Ultrabross's Vision

CHP20: Dark Knight Shinigami Clash

Back against the wall Ichigo situated himself further into the alleyway between the coffee shop and building beside it. With the war like atmosphere taking place out on the main street, he didn't want to be hit by a stray bullet. Police sirens chimed like music, coupled with the lightning, bullets, screams and raindrops touching. In some ways was like a musical, one unlike he'd ever heard. Fingers over the zipper of the bag Ichigo decided to hold off on making his next move, "Gotta find someplace more secure than this before making the switch." He thought.

Part of him trusted Kon, another part not so much. Passing through the alleyway he came out onto another street different to the one holding all the chaos, "Bingo," Ichigo spotted a pole latter combination positioned over the side of a building. Across the street he took off journeying up to the rooftop. Luckily there was space under a large statue to keep him decently shielded from the rain. Eliminating the bag off his shoulder Ichigo pulled Kon from the bag, "I'm handing my body over to you, but for no reason should you leave this spot. No time to explain…just stay put till I return."

"No no I want an explanation now," Kon leaped over the top of Ichigo's shoulder. The tall buildings, vehicles, and traffic below validated they were no longer in the Yokai realm. His first guess was the human world by the looks of things, but certainly not Karakura town, "Can you at least give me something, what about all the girls back at Yokai academy? Will we ever see the…"

"I already told you the mission concerning the hollows in that area is over. I eliminated them all, therefore no reason to remain there any longer. Forget about it and move on."

"But all the girls…" Kon mumbled lowering his head in dismay.

"Pretty girls are everywhere, you already forget about Rukia and Inoue? Enough talk I've got to get going, but before I do I want you to promise you won't run off somewhere. Believe me when I say this place is dangerous, I'd rather my body not be out in the open as a potential target. Sound simple enough?"

Kon was quiet several moments, Ichigo wondering just what was going on inside the mod soul's head. Moments later Kon snickered looking up at Ichigo, "Did I hear correctly? If so I think someone just admitted their true feelings. Now I've got something to look forward to when we return home."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Eyes narrowed and head bowed, Ichigo brought his face closer to Kon's.

"Who else than Karakura high's most beautiful girl," The thought of his face between her cleavage got him excited, "My sweet darling Orihime! She will be ecstatic when she finds out how you really feel about her."

"You're twisting my words dammit! I simply said she's pretty, outside of that there's nothing more than a great friendship. Besides she receives comments about her looks all the time."

Kon snickered some more, "Maybe so, but coming from her Kurosaki Kun it'll mean so much more." Ichigo immediately went on to grab him by the throat forcing the stuffed lion against the statue, "How about keeping that mouth of yours shut in exchange for your life. Lay out tales about me to her or anyone else and it'll be your last breaths! Orihime and I are just friends and you know it!"

"So you say." Kon mumbled.

"What was that?!" Ichigo shot.

"Oh nothing really…" Kon looked the other way, Ichigo's hand still around his neck.

Feeling that he already wasted enough time Ichigo went on to shove his fingers down Kon's throat. The plush lion only partially fought back, and soon went motionless as Ichigo pulled the mod soul pill from inside his mouth, "Well…this is it." He swallowed the pill instantly separating from his physical body, Kon in full control, "Remember what I said about going nowhere. Unless it's dire and you have no other choice, you're to remain under this statue and stay dry."

"Yah yah I got it just go already." Kon spoke with a hint of irritation in his tone.

"I've got my eyes on you." Ichigo glared before turning to the building's ledge.

Kon grumbled something Ichigo was unable to pickup and didn't care to find out. Some time passed but was sure the hollow he'd heard was still in the same vicinity, and if left couldn't have gotten far. He took to the air flying at a steady pace carefully inspecting the areas down below. One thing he loved about being in shinigami form was the ability not to be seen just by anyone. It allowed him to go about his business without drawing unwanted attention to himself. As he predicted a hollow came into view nearly two blocks from the coffee shop, "Show time."

As he descended a loud explosion came from the opposite direction. It was quite a bit away but Ichigo was still able to make out someone holding a rocket launcher. The hollow in question didn't appear to be going after anyone for the moment, "Damn it what should I do?" Ichigo contemplated looking back and forth between both locations. Additional screams surfaced as the rocket launcher holder fired off another round, "What choice do I really have!"

As much he hated taking his attention off the hollow, his mind told him there was no other option. In that moment the hollow wasn't chasing after anyone, Ichigo certain that probably wouldn't last for very long. Either way it didn't matter, innocents were in danger. Hollow or not he wasn't about to stand by and let violence take the lives of innocent civilians. Several people rushed out of the targeted building that was in flames. Some looked for shelter elsewhere whilst others tried leaving the area by way of nearby parked vehicles.

