6 Fight to the Death
In the Human World the battle was waging between Aizen and Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra slid backwards after striking at Aizen again. This battle would be his toughest yet. He was unsure wether or not he would survive this one. He stood straight and raised his energy lance again. The new wings raised high behind him and with a strong thrust and rush of wind he catapulted forward with great speed. The arrancar barrels head long at the chestnut haired man. There was a sudden movement between them and Ichigo came blasting into the fight striking Aizen in the forearm. Aizen was caught off guard this time, but it was not going to happen again.
Ulquiorra saw a moment, turned in flight and struck at Aizen again and made real contact into the mans shoulder this time.
"You got lucky." Aizen sneered, as blood dripped from his shoulder and arm. "But even two on one I am still superior to you both."
Raising both his arms, one hand pointed at each of his competitors he released a Keido blast without uttering a word. The winged man dodged skillfully while the younger one just dodged the attack; rolling out of the way. Both came in on Aizen quickly brandishing their weapons. Aizen dodged Ichigo with relative ease but could not escape Ulquiorra. The energy lance landed another blow. Blood began to gush from Aizen's shoulder now. With a swift movement Aizen ripped the sleeve from his jacket and carelessly tossed it aside.
Aizen began to think about his combatants. He had to do something before they actually hurt him. The uninjured arm reached for his zanpauktou and drew it slowly. With a swift movement Ulquiorra came in and grabbed Ichigo and flew down into the town before the shinigami boy could figure out what was going on.
"Don't look at his release." Ulquiorra said very firmly to the orange haired boy.
"WHAT?!" Ichigo yelled in irritation at being drug around by the arrancar.
"It causes hypnosis," he said pulling the boy further into the city "Don't look at it."
"Great, so how are we suppose to fight him genius." Ichigo snapped as they flew through the streets weaving in between the buildings.
Ulquiorra thought about what to do. If they witness the release of Aizen's zanpauktou they would be under it's hypnotic power. How were they to avoid this? Differing thoughts came to his mind, but the continued instinct to release a second time was constantly at the forefront of his mind. He wasn't even sure if he was still capable of a second release. They stopped in between two tall buildings. He contemplated his thoughts once more. Ulquiorra was somewhat reluctant as his better judgement told him to be cautious with this new body. In the end he went with his instinct.
"Ichigo, can you bring out your hollow mask again?" his tone stayed calm but urgent.
"Yeah, I've been building the strength back."
"Excellent. I'm not sure if this will work, but it's the best chance we have." he turned away from the shinigami "I hate to fight on a hope but we have to finish this. You and I are the best chance we have. We have to work together." he turned his gaze back to the young man, his gaze was very stern and full of conviction.
"Put on your mask." he said and began to raise his reiatsu. "Arc`angel" he declared strongly.
Within a matter of seconds Ichigo's hollow mask was donning his face. When he was finished he turned to Ulquiorra to find his form changing again. His mask or helmet, which ever it was now, started to revert back to it's original shape although this time it covered both sides of his head. This created a full helmet over his head and a small amount of his raven black hair was visible peaking out from the bottom. Without warning a face mask slid out of the top and covered his eyes. The eye sockets of the mask had something that looked like a lens in a golden tint, and on the bottom of the mask beneath each eye where spikes that mirrored the arrancars familiar tear streaks. The wings on his back became snow white on the inside and golden on the outside, and became larger with a smaller second pair just beneath the first pair. His golden shoulder armor disappeared along with any clothing over his chest and he now had bare feet as well.
Ulquiorra could not explain this feeling. He stretched his new wings and looked at his new appearance. This feeling was amazing. His reiatsu swirled around him so thick that it formed a barrier around his exposed body. Ichigo was in awe at the being before him. What had Orihime done to this arrancar? Previously he resembled a demon and now he looked like an angel. His spiritual pressure kept rising and growing. He was stronger now then when Ichigo had fought him last.
"Ichigo, would you be willing to attack first and draw Aizen's attention?"
