Escape From The Underworld

Their slumber was rough. It was a trial to say the least, trying to sleep all the while listening to the rumbling howls of the beasts dwelling down below. The undead were unaware of how to manipulate ladders or doors and so those that had gone down into the sewers were not likely to rise back up to the surface. That was a small victory for the three young women, but it was eclipsed by the dilemmas they still faced.

They were trapped in this world, lost to the undead. Even if a large number had become isolated and trapped underground, the surface was still plagued with shambling corpses and all of them were becoming hungrier with each passing day. They were starving, their rations diminishing each and every day. This was a double edged sword. Although they were starving and therefore weakened, they were determined now. The ghouls were no longer content with just stumbling around in aimless circles, now they were hunting.

The trio understood that, but still they realised that the sewer was no longer safe. The ghouls had a way of getting in and the escape routes were barely standing. Soon enough nothing would be able to escape these festering rotting dungeons of the old world.

They decided they needed to resurface.

Meanwhile, Mayuri returned to Soul Society in secret. He created his own senkaimon rather than using those in the courtyard. He would have been discovered if he were to use them, and then his research would all be for naught. They would destroy everything! They would ruin his greatest creations!

He would not let them! The insane researcher stepped out into his laboratory. It was quiet. He waved at his pet and allowed it space to stagger into the room. The moving corpse was still in bad condition, much like Subject B. Repairs would have to be made, but the old elixir caused unforseen problems and resurrected the patient to their state of life. Mayuri did not want that. To restore life was to negate the evolution of the being. It was the state of living death that made his subjects so powerful. It was that which was the key to their immortality.

Thankfully, he had been working on a new drug intended to restore health in the body, but preserve their immortality. Mayuri was eager to test it out, but he feared the results would be disappointing. He could not risk Subject A, not now. Not when he had progressed so far...

No, he needed a guinea pig...But collecting ghouls would cause a definite stir amongst the other shinigami and his work would be placed at serious risk of discovery. Therefore, he could not simply go out and seek a ghoul, but rather draw one into the laboratory.

"Damn, Ukitake has swept Sereitei clean of all undead...I cannot get them past the walls either...It seems I will just have to test it on you after all..." The maniacal captain studied his prototype. He took extra notice of the dull yellow fangs which were beginning to rot. A foul black ichor was secreting from his grey gums and dripped from the cracked flayed lips. It was then that Mayuri discovered a way to solve his problems...

Mayuri moved to a small monitor beside the door and ascended the stairs to the main laboratory. He was greeted by the wide-eyed stare of one of the researchers, Hiyosu. He was a sickly green creature with bulbous eyes and the outward appearance of an obese, mutated frog. His teeth, much like the captains were in full view with any semblance of lips curled back to reveal even his gums.

"Captain? Where did you come from? I never knew there was a door there!"

Mayuri smiled wickedly, "Oh, Have I never shown you? My private laboratory is just behind this wall. Would you like to see it?"

Hiyosu's flabby fingers writhed about like maggots. "Of course, of course!"

The captain led the way. "I have been developing my cure for the virus down here, away from the distractions I must face above ground. I'm sure you understand?"

"Yes, yes. Of course." Hiyosu babbled, clasping his hands together eagerly.

"By the way Hiyosu," Mayuri muttered as he opened the sealed door into the underground chamber, "Have I ever introduced you to my friend Ichigo Kurosaki?"

As soon as the portals parted a ghoul lunged for the unwary scientist. Hiyosu's eyes bulged out of his head at the sight of the ghastly creature and he screamed as the beast tackled him to the ground and proceeded to tear his blubbery throat open. Hot searing blood gushed down over his white lab-coat and his body convulsed as Ichigo tore great chunks of discoloured flesh from the body and greedily consumed them. It was a welcome meal he had not been treated to in a long while.

Mayuri cackled as his subordinate was devoured, but before long he tugged on Ichigo's leash and called him back.

"Now, now. I don't want to spoil you do I? That is enough." He led Ichigo back to his cage and locked him up while he watched Hiyosu's corpse. Rigor mortis had set in now and the fat creature had become as stiff as a plank of wood. After a few minutes his body relaxed again.

