Seven days into his journey, the Hollow King was reaching the final quarter of the mountain, though from that point on, was a deadly climbing section with ice peaks and frozen rocks.
One might think that it would make sense just to sky walk under those conditions instead of literally barely hanging to life, but Ichigo knew that it was all part of the challenge, as well as that the wind and the snow might have prevented him of doing so anyways. Mugetsu had done so before him, and he would not doubt his word. Due to this, however, his journey had taken a lot longer than he would've wanted.
It was undeniable that he had become a lot stronger as a result, but the moment of truth was yet to come.
Before entering the most difficult part of the odyssey, Ichigo had found a cave in the snow. The cold was unbearable, but he had no choice. All he could do was replenish his Reiatsu to come back to the action afterwards.
Panting heavily inside the cave, his limbs shivering because of the low temperature, he found solace in the thought of getting his love back as he made his way into the deepest part of the cave.
Once on that spot, he created a blue flame with his Reiatsu to recover heat, leaning by the side of it.
For a couple seconds, staring into the fire, he closed his eyes, seeing her face in a restless sleep.
"My love... If only you'd return, so that I may gaze upon your eyes one last time..." He heard inside his mind as he saw her getting farther and farther from his point of view. "One, last, time..."
Awakening in cold sweat from that bitter dream, he realized that he had already got his normal body temperature back, probably due to both the heat and the frenzied sleep.
He snapped his fingers to make the flame disappear and returned into the cold, not resting for a single moment as his journey continued.
"Nel..." He muttered once again, trying to grasp the strength needed to scale the summit.
~~~~X~~~~
Coming out of a Garganta, the whole team of Arrancar and Urahara entered the Training Grounds under the candy shop.
The strong amount of Reiatsu left the Captains and Lieutenants quite amused to say the least, though only the first ones were there to receive them, along with the Vizards. Most of the latter group were still training in hopes of defending their home, lead by Rukia and Renji, with some exceptions that stayed with their Captain during the encounter.
Toushirou quickly recognized Harribel, easily remembering how much of a pain she'd been to fight.
He had gone through extensive training after said encounter, but even then, his longer and wilder hair meant nothing in comparison to the actual years Harribel had been training in the Dangai.
"I'm glad they're on our side this time..." He thought with a sigh of relief.
Three Captains approached the group of Arrancar earlier than anyone else.
Zaraki, Kuchiki and Kyouraku.
"Looks like you've been putting up some effort, eh? How about a little warmup? We still got a day" Kenpachi invited.
"If you wanna spar a bit, it's fine by me" Grimmjow grinned with the same animal instinct. "I saw what you did to Nnoitra, and I must say I'm impressed. However... The level of that idiot is now history compared to the actual strength of the Espada!"
"Interesting! I'd like you to show me that first-handedly!" Zaraki licked his lips.
"Zaraki, not now" Shunsui ordered.
"Same for you, Grimmjow" Harribel did the same.
"Tch... Fine" The two beasts groaned in unison.
"I can't really say it is a pleasure working with the ones who were our enemies so recently. Are you sure you're not just trying to find an opportunity to release Aizen from his prison?" Byakuya inquired, still distrustful of the Hollows.
"Aizen is no longer welcome in Hueco Mundo" Harribel shook her head.
"He betrayed us and, even worse, he failed" Ulquiorra added, showing his disappointment.
"Urahara, would you please tell me the whereabouts of Kurosaki Ichigo?" Shunsui requested.
"Sure. Like you would expect, he's still training in Hueco Mundo. But don't worry, he'll arrive just in time, like always"
"We've only got a day left and you still allowed such thing? This is not a game!" Soi-Fon reprimanded Urahara.
"Calm down, Soi-Fon" Yoruichi told her. "Or are you telling me that you're unable to fight if Ichigo doesn't come?"
"Yoruichi-sama, that's not what I...!"
"Please, Captain Soi-Fon" Shunsui politely asked her to back down. "In that case, we'll proceed as planned, just not having him in mind"
"What is that plan?" Nageki asked him.
"I don't know if you were informed of this, but the Seireitei had already been taken over by another force before this all started. As informed by the Ryoka, Ishida Uryuu and Yasutora Sado, the Reigai faction, lead by Inaba Kagerouza, from the 12th Division, is the one responsible for the past events in the Soul Society" Shunsui explained. "We don't know much about him particularly, but there's clearly more behind him that what we currently know. In spite of this, whoever this enemy truly is, it's not the same as the one we're facing right now, but we received information that it's no longer a problem by itself..."
After he said that, Arikado appeared from behind the other Captains.
"Oh, Arikado-san, long time no see!"
"Hi, Urahara-san" He nodded. "Kurotsuchi sent me here through an improvised Senkaimon, so I was able to arrive undetected, or so I want to believe. The fact of the matter is that our current adversary is controlling not only Soul Society as a place, but as a military force as well. Seku, the Four Horsemen's Plague, is able to infect others with a purple haze that turns people into Ghouls at his service. We don't have to worry about another of these attacks, as he can only do it once in a month or so, due to its broad range and terrible consequences. Still, this means that..."
"All of the Shinigami in Soul Society are currently 'Ghouls' as you said" Urahara deduced.
