Ultrabross's Vision
CHP59: Plotting
Akua stood her ground and didn't drop her guard for even a moment. She fell back biting at her tongue glaring into the eyes of the bleached colored enemy standing across from her. Moka remained still and stood off to the side of her half-sister. Both had seen the Arrancar in action against Ichigo and were fully aware of his strength. Akua clinched her fists and cursed under her breath.
Of all things that could go wrong, being spotted by the enemy was the worst possible. Akua was aware she'd have to act fast in breaking Moka free but never imagined she'd be discovered so quickly. As laughter escaped Ultrabross's lips the vampire felt her skin crawl. She took another couple steps back as the arrancar took a single step forward. Moka on the other hand maintained her position and was uncertain what she could or should do.
"You tremble in fear vampire," Ultrabross laughed more, "Deny it if you will but it's written all over your face and posture. To think I'd have a vampire of your warrior race scared stiff! Who what of thought...this is turning out to be a great day indeed."
"Me, scared?!" Akua straightened her posture, "Get over yourself."
In that instant Akua's entire demeanor changed, her expression intense and eyes on Ulquiorra. In that moment it didn't matter how powerful the opponent or obstacle. Once her vampire nature was insulted, coupled with her most cherished sister held captive there was no other option than victory. Being imprisoned or killed wasn't a choice and would undoubtedly derail Moka's chance of freedom. Even so, Akua wondered what exactly became of Ichigo and everyone else. It had been hours since they were separated and she could only imagine the others were either captured or worse. She shoved one foot into the ground and took off toward the arrancar.
Akua leaped into the air and as she came within inches of Ulquiorra he threw out his arm but instead of forcing her in the opposite direction went right through her! He quickly realized she went intangible and remembered the ability. Alert and aware, the arrancar blitzed away before she had the chance to slice away any body parts.
"Damn you!" Akua gazed over her shoulder.
In the split second she wasn't intangible the arrancar threw out a single arm and sent her into a wall off to his left. Moka could do nothing except watch and even considered jumping in. From what she'd seen of the enemy in particular, both she and Akua were heavily outmatched. The older vampire pushed up off the ground facing the two enemies.
"Do you really want to continue this? You should give up now and save yourself the humiliation." Ultrabross laughed.
"Go screw yourself!" Akua snapped.
"Ouch, that hurt. Well you can't say I didn't give you a chance. Hurry and finish this fly, her appearance is an irritation to my eyes." Ultrabross implied.
Ulquiorra looked her over carefully as he took a couple steps forward. Akua jumped to her feet contemplating what she'd do next. She quickly realized she didn't have time to think things over and had to attack without hesitation. She flipped into the air trying to get over Ulquiorra but in the process was grabbed by her ankle and slammed to the ground. She bled from her mouth and nose, gazing up at the enemy.
"You're filth and a nuisance to our leader and shall perish." Ulquiorra situated a hand out in front of him pointing directly at her.
Akua's eyes widened as a green light took form over his finger tip! Moka immediately dropped down in front of her half-sister.
"Please...Please don't do this! Don't kill her!" The silver hair vampire pleaded.
Ultrabross immediately stepped in and ordered his underling to step down, which he did without hesitation. He instead positioned a hand of his own out in front of Moka and Akua, firing off a strange electrical charge! The attack only made contact with Akua's body and as a result she screamed aloud, her eyes widening and fell forward drooling from her mouth! Moka placed a hand over her own heart and gazed down over Akua, who at that point was fidgety and gagging.
"What," Moka immediately jumped to her feet, "What did you do to her!"
She marched toward Ultrabross with much fury in her eyes but the arrancar blocked her path.
"It's ok Ulquiorra," Ultrabross chuckled, "She's understandably upset, but this is exactly what'll happen to those that oppose me and my plans. Don't worry, your little friend isn't in danger of death but she'll be immobile for some time. That attack has similar effects on her body what she'd experience if dropped into a pool of water."
Moka took a step back biting at her tongue.
"Now, now don't look so surprised. Did you really think I'd be unaware of your strengths and weaknesses? Anyhow we're done here." Ultrabross snapped a finger.
In seconds three guards appeared in the doorway.
"You called for us sir?" One inquired.
"Indeed I did," The king glared down at the vampire, "Take her away to one of the holding cells. Handle her with great care, she is not to be harmed any further for now do I make myself clear?"
"Yessir!" Each replied at once.
"Good, now get going." Ultrabross replied.
Each entered and lifted Akua off the ground with one carrying her over his shoulder. Moka could do nothing except watch in disgust with clinch fists. Ultrabross took notice of her expression and took pleasure in it.
"Ulquiorra..."
"Yes?" The arrancar replied.
"I'd like to speak with the vampire in private. We'll continue our conversation in due time."
"As you wish." Ulquiorra bowed before stepping out.
