Ultrabross's Vision
CHP31: According to Plan
His arrival was much later than he would have liked but with Ivy had no choice. Dealing with the specific enemy meant his standard gear wasn't enough to combat against her. In physical terms she was arguably his most dangerous adversary. All that in mind he didn't consider her completely bad like other criminals of Gotham. Through his eyes she was nothing more than misguided and the way she did things proved it, going to extreme measures to accomplish her goals. The thought ceased seeing as the werewolf bypassed Tsukune coming his way. He had time to prepare and was taken off guard by the share speed of the unknown enemy.
A fist to the chest knocked him back considerably slamming into the side of a police vehicle. Not only was the enemy fast but packed quite the punch. Batman pushed off the ground and knees standing upright, each police officer maintaining his or her position. Last thing they wanted was getting in the caped crusader's way, some guilty they were leaving things to an individual not wearing a badge. To them he was no different than the Meta criminals except fighting on different sides, "Bad move." Batman glared marching toward Gin.
Fists tightened he was just about ready to make his move when again the werewolf put his speed on display zipping forward getting his paws around the Dark Knight's neck lifting him up off the ground and launching him in the direction of Tsukune and Kurumu, flipping off the grass before he ever completely fell.
"Aren't you him, the one I encountered last night? I think its Batman they called you." Kurumu questioned running to his side.
The masked vigilante looked her direction for a quick moment recognizing her as the one that aided him against Clayface. Things happened so fast all he got was her name and nothing more. The fact they crossed paths again so quickly was inconceivable, especially in a city large as GC. There was the death god, than the bat like woman and then came Kurumu and now a large wolf standing like a human. The past twenty four hours were intriguing to say the least with a couple new faces. Batman unleashed four batarangs, two in each hand darting toward Gin but had his cape grabbed from behind.
"No you can't! Gin Senpai is an alley, it's a really long story but right now he has zero control of himself. I'd love to explain it but would take too mu…"
"Explain, and make it fast!" Batman glared down on the succubus.
Tsukune was more than confused and was apparent through his expression. When and how did Kurumu know this Batman? In all likelihood it happened when she and Gin first arrived and before he was separated from Moka. Other than that time saw no way how or where it could have taken place. Kurumu cleared her throat thinking how to go through it quick as possible.
"To put it simply he's under her control," Kurumu pointed to Poison Ivy, "All it took was a single…"
"Kiss." Batman answered before she could finish.
Tsukune and Kurumu instantly looked each other's way sharing the same thought Batman had obviously encountered the plant woman before, "I've got something that'll return your friend to normal. Given his speed using it once he's off guard is your best course of action. Here take this," He reached into his utility belt uncovering something that resembled a gun, yet was anything but. He loaded it with three shots taking on the shape of miniature arrows, a bright purple liquid inside them, "Once in his blood stream it will take no more than a minute before he goes back to normal." Batman tossed the weapon to Kurumu.
"Wait why are you giving this to me, shouldn't you be handling it? Not that I'm complaining but it's your equipment."
"I'm going after Poison Ivy, the two of you work together and shouldn't have problems getting your friend back the way he was."
Kurumu had something else to say but seeing as he took off didn't get the opportunity. With him carried the perfect anti toxin, enlacing much of his weaponry down with a liquid made to combat against plants. Combating against her was intricate but at the same time was lucky Pamela wasn't a blood thirsty killer like other criminals he faced off against. Had things been that way it was possible his life would have ended some time ago.
Gin again tried going after Batman but was pulled back by his ankle and punched to the ground. He looked up into the blood red eyes of Tsukune. Seeing him the way he was made Kurumu think of her own abilities. In a single kiss she could enslave a human male much like what Ivy did, whatever she did was different though. Kurumu was positive Ivy wasn't one of her kind, even if they had a similar ability. The only thing on Gin's mind was protecting his mistress trying to get to her side quick as possible.
Tsukune pulled at his tail punching him again.
"Your fight is with me Gin-Senpai!" Tsukune made clear.
Kurumu had the perfect opening to make a shot but hesitated and instead watched Gin pop back onto his feet. He punched at Tsukune various times, the semi vampire dodging most the attempts delivering crushing blows of his own to Gin's open areas. Kurumu wanted to join in but more importantly had to wait for the next opportunity to make a shot. The two were much too close and didn't want to risk hitting Tsukune by mistake. Gin tried taking Tsukune down with a leg drop and instead received a kick to the face sending him tumbling. He caught hold of himself standing once again.
Getting to Ivy was a lot of work like any other time, going through a full sprint while at the same jumping left to right in an attempt to dodge what she threw his way. He used the blades with on his gauntlets to slice away at the vines erupting from the ground trying to crush and devour his body, "Ivy put an end to this!" Batman flipped over a plant seeking to swallow him.
