(A/N: So now I continue from where I left off. This chapter is rather long, containing two majorly serious events. Please enjoy it nonetheless.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tales of the Abyss
Luke's pov
Three years later
It had been three years since I had been transferred to 10th Division. To be honest I like it here. Since my promotion, Asch and I have both mastered using Shunpo in three dimensions and air walking. I haven't heard much from him lately though; he must be hard at work constantly. 2nd Division seems like a good place for him. It'll harden his skill. 10th Division though feels more like home with Captain Hitsugaya, Vice-Captain Matsumoto and Paruna-sensei around all the time. With such friendly co-workers I feel right at home.
But it isn't home, I thought to myself as I lay against my bed post as the sun set out my window off to my right.
Suddenly there was a knock at my door followed by a cheerful, "Knock knock," from Rangiku, which was followed by her opening my door, "How're you doing Luke?" she asked.
"Fine I guess," I said moving my legs off the side of the bed and getting up, "What's up?" I asked her.
"Captain Hitsugaya wants to see you, Gina and me in his office, he says it's important. I think he's sending us on an assignment," she clapped her hands, "Won't that be fun?"
"It'll be better than desk work," I said following her out the door. Once we were in Captain Hitsugaya's office Paruna-sensei was already there.
"Luke, Matsumoto, good to see you both," he said, "Now that you two and Paruna-san are here I can explain what this is all about," he took a deep breath and began to explain, "We've received reports of strange attacks out in South Rukongai 15. The attacks are by night and the victims of these attacks seem to be disconnected."
"What are the constraints?" Paruna-sensei asked.
"Central 46 suspects hollow activity, if so we'd like any specimen brought back alive and delivered to 12th Division, however if it is a soul you are authorized to use force to apprehend the subject. This mission will grant you up to six months of field time. If you find anything report back to Seireitai via Hell Butterfly immediately," Captain Hitsugaya explained.
"What about contacts?" Rangiku asked.
"I'll be sending you to the location of the last known attack. You'll be staying by campfire in order to stay alert. Your caravan and supplies will be waiting for you at the South gate. Are the any more questions?" Captain Hitsugaya asked.
"No sir!" we said together.
"Good," he said, "Then get a move on!"
A mission with Vice Captain Matsumoto and Paruna-sensei, I thought as I walked down the halls with my teammates, this is so exciting.
South Rukongai 15, Evening
As the three of us sat around the fire eating our meals Rangiku sighed, "I can't believe our whole first day of the investigation went by and we didn't learn a single clue leading us to our culprit," she said kicking her feet.
"It could just be another random hollow attack," Paruna-sensei said blowing on her tea.
"Maybe," I said.
"So Gina," Rangiku changed the subject, "I heard you were down at 6th Division the other day merrily chatting with Captain Kuchiki what's that about?"
"That's really none of your business," Gina said with a straight face, sipping her tea.
"Ah c'mon," Rangiku pleaded, "Why can't you tell us?"
Before Gina could answer the three of us heard a hollow's roar.
"Looks like Central 46 was right," I said grabbing my Zanpakuto.
"Let's go," Rangiku ordered.
We rushed off in the direction of the hollow attack, but when we reached the area, we didn't find exactly what we were expecting. As we arrived in the area, from out of the ground rose a long, lengthy sea serpent like hollow. It had to be twice the size of the Tartarus. Its spiritual pressure was enormous.
"I see, it's been hiding in the shadows along the ground," Paruna-sensei identified, that's how it's been able to avoid detection all this time."
"It's enormous," Rangiku said.
"Who cares the bigger they are the harder they fall!" I said, "If we let its size intimidate us we won't get anywhere!"
"Hold up there Luke, that's an Adjuchas, I don't know if we have the power to defeat something like that," Paruna-sensei said.
"We do and we will, as long as we fight together!" I told her. "Rangiku get my back!" I barked and shunpoed away to the massive creature in front of us. I made my way to slash at the face of the overwhelming large creature, but it tightened its gaze and whipped my front with its tail to the ground with a large thud. I could feel as my spine took a big hit and I was stuck for a second. The Hollow then made to slam its tail on top of me, but I got the feeling of movement back and rolled out the way before the attack connected. I leaped up once more and jumped back to create some distance. I looked around me and saw Rangiku coming from the side of me.