The automatic door closed on its own and all that remained was Moka and the king. He paced back and forth for some moments with his hands situated behind his back. It was hard for to look at him without having the urge to strangle him.
"What do you want?!" She broke the silence after nearly a minute of silence.
"By now you should clearly see that you have no other choice than to comply with my wishes. If not then all of your friends die...you don't want to try me Akashiya. Their lives are in your hands really, and you have my word. But I've told you that already haven't I. Just making the point clear is all, and long as we have an understanding your friends will..."
"I don't trust you," Moka jumped in, "You've given me no reason to."
Another long period of silence followed before Ultrabross coughed clearing his throat.
"You have no choice in the matter my dear, and even if you don't will have to do as I please. And if not, then I eliminate your friends one after another right in front of you. There is nothing or no one that can stop me now so I wouldn't get your hopes up. You loath the idea of it now, but maybe after some time will settle into your role as my eventual queen."
"Keep dreaming." Moka faced the opposite direction of him.
The king laughed aloud.
"Such an attitude won't put your friends in the best position. I'd keep that in mind if I were you. Stay on my good side and play by my rules and you'll like the outcome, but if not well...the less said, the better." Ultrabross grinned taking off through the exit.
The vampire's fists were clinched and as she took off toward the door quickly realized it was locked. It didn't surprise her and instead marched toward the bed opposite of the exit. She dropped her head over the pillows and grasped the sheets. The situation had only worsened with Akua's capture and didn't appear things would get any better soon.
XXX
Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the Gotei Thirteen stood in front of a computer screen. He had since received and been looking over the information sent from Kisuke. His eyes ventured up and down the screen as he opened file after file examining each in depth. He rubbed his hands together as a massive grin took shape over his lips.
"Excellent, this is rather intriguing...yes indeed!"
He continued looking over the info and was nothing less of impressed. It was unlike anything he'd seen and even had him questioning just who the master mind was behind the specs presented before him. He took notes and worked out some of the peculiar formulas in his head trying determine the outcome of possible results. The data was breath taking but felt certain details and specs were absent. He didn't see how it would all come together with the information at his disposal and knew something had to be missing.
Just as Kisuke he picked up on the bit that undoubtedly concerned Ichigo and was troubling. If it wasn't already too late the substitute death god needed to withdraw from the mission, but by that point feared it was probably already too late. And from what he could tell of the formulas and readings would be very difficult to reverse the affects, if at all. His focus was hindered at the sound of footsteps approaching from the main entrance.
"You didn't respond to the summoning so I came here directly."
Mayuri glimpsed over his shoulder setting eyes on Renji Abarai, the lieutenant of the 6th division.
"What is of such importance that you'd barge in here unannounced," The captain looked back to the screen out in front of him, "Come back later, I'm busy."
Renji cleared his throat.
"It cannot wait. A meet has been called by the head captain himself and it's required that all captains and vice captains are in attendance. I'll see myself out, but the meet will begin shortly. Try and wrap up whatever you've got going in a timely fashion is all."
Mayuri grimaced as Renji disappeared around the corner. He finished looking over what he needed to before stepping out and headed to the head captain's quarters. He was the last to arrive and the meet was already underway. The current predicament was explained to everyone with the head captain doing most the talking.
Unlike anyone else in attendance Mayuri was the only one that looked over the info sent by Kisuke in depth. He shared his early findings with everyone present, and knew it would take the cooperation and understanding of the entire Gotei Thirteen. If they were to come up with the perfect plan and counter, it was more than clear it'd have to be done together. Everyone reacted differently to the news of Ichigo's possible current state. Each reacted in their own way, but none more stunned than a singular individual.
The briefing lasted over an hour and at the conclusion each captain and lieutenant went their separate ways. The information was well known but each faction wanted to look things over individually before any plan was set in stone. Renji trailed someone in particular and observed from a distance as she sat in front of a fountain. He didn't approach right away, and instead watched her from a distance. Eventually he took a deep breath before walking up and stopping a foot short of her.
"You ok?" Renji positioned beside her but remained standing.
She didn't speak immediately, and he kept quiet. He knew she'd talk when she was ready to do so.
"Do you," She spoke up after nearly a minute, "Do you think what they said about Ichigo is true?"
Her tone was almost a whisper.
"I don't know Rukia...we'll just have to find out." Renji replied with tightened fists.
"Maybe so, but I have faith. I don't care what the readings or anything else implies, until I see for myself I'm hopeful. But this does put into question just who we're dealing with. They apparently knew the Gotei Thirteen would send Ichigo to dispose of the hollows."
"Which seems to imply they know us very well...that or they've observed from afar. Whatever the case their intel has been spot on and know a whole lot about us. Until our superiors decide on a plan we do nothing, much as I hate to say it."
