Ultrabross's Vision

CHP19: Gotham City

On foot he journeyed through the rain, his belongings close to his side. Turning the corner a clock came into view over a large building showing it was only twenty five after seven o'clock. Ichigo never imagined it'd be so early with how overly dark the surrounding was. Something about the air seemed off as well, gun powder mixed with something he wasn't familiar with, "Just my luck ending up on the bad side of town."

With most cities that was usually the norm, but with this one was a whole different story. It had been given many names by those living outside of it. The hellhole, city of death and corruption, hell on earth, above all was more commonly referred to as home to the Dark Knight. Aside from what went on in town, Gotham was one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the entire country. Even with all its crime managed to pull in tourists of all sorts from around the world. For some it was to enjoy the prospect that was Gotham and others…to get lucky and spot the legendary caped crusader. Vigilante or not couldn't stop the allure of what he was. The Dark Knight's reputation had grown over time to the point of becoming larger than life.

It seemed though everywhere Ichigo looked lurked suspicious people. A couple smoked pipes, others trading and selling what he believed were illegal items. It was nothing like Karakura town. So many differences he wouldn't know where to begin. The atmosphere was rough and tense like the people seemed to be surrounding the space. Filthy explained it perfectly, eyeing all sorts of garbage and newspapers on the sidewalks. He pretended not to see the woman carrying an umbrella approaching him from the alleyway, but unfortunately blocked his path stepping out in front of him.

"You new round here? I know all da faces in this part of town and aint ever seen you."

She roughly stood at 5'6, scarlet eyes, light brown hair, gray jacket, white tank top beneath it, and a black skirt with boots. She circled around him a couple times, Ichigo staying still. He wondered what she was up to and was almost afraid to ask. The grin which appeared over her lips didn't bring any comfort whatsoever.

"You's a fine pick…got any money hun? Somewhere around sixty bucks…I don't go cheap. You want the whole package you pay big." She moved in close placing the umbrella over the top of them both. Ichigo instantly jumped back putting extra space between them.

"What the hell are you suggesting? I'm not that kind of guy!" He put his hands out in front of him, during which he took a closer look at her, "Wait are you even old enough to be doing this?" Judging by the way she looked he figured she was around 16-18, it was hard to say for certain.

"What does my age have to do with anything," She extended an arm running her fingers down the material of his shirt. She looked him in the face for a long period not saying a word, "I didn't realize you were so cute on first glance, tell yah what…how'd you like a discount of fifty percent?"

Ichigo couldn't believe what was happening, the only thing on mind being to escape the situation, "One crazy thing after another, when will I ever get a break from it all!" He thought clutching his fists. From around the corner he heard splashes of water followed by footsteps that appeared to be coming his way fast!

"Cass what the hell you doing with him?!"

Ichigo looked over his shoulder spotting over nine men approaching their way, "Time to go!" Is all he could think taking off past the woman. The suitcase slowed him down but not by much, "You little slut!" One out of the nine grabbed at her arm applying a tight grip, "Answer me bitch! What were you doin with that guy?!"

"He came out of nowhere forcing himself on me. I tried telling him no but he said no wasn't an option!" She pleaded.

He removed his hand off her, "You three after him! Finish it fast and try not to make a bloody mess." He directed at three of them in particular. Ichigo spotted the three following over his shoulder, "Damn it just what I needed." Due to his athletic form felt he'd get away fairly easily. Seeing as they gained ground closing the gap Ichigo turned down an alleyway grasping it was a dead end. The three men in black cornered him against a gate, uncovering hand knives and other weapons. "You should never have put your hands on Lengthy Snake's property!'

"Property," Ichigo paused unable to believe his ears, "That girl is no one's property and to be fair she came on to me. Believe me; I wasn't going to do anything with her."

"Doesn't matter what we believe or not, the boss has given the order we wipe you out. What Lengthy Snake wants he gets, feel me?" The first of them came at Ichigo with a two sided blade/staff. In a single punch Ichigo snapped the staff in half, his fist connecting with the criminal's face. He then smashed the criminal's head into the side of a brick wall throwing him to the ground.

The remaining two came at him consecutively, Ichigo dodging each strike countering with moves of his own. The hand to hand techniques he learned from his father came into play as he finished them off. However there was little time for celebration as the remaining six entered the alleyway, the woman from before at their side. Unlike the three from before they pulled out handguns aiming straight at Ichigo, "Party's over boy, hands in the air." Ichigo did as they asked having no other choice.

"That karate shit aint nothing against bullets, technology's a bitch as they say." One of them chuckled with his finger on the trigger.

Ichigo thought about reaching down and using the substitute badge to transfer over into soul form, but one quick move might prompt them to shoot him down on the spot. On the same note it was worth a shot. Every scenario that played out in his mind ended with a bullet to the head or heart, wherever they decided to shoot. In the next instant police sirens drew close.

"I don't like the sound of that boss, maybe we should forget about this guy and dip. I aint trying to go back to lock up again. Black gate prison isn't remotely plausible!" One out of the six panicked.