"Hado number 31, Shakkaho!" She cried out and unleashed a ball of red energy at the creatures head; he blocked the shot with his tail once more, but not without taking some recoil with that. I made to run at him again, but Paruna-sensei grabbed me from behind.
"Luke, hold on a sec, you're way out of your mind if you are just going to run in like that!" she scolded me. I nodded with some agreement as she released my shoulder.
"Then cover me," I spoke out standing upright with a stern look. "I'm going to use the attack I showed Captain-Hitsugaya." Rangiku only raised an eyebrow but it immediately registered to Paruna-sensei as she took off. Rangiku shrugged and went for it anyway while following Paruna-sensei. I closed my eyes like I did before and threw open my hands at my sides palms. I started to chant, "Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring," A large yellow ball of energy appeared in my right hand, "On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens," A disk of blue fire and lightning appeared in my left. I brought my hands together, "Combine," I said softly and combined the spells into a larger, dark blue ball of energy that.
"Luke, watch out!" Rangiku's voice broke my concentration. I opened my eyes to find that a large tail was about to whiplash at me, which it did and caused the Hado in my hand to erupt and explode with me still holding it, the blast radius was close to around fifty meters as I was blown backwards with the pain surging into every nerve of my body. I finally landed on the ground with great force that shook every corner of me, I could barely open my eyes as fatigue caught on quick. I found myself going numb and eventually blackening out.
I woke up only to find myself lying in a large bed of grass. When I got up I looked around to see myself in a savanna of sorts with the color of the grass golden. When I looked up the sky, it showed a sunset in the distance in front of me with the sun halfway down the horizon.
"Where am I?" I asked myself. I turned around to see what else was around, that's when I saw a huge tree stretching out from the ground. It had to be almost three times the size of the Tartarus. The leaves that covered the tree were crimson in color.
"Luke." A voice called out to me. I shuffled around, reached for my blade, and drew it out in front of me. "Do not be afraid, I'm a friend." The voice spoke again.
"Where are you!" I cried out.
"Above you." I looked up, up in a tree was a large lion. It looked rather fierce with its golden eyes and a fur and mane a bright and shining crimson, much like my hair. He jumped down from the branch and landed in front of me. He was almost the size of the Liger Queen, if not slightly bigger. He was rather intimidating.
"I see, this is my inner world." I realized as I look around with interest. "And you must be my Zanpakuto spirit?" The lion nodded its head.
"Now's not the time for greetings Luke, there is a fight you must win." The lion said to me. It occurred to me that I'm out cold and Paruna-sensei and Rangiku are still fighting. All I knew was, I got to help them. "Now listen to me."
Rangiku's POV
The Hollow has been giving us a hard time for a while. After I failed to get Luke covered he probably suffered heavy injuries or worse. Gina and I have been trying to get to him but this thing won't give us a chance. Even Haineko is not enough for this thing and Paruna is having trouble fighting, and this thing is not taking enough damage for us to win. "Damn it!" I cursed. "I'm such an idiot."
In the corner of my eye I was shocked to see Luke standing and walking towards us, idly. His uniform is tattered and a good portion got burned away showing his right side of his chest and arm clearly, showing first-degree burns. "Luke don't fight anymore, you can't continue this!" Paruna cried out, but he just drew closer to the giant hollow. "Luke!"
Luke's POV
I can hear both Rangiku and Paruna-sensei in the background screaming at me, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I drew closer, sword in hand, and pain still surging. The creature looked at me with a large grin and lunged itself with his mouth wide opened.
"Luke!" I heard in the background from Rangiku and Paruna-sensei in unison.
I'm not going to die now! I placed my sword in front of me. I have a promise that I have to keep! A surge of spiritual pressure snaps out of my sword and forces the creature back. "Now, burn! Nenshou Shikon!"
