of the Sereitei! The return of the Quincies is Yamamato's doing…the Shinigamis' doing….your doing" the minotaur-like Arrancar told him and the other captains.
"Head-Captain Yamamoto sacrificed much to preserve this world's continued existence!" Ukitake suddenly shot back, his voice filled with frustration. "That said, it is also unfair to call the Wandenreich's invasion of the Soul Society our doing! Many lives were lost because of the assault!" he added to his statement.
Luddenwig only furrowed his eyebrows while chuckling in amusement by the white-haired captain's words. "It astounds me that even you are in denial about your order's failure. Don't you have something to hide, Jushiro Ukitake?" he asked smugly.
Ukitake's green eyes widened in shock. "But I…I never told you about my name!" he noted with surprise.
Suddenly, three Gargantas had been opened and the soldiers of the Imperio de Hierro mounted on their beasts and was about to take their leave. However, Annabelle caught wind of Urahara and his friends standing with the Shinigamis. The banshee-like Arrancar smirked by seeing him.
"Careful not to run away from us, mansion boy! You still are in our possession!" she warned him coldly. "We expect you and your friends to return to El Dorado soon. But as promised, you may have a few parting words with these spineless fools you call Shinigamis. But remember, do not dare go back on your words to his His Highness!" she said one more time before disappearing into one of the Gargantas, as they all shut.
After the great fiasco, Shunsui made sure that all those participating in this summit had been properly taken care of. Hanataro had begun treating those who had gotten injured by the brief confrontation with the Arrancars. But for the head-captain dressed in pink kimono, this fiasco had been a blow to his dignity as a leader.
He sat on a stone and sighed deeply by what he had witnessed so far. "Well, guess that we won't be getting any non-aggression pact with them" Shunsui noted with little enthusiasm in his voice.
"Captain, it wasn't your fault that everything went so bad" Nanao tried to lift his spirit while assuring him.
While hearing that, Shunsui and his lieutenants took a like at Yoruichi, who aggressively grabbed Sui-Feng's collar and lifted her up, her feline eyes filled with dispassion. The blue-haired woman dared not look into her former superior's eyes.
"What the hell has gotten into you?" Yoruichi lowly, but sternly asked Sui-Feng, who was still not answering. This only irritated her any further. "Don't give me that bullshit response! Is this what has become of the leadership of the Stealth Force!? So many years, yet you still lack the maturity as a captain!" the purple-haired woman angrily scolded her former lieutenant.
Sui-Feng faced her captain with eyes that were filled with shame and humility. "But Lady Yoruichi I…I…" the blue-haired captain was interrupted by her former superior's harsh words.
"No more words out of you!" Yourichi said strictly. "And by the way, you wanted to know…...about the reason why I did not take you along with me to my exile" she said, and Sui-Feng's eyes widened in surprise. True, she had never been given the answer to it from her former captain. What was Yoruichi's answer? "I chose not to take you with me because I had faith in you…...faith in your abilities to lead as the Commander of the Stealth Force and Captain of Squad 2. I had also hoped that carrying those titles would help you grow. Sadly, my faith in you was misplaced" she revealed with no pleasant words and decided to find a spot to think through the stress. She had decided to rest by a tree. But on her way, she passed Kensei, who merely crossed his arms as their gazes met for a long time.
"Tch, perhaps it was a mistake to make her your protégé" the grey-haired man said lowly while taking a brief glance at Sui-Feng. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think Yushiro would've made a better captain" he admitted to her.
Hearing this only made Yoruichi grunt in return, and she ignored Kensei's words. The young woman leaned onto a tree and rested, almost behaving like a cat.
At the same time, Urahara was having a conversation with Shunsui, Ukitake and Shinji, discussing their next move. "So, I take it you plan on returning to Hueco Mundo, yes?" the pink-clad Shinigami asked the blonde-haired man who only nodded in return.
"I still haven't been able to finish my research on how the Quincies were able to steal the Bankais. Therefore, I will head back to my mini-lab and find out more" Urahara said before sighing deeply. "However, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be under heavy supervision from the Arrancars, given this summit's failure" he admitted.
"There is no hope of continuing this project" Ukitake stated grimly. "The 13 Court Guard Squads must immediately return to the Soul Society and bolster its defenses. It won't be long before the Wandenreich catches wind of what we were doing in the Human World" the white-haired man added to his suggestion.
