Ultrabross's Vision
CHP55: Destination Karakura Town
It was dark and couldn't see a whole lot, but didn't matter. The thought of creating a camp fire came to mind but elected against doing so. The light might do more harm than good, alerting the enemy of his location. Haiji sighed dropping down and positioning his back against a tree. He had no idea what would happen in the coming hours. He tried his best not to think and in that moment his eyes began to close. That was until he perceived noises in the distance. Curious as to what it might be sat forward.
The more he listened the more sounded like...like voices! It was more than likely guards of the castle had been sent to retrieve him. That and possibly Akua if they had not yet captured her. The time to sleep would have to wait. If it was indeed who he believed it to be would be easy pickings if asleep. In most cases would get far from the voices as he could but was different that night. With the situation being the way it was, might not be the enemy at all. In a deep breath pushed off the tree standing. Haiji hoped he wouldn't regret the decision.
He stepped forward pushing through a clutter of bushes. Some of the branches poked at his skin ignoring them as he went along. Down a hill and up another the voices got louder, but still couldn't make out what was said. For nearly two minutes tip toed around and managed to spot two individuals from up high. One was dressed strangely covered from head to toe resembling a bat. It was more than likely another of the king's general's. Well that was until he saw who stood beside him.
"Ichigo..." Haiji murmured.
He moved around switching positions and getting an even better view of the two. The masked individual whispered into Ichigo's air and then took off toward the bushes where he disappeared. Haiji lost sight of him almost immediately and contemplated if he should jump down and join Ichigo's side. He thought about it for a couple seconds and then that time turned to minutes.
"Who are you?"
A voice from behind caused the hairs on his back to rise. As a reaction spun around throwing out a punch but grabbed and arm twisted. During the exchange realized it was the masked individual that stood beside Ichigo moments earlier. The karate club member was lifted up and thrown over the Dark Knight's shoulder. He landed on his side but his body's momentum carried him down the hill rolling several times over. He ended up at the feet of Ichigo, or at least who he believed it to be.
"Hey I think I recognize this guy," Ichi/Kon scratched at the side of his head, "Yeah he's one of the student's from the academy. I only only saw him a couple times here and there but am certain of it."
Haiji pushed off the ground confused and uncertain of what went on.
"Is your memory really that short?! Obviously you're that mod soul or whatever, you yourself explained that to us during the encounter with both Morrigan and that Ulquiorra guy. Anyhow, who the hell's he?" Haiji pointed to the caped crusader.
"Oh him," Ichi/Kon shrugged his shoulders, "Someone Ichigo and I crossed paths with shortly after our departure from Yokai academy."
"So an ally." Haiji gazed directly at the Caped Crusader.
"We have a common enemy, so yes. You ventured inside the castle hours earlier with the others, yet you're the only one here. What happened inside?" Batman questioned.
Haiji recalled the entire situation before replying.
"Yes, we entered as a group but fell into an unforeseen trap. From that point were separated, and was just Akua and myself. We fought through two generals but were then surrounded by dozens of guards and when escaping lost one another and from the have been on my own. Located an exit and have been hiding out here in the woods for hours until I heard your voices. And with that brings us to this point."
"Then the situation hasn't changed and can only wait for so long. Soon we'll have to make a move, but in a way that doesn't bring attention to ourselves. I need to know what they're planning." Batman inquired.
"Like I said, it's been hours since my escape. Don't know about you guys but I think now is as good a time to make a move as any other. If we wait it out too long might send a search squad for us." Haiji inquired.
Batman shook his head.
"If they wanted to do that would have done it already. As of now don't see either of us as a threat to their plans and are unaware of the mod soul's presence. Before we go out doing something we regret must plan accordingly. Before then should rest up. We're greatly outnumbered and on the enemy's playing field."
"Are you suggesting we bait them away from their headquarters?" Haiji asked.