There was a powerful surge of red spiritual pressure that surrounded me. My sword transformed into a much longer sword, like a scimitar, but without the crazy blade shape. It was like a combination between a Scimitar and long sword with the way it was shaped and a portion of it was hollowed out. The guard on the blade extended into two demonic looking wing tips with a Jade colored eye shaped gem as part of the center. The guard itself was dark brown and along the handle the sword was gold plated. With an almost uncatchable flick of my wrist a line of flame ran down the blade to the tip and then down the other side before the entire blade portion of the sword was wreathed in flame. The hollow roared and opened its mouth as a large red beam could be seen forming.
A cero, I thought and shifted my Zanpakuto's position over to my right hand side and put both hands on the blade before shooting a stream of fire up towards the creature's mouth to contend with the Cero. Fire and hollow flash collided in a battle of will power and mine would not wane. I would not fall, not now. Not until I saw Tear again. The hollow's cero pushed onto my fire stream, but with a loud battle cry I flared my spiritual power and send the fire stream up and through the hollow's mask, defeating it. Or so I thought, but my attack wasn't enough to destroy the mask, only to crack into it.
"Luke, stop fighting you're going to pass out!" I could hear Paruna-sensei, but I ignored her. Only I could stop this thing from killing all of us, and I would, and I wouldn't die in doing so.
Luke, listen to me, I could hear Nenshou Shikon talking to me, You'll never defeat this thing if you attack it head on it's too powerful.
What do you suggest? I asked him.
You've already seemed to come to understand a portion of my power, in time you will learn all I can help you learn, but for now I shall guide you in using this small portion to help you survive, he said to me
I'm listening
The fire you wield along this blade is controlled by your own adrenaline and use of spirit energy, you can do almost any free form attack with it, by moving with it and letting your spirit energy flow properly,he instructed.
So if I think it and move at the same time, I can do it? I asked in confirmation
Yes, now quickly it's coming, Indeed the hollow had recovered from my earlier strike and made to strike me with his tail. Following Nenshou Shikon's instructions I dodged to the side using Shunpo and hacked upwards, extending the length of the flame and cut off the tail. The Menos howled in pain and dove towards me with its mouth. Putting both hands on my blade I raised my sword above my head. I sent massive amounts of spirit energy up through my arms into my hands and channeled it around the blade giving Nenshou Shikon an incredibly large fiery aura. When the Menos was in my specified range I swung down and let out a fierce battle cry as a fiery shockwave let off the blade and split the hollow right down the middle. It disintegrated into the air. I put Nenshou Shikon in the ground and slumped over onto it in exhaustion.
"Luke that was amazing," I heard Paruna-sensei cry with glee as she hugged me from the right side.
"You did good Luke, quite impressive," Rangiku said standing in front of me as I looked up at her. As I did though, I could feel my vision getting hazy and eventually slumped forward onto the ground and fell unconscious.
When I came too I was in 4th Division Vice Captain Kotetsu had her hand on a cold pack that seemed to be on my head and Hanataro appeared to be treating the wounds and burns on my right arm.
"Ahhh, he's awake," Vice Captain Kotetsu declared with a smile.
"How long have I been out?" I asked.
"Only a couple of hours," Hanataro said, "Matsumoto-san and Paruna-sama brought you here you had mild heat cramps, some wounds and minor burns, nothing we couldn't take care of.
Vice Captain Kotetsu removed the pack from my head and replaced it with a damp rag and rubbed it over my forehead.
"Taicho should be here with your charts any minute," Vice Captain Kotetsu said.
As she said that I heard Unohana-taicho's voice say, "I have them right now Isane," she said.
"Ah hello Unohana-taicho do you want us to leave so you can talk to Luke-san?" Hanataro asked her.
"Yes please," she said. Both individuals left the room, "If you're feeling strong enough, sit up," she said kindly.
"Ok," I said sitting up and leaning against the backboard of the bed.
"Your readings look normal, rest for a couple more hours and you should be fine. However, one thing in your chart concerns me," she said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I detected abnormal spiritual power waves of high temperatures fluctuating throughout your body. That of which were not present during your last routine check up here," she explained.
"Well I did learn my Zanpakuto's name and use it in battle," I said, "Would that have something to do with it?"
