Scenario VI-Indiscernible Truth

Chapter I-An Adversary's Words

Musica scowled as he scanned the horizon of Alabasta. "Only manikins here as well… Beast that know only battle." Leaping off the building, Musica hurried off. Lucia… I believe what you told me. I will trust your words…

Musica stood over the body of a manikin, and plunged the spear into its chest. The beast howled, then lay motionless. "Beasts from a nightmare… What foul magic gave rise to them?"

"I see the manikins have begun to take their toll." Musica stiffened at the voice, and turned suddenly, pointing his spear at a sixteen year old boy. He had long spiky blond hair, a scar on the left side of his face, and was wearing a black headband, black armor, and a ripped up black cape, with a giant black sword held in a sheath on his back. A necklace connected to a small sword shaped jewelry held a small, purple black sphere in the middle of it. There was a psychopathic air around him, with pure insanity prominent in his olive brown eyes.

"Lucia Raregroove…" Musica scowled.

Lucia smirked, shoving aside the spear. "Fear not, I haven't come to fight you. My purpose this day is merely one of observation. To see how you fare, against the endless horde you face."

"I trust you've seen. Hmph. Who would imagine I'd greet the end here, in this foreign world. Tell me one thing. If Chaos triumphs, this place will be destroyed. Is that truly what you seek to bring about?"

Lucia laughed. "What victory will bring about is the end of fighting. Not the world itself." Musica looked confused. "What purpose is there in explaining the truth to people doomed to disappear?"

"Disappear? You know something." Musica said slowly, lowering the spear.

"This war of the gods is endless. It has been repeated countless times already. Let me be clear: the safety of this world is assured. It must go on—because the war will." Lucia eyed Musica's expression. "You do not believe me, do you?"

"Had you expected otherwise?" Musica said.

Lucia chuckled slightly. "I suppose not. With no memories, it would seem absurd."

"Explain." Musica said.

"You were bested in battle, and revived to fight anew. The process of your revival required your memories be purged. You've forgotten that the cycle repeats itself, and thus you mistrust my words. Look to your deeper memories, and you will see the proof of what I say." Lucia explained.

"What deeper memories?" Musica said, confused.

"Those who are summoned to this world arrive with almost no recollection of their past. But you—you remember Haru and I. you have memories of our homeworld. The more that you fight, the more those memories will return. That you have already remembered so much…that is proof that you—"

"Musica!"

Lucia looked up, and leaped back as Haru landed on the ground, the sword in his hand stabbed into the earth where Lucia had been.

"Haru?" Musica gasped.

Lucia laughed. "My near-brother, Haru, is the same as you. When we are first called here, we do not even remember those closest to us."

"Musica, are you alright?" Haru said.

Lucia held up the black jewel in his necklace, and began to stroke it. "See for yourself. The truth is there if you seek it." he said, and vanished in black light.

"Musica! Are you hurt?" Haru asked.

Musica stared at where Lucia had been. "N-no… I' fine."

Haru shouldered his weapon. "We should go. It's best we all stay together."

"Haru… Have you—Your memory. It still hasn't returned, has it?" Musica said.

"No. But I have begun remembering you…bit by bit, the more we fight. It's the same for you, right? The more you fight, the more the pieces fit themselves together? Don't worry. As long as we keep fighting, our memories will come back eventually. We'll be all right." Haru said, smiling, and they set off.

As the fight wears on, our old memories return. A vague clue, but that much seems to be certain. More importantly, it is the sole proof we have as to this war's unending nature.

Chapter II-Knowledge

Ulquiorra sat in a chair in the Soul Reaper council room in the Soul Society. Nnoitora and Grimmjow sat on either side of him. They looked up as Lucia entered the room.

"If all the warriors of one side should fall, it spells defeat for their deity and master." Ulquiorra said, getting to his feet. "And here I was thinking our enemies were acting oddly. Now, I see he plans to deliberately invite that defeat." Nnoitora sniggered

"So, they preserve the power of their goddess, and carry it with them to the next battle." Grimmjow spat, looking bored.

"The precious crystals—the blessings of Cosmos." Lucia said.

Ulquiorra nodded. "Yes, and yet… I am bothered by a simple fact. The warriors of Cosmos have suffered loss after loss. Not one of them holds memories of previous struggles. They should know nothing of these matters. From whom did they learn this strategy for ushering in a new conflict? Cosmos herself? Or more worrisome…" Lucia shifted slightly, as Grimmjow and Nnoitora grasped their zanpaku-tos. "An ally of Chaos? For only victors have been permitted to remember all that has passed before. Who could it be? Who among us would offer up that knowledge?"

Lucia scoffed.

"No matter. It will be satisfying to dash their growing hopes." Grimmjow said.

Nnoitora smirked, licking his sword's blades.

"What exactly are you planning?" Lucia said.

"Their annihilation. In one fell swoop." Ulquiorra stated.

"You mean to attack Cosmos directly?" Lucia said in disbelief.