"When I'm having so much fun how does that make sense? Tell you what have the police back off and give me a clear exit and I just might consider it."
"You know I can't do that." Batman eluded another plant coming from the right.
"Then I guess the show must go on unless you can stop me. You always have and always will be my favorite playmate Dark Knight." She smiled putting a finger to her lips.
Beforehand he knew talking her out of it wouldn't work but gave it a shot anyway. As he came within fifteen feet he threw down two canisters of smoke in hopes of disrupting her vision using the opportunity to go around and get behind her and worked up until she spotted him as he came within inches of her. Vines rose wrapping around his body from beneath his feet, raising him off the ground. He had but one chance to free himself and needed to act quickly, the villainess could be just as unpredictable as any other usual menace he came across on different occasions; one day remorseful and another not so much.
"Well well look what we have here a trapped bat in my clutches," She ran a hand over the side of his face, "How many times have we found ourselves in this position? Three, five, maybe a dozen? Thing is it never gets old, and there's nothing better than a kiss to put a sparkle on the moment wouldn't you say Batman?"
He didn't reply only thing on his mind breaking free and putting an end to whatever she had planned. Hands placed on both sides of his face she closed her eyes leaning in for a kiss. Buying himself a little extra time Batman threw his head forward against hers. Ivy stumbled back with a hand to the head, "Curse you!" She hissed slapping him across the face.
The couple moments bought was just what he needed grasping the small item from his left glove using its laser function to break free of the vines. He touched down on his feet spinning Ivy around and cuffing her wrists with one of the few cuffs he carried, "How did you escape Arkham, heard you were to be moved to maximum security earlier today?"
"It doesn't matter. I wouldn't get comfortable if I were you, give it a week or so and I'll be back out. I'm beginning to feel you enjoy the chase, the everlasting scenario. Criminal escapes and you're right there to send us back to the Asylum only to go through it again. Without us you'd have and would be nothing, or more precisely no purpose." She proclaimed.
Batman shoved her not wanting to hear another word. She could have continued fighting but oddly gave herself up. Tsukune and Gin were in somewhat of a stalemate matching each other blow for blow. Both sustained damage but nothing to the point of calling it quits and were in their own zone as if nothing else around existed. Gin grabbed at Tsukune's shoulder using his free hand punching at his ribs. Tsukune stumbled back placing a hand over the injured area, raising his hands just in time to block the next punch that came his way. He was too slow in reacting to a roundhouse kick that connected with the left side of his face.
Tsukune lost his footing plunging to the ground on his side, Gin taking a step and forcing a foot down into his side, "Mistress Ivy wants you destroyed and I will do whatever it is she wi…" Gin was cut off by a sharp pain circulating up his back. It wasn't long before that same pain progressed throughout more of his body falling to a knee and pulling a sharp object out of his shoulder. It was shaped much like a dart arrow except two times larger. He crushed it to pieces facing the succubus, "What did you do to me bitch?!" He snarled.
Rolling over with a sigh Tsukune pushed off the ground hoping for the best. Kurumu made the perfect shot and now all they needed to do was wait and see if he would in fact regain control. He dropped the small pieces of the dart placing both hands over his head and not long after his eyes watered. Kurumu and Tsukune both got the feeling he was in tremendous pain, Tsukune contemplating if what Batman gave them worked the way he said it would. From the corner of her eye Kurumu perceived the Dark Knight pushing the plant woman along ultimately handing her to the police.
With the following minute Gin's hands dropped to the ground taking a stand, neither Tsukune nor Kurumu dropping their guard. The werewolf blinked three times looking back and forth between them, "Whaahh…what happened?" He gazed down at his hands comprehending he was in monster form! What was he doing in his true form and what did it mean? Putting it all aside he returned to human form.
"You mean to say you don't remember anything that happened?" Tsukune inquired returning by reconnecting the seal.
Gin surveyed the area and in that moment didn't remember anything passed the search. The location in question would have given them a shortcut to reach Moka. Anything past that was blurry at best. The police headed their way from behind, as a group deciding to make a run for it. They'd likely be questioned and possibly taken in and just didn't have the time for any of it, "We can talk things over once in the clear." Tsukune said.
"What about this thing," Kurumu held up the item given by the vigilante, "We can't go without returning this to Batman."
"If you didn't notice he's already gone, has been from when he handed the plant woman to the cops; took off in the sky and out of sight in seconds. Drop it or do whatever you want, but it's unlikely we see him again." Tsukune replied.
"Batman?! Ghee how long was I out for, is there anything else I missed?" Gin asked.