Mayuri strolled over to the corpse and watched his eyes. The pupils had dissipated and the whites had turned a foggy grey. That was a good sign. The blood had also stopped flowing, another good sign. Mayuri clasped his hands together and waited...

Soon enough, Hiyosu's fingers began to twitch.

The intrepid trio of young women scoured the sewers for a way out. Many entrances had been sealed up or destroyed, most likely by the former survivors who had thrived down there for so long. They had kept out all the undead by carefully removing all accidental passageways for them to stumble or fall through.

This made matters worse however. After hours of aimlessly trudging through the putrid filth congealing in thick pools around them they had found no possible way out. Yet that was impossible. The undead had managed to find their way in not long ago. In fact Alice and Karin had just crawled down a manhole. There had to be at least one way out!

Together they would have to find the exit, however they had easily become lost in the labyrinth of interconnected tunnels and pipes. They weren't even sure they were still under Karakura anymore. For all they knew they could have been lost somewhere under the neighbouring city. Nevertheless the three young survivors continued their search well into the night. The faint slivers of sunlight that would occasionally filter into the tunnels ceased to pour through and the sear resumed in darkness.

Rukia led the way, fumbling around with her hands while Alice tagged along behind her with Karin clinging to her sleeve. Their progress was slower in the cover of darkness and when at last they had found a patch of dry concrete in the cesspool of filth they decided to rest again for another day.

Everyone huddled close to ensure they did not get lost in the all-encompassing darkness. They slept fitfully until the light of morning gave them an excuse to rise. When at last they were awake the second day of searching commenced.

It was not until the light had taken an orange haze, like stagnant flame that they found a ladder up to the surface. It was rusted and looked quite frail, but it still stood. There were no obstructions or seals either. It was entirely untouched by the hands of man, nor the undead it would seem as the manhole cover was still on.

Rukia climbed up first, using her inhuman strength to pry the cover from its long sealed position. Filth and dirt had encrusted between the crevices and weakly glued the cover in place. After a few heaves from the shinigami girl the cover lifted. Rukia then used her shoulders to balance the heavy slab as she climbed up ever so slowly. Alice and Karin waited down below arms outstretched and ready in case Rukia fell.

When she had successfully moved it aside a pure flood of light surged in. The glowing orange light splayed across the sewer pipes and the three young women who climbed out to the surface. When at last they were out in the fresh air the girls collapsed and took it all in.

The sight of the blanket of sky, the overhanging clouds stained the colour of blood by the setting sun. The smell of rotting flesh as opposed to the smell of excrement and sewerage. The sounds of a long dead city, the symphony of silence, as opposed to the echoed groans and rippling pools of filth. It was not paradise, but it was far better than the Hellish wasteland beneath the city.

"Karakura town..." Rukia whispered. "It's so different..."

"But it still feels like home." Karin uttered under her breath.

They all took in the ruins of the once beautiful town, now laid to waste, and caught their breath. Starvation was rearing its ugly head. The survivors were very much like their undead foe now. Both hungry and wasting away. A contest to see who would be able to feed first...

"We need food," Alice muttered, "and weapons."

"Where from?" Rukia asked, "There is no-one left to help us."

Karin's eyes narrowed. "Rukia, what about that odd shop-keeper? Urahara?"

"Urahara?" Rukia seemed to ponder the name for a moment, then her eyes lit up like miniature infernos. "Of course! Urahara must be alive! He has his shelter beneath the shop and enough supplies to last us months!"

"And weapons?" Alice inquired with a raised brow.

"He's a shinigami! Of course he has weapons!" Rukia answered, a new spirit in her voice. "We have a chance...If we can find him..."

"And if he is still alive," Alice snapped back a little too quickly, dampening their spirits. She frowned and glanced off into the sunset, "I don't want to dash your hopes too quickly, but so many people have died here. He may be a shinigami, but I've seen them succumb as well." She turned to Rukia at that point and the two stared at each other in uncomfortable silence.

Rukia eventually broke the silence, still with her gaze locked on Alice. "I'm willing to take the risk. I've faced death once already. Since we're already acquainted then I have no reason to fear him." She smiled bravely and rose to her feet, inciting the youngest of the group to jump up after her.

Alice sighed and went along with them, limping through the skeletal remains of Karakura town.

The howling wind accompanied them, carrying the distant mournful cries of the dead.

