Ultrabross"s Vision
CHP21: Search for Moka
Heaving out his Zanpakuto with force, the hollow re directed dodging its tip. Passing by at top speed it knocked over both the shinigami and caped crusader. Wings flapping up and down the hollow put additional space between itself and the two, spitting a silver gooey substance from its mouth. Ichigo and Batman evaded whatever it was and to their surprise ate away at the brick roof. A loud sound followed by steam raising from the surface it made contact with, "Good, stay on the move I love to see my victims squirm just before I devour them hahaha."
From the back side approached its tail, length of fourteen feet. Positioning himself off to the side and into the air Ichigo dodged whilst the tail connected with Batman knocking him off the ledge. Grapple gun in hand he used it to pull himself back atop the roof. The hollow's focus strictly on Ichigo, Batman punched in a specific code beneath his gauntlet. Moments later the bat plane appeared over the top of them all, a bright green laser charging from a missile compartment. The hollow and Ichigo became aware of it straight away, the hollow zipping away as fast it could.
"Think you goanna take me down that easy, think again. Ehehe I've seen how you've eliminated others of my kind I won't fall for none of your tricks bat," The hollow looked across the way dodging the blast emitting from the flying vehicle. Dashing into the air Ichigo sliced its left wing in half, observing the monstrous soul/beast lose control to stay airborne plummeting over the roof top. Batman jumped back positioning himself near the ledge, the hollow's size occupying tones of space.
"Nice work," Batman looked Ichigo's way before setting his eyes back over the panel, "I'll take it from here." In the click of a button another beam from the bat plane charged, Ichigo immediately taking matters into his own hands.
"No wait, can't we at least discuss this?!"
Those were the hollow's last words as Ichigo's blade sliced through its face ceasing to exist. In a single click Batman prevented the beam from charging, eventually shutting down, "Didn't I say I'd take care of it?" The Dark Knight glared.
"I don't know if you are aware hollows were originally human souls. Deep down they really aren't all bad, and whatever your method has been for getting rid of them is wrong."
"Elaborate, I'm listening." Batman took a couple steps forward.
Ichigo went silent thinking of how to explain in a way that would make sense and take little time. He took a deep breath looking from the ground, "Where I come from after a person has died their soul passes on to the soul society, except in a lot of cases that's not how it turns out. For numerous reasons certain souls hang around in the human world. A chain hangs from each soul's chest, or more accurately a chain of fate."
It was all so very strange and Batman had never heard anything like it, regardless continued listening.
"The chain represents how much time a soul has before it converts into a hollow. I'm a shinigami and whenever I destroy one of them, the true soul within is purified and sent to the soul society where it should have in the first place. At any time a non shinigami destroys them, the soul cannot be filtered and sent to the soul society…in other words they're completely eliminated. It isn't a good thing by any means, and that's why I've been sent here by the Gotei Thirteen to take care of the problem. Like I said before I'll be out of here at the conclusion of it."
Moving toward the ledge with his back to Ichigo, blew Batman's cape back and forth. He now had a better understanding of what he'd been dealing with the whole time. His first encounter with the hollows raised many questions, believing them to be demons or aliens from another planet. He never imagined they'd turn out to be souls taken over by darkness.
"You're free to stay and finish what you came to do, but let's make one thing clear," Batman looked over his shoulder, "Keep a low profile and don't do anything further outside of your mission. Gangs of different territory have made their moves all at once."
"Your point?" Ichigo crossed his arms.
Batman looked to the streets down below, "The war on crime is my war alone, I don't need the help of you or anyone else. Do what you need to do and stay out of my way and we won't have problems got it?"
"Sure whatever you say."
"One question."
"Ask away." Ichigo replied.
"How long have you been in Gotham?"
"No longer than three hours I suppose. The Gotei Thirteen would have sent someone much sooner, but only recently discovered this to be the second location hollows were dispersed to. No evidence of who's behind it all has been found to my knowledge, but the captains within the Gotei Thirteen believe a person and or persons are at work behind the scenes."
Quiet for a period of time Batman pressed down on a small ear piece inside the cowl, hacking into the police radio. Reliable as ever it gave him a great understanding which part of town he'd travel to next. Uncovering the grapple gun from his belt Batman grappled into the bat plane, taking off into the night sky.
"Really that's it…thought he'd have something else to say." Ichigo whispered.
On the other side of town the rain slowed up, eventually stopping all together. Gin and Kurumu exited from the space they'd used to keep themselves from becoming more soaked than they already were. It was also the first they noticed the bat emblem in the sky, neither having a clue what it meant. He didn't know if it was because the rain stopped or another all together but Gin's sense of smell jumped to higher levels, "We're in luck I don't think Tsukune is any further than two miles away."
Gin took another sniff picking up the scent of Moka and Ichigo, "Moka's scent is vague, and from here it is hard to say for sure which way she is. Ichigo's is no better, and seems to be on the move"
"Good! What's important is you've got a good idea where we can find Tsukune. Let's hurry and get to him before something happens. From what you and I have seen of this place it probably isn't a great idea he be walking the streets alone."
