Chapter 5
The Battle of the Certera
Ichigo instinctively spun around and blocked the sword descending on his with his own. When he looked in the eyes of the beast he saw excitement in seeing him. When he looked at the figure. He saw he was muscular, his face mirrored his eyes, they held excitement. He also had a strange hair style, it was spiked with bell on each end. He recognized the guy instantly.
'Kenpachi?' he thought as he pushed the blade back forcing its owner to fall back.
No doubt it was him. A torn up Haori (Japanese:Captain Uniform) and a Zanpakutō with a ridged edge.
Before Ichigo could say anything he heard another all to familiar voice
"Scatter, Senbonzakura (Japanese:Thousand Cherry Blossoms)" a cold voice echoed.
Ichigo felt a thousand tiny blades pierce him. But he endured it. When it died down, he looked around. Not only seeing Kenpachi of the 11th division, and Byakuya of the 6th division. But Yachiru, Hanataro, Captain Unohana of the 4th Division, and her Assistant-captain Isane. All gathered around him in a circle. All ready to strike. Except Yachiru, who was hanging on to Kenpachi's Haori and watching the show.
Ichigo started to raise his hand and said "What guys! It's me! It's me!"
"You? Do we look like we know you bub." Kenpachi grin dropped as he spoke to the figure in front of him
Ichigo then slapped his hands over his head remembering he was still in his Ghost Rider Form. He calmed down, deactivated it and removed his mask. Showing them who he was.
The audience looked shocked as they lowered their weapons
"Kurosaki-san? What happen to you?" Captain Unohana questioned in concern.
"That's what we want to know!" Rukia said expressing her own curiosity.
Ichigo sighed at these questions. He knew this would get out eventually, but this fast, he had know idea. Their was no other choice but say what he needed to tell.
He spoke for nearly an hour to the audience before him, from the stranger that gave him his powers, to the Zangetsu explaining the Ghost Rider origin. His fights with both Nnoitra and Zommari to wrap it up.
The following audience was confused. They thought Ghost Riders were merely legends thought up a hundred years ago. But seeing what form Ichigo had become. They knew now they weren't no legends.
They all had different thoughts on this, but Kenpachi and Yachiru voiced theirs.
"Damn Ichigo you done wonders for yourself, and had even better fights. But you always finished the fight in a lame way." He said with excitement, envy, and disappointment. Excitement because he was an even better challenger then before. Envy for fighting and defeating two Espadas. And disappointment for just starring at his opponent to kill them instead of killing them with a blade.
Yachiru said to Kenpachi "So Ken-chan, are you going to have fun with Bonehead Ichi-chan." With childish excitement that sent chills down your spine if you decoded 'Fun' with "Death Match".
Ichigo was plain annoyed by his new nickname Bonehead Ichi-chan
Byakuya, and Unohana was still looking at Ichigo in questions. True, he may have made an alliance with the devil. But it's what the devil said about the True Mastermind named Blackheart. Who was he and more importantly, where was he?
Ichigo saw them relax themselves at his explanation, but knew there was still going to be trouble. With not only Aizen and the other Arrancars, but Blackheart and possible the Soul Society.
And specking of Arrancar, what happen to the four that over looked his match. He turn to Orihime and Nel. When he saw Nel. She looked a little pale and breathing hard. Ichigo put his hand on her forehead and notice she very hot, meaning she had a fever. Orihime also noticed this.
Before Ichigo could say anything to Orihime. A blast of energy was felt behind them, growing bigger.
All in the canyon retreated away from the blast, just as it hit the ground. They looked up and saw the four Arrancar women on the cliff. Harribel had her arm outstretch and her index finger pointing at them, giving evidence that she fired the blast.
"Now what are you doing here " Ichigo question the Arrancar that returned.
This time Harribel spoke "We received new orders for Orihime's capture as well as your own Kurosaki-san. Knowing you, you won't come peacefully so…" She reached for the handle of her sword and pulled it out of her scabbard, Revealing what looked like a broad sword, only for the inner portion cut out, leaving only the outline. "…I'll take you in by force"
"Harribel-Sama" Apache spoke. "Let us deal with him. We'll be more than enough for him." She said in an attempt to prevent her mistress from fighting for their sake.
Harribel looked at her and said "I know you have the power to fight Apache. But his power has no effect on me. So it's wiser if I fight him alone."
