"Rose! Above you!"
"Shit! How'd he move like that?"
"Shinji, behind you! Wait, no, Kensei watch out!"
-CLANG-
"HYYYAAARRRGH!"
The skies above Karakura were alight with a rainbow of spiritual powers, energy crackling as the atmosphere absorbed more and more of the immense power. Wind blew in every direction as swords clashed with one another, breaking the peace and quiet of the evening with the din of metal on metal. The setting sun cast an orange glow across the battlefield in the sky, illuminating eight figures locked in battle with something the world had never seen