Disclaimer: This man does not own Bleach.
Trascender
"Ichigo!? Why are you here!?"
"I'm not here to help you, if that's what you're thinking."
Hoshiihime dead-panned as she stared at Ichigo's defiant face.
"You can't say that after you're already here, stupid!"
"I'm not here for you, idiot! I'm here to stop Juhabach from gettin' this key! Our interests just so happen to coincide!"
Across from the two, the Holy Emperor of the Vandenreich stood to his feet as he recognized the boy in front of him.
"You must be Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo turned to look at the old man, realizing that he was the one releasing the overwhelming Reiatsu.
"Tch, who the hell are you supposed be, old man?"
"...My, so rude... you are no different than Masaki."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the man's revelation of his mother.
"How do you know my mother?"
"She's my-" However, Ichigo interrupted him before he could finish.
"Nevermind. I can see the grandfather thing coming from a mile away."
Vater smirked as he listened to him.
"Yes... very much like my daughter. Straight to the point. You don't look very interested, though."
"I'm not interested in my grandfather, old man. The only person who could answer my questions is my mother... and she's dead."
"Return that key to me at once, boy.
Ichigo turned to look at the rising Juhabach, a haunted look upon his face. Ichigo returned it, pulling out his blade in the process.
"You might want to fix that arm before you fight me. I'd rather kill you when you're at your strongest, so all the Quincy learn their lesson."
"Back away from our lord and savior!"
Behind Ichigo, three Stern Ritter attempted to strike Ichigo. Before they could reach him, his Reiatsu flared, leaving no trace of their existence.
"Six Vandenreich down today! I'm on a roll!"
Grimmjow treaded slowly across the desert of Hueco Mundo, hands in his pockets as he herded the Hollows toward Las Noches.
"Man, this lame-ass shit is pissin' me off. Are we almost there?"
"No, Grimmjow! You act like a child sometimes!"
Grimmjow's eyes widened incredibly as he pointed at Nel, who stood with her arms crossed and an annoyed look on her face.
"You...!? You think I'm a-"
"Both of you are children. Shut up."
When Halibel appeared behind them, they both became quiet as they continued to herd the nervous and frightened Hollows to Las Noches. As they were walking, a large rumbling resonated through the sand, knocking everyone off of their feet.
"What the hell was that!?"
"It wouldn't take a lot of guesses to figure this mystery out, Grimmjow."
Ichigo's and Juhabach's blade clashed, vibrating through-out the entire cavern. Juhabach reached out to grab Ichigo, who flashed away before he could reach him. Shock was written across his face when Ichigo landed against the wall.
'That... was not Sonido. That was definitely-'
His train of thought was halted when Ichigo brought his Zanpakuto down across his chest, knocking Juhabach back towards the grave site. On the sidelines, Vater watched the battle commence as he waited. Timing his dodge correctly, he moved swiftly under Hoshiihime's foot as it swung over his head, snapping back to collide against his arm.
"You're not gonna sit there and watch, old man!"
"So bothersome... I'm no longer interested in you."
Vater waved his hand, releasing a shockwave that collided against the cavern walls, damaging it further and tossing people everywhere. In the center, Hoshiihime stood unharmed, rolling her neck and popping her joints.
"...That won't work."
"...I don't think these old bones can keep up anymore. That should have chopped you cleanly in half."
"That logic doesn't work with me."
Vater took a step back to dodge the flying form of Ichigo as he crashed into the wall and ducked under Juhabach as he flew over him. Dusting himself off, he turned away and dashed towards Ichigo.
"What the hell are you doing!?"
Before he could reach Ichigo and Juhabach as they clashed in the center, Hoshiihime kicked him in the gut, knocking him towards the ceiling before following up with another slash. Below them, Ichigo and Juhabach clashed into each other multiple times, killing the surrounding Vandenreich.
"Kurosaki...!"
With a roar, Juhabach slammed his blade upon Ichigo's, which began glowing black.
"Luna Camilla!"
A black and blue explosion ripped through the space, destroying everything in its path. As the smoke cleared, Ichigo stared at Juhabach, who finally began regrowing his arm back. He fell to his knees, coughing up blood as he panted.
"I see now... why Genryusai did not heal his arm... It's shameful... to lose to one you should be able to overpower... I did not wish for you to see this... but no matter. I need that key back."
Juhabach stood up, holding his hand high.