"Tch, those bastards!" Shinji said while thinking about the Arrancars that had managed to seal his Hollowfication. "Since when did Arrancars become THAT intelligent?" he asked out loud. The Captain of Squad 5 then focused his attention on Urahara. "Whatever the hell those guys are, they're worse than the Espadas, that's for sure" he admitted to Urahara.
The blonde-haired man only nodded his head in agreement. But he surprisingly fixed a smug smile while facing him. "By the way, Shinji. Is Hiyori and the Vizards beginning their job I asked them to do?" he questioned him.
Shinji only poked his left ear before replying. "Yeah, I think so" he answered while not being entirely sure. "Before I attended this summit, I had a brief phone call with Hiyori, who kept bitching about whatever kinds of fucked up things. However, she did receive the package from you. Well…that's what she told me, at least" the captain added with little enthusiasm.
"What have you employed the Vizards for?" Ukitake asked Urahara while sounding curious. "While I do appreciate their assistance, it would be great if they could come over to the Sereitei to help us with our preparations" he added.
Urahara only smiled smugly. "Don't worry. They'll be there once they've finished the job. And let me assure you that what they are doing will be of great help to the Soul Society" he assured him.
Shunsui only chuckled by hearing his words. "You never cease to amaze us, Kisuke Urahara" the head-captain commented.
The usually laid-back Shinigami began heading towards Tessai and motioned for Yoruichi to come as well and they were gathered in a ring of three. "Okay, guys. This is it. I didn't expect the summit to end up in disaster, but we'll proceed with our plans regardless" Urahara told them and began facing Yoruichi with a smile. "Yoruichi, I want you to ho join the Vizards and help them in collecting the distortions between the realms. With your help, they will be done faster" he told her.
"Yeah, I agree with you" she said and briefly looked at Sui-Feng still getting treated for her injuries. "I'd give anything to not stand here and witness more of Sui-Feng's stupidity" she said with distaste of her former lieutenant.
Tessai adjusted his glasses. "My, you seem to be a little too harsh on Sui-Feng, don't you think, Yoruichi?" he asked her.
Yoruichi only scoffed while crossing her arms. "I'll admit that I envy you sometimes, Tessai. Your mentoring of Hachi apparently surpasses that of mine with Sui-Feng" the purple-haired woman remarked before fixing a cunning grin with her mouth. "Anyway, I'll head out to wherever the Vizards are. Say hello to Xerxxes for me. I've never seen such a handsome bull before!" she said with humor before vanishing into thin air using her Shunpo.
Both Urahara and Tessai both dropped sweats by hearing what she had just told them. "Uhhhh…...what just happened?" the blonde-haired man asked while sounding dumbfounded.
Tessai only cleared his throat. "Just ignore her jokes for now, boss. Shall we return to El Dorado?" he asked him.
Urahara only smiled at his friend smugly in return. "Absolutely" he responded.
Toshiro, Rose and Byakuya could watch the two open a Garganta for them to enter. However, they were already having their own discussion about what to do next. Rose stroke his blonde hair.
"What an utter disappointment" Rose noted lowly. "And to think that I would allow myself to be humiliated by Arrancars" he added, as he could not believe how they were able to dispel his Hollowfication.
"None of this would've been necessary if only Captain Sui-Feng had kept her arrogance in check" Toshiro remarked, briefly looking over his shoulder to see the captain recovering from her injuries. He sighed deeply. "But alas, I never thought that we would have to fight Arrancars once again" he added to his statement.
Rose faced him smugly. "You and Capain Kuchiki were wise to not rush into battle, considering that you didn't have your Bankais. I see now why each of you were chosen as captains" the Captain of Squad 3 commended their patience.
"Perhaps. However, even if we had our Bankais, I can't help but to wonder if that would make us able to stand against these Dechados" the white-haired boy remarked. "Their Resurrecciòns…are remarkable" he then added. But Toshiro had other thoughts in his head at the moment. "Maybe I suspicions were true. These Arrancars may have been former…Vasto Lordes" he thought in his head.