"Hmm," Unohana-taicho took out a pencil and began making marks on the paper on her clipboard, "If I factor that in given the readings I'd say that if your Zanpakuto was fire-based that it would explain these abnormal waves."
I nodded, "It is fire based."
"I see then there is nothing to worry about," Unohana-taicho set the clipboard down on a desk, "Rest for a couple more hours and then you may leave. I'll ask Captain Hitsugaya to have your work waivered for you for today and tomorrow."
"Thank you," I said to her. She smiled and left.
I looked down at my hands clenched them and pulled them towards me with a giant grin on my face. I was so proud of myself. I had finally learned Shikai. I was one step closer to being able to going back home.
Two weeks later
Luke's quarters
I was back at the office doing run of the mill paperwork, part of which was my report on my mission a couple of weeks ago with Rangiku and Paruna-sensei. As I finished one particular stack I clipped it together and went to go give it to Rangiku in her office. I knocked on the door.
"Vice Captain," I said in a welcoming tone.
"Just a second," I heard from inside. After waiting a few moments Rangiku came and opened the door, "Oh good afternoon Luke what can I do for you?" she asked.
"Paperwork," I said handing her the stack, "Part of the report for the mission we went on," I said.
"I see," she said taking them, "It's a good thing you stopped by a summons paper was delivered to my office. You're wanted for a meeting with Captain and Vice Captain Kurotsuchi in 12th Division."
"Huh why me? Why there?" I asked.
Rangiku shrugged, "Beats the heck out of me, Kurotsuchi's crazy, you'd best not keep him waiting though, unless you want to end up like I do when Captain Hitsugaya finds me slacking off."
"Eew," I responded, "I'll go see him right away," And with that I left for 12th Division. I saw Asch arriving at the same time I was. He also seemed to have a similar document that Rangiku had handed me, "I wonder why Captain Kurotsuchi needs us both," I said.
"Who knows?" Asch sighed and we entered the building side by side.
Vice Captain Kurotsuchi was waiting for us in the main lobby, "Good day Fon Fabre-san," she bowed to me, "and Fon Fabre-sama," she bowed to Asch, "Mayuri-sama is waiting for you upstairs, please follow me."
We followed Vice Captain Kurotsuchi up the stairs to her captain's office and knocked,
"What what is it?" Came the shrill voice from inside, quite annoyed I might add.
"Mayuri-sama, Fon Fabre-san and Fon Fabre-sama are here to see you," she said passively.
The voice calmed down, "Ah good excellent, bring them in,"
"Yes sir," Nemu opened the door for us and Asch and gestured for Asch and me to enter. Walking around the office it felt like I was back in Belkend with all the different machines sitting around doing something, although once more I'm not sure what they do like the ones back at the actual city. This whole place makes me shudder.
"Good afternoon 7th Seat Asch, 8th Seat Luke, so happy you could drop by," Captain Kurotsuchi said with a satanic grin on his face. He looked like his wardrobe had malfunctioned several times worse than Dist's.
What's with this guy, I thought to myself.
"Someone I would rather not meet again" Asch said to me telepathically.
Captain Kurotsuchi continued speaking, "You're probably wondering why I've called you both down here right about now am I right? You certainly shouldn't suspect that you're in any trouble at the very least. Far from it in fact," neither of us opened our mouths so he continued speaking, sliding his pasty white, boney hands onto the table, "As you may or may not be aware of my division specializes in Research and Development, and all documents regarding seated officer profiles are sent to my division for storage. Being the researcher I am, I happened to take careful look at your profiles. In doing so I noticed quite a few similarities between you both, not just in appearance, but also in DNA. I read the reports about how you were found. I can't say I buy your last names as a coincidence, a related location of residence, or even as a family bond, not even twins. Your DNA matches too closely together for that. By my research your DNA overlaps at precisely 96.999% similarity. I found this fascinating and so I sent forth an investigation request to Central 46 that of which was approved. Then I sent investigative reports to your vice captains which was also approved. And so with that settled the reason you are here is that under these conditions you are both hereby allowed to be studied by me. I've never come across such interesting individuals such as yourselves."
SAY WHAT? I screamed internally.
"Bull Shit, I'm no one's lab rat. What the hell are our vice-captains thinking?" Asch asked me.
