AN: Well here it is, sorry for the long wait.
Batman gazed out at the blackened clouds in the sky as the storm raged above Karakura Town.
As he watched the heavy rainfall turn the ground to mud, he reflected on what had transpired shortly after his and the League's arrival in this dimension.
Following the League's brief engagement with the two so-called 'Arrancar' in the park, he was approached by two local residents that claimed to have watched the entire fight from the sidelines. While both had been ready to intervene at a moment's notice, the sudden appearance of a superhero had caught them by surprise.
Especially when said superhero had a whole team backing him up after being challenged by the two opposing beings.
Once introductions were finished, the man – Kisuke Urahara as he called himself – suggested that further conversations should wait until after the children were taken to safety; where they could receive proper medical treatment for the injuries inflicted during the fighting.
After the three wounded children were secured either by Superman or Green Lantern, as suggested by the woman, they were guided by the two Soul Reapers to a small local structure, the Urahara Shoten.
Of course, unlike the Watchtower back in their universe, the so-called 'humble abode' of a shop as the male Shinigami had described it was not the most suited for the requirements of a team of stranded superheroes. Thankfully, with the construction of a large spiritual barrier with something the woman referred to as 'Kido' – take residence without having to worry of their presence becoming known. The heroes found it to be very convienient
To say that Cyborg was impressed would be an understatement; he had spent a good ten minutes analyzing the Kido shield barrier, comparing it to the security shielding used at the Hall of Justice.
Once the three young teens had received medical treatment and were recuperating in separate rooms, The Justice League was introduced to the other residents of the small shop: A middle aged man with tanned skin and dark spectacles named Tessai; a small, bratty boy with pointed red hair named Jinta; and a young, dark haired and blue eyed, timid girl named Ururu.
The reactions of said occupants were mixed: Like Yoruichi and Urahara, Tessai was surprised and, understandably weary, even after hearing Urahara and Yoruichi's explanation of what had transpired in the park.
Both Jinta and Ururu, however, only stared at the League in a combination of awe and fear. For most of their lives, the closest they had seen or heard of superheroes were what they had read and /or watched in magazines, comics and anime movies and TV shows.
While introductions were being finished, Urahara had left to do some shopping while Yoruichi attended to the injured teenagers, leaving Tessai to help the League settle in.
However, while their hospitality was welcomed, Batman could tell that they shared the same feelings that he did.
They were looking for answers to who he and the rest of the League were and how they had come to appear in that park in the first place.
Batman turned his attention from the storm towards the store interior as Yoruichi reappeared in the main living area, her face shadowed with worry for the young patients, and as Urahara walked in the main door.
"Hello, I'm home. And I picked up the juice that you wanted." Urahara lifted a bag of supplies up on the countertop as he entered the main area. Upon entering the room, he took note of Yoruichi's expression, his face sharing his partner's worry.
"So, how are they holding up?" Urahara asked the former Captain of the Stealth Force, who narrowed her eyes in concern.
"All three of them are resting at the moment; they had all sustained severe injuries from their battle with the Arrancars, though they should be fully recovered within a few days."
"Unfortunately, the fact that those Arrancar decided to leave at their own choosing only signifies that we've barely witnessed the full extent of their powers."
Yoruichi turned her gaze towards the heroes lounging behind them. "It's a good thing that the Justice League managed to catch them off guard, otherwise they most likely would've killed them then and there."
Urahara contemplated his fellow Ex-Captain's words as he turned his attention to the new arrivals. "Indeed; it would seem that luck was on our side today, not only for meeting new potential allies…"
"…but the ones who saved our Substitute Soul Reaper and his friends from certain death. And for that, you have our thanks, superheroes."
Superman answered for the group by nodding his head in acknowledgment. "No problem; We're just glad that we could help. Although I have to admit, I sure didn't expect to see anything like what had happened today. And those people that you called Arrancar…just who exactly were they? And how did that girl manage to summon that energy barrier?"
Both Ex-Shinigami Captains narrowed their eyes at the the Man of Steel's questions, still unsure whether to fully trust him and his comrades or not. After a few moments, it was Urahara that spoke up.
"It would seem that we all have questions that need answering. And, seeing as some of our other occupants are still recovering…" Urahara then turned his gaze towards the rooms containing said injured persons.
"…perhaps it would be wise that we hold off your explanations until after they have awakened."
