19: Destruction
Mila Rose collapsed in a heap as a fountain of blood spewed forth from her ruptured body. A wide arcing slice across her chest had finished her bout with Kira and in defeat she bitterly cursed his name between clenched teeth.
Kira did not smile for his victory. He simply sighed and studied the others still locked in combat with Aizen's forces. It was then that he saw her fall.
Momo's scream echoed across the battle, drawing Kira's attention and no doubt many others within the court. The pain and longing in her piercing cry was palpable and Kira wished for nothing more than to reach out and comfort her. He rushed forward with his sword raised high, poised to cut down anyone who dared to lay a hand on his precious friend.
Then the arrancar appeared behind her. There was too much distance between them and even as he flash stepped closer he could feel the blades piercing Hinamori's flesh. Spurred on by her strangled yelp he flash stepped over to her side, only to arrive in time to meet the very weapons which had slain his companion.
"Momo!" he cried past his foe to the quivering body sprawled on the ground. She tried to speak, her voice a pitiful squeak through a throat torn open and gushing. As her head rolled to the side Kira stared deep into the blank eyes which had begun to cloud over.
Death had claimed her.
He was too late...
"Grrraaaggghh!" With a great roar Kira threw Sun Sun back and launched a furious counter-strike, hacking madly at her stable defences. The vicious serpentine woman merely grinned as she danced around his wild blows.
Sun Sun had witnessed Kira's powers and knew not to wastefully block his attacks with her sai. She instead gracefully writhed about between the rabid swings of the hooked sword. If it was enough to so easily overpower Mila-Rose then it was certainly a power to be wary of.
She grinned venomously and leapt far out of his reach, landing in a theatrical pose. She giggled softly as the words dripped like venom from her bared fangs, "Strangle him to death, Anaconda."
Kira hesitated as her body emanated a deep pink glow. He patiently waited until the dust had cleared revealing a serpentine devil. Sun Sun's legs were replaced with a winding snake's tail and her eyes took on a more reptilian glare. She smiled behind her sleeve once again as she pushed forward one of the overly long sleeves of her coat. Izuru anticipated her usual sai but was stunned to find something else entirely.
A bone white snake slid out from the sleeve and hissed at him in challenge. Kira snarled back and assumed a defensive stance.
All over the court the enemy arrancar were releasing their swords, morphing into hideous monsters and demons. The shinigami fought back as best they could but the fearsome powers of Aizen's army was too much to bear.
Apache had taken on the form of a most vicious deer, nullifying Matusmoto's powers by fighting hand to hand. Unable to entrap her foe in the razor sharp ashes without harming herself Matsumoto was left with no other choice but to survive with her zanpakuto sealed.
Renji ran about like a frightened animal, desperately evading the crushing steel feathers shot forth from a hawk-like Abirama Redder's outstretched wings. When at last he found a moment of reprieve he extended his sword and managed to knock the ghoulish bird from the sky.
The lieutenant of squad one, Chojiro Sasakibe fought relentlessly against a mutant lobster by the name of Findor. The two became increasingly wary of the other, knowing full well that their powers could easily spell death for the other. Water and lightning were never forces to be mixed and it was as simple a matter as who struck first to determine the victor. But each man's power had become a double edged sword, equally capable of claiming their own life rather than victory.
Tetsuzaemon Iba held his own against the giant warrior named Poww, however when that giant managed to increase his size tenfold he was crushed underfoot, his battle over. The monstrous creature moved to set its sights upon its next opponent when a large shadow lunged forth from the sidelines.
Although a giant himself in his own right, the Lupine captain of squad seven, Saijin Kommamura was still dwarfed by the mighty beast before him. However their sheer distance in size was soon remedied by the unleashing of his bankai, summoning a towering golem far better suited to combat the leviathan. The two giants collided with an earth-shattering tremor which brought down the walls of the court and cracked the earth open beneath them. The surrounding embattled warriors each fled to safe ground to resume their struggles.
Death had reared its ugly head amongst the shinigami and shaken their broken foundations while the Arrancar continued to move from strength to strength. Even with their casualties Aizen's forces had a clear upper hand in the violence at hand.
Soul Society was in dire need of reinforcements.
Just as the shadow of death hung over the brave young heroes fighting in the ruins of Las Noches, a new warrior arrived in time to stop the final blow. The warrior stepped into the fray between the wounded heroes and pointed his sword directly at the ghostly figure of Ulquiorra Schiffer.
"Hello there, my name is Kisuke Urahara. I'm sorry to disrupt your little game of tag here, but it's about time my friends went back home."