"Quincy Volstandig... Mutteriel."
Behind Juhabach, the Reishi swirled behind him, forming a skeletal structure, which was then layered with muscle. The skin was finally forged, forming a pale-blue female with long hair and angel wings. Staring into the face of the woman, Ichigo was shocked when the eyes opened, gazing at him serenely. He had only known one woman who smiled at him the way the wavy-haired angel gleamed to him now.
"...Mo...Mother...!?"
"Captain Urahara, we have received an urgent message from the Royal Guard!"
Kisuke swiveled in his chair to face Tessai, who was peeking at him from outside his door.
"Wha-? Wait, come in first, then explain!"
Tessai rushed into the office, closing the door behind him. Wiping the sweat from his brows, Tessai held the note out to Kisuke, who snatched it away and began skimming through it.
"...They're... going to Hueco Mundo... to protect... the Royal Family? Why the hell did they need to speak to me, if that's the case?"
"Speak to you, sir?"
"They want to speak to me at the palace... about Ichigo..."
Kisuke's eyebrows spoke volumes when they nearly rose above his head. He jumped to his feet and began panicking, hopping around in circles. Tessai sat and stared at him, waiting for him to explain.
"What is it, Urahara?"
"Ichigo's trying to get to the old Spirit King! Damnit, I gotta get there and stop them before they destroy Ichigo!"
"Kill him... Masaki..."
The angelic being raised her fist, preparing to smash Ichigo. Before it could touch him, he was suddenly pulled by something, crashing and rolling into the ground. He was pulled to his feet by Hoshiihime, who pointed her blade towards Juhabach and his 'Volstandig'.
"You... You better explain this to me! What are you doing with my mother!?"
"Ichigo... now is not the time. We have to-"
"Damn you, bastard!"
Ichigo dashed past Hoshiihime, raising his blade before he was smacked away by the hand of Juhabach. Hoshiihime face-palmed herself before catching him again and jumping into the air to avoid Vater's follow-up blasts. Vater landed next to Juhabach, holding his hand up.
"We have the key. We're done here," stated Vater as he attached the key to his blade, extending it further and giving it a key-like shape.
"I'm not finished with you yet! Don't turn away from me!"
Vater and Juhabach both turned away from Ichigo, who had hopped away from Hoshiihime and dashed towards the Vandenreich leaders. Before he realized it, Vater had disappeared. Ichigo knew it was over the moment he sensed him appear behind him.
"Sorry, child, but you forced me to play my hand."
However the entire hall was spurned into silence when the key was, instead, buried through the Hogyoku of Hoshiihime.
"You gave away everything, Lady Hoshiihime, when you risked your life to save him from Mutteriel. All I needed was the key of Kagura to kill and the perfect setup, which you provided quite nicely, I might add."
"Ichigo... you idiot..."
She began to slowly descend from the sky.
"Lord Hogyoku... do you require any more tending to?"
"None what-so-ever. You may leave."
The two Soul Reapers bowed their heads as they walked outside the throne room of the Spirit King. Before the door could fully close, Hoshiihime stood at the door, gazing into the darkness where her husband sat.
"...Hoshiihime, my love, where have yo-?"
"Don't speak to me as if I'm stupid, dear husband. You can't smooth-talk your way to me after the Ishida woman has been around."
"...You mean Kagura? She's not made an appearance in my chambers-"
"But you have made plenty of reruns to hers. I have already seen you."
The dark silence that engulfed the room left little to be desired. Hoshiihime turned away and walked out of the throne room, closing the doors behind her.
"You brat! Sit down at the table!"
"Calm yourself, dear Hoshiihime..."
Hoshiihime narrowed her eyes at the pale beauty that was Kagura Ishida.
"How dare you tell me how to act at my-!?"
She paused when she heard the sound of Spirit Weapons being released, courtesy of the Quincy Guards stationed at the doors.
"Hoshiihime... Be quiet. Don't be so rude to our guest."
"It's okay, Lord Hogyoku. I should not have spoken out loud sir. I'm sorry."
Hoshiihime crossed her arms as she stared away from the two, narrowing her eyes at the little prince running around the table.
"Little one, maybe you should sit down. I made sure the cooks slipped in your favorite dessert."
"Trying to control the little one? You don't think that would work, do you?
The prince stopped, running back to his chair and sitting down with a giant grin. Hoshiihime stared in disbelief in the fact that her child would obey the command of another woman than his own mother.