"Keep yo cool none of us is go…"

Police vehicles passed by from behind causing all in the group to turn and look that way! They froze for several seconds, unaware as Ichigo quickly climbed over the fence leaving behind his suitcase, "Boss he's getting away!" One out of the group yelled. Just as he got ready to shoot, his weapon was lowered by the one called lengthy Snake. All watched as Ichigo disappeared around the corner.

"You lose your damn mind?! The cops just passed, we can't be drawing attention like that to ourselves. Let's forget about that chump! He ever shows his face around here again I guarantee we blow his head off! Grab da bag he left behind, maybe he got some valuables inside. See if there's anything useful, if not leave it behind."

The rain continued coming down hard making his way onto one of the main roads. All that had been left behind were various pairs of clothes, but outside of that nothing important. Kon and his most essential things were inside the bag pack over his shoulders. The thought of going back in soul form to recover his belongings came to mind. Thinking it over for a couple moments he decided not to go back. All in all it would do nothing more than slow him down. After about a minute he came to a stop feeling he was in more of a safe zone. He observed three strikes of lightning out in the distance.

XXX

Their entrance into the new location was much like Ichigo's taking on the relentless drizzle. Thunder and lightning struck all over town. The werewolf and succubus didn't know what to make of the surrounding which they believed to be the home of Ichigo. The thing that had been on both their minds since arrival was the whereabouts of Moka and Tsukune. They entered the portal only seconds after, so should have ended up in the same place; for whatever reason that wasn't the case, and put Kurumu on edge. The thought of Tsukune and Moka alone in stormy weather brought a strange sickness to her stomach.

Gin could see the intensity in her eyes, looking as though she was ready to strangle someone. Hands in his side pockets he peeked over at her chest, and because of her soaked clothing was able to see through. The sight of her bra brought a grin to his face, Kurumu noticing from the corner of her eye, "What's funny?" She asked irritation in her tone.

"Nothing really…" Gin looked out in front of him.

Persisting down the same path they had been since arrival Kurumu grew more impatient the further they went. In some ways regretted jumping through, but would never let Moka travel to a faraway place with who she believed to be her future husband. Had it not been for Tsukune she never would have went through. She and Gin turned the corner making their way down another street coming across a large gate over twenty feet tall and the length of three football fields, "Arkham Asylum." Gin read aloud gazing over the large sign.

On the other side of the gate was a massive facility, presumably where all the patients were being held. Just as Kurumu was about to speak earsplitting sirens/alarms went off around the building, "Attention all personnel, we've got a breakout in maximum security…I repeat a breakout in maximum!" a voice reverberated from several intercoms plastered over the facility walls and near the gates.

"All security officials stay alert, escapee is patient number G1267. Seven guards have been brutally beaten, three dead and the others in critical condition. It's safe to assume he's already off Asylum grounds and into the city…requesting backup from Gotham PD." The voice went on giving more details.

Electronically the front gates to the asylum opened in which Gin grabbed hold of Kurumu pulling them behind a dumpster. Security officials of all sorts poured through the front gates covered in armor from head to toe, carrying numerous firearms. Kurumu and Gin watched the group pass by getting into vehicles parked nearby. Both shared the same thought whoever it was that escaped must be especially dangerous with the amount of people going after him; coupled with talks of receiving backup.

They stayed still for another five minutes waiting for the alarms to die down and all security members were gone. The gates to the asylum closed on its own. They soon stood from their slouched position crossing the street and turning around the block. Without saying both hoped not to come across patient G1267.

"How's that nose of yours working, have you picked up Tsukune's scent?" Kurumu asked with her fingers crossed.

"He and Moka are definitely here somewhere but…there's far too much going on for me to track them. I picked up Ichigo as well a little while ago but was vague, which leads me to believe he's somewhere far from here. Could go into full werewolf form and track them easily, but downside is I'd draw unwanted attention."

"That's the last thing we want. Come to think of it this place resembles the human world," Kurumu took an even closer look at the buildings surrounding them. Even the individuals they came across looked human. It was also possible they were hiding their true monster forms however, "You think it's possible this is the human wo…"

"Not a chance." Gin replied before she had the chance to finish.

Like her saw similarities with the human world but the atmosphere and overall tone of the place had something different about it; then again might have been the city in question. A person wearing a dark black trench coat approached them from the left pushing along a cart normally seen inside grocery stores. Inside the cart were items of different sorts, "You two look like potential buyers." He pushed the cart out in front of them stopping any further progress.

"We aren't interested." Gin pronounced.

He pushed the cart further out keeping them from trying to leave, "You should at least take a look at some of what I've got," Through the cart he felt around pulling out one of his better items, "This one will take you places you thought never possible. Oh and this one will make you see stars, rainbows and a lot of other crazy shit!" He held out two plastic bags containing unknown substances.

Kurumu and Gin looked at each other, another strike of lightning touching down miles away, "That's nice but we don't have any money." Kurumu came up with trying to get them out of the situation fast.