"With the exception of the Lieutenants: Nemu and Chojiro; and the Captains: Unohana, Kurotsuchi and Yamamoto" Arikado clarified. "Also, the previous enemy seems to have created copies of the Captains and Lieutenants that used the Dangai in the past month, following Kurotsuchi's theory. There could even be a risk that there's a copy of you, Urahara-san, though the exceptions are me and the Vizards, due to our different kind of Reiatsu"
"So... Those copies are now..." Ashido joined the discussion.
"Precisely" Byakuya nodded. "They are Ghouls under the orders of the Four Horsemen"
"I see" Urahara nodded, thinking about their possibilities. "Then I believe, everyone will be facing their Reigai counterparts, which by the way, what are they in essence?"
"Kurotsuchi believes their true identity has to do with that artifact known as Mod Soul" Arikado said.
"Our intel also confirms this" Shunsui agreed.
"Where did Ishida-kun and Sado-kun get this information?" Urahara inquired.
"That would be me" A girl with green hair in a cream colored cardigan and red skirt said. "I'm Kujou Nozomi and... I know the truth behind Inaba Kagerouza"
"We were waiting for you to arrive in order to hear the full story, Kisuke" Shinji noted.
"Oh, is that so? My, that makes me feel important" The shop owner chuckled.
"Go ahead, Nozomi-chan" Shunsui told her.
"I... I am a Mod-Soul, no... I am the first Mod-Soul, created in a laboratory several year ago, during Project Spearhead.
Despite being the first, the truth is that the me that truly has that title no longer exists. My creator, Yushima Ouko, designed a Mod-Soul that could receive his own consciousness, as well as a body of greater capabilities, as he had always been lacking in terms of strength.
However, his plans were rushed when Project Spearhead was cancelled by Central 46, so the body he had designed was incomplete, and as expected... Unstable.
That gave origin to two new entities. Me, and the other one involved, Kagerouza. While I merely have a portion of the original Mod-Soul's strength and Ouko's personality... Kagerouza seems to have retained Ouko's desire for revenge against the Soul Society for denying him his invention, his greatest pride...
Inaba had managed to infiltrate the Court Guard Squads, while I was locked away in a secret lab. Once he woke me up, I pretended to be collaborative with his plan, but as soon as I got the chance, I escaped into the Human World, trying to find a shrine that could seal me away forever, but he came after me sooner than I expected. If it wasn't for Kon and his friends... I would've been caught by Kagerouza and most probably... Merged back into Ouko's body and consciousness"
"So we are dealing with none other than the head of Project Spearhead and the creator of Mod-Souls... Interesting" Urahara admitted.
"But as we said earlier, that no longer seems to be the problem" Shunsui reminded. "We'll only deal with Kagerouza after we stop the Four Horsemen and the King of Jigoku"
"The good thing is that he couldn't create Reigai from any of us" Kensei said, referring to the Vizards. "That means, we can go directly to fight the Four Horsemen"
"And that's where we enter, am I correct?" Harribel deduced.
"Exactly, Miss... Harribel, right?" Shunsui wanted to make sure. "You used to be the Queen of Hueco Mundo, if my data is correct"
"Yes, though not really in an official way" She nodded. "Anyway, this means that our group and the Vizards will go against the real enemy while you create an opening"
"Yes" Rose agreed. "Though for that, could you please give us more information, Arikado-san?"
"Of course" The Fallen Angel nodded. "The weakest in terms of raw power is Seku, the one behind the Shinigami Ghouls. It would be best to send the 'weakest' team against him, so that the others can fight the truly difficult enemies. Don't be fooled though, none of the four are easy adversaries. They all have a power comparable to the Princes of Hell, and have various tricks up their sleeve"
"In any case, I think I already know who I'll send against that one" Harribel looked at them. "Ashido, Lilynette, Bryssling and Satya. Can I count on you?"
"Sure!" Lilynette smiled.
"Aum" Satya nodded.
"On it!" Bryssling roared.
"Always, Harribel-san" Ashido politely accepted.
"What about us?" The Tres Bestias wondered.
"You and those two will support the Shinigami on the ground. Please, be very careful, as the Ghouls are still alive, so killing them is the last resort" Harribel warned, especially referring to Loly and Menoly. "I don't want to give a bad impression, not when we have the chance to start a better relationship with the Soul Society"
"We understand" The three accepted, the other Fracciones nodding.
"Sure... Whatever" Loly agreed, though not really convinced about the pacific approach of her mission.
"Loly...!" Menoly reprimanded her for the obtuse answer.
"I'm glad to hear that" Juushirou smiled. "If possible, I'd also be willing to support a peaceful relationship between the two Worlds"
"Though Central 46 must be open to that..." Shunsui clarified.
"Continuing with the specifications" Arikado went back to the main topic. "The next one is Mitsuyo. He represents Famine, and as this implies, his abilities are able to drain all kinds of energy, be it Reiryoku, Reishi or Reiatsu, making him a formidable opponent. Physical attacks would be the most effective by far"
"Wait... I'm pretty sure Yama's Kamibuki has the same abilities" Ulquiorra pounted out.
