Chapter 31
General Ruckus
By Demon-of-Cats
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, the Tite does. I own my OC's and OOC's
Warnings: This is AU and has some spoilers.
No Flames please, but constructive criticism is welcome.
As they went to the other side, everyone watched the pint sized General. None believed what she had said, except for Arthur, Lancelot, and Ichigo.
Before they had gone into the portal, they left their gigai behind. There would be no need for them in the soul society and they were taken to a hotel run by the Soul Reapers. They were then checked into the rooms and stayed there in the rooms. Signs on the doors said, "Do not enter under ANY circumstances."
It worked great for their needs.
Once through the portal and in the Soul Society Sajin looked up immediately to sense around. He looked a little aggravated after a few seconds and then Arthur looked at him.
"Can you sense them?"
Sajin shook his head and then closed his eyes, "I have a general location. But they seem to be behind some sort of barrier. Kidô possibly. More likely seki-seki rock though."
Arthur nodded and then looked at Lancelot, who nodded from a silent command given him. Lancelot then conversed with Sajin for a few moments and then disappeared.
Amanda noticed this and asked, "Gathering intelligence your majesty?"
Arthur nodded and then glanced around, "I have some suspicions as to what is going on but they won't be confirmed yet. Lancelot knows what to look for."
Amanda smiled and then said, "Welcome to the North American Soul Society. We're a bit of a melting pot here, so expect to see a lot of different faces and dress for a soul reaper."
Amanda herself was dressed in a black button up shirt with no back on the shoulders and a dress collar that extended around her neck, and held the shirt up as there were no sleeves. Under the shirt she wore a long sleeved grey, almost t-shirt like, top that almost acted a dress on her. Over the entire ensemble she wore a loose white vest/suit jacket combination, though it was unbuttoned in the front and the collar of her black shirt was over the collar of the vest. On the back was a one transposed in a concave diamond outline. On her legs were black, slim fit jeans.
To complete the look she wore black combat boots.
Her zanpaku-tô was on her back diagonally starting from the right hip and ending at the left shoulder. The hilt of the blade was on the low part and seemed to have some sort of latch that held it in the sheath.
"Is this usual attire for a general?" Kyôraku asked.
Amanda frowned and then said, "I like it. It's dressier than what I used to wear. Ask his majesty."
Arthur nodded and then spoke, "I see that there is a special war time order going on. What has happened?"
"When you sent word to me about what was going on I had the order set up. We can't be caught off guard. Babies could get hurt if we do."
Arthur nodded and then asked, "Where will we be staying?"
"The presidents are looking forward to seeing you again actually your majesty," Amanda said, "And I'm sure they wouldn't mind having more guests to speak to, FDR and Kennedy especially."
"Don't you have nobility here?" Byakuya asked suddenly.
Amanda watched him for a moment before she spoke, "The only 'Nobility' we have are those that visit, such as his majesty."
"That is 'royalty' not 'Nobility,'" Byakuya said.
Amanda's eyes narrowed, "'Nobility' is what you make of it. If you mean the rich families of Japan, such as the Shihôin, then the answer you seek is no. There is no 'Nobility' here. Buncha-"
"I will cut you off before you insult someone," Arthur said, "And I will also mention this. Any non-General or non-royal to call Amanda by anything other than 'ma'am' or 'General Let' will receive punishment from me from this point on, unless she gives permission to them to call her something else, of course."
"Lancelot and Merlin have permission already and those you are training with the new king do as well," Amanda said.
"TOMATO SOUP CAKE!" someone suddenly yelled.
Amanda disappeared as did Merlin.
Arthur was just suddenly holding a plate with piece of reddish cake with creamy white icing on top. He grinned and took a bite of cake before walking off toward a large building in the distance.
"Where did this come from?" Moria suddenly asked as she looked at the plate with cake on it. Shinji and Sajin each had cake as well.
Sajin sniffed the cake and then glanced at Arthur who still wore a cheesy grin, "I think his majesty got it for us, looks like he got some for his trainees as well."
Moria glanced at Ichigo and co. and noticed that Ichigo looked just as confused as the rest. Rukia looked to be taking a speculative bite and she smiled before taking another.