"I'm not suggesting anything," Batman bypassed the karate club member, "Waging war with an enemy on their own base won't end well is all. An opportunity will arise to tip the scale in our favor and when that happens must take advantage." Batman implied.
Both Haiji and Ichi/Kon noded. They followed Batman deeper into the forest knowing they'd be better protected/hidden if a search crew was in fact dispersed. Inside the castle Gin paced back and forth within his cell. The only light that that came through was from a nearby window blocked off by electric bars. He found that out the hard way. The voltage shockwaves tired him and had given up trying to break through.
He dropped back over the bed spreading his arms and shaking his head. No matter how positive he tried to stay couldn't. He lost track of time having no clue how long he'd been locked up. Within the next couple hours the sun rose over the mountain side. And with that Ultrabross called a handful of his generals to his quarters. Each arrived within five minutes of being summoned.
"Great, we're all on time...that's great to see for a change." Ultrabross grinned.
There wasn't a single reaction, all blank expressions throughout. Ultrabross frowned but quickly changed to a grin.
"Let's not delay, as you know I'm all about getting straight to the point and that's what I shall do.
Standing before the king was Vixy Bloom, Qisk, Feyaglia, Jascar, Reflectus, Brother Night and Sister Day. He sat back clearing his throat before straightening his posture.
"The time has come to draw our foes out in the open. We're going to attack the home world of Kurosaki Ichigo."
"How do you know this'll work?" Qisk asked.
"The Gotei Thirteen look over that earth in particular and maintain the balance of souls. I will destroy them and take over their duties and do things as I see fit!"
"Excuse me for speaking out of place," Feyaglia slightly stepped forward, "But do you find it wise to do such a thing. What'll happen if the balance is disrupted and badly out of sy..."
Ultrabross jumped forward slapping her across the face and to the ground. Not a single of the others moved a muscle.
"You're one of my most trusted followers Fey, but you know never to question my decisions. Do it again and there will be consequences, do you understand?!"
She tightened her fists before letting out a sigh.
"Yes...yes sir," She stood getting back into position, "It won't happen again."
"Good," Ultrabross grinned stepping back, "Any more objections? If so speak now."
He looked back and forth between his generals but got nothing.
"That's what I thought."
"One question," Vixy jumped up and down, "Will we be traveling in pairs or separately?"
Ultrabross fell back in his throne chair crossing one leg over the other.
"This little attack of ours will take place in Karakura Town. It was Ichigo's home town and where he worked from, and in his absence am certain the Gotei Thirteen stationed another in his place for the time being. Reek as much havoc as you please, but don't destroy the town entirely. Just do enough to gain their attention, it won't take much. Whoever was left in town to take over Kurosaki's duties will come to you."
"You're certain of this." Qisk spoke.
"Dead positive." Ultrabross replied.
"Why not just invade soul society and ambush them? That would give us the element of surprise." Brother Night suggested.
Ultrabross shook his head.
"Thought one of you might suggest that. Yes an ambush is a clever tactic, but with the strength and resources at my disposal is completely unnecessary. Why attack a powerful enemy on its own turf when the option of leading them here is open? I've planned this for a while and want to stick to the script as much I can."
"Understood sir, was just curious is all." Brother Night replied.
The meeting continued on as Ultrabross went into great detail explaining what he wanted and expected from each of them. The get together lasted a little over forty minutes and Ultrabross answered questions and clarified any uncertainties.
"Knock, knock." Morrigan uttered as she stepped through the open doorway.
Ultrabross only paid half attention to her.
"Funny. Heard the alarms go off, your voice over the intercom calling for a meeting. You summoned most your underlings but didn't hear my name called. What's the reason behind that?" The succubus inquired.
"If you're here for an explanation than have wasted your time. I don't have to explain a thing to anyone, especially not any of you."
Morrigan chuckled entering the space fully, positioning in front of Ultrabross.
"About to invade earth huh? Well if you think for a second I'm going to hang here are sadly mistaking. The boredom might kill me, or might have to strangle someone if forced to remain here."