"They are similar, in a way" Nageki nodded. "However, there is a major difference between the two. Mitsuyo can only absorb that energy to either power up his own weapons and attacks, or heal himself. Yama, on the other end, is able to freely manipulate the energy he absorbs. That's what puts them at completely different levels"
"If that's the case..." Harribel started. "The most indicated ones would probably be the Vizards, cause our powers rely too much on energy" She referred to Grimmjow and her. "Oh, but... Kitsune-san can help"
An Arrancar in a long white tunic with a hood nodded. It was wearing a traditional Japanese fox mask, hence they called it Kitsune.
Of course, behind this simple but very effective disguise was none other than Gin, who wanted to avoid conflict in general, but especially with Rangiku and Kira.
"The next one is a bit problematic. Kento, Horseman of War, is a musclehead, but as a fighter he's both skilled and smart. His special ability is channeling his Reiatsu through the giant claymore, War. That allows him to create explosions, waves of Reiatsu, fire, and other phenomena of that kind" Arikado informed..
"I think I'll be facing that one" Grimmjow seemed eager. "Nothing like fighting a fellow beast of battle like myself"
"In that case, I'll go with you to back you up" Harribel stated.
"There's no use in arguing... So I might as well just accept the fact that I won't be fighting alone" He shrugged.
"And finally... We have Ren. Honestly, I don't know much of his abilities as he rarely fights. He's more the kind to only act when strictly necessary, and even then, he mainly uses basic combat abilities in those situations. However, the other three are nowhere near him. He even wields a Kamibuki, instead of a Tenshibuki. While I've never seen him use it differently from a melee weapon, its hidden powers must be extremely dangerous"
"In that case it's pretty much settled" Urahara said. "You said Captain Unohana was there, right? I bet she and Kurotsuchi-san can take care of him if they get serious, same with Lieutenant Sasakibe, so it's not something impossible. I can imagine that the Captain Commander will most likely engage in combat with Yama himself..."
"That's correct. Yamamoto-san said that he would go for Sorayama" Arikado communicated. "Actually, I was thinking about joining him"
"I..." Nageki built up courage to declare his decision. "I also want to fight Yama. I still have some unfinished business with him and... I believe I have what it takes to be of help"
"Sure... Though I haven't told Yamamoto-san, and Kurotsuchi said he's rather proud, so he might decline our request to fight alongside him"
"Don't worry. Yama-jii might be stubborn, but he's no fool, and this is certainly an enemy that surpasses the idea of 'strong' any of us have" Shunsui told them. "He'll probably tell you not to get in his way, but that should be it"
"With all that said then... It seems everything is ready" Harribel commented.
"Not so fast" A young man refuted.
Uryuu and Chad entered the Training Grounds alongside Isshin, Tessai and Kon.
"Oh, would you look at that. It's a rare sight to behold" Shunsui chuckled due to the strange mix.
"Inoue!" Chad noticed her and went straight to see her, worried about how she had been all this time.
Uryuu followed him, wanting to see his friend as well.
As he walked to her, he finished adding the missing information.
"I believe you're forgetting Karakura Town" He corrected Harribel. "But it doesn't matter, we're gonna take care of that, and Kurosaki-san and Tessai-san said they'd do the same"
"I see..." Harribel nodded.
"That leaves it all clear" Shunsui concluded, humming carelessly as he gave a look at the group of Ryoka.
"Sado-kun! It's been a while hasn't it?" She happily asked, still not aware of her recent change.
"I-Inoue... You...!" Chad was speechless.
"What's wrong Cha-" Ishida's voice also disappeared as soon as he noticed the little white horns in her head, as well as the Hollow Hole in her neck. "What in the world...?"
Ulquiorra looked away as he knew that'd be a matter that brought up conflict.
Renji and Rukia noticed something was wrong and decided to come see cor themselves.
"What's the problem, Ishida-san?" Rukia asked, but clearly saw what had happened.
The Captains were also in shock.
"That girl... Was a Human, right?" Komamura recalled.
Yoruichi smirked as she tasted the chaos created by said situation, which she already knew about.
"No use in hiding it anymore, Orihime" She told the girl.
Orihime only then realized the commotion caused by her decision.
"Oh... Yes, I... I became an Arrancar a couple days ago..." She confessed. "It's nothing to worry about though, I chose this on my own!"
Ulquiorra decided to stand beside her and whispered: "Careful, don't mention Ichigo in this"
She blinked twice to agree to that without the rest noticing.
"But... Inoue-chan... How can a Human...?" Shunsui wondered.
"Easy" Urahara was the one to speak. "She was Hollowfied and then broke her mask"
"So that means... That a Human can be Hollowfied just like a Soul?" Juushirou asked, even more astonished.
"It's possible thanks to the artifact Yama stole a while ago" Urahara helped her. "It seems to have the capability to Hollowfy other beings and turn them into Arrancar, even skipping the necessary steps for said evolution" He fabricated an explanation to calm everyone a bit.
"I find hard to believe that such a powerful artifact exists and we only find out about it now..." Soi-Fon pointed out dangerously.
"But then again... It is Hueco Mundo we're talking about. Not even Hollows and Arrancar know much about its history" Shinji refuted, helping Kisuke.