Byakuya was not interested in joining this conversation, as his mind was drifting off to something else. The Captain of Squad 6 could not help but to recall what Annabelle had said to him. "A clan of butchers and assassins, she said" the black-haired man recalled what the Dechado had told him. For some reason, frustration began boiling inside of him, as those words had left him a grim reminder of something about his past. "Damned Hollow! What would she know about the Kuchiki clan's history?" he wondered, the words from Annabelle still haunting his thoughts.
Ikkaku, Yumichika and Shuhei had slowly begun to recover from their injuries. They could see that Marechiyo was not so fortunate, as the chubby Shinigami had been knocked out into a concussion thanks to Ùnico's immense strength.
Shuhei slightly winced in pain while rubbing his head. "Damn it, my head hurts! It's almost as if a giant shield was thrown at me!" he exclaimed.
Both Ikkaku and Yumichika stared at him with little enthusiasm. "Actually, there was a giant shield thrown at you, genius" Yumichika pointed out, but Shuhei didn't seem to give much thought. The pretty man only shrugged his shoulders by seeing this. "I was only trying to help" he noted lowly.
"Anyways, while I know that Captain Zaraki is capable of standing up to these monstrous freaks, I have doubts about the other captains, especially those who have lost their Bankais" Ikkaku noted while eyeing each captain that was present.
Yumichika fixed a slight smirk while hearing this. "You don't say" he said smugly.
"What in the hell were you three thinking?" the three Shinigamis could hear the voice of Izuru, as he, Momo and Rangiku was now standing before them. "Did you guys really think that you would stand a chance against these Arrancars? I mean Ikkaku, your Bankai is broken. And as for Yumichika and Shuhei, none of you have achieved a Bankai yet" the blonde-haired man told them.
Shuhei only scoffed at his words. "Speak for yourself, Izuru. You haven't improved much yourself" the punkish lieutenant responded. "And for the record, it wasn't just us three. Omaeda was the one to charge first" he then pointed out.
Rangiku stood up and faced her fellow lieutenant with a dispassionate glance. "Who cares about which one of you started it!? You could've been killed!" the strawberry-haired woman pointed out, much to Shuhei's own surprise. "All of you were stupid enough to provoke those Arrancars and look where that got us!" she added while facing the ground with a hint of shame.
"Don't feel bad, Rangiku. None of us is at fault here" Momo assured her with a smile. "I only hope that we are prepared for what lies before us" she suddenly said with a low voice.
"Momo has a point" Izuru said, agreeing with his long-time classmate. "All of us better think about what we should do now. I can feel that war is on the horizon" the gloomy Shinigami admitted to his comrades while noticing Toshiro opening a Senkaimon.
This only convinced them all to gather up their belongings and return to the Soul Society. There was no time to waste, as they knew that the Quincies would strike back at any minute. But for some captains, the summit's failure only led them to only have slight misgivings about Shunsui's role as head-captain. Hopefully, the war would make all Shinigamis, Court Guard or Royal Guard, set aside their differences and unite against their common foe.
Inside a hall, the Conociomento, El Dorado
Chad and Orihime had accepted Pieddot's invitation to visit them in his study at the observatory. As expected, the study housed many scrolls and books, and sometimes, it almost looked like a science lab. However, there was also a giant telescope, indicating that his study was in fact on the highest level of the building.
Both Orihime and Chad were intrigued by the fact that a place such as this even existed in Hueco Mundo. However, they would not touch anything, unless Pieddot gave them permission to do so.
"Well, now that you are both here, I think I would like to start with you, Yasutora" Pieddot said, causing Chad to only nod his head as a yes. "Your membership of the organization called Xcution gave you some information about Fullbringers, am I correct?" the researcher cunningly asked Chad, as he was stunned to realize that the paragon knew about his previous dealings with Kugo Ginjo and his associates. But to answer his question, Chad simply nodded in return.
"Yeah. They told me that Fullbringers come from parents who has been devoured by a Hollow during their earlier lives" Chad slowly recalled by what he knew from his conversation with those members. "The ability I possess is called Fullbring, which allows me to manipulate the soul that rests within my body" the tall man added to his explanation.
Pieddot only nodded his head in return. "Yes, I see. Why not demonstrate you demonstrate your Fullbring? Show me how it looks like" the researcher requested him.