Her fracción bowed and moved away, knowing how rough their mistress was in a battle.
The Ichigo drawn his own blade and prepared to attack. The other Shinigami were also getting ready, only for Ichigo to say "Stop she picked her fight with me and only me"
Before a word of protest could be heard. He jumped forward and intercepted Halibel's attack, who also jumped and swung her own sword down.
They jumped back and sprung forward, slamming their swords on one another. They just started to do the same steps over and over again, waiting for someone to make the first move.
Which was Harribel, who launch a Cero from her finger tips.
Ichigo countered. "Getsuga Tensho!" he released the energy dispersing the cero and heading toward Halibel.
Harribel just flung her hand in front of the attack and it too dispersed. She then senses Ichigo behind her, turned around and saw the same move but not released from the sword, slamming on her own sword.
There was a loud explosion from the duo's very spot. Both Harribel and Ichigo move away by the force of the blast, not losing their footing.
Harribel stared at Ichigo. She knew how his move worked and how he used it. Instead of releasing the energy, he kept it contained and used the force to nail her. Sadly it didn't work she was unharmed. Ichigo on the other was hurt from the force of his own blast.
Harribel spoke to the young Shinigami "I'll admit your move was unexpected. But none of the less pitiful." Ichigo just sent another Getsuga Tensho, only for Harribel to use her sonido and appear behind him and slash him in the back.
Ichigo fell hard on the ground, gasping at the pain. Harribel landed in front of him.
"Why aren't you transforming, Shinigami? Don't you want to die with some pride." She said egging him on.
Ichigo wished he could transform too. But truth be told, he didn't know how. He always transformed when he was around someone who did sinful things without a good reason. His opponent now didn't do anything wrong to neither the living or the dead.
Harribel gave him a hard kick in the ribs. Ichigo cough up some blood.
Kenpachi, Chad, and Byakuya moved to help only to be intercepted by the three other Arrancar that released their Zanpakutō and called them.
"Thrust Upward, Cierva (Spanish:Deer; Japanese:Blue Deer Battle Girl)" Apache's bladed bracelets had unleashed her Resurrección form. Her newly transformed body had grew a pair of Antlers on her head where the normal horn shrunk. She also developed deer like legs and tail.
"Feast Wildly, Leona (Spanish:Lioness; Japanese:Golden Lion General)" Mila's sword had transformed her as well. Her hair grew even longer and had a touch of blond in the center, her uniform looked more Amazonish with a pair of what looked like lion paws over her breast, and had a broad sword in her right hand
"Strangle to Death, Anaconda (Spanish:Anaconda; Japanese:White Snake Princess)" Sun-sun's sai had been called out as well. Her form looked just like it's name sakes, her lower body looked like a giant snake, and her mask grew in to a half of helmet like appeared.
"Taking on three captains and a bunch of Shinigami's like this won't improve our chances of winning, But he will" Apache said as she emphasized he with a bitter tone and reached for her left arm
Mila just signed and "For once I'll agree with you." she took her own sword under her left arm
"Let's bring him out." Sun-sun said as she twisted her own left arm.
They then ripped off their arms and threw them in between them and said in unicison "Quimera Parca (Spanish:Sparing Chimera; Japanese:Mixed Beast God)." and their arms started to merging and a flash of light burst. When the light faded it revealed a colossal figure with several characteristics of the three Arrancars. It had antlers and furry arms and legs like Apache, a mane like Mila, and a snake tail, like Sun-sun. It also had a skull the shape of a deer's head where the antlers were attach to.
Kenpachi, Chad and Byakuya looked at the beast and said "What is that?"
Apache decided to answer "This is Allon. Our pet that's made up of all of our arms and combined by our powers..." She explain in a cocky voice. "...and are greatest weapon."
Suddenly, Allon faded out of sight and punch Kenpachi away. Byakuya saw this and was amazed by that monstrosity's speed. He grabbed Chad and used the Shunpo to get away before it punched them. The Beast looked around for its targets.
Kenpachi jumped at the beast and thrust his sword in a slash on the beast, that made no effect. Allon looked at Kenpachi and went to punch him. Kenpachi took it.
Ichigo witnessing the beast attack and moved to attack it was well, only to be intercepted by Harribel.
"You match is with me Kurosaki. You can deal with them later…" She then kneed him in the gut and let him drop to the ground. "…that is of course, if you can beat me." She said.