"It is something we're gonna have to look into after we save the Seireitei... IF we save it..." He chuckled nervously.
"As long as you get up with that lazy ass of yours, you shouldn't be worrying" Lisa said.
"Yadomaru-san..." Nanao was surprised to hear her predecessor talking to Kyoraku.
"Heh, figured you'd say something like that, Lisa-chan" Shunsui chuckled. "Now if you'll excuse me, there's something else that caught my eye..."
He went straight to the greenish blonde haired Arrancar of young yet developed figure.
"I don't know why... But I get the feeling we've met before, young lady..." Shunsui told Lilynette, with clear seductive intent.
The girl clenched her fist and bit her lip as she forced herself not to blast him away with a barrage of Cero.
"I... I don't think that's the case" She coldly replied.
"Hm?" Ukitake also noticed her. "Kyouraku... I think you should stay away from her"
"Why? Is there any problem?" He wondered, surprised by his life brother's behaviour.
"If I'm not mistaken... She was that little girl I fought back there in Karakura Town... You know... The one that was with that Espada you..."
"No way... Are you telling me you were that girl?! Wow, you sure have come a long way... I'd even consider asking you out if it wasn't for the fact that we're in serious trouble" He chuckled, but that only pissed her off more.
"Don't you try to make fun of me!" She spat as her identity was uncovered. "You two are the ones who killed Starrk, I'd never forget that... Even if we were enemies then, I simply can't forgive the ones who erased him! You're lucky that his consciousness still resides within my Zanpakutou... Otherwise I'd be more than willing to destroy you"
"Oh, I'm... Sorry to hear that" Shunsui sighed. "But at least, I want to ensure that we can fight as allies"
"Be content with that, cause that's all we'll ever be" She looked at them with disgust and literally turned her back on them as she walked away.
"Geez... I've been having a serious hard luck with ladies lately" Kyouraku looked at Lisa as well. "Well, it's not like I don't deserve it. Pleasing a woman is never easy, anyway"
"You never change do you?" Ukitake smiled at him, but then felt a bit faint. "Ungh... Looks like I'm gonna have to return to those hot springs another while... My body can't take much more"
"Captain Ukitake!" Kiyone and Sentarou left the training behind and immediately went to his aid.
"Don't worry, Captain, we'll make sure you are in perfect condition for tomorrow!" Sentarou said, helping him from the right side.
"Hang in there, you can do it, Captain!" Kiyone did the same from the left side.
"Oh, thank you, guys. I'm sorry that my body's always so weak..."
The three left the group slowly towards the Hot Springs, so Ukitake could rest and recover.
Lilynette grinded her teeth after the bitter encounter with Starrk's killers.
"Aum... Lily-nee, are you alright?" Satya was worried about her.
"Y-Yeah... More or less..." She corrected herself. "I know it's not really their fault. None of them had actual killing intent when they fought, not the Captains... Nor did Starrk. Hell... Back then I was probably the most aggressive, but even knowing that... It's hard to look them in the eyes and pretend nothing has happened"
"Aum... Is there something you wanna do to forget that for a while?" He inquired. "Inoue-san said that this world had lots of things to do and especially, eat"
"Um... Maybe we could get something sweet" She proposed. "Let's see if she can take us somewhere, Satya-kun"
"Aum" He nodded, smiling a bit.
The Ryoka and Orihime were still putting up to date, everyone completely amused to hear that she had become an Arrancar to be with Ulquiorra, and that they had become Wholes nonetheless.
"I... I really don't know what to say" Renji chuckled nervously.
"Yeah..." Rukia pressed her lips, unable to say anything either.
"I... Well... Congratulations" Uryuu told her, not really understanding but seeing how happy that idea made her.
Chad, on the other hand, didn't mutter a word as he walked to Ulquiorra and grabbed hum by the collar of his jacket.
"I'm not gonna deny Orihime's wishes. If she wants to be with you, that's fine... But if you ever hurt her...!"
"I know" Ulquiorra calmly accepted the threat. "Though you're not the only one interested in killing me if that's the case. Ichigo is first in line"
"Sado-kun..." Orihime was surprised to see him react so protectively.
The Fullbringer let go of the Espada and stayed by Ishida's side.
Another reunion took place right after, since Isshin had also a lot to talk with his past subordinates.
Rangiku had left training as soon as she felt his Reiatsu, and Toushirou was only waiting for him to make the first move.
Isshin put his hand on the young Captain's shoulder as he saluted him.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Captain Hitsugaya?" He chuckled.
"Captain Shiba..." He muttered. "I was rather surprised to find out you were actually Ichigo's father... But now it's no wonder where does his strength come from"
"Nah, I'm just Kurosaki Isshin these days. You're not gonna ask me about why I left Soul Society in such a rush?" Isshin wondered, surprised to see him so calm.
"I figured that you had your reasons... But unfortunately for you, not everyone is as cool-headed as I am..." The Captain replied as Rangiku went towards them with unpredictable intentions.
"Captain Shiba...!"
"Oh, Matsumoto!" He saluted her in a friendly way. "I see you're smoking hot, like always! I'm sorry to inform you that Ichigo is already engaged though, and my heart will always belong to a single woman-"
Rangiku grinded her teeth with rage as she heard that nonsense after all those years.