Captain Ukitake sat upon his throne and stared down the messengers assembled before him. They all bowed, hunched over with their heads lowered. He found it uncomfortable but he said nothing, awaiting their reports more than ever.

"Sir, captain commander Ukitake, the undead have been entirely pushed back beyond the walls. The guards on sentry have reported dwindling numbers in their ranks to the east and the south."

"Very good." Ukitake stated simply.

"Sir, the undead have been gradually receding from the outer walls. They are returning to the rukon districts."

"Thank you."

"Sir, captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi has requested to see you."

"Very well, bring him to me." Ukitake waved away the messengers and as soon as they left he rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Are you alright captain commander?" Kiyone asked, handing him a cup of sake. There were black rings around her eyes. It seemed she too had been running herself ragged. She was only a 3rd seat before all this mess. Now she was lieutenant of the 1st squad and as such in charge of many of Soul Society's internal affairs and management.

"Kiyone, go get some rest." he muttered listlessly.

"But sir, I cannot-" she was silenced by a wave of her superior's hand.

"I can manage by myself. All I have been doing lately is sitting here while you have been wearing yourself out. You need to rest."

"But I-"

"You are of no use to me if you are tired and weak!" Ukitake snapped. "Rest. Your mind will be sharper once you wake. As of now you are relieved of your duties until further notice." Kiyone looked devastated but bowed nonetheless and made to leave, but on her way out she caught a warm smile from her captain and realised he was only looking out for her. She returned the gesture and departed to her chambers.

Ukitake gaze out upon the world that was now his and awaited his audience with Mayuri. He was eager to find how the cure was coming along. A man of Kurotsuchi's calibre should have had no troubles creating a cure by now, but with the distractions as of late Ukitake decided to forgive his delays, however he vehemently wished for some results quite soon.

He had a bad feeling about all of this, yet he couldn't explain what exactly had him so disturbed...

Mayuri bowed as he made his entry into the meeting hall of the Gotei 13. Ukitake rested upon his throne, a look of urgency evidently etched upon his features. He looked as if he had aged since he had taken up his position as captain commander, something which made Mayuri smile.

"Captain Commander, I trust you are well?"

"Well enough Mayuri. Now what is it you wanted to see me about?" Ukitake spoke coldly.

The doctor's smile only widened at the harsh response. Despite his flashing grin he forced a tone of concern, "My, my. What have I done to deserve such scorn from you commander?"

"I'm not in the mood for playing around captain Kurotsuchi. Please just give me your report and be done with it!" The commander pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed in deeply. It appeared as if this conversation was physically painful to him.

"Very well then. If you must know I have made what I believe to be a breakthrough in my search for a cure to this accursed affliction." Mayuri's hands rubbed together, the bones of his fingers crackling like a bonfire. His eyes were wide with maniacal delights and his teeth chattered as he explained, "I have developed a possible cure at last.

"Marvellous!" Ukitake beamed, a youthful colour returning to his cheeks, "That is wonderful news!"

Mayuri raised his hands to signal quiet. "Now, now, commander. Any new drug must be properly tested before being released publicly. For this I require some subjects."

"Subjects?"

"Victims of the disease my good sir. I must collect some samples to begin testing. If the results are satisfactory then we will have our cure!"

"And if they aren't?" Ukitake asked.

"Trust me, the trial will succeed! There is no cause for concern; it is a mere formality that must be adhered."

Ukitake scowled, "So you wish to round up a herd of those ghouls to use as test subjects. That is what you are asking of me?"

"Yes, commander. With your permission I would like to scout out a few samples myself, however it would be incredibly dangerous to head out alone. Could you perchance offer me a troop of guards for my journey beyond the walls?" Mayuri's smile was venomous, but his unsettling expressions were a familiar sight to Ukitake who begrudgingly agreed. He saw no more malice behind those eyes than he had ever before and so he accepted the psychopath's demands.

"Fine. I will arrange a team to support you. I shall have them waiting in the courtyard by nightfall."

The madman grinned devilishly, "Thank you captain commander!" With that he made his leave, hobbling out into the corridor. When he was far out of earshot Mayuri broke into a fit of raucous uncontrollable laughter.

Everything was moving along according to plan...

I hope you enjoyed this long overdue chapter. Please review.