Orihime witnessed all this and wished to help, but Captain Unohana and the other prevented this. "They are after you. So it will do us good it we get you away from her."
Unohana spoke to her. Knowing Orihime's friend were endanger. To calm her she said "Don't worry they'll be all right."
But Orihime was far from alright. She knew they were after her. She also knew this was all her fault. Everyone was getting hurt because of her.
Nel was in no better position then Orihime. She was worried about Ichigo. The one person who always protected her. Her friend that put himself in great danger just for her safety. She felt powerless to this.
Suddenly she raced towards Ichigo while ignoring the cries from Orihime to return from the battlefield.
"Ichigo!" She cried when she saw him getting slammed in to the wall.
"Ichigo! ICHIGO!" The third time she cried The sand picked up and covered her from everyone, and a jump of reiatsu was felt.
Everyone, but Kenpachi, Byakuya and Chad saw this and saw a figure in the smoke.
When the dust settled it revealed a woman, with long green hair and a mask that resembled a skull of a demonic ram.
The Arrancar women recognized the woman
"Neliel Tu Oderschvank?" Harribel questioned the woman.
Neliel just charged forward and knocked Halibel out of order and grabbed Ichigo away from the area.
Ichigo looked at her in shocked about this transformation. Then Neliel looked at him and smiled
"Ichigo, thank you for protecting me for so long. Let me repay you." She let him go and stand facing Halibel
"What Nel you can't…" Ichigo began to protest only to be interrupted by Neliel.
"Don't worry Ichigo, I can." she said in a soothing tone while a gust of wind picked up and her hair followed it revealing a large number three on her back. Symbolizing she was the Certera Espada (Spanish: Three Sword; Japanese:Third of the Ten Sword).
Harribel spoke to enemy Arrancar "It's been awhile Neliel. We've believed you were dead."
Neliel said in response "You would have to thank Nnoitra for that, Halibel"
They used their own Sonido and let their blade clash on one another.
Apache, Mila, and Sun-sun witnessed all this and were shocked about the Return of the former Certera Espada. But when Neliel started to fight with Halibel, Apache said "Hey what the hell do you think your doing to Harribel-Sama you…" Her rants were halted by Chad who attempted to fire at her, but missed her by an inch as she jumped away.
Apache growled and turned her head to Allon "Hey Allon, stop playing around and kill them already!" she yelled at the beast. The Monster didn't response.
Apache growled again "Hey!! Allon!! Are you listening?!" Apache yelled once more.
"I don't think he can hear you Apache." Sun-sun commented her friend. "In fact I don't think he ever listen to any of us before."
Apache leered at the Monster and said "Disgusting. We should have never brought him out."
Allon was trying to smash his enemy with just his fist. Then Kenpachi manage to let loose of blast of energy to give him a deep cut in the chest. Chad let loose a his strike as well to do some damage.
Allon then got hit by the barrage of attacks.
Allon in response to the attacks, started to twitch and the head lifted up revealing a mouth with eyes hidden in the mane. It let loose a loud roar letting everyone know it was serious.
Byakuya saw this and pointed his middle and index fingers at the beast.
"Hadō #4 Byakurai (Japanese:Way of Destrution, White Lighting)"
A burst of energy head towards the beast and put a small hole in its chest. Allon started to grunt painfully.
Byakuya seeing Kido (Japanese:Demon Arts) as the monster's weakness. He then readied another spell when Allon flung himself forward and slammed himself on Byakuya. Byakuya inreaction Shunpo away from the beast.
Byakuya knew now that this beast was indeed a strong. The Arrancar were not bluffing about this. Their weapon was a one man Army.
Meanwhile with Neliel and Harribel they were continuing like they were hitting one another with their swords nether one giving the other the edge.
They jumped back and distanced themselves from each other.
"I got to admit Harribel, your skills have improved. Maybe it's time I take this seriously to have a chance of beating you." She said seriously as she raised her blade in front of her horizontally.
"Declare, Gamuza (Spanish:Chamois;Japanese:Antelope Knight)" She then transformed in to a Centaur like beast with armor on her chest. She held a lance that was attach to another lance on the same staff.
"You should know that it doesn't matter what you do. You won't stop me Neliel" Harribel spoke to her scoffing.
Neliel said nothing as she spun her staff and said "Lanzador Verde (Spanish:Green Lancer; Japanese:Green Spear of Morphism)!" and launched it at Halibel.