"Don't think so!" The one holding the rocket launcher chose at random which of the vehicles to blowup.

His finger pressed sharply at the trigger, the missile heading straight for the truck. Flash step coming into play Ichigo managed to get his hands around the mid section of the projectile using his strength directing it upward. The one holding the rocket launcher couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't understand why at the last second the missile traveled somewhere other than forward. It was as if a god from the heavens took control of the projectile. Seeing as he couldn't see Ichigo the confusion was understandable.

"That was close, two seconds later and it would have been kaboom." Ichigo thought.

"Let's see if the gods intervene again." He smiled aiming at yet another vehicle.

Releasing his hold on the missile Ichigo darted down slicing the weapon in half. At lost for words and even terrified the criminal stepped back not knowing what to think or do. Figuring it might be a ghost, he reached into his pocket pulling out a hand gun, "Show yourself freak!" He fired hoping he'd scare whatever it was away. Situating himself beside the gunman Ichigo knocked him out with a back hand to the side of his face.

From the corner of his eye spotted more hectic activity. No idea of the details Ichigo could clearly see a tour bus carrying numerous people driving off balance at speeds it shouldn't, screaming passengers along the way. More concerning was that it looked to be headed straight for a building. Using his speed to get in close he realized the driver's head was face down blood pouring from the side of his head. Ichigo guessed it was likely a stray bullet to the head.

Picking up flight speed Ichigo appeared on the driver's side smashing the window with a single punch, reaching in and taking control of the stirring wheel. Directing it away from the building and out onto the main road, Ichigo removed the driver from the seat, stopping the bus as he did so. Those that witnessed the driver's body being pulled through the window didn't know what to think of it, the circumstance already frightening enough. Setting the body over the sidewalk Ichigo knew it was too late; the man was in deed dead.

"Looks like I'll be doing a little more than just hollow hunting."

Passengers of the bus rushed out quickly as they could, Ichigo taking off into the air nearly the same time, "I'll leave things to them for now," He gazed at the police vehicles and swat disembarking from different street corners. The mood of things was similar to that of a war as far as he was concerned. He hoped the hollow hadn't got far.

XXX

Head over the shoulder of Tsukune and fast asleep, Moka awoke to sounds of footsteps. In total were three men standing over she and Tsukune. By the way each dressed she had a feeling they were workers to the business building she was leaned against, "What're you kids doing out in this weather this time of night? You should be at home with your folks."

Moka sat up moving away from Tsukune running a finger through her hair. She tried thinking up something and only one thing came to mind, "We were looking for a friend by the name Kurosaki Ichigo, and when we couldn't find him we decided to rest up here for a few moments but we will leave now if it's a problem." Moka said cheerfully putting on a smile.

The three men looked at one another grinning, one looking down at Moka, "It's your lucky day little lady, we happen to be very close friends to Kurosaki. If you want we can take you to him right now."

"Oh really, that would be great!" Moka jumped up feeling a surge of energy, turning and waking Tsukune by shaking at his arm.

His eyes slowly opened spotting the men standing in front of him. Moka reached down helping him to his feet, "These guys are friends to Ichigo, and have offered to take us to him isn't it great." Tsukune nodded letting out a yawn.

"Follow us right this way." One of them spoke leading the charge, another of them by his side.

Tsukune and Moka followed close behind, the third out of their group walking behind the two. Upon exiting the alleyway they made their way toward a black truck, "Omote something is strange about these men, turn around and leave. It's obvious they're lying."Moka continued following ignoring her inner self. Extending his left arm Tsukune took Moka's hand into his own feeling as though something wasn't quite right. Soon they were only a couple inches from the vehicle, "Before we go any further what did you guys say your connection to Ichigo wa…"

The man standing behind them smashed a glass bottle over the back of Tsukune's head, shoving his face into the side of the car knocking him out!

"No Tsuk…" One of them wrapped their arms around Moka placing his hands over her mouth to keep her from screaming. She bit down hard drawing blood and causing him to release her, "Dammit she's got teeth like a damn cheetah!" He looked at his hand unable to believe the amount of blood pouring out. Moka tried going to Tsukune's side but was grabbed from behind around the waist.

"Get that bitch in the car and let's get the hell outta here!"

"What about him?" The one bleeding from his hand pointed down at Tsukune.

"Leave him."