"That's ok," He stepped in front of them as they tried walking around the cart, "Payments don't necessarily have to be made in cash if you know what I mean." His hand went around Kurumu's waist voyaging downward. Gin was more than ready to knock his lights out, spotting the action. Kurumu stopped him from doing anything with just a look.

"Maybe another time," She slapped his hand away, "We're late for a rehearsal and need to get going." She came up with off the top of her head.

Kurumu took Gin's hand into her own taking off as fast they could. No interest in going after them he returned to the alley with the cart.

"Let's find somewhere that can shelter us from the rain, then after it stops we continue our search of Tsukune." Kurumu suggested

"No arguments here."

Elsewhere Tsukune and Moka wondered around down town Gotham, the weather just as ruthless like in every other part of town. The vampire felt frustrated and angry at herself for pulling Tsukune in alongside her. There had been no sign of Ichigo, and the way things were going was unsure if they'd ever find him. The city was so large and he could be just about anywhere. The thought of it was almost scary, not to mention they had no clue how they'd return to the academy.

Had he been going through it alone Tsukune would have been scared out of his mind, but the fact Moka was at his side brought unbelievable comfort. He took her wrist into his hand from behind, "Moka San we should get out of the rain before we catch cold."

"Not until after we've found him, maybe if we start asking people around town one of them might know where he is."

"The chances of that are highly unlikely; I promise we'll get back on it after the rain slows up."

She stared at him for a few seconds before finally agreeing to his suggestion. Holding hands they found a perfect spot between two business buildings shielding them from the rain. Together both sat leaning their backs against the wall. It wasn't the most comfortable, still better than being out in the rain. Moka leaned her head over his shoulder in which he wrapped an arm around her.

Next they snuggled even closer exchanging gazes. Moka then re positioned taking a seat in his lap locking lips and joining into a passionate kiss. The moment was perfect and it was what they both so eagerly wanted.

XXX

"This is crazy! Everywhere, every corner…what the hell!"

"Get back here ginger!"

He'd been minding his own business when they came out of nowhere trying to attack him. Maybe they believed him to be someone else. Another round of bullets followed as he turned the corner running for his life. While in stride a search light filled the sky, but was different than any ordinary search light. Ichigo only took a moment looking to the sky getting a quick glimpse of it, "Is that a bat?" He made out from its overall shape. Upon stepping out onto the next street there was a single gunman waiting;, dressed differently than those chasing after him from behind. He had a long gray beard, brown hat and brown boots.

"Identify yourself right now!" The individual pointed his weapon at the head of Ichigo, "Answer dammit! You a member to Scarface's gang?"

"I'm not a member to anything, just your av…"

"Then get the hell behind me!" With his freehand he forced Ichigo behind him, firing off as the other gunmen came into view. Each of them fell to the ground covered in blood, "It'd be a good idea for you to get out of here now son. Area's about to become a warzone."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ichigo asked.

Gun fire touched down between them, both ducking for cover behind a nearby truck, "A battle over territory is ensuing. This locale belongs to Black Mask! Scarface and Penguin appear to have different plans, and I say to hell with them! We'll defend our turf no matter what!"

Without asking Ichigo figured the man worked for Scarface. He had no idea who the persons were and didn't care to find out, all that mattered was his mission. A ring came from the gunman's pocket, uncovering a cell phone, "Ted here, talk…"

The conversation lasted only a little over thirty seconds and by expression the criminal seemed distressed, "Things just went from bad to worse!"

"Whatsup?" Ichigo asked.

"The damn clown prince of crime escaped Arkham Asylum again! Just when I thought things couldn't sink lower," He looked to the sky spotting the iconic symbol, "No doubt that bastard will be arriving soon as well!"

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked scratching at his hair.

"Batman, who the hell else would I be talking about. Anyhow it would be in your best interest to get out of here now boy. No need to waste your life if you aint part of this." He spoke loading his weapon, steadily peeking from behind the vehicle.

It turned out to be a huge mistake, receiving a single bullet to the head! His body fell sideways uncontrollably bleeding from the wound covering much of the concrete sidewalk. Ichigo couldn't believe his eyes, and had he not been used to seeing blood would have puked. He slowly moved from behind the car taking off in full stride. Someone wearing a black uniform, hat and pointy nose shot his way using what looked to be an umbrella!

"Gotham City belongs to me!" He continuously fired bullets.

Ichigo found cover behind a coffee shop, "City he says…more like a damn circus." Ichigo uttered. Not even a second later a loud roar filled the air; a roar that could only come from one thing. A roar he'd grown so accustomed to, "A hollow, and if I didn't know any better its close by." He removed the bag pack from his shoulders, thinking of swallowing the mod soul pill. With the amount of craziness going on in town, he wanted to first go over a few things with Kon. From the corner of his eye Ichigo witnessed an innocent bystander shot down in the middle of the street, clinching his fists. It was a boy, likely no older than twelve.

Part of him wanted to help put an end to the violence, but the hollows took top priority, "Circus huh, think I take that back...this is more like hell."

To Be Continued