Chapter 2 Control
"Get up Ichigo, We have much to discuss".
"What the hell, what am I doing back here Zangetsu"?
"You were killed again Ichigo".
"But how if I am here now".
"The beings you were fighting did something to you and now you are different".
"Different how"?
"Take a look at where your hollow whole would be".
Ichigo pulled his shirt apart and saw a round black stone in the center of his chest. He also noticed that his sword was no longer on his back.
"Zangetsu where's my Zanpacto"?
"It's inside of you, that stone granted you better control of your power and you can will it to come out any time you wish. However that is not why you are here".
"Why am I here then"?
"To train Ichigo, you shouldn't have been able to be killed a second time so easily".
"I wasn't expecting them to attack so soon".
"Have I not taut you never to let your guard down. You have forgotten that lesson Ichigo and for that your hollow and I have decided you must master his powers".
"Zangetsu, I can already keep the mask on as long as I want. What is there to learn"?
"You may have gained mastery over the mask but you know no hollow techniques. You have never used a cero outside of your hollowfied state. There is the quick and deadly balla and soneado. You can even use the cero oscuras do to the despair you felt when you were powerless. You can even create attacks if you take the time to think about and perfect them. Ichigo you have unlimited potential but first you must learn the basics. I will seal off your zanpacto so you may learn like a true hollow".
"What do you mean like a real hollow"?
"Ichigo you dumbass, he means instinct. Hollows get more powerful to survive and the cero is an attack all hollow know because it is easy to learn. And I am going to teach you so try not to die again".
A white version of Ichigo flew at him with a killer look in his eyes. Ichigo jumped back and just dodged the attack.
"Don't I get a say in this"?
"Quit talking and start fighting".
"Fine have it your way".
Ichigo rushed at the hollow with his fist cocked back. The hollow caught it and used the momentum to throw Ichigo to the ground. It then ran to him and kicked him in to the sky. Ichigo caught himself in mid air and rushed back for more. The hollow rushed at him but at the last second moved up and kicked Ichigo back to the ground.
Before the dust cleared Ichigo rushed out to surprise the hollow but in a buzz of static it was behind him and punched him down again. The hollow put his hand out and pointed at Ichigo with a white and red cero charging at his finger tip. Ichigo turned around to see it fire.
Without thinking in a buzz of static Ichigo moved to the side dodging the attack.
"I did it, soneado".
"Don't get your hopes up king you still have to learn the cero and you can figure out the rest".
Before he knew it ceros were being fired left and right. Ichigo buzzed around all of them getting closer to the hollow in the process.
The hollows eyes widened because Ichigo was learning so fast. That moment of shock caused it not to notice Ichigo buzz behind him and kick him down.
{Okay a cero looks like it's formed by gathering the energy from the atmosphere and mixing it with your own in to a ball that you fire when you think it's ready. Okay I can do this.}
When the hollow turned around its eyes widened even further because in Ichigo's hand was a bright blue cero, pointed right at him. The hollow rushed at Ichigo to see if he could stop it but about half way there Ichigo fired.
[BOOM]
Very good Ichigo, We have nothing left to teach you. Everything you can learn from this point on is up to you. Creating attacks is no easy matter however".
"Yah king, you have to imagine what you want the energy to do and how you can form it. There is no limit to what you can make as long as you have to make it happen".
"Your sole reaper powers are set in stone but your nature as a hollow allows you to create attacks that don't use your sword. When you have grown even more your hollow will teach you your resurreccion".
"One more thing king, you don't need that stupid mask anymore. You can use the powers whenever you want now. That stone in your chest allowed you more control of your powers, you just have to will the energy rather than pushing it like before. We'll see you around king".
"Yes Ichigo it's time you returned to your body and don't fall in to despair anymore. That causes rain in this world and we hate the rain".
"Thanks guys, I'll do my best".
When Ichigo opened his eyes he saw the blue girl from before looking down at him.
"Hay, where am I" he said as he sat up?
"Ah, well umm, you are in a containment room. My diamond told me to watch you and inform her when you awakened.
"Oh, okay. Before you go what's your name, you already know mine from before".
"My name"?
"She has no name, she is just a blue pearl created to serve me and do what I tell her to do".
Ichigo could see her head down as the large blue woman from before said that.
Yes my diamond, just a pearl to do what you ask of me".