Sliding open the side door he threw her into the back seat firmly holding her head down reaching into his pocket. Uncovering a needle he stabbed it into the side of her shoulder inserting an unknown substance into her blood stream. She quickly grew tired falling into deep sleep. Slamming the door shut his accomplices got into the truck and in no time drove off, Tsukune gaining consciousness just as they turned the corner.

"Moka San!" He screamed feeling completely helpless.

It was nearly a fifteen minute drive into a fenced off location. On arrival they were greeted by others they worked closely with, "Man you boys really hit the jackpot she's gorgeous. Take her in through the back so Quinn doesn't see her…she made it clear we wouldn't use hostages for any reason."

Over ten men stood beside the vehicle, one of them carrying Moka through the back door, another following. They traveled up a set of stairs into a back room where she was tied to a bed by her wrists and ankles, in addition to a piece of cloth around her mouth. Out front another arrived on a motorcycle carrying a large briefcase. He carried it with him through the front entrance. Other than the two with Moka everyone else was down in the main lobby.

"Yah finally made it Jay, and in one piece," The woman covered in makeup clapped looking similar to that of someone that would work at a circus, black and red the dominant colors to her uniform. He handed her the briefcase, finding a place against the wall afterward, "This is a very happy day! Now that we've got the last of the chemicals it's time we break mista J out of Arkham. This time I aint goanna let anything come between us, especially not B man!"

"Ah Harley," One out of the group raised his hand, "Hate to interrupt but word has it the Joker escaped a little over an hour ago. That's what they was sayin on the radio anyway."

"Oh excellent in that case I must go to him. I've been away from my puddin too long. This time that big ugly bat won't break us apart, I've got something special in stored for him! I have a few ideas where Mista J might go first. Oh yeah farewell boys, it's been a fun ride while it lasted hehehe."

Picking two out of the crowd, Harley ordered the remainder of them stay and keep a watchful eye on the briefcase. None of them had any clue what to make of her last comment so didn't think much of it. Through the front door Harley drove off with the selected two. Upstairs after nearly ten minutes Moka's eyes shot open and the moment she tried moving grasped she was tied down, "So sleeping beauty finally decided to wake." One out of the two sat on the bed running a hand over the side of her face.

Moka instantly tried breaking free and screaming, the cloth not allowing her to be heard lacking the strength to break free. Whatever she was drugged with was still running in her system, taking away much of her strength.

"If it's your first I'll go easy, I promise…" He smirked evilly running a couple finger up her legs, reaching into her skirt. At that point she struggled even more. Eliminating his hands off her leg he ripped open her upper green jacket exposing Moka's white under shirt.

Smoothly running a hand over her stomach he slowly made his way up to her chest, triggering a squeak out of her. Moka held back any tears trying hard not to think about what they might do to her.

"I can't see a thing! What the hell is happening!"

"Damn it he's here, he's here it's him!"

The criminal took his hands off Moka feeling his heart skip a beat. The sound of bullets, glass shattering and bodies tumbling was evident downstairs. The other inside the room gulped afraid of what might be transpiring down below.

"What the hell are you standing around for?! Get your ass down there and go see whatsup!"

"Me?! Why the hell me?! Shouldn't we go together or somethin?" He began shaking at the thought of who it might be.

Moka could see and feel the fear coming from them both, but didn't understand what could have them so spooked. Not much longer the commotion downstairs died down to the point a pen drop could be heard. Both of them uncovered handguns, "Man I don't like this, things is too quiet down there." The one closes to the door felt sweat run down the side of his face.

"Stop being chicken and go check it out already!" The other demanded, on the edge of the bed next to Moka.

Hating the situation, he placed his hand over doorknob slowly turning it with no other choice. As he pulled back the door caved through falling over the top of him! In the doorway stood a dark 6'2 figure, glowing white eyes, long black cape, pointy ears, silver armor, gold utility belt, bat symbol over the chest, black gloves and boots.

"Stay back or I blow this bitch's brains out!" The one over the bed pointed his loaded weapon at the head of Moka, "Aint so tough now are you Batman?! I'm the one in co…"

The weapon was knocked from his hand by a small projectile thrown from the masked vigilante. The criminal reached for a knife within his side pocket but was too late, his head slammed against the wall and thrown face first to the surface. Wide eyes Moka didn't know what to think. Now more than ever she regretted trying to go after Ichigo. She closed her eyes hoping the scary looking individual would just go away.