The shop keeper then returned his gaze to the group of heroes. "In the meantime, I think it would be best if you understood exactly what you all have now become involved in."
Ichigo Kurosaki groaned as he slowly came back to consciousness, his weary mind slowly clearing the haze behind his eyelids. As he slowly opened his eyes, he took note of his current position and location: he appeared to be in a moderately sized room, laying on a futon bed with a light blanket over him to prevent him from catching a fever while he was resting.
After verifying his surroundings he slowly rose forward, wincing as his body twitched from the several bruises all along his back, chest and shoulders.
For a moment he stared at and examined his injuries in confusion, his mind attempting to remember how he had attained said wounds in the first place.
"…He's not even worth the effort of killing him."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed in realization as the afternoon's events came flooding back to him: the two strange Hollows; his friends Chad and Orihime getting hurt while fighting them alone; his Inner Hollow momentarily causing his body to freeze, leaving him helpless to the Hollow's barrage of punches and kicks…
…and his being saved by some superhero.
A whole team of superheroes no less.
On any other day, Ichigo would seek out some medical assistance to see if he was finally losing it. That all those years of his dad constantly causing him grief with his morning wake up calls and surprise welcome home ambushes had started catching up to him.
Slowly lowering his body back down on the mattress, he stared up at the ceiling as the rest of his memories arose to the surface.
And most of them were not pleasant at all.
For a brief moment, an image of him with his cracked hollow mask on his face passed through his mind.
'If it keeps up like this...'
With that, Ichigo rolled over and punched the mattress underneath him, his face transformed into an expression of anger.
"Dammit!"
Seething, he remained near motionless, his conflicting emotions threatening to rip his soul apart in the process. That was all he could do, as his guilt for failing to protect his friends steadily escalated.
Soon he collapsed back down on the mattress, his breaths coming out in slow, painful heaves. While his spiritual pressure aided in the healing process, it did little in diminishing the agony that came with his injuries.
Injuries that, on any other human, would have proven fatal.
As he lay there, he couldn't help but overhear voices talking in the meeting room on the other side of the wall; two of which he easily recognized as belonging to Urahara and Yoruichi.
Several other voices however were both familiar and unknown.
While he knew he had heard it before, he couldn't quite place to whom it belonged to.
For a few moments, his inner guilt contested with his curiosity, before the latter eventually triumphed. Painstakingly, he pushed himself up into a sitting position before his legs lifted him up and towards the door. Pushing it open, he stepped out into the hallway just before the entryway to the main living space overlooking the stores patio.
"Hey, you're awake."
Pausing, Ichigo turned his gaze towards the source of the voice that had just spoken...
...to where a certain familiar red and yellow clad hero with a lightning bolt on his shirt was standing among with the other costumed individuals he was with who were all staring at the Substitute with expressions full of relief.
'So, it really wasn't a case of insanity.'
The fact that there was actual costumed superheroes in the same room as him would have sent anyone else into a panic. Right now, he was too depressed to actually feel any fear or surprise whatsoever.
"Well, look who's finally awake?" Urahara spoke up from the small table in the centre of the room. "How ya feeling, Ichigo?"
Ichigo remained still as his gaze traversed downward in guilt and depression. It was quite obvious to anyone watching, including a certain Dark Knight, that he was still beating himself for what had happened.
After a few seconds, he turned his head towards the robot before he spoke. "So, you guys are really a team of superheroes, right?"
Superman was the first one to respond as he nodded in conformation. "Hello there, my name is Superman and you're Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo gave a brief nod, before a small smile forming on his face. "…thanks for…saving my friends back there. I…really appreciate it."
Shazam was the one who smiled back. "It was no problem; We're just glad I could help out. And there's no way I was just gonna stand by and let those jerks beat you and your friends around like that" he stated, punching his left fist into his right hand as he spoke.
Still smiling at Shazam's declaration, Ichigo sat down at the large table in the center of the room, resting his head on his knuckles as he did so.
Batman then stepped forward as he began began clarifying what he and the League had been told just minutes before. "So, if I'm not mistaken, you are what these people call a Substitute Soul Reaper?"
Looking up in surprise, Ichigo merely nodded at the Caped Crusader's statement.
"And there is this secret realm called the Seireitei/Soul Society, which is some sort of afterlife world for humans who are deceased, and is protected and ruled by these Soul Reapers who help wondering souls find peace before they become these things called Hollows." Flash continued.