"Talk about it once we lose these guys." Tsukune answered, glimpsing over his shoulder spotting the police gaining ground.
Once in a safe zone it was the first thing Tsukune wanted to ask. Where and when did Kurumu first encounter the caped crusader? Miles above and shielded by the buildings he piloted his vehicle in pursuit of Deadshot. Much as he wanted to question Kurumu and her pals he was needed elsewhere. He could only hope there wouldn't be more strange individuals showing up in the city.
XXX
She followed him from street to street and the longer it went on the more impatient she became. Since the passed conversation Ichigo hadn't said a thing, Moka tried talking with him but got nothing. The longer it went on the more she couldn't wait to be with Tsukune again and felt sure he was able to take care of himself even with how long he'd been on his own all alone. If there was one wish he could have granted, Moka disappearing would be it. Her around made him feel like a dog on a leash, constrained from going all out and putting an end to his mission.
From when it began up till that point, there was something about the particular hollows Ichigo couldn't figure. Aside from the additional power sets and regeneration capabilities there was something else that worried him. That something was felt at the conclusion of slaying each individual hollow, a strange energy present for one second and gone the next. It was most peculiar, 75% of it dissolving into nothingness and the remaining 25% merging with his Reiryoku! All that in mind his Reiryoku didn't increase, nor decrease and his Reiatsu was unaffected as well.
Ichigo began to wonder if he was going insane! What could it all mean, or maybe it didn't mean anything at all. Perhaps he was just feeling things that weren't actually there. It was all probably just in his imagination; well at least that's what he hoped. He felt Moka tap at his shoulder looking her in the face, "I'm hungry, let's stop someplace to eat."
"We don't have time for that, suck on your own blood for awhile." Ichigo replied looking her off.
"Or I might just suck yours with that kind of attitude!" Moka responded.
"Already told you I'm no one's supper especially not yours. Be a good girl and wait another hour and if we don't find Tsukune before then I promise we'll get something to eat. Why are you nagging anyway I thought vampires were supposedly able to go days without eating before it became a problem."
"Where'd you get that information once again you're so misinformed." Moka snapped.
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders carrying on. She said something else getting no response pulling at her hair. Through the day there were numerous instances where he'd block her out completely and became more irritating after each.
"Well if it isn't my favorite student and Akashiya, what brings you two to a place like this? This time of night in these parts is quite dangerous." Someone giggled from the shadows.
"That voice…" Ichigo rested a hand over the substitute badge recognizing the tone.
He and Moka both looked around struggling to figure where it originated from, "Did you really think you'd seen the last of me Ichigo Kurosaki. We still have an unfinished fight to settle." At the same time Moka and Ichigo spotted the familiar foe sitting over a roof swinging a single leg back and forth.
"Morrigan." Ichigo clutched his fists contemplating if he should jump into shinigami form and attack right away, "Unfinished fight you say, if I recall you took off like a scared sissy when things didn't go your way. What all of a sudden makes you think anything will change; I downright kicked your ass the first time!"
Morrigan couldn't help but giggle, taking pleasure in his cocky demeanor. The more she thought about it though he was correct in feeling the way he did, their first encounter favored him no question. Moka recalled her encounter with the succubus which didn't end well but had no idea Ichigo faced off against her. The story from Tsukune gave more insight on the whole ordeal, discovering Morrigan was after Ichigo from the beginning. What Moka couldn't figure was why the succubus went through all the trouble of destroying Ichigo's image in the process.
Moka positioned close beside Ichigo. It was more than apparent his level of power was on a much higher scale then hers. Mizore, Yukari, Gin, Ruby, Haiji, Kurumu and herself included all together couldn't bring him down. Realizing the truth behind the situation shortly after prompted her to believe Ichigo was likely holding back; but by how much? How powerful and what was he? Those were questions she wanted answered but till that point Ichigo didn't seem interested in giving them.
"Been meaning to ask, did you and her know each other outside the academy? To put it more clearly were you already acquainted before you showed up i…"
"No," Ichigo answered in one word, "Now when I look back some things make more sense. Those extra looks she gave in class, than again she was like that toward all the guys."
"What are you two mumbling about down there?" Morrigan leaned forward on the ledge.
Ichigo pulled the mod soul pill from his pocket grasping it tightly, "How did you get to this realm? Did you follow me through the dimension hole like Moka," Ichigo grimaced at the massive grin taking shape on her face, "Answer me dammit?!"
"Here's what's going to happen my dears. First I'll beat on you two for a little while, exhaust some of this extra energy; then I'm gonna track Aono," Morrigan's eyes specifically went to Moka, "He's my boy toy now. You couldn't begin to imagine the pleasure I have in stored for him. I'm going to suck and suck until his heart's content, oh and I doubt he survives the encounter but what better way to end."