You say that like it's my fault, I told him.
"What do you mean study?" Asch said quite loudly.
"There's no need to yell," Captain Kuortsuchi continued as he wagged a finger, "You two will become fine research subjects. You will be given physical examinations, be subjected to sample testing and spend your next few weeks in the research lab containment center—"
"This is bull," I shouted, "Why didn't we get any say in this!"
"When the members of Central 46 approved my study you lost all right to have any say at all. All I needed was to ask your vice-captains to give you summon papers so that I could speak to you about this before testing started," he explained.
"I'm not going to sit around and accept this. I deny this right because it's not!" Asch raged.
"Please, research subjects have no rights to open their mouths in protest," he rose from his seat and pointed to a door on the far end of the room, "Now if you'll please follow me to the research laboratory we can get started."
Asch and I both drew out our Zanpakuto's and brandished them towards Captain Kurotsuchi, "Since we have no say, we'll fight for it!" we declared together.
Captain Kurotsuchi sighed, "I don't really see what the big fuss is all about. It's not like you aren't going to be well treated while I'm studying you."
"That's not the point!" we shouted together.
"Dear dear, and to think I just had this office cleaned. If you won't come quietly," he placed a hand on his sword hilt, "I have no qualms about using force," he drew out his sword, "Midway through the drawing however he said, "Claw out, Ashisogi Jizou!"
"Burn!" I shouted, "Neshou Shinkon!"
"Flash!" Asch shouted, "Chikaminari!" I was surprised to see Asch shout a release command and weapon name. I looked as dark red lightning spiraled downward around his sword before transforming it. In its transformed state Asch's Zanpakuto's blade turned dark crimson. Along with that, crimson colored spirit particles gathered on his shoulders before transforming into crimson colored, metallic pauldrons.
"Since when could you use Shikai?" I asked Asch.
"A while ago dreck, where have you been," he responded.
We stared Kurotsuchi down, but before the fight could even begin the Onmitsukido swarmed the office.
"Asch and Luke Fon Fabre you are under arrest for the release of Shikai with the intent of harm against a Captain of the Gotei 13," Captain Soifon announced as she entered the area as the Onmitsukido attempted to restrain us.
No I will not take this lying down! I declared internally.
"Captain did you know anything about us being test subjects?" Asch shouted interrogatively.
"Whatever your reasoning it is irrelevant!" Soifon declared, "If you have any justification you can take it up with Central 46!"
"Damn it! This is bullshit!" Asch exclaimed.
"Some law and order system this society turns out to be! It's goddamn corrupt!" I added.
"Silence!" Soifon shouted, "Now either both of you come quietly or I will not hesitate to use force to bring you in. If your justification is valid there may not be a problem, but for now I suggest you don't do anything to make the situation worse for yourselves"
Asch and I gritted our teeth and sheathed our swords and allowed ourselves to be brought to Central 46, whereby we stood alone in the dark before them.
"Luke Fon Fabre of Squad 10 and Asch Fon Fabre of Squad 2, you stand before us on the charge of breaching contract to an in depth study with 12th Division and for releasing your Shikais with the intent of harm against a Captain of the Gotei 13. How do you plead guilty or not-guilty?" one of the members said to us.
"Guilty," I said.
"Guilty," Asch stated.
"I see, then we shall begin the sentencing," another member said.
"H-Hold up! Just like that without hearing a thing we said you're just going to sentence us just like that!" I outburst.
"You have not been given authorization to speak Luke Fon Fabre, another outburst and you will be held in contempt of court," Another member stated.
"Hold up there number 32, if they believe that they have a justification for their actions they are allowed to give their reasoning," another member spoke.
"Number 17 I'm sure you understand the severity of the situation, and what logical reasoning could any sane person have for releasing Shikai against a Gotei 13 captain," yet another member said.
"Nevertheless we are required to give them the benefit of the doubt, it's not like they are being held to a crime by evidence only their actions have brought them here, this meeting is not the result of an investigation, but rather one of arrest in mid-action, we are required to hear all the facts before we pass judgment in these scenarios," Number 17 stated again.