"What have you been doing all this time?! Was it so hard to say anything once? Like... We were regulars at your house and you're gonna pretend not recognizing our Reiatsu?!"
"I just thought... It was best disappearing completely. It would mean a lot less trouble for you all, and even if you got to hate me, well... It's a minimum price I'd be paying for my choices" Isshin replied. "And anyways... Toushirou became a formidable Captain, just like I trained him to be"
"But... Even if that's true... You never even told us why you left" Rangiku complained.
"Well, that's quite easy to reply" He shrugged with a sigh. "I fell in love. As simple as that"
"But..." Rangiku wanted to refute, but honestly, there was nothing she could say. "Argh! Why are you like this, Captain Shiba! And you're not gonna say anything Captain?!" She asked Toushirou.
"He had his reasons and taught us everything we had to know before leaving. I can't complain" Toushirou answered, not caring so much about it.
"Good to see that you understand. As expected from the man I chose to become Captain" He proudly concluded.
"Except for the fact that he isn't a man..." Rangiku pouted to herself.
"I heard that, Matsumoto" Toushirou said with tedium.
Isshin laughed as he enjoyed the reunion with his previous officers.
From the distance, Gin saw how Rangiku, despite still being somewhat upset with her previous Captain, was enjoying herself, making him smile behind the Kitsune mask.
"At least... You look happy" He murmured to himself.
~~~~X~~~~
"Ahahahahahahahahaha!" Yomi giggled as she ran through the sandy plains of Las Noches.
"Wait, Yomi-chan, you shouldn't be running alone through the palace! You're gonna get lost!" Pesche yelled as he ran behind her.
"Relax, Pesche, it is like playing Eternal Tag!" Dondochakka laughed.
"Yeah... Just like we used to do with... Nel-sama..." His mood dropped quickly.
Yomi looked behind her, noticing how Pesche had stopped running.
"Sorry... I didn't mean to-" Dondochakka apologized.
"I know. It's equally as hard for you" Pesche sighed.
"Pesche...?" She realized something was wrong.
"Sorry, Yomi-chan... I just, remembered something sad... You know what that is?"
"Mii?" She tilted her head obliviously.
"Heh, what am I doing, you're just a little girl... Even if you're a Demon with potential godly powers..." He pat her head.
"Mii!" She hugged him.
"Aww... She's trying to console you" Dondochakka was moved.
"Looks like the Boss and Nageki-san were right..." Pesche smiled behind his mask. "This girl is a genius"
"No doubt. So little and so sensible..." Dondochakka agreed.
"Mii..." Yomi purred in Pesche's embrace.
"Maybe... Just like a monstrous abherration could give birth to Yomi-chan... At the end of this torture, there's also a hint of light" Pesche hoped.
"There must be..." Dondochakka nodded. "And if by any chance, there isn't, Ichigo-sama will make that light"
~~~~X~~~~
Shinji approached Nageki and Urahara, who were already discussing something.
"Yo, Kisuke, and... Nageki, right? Captain Hirako here" He casually saluted. "I just wanted to ask you guys a thing..."
"If it's about Nelliel... Go ahead" Nageki knew it had to be that.
"I'll keep it short and simple" Shinji grinned. "Is she alive?"
"Yes" The two scientists replied in unison.
"That's all I need to hear" He chuckled. "Asking for more would be a waste of time. Whatever the situation is, if the girl still exists, Ichigo's gonna find a way to get her. After all... He risked himself and much more for people he barely knew in the past... I can only imagine the mess he's gonna make this time"
"You look quite optimistic" Nageki noted, surprised.
"Me? Optimistic? That's a good one, hahaha" He laughed. "Quite on the contrary, I'm a stoic and realistic man. What I just said is a fact. Whatever that King of Hell did, he messed with Ichigo's pride, and that's something he won't come unscathed from"
"I think so too" Urahara agreed. "There are only a handful of people Ichigo cared about that he couldn't save..."
An image of Masaki quickly went through his mind, followed by the fading memory of a girl with a distinctive red ribbon.
"...He has never forgotten, and he will never forget. If the same happened to the love of his life... Who knows what kind of apocalyptic development would we witness?"
"Well... Ichigo's predecessor, the first Hollow and King of Hueco Mundo, Mugetsu, experienced that" Nageki revealed.
"And what happened?" Shinji asked, very curious.
"A dark eternal night swallowed a whole army of Angels and Demons" Nageki said, the images imprinted on his brain, impossible to forget. "The only reason those four are alive, is because they had already left the battlefield. Same with Yama..." He referred to their current enemies.
"Are you saying that the reason why Hollows still exist today is because..." Urahara deduced.
"Yes. Mugetsu didn't leave them other choice. His power, without any restraints... Is that of Tsukoyomi himself" Nageki could see the form his friend had taken back then.
Black hair. Red eyes...
"So no matter what the cost... We must make sure that Nel-san is not killed, is that correct?" Shinji inquired.