Ulquiorra seemed to not even register any disturbance at all, his gaze eternally devoid of any semblance of emotion. The cold dead mask remained unperturbed and his pallid white hands remained by his sword, not bothering to reach for his sword.
Urahara bowed his head and gave a derisive chuckle, "Hmm, not much of a reaction. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were toying with me. Your lair has been compromised and your hostages have been freed. I'd say you should be at least a little concerned about that, don't you?"
The demon blinked.
"How so? Lord Aizen clearly stated that there is no inherent threat from these pitiful humans. They are but insects to be crushed underfoot. Where they nest makes no difference."
Urahara's expression faltered then, "You really see no threat in any of us do you? That's remarkable confidence you have in your lord. But I should remind you we've defeated him before and we can do it again. Our strength has increased since then and we've gained many new comrades to take up the fight. Aizen stands no better chance now than he did ten years ago"
It was then that something odd occurred.
Ulquiorra's unreadable mask shifted, the corners of his mouth curling up so very slightly so as to make a mockery of the human smile.
"Confidence is an illusion of mankind. It is your way of avoiding your own inadequacies and failings. Confidence is a lie to one's own self. Yet you continually delude yourselves with your fantasies of supremacy to progress your own worthlessness. The very fact you undermine Lord Aizen in your hour of despair is evidence of your human arrogance. If you feel so confident in your abilities to stop him, then why do you come to rescue these pathetic fools? Why do you not stay and fight me and instead slink away with your tail between your legs? Your facade cannot even fool yourself yet you try so very hard to convince me. Fool. This is why you are no threat to me." The demon closed his eyes and took a silent breath before settling his piercing gaze upon Urahara, "Your fear and doubts pour from your very self."
Urahara cursed and craned his neck to see the crowd behind him. "Everyone, escape through the Garganta and keep moving no matter what happens. I will hold them off!"
"But Urahara-" Rukia pleaded.
"GO!" For once there was true fear in the captain's voice. His usual jovial tone drowned in tension. His grip on his sword tightened until his knuckles turned white.
The small band of warriors hesitantly fled through the ominous black hole and continued on through the endless darkness. Urahara remained right at the garganta's entrance, sizing up both opponents.
Ulquiorra simply turned away from the foe and strolled ever so slowly to Golden Darkness.
"You may leave. I care not to fight you here."
Urahara forced a cocky grin, "That's nice of you. What's the occasion? I didn't know it was my birthday today."
This time Ulquiorra did not smile, "I am forbidden from releasing my powers within the palace. Also...I am sure we will meet again in Soul Society." Despite no visible trace of emotion there was a poisonous delivery that made Urahara's skin crawl. After checking both opponents yet again he vanished within the garganta which closed instantly behind him.
Ulquiorra just stared into empty space.
The other side of the garganta led straight to Soul Society where fourth squad captain Unohana awaited their arrival. In their stead she struggled to maintain the endless flood of wounded from all over the Sereitei. Already she had felt the reiatsu of many fine warriors drop away into oblivion and many more were diminishing by the second.
Soul Society needed its brave young heroes to once again raise morale and lead the charge. Regardless of his strength, the Kurosaki boy and his friends has served to inspire those who ever fought beside them. They were needed now more than ever to light the fire within the troops wounded hearts.
"Captain Unohana! It's an emergency!" a young blonde girl rushed forth from the bustling crowds of nurses to confront her superior, "My captain! He's sick! He needs medicine!" The girl was Kiyone Kotestsu, the loyal 3rd seat of Ukitake's company. She had learned enough from her older sister Isane, whom served under Unohana herself, to ably care for her captain who had long suffered from illness. It was common to see her wandering around the infirmary in search of supplies, but now was not a good time.
Unohana nodded and rummaged through disorganised piles of medicines and herbs all in use, finally spotting a small vial of fluid which served to reduce Ukitake's often violent symptoms.
Kiyone bowed graciously and ran off to protect her captain. Unable to be distracted by her thoughts Unohana hovered over the crowded beds of moaning and sobbing troops. The injuries they suffered were severe, some truly horrifying. Not all could be cured and those that were beyond hope were tragically moved aside and left to die outside while those that could be healed were given every available bed. It hurt her terribly to mistreat so many people, but in times of war only those most able were to seen to. Those that would die could only blink out of existence and make their peace with the world alone.
"AAAAARRRGGH!"
A loud crashing resonated from within the infirmary and screams billowed out form its source. Unohana took up her sword and rushed to the scene, finding Kiyone sprawled across the floor just beyond a gaping hole in the wall.
Outside one of Aizen's minions lay in wait. A woman with sandy blonde hair and most strikingly, a missing eye. A clean hole through what had once been an eye socket now served as an obscene window to the area behind her.