Gin rubbed at his chin with two fingers. From what he remembered Moka and Tsukune entered the portal at exactly the same time holding hands. Like he and Kurumu they should have been together. Upon entry into Gotham he picked up both their scents, and at the time suggested they were with each other. Did something happen that led to their separation? Whatever it might be, he didn't feel great about it, "Yeah sure," He took his eyes off the sky walking, "Let's go."
Coming up to his right Kurumu nudged her shoulder against his, "Everything ok, you seem tense." Kurumu asked.
"Nothing…it's nothing."
Kurumu wasn't buying it. His tone and posture were enough to let her know something was wrong. Both stuck to the main streets avoiding alleyways and side streets. After what they'd experienced thus far from the city it was the only rational option. There were far too many strange people lurking around. Little by little Kurumu and Gin picked up speed and after nearly twenty minutes of jogging they came across the person they were in search of.
"Tsukune!" Kurumu shouted.
"Kurumu Chan…am I seeing things?" He uttered.
Running toward him she threw her arms around him embracing Tsukune tightly. Like she and Gin he was soaked from the rain. He noticed Gin approaching from over her shoulder, "Gin Senpai as well! How did you guys get here I don't understand?" Tsukune pulled back looking Kurumu in the eyes.
"We went through the vortex like you and Moka just before it closed. As far as we know none of the others did. Where is Moka? Gin Senpai and I appeared together in the same location, so that means you and her should have as well."
Tsukune's head dropped as Gin stepped in closer beside them, "I don't know how else to put it but Moka San was kidnapped," Tsukune grimaced kicking at the ground, "They tricked us into believing they were associates to Ichigo, and once our guard was down they…just forget about it. Whether they caught me by surprise or not doesn't matter, I failed to protect Moka San! I can only imagine what they might be doi…" His fists clinched unable to finish.
Gin placed a hand over his shoulder from behind, "Don't worry we will find her, and if any of them laid a finger on her they will be in a world of hurt. Leave it all to me, I'll do the best I can to track her. We must get going, no telling what they might do."
Gin looked around trying to figure which direction they should go. The distance in which she was made pin pointing her difficult. After seconds of deliberating Gin pointed a certain direction, "I'm not one hundred percent certain but I have a good feeling she's out in that direction somewhere."
Tsukune and Kurumu didn't have much choice but to trust his instinct, Gin being their only liable option for legitimately reuniting with the vampire.
XXX
After nearly an hour of searching for hollows and having no luck Ichigo thought about returning to Kon. During his flight over the city he found himself near the location where he had lost his belongings near the time he made his trip into Gotham. Eyes and attention kept sharp Ichigo spotted something he thought might not ever see again, "My suitcase." He spoke diving down toward it.
The bag had been left open and because of that all clothing inside was drenched. It was obvious someone had been going through his belongings, much of the materials out of place from how he had them situated. From what he could tell nothing appeared to be missing. Not thinking much about it he looked around making certain no one was around. Next he zipped the luggage shut taking off with it into the air.
"Daddy daddy look over there it's a flying suitcase." A young girl jumped up and down pointing to the sky.
"That's nice sweetie." The father replied pulling his daughter along not looking for himself.
A couple others around the area noticed as well, but quickly went out of sight over the tall buildings. As with everyone no one was able to see him in shinagami form except for a certain someone. Ichigo had a good feeling what remained of the hollows in the city were hiding out, and due to its size was no surprise he had a difficult time locating them. It was even possible they were aware of his presence. It didn't take long for him to arrive over the roof where he'd left Kon, relieved he hadn't gone anywhere. As he got closer he noticed a hole on the side of his jacket which was consistent with that of a bullet and a stab wound around the area of his neck.
"What the hell! I thought I told you not to go anywhere, you're an idiot." Ichigo set the suitcase down.
"Did you really expect me to stand in place for a couple hours while you went out on your crusade against hollows? Being in one spot for too long and especially up here grows old and fast. You almost done yet so we can go home? This place really sucks, a woman asks me for money and when I said no she went all ballistic and was ready to bite my head off if I had stayed any longer. Then I run into a couple of kids throwing firecrackers straight at me. As if that wasn't bad enough then I run into a gang calling themselves the Crazed Hounds. One puts a knife to my throat or your throat; however you want to think about it."
Ichigo face palmed as he continually listened to Kon's story of what happened, "They chased me for about three blocks until I was able to fully lose them. After that I returned here and haven't went anywhere since."
"Had you listened to me in the first place none of this would have happened, I can't tru…"
Ichigo was cut off by a loud noise that came from the sky. Above them passed the bat shaped vehicle, a familiar vigilante gliding and touching down off to the side of them, "Who the heck's he?" Ichi/Kon jumped back pointing at the Dark Knight. Ichigo knew things would grow weird if he didn't explain things right away. What he did first was grab Ichi/Kon by the throat and with a quick knee to the stomach forced the mod soul pill out, concurrently re fusing with his body.