"Hold on now you can't just"…
"Mind yourself boy, this is our planet you are on so think twice before speaking like that. We diamonds rule over the gem empire and that now includes you Painite".
"What, my name is"…
"Your gem is Painite and that is what you will be referred to as from now on. Now faze on some clothing before Yellow Diamond arrives so you look presentable".
"Fine how do I do that"?
"Pearl".
"Yes my diamond. You imagine what it will look like and will it to form on your body, like this" Blue pearl said as she fazed off her clothes.
"Okay okay I get it just put your clothes back on. Don't just go around doing that".
She phased her clothes back on and stud up to let him focus. Ichigo pictured his old clothes but he thought since he was in a new world he would use a new look. A white vest appeared on his chest with the shoulders pointing up. He also made arm guards from his wrist to right before his elbow. To top it off he made white pants and shoos.
"Hay why is my stone still showing"?
"Your gem is always showing so others may identify you, that is something that never gets blocked even if you will it" Yellow Diamond said as she walked in to the room
Ichigo stud up and walked over to the two large diamonds.
"Okay now what do you want with me. You clearly need me for something is you took the time to put this gem in my chest".
"You were merely a test to see if we can make humans in to hybrids nothing more. However, we used a one of a kind gem on you because that is all we had on hand so you have to prove your worth then we will decide what to do with you. Blue did you have the training room set up for his test"?
"Yes I have, come this way pearl". Also take this book and read up on our history so you don't look stupid later on" Blue Diamond said as she handed him a book.
"Do I have to carry this thing around everywhere I go"?
"No, you can just will it in to your gem to store it for later the same way you caused your clothes to appear".
"I can't believe you Blue, allowing you're pearl to speak so freely like that".
"As long as she does her job right then I could care less about what she says".
Ichigo tried to store the book and like Blue Pearl said it worked.
{Ichigo Why has a book appeared in your inner world?}
{I guess that is where these people store there things.}
{Very well then, I will read it and transfer the knowledge to your mind as I read.}
{You can do that?}
{Yes I can and it will give me something to do in this world.}
{Thank you Zangetsu, you're a life saver.}
{It is no trouble Ichigo.}
"We have arrived, in this room here".
As Ichigo's conversation he almost didn't notice Blue pearl ahead of him and lightly bumped in to her.
"Sorry about that".
"It is no trouble".
"We will be in the seats up there as you show what powers you have, there are some boulders there if you need targets. Now get to it before we decide to shatter you".
As they went to the seats Ichigo took a look around. This place looked like a large arena meant for gladiators and like she said there were boulders to one side. Ichigo looked up to the diamonds and saw that the pearls were standing at their feet.
{The way they are treated isn't right.}
"You may begin" Yellow Diamond yelled to him.
Ichigo summoned Zangetsu and it looked much shiner then before. He paid it no mind and started swinging it as if he was in a battle. After that he jumped in to the air and fired a Getsuga tenshou at one of the boulders cutting it in half. He stayed in the air and stud up and began to charge a cero. When he fired the cero they were impressed by its speed. Before they could blink the bolder was no more than a blue cloud of smoke.
"Those are all the things I know how to do".
"What about that monstrous form you took when we killed you" Yellow diamond asked.
"I can't control that, it is something I hold back because it is always trying to control my body. When you killed me I lost control and it took over but when I was sleeping I over powered it. I shouldn't have any problems with it anymore. How long was I out by the way"?
"68 hours" Blue pearl answered.
"I assigned pearl to watch over you until you awoke".
"Well I can say you would make a great one gem guard, wouldn't you say Blue"?
"Yes, we can use the gems that would do that job for something more productive".
"Very well you will now be a ship guard in case anyone attacks. You will be aboard a ship at all times protecting whatever is on it".
"Also, Blue pearl you will be assigned to be by his side and inform me if you believe him to turn trader. I want a report every other day".
Yes my diamond" she said as she walked to him.
We have created a room for you two to stay between assignments. We will inform you every time you have a new job and you have access to this training room between jobs. Is that clear" Yellow Diamond said authoritatively.
"Yes".
"Yes What"?
"Uh, yes my diamonds".
"Good now leave to your quarters".
After Ichigo and Blue Pearl left Yellow Diamond asked "Blue will you be alright without a pearl"?
"Yes, I'll just get a new one, there is no harm in it anyway. I'll see you later Yellow" She said as she left.