"Whose side are you on number 17? Both individuals here have admitted their own guilt what reason is there to allow them to justify their actions," another member spoke.
"I concur," someone else added, "By admitting their own guilt they have given us the right to pass our judgment."
"What about that wretch Mayuri who went behind our backs and made petitions for us to be used as lab rats!" Asch shouted.
"12th Division has authorization to conduct individual studies on Shinigami personnel. Once we have approved authorization how they go about the study is their business," a member said.
"If that's their reasoning there's no reason not to past judgment number one," a member stated.
"Are you serious? What kind of court is this that justifies human experimentation?" I shouted.
"Experimentation? Don't get your words mixed up. 12th Division conducts studies not experiments," a member rejected my justification.
"Bullshit, have you guys even been to 12th division? And why has this been approved without us being the least bit notified!" Asch called out. "I heard absolutely nothing of this!"
Number 32 spoke again, "It appears someone is in need of reviewing the chain of command board. Our word is final. If we had rejected Captain Kurotsuchi's study you would've been notified and been allowed to have say on whether or not to participate. Be that as it may it is not our place to investigate the Gotei 13 on a whim, what the Captains do to progress the Gotei 13 is there business. Our actions are to affect the Gotei 13 as a whole. We are not accommodators for every last Shinigami in the Gotei 13."
"Some lawful government these guys turn out to be," I whispered.
"For once I agree with you, this why I hate politics," Asch whispered back.
"Now then your judgment is as follows. You will both be stripped of your rank as officers of the Gotei 13, your Zanpakuto's will be confiscated and you will be placed in the Detention Center until further notice, are there any objections?" Number one spoke.
Asch and I gritted our teeth, but did not respond, suddenly the door opened and a figure stepped through, but having been in the darkness so long I couldn't make the individual out.
"What are you doing here, council is in session!" one of the members barked at the intruding individual.
Another, taller figure stepped in from behind the first one, "My 4th Seat has come here to speak on behalf of the convicted as part of the investigation," I recognized Unohana's voice, but what could her 4th seat possibly do for us.
"Does he have something to say regarding the situation?" one of the members asked Captain Unohana.
"Go ahead Hakutan-san," the first figure moved closer into the room, but because of the way the light reflected on him, I still couldn't get a good look.
"Members of Central 46, do you recall when I stood before you no more than three quarters of a decade ago about how I was mistreated and experimented on in 12th division in hopes of the captain learning something about the peculiar way my DNA was structured. These two individuals here were to be subject to the same conditions if they hadn't fought back," I recognized his voice.
"Ion…" I said softly. I couldn't react, couldn't think, could hardly remember to breathe. Ion, Fon Master Ion, I was hearing his voice, he was here, in Soul Society, defending Asch and me.
Ion continued to speak, his voice was all I could hear besides the loud pounding of my own heart inside my head, "I can speak to that effect, because I know these individuals. They are from the same sector of the world of the living that I am from," Ion walked down the steps and I could finally make out his features. His hair hadn't changed and he was wearing a Shihakusho, "Sector 2354, Auldrant."
"Well," one of the members of Central 46 said awkwardly, "That changes things. Luke, Asch we apologize for the trouble we've caused you. However, we advise that until further notice you are both to avoid 12th Division until six months after we have Captain Kurotsuchi's study of you two repealed."
"This meeting is adjourned," number one said, and the members of Central 46 filed out.
After the members left the lights came on and Ion walked all the way down the stairs, "Glad I got here in time, any sooner and I would've been too late. You two okay?"
Flashback
"Shut up, you've helped us out a million times, and you'll keep helping," I told Ion.
"Luke don't look at me like that, there are plenty of replacements for me…" Ion said
"How can you say that?" I asked him, "Those other replicas don't know me at all. You're the only Ion that went to the Cheagle woods with me."
Ion looked over to Tear, "Tear. Come Closer," Tear approached him, "I will take the Miasma from your body into my own.
"But Fon Master you'll…" Tear started to say.
"I told you before, there's only one way to save you," Ion told her, "The Seventh Fonons are drawn to one another. As my own Seventh Fonons dissipate so will your contaminated ones."