"Precisely, Hirako-san" Nageki nodded. "Otherwise... We'll all be in great danger. Well, that's considering he gets to Etapa Final. But, even if he doesn't, just a frenzy release of power in Segunda Etapa would be enough to obliterate a great part of Soul Society in a flash"
Kon was with Nozomi, asking her more about Mod-Souls.
"So... Are there any others like us?"
"Like, original Mod-Souls?" She asked back.
"Yeah, not like those clones"
"Well, Kagerouza aside, none" Nozomi replied. "But maybe, that's for the better. After all, Ouko had a deep grudge on Soul Society, so if he had created another Mod-Soul, it could've been another vengeful one"
"I see..." Kon seemed a bit disappointed. "But, I guess having you is more than enough"
"W-What do you mean?" She blushed a bit.
"I'm just... Glad that the other Mod-Soul I've ever met in my life is none other than a nice girl like you. It's true that I don't know you much, but now that you opened up to us, you are really nice person, Nozomi"
She stared into his eyes for a moment, only to cross her arms later and spit:
"Dosukebe!"
Kon just sighed as he shook his head.
"Yeah... I know. Actually, now that you remind me, I should go and molest Rukia-chan like I usually do" He teased in a way that Nozomi didn't know if it was a joke or an actual declaration.
"What?" She just stayed there confused as Kon went with the others.
On another note, Love went to Komamura to ask hin about his past division.
"So... Captain Komamura, right? How is the 7th Division coming along?"
"You are... Aikawa Rabu, right? Former Captain" The Werewolf recognized him.
"Most call me Love, but yes. I see you're well informed, in any case"
"I was just curious about who was the officer in charge before I came along. It seems that the 7th Division had the Captain position vacant for a while, though the Lieutenant in action did a pretty good job apparently"
"As expected of Jin'emon... I hope he's alright" Love thought about his previous partner.
"I can't say for sure due to these conditions, though his son is here with us, since he's the 3rd Seat of the 13th Division, under Captain Ukitake"
"Oh, interesting..."
They chatted for another while, just like everyone else. At least in the case of Kira, Momo and Shuuhei, they were glad to see their Captains return safely from their battle in Jigoku.
The rest of the day went by in a relatively free manner, and the Captains didn't put any pressure on their subordinates given the nature of the next day.
There was no place for mistakes. The Soul Society, Hueco Mundo and Karakura Town were all at stake.
~~~~X~~~~
Reaching the end, Ichigo made his way through an avalanche by blasting black and red, and black and white Ceros from his horns and mouth, respectively, while still using his two swords to not be thrown away by the storm.
Black clouds with silver linings spat wind, lightning and hail like there was no end, but Ichigo would not give up. Such thought didn't cross his mind for even a second.
Using Velocidad while cloaking himself in black, red and white Reiatsu, he dashed onto the menacing clouds, dividing the skies above him.
Stepping into the summit of the Holy Mountain, above multiple beds of clouds, he could finally enjoy a moment of glorious peace. All that was in sight was the pure dark night that always covered Hueco Mundo, the moon smiling to him as in all its glory, and as close as it could ever be.
"You did it, my King" Mugetsu told him, proud.
"It was hard... Probably the most demanding training I've ever done... But I bet that, without it, I would stand no chance against what's to come, right?"
"That's right, cause now, you must fight the dormant part of Las Noches. Its true spirit... Tsukoyomi himself"
Ichigo took a deep breath, and then exhaled, relaxing his mind and body for a moment.
"Are you ready? Or would you rather-"
"If there was time... I'd have no problem in resting for a little bit" Ichigo interrupted. "But I can't have her waiting any longer, can I?"
"That's only for you to decide" Mugetsu assured. "What comes now is not nearly easy, Ichigo"
"I know... But I don't care" He dismissed. "If I don't have the strength to save her, then I might as well die here on this mountain"
"Very well then..." Mugetsu accepted. "Go back to your base form, and wield your Hollow Zanpakutou, pointing towards the moon"
"Okay"
Ichigo did as Mugetsu told him, not feeling anything special.
Moments later however, he realized that whatever was occurring, wasn't affecting his white Zanpakutou, but the moon in front of him.
"Mugetsu... Is the moon, disappearing?" He wondered.
"Indeed. The only time there's been a New Moon in Hueco Mundo was when this ritual was carried out the last time, when Las Noches was still in my hands"
A couple seconds later, the whole moon had disappeared, leaving Hueco Mundo in absolute darkness, aside from the light of torches and luminous crystals that the inhabitants of Las Noches used.
Despite the darkness, he could still see clearly. After all, what son of the night would he be if his eyes weren't able to see under those conditions?
That was nothing for the sons of Tsukoyomi.
Two entities who were one and the same.
Both Ichigo and Mugetsu, did not only share a soul, a body and a title... No.
They shared so much more.
The pain of losing their most beloved... The unwavering desire for strength in order to protect all they thought precious... And the determination to carry out said aspirations in spite of the most adverse circumstances.
In a vision, the two started seeing the various moments they had lived through in the past, as well as the various changes the mask they shared suffered through their quest.
In a fragment of thought, Ichigo said to its other half:
"I see the masks with which we play our games, indulgences for cosmic gains;
Fulfilling archetypes, the dreamer dreams.