"And these two," Green Lantern looked over at Urahara and Yoruichi, "...are former Captains of the Soul Society before they were framed for something they didn't commit!"
At this, he received nods from Urahara and Yoruichi.
"And this guy Aizen, who was also a former Captain, is planning on starting a war with the Soul Society with more powerful Hollows known as Arrancar, like those we met in the park earlier today. And he intends to attack with a larger army of more of these Arrancar to wipe out every human in Karakura Town so he can awaken something called the Hogyoku; which he intends to awaken in a couple of months," Cyborg finished.
Another duo nod.
Glancing between the Justice League and Urahara, Ichigo's confusion - and the urge to hit a certain 'hat n' clogs – steadily mounted with every second. "Would someone please tell me what exactly is going on?"
Seeing Ichigo's expression, Urahara smirked as he waved a small fan in front of his face." While you were unconscious Ichigo, we decided to explain the situation to the Justice League, including the story behind your becoming a Soul Reaper."
Ichigo stared at the former Shinigami Captain. "So you just told them everything about me? Including how I gained my powers as a Soul Reaper?"
Waving his fan, Urahara smiled at Ichigo's deduction "That's right!"
BONK!
Only for Ichigo to punch him hard on the head, causing him to collapse on the floor in a jumbled heap.
"For cryin' out loud! Why don't you just tell him my entire family history, why don't ya?"
While this was going on, some the League notably Flash and Green Lantern simply stared at the two Soul Reapers in sheer disbelief.
"Are they always like this?" Flash asked the female Shinigami, who was still standing beside the now 'floored' shop keeper.
"Unfortunately, you get used to it over time."
Picking himself off the floor, now wielding a signature bump on his head, Urahara turned his gaze up at the group of heroes. "Well, it seems that you all are officially up to speed; I certainly hope that we've explained everything clearly enough to you."
Batman nodded as it was vital that they get as much information about this new world as they can.
"Well, seeing that everyone able is awake and accounted for," Urahara declared after checking the extent of his new injury, turning his gaze towards the group of heroes looking in at the gathered audience.
"Perhaps our new guests can now shed some light as to who and what they are, and how they arrived in our little town."
"Of course," Diana nodded, and began introducing her team, "This is Batman, Superman, Flash, Aquaman, Hawkgirl, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Shazam, and Martian Manhunter. We're the Justice League."
"Justice League?" Ichigo raised a brow.
"We're a group of heroes that make the world a safe place." Flash explained, as he was suddenly at the Substitute's side.
Ichigo did a double take, seeing he was just beside the group a mere second ago, "What, but when did you?"
"Fastest man alive." Flash explained, as he zipped back to the others.
"Really now?" Yoruichi smirked.
"Diana did say we were heroes." Hawk Girl reminded the princess.
"We each have a special ability that makes us unique from one another," Martian Manhunter explained, "As demonstrated by Flash."
"So you all have powers?" Urahara asked.
"Not all of us." Batman answered.
"Bats here may not have power like all of us, but you should see him in action." Green Lantern boasted on his behalf.
"How did all of you end up in Karakura Town?" Urahara wondered.
"It's a long story." Superman answered.
"We have the time." Yoruichi replied.
"Very well." Martian Manhunter answered.
Hueco Mundo
Yammy and Ulquiorra marched – or in the former's case limped – through the hallway of Hueco Mundo, their footsteps echoing loudly throughout the empty corridor.
Immediately after returning from the world of the living, Ulquiorra had demanded a meeting with Lord Aizen and the other Espada. Normally, he would have taken his time, considering that the person they had been tasked to investigate had proven to be a disappointment.
However, with the sudden arrival and intervention of these new individuals, this was a matter which could not wait.
Upon arriving and entering the desired chamber, Yammy kneeled down while Ulquiorra remained standing.
"We have returned...Lord Aizen."
Before him, sitting on a throne, was the leader and ruler of Hueco Mundo. The former Captain of the 5th Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
Sosuke Aizen.
"Welcome, Ulquiorra and Yammy. So, tell me what you have accomplished…here, before your twenty brothers."
"Yes sir" Ulquiorra responded before reaching his left arm up to his face…
…and pulling his own eye right out of its socket before crushing it into spiritual particles.