"It seems a much more effiecient method than hunting each warrior down, one by one. We will take this fragile hope of their, and crush it beneath our boots. Ah, that reminds me." Ulquiorra glanced to the corner. Lucia followed his gaze to Gajeel's motionless body. "The divine power they strive to protect? This brave soul managed to take a shard for himself. He is a vessel touch by the energy of a goddess. I look forward to his next awakening." Ulquiorra said with a smirk.

Chapter III-How A Real Man Fights

Ichigo fell to the ground in the Hidden Leaf Village, the zanpaku-to falling from his hands, "Musica! But…why—?" Ichigo stopped, and lay motionless.

"Forgive me. Our hope must live on, for the next battle."

Suddenly, a cackle echoed out, and the Millennium Earl emerged from a black hole. "You fell your friends, and yet you refuse to sell yourself to their enemies." he cackled, tapping his umbrella on his shoulder.

"You again." Musica scowled.

"Tell me now… Where do you mean to take that warrior?" the Millennium Earl asked, pointing at Ichigo.

"What's it to you? You wish to deliver the killing blow for me? I've no intention of revealing my allies' location. Follow me as you will. You'll learn nothing." Musica said with a smirk, spinning his spear to face the Millennium Earl.

"So…you offer your life in exchange for theirs?" the Millennium Earl laugh.

Musica smirked again. "Of course not. I offer yours." Musica leaped into the air. "Silver Arrows!" he shouted, and spun the spear in the air. An arsenal of silver darts rained in all directions. The Millennium Earl opened his umbrella, and held it above him. The darts bounced off the umbrella with no damage, as though it were a steel shield. The Millennium Earl lowered his shield, then swung it like a sword, countering Musica's strike. Suddenly, a orb of black energy glowed in his other hand.

"DIE!" the Millennium Earl shouted, and threw it. Musica spun the spear around, cutting apart the orb, which dispersed. Then he rapidly thrust it forward, the Millennium Earl leaning back and forward, dodging. Then Musica drew back his arm, aiming.

"SILVER STRIKE!" he shouted, and threw it. the Millennium Earl's eyes widened. The spear impaled through him, and continued on, carrying him, until it impaled into a building. Musica scowled at the body. Suddenly, there was a cackle.

"Impressive. You fight well." Musica stared as the Millennium Earl grabbed the spear, and pulled it out. "I almost wish we could continue." the Millennium Earl said, tossing the spear back to Musica, as a manikin appeared on a building. Another appeared, closely followed by seven more.

"To leave the friend behind, or to stay and perish with him…" the Millennium Earl said, his eyes narrowed to slits.

"I have other plans. You're mistaken if you think mindless beasts can defeat me." Musica said.

"So you choose to fight. You will not endure for long. Then again, perhaps you will find some peace once you are gone for good and all. It is far too late for you to win." the Millennium Earl said, and vanished.

Musica smirked. "Do you take me for a fool? I'm well aware of our position. ABOMINATIONS!" Musica shouted, pointing his spear at the manikins. "Can you hear me? Do you beasts even have minds of your own?" The manikins howled and snarled, baring fangs. "IF you are aware of the world around you, you'd best rue the day you came here. I'm about to teach you pathetic creatures the difference in strength between you and a real man!" And with that, Musica leaped forward, as the manikins attacked.

Chapter IV-Victory Not Left To Chance

Lucia walked through the castle in Feudal Japan.

"Keeping yourself busy, I see." said a soft, sinister voice. A cloud of miasma appeared before him, and formed. A figure stood before him.. He had a pointed face with waist-length black hair, red eyes and gray eyeliner on his upper eyelids. He wore a light blue, tattered jacket with a purplish interior over a dark colored kimono and a yellow obi tied around his waist. A set of armor made out of his very bones rested on his shoulder and back, with three large dragon tails protruding out of the center of his spine. The center of his chest armor and the back of his hands had red eyes embedded in them.

"What do you want, Naraku?" Lucia scowled.

"You seem awfully interested in Cosmos's little pawns. I thought perhaps you might be planning something devilish, and came to join in on the fun." Naraku said, floating in midair and crossing his arms and legs, as his three tails twitched back and forth.

"You were mistaken. With the manikins on our side, or victory if no longer left to chance. There is no further need for strategy." Lucia said.

Naraku chuckled. "Kukukuku. I suppose you are right. The manikins are truly merciless. Even should they best an opponent, they do not allow him to slink from the battlefield to lick his wounds. Manikins fight until the last spark of life has been extinguished form their foe. The heroes of Cosmos will receive the gift of eternal death and no longer be subject to these pitiless resurrections. Would they be denied their final rest, and thrust into battle time and time again? No, this is a kindness.

"That's if the war cannot be stopped." Lucia said.

Naraku's eyes narrowed. "Are you implying there might be an end to this struggle?"

Lucia scowled. "I imply nothing. There is no end in sight." he said, and turned away.