Within the world of the living Chad and Orihime located Uryu and explained the situation to him as best they could. There were bits and pieces that left him confused but was clarified once they reached Kisuke's workshop. He was introduced to both new comers and was especially taken off guard by the way the cape crusader dressed.
"Have you any clue of Ichigo's current state or location?" Uryu questioned directly to the shop owner.
"No, and no. But It's highly likely he's held up in the enemy's base as we speak. If and only if my calculations are right he will no longer be an ally of ours." Kisuke informed.
"What, that's...that's crazy!"
"But I can't say for sure he'd be allied with the enemy either. What I've collected from this king's files Ichigo would be rendered brainless with the hollow within taking full control. But why do that when they could take further advantage of him. Which leads me to believe there is missing information from what was uploaded by Batman." Kisuke said.
"Than what's the plan? Storm their base and find him?"
Kisuke shook his head.
"King Ultrabross has already invited the Gotei Thirteen to his fortress within the next forty eight hours. That seems to imply He'll be ready for any sort of direct attack on his home base. For now we wait it out. Whatever happens is in the hands of the Gotei Thirteen."
Elsewhere Kurumu paced back and forth throughout her cell. She was un able to settle her nerves and got minimal sleep. Not knowing what went on outside the walls of her cell ate at her soul and felt she'd lose her mind if she didn't find a way out. Mizore, Ruby and Yukari had especially been on mind. The one in charge didn't appear to want Moka dead, so she worried less about the vampire. Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance door swinging open.
"You!" Kurumu shouted.
Before her entered Morrigan who carried a tray of food closing the door as she entered. Kurumu kept a close eye on the succubus as she walked across the cement surface and dropped the plate of food over the bed. Afterward she looked directly at Kurumu and for several seconds neither said a thing.
"Eat up," Morrigan crossed her arms walking toward the exit, "You'll need your strength, and besides the king wants you alive."
"Hey wait!" Kurumu called out to her.
Morrigan hindered any further movement and glimpsed over her shoulder. The prisoner had a look of worry and anxiety in her eyes. Morrigan exhaled before turning and facing her completely.
"What is it?"
"I...I want to know what happened to all my friends! Tsukune, Ruby-san, Moke, Everyone! What are you people planning and why are you keeping us captive?!"
Morrigan chuckled as she pulled up a chair and sat a couple dozen feet from Kurumu. The younger succubi bit at her lower lip and tightened her fists at Morrigan's grin and overall demeanor.
"Ultrabross would kill me for saying anything, but honestly even I don't know the full extent of what he's got planned. None of us do. But whatever it is, involves both Kurosaki and your vampire friend. Hate to see one of my own caught up in something like this, but you just so happened to be on the wrong side." Morrigan implied.
It took Kurumu several moments to make the connection Morrigan referred to their succubi being.
"You and your friends are all alive for now, but each and everyone one of you is expendable. How long Ultrabross decides to keep you alive...I cannot say. Probably to keep the vampire on a leash and to obey his orders. It's over for Ichigo however, but I guess you saw so yourself personally." Morrigan smirked.
Kurumu's head lowered as she stared at the ground.
"What exactly happened to him?" Kurumu looked up and into the eyes of Morrigan.
The succubus shook her head.
"I've only recently joined the king's ranks a handful of months back and have minimum knowledge on his enemies, which includes Ichigo. What happened to him and the result of his current beast state I don't know. But according to Ultrabross the affects cannot be reversed. Your friend is under control for as long as he sees fit."
"But why would he do that?! I mean wouldn't it have made more sense to just eliminate Ichigo?" Kurmu implied.
"In hindsight perhaps, but why do that when he can use the shinigami to his advantage. You've seen what Ichigo's capable of, and in his current form is even more powerful than before. Ultrabross plans to put him against his very own superiors...The Gotei Thirten. In a way the king wins no matter the outcome. If the beast wipes out the Gotei Thirteen he wins, and if the other way around Ichigo dies. Ultrabross feels he's more than capable of dealing with the Gotei Thirteen himself, but why do so when he can..."
"Can have Ichigo do it for him," Kurumu jumped in, "And what do you have to gain from all this?!"
Morrigan chuckled before standing from the stool and heading toward the exit.
"We've talked long enough, and truthfully shouldn't have done so at all. Here's a little bit of advice and you can take it or leave it," Morrigan glimpsed back at Kurumu, "If the chance ever presents itself, don't hesitate to make a run for it. Worrying about your friends will get you killed."
The succubus passed through the door and it locked behind her. Kurumu was left alone and had nothing but her thoughts. She sat atop the bed looking down at what was over the tray. She thought to herself and a small realization came to mind.
"Deep down she really isn't all bad. It's unfortunate Morrigan isn't on our side." Kurumu bit at her tongue.
The only thing she could do from that point was hope for a miracle.
To Be Continue