Ichigo could only nod at his comrade. He was at a lose for words. It was clear that Ulquiorra had a plan; so best to follow his lead then. The winged arrancar raised his hands up as he did the first time he drew his lance.
"Lanza de Ilustraci`on." Poured from his lips while extending his arms in the same fashion as before.
An energy grew as it had before, however, this time it extended in both directions on either side of his palm. At the front end a point began to form and the whole thing solidified. A large pole arm was gripped by the ex-espada. The weapon was magnificent and beautiful, but angry and menacing. The two men resolved to finish this fight. The pair slowly rose up to the top of the building; where in the near distance they could see Aizen waiting for them, with his zanpauktou drawn.
Aizen stared in amazement at Ulquiorra for a short time. Then frowned at the sensing of the reiatsu that came from him. It was almost equal to his. 'That's impossible. What did that girl do to him?' His anger was really boiling now.
"Lets finish this!" Ichigo proclaimed.
The arrancar nodded to the shinigami and raised his pole arm. Their spiritual pressure quickly peaked and they pushed toward their enemy. A big swirl of dust and energy swept behind them as they barreled down on Aizen. The ex-captain braced for the fight. Suddenly, Ulquiorra was gone. His sonido was so quick now, not even Aizen could follow it.
"Impossible." he said cooly.
Ichigo took the advantage and came in for his attack. At last moment Aizen blocked the black sword in a motion that looked effortless. Aizen turned quickly and landed a blow in Ichigo's side. Blood flowed from the wound and the pain was great, but he knew he must continue the fight. Ichigo fell back and raised his zanpauktou in the air above his head. He swung his sword down as he said,
"Getsuga Tensho." and a rush of red reiatsu swept from his sword and rushed for Aizen.
The attack came down hard on Aizen. The young shinigami's attack had grown stronger after his resent brush with death. Each near death experience for him had only added to his strength. With out warning over the boys right shoulder the long pole arm came whizzing past his face by near centimeters. The shot was precise and calculated. It hit something solid, but Ichigo could not see what it was as the dust from his attack was still settling.
There was a groaning noise from beyond the dust.
A burning was growing in Orihime's lungs as she ran through the halls of Los Noches. Rukia was right on her heels yelling at her for running off. Uryu and Chad were close behind Rukia keeping pace with the two girls in front of them. Orihime was so lost in thought earlier and with out warning jumped up and started running for Los Noches. She wouldn't say anything to her comrade about her plan; she simply ran with her purpose in mind. They made turns here and there. Although it all looked the same to the other three, Orihime knew where she was going. After a while they all stopped in front of a tall door. Orihime was breathing heavily and placed both hands on the door and pushed it open. The quartet walked into a large barren room that only had a tall backed chair on an upper landing by a wide balcony. Orihime jogged over to the chair and started to examine the floor. The remaining three at the door looked at each other in confusion. What was she looking for on the floor? They walked in carefully so not to disturb their friends marked concentration.
"What the hell are you doing here?" a voice came from behind them.
The three nearest the door turned to see who it was that had spoken, but the girl by the balcony ignored it completely. When they turned they saw a purple haired arrancar girl in a very skimpy skirt and top. The quincy recognized the girl; she is one that had attacked Orihime earlier. Uryu was shocked at seeing her; he was sure that he had killed her. The arrancar girl was battered and bruised but she was determined to fight the group anyway. She pulled a dagger from somewhere inside her skirt. The dagger dispersed into dust and wrapped around her.
"Sting, Escorpi`on" she growled.
The dust from her dagger rushed in on her and bound to her back and to her arms. A white tail came from behind her with a stinger on the end and each arm donned a pincer like blade. The anger on her face was evidence of her passion for her Lord, Aizen. With a scream of fiery she lunged at the group. In a matter of moments all three drew their various weapons and engaged in the battle. Meanwhile, the auburn hair girl on the landing continued to ignore the whole ordeal and continued searching.
"Ah hah." she suddenly yelled with a grin.
She reached her hand down to the ground and touched the floor. Not knowing what to do she pushed on the tile lightly and the cylindrical tube began to raise out of the floor. The girl was so happy that she had found what she was looking for. The tube began to open in a circular motion and revealed the treasure inside.