"Pretty cool huh?" Ichigo held the pill out in front of Batman in the palm of his hand, "This thing is called a mod soul and whenever I go into spirit form takes over my body so it's not left defenseless. It is operational on other objects that aren't live, but instead of telling you I'll demonstrate."
Ichigo pulled out the plush lion from inside the bag over his shoulder forcing the pill down its throat.
"How about a little warning the next time you do that!" Kon complained jumping out of Ichigo's arms.
Batman didn't know what to think of the mod soul, having never seen anything like it but wasn't hard to fathom. He'd seen quite a few things during patrol and missions with teammates outside of Gotham.
"Why are you here? I figured you'd be busy crime fighting or something." Ichigo asked.
"We need to talk," Batman turned his back to Ichigo walking toward the ledge, "But not here, follow me this way. I've got some things that'll help with your search."
Ichigo watched Batman leap off the ledge, observing him land in a black vehicle just off the sidewalk. Shoving Kon into the bag, Ichigo pulled his belongings along as he traveled down the same stair latter combination he'd used to get up in the first place. The black vehicle's design and shape were unlike other trucks and cars around, "What is this some sort of sports car with high end battle armor?" Ichigo scratched at his head making a guess.
"It's the batmobile. Hurry and get in."
Ichigo was hesitant; Batman being a masked vigilante didn't help either. Still he'd seen him in action against criminals of Gotham, and appeared to be an ally to the police force. Fully capable of defending himself if it did somehow turn out to be a trap, Ichigo hopped into the passenger side, the steel hood closing over the top of them.
"Mind if I ask where we're going?"
Batman stepped down on the gas pedal, the Batmobile blasting off at near top speed. Much like the city of New York, Gotham had tons going on 24-7 day and night. Plenty other vehicles still roamed the streets, and after various seconds of no reply Ichigo got the idea Batman wasn't going to answer him at all. Something else he wondered about was the Batmobile being parked just below the building, when moments before Batman emerged from the flying vehicle overhead. Ichigo took his mind off the matter.
"How many hollows did you come across?"
For the second time he got no answer, Ichigo contemplating if the Dark Knight paid him any attention, "Gotta say you make good for great conversation…huh might as well be talking to a brick wall." Ichigo said with sarcasm.
Beneath the cowl the caped crusader frowned, but didn't reply. From one lane to the next the Batmobile swerved Batman turning a corner sharply, "I will answer any questions you have when we get there."
"Where is there?"
Like before Ichigo got no answer. Deciding to stay quiet for whatever remained of the ride Ichigo leaned back looking out the side window.
Elsewhere someone watched everything from inside a dark room. He almost couldn't believe the way things were playing out, "Interesting…very interesting. The substitute shinigami and Dark Knight meet, why am I not surprised. It was as if this was destined to happen the moment Ichigo Kurosaki made the jump to the second location. Funny how things work." He grinned beneath his mask.
Even with his focus on screen, Ultrabross perceived the sounds of footsteps approaching fast outside the door, "No you can't go inside; master Ultrabross is working and doesn't want to be disturbed!"
Three guards were pushed back through the door, one falling to the ground, "Sorry for the inconvenience sir, she wouldn't listen to a thing we said." One out of the three informed.
"It's ok I knew she'd be on her way here. You may leave us."
"As you wish." Each guard bowed before exiting.
She walked toward him, long green hair, bat wings sticking out of either side of her head and torso, "A little warning of his strength would have been nice, you totally almost got me killed jerk!" She snapped bringing her face beside his.
"Don't get all upset Aensland, even I didn't know Kurosaki had that much hidden power. Before you ask I already witnessed your battle against him firsthand and have study his movements. He's only a substitute so I doubt he's got anything more than what he put on display against you, but I will continue to keep a watchful eye on him."
Morrigan looked to the monitors seeing that Ichigo was on one of them, sitting over the countertop of the controls, "I see he's no longer in the Yokai realm. Is the human world his current location?"
"Yes and No. The Gotei Thirteen unfortunately discovered the second location of my dispersed hollows and sent the substitute in after them. It's called Gotham city, and is like any other large city far as structure."
Pushing off the countertop she walked toward the exit, "Well in that case I think it's time I pay this Gotham a visit. Round one goes to Ichigo but it won't be the same next time, I've got a little something for him. It isn't always about whose strongest, besides no man can resist a succubus's allure."
Ultrabross spun around in his chair, "I've already got someone else in Gotham keeping an eye on things. I don't want you in the picture. Should have something for you to do shortly, but until then I want you to remain here in the fortress."
"Pff and die from boredom, not my style. If you're worried about me messing up your plans, then don't. I won't do anything that brings attention to me. Having a good time and competition is all I care about and won't get any of it here." Morrigan stuck her tongue out at him taking off through the door and down the hall.
"She did exactly what I knew she would. Soon it'll be time for phase two of my plan," Ultrabross leaned forward shutting off all monitors calling in his assistance, "Tell Ulquiorra and the other generals to meet me on dock twenty eight in fifteen minutes." Ultrabross stood from the chair.
"As you wish my lord."
To Be Continued