I made good on chapter 21, still fighting with myself since I think the quality could be so much better. I apologize for it being short in advance ;)
Last Chance
One in each hand, Uryuu hoisted the two bystanders over their hiding place and threw them onto the downed soul reaper.
Rukia, paralyzed by the wraithlike absorption of her energy could hardly do anything but right herself from the ground. Kon seemed to be frozen too, but whether it was from the spiritual drain or not she was uncertain. The look of stubborn anger on Kon's face was almost enough to mistake the konpaku for Ichigo himself.
"So," Uryuu teased. "Have you come to help Ichigo?" His eyebrow kinked upward when he looked at Rukia in her compromised position. "What's wrong, soul reaper? Can't stand up?"
With that, he wrenched Rukia to her feet. She struggled in vain as a red glow bathed them both. Suddenly her limbs went limp, and in her eyes shone a fear rarely seen on the face of Kuchiki Rukia.
"Stop it!" she could hear Kon screaming through clenched teeth as she felt her consciousness drift away, powerless against the malignant reiatsu. The intense power was sucking the spirit energy right out of her body, draining what life force she had left within her. It seemed that all would be for nothing; Ichigo and Kon both were at the mercy of the possessed Quincy, yet she couldn't even defend herself.
Suddenly the wave of power fluctuated; the hollow's grip loosened and Rukia instantly dropped to the ground. Through half opened eyes did she see Kon attacking Uryuu, launching powerful kicks towards the hollowfied archer.
"I won't let you hurt anyone, even if you are Uryuu!" Kon cried out, each time sending a powerful burst of energy with each kick. Expertly timed blows volleyed the Quincy, Kon's anger providing ample force against his target.
"How do you still have energy to fight?" Uryuu asked, more rhetorically than to the mod soul.
"Whatever the reason, it will be used to stop you!" Kon growled, barreling down on Uryuu with an expertly aimed roundhouse.
Blocking the barrage, Uryuu stumbled backward to avoid the assault. Kon threw roundhouses and sidekicks successively, sending the opponent on the defense. Blind rage drove Kon to his maximum force, and Uryuu could barely withstand the formidable attack.
Kon set the hollow up for an opening. While Uryuu drew his hands up high to block an axe kick, Kon faked the attack and instead delivered a well executed sidekick to the chest. Uryuu skidded backwards a few yards before losing his balance and colliding with a building, reducing the brick edifice to crumbling stone.
With the limited time he knew he had, Kon ran up to survey Ichigo's wounds. "Ichigo! Are you…" was as far as he got before pulling back the tattered shinigami robe.
Blood poured from the open wound. Ichigo's eyes were clouded over, staring listlessly at the darkened sky. At first glance, Ichigo was dead.
Kon felt for a pulse. Barely the skin beneath his finger pulsed, its pace slow and weak.
It was possible that Kon would be able to deter Uryuu, maybe disable the possessed Quincy – but there was no way he could beat him without Ichigo or Rukia's assistance; without willing to admit it, Kon wasn't trained enough to take down a seasoned fighter.
Suddenly Kon found himself pinned to a wall, the white hot bolt of an arrow sizzling into his skin. It serrated his shoulder just below the collarbone, sending the scent of burning flesh to his nose.
Uryuu laughed again, brushing the remaining bits of grey dust from the shirt of his uniform. "Some attack, modified soul. Just what I'd expect from a poorly designed facsimile soul reaper." Red flame outlined the firing arm of the archer, indicating the quickly approaching moment of attack.
Kon struggled against the arrow in his arm, cursing when he burned his hand from the contact. His teeth were clenched in an angry scowl, tugging at the lodged shaft. The action became more intense as he noticed the Quincy rapidly closed the distance between them, raising his arm for another attack.
Kon's eyes went wide as he seen a second projectile traveling directly towards him, tearing through the air as it sped straight for him.
Kon closed his eyes and twisted the dart in his arm; he had to get out of the way.
Ichigo could hear what was going on.
He knew what was happening.
His body refused to move, his limbs sapped of any warmth and feeling. Against his cheek he could feel his own blood running across his neck and dripping onto the pavement beneath him.
Why can't I get up?
Everything felt slowed, as if time itself was warped. Uryuu's hand raised, pointing his tainted bow directly at Kon. The arrow sparked with spirit energy as it brushed against the string. The look of determination on the Quincy's face. The terror as Kon struggled against his bind, eyes widening with the threatening projectile.
I…have to get up…
The slender fingers of the Quincy flexed and relaxed, releasing the dart in its intended path.
I…have to move!
The light was beginning to dim, the world left colorless and dull. Ichigo could feel his heartbeat slowing, it became a chore to keep his eyes focused.
There were shadows all around, the only light broadcasted from the sizzling arrow on its path to strike down Kon. Darkness settled everywhere it was hard make out one shape from the next.
Suddenly, a shadow moved. The darkness moved with a purpose, fluttering black like a cloth caught in the wind. There were footsteps.
Death will not claim you, Ichigo, as long as I can reach you. A deep baritone voice called out from the murky depths. It stepped along the path of shadow and light, the cloak whipping out from the blackened corners of his sight. However, I can only guide the way.
Ichigo felt Zangetsu around his body as though the spirit was caressing his soul. I have stopped your wound from bleeding, though the damage is quite extensive. There's not much time.
Ichigo's frown deepened. There was only one chance to try, and there was no way to be sure it would work.
"Arigato, ossan, for giving me this chance." Ichigo whispered into the dark.
Remember Ichigo; that which was given, must be returned. Zangetsu's voice retreated to the far corners of his mind as he willed his body to work.
That was it.
Ichigo gathered every bit of strength he could muster.
That was what he needed to do.
It was all so clear now as Ichigo instantly stepped in front of the Quincy, deflecting the arrow with the flick of his zanpakuto.
Uryuu was amazed at the speed at which Ichigo reached him. It seemed that in all respects the soul reaper was dead, but here he was standing right before him as if nothing happened.
The arrow was already on its way; a shame that the shinigami wasn't smart enough to dodge the projectile.
Instead, the hollow was surprised as Ichigo flicked the arrow away as if it were some powerless toy.
Uryuu thought to shoot another arrow, using his momentum to carry the weapon further, but the motion was against him.
Ichigo moved again, catching Uryuu's thin frame between his arms. The speed was unbelievable as Ichigo raised his zanpakuto out – and impaled them both on the long blade.
"Ichigo!" Rukia cried out, the scene unfolding before her. She watched as the blade intersected both men cleanly, Uryuu the only one screaming in surprise.
Uryuu scrambled to pull the weapon out, but the shaft was slick with blood and the handle impossible to reach from this angle. It didn't stop the archer from trying as he twisted a turned to pull the sword out.
"G-g," Ichigo sputtered, trying desperately to call out a word. "Get…"
He did it once before; could he remember the incantation?
"Getsu…" His brow creased with sweat. That time, in the training room with Urahara…what Zangetsu taught him…
Uryuu color drained as he felt the pale blue flame surround them both. The thrashing increased, the hollow almost succeeding in freeing itself from Ichigo's grasp.
A shove from behind of a stronger source made the hollow growl in frustration. Kon was there, holding the other end of Zangetsu to keep the possessed archer at bay.
"I'll kill you, you damned soul reaper…" Uryuu gritted his teeth.
Ichigo's eyes snapped open, and with a roar he called out. "Getsuga tensho!"
The blue surge ripped through both men, sending out waves of spirit particles in its wake. Flaming energy shot out in a tall column, bathing the area in its wraithlike glow.
Both men wavered, then toppled to the ground, leaving the bloodied hilt of Zangetsu in Kon's hands.