Moria shrugged and then took a bite as well. She smiled, slightly and the smile was gone quickly, as she tasted the confection.
The cake could be described as a spice cake and on the top, was cream cheese icing.
It was a little bit of sweet in what could be a whole lot of bitterness very soon, especially if her children were killed.
For a few hours it was calm and then Lancelot returned and spoke to Arthur, who upon hearing the news gave Lancelot an order and went to collect those that had come with him to get back the Komamura children.
When they were all gathered Arthur spoke, "The children have been found, but the area that they were found in concerns me."
"The elemental zone?" Amanda asked.
"How did you know?" Arthur asked.
"It's where I used to train. If you have a group then the elements are random that you have to fight. But if there is only one person going then just the element of the person there come to the fore front."
"That doesn't seem so bad," Yamamoto said and then noticed Amanda shake her head, "What?"
"It is more complicated than that. The elements that attack are not the elements that the hollows use; it is the element that has to defeat them. The orders for that area are, to go in alone, or with every element at your disposal. We are missing the water element the last time I checked."
Suddenly, Lancelot appeared and threw down someone, "No we are not. This boy has both the Ice and Water element. He is also very strong. Captain class."
"Where the hell are we?" Hitsugaya asked as he sat up. He was now taller than he had been but his voice cracked at the beginning of the question.
Amanda smiled and then said, "We seem to have everything we need now. Fights going toward the center of the elemental zone are one on one. Those going outwards are less strict. Are the children in the center?"
"Yes," Lancelot said, "I saw a building of some sort there. I was above so I must not have been noticed. But, I couldn't go down past a certain point. Is there seki-seki rock there?"
Amanda nodded, "There is an invisible fence. The rock is under the ground and encircles the entire area. A long time ago someone placed a fence to signify where the barrier starts. There are only three entrances into that area and they are signified by a large gap in the fence."
"Any other rules to combat?" Yamamoto asked.
"While headed toward the center only one person may have their zanpaku-tô drawn at a time. Also, you are allowed to attack someone that is not a part of the fight and kill up to twelve enemies before you kill your opponent. The first three or four fights are usually non-elemental. After that elements are declared. Kidô has no effect there, not even binding spells. Healing only works between fights but there will be little time for it. On the way out everyone may have their blade drawn but a single element is chosen to defeat the hollows there. ANYONE can fight then but only that element can deal killing blows. Kidô works during that time as well."
Urahara piped up here, "Are there mixed elements General Let?"
Amanda nodded, "But only if they are available to us."
"Lancelot and I will claim the first fights that are non-elemental then. Our elements allow us to move faster than anyone here," Arthur said, "So we can kill the extra twelve much faster and move ahead more quickly."
"I have no problem with that," Amanda said, "I doubt we will see what you do though."
"If you didn't see the rock paper scissors tournament we just had then no," Lancelot said.
"Who won?" Ichigo asked.
Arthur nodded his head toward Lancelot who lifted his hand.
"How many rounds," Renji asked.
"206 draws and one loss," Arthur said, "All in less than a second."
The jaws of the Visoreds dropped as did a few others.
"Damn," Shinji muttered, "And here I thought Ichigo's bankai was fast."
Ichigo blinked at Shinji and then looked at Arthur and Lancelot, "That was actually a short tournament. I witnessed one that lasted two seconds before. How many rounds was that one?"
"2891," Lancelot and Arthur said at the same time.
"Damn," Shinji said again.
"We had better get going," Amanda said and then glanced around, "Also, another rule in the elemental zone. Nothing on your person that will reveal your rank," as she said this she removed her vest and placed it on, what appeared to be, a coat rack. The coat rack then moved toward the Captains, who removed their haoris and placed them on the item, after Urahara.
"That was an interesting item," Urahara said as they ran toward the elemental zone, "What is it?"
"Several people, myself included, call it Bob. It's self aware, I know that much. The head of our R&D created it," Amanda said as they ran, "I'll put you in contact with him after the children are safe and well if you like."
Urahara smiled, "I'd like that."
End Chapter 31