"Ion!" I shouted in alarm.
"Don't you see," he was starting to get short of breath, "This way…Tear is…safe."
"Ion," Anise said from a few feet away.
"You don't have to…watch over me…any more…Anise," Ion said to her.
"I'm so sorry," she apologized, "I…I…"
"Thank you…for everything…my most…cherished…" that was the last Ion said as he went limp.
"Ion!" Anise shouted and then all too soon Ion's body completely faded away.
End Flashback
"I'm glad to see someone took our side," Asch said to Ion.
Ion looked at the floor in sorrow, maybe even shame, "Seven years ago I was subject to the same experiments you two were going to be. It wasn't exactly pleasant. As I said to Central 46 Kurotsuchi wanted to find out more about the strange way my DNA was structured that allowed me to be supremely efficient in Kido the likes of which haven't been seen in the last two millennium. During the experiments I fell ill and Captain Unohana fought against Central 46 to have the experiment called off," he picked his head up and spoke normally, "I had just come back from a mission to the world of the living only a couple of weeks ago. When I heard that you two were high ranking Shinigami officers I wanted to go see you, but the paperwork was stacked up to here," Ion indicated the size of the stack with his hand, "So I finished my work about a couple hours ago and went to go to 10th Division to see you Luke only to learn from your Captain that you had been taken to Central 46. When I learned from your Vice Captain about your summons papers I immediately understood the situation, even when I learned that Asch was with you in this, it didn't change the situation. I couldn't let you two be subject to the same thing I was. You two suffered enough due to the replica experiments, you don't need to see the inside of a laboratory again. It wouldn't have been right for me to allow it as the former Fon Master of Auldrant, not when there was something I could do about it."
Unohana spoke as Ion took a breath, "To be honest I didn't know if Central 46 would listen to Hakutan-san, but he was very adamant about coming here. He told me that he had to try, he said that even if he failed that it would've been better than abandoning you two to your fates."
Ion spoke again, ""Isn't that what you fought for since I died, to turn people away from their fates, away from Yulia's score. If there was a chance to do the same for you both here, I was going to take it, no matter the cost."
"If we're going to continue this conversation," Asch said with a sigh, "Can we at least do it somewhere else, I've had it with this freaking place."
"I concur," Ion said, "Let us leave." Everyone proceeded to leave, but my feet were like lead, "Luke are you coming?" Ion asked.
"Yeah I'm coming," I said scrambling forward. We all walked together, not a word until we reached a serene garden that was part of 4th Division.
"I should go inform Captain Soifon and inform her of what's happened if she hasn't heard already," Asch stated and made his leave.
"And I should return to my duties," Captain Unohana looked at Ion, "I'll see you inside Hakutan-san,"
"Yes ma'am," Ion responded and Ion's Captain went inside.
"Ion, I don't know what to say," I stuttered.
"I know you're probably surprised to see me. I mean after everything that had happened in Auldrant i can understand you're shocked. Ask me anything and I'll try to answer it as best I can." He said.
"How long have you been in the Gotei so far?" I asked him.
"I've been in the Gotei almost a decade as far as Soul Society's clock is concerned,"
"A decade? So you must be used to things around here by now huh?"
"Well I was on a mission to the world of the living for the last 4 years, so I haven't been around much lately, but for the 6 I was in Seireitai yeah I'd say I understand a lot of how things run around here," he said with a smile.
"So you must know your Shikai by now," I inquired.
Ion nodded, "I'm the 4th seat of my division of course I know my Shikai,"
"Wow that's so cool that you can do that!" I exclaimed.
Ion laughed joyously and then became serious, "I'm more concerned as to what you're doing here. What happened in Auldrant? Where is everyone? Why is it only you and Asch that are here?" he wanted to know.
"Well, you see in the end we defeated Van and saved everyone but," I became sorrowful as I recalled events, "Asch and I died in the process. He died in combat and I faded away in the end."
Ion appeared confused, "Huh, why did you fade away?"
"Well the miasma was getting worse there wasn't any way to neutralize it without cost. In order to wipe it out, around ten-thousand of us replica's had to come together and use Hyperreasonance to wipe it out that way, however the result was all of their deaths." I gulped, "I survived at first, but in the end it was slowly killing me because the fonons in my body grew unstable and started to separate."