Chad did as he requested and then transformed his arms by using his Fullbring. He revealed both arms for Pieddot and Orihime to see. "My right arm: Brazo Derecha de Gigante. And my left arm: Brazo Izquierda de Diablo. These two are what I call my Fullbring" he told them.
The masked Arrancar was curious while studying the two arms. "Fascinating. From what I can tell, your Fullbring is quite different from those of Riruka Dokugamine and Yukio Hans Voralberna. From what I can assess, its powers are similar to those of Hollows" Pieddot noted while commenting his ability. "You may have noticed that while in Hueco Mundo, your Fullbring becomes empowered" he added to his analysis.
"I already know that" Chad responded lowly, recalling the time he went into Las Noches along with Ichigo and the others to save Orihime from captivity.
Pieddot knew that he understood it and focused his attention on Orihime, who was just as curios as he was. "Orihime. Your have the power to return anything to what it previously was. An amazing ability" he remarked, causing Orihime to somewhat feel embarrassed over being complimented like this. "But, as incredible as your power is, it cannot return all things to what they were before. I take it you already know that, considering how Sosuke Aizen fooled you into believing that his fabricated Oken could be restored by your ability" the masked Arrancar went on, and Orihime was immediately remined about how she foolishly had fallen for Aizen's lie.
"I know" Orihime responded lowly, with a hint of sadness in her voice. But she faced the researcher with a curious glance. "But say, was Aizen aware of what kind of Human I was?" she suddenly asked Pieddot.
"That I am not sure of" the masked Arrancar said. "However, I do know for a fact that Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin and Tessai Tsukabishi, had incredible amounts of knowledge about the Interminables, even before your powers were awakened" he went on.
The orange-haired woman snapped in surprise as she knew what he meant by that. "That's right! Jinta and Ururu…they're also Interminables!" she stated lowly. "But their powers are mostly strength-based when compared to different mine" she then remarked.
Pieddot nodded his head as a yes. "You are correct" he said and began facing both Orihime and Chad at the same time, indicating that he wanted to talk with them both. "Now listen carefully, young ones. What I am about to tell you, may not be what you expect to believe in. But in the end, it is the truth. I will tell you…...about the origins of both Interminables and Fullbringers" he revealed to them.
Both Orihime and Chad both snapped, with their eyes widening in surprise over hearing this. Could this be true? Were they gonna find out more about their powers and where their origins lied? They really wanted to know it.
"The truth is that Interminables and Fullbringers….do not have their origins in the Human World" he revealed to them while they were stunned in return. "However, you have Human origins and you are Humans. But those two people…were not born…but created" he then revealed lowly.
The two friends both got shocked by hearing this and only Chad had enough strength to speak up. "No….it can't be…..." the tall man said lowly. But Chad still had enough strength to speak. "Fullbringers…are they from…..Hueco Mundo?" he asked lowly.
Pieddot only nodded his head as a confirmation to Chad's theory. "Yes, they are" he said and suddenly rose up from his seat and stretched out his clawed hands to show them his study. "In fact, it was in this very building, the Conociomento, were they were created. The first Fullbringers were legions of Human women, who had been impregnated by Hollows in the Human World. But when His Highness caught wind of it, he demanded that all those women, as well as their unborn babies be brought to El Dorado, where they could birth. But however, knowing that Humans and Hollows could never become one, these Humans were experimented and flesh-shaped…...with Hollow-blood" he explained, much to Chad's own shock and surprise. "With Hollow-blood running through their veins, these children survived and for many years, these "Fullbringers" stayed in El Dorado to work as laborers for the nobility, until they were told to return to the Human World, where they would continue to live" he added to his explanation.
"So Fullbringers returned to the Human World…...but for what reason?" Chad asked, while wanting to know the answer.
Pieddot nodded at him, knowing that he deserved to be heard. "Yes, they were brought back to the Human World, but only for a particular reason" he said before fixing his cunning eyes at Orihime. "And that is what I am about to tell you, Orihime" he told her.
After listening to the Fullbringer's origins, Orihime had been completely struck about how to deal with such new information. Even so, she felt a desire to know the truth, as she had always been curios about her own abilities.
"What do you know about the Interminables?" Orihime asked, her curiosity taking hold upon her.