From inside the utility belt he pulled out a small gadget, melting away the steel constraints holding the vampire down. Her eyes opened to the buzzing sound it gave off, comprehending he was in fact freeing her! Last he pulled the piece of cloth from her mouth. Soon as she hoped off the bed, a loud buzzing echo was heard by them both. Lenses switched to detect mode allowed the Caped Crusader to peek through walls. What he saw wasn't good!

"No…"

Throwing one arm around Moka he smashed through the nearest window, consecutively the building blowing up into flames! The caped hero and Moka landed over the concrete surface, the Dark Knight taking the brunt of the fall. Rolling off him and on her side Moka pushed off the ground dusting herself off, "Thank you so much for sav…" To her surprise he was nowhere to be found as she looked his way. The first thing that came to mind was vampire. How else could he be gone in such a hurry? Before long she spotted a plane in the skies, taking on the shape of a bat. Moka then remembered back to what the criminal called him, "Batman…" Moka murmured as the rain prolonged, the bat shaped vehicle disappearing into the clouds.

On the other side of town groups of men assembled inside a warehouse, the parking lot filled. One of the large doors was left open giving them an entryway to bring in all the equipment. Large pickup trucks outside carried different type weapons, each and every one of them helped with storing the equipment inside the facility. Once completed and everyone was inside all doors were shut and locked.

"Now that we've finished with that, the meeting can now begin," A man stood in the middle section of the room, everyone else sitting at tables. He wore a black tuxedo and brown tie, "As all of you know other crime organizations of the city have made their moves. Names we should all be familiar with; Scarface, Black Mask, Penguin, and rumors have been going around Scarecrow might even be getting in on the action."

"That doesn't sound good." One out of the group emphasized.

"No it isn't, but the reason for this meeting has nothing to do with a single of them. For our best interest we stay on the sidelines and wait things out. Let them take each other out, and when they're at their weakest we shall stake our claim. Bloodshed comes with making your way to the top. If anyone is against the idea or has some sort of input now would be the time."

In a strike of lightning a side door flew open, "I object." Someone spoke as the door closed behind him. It was in a dark corner of the room, none of them able to see who it was. Even so some felt chills travel up their backs recognizing the voice. How could it be him? He was locked up with the rest of the loonies.

"Miss me boys?" He stepped out of the darkness, red lips, bleach white skin, green hair and orange jumpsuit.

"It…it's the Joker!"

XXX

Evading the bullets of law enforcement and surrounding gangs, Ichigo pulled another couple children to safety. Many of which were shocked believing a ghost or spirit was at work moving them along, which wasn't far from the truth. It was creepy but all were appreciative to who or whatever it was. Of all the things he'd seen that evening the one that stood out most was an older gentleman carrying with him a puppet. The puppet in question seemed to be the one in charge, occasionally barking insults at the older man calling him dummy from time to time. The puppet also carried a machine gun.

Bipolar was the first thing that came to mind, not believing for a second the puppet had a mind of its own…then again he'd come across crazier things. On another street corner was a guy calling himself Blackmask, Ichigo seeing it as a great fit. His entire head was pitch black, and at times questioned if it was even a mask.

One of the criminals covered in armor from head to toe stepped in front of the police vehicles with a flame thrower. Leading with his shoulder Ichigo blitzed at high speeds knocking the armored person forty yards the other direction into the side of a car, "I can't go at this all night, I've got things of my own that need to be taken care of." Ichigo groaned thinking back to the hollows.

The criminal activity all around took away from the main focus. A familiar thunderous sound reverberated through the sky getting the attention of them all, "About damn time." The commissioner of police spoke.

The bat shaped vehicle passed over the top of the battle ground and as it did something leaped outward. Gliding down over a single car in the middle of the street he stood tall, "Enough! This madness ends now!"

"Think we scared of you Batman, well think again!"

A group of gang members to the west fired off at the Dark Knight. Throwing down a couple smoke bombs he dove into the middle of the group engaging them up close. It was hard for Ichigo or any of the bystanders to see what happened but could hear the commotion and struggle happening throughout. When the smoke finally cleared Batman was the only one standing.

Another group of criminals' retaliated coming at him from behind, Batman back handing and KO'ing the first, blindly dodging the baseball bat from another. He spun around countering another of them that came at him with a knife. Several couldn't believe how easy he made it look. It was thirty against one, taking each of them out in little as one to three strikes! His accuracy precision and knowledge of pressure points made it too easy. He flipped around eluding their attacks like it was nothing, making them look like small children on the playground without using a single gadget, "This guy has some moves." Ichigo thought.

In less than forty seconds the group of thirty lied over the street in pain, Batman sustaining minimal damage only being touched twice in the entire skirmish, "Yeah fuck this I'm out of here!" One of the criminals off to the side tried running but was stopped by an accomplice.

