Chapter five of Hell on Earth - extended edition. Enjoy and review!

5: 'It's over!'

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT – SEIREITEI

A multitude of terrified researchers stared at a large screen on the wall. Their eyes were glued to the vicious battle raging on in the World Of The Living. The select few who weren't watching were analysing and monitoring other aspects of the fight. Their work was disrupted by a loud alarm.

"Kuchiki Rukia's vital signs are critical. Immediate attention is required. Someone get fourth squad down there NOW!"

"We're gonna need more than fourth for this one, that thing is freaking huge! Look at it! It's stomping that poor kid to death!"

As researchers argued messengers were hastily dispatched throughout soul society desperately urging assistance in the crisis in the real world. Despite their strenuous efforts many had doubts about whether their messages would be sent in time...

The monstrous hellhounds resumed stomping on its little toy. Ichigo's hollow mask was shattered completely as were many of his bones. Ichigo's broken body failed to respond to the ravenous beating. His fight was over and soon his life would be as well.

Shrieker watched with a savage grin, holding his wound with a blood-stained hand. The other waved towards Ichigo.

"End it now! It's time for us to leave."

Cerberus drooled over its meal; the acidic saliva that dripped from his massive jaws splattered the ground and the unfortunately placed opponent. Ichigo cried out in agony as his flesh was devoured by the deadly fluid.

The beast picked Ichigo up in its jaws and prepared to bite down and finish off his foe. Unfortunately for the ghastly creature, a spiked sword managed to intervene, slashing across its snout and leaving behind deep gashes. The monster roared, incidentally dropping Ichigo's lifeless body into the dirt.

Both pet and master glared at the senkaimon that opened just above their heads. Two shinigami passed through, one in a white Haori. The other held the barbed sword which was extended several metres. It quickly retracted, returning to its red-haired owner.

The red head shinigami expressed shock at the grim sight of his comrades lying in the street. "Ichigo...Rukia." The male warrior began to wobble, his knees weak from the awful images of his mortally wounded friends.

He was about to fall when the other shinigami in a captain's robe caught him and provided support.

"Don't worry we got here just in time." Her voice was calm and soothing making the other shinigami feel more at ease. She released her zanpakuto, Minazuki and her sword became glowing mass of spirit energy which soon formed into a huge one-eyed manta ray. It swooped down and swallowed Ichigo and Rukia.

The captain then turned to the hollows. "Are you Shrieker?" She addressed the revived hollow.

Shrieker smirked. "Yep, and I'm back!"

The captain stared at her foe and shook her head, bewildered. "I don't understand, you were slain months ago, how can you be alive?"

"I'm here to on a mission for the king of hell." Shrieker held his head high as he said it.

The captain's eyes opened wide, struck by his words. She stared wordlessly as Shrieker continued.

"I made a deal with him, I said if he let me live I would do any task for him." Shrieker's hideous grin grew wider as he spoke. "He graciously agreed and gave me my new body and new strength." He performed a mock flex and laughed hysterically.

"Impossible..." The captain whispered under her breath. She was still too stunned to reply properly.

"I was given the task of sacrificing souls for my lord's revival."

The captain, Retsu Unohana, struggled to comprehend her enemy's words. "Revival?" She asked with her brow raised.

"Yes! My lord has been waiting for a chance to rise up and unleash his wrath on all! I must feed souls to my companion so they can be sent to Lucifer. Soon he will gain enough power to enter the living world and wreak havoc on the living and the dead! The sky will blacken and the skies will rain blood as the terrified people are slaughtered by an enemy they can't even see! It will be marvellous! Truly marvellous! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

Unohana saw visions of the apocalypse and began to tremble.

Shrieker meanwhile stopped his maniacal laughter and eyed Minazuki who squatted near its master.

"What the hell is that thing?"

"That is Minazuki. Unfortunately, he has no combat abilities; he is only useful for healing." Unohana replied.

Shrieker's eyes widened and he suddenly vanished from sight.

Both shinigami looked around warily, searching for their missing foe. He reappeared under Minazuki and slashed across its stomach. Gore rained down on Shrieker who opened his mouth and feasted on what flowed forth form the enormous gash. When he had his fill he turned his blood-soaked face towards Unohana.

"Did I say you could heal them?"

Amongst the gushing blood and gore the bodies of Ichigo and Rukia fell from the gaping wound, hitting the ground with sickening thuds. Ichigo spluttered and then lay still.

"Damn, will you ever stay down? I'm tired of this!" Shrieker once again clicked his fingers and gazed at the gates of hell which abruptly appeared. Accompanied by his ghoulish pet, Shrieker retreated back into the realm of damned. He glared back at his foes but his mouth suddenly curved up into a smile just as the gates closed fully.

Then, the gate vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

The red haired shinigami, Abarai Renji ran over to his fallen comrades, frantically checking their injuries. The captain crossed over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Renji glanced back at her hopefully. "Captain Unohana can you still heal them?"

Unohana sighed and closed her eyes. "Their injures are too severe, I'd need help."

Renji bowed his head while losing himself in thought. It was then that he remembered someone who could be of aid. He bolted upright and grinned. "I know someone who can help us! Quickly!" He ran off in search of help.

Orihime sat in her small apartment accompanied by Tatsuki.

"Hime, one day you're gonna have to tell him about your feelings. If you love him that much he should at least know you like him." Tatsuki said while patting her best friend on the shoulder. Both girls held cups of tea, though neither had drunk much.

Orihime sighed and her shoulders stiffened. "I know, I know, you keep telling me but the thing is..." Orihime looked down fighting back tears.

"What's wrong Inoue?"

"It's just that, well... I think Ichigo is in love with someone else!" Tears streaked down her soft cheeks and she began to sob pitifully. When she stopped making ragged sobs she continued to explain the reason for her depression. "Well, I'm good friends with her but...but...it seems Ichigo isn't interested in me anymore! She stole him from me!"

Tatsuke hugged her friend trying to calm her down. "Who are you talking about?"

"Rukia! Ichigo's always Rukia this, Rukia that, he never talks about me!" Now angry she slammed her fist down on the floor.

They were interrupted by a knock at the door...

Oh come on! Where are the reviews? Am I rewriting this story for nothing? Review dammit, you stingy bastards! REVIEW!

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