"We're under attack! Captain Unohana, the enemy has broken into the infirmary!" more cries came from down the hall. She snapped her head about to spot another of the white-clad warriors break through the roof and lunge at the nursing staff. Before she could move from her spot a blur of movement crossed her field of vision and within the blink of an eye a sword crashed down upon the intruder.
Isane Kotetsu, Lieutenant of fourth squad squared off against the black-haired demoness down the hall. That left Unohana to deal with the first intruder who remained standing stock still outside. She carefully drew her sword and studied the gleaming steel edge with hardened eyes. She had not used her sword to spill blood in so many years, yet the time had finally called for her to rise up and fight with the rest. She would prove her strength as one of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13.
Matsumoto fought with all the strength she could manage, but without the ability to release her sword her power was far too limited. The ravenous Apache practically threw herself into her foe, using her razor-sharp antlers to gore the unfortunate opponent. Matsumoto had survived with only scratched thus far, but the prolonged battle without any reprieve had left her to grow tired and weary.
Apache never relented, howling like a madman as she continually charged again and again. She threw vicious bone-breaking punches, not showing any visible sign of stress even as her fists collided against the flat steel of a katana.
She simply brought forth her endless onslaught and weakened her prey, much like a wild animal. She was picking her moment, just waiting for the chance to make the strike. Matsumoto's dizzy expression and unfocused gaze was a promising sign to the hawk-eyed glare Apache unleashed upon her.
Meanwhile Kira tried to close the distance between himself and Sun Sun. However having learned of his abilities the wily arrancar had resorted to fighting at a safe distance, instead summoning her vast army of serpents to take the brunt of his attacks. His mental state had been frayed by the deaths of his comrades and he was beyond waking from his nightmare. He continued to decline while Sun Sun continued to toy with him.
Both assistant captains soon fell to their enemies. Apache put the worn out Matsumoto into a predictable pattern of attacks only to draw her into focusing on her easy to read movements. While Matsumoto followed in a trance like state she failed to recognise the sudden break in the pattern and guarded against nothing but the harsh breeze leaving her defences wide open. Apache's antlers finally found the soft supple flesh of Matsumoto's side and buried deep within before rocking her head from side to side and decimating Rangiku's innards.
Amidst a fatal rain of crimson she dropped like a stone beside her close friend Momo.
Kira was quick to join her, having lost his fiery will upon witnessing the deaths of his only friends. Sun Sun manoeuvred around him to leave him open whilst Apache rushed into the melee and cut him down from behind.
"Matsumoto! Kira!" Renji roared from afar, having sensed their reiatsu vanish. He reached out a hand to them but grasped at nothing, closing his outstretched fingers into a tight fist as he cursed under his breath, "Dammit! This has gone too far! I won't let anyone else die!"
Redder scoffed at the boastful declaration, "Don't be so quick to play the hero yet pal! You ain't done with me!"
Suddenly Redder was thrown back as Renji's spiritual pressure exploded outwards in a wave of deep red light. His eyes blazed with an anger long buried deep within his heart. As the proud assistant captain glanced up his glare appeared to burn through anything it dared touch.
Redder's eyes narrowed and his jaw dropped. "W-What the...Where did that come from?!"
"Sorry, but I'm done here. I've got no more time to waste on Aizen's dogs! Bankai! Hihio Zambimaru!"
Kommamura swept his gaze across the mighty skeletal serpent that had become of Renji's zanpakuto. "The others are struggling. I cannot waste any more time on this bloated buffoon." The fox-faced captain's lips curled up, revealing glistening fangs as he snarled, "DIE!"
Swinging his sword in a clear straight slice the towering golem above him mimicked the movement, slamming its own monstrous blade down upon Poww's head. A river of blood gushed forth from the giant as his body was cleaved in two. Kommamura and his golem both roared with tremendous spirit as they carved through the massive beast.
Not far from the massacre Findor and Chojiro had both relinquished to the will to fight and had simultaneously unleashed their full power. Water and electricity met in a violent tempest rendering both combatants incapacitated. Though the fatal shocks ran through the water back to their source to strike Findor, the shock also spread through the entire wave even as it hit the veteran lieutenant. Both men met their end together leaving a smouldering crater between them.
Amidst the chaos friends and foe had fallen, the casualties mounting rapidly across the grand field of war. As the corpses continued to pile up those left alive fervently prayed for help to arrive, but none could be sure if they would arrive in time...
Well there's a hell of a lot of battles taking place and it seems Soul Society is in serious danger! Can they withstand Aizen's invasion?! While you wait for the answer, please review.