Harribel attempted to block it with her own sword only for the force of the lance to push her back in to the side of the cliff.
Neliel used her reiatsu to recall her staff and waited.
She then saw a blast of red energy launch at her That was no doubt from Harribel. Neliel opened her mouth up wide and what appeared to be eating the Cero and then launching her own at the same spot Harribel was.
An explosion was ensured when the powered up Cero made contact with the cliff and the whole thing leveled.
Neliel smiled at her worked but felt another blast hit her in the back dead-on.
She fell on her side and looked up despite the pain. Harribel was standing their with only a few scratches and her uniform ripped away. Revealing her mask that covered her whole face and extended on her neck and over her breast, and a number three under her right breast.
"How?" Neliel panted in pain while questioning her opponent
"Its simple I used the Cero to distract you while I used the Sonido to escape and fired another cero behind you. It seem that number on you back is only a number after all. Neilel." She started to charge up another Cero and shot it at Neliel.
Ichigo saw this and intercepted it with his sword.
"Like I said, Your fights with me Harribel." He let loose his signature move at point-blank range.
Which Harribel easy destroyed. "You are right Kurosaki-san. But in your current state your not even worth killing." She backhanded him in to the wall of the cliff.
Ichigo thought 'No matter what I do nothing works. Why can't I transform! Why, why, why!'
"Because you not putting yourself into it Ichigo" Zangetsu appeared next Ichigo
Ichigo starred at his partner as if he was crazy "What do you mean not putting myself in to it. What do you think I want to do?" He questioned Zangetsu.
Zangetsu said "Your powers are your Ichigo. But like me they won't activate while your afraid. I can feel your fear Ichigo. Your fear of losing control and hurting those your trying to protect. Ichigo your power react with you. As long as you believe you can control yourself, you can. As long as you can stand it will. As long as you can fight it will. Ichigo you must fight with your power united instead of divied. Only then can you control them at will." He faded as he said the last part to Ichigo.
Ichigo understood the message. He was always afraid of his powers because he feared it would hurt other he protected, but these are his power and he was the boss of them.
His eyes showed determination as he focused. Suddenly his spark lit up and flames surrounded him.
Harribel saw this and thought 'It's about time.'
When the flames died down it revealed Ichigo in his Ghost Rider form, clutching his sword. He turned and saw Allon about to crush those he fought against.
He raced passed Harribel. He whistled at the bike. The bike reacted and raced toward Allon, jumped, and slammed into his chest, pushing Allon towards Ichigo. Ichigo raised his blade and infused his hellfire power in to the sword and said "Getsuga Tensho!" A crescent blade of energy flung at the beast and cut him in half easily. Everyone was wide eyed at this show of power.
Apache, Mila and Sun-sun charged at Ichigo with what remained of themselves and aimed to kill. Ichigo grabbed the chain from the end of his sword and flung it out at the Arrancar women, rounded them up, and slammed them on the ground. A groan was heard from them. Ichigo released the Chain and said "Leave now."
The Arrancar women just got back up and faced him ready to attack.
"Stand down." Harribel told her servants.
They looked at their mistress in confusion, "Harribel-sama we can still fight…" Apache said but was interrupted by Harribel
"I can deal with him from here. After all this is what I've what'd for." She said with an unusual tone of excitement in her voice.
They bowed and moved a to higher levels of the valley.
"Well Kurosaki-san you've now become a worthy opponent to kill." She said eyeing her opponent.
"I'm so honored." Ichigo spoke with sarcasm.
Harribel spoke once more "You should. After all your about to see my Resurrección form." She raised her sword in to the air with the sword pointed down and said "Attack, Tiburón (Spanish:Shark ;Japanese:Imperial Shark Empress) " and an explosion spun the sand before her.
When the sand settled Harribel form was revealed.
Her hollow mask extended beyond it normal position to sides of her waist, but it looked more like blue-grey scales, On the side of here body vent like opens appeared. Her hands and feet were webbed like, and she grew a long tail with a sail fin on it. A dorsal fin was on her back. Her face also grew scales, while her teeth grew jagged and her eyes were now dark brown instead light green.
"I don't think we were properly introduced Kurosaki-san" She said opening her sea green and blue mixed eyes. "I am Tia Harribel, the Certera Espada. The Water Monarch."
So do you guys get my idea?
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Till next time.