"Like Fullbringers, Interminables were originally normal Human beings who roamed in the World of the Living peacefully ages ago. However, they were sadly abducted. But not by Arrancars. And not even by Quincies" the masked Arrancar began his explanation while facing the young woman, who was nothing but stunned by hearing this. "Yes, young one. These Humans were abducted and captured…...by Shinigamis" he revealed grimly.
"No way…...captured…...by Shinigamis?" Orihime wondered lowly. "So that means they were brought to the…Soul Society?" she asked.
Pieddot nodded as a yes. "Correct. But how did these Humans end up becoming those we call Interminables? Remember, the Department Research and Development did not exist at that time. Still, these Humans were being experimented on …by infusing the blood of the Soul King" he then revealed, and Orihime's heart started to beat faster while she could not take much more of this. But something inside her told her to sit and listen. "The Soul Society had desired to create a race that would serve its citizens well, as well as fill in the gap left by the Quincies, as they already had their own home. But in order for these primitive Humans to be just as intelligent as the Quincies and other peoples…the Shinigamis experimented with the Soul King's blood…and infused them into the primitive Humans, thus changing them forever. Because of their numbers growing rapidly, they came to be known as the Interminables" the researcher concluded his explanation.
Suddenly, Orihime rose up from her seat and fixed a defiant look at the Arrancar, who only glanced at her normally in return. "You're…you're not making any sense!" the young woman shouted, as she felt herself stressed out. "Are you saying that I…..I have some kind of connection with the Soul King!?" she added while demanding an answer from him.
"Not all of them, young one. But you do. Because of your ability, you are considered the one closest to the Soul King's blood. Now sit down and let me tell you about where your powers stem from" Pieddot said and Orihime reluctantly agreed. "From the moment the Interminables were created, there was always a time when a woman would be born each hundred year. What was special about this woman…...was the fact that she had the ability to manipulate and reject what was reality and return it to the past" he told, while Orihime followed closely. "Yes, the Shinigamis believed that this was due to that woman being the one closest to have inherited what they believed to be the Soul King's abilities. And because of that, the Shinigamis decided to keep the Interminables as their servants. That woman would be considered the leader of the Interminables and was given the title of Dèesse. But the unfair treatment from the Shinigamis lead many Interminables to seek freedom, although any attempts failed. However, the war between the Shinigamis and the Quincies gave them that opportunity, so they used this conflict to flee from captivity, eventually returning to the Human World. And that is what you are, little girl. You are a direct descendant of the first Dèesse" Pieddot concluded his story.
While Orihime was still unsure of how to respond to this, Chad still had enough strength to speak up. "What happened back in the Human World?" he asked lowly. "What happened then? Did Fullbringers and Interminables ever meet?" he added another question.
"Well. You see, the Fullbringers were created in reaction to the Interminables. And originally, Fullbringers were supposed to wage war upon the Interminables once they were sent back to the Human World. But instead of fighting, the two races became friends, as they felt they shared a common history of being experimented by more powerful beings. Their friendship continued, although while we Arrancars were unable to keep in contact of the Fullbringers, the Shinigamis still had some form of contact with the Interminables" Pieddot answered Chad's question with a quick story.
"But I have a question for you" Orihime suddenly spoke up and she clenched her hands tightly. "If I am an Interminable…does that mean that the rest of my family is?" she asked lowly.
Pieddot put his clawed fingers underneath his chin and began studying Orihime's behavior. "I would say yes" he said, but he was not finished yet. "Tell me something, Orihime Inoue. You were not born in Karakura Town, were you?" he asked her cunningly.
Orihime still remembered the words that her brother Sora had told him. "Yes, I was born in a secluded village at the other side of the Onose River. From what I recall, there was a big forest surrounding" she told them.
However, Pieddot's eyes widened in surprise by what she told him. "Did you say.…...on the other side of the Onose River?" he asked her, and Orihime simply nodded her head, not knowing what else to say. This caused the researcher to sigh deeply as he faced Orihime with a surprisingly sympathetic expression. "Young lady, I have read and studied your history for a while. And you say that you were raised by abusive parents, is that right?" he asked her.
The young woman only nodded her head as a yes. "Well, that's what my older brother Sora always told me. He said that my father was an alcoholic while my mother was a prostitute. He feared that they would kill me one day, so when he was eighteen and I had just turned three years old, we ran away from our parents. From what I remember, it was a night in the forest surrounding our village" Orihime told her story, while recalling the only things she could remember as a young girl, what she could see while her brother was carrying her and running at the same time.