"Go right ahead and kill yourself," Feyaglia crossed her arms, "Spare us the misery of your presence."
"Screw you." Morrigan glared at Feyaglia.
Feyaglia replied simply extending and raising her middle finger to the succubus. Morrigan rolled her eyes looking back to Ultrabross. For various moments were in a standstill/stare down without a word.
"Is that all?" He finally asked.
"Yeah sure, long as I'm part of this little invasion or whatever you have planned. I refuse to sit back in this fortress of yours and do nothing. I'll be taking part, or we'll have problems." Morrigan grinned.
Ultrabross tightened his grip over the chair's arm. When he made a decision hated to alter anything for any reason, and even considered popping up and putting her through the ground. An example needed to be made of those questioning his decisions. He fell silent taking a couple deep breaths leaning forward.
"Fine. But if you screw this up or go off script for any reason will suffer the consequences, do I make myself clear?!"
"Yeah, yeah," She moved back situating beside all the other generals, "You and your rules. When will we make the jump? Oh I can hardly wait, anything to get out of this dump."
"Dump? Did I hear correctly?!" His fists clinched.
"I ah, meant jump...like jump into action. Nothing gets done standing around."
The king glared at Morrigan but kept a straight face. From that point continued with what he expected from them and how they would go about business upon arrival. The meeting lasted well over thirty minutes before the meet closed out. The next part of his plans was underway and could hardly wait for things to run full circle. Each general possessed a handful of henchmen that worked beneath them but not required for the upcoming task.
"If there are no questions or concerns you're free to leave. A vortex door leading directly to Karakura Town will appear near the east side of the fortress. You have thirty minutes to prepare or do whatever, but don't be late. You will all travel together, and don't even think about being late. I will open one portal and one only, understood?!"
"Yessir." All answered at once.
Each bowed exiting through the door. Ultrabross immediately revolved around facing the screens. Things were about to get a whole lot more interesting and hoped none would do something to set his plans back. He had full faith in their abilities so didn't worry much. Most returned to their quarters except for one. Morrigan headed directly for where the vortex would open, feeling there was nothing she needed to do far as preparation.
In a cell not far from the particular exit awoke Kurumu. Even with all she had on her mind managed to get a couple hours of sleep. For a little while didn't think she would until exhaustion completely took over.
"I must get out of here," She punched and kicked at a nearby wall. The succubus tried just about everything but nothing she did was a success, "Ichigo..."
She whispered his name positioning her back against a wall sliding down. Moka's wellbeing was her biggest concern but the whole incident involving Ichigo occupied her mind. To that point still couldn't wrap her mind around the entire scene of his monstrous transformation and what it meant. Was he lost forever, or was it temporary and could be reversed. Escaping at the first opportunity she got was something else on mind.
Thirty minutes passed in no time with each general assigned to make the trip present on the castle's east side. As told a portal did indeed appear before them. Feyaglia was the first to step forward.
"This is it, no turning back now."
The portal's brightness and energy swerve caught the attention of a specific group.
"The hell's happening out there?!" Haiji questioned looking in the distance.
"A tear between dimensions." Batman replied situating beside him.
Ichi/Kon wasn't far behind, stepping up and siding with them. Haiji spotted both Brother Night, Sister Day and Morrigan but clueless as to the others. Outside of Feyaglia and Morrigan Batman hadn't seen the others, but knew something big was about to go down. One after another the group stepped through the vortex.
"So uh," Haiji scratched at his head looking to the Dark Knight, "Should we follow or..."
Batman didn't answer, giving the situation thought. As the final member stepped through, the portal slowly decreased in size.
"Let's go!" Batman made a last second decision.
Haiji and Ichi/Kon took off not far behind! Down the hill and at full speed made it through at the last possible second. Inside his quarters Ultrabross looked back and forth between a couple screens that overlooked Karakura Town.
To Be Continue