Said particles flew towards the gathered Arrancar, all of whom closed their eyes as they saw what Ulquiorra had witnessed during his mission to the world of the living:
They saw how Yammy had used his Gonzui to devour the souls of all the humans in the vicinity, save for one teenage girl who had somehow managed to resist having her soul devoured…
…when the humans Chad and Orihime had arrived to stop the two Espada, only to suffer severe injuries at the hands of Yammy's attacks, with Orihime's attack being destroyed in the process...
…how the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki had arrived and managed to hold of Yammy's attacks for a few minutes, before seemingly losing his nerve and rendering himself vulnerable to the latter's attacks...
...and how some costumed human had arrived out of nowhere, ramming into and injuring Yammy even further, positioning himself between him and the humans...
…and he was not alone apparently as more humans dressed in what could be described as superheroes arrived at the scene.
As the spiritual particles dissipated before returning to Ulquiorra, reforming into his missing eye, the atmosphere within the chamber had become edged with surprise and disbelief.
However, while surprised at what had been revealed, Aizen looked down at the Cuatro Espada with a calm, cool expression.
"Well now; this certainly changes things, doesn't it?"
Opening his eyes, Aizen regarded the Cuatro Espada. "Though I understand why you allowed Ichigo Kurosaki to live; you deemed him as not worth the effort of killing him. And as for these new arrivals; I can already see that there is more to them than meets the eye."
"I say you're soft!"
All the gathered Arrancar turned their attention towards the source of the voice: a tall, muscular man with bright blue spiked hair, fierce green eyes and green strips reaching out from the outer sides of his eyes. And along his right cheek was the fragment of a jaw bone that remained after his turning into an Arrancar.'
"If it were me, I'd have killed all of them with the first strike."
Ulquiorra glanced back at his fellow Espada. "Grimmjow…"
Grimmjow continued his rant. "Just what the Hell were you thinking? If killing him was part of your orders, then obviously that's what should've happened, right?"
Next to him, another Arrancar spoke up. "I agree; it matters not whether or not the boy was worth killing. The boy decided to stand up to you in combat, as did that those new arrivals. If They do indeed have the same capacities as the other one, they could also become a potential threat to us. I say you should've killed them all."
Grimmjow then leered at the other Espada before them. "And just look at you, Yammy. You're a mess, getting yourself beaten up like that. And yet you come back claiming that neither of them were worth killing. I'd say that you couldn't kill them."
Yammy merely glared back at his accuser. "Grimmjow. It was clear what happened; you saw it. That boy merely caught me off guard, as did those damn superheroes. Neither of them would have stood a chance against me if I were ready for them!"
"So the damn kid and a bunch of people wearing spandex actually managed to catch you off guard. That's just pathetic!"
That was the last straw.
"PATHETIC? WHY YOU…!"
"Enough."
Ulquiorra raised his arm in front of Yammy, preventing from moving forward, before he spoke again. "Grimmjow; I don't think you quite understand. The boy is not a threat to us…yet."
"Lord Aizen isn't worried of his current rate of power right now. It is his rate of growth that is the true problem. As we have seen, he possesses great potential. Right now, his powers are highly unstable and could possibly become too great for him control. He will eventually be crushed by his own spiritual pressure…or he will become one of our pawns. That's all I'm saying."
"And as for these new arrivals: despite their sudden appearance, they seem to pose little danger to us. Unlike the boy, they possessed very little spiritual energy and lacked the strength to pose even a slightest threat in a prolonged battle."
Grimmjow wasn't convinced. "Yeah, well I still say you should've killed them. How can you be sure that the boy won't become a threat to us in the future? And what makes you think that each of those costumed clowns don't have some sort of special power themselves? What will you do then, huh?"
Ulquiorra was blunt. "If either of these events happen, I will personally deal with them myself. Surely you don't have any more complaints, do you?"
Grimmjow sneered, readying another insult…
"Very well" Aizen spoke up. "I shall leave it in your hands then, Ulquiorra."
"Thank you, Lord Aizen" Ulquiorra bowed.
The second the meeting was over, Grimmjow, scowled angrily, his entire body quivering in sheer fury at being put down so swiftly.
"Damn you, Ulquiorra!"
Karakura Town
The group had told the two almost everything from their world and about themselves. Save for Bruce, Clark, and Barry revealing their secret identities.