Into the void I leap, convinced of destiny,
Protected by my faith in that I cannot see"
And Mugetsu replied:
"For I have read your lips and I have felt your shame,
Have no fear, my Brother, for this pain is shared.
We ache in unison for reconciliation.
Let us take this step as above so below."
The clouds that surrounded the lower part of the top of the mountain started dispersing, ceasing every storm and wind that originated the unbearable weather of the Holy Mountain.
"Here he comes..." Mugetsu whispered.
"I can tell..." Ichigo could also feel it.
From the same spot as the one from where the moon once stood, a skeletal figure came flying towards him.
"Is that... Tsukoyomi?" Ichigo asked.
"A fragment of him" Mugetsu replied. "His bestial form, a Dragon made of bones and darkness. His breath is poisonous, he can spit burning flames and paralyzing lightnings, and create freezing winds by hitting the air with his skeletal wings"
Ichigo focused his look on the timeless beast that went his way, and ready to break its bones until it was nothing but dust, he entered Resurrección.
With a loud confusing roar, the winged beast charged against him, spitting black fire without a rest.
Ichigo could feel the scorching heat of the flames as he dodged the attack, countering with a Gran Rey Cero: Medianoche.
The Dragon seemed to take damage, but not nearly the amount to be defeated, though it was just enough to enrage it.
"Just like I thought... This is gonna be one heck of a fight"
The Dragon blasted black lightnings, which were way faster than its flames.
Ichigo used his black Zanpakutou to withstand the thunderbolts, raising his Reiatsu to cancel out a bit of the attack's strength.
"Getsuga Tenshou!" He attacked in reply, damaging one of the Dragon's wings.
The beast would not give up, however, so it agitated its wings towards him to throw him a barrage of black ice shards that came with a powerful gust of wind that threatened to send him flying.
Rolling the Zanpakutou, he destroyed the ice shards, but as soon as that was over, the dragon was right in front of him.
With a furious slash of both claws, almost imitating his Getsuga Juujishou, Ichigo was thrown into the iced earth of the mountain, spitting and coughing blood as his body quickly regenerated, just like he had done in his odyssey a while before
"Grrr..." He growled, getting up and putting the two blades in their sheath. "Muerte Negra" The black Reiatsu Scythe appeared on his hands, ready to slash everything that stood in his way to nothing.
The beast clashed with him multiple times, cuts appearing on Ichigo's white skin and broken bones flying out of the dragon's body.
"For fuck's sake... I don't have time for this!" Ichigo spat, viciously cutting the creature with his Reiatsu Scythe.
The dragon howled in pain and anger as it was teared into pieces.
After all the hardships he had to face, after all the lessons he had learned, fighting the dragon in with 100% of his power was not an impossible challenge anymore.
Victory seemed closer as he heard the final screams of the beast, which was spitting a black fog of poisonous miasma as its life was coming closer to the end.
"Tch... You are nothing!" Ichigo spat as he sliced the dragon in two. "I accepted my life as a Hollow... I accepted my role as King of Hueco Mundo, and now... I accepted this cursed fate!" He yelled as he grasped his empty Hollow Hole, devoid of the Reiatsu of his beloved Nelliel. "I accepted every aspect of this life, both the beautiful... And the fucking awful ones too... You are nothing I can't beat after experiencing all that! After tasting the most complete happiness... Only to be thrown into the lion fence, surrounded by agony and despair! Denied of the one thing that gave meaning to my life as a Hollow!"
The bones of the dragon shattered as he released an even greater Spiritual Pressure with his words.
Standing atop the Holy Mountain, Ichigo dissolved the black Reiatsu Scythe.
However, the challenge was not over yet.
The darkness that filled that monster's bones started gathering, slowly growing into a mass he clearly recognized as a humanoid body.
As if the night itself became part of it, it started gaining a strength far greater than that of the dragon he had just defeated, to the point in which he stopped even sensing that power.
In that moment, he remembered Aizen's words when he fought against him in the final battle, encountering a power that was so far beyond his own that it became impossible for him to feel it.
"Is it possible that this... Is the power of a God?!" Ichigo couldn't help but wonder as the being started gaining form.
A tattered black cloak of Reiatsu covered his lower part, while his torso seemed to have an armor of black skulls and Reiatsu that went up to his nose. His two arms were made put of pure black Reiatsu, one of them holding a blade he somehow recognized.
His face, not entirely seen due to the armor, kinda resembled his own, but his blood red irises differed greatly from his yellow ones, as well as his long pitch black hair.
As his red eyes stared into his, his manly voice resonated as it spoke:
"At last we meet. Mugetsu has told me about you..." He said.
"Are you..." Ichigo muttered. "Tsukoyomi?"
"God of the Night, and father of all Hollows. That's me" He replied positively.
"And now... I must... Defeat you...?" He didn't seem so sure.
"Hmph, you've come so far and you're still gonna doubt?" Tsukoyomi mocked. "Wether you live or die... That's for you to decide"
Ichigo smiled as he heard that, in some way, feeling full of determination despite the impossible task that seemed to be brought upon him. No... That wasn't truly the case, and he knew it.
Even with all the things that happened, in the end, everything had been his choice. Saying otherwise would have been spurious at its very best.