"What the heck you think you is doin? We can't just leave, yeah the bat is tough but he's just one dude! All of us together can take dat chump."

"Did you not just see what he did? He aint human man I'm telling you. If you want to stay here and get yo brains bashed in be my guest but I'm getting out of here while I still can. Black gate prison isn't a fun place, and if I hang around here that's exactly where I'll be headed." He took off as fast he could.

The battle had been Penguin's people against Scarface, and Blackmask's organizations but they now all turned their attention to Batman. Scarface's gang all at once fired off at the Dark Knight. Realizing he was in fact one of the good guys Ichigo zipped in front of the entire gang slicing their weapons in half and knocking them all down with air pressure as he passed by. Bystanders cheered believing it was a secret gadget of Batman's that took down the criminals so quickly, none of them able to see the Death God.

With that alone criminals of each separate gang began retreating at alarming rates, "After them, don't let them get away!" The commissioner shouted. His gaze turned to the Dark Knight, "Good work as usual Batman we can take it from here."

Seeing that things seemed a lot more stable and under control Ichigo flew to the rooftops, wondering how he could get back on track with the hollow he'd come across earlier. Grapple gun in hand Batman ascended to the rooftops.

"I don't recall asking for help back there…who are you?"

Ichigo bit at his tongue, gazing over his shoulder and spotting the Dark Knight, "Wait hold on this guy shouldn't be able to see me! No one at this point has. What the hell!" Ichigo deemed slowly facing Batman. He scratched at his hair not sure what to say. If he were to tell the truth he'd likely come off as an idiot, but didn't have anything else in mind.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, a substitute Shinigami." He lowered his arms down by his sides, "Believe what you want but I was sent by the Gotei Thirteen to eradicate the hollows lurking around in this town. Once I've completed that I will be on my way. I've got one question however. In shinigami form I shouldn't be visible to you or anyone else, so how is it you can see me?"

A brief moment of silence followed, the rain still coming down but more lightly, "In other words you're a Death God." Batman again went silent thinking it all over. He witnessed Ichigo take out several gunmen in nearly the blink of an eye, added with the ability to fly. Then there was the other detail. Yes it did appear everyone standing around believed Batman was the one that accomplished the feat of knocking over so many criminals at once. Which meant none of them were able to see the shinigami but for some reason he could.

"I don't have an answer to your question, but let's get one thing straight," Batman took a couple steps forward, "This is my city and I want you out! These hollows you speak of will be taken care of if a threat to the city. Tell that to your Gotei Thirteen!"

"Woooh hold on that's not the way it works. They give the instructions and I see the mission through, and unless you're the governor which I doubt I'd hardly call it your city. It's called Gotham, not Batman."

"Get out…Now!"

"Yeah that's not going to happen. Besides I'm invisible to everyone else so what's the big deal?"

Batman marched forward; Ichigo having no idea of his intent shoved Batman back the other way into a statue shattering parts of it and creating a massive dent. Batman uncovered two batarangs from inside his utility belt.

"Hold on a sec I don't want to fight, I'm not your en…"

Ichigo dodged the first and caught the second, "Seriously? This is an insult you really think these small gadgets would do anything to hurt me?"

Not even a second later the batarang blew up in Ichigo's hand, his body quickly covered in thick ice. Batman walked in front of the ice sculpture that was now Ichigo, "You shouldn't talk so soon, things aren't always what they seem. I better get him put away in a freezer so that I can assess the situation further."

Too his surprise the ice began cracking as Ichigo powered out, Batman jumping back and putting extra space between them, "Guess I sold you short, what else toys do you have in that belt?" Ichigo grinned.

"This isn't a game Kurosaki, leave Gotham or el…"

Both Ichigo and Batman dodged as a green energy wave passed by. Overhead with bright white wings stretching fourteen feet both ways and chalk white mask, "We meet again Dark Knight," It licked its lips looking over at Ichigo, "A Shinigami in this world am I dreaming? This is too good to be true ahahahaha!"

"A hollow!" Ichigo declared, but different to the one he set eyes on earlier.

"So these things are hollows." Batman added.

"You've come across them before?"

"Yes, but this one in particular is on a much higher level as far as intellect. I have yet to destroy it…so this is why you've been sent by the Gotei Thirteen."

"Does this mean you're done trying to get rid of me?" Ichigo looked Batman's way.

"Enough talk dumb dumbs it's time to feast!" The hollow dove down over the top of them.

To Be Continued