"Noted" Pieddot said. "But do you recall seeing something unusual, and by that, I mean something you never saw happening from your former home" he then told her, and Orihime was drifting back into the past she had almost forgotten.
"Well, I do remember when me and Sora was crossing the bridge over the Onose River…...it was red…...crimson red" Orihime answered slowly while recalling what she had seen. "But there was something else I could see. As my brother was carrying me, I could see so many colors hanging above the forest around my village. I don't necessarily recall what it was…...but the lights and the colors…were stunning, unlike anything I had seen" she added, slowly beginning to get a grip on her past.
Chad decided to ask Pieddot something. "What does her past have to do with Orihime being an Interminable?" the tall man asked the researcher.
Pieddot sighed before answering. "When the Shinigamis had discovered that most Interminables had settled in the Human World, they were at first tolerant of it, as they even had some of them as their servants back in the Soul Society. But when the Shinigamis discovered that the Dèesse and her offspring had settled in the Human World, they panicked, fearful that her powers could've been spread amongst all Humans. And since the Interminables refused to hand her and her offspring over to the Soul Society, the Shinigamis came to an end that there was only one solution to this problem: extermination" he told them while sounding grim.
Both Chad and Orihime snapped in fear by hearing this, as they could not believe what words came out of the Arrancar's mouth. But yet, they did not dare to speak up, as they were shocked by hearing the word extermination.
"For generations, the Shinigamis searched the Human World for all scattering Interminables and once found, murdered them in cold blood. They were desperate to eradicate the entire race, as they believed that creating the Interminables was a mistake. They also feared how the Soul King's power could potentially corrupt the Human World" Pieddot explained without pausing, knowing how terrifying this story really was. "14 years ago, the Shinigamis finally discovered the location of the last village of Interminable. At that time, they had hoped to finally kill the direct descendant of the Dèesse. That village was surrounded by a forest….and also located…...near the Onose River" the Arrancar said grimly while facing Orihime.
The young woman's eyes felt lost when he told her this, and tears had slowly began streaming from her eyes. "Are you saying that…" she spoke up while sniffing.
"Yes, child. What your brother told you about your parents…...was only a story to hide you the terrible truth. You were the new Dèesse born in a hundred years at that time. And what you were told that seemed like an escape from abusive parents…was in fact…...an escape from genocide and murder" he told her.
Orihime was suddenly given a realization of her past. She could not truly picture what she had seen as a little girl. "That night…the river…the skies" she uttered out those words lowly. "The crimson river…was a river of blood…...the blood of Interminables. And the beautiful colors that floated above the forest, was fire" she added, while tears ran down her cheeks. When all these things came clear, the young woman broke into tears, as she had never felt so lost before.
Chad tried to comfort her, and began facing Pieddot with a wary eye. "How can you know all of this!?" he demanded an answer. "And what makes you so certain that Shinigamis were the ones who murdered Orihime's parents!?" he added with another question.
"I knew that there would be a time when you would know the truth, Orihime. And to help you, I will tell you of the monster who led the assault on your village, authorized by Shigekuni Yamamoto himself. After many analyses. we managed to track all the commanders responsible for these horrific purges, including that of your birthplace" Pieddot told her while leaning onto her face and fixing truthful eyes, something Orihime knew did not lie. Chad could also tell that he was not being deceptive. "The one who commanded the assault on your birthplace, as well as massacred all the Interminables, including your parents….is none other than the Captain of Squad 6, as well as the current head of the Kuchiki clan: Byakuya Kuchiki" he told her and Chad the name of the murderer.
To be continued…..
Author's note: I really hope you enjoyed this one. I spent many hours figuring it out. I will not spoil what is next, but I can tell you that this will be exciting, no doubt about that. Orihime's true past will be revealed in time, as well as more about these massacres.
Infierno – Spanish for "Hell": This is Diablo Gallante's Resurrecciòn, which transforms him into a terrifying archdevil. Perhaps Gallante is himself a devil from Hell in real life.
Dèesse – French for "Goddess": This particular type of female Interminable was considered to have inherited the Soul King's secret abilities. As such, she was considered the queen or princess of the Interminables.