The truth to the matter, with no masks, no games... Was that he'd brought this upon himself. If he had wished so, even his transformation into an Arrancar would have been transient.
He had chosen to walk to tread his swollen path, where the fissures and his sorrow healed, before his Holy Mount.
In the beginning, his choice had been done by a single glimpse of hope that wasn't even a reality in strict terms. Yet, all he could do at the moment was accept the fact of the matter and start the journey.
In a way, said choice was a device to help him keep his sanity. A complicated way to distract himself from the crude reality that appeared before him in the blink of an eye.
"*sigh* It wasn't so clear at the start that this would all be transient, but I got lost along the way... Blinded by the illusion of safety and the inescapable physical pain.
See, the intention was for healing, but what I found was not the same, for this path is fraught with anger and the way is fraught with rage... Beheld towards the ignorant and simple wish to end it all and not decay...
And... I will not assume that my choice was the right one. I won't pretend to be a hero when in fact I left it all behind to save a single person I do not know I'll be able to save... And that's why, I never pretended to be someone I'm not. I accepted a position, yet I never became someone different from who I already am.
And I refuse to be a martyr! And I refuse to be a saint! And I refuse to be a perfect God who can live without mistake!"
"Looks like this test has opened your eyes quite a bit, hasn't it?" Tsukoyomi recognized. "But so they say... This is what happens in the mountains"
"I have come so far from home only to find I must return..." He thought about Karakura Town. "And I'm sorry... I'm sorry, everyone, but I would sacrifice myself and the whole world just to see her face again"
Now, truly accepting all he was and had become, an explosion of black and red Reiatsu released the form sealed deep into his soul.
The ragged black tunic of his previous transformation now gained a pair of black draconic wings, as well as his hands and feet became even more bestial, having claws like the ones in his Vasto Lorde form, with black claw-like nails.
His torso was now covered by an armor of white skulls, reminiscent of Nel's Segunda Etapa, while his legs retained the black tunic.
His head, was now entirely covered by a white dragon's skull, while his eyes were yellow with red scleras. His long orange hair grew a bit more, reaching Tsukoyomi's length.
"I see... This is my Segunda Etapa..." Ichigo muttered as he looked at his new form. "I'm not sure wether I want Nel to see me like this... But then again, something tells me that her new self is gonna like it"
"You've released the power of the beast you defeated. Now, it is a part of you as well" Tsukoyomi clarified. "That's why... Unless you want to leave it to chance, you must face me at least once"
"I understand" Ichigo accepted, grabbing Zangetsu on one hand, and creating a black sword of pure Reiatsu in the other, just like the one of the Final Getsuga Tenshou.
"So you understand..." Mugetsu chuckled inside his head. "The form you took at that time... Was borrowed from Tsukoyomi himself. With... Another addition"
"I know, but that's something I gotta discuss with Tensa Zangetsu, don't I?" Ichigo knew it, since he had fought White Zangetsu last time, different from now.
The God of the night held his sword and pointed it at Ichigo, ready to face the test that stumped them all.
The ending to this trial of tears and blood.
The key to unlocking the power that once was feared by both Heaven and Hell equally.
As above so below.
Veils upon veils.
Masks upon masks
"Come, Kurosaki Ichigo..." Tsukoyomi said, releasing an amount of power the Arrancar couldn't yet understand, but at the very least, could feel.
"My son... Born in the light..."
So, here we find ourselves again, getting to the final battle for Ichigo in order to unlock an even greater power. But will he do it? We shall see.
On the other end, we have the whole alliance planning to go against the Four Horsemen and Yama in the Ghoul-filled Seireitei, before they decide to strike Karakura Town.
Reviews:
Antex-The Legendary Zoroark: Yahoo! Loved this! It was fantastic! It's about time that Grimmjow and Harribel consummated their union! It had to be the most emotional and loving part in this chapter! It also seems Ichigo has begun his training on conquering the Holy Mountain! Push through Ichigo! Keep to your oath! Like Zangetsu said back then: "You'll age if you pull back, and you'll die if you hesitate." Hm! Also seems Kagerouza didn't plan for the invasion to happen whilst he was searching for Nozomi! Yet it seems someone else sees an opportunity! Namely...Tokinada Tsunayashiro! Fascinating...
Also, that girl that V was "supposed" to become. Yomi was it? I wonder what role she might play? And what powers she possesses? Not only that, her name is quite similar to Yama's own...
Reply: You pretty much mention everything important correctly, so there isn't much to discuss, honestly, but I'm glad to see you liked it.
Yomi is, in a way, an alternate version of Yama, like an altered clone since the way she was created differs greatly from his own. Yomi, itself, is another name for Jigoku, amd aince she's a little girl, there won't be such a great role for her to play in this fic, but we'll see in the future...
Thank you all and see ya mext time! Evhron out.
P.S: In case I don't upload before the 15th, I wanted to inform you that I'll be going on a trip to Norway and Scotland 'til the first week of March. Due to this, I don't know how often am I gonna be able to either advance or upload new Chapters, but I'll do my best.
I'll be in Oslo for a couple days, so if by any chance there's someone who lives there and wants to hang out, drink a beer or somethin' hit me up, lol.