"These stories you've told us are unbelievable," Urahara began, "But if they are true as you say, we are proud to see how much you care for your home that you would risk your very lives to protect it."
"And to you Superman and Martian Manhunter, our deepest condolences for the loss of your planets and your families." Yoruichi added.
"Our greatest thanks for your respect, ma'am." Superman answered, as Martian Manhunter continued.
"But, though we lost our homes and families, we gained new ones to make us feel welcomed on earth."
"And this Luthor you spoke of was responsible for you all being here?" Urahara inquired.
"Partly responsible." Batman replied, as the group eyed Flash.
"Hey, how was I supposed to know this would happen?"
"You should have been more careful of what that device was capable of."
"We wish we knew of a way to send you home." Urahara said.
"Well, we can't go back unless we find Luthor." Hawkgirl replied.
Lantern looked at a map of Karakura Town hanging on the wall, "And if he did wind up in this dimension like us, he could've wound up anywhere."
"Well, it shouldn't be like he won't be easy to find, right?" Flash stated.
While all this was going on, the last member of the audience was conflicted by his conflicting inner emotions.
On one half, Ichigo could hardly believe what he had heard; that his recent saviors were a team of superheroes that have been fighting and stopping evil super villains, natural disasters, and intergalactic threats for many years while he had been a Substitute Soul Reaper of Karakura Town for barely a few months.
In contrast to these beliefs, he couldn't help but feel his guilt increase for having forced the Justice League to become involved in another conflict that he should have been able to fight on his own. Plus that they were having to worry of finding a way back to their own world.
If anything, this only served to make Ichigo feel worse than he already did.
His emotions didn't go unnoticed however, as Shazam happened to catch his body posture become more frigid and downcast.
Narrowing his eyes, Shazam felt sympathy for the young orange-haired Soul Reaper. From what he had been told by Urahara and Yoruichi, Ichigo was extremely fixated on protecting all those around him; even going so far as putting his own life in the line of fire for those close to him. As such, when his friends had been hurt and he wasn't able to protect them, it had hit him hard, causing him to become like this.
'He's just like Superman; never hesitating to risk his own life to help those in need.'
Having also seen Ichigo's expression, Urahara spoke up after putting his fan away. "It would seem that we have much to consider between us. I would suggest that we continue this discussion tomorrow, after we all have a chance to rest and recuperate."
"And perhaps some of our new friends could escort Ichigo home and, if it's not too much trouble, bring him back here tomorrow morning" the shop keeper requested, glancing towards the League.
While caught off guard by the request, the League considered the reasoning behind them providing their help: seeing as they were in an unknown country, they would most likely need the assistance of his new potential allies.
In addition, considering that the young Soul Reaper was still recovering from both his physical and emotional wounds, it would be wise if he had couple of guardians to assist him should those Arrancar return to finish what they had set out to do earlier.
And truthfully he was hoping to see more of these Shinigami powers Urahara had talked about for himself, if only to see if it could be used to help them take on the Con's new fortress.
"Uh, yeah; I like to volunteer," Shazam said.
"Me too, it's only fair that the kid get's home safe after such a rough day," Green Lantern stated as he created a construct with his ring that resembled a flying car, "Hop in."
Despite seeing his powers earlier, Ichigo stared at the newly formed construct in awe and disbelief before rising to his feet. Slowly walking forward, he approached the passenger door before grasping the door handle and pulling it open. Both heroes waited patiently as Ichigo sat himself in the passenger's seat before slamming the door closed as both heroes left. Meanwhile, the rest of the League decided that they needed to figure out what to do next so they headed back to the other room.
"This certainly has been quite an eventful day, hasn't it?" Urahara said, his eyes shadowed by his hat.
"Indeed" the female Shinigami replied, her eyes then narrowed with worry as she spoke. "However, we mustn't forget that, despite their increased durability to spiritual pressure, the Justice League are still as mortal as any of us.
"And also," Yoruichi hesitated briefly before she continued. "…I hate to say it…but I fear that we have underestimated the full extent of their powers."
Urahara silently agreed with her statement, before he turned back towards the shop.
"Well then…time to get to work."
AN: I apologize if this is short, but I just wanted to let people that this story is still alive and that I have no intention of giving up on it. Next time, the Justice League meet the other Shinigami as the team soon find themselves in a battle with a certain blue-haired Espada.