"The Hogyoku." she gasped at its immense power.
The sheer power of this orb was smothering hers. She had it. Now what? she thought. Before any idea could form the girl looked up just in time to move out of the way of an attack by the purple haired arrancar. Her instincts seemed oddly peaked and she placed the orb in her pocket and braced for battle. Placing her fingers at her hair pins she said the incantation,
"Koten Zanshun, I reject."
Tsubaki flew from near her finger tips and zipped across the room at their attacker. He weaved and slashed at the girl and was not destroyed. A great burst of confidence came to Orihime and she called out again.
"Tsubaki, strike now." and the fairy whisked in skillfully and hit the arrancar girl square in her chest sending her back with more force then anyone expected. Orihime looked up in surprise at the force of her attack and smiled.
"I did it!" she looked at her friends that all turned to look at her. "I did it! Yeah!" she yelled out in excitement. She jumped down from the landing, unexpectedly happy. The shinigami and the two boys looked at one another in confusion in this sudden change in mood.
"Let's get going." she squealed and ran out of the room before anyone could say anything.
They trailed after their friend in confusion, but followed anyway. She took them all back out to where the captains where sitting around; ran up to Captain Kurotshuchi and bent over to catch her breath. After regulating her breathing she straightened up and reach into her pocket.
"Could you use this?" and she pulled out the small glowing orb from her pocket.
The strange captains eye grew very wide at the sight of the small object. He reached out for it, but it was snatched out of the way by the girl holding it.
"I need it back." she said in her new found confidence.
"Why would you need it back?" he argued.
"I need to return it to its rightful owner."
"In that case I would like you to talk to that rightful owner and ask him if I might study it?" he inquired knowing full well who the owner was.
"It's a deal. Now open the the Garganta." she barked while placing the Hogyoku in the captains hand.
Rukia looked at Uryu with concern. 'Where had this sudden confidence come from? And that attack earlier, when did she get so strong?' She thought to herself. The dark haired shinigami moved in close to her friend and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you O'kay?" she asked leaning her head sideways to try to look in the girls face.
Orihime turned to look into her friends face. The anguish that was previously on Orihime's face was now completely gone. She returned to the happy carefree girl that she had been before. Rukia was relieved to see her this way again, but was wondering why she suddenly took on this happy demeanor.
"I'm great, Rukia, thanks for asking." she replied in her usual sweet voice.
"I can see that. But my real question is why the sudden change? You seemed so depressed just an hour ago. Why the change?"
"We are going to the human world to help everyone." she said flatly.
"Are you sure that is such a good idea, Orihime. That arrancar said we should stay here and wait for him."
"That is why we have to go." Orihime's voice was very solemn now. "I am not going to sit here and wait to be 'rescued'. I want to help and I have the power to do that now."
"What are you talking about? I saw what you did to that arrancar girl in the castle, but where did this come from?" Rukia asked.
"I don't know. When I was searching for the Hogyoku I felt my spirit rising at the idea of being helpful. I was able to help finally." her energy and smile grew as she explained.
"Then when Loly attacked us; I felt my power grow when I thought of you guys being hurt, and that I would not let her stop me from returning to Ulqui.....ah, to the human world."
blushingly she turned away at the slip of her words.
"I see; and what about Ichigo?" she asked, "He did come to save you."
"Yeah, and I appreciate that. But so did you, and so did Uryu and Chad, and Renji. When it came time, Ichigo left me to go fight." she began to feel anger now.
"It's not like he's my boyfriend or anything. We are just friends."
"So, what about Ulquiorra." she began, "didn't he kidnap you."
"Yeah, but it was under Aizens orders. He has protected me the whole time I was imprisoned, and when Aizen left and said he was done with me, he didn't kill me. As he died I could see the humanity in his face. You have to believe me." her heart was racing as she thought about the raven haired man.
"O'kay, if you trust him." ended the conversation between them.
With the help of the Hogyoku the Garganta was opened relatively quickly. Orihime retrieved the orb from the scientist and the group all left for the human world.