"I see, so that explains it," there was a brief pause before Ion asked, "Do…do the others miss me?"
"Of course you dummy. Everyone misses you. Tear always sang the fonic hymn at the church for you everytime we were around." I told him.
"And Anise, does she...blame herself for what happened?" he wanted to know.
"Yeah, she does. It was hard for her to get over of afterwards," I said, "but she's doing fine now." Ion seemed slightly relieved at hearing this, "By the way, since you are in the Gotei you should have a lot more strength then you did back at Auldrant, you were always sickly," I said.
"Yes, I'm doing much better ever since I became a Shinigami. I get a really bad headache or two every now and then, but they're far and few in between. I meditate twice a week as well, Captain Unohana prescribed that I do so. She's such a nice person, she's always looking out for me," he said happily.
"By the way, speaking of Captain Unohana, why are you constantly called Hakutan-san by her?" I asked him.
"Oh I was found in 3rd district Rukongai which is known as Hakutan so I was known as Ion from Hakutan here in the Gotei so Hakutan became my surname," he explained and then asked, "Which Rukongai sector did you and Asch wind up in?"
"Junrinan," I answered.
He laughed, "Yes I suppose that would make sense." After a brief pause he asked, "So what made you decide to become a Shinigami? I became one because I learned it would make me healthier and I could help people by becoming one."
"I want to find a way to go back to Auldrant any way I can. I made a promise that I'm going to keep," I said.
"Well the only way I know you could do that is if you were assigned a mission to the world of the living in Auldrant's sector, but even then you'd only be able to stay for a short while until you're called back," he said.
"So then I can never really go back?" I asked, "Come on Ion, isn't there another way?"
"There is, but it would be really difficult," he said.
"Tell me what it is. I'll do it," I said.
"You would have to become a captain," he said, "Captains make their own rules and missions, they have no accountability except for Central 46, as you just found out not too long ago, as well as the Head Captain himself. But right now all the captain positions are filled."
"So then how can I replace one of the current captains?" I asked.
"I don't know, but I know that until you get Bankai you can't even hope to become a captain, that is, unless you can beat one of the captains in a one-on-one duel without any strings attached," he said.
"I think I'll pass on that one," I gulped.
"Well then you look into getting Bankai, I'll look into seeing how you can become a captain," Ion said.
"Bankai is the final state of a Zanpakuto's release right?" I asked.
Ion nodded, "You an Asch should concentrate on getting your Bankais, you guys do want to be strong don't you?"
"Of course, but what about you, don't you want to be a captain?" I asked.
Ion looked at his sword and massaged the scabbard, "Kisekimaru is worried that I don't have the physical stamina to start my Bankai training," he looked at me again, "besides," he smiled, "The front lines really aren't for me. I'm much happier being support." (Kisekimaru = Miracle)
Luke
What is it Nenshou Shikon? I asked my Zanpakuto.
We should get going, your captain will want to know what's taking you so long to return, he said.
I suppose so, I said.
"It's good to see you again Luke," Ion said, "If you ever need anything down in 4th Division don't hesitate to ask for me by name I'd be happy to see to your needs," he smiled.
"I'll be sure to do that," I said, "See ya around,"
"Bye Luke," Ion waved.
So, I thought to myself, as I crossed territory borderlines into neutral streets, If I want to go home, I have to become a captain, I've already learned Shikai, but that's not going to be good enough it seems. I'm going to have to become a captain. And in order to that I must learn Bankai, no matter how long it takes.
To be continued…
(A/N: So yeah, like I said, Reaaaally long chapter. So both Luke and Asch now have Shikai, too bad we didn't get a chance to see what Asch's can do. But that's sort of overshadowed by ION! The Fon Master of Auldrant now the 4th Seat of the 4th Division. All Ion fans should get out their fangasms and squeals now. I don't know when the next chapter will be out. I have to think of a plot idea for it, but don't worry it'll be out before you know it. See you all soon. DH19 out! Review and if you haven't already subscribe and Fave!)