"What the hell does she mean by suck?" Moka looked to the shinigami.
Ichigo immediately face palmed, "Moka she's a succubus what do you think she mea…dammit now I'm developing visuals! No that's disgusting get out of my head!"
Morrigan again laughed resting one leg over the other, Ichigo doing his best to refocus. Having enough of her chatter he popped the pill into his mouth exiting his body into shinigami form, "Enough talk I'm ending this woman once and for all. I don't know how she knew Tsukune was in this realm or followed me and right now I don't care. You and Kon find somewhere safe until I'm finished ok." Ichigo directed at Moka.
"Find somewhere safe are you serious?! I'm tired of following your orders and being pushed around, vampires take orders from no one. How about we t…" Moka's groaned seeing as ichigo ignored her taking off into the air toward Morrigan, "How dare you ignore me Ichigo get back here this instant!" Moka barked.
The succubus hopped off the ledge flapping her wings leading Ichigo further away from the area. Moka stomped at the ground yelling even though she knew he couldn't hear a thing she said, "Damn him what a pain in the ass, hhmm let's go after them Kon they couldn't have gotten far."
"But Ichigo said t…"
"Are you going to listen to everything he tells you? Stay here and hide if you want but I owe her one and if not I at least want to watch."
Moka used her vampire strength and agility jumping off the walls of two corresponding buildings to help her reach the top. Annoying as it was him ignoring her and being a straight to the point guy, she found it attractive working hard not to blush, "Don't tell me I'm actually falling for him." She thought silently. His warrior type manner was something else that drew her to him, "No I can't, Tsukune is the only one." Moka reassured.
XXX
The halls were dark as they usually were, torches hanging on the walls depending the quarters. Due to the time of night she knew all meetings and preparations for the most part would be put on hold until after sunrise. The closer she got to his sector she noticed the door to his main workspace was left open. Even so she knocked before entering.
"Come in Feyaglia."
To that day she'd still been unable to figure how he could pick someone out without seeing or hearing their voice, "I'm here to report on my mission lord Ultrabross," She bowed entering the large space, "Before I get into things I want to first bring to your attention a substitute shinigami by the name of…"
"Kurosaki Ichigo, yes I know about him. Continue on." He faced the opposite way, eyes on several monitors. Feyaglia couldn't believe he was already aware of the death god and knew his name. Could that mean he already knew what she did about the other subject?
"The other uses a special beam; alien technology if you ask me. Until I successfully infiltrate his base of operation which is under ground by the way I can't say for certain. He's a complete tech guy so I know he has all important info stored in that cave of his. Anyhow mind if I ask how you know of the shinigami?"
Ultrabross was quiet for numerous moments paying close attention to what occurred on the screens, "You've been left in the dark on several details. Not only you but other members of your rank."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"From the get go when dispensing my special hollow breeds to the two different locations I anticipated the Gotei Thirteen's move. Just like I knew they would, they called on their errand boy substitute. Kurosaki will play a huge role in what it'll take to see my vision through. Ichigo's a very special one and though he might think he's doing well by destroying those hollows, he has no clue his actions are playing right into my hands."
"Sir I don't think I quite understand, what are you saying? Wouldn't it suit us if he were killed and out of the way?"
"On the contrary, you misunderstand. Killing him would prove futile when I can use him to our advantage. With his service, the Gotei Thirteen and any other threat will fall at my feet. Prepare yourself for the birth of a god, one that will maintain order throughout any realm of his choosing! Think of it as a birth of a new era, one in which is dominated by me alone."
"Sorry to say but I still have no clue what you're getting at." Feyaglia replied.
"Don't worry my dear, you shall see it with your own two eyes soon enough. Explaining it to you is pointless. Funny how the substitute unknowingly helps us in more way than one, what a pity. Anyhow before you return to Gotham know that neither Kurosaki nor Akashiya Moka are to be harmed. I've got other plans for the vampire. It wasn't a coincidence the Youkai realm was selected you know. Oh yeah I almost forgot, please do keep a close eye on Morrigan. She has instructions not to kill either, but I made it clear she wasn't to reveal that to them. The next thing we need is suspicion rising on their end. If you have nothing else you're free to go."
Feyaglia bowed exiting out of the way she entered. Now more than ever she questioned what their master's true intentions were from the start. Was there anyone besides him that knew all the details? She received information with lots of blanks that needed filling. She continued down the hall to the nearest transport system.
"Enjoy what little life you have left Kurosaki Ichigo…soon it'll belong to me." Ultrabross laughed aloud gazing over a particular monitor, one in which displayed live feed of Ichigo trailing behind Morrigan in midair.
To Be Continued