"How the...!?"
"You just got to bargain with them, Lady Hoshiihime."
Hoshiihime snarled and fell back in her chair, crossing her arms. When their dishes were finally prepared, she opened her and began pigging out, only stopping when she heard a light gasp.
"My Lord...! This is...! I can't... I...!"
She looked up when she saw the servant woman holding up a wedding band. Hoshiihime dropped her utensil in shock as she watched Kagura stretch it around her fingers. Kagura nervously turned in Hoshiihime's direction, noticing that she had gotten up from her chair and stormed off.
The Soul Society embraced the tears of the their fallen king, glaring daggers at the bloodied Hoshiihime standing in front of the throne room. Kicking the corpse down the stairs, she roared out to the crowd of souls in anger and hatred.
"Yesterday... All of you placed your faith in someone more powerful than you... and could not survive unless you blindly followed him! You had the freedom to choose, but could not find a reason not to believe in King Hogyoku! Do not believe in me yet, Soul Society, for now I shall slowly teach you who the God is that you will put your faith in. Believing in me comes after that."
"...Why would you do this, Lady Hoshiihime?"
Hoshiihime turned as she saw Kagura at the bottom of the staircase, surrounded by Quincy.
"...You, of all people... should be the one to understand."
Hoshiihime was propped against a rock, blood pooling around her as she left the Soul Society, narrowly escaping death from her son. She had no idea where she was, but the permanent night sky made her feel comfortable. She stumbled across the white sand, only pausing when she heard the Hirenkyaku of someone behind her.
"...What do you want?"
"Lady Hoshiihime."
She turned around, annoyed that Kagura was here with her.
"No matter where I go... you're always there... to rub in how you have replaced me in everything."
"...I don't want to replace you."
Hoshiihime snorted and continued to walk forward. She stopped again when she continued to hear footsteps behind her.
"What do you want from me!? I don't have anything left to give you! You took it all!"
"...I want to give you something..."
Hoshiihime fell to her knees, laughing maniacally, like someone who gave up long ago.
"You want to give me something!? I want nothing from you!"
"My life."
Hoshiihime paused, staring at her from under her bangs.
"What are you playing at, girl? Why are you here?"
"I want you to help me seal away our husband."
"Our... husband? You have got to be joking. Go away."
She was grabbed by her shoulder, being pulled back to stare into the equally brown eyes of the other Spirit Queen.
"If Hogyoku isn't locked away... then his rage will tear the world asunder."
"The world could burn for all I care... I don't have a place in it.
"...I need to sacrifice myself... to hold the seal together... I want you to kill me and save everything.
Hoshiihime looked down as her bangs shadowed over her face.
Even after that... I still felt empty... Because I still had nothing.
Ichigo picked up Hoshiihime, trying to shake life back into her as her eyes began closing.
I knew... you weren't Hogyoku... I just... wanted you to take his place...
However, before anybody in the cavern could prepare, a yellow beam fell from the sky, surounding Ichigo, Hoshiihime, and the remaining Denego.
I thought... that maybe... through you... I could recreate my husband... One that Kagura couldn't take... away from me.
The light gleamed brightly through-out the room, showering her eyes in blinding light.
But I failed miserably... I can't... alter who you are... I don't think you would feel the same, even if my plans came into fruition.
Before anyone could realize it, they were glaring into the false sun of Hueco Mundo.
"Oi, you! Wake up! You better not die on me!"
I hope... you can win... just so I can get my revenge through you. I know you hate being used... but our interests just so happen to coincide.
While Ichigo was attempting to call the Denego over, Hoshiihime reached over him, pressing her Hogyoku against Ichigo's chest. A vast, light-blue explosion tore through the ceiling of Las Noches.
Would you... would you hate me for that... Ichigo?
Trivia
-Mutteriel takes the form of Masaki. If you've played Dead or Alive 4 or 5, think Alpha-152 with angel wings.
-Zero Squad will make appearance in the next chapter. And I will be using the canon Zero Squad
Note: Anybody else face-palmed when Kubo introduced Zero Squad? I knew, at the very least, one would ridiculous, but 80%(Not Shutara)? And damnit, I hate that Kirio had to be the fat one...
-I'm kinda waiting on Ichigo to get to the palace in Manga before I start on Canon Spirit King (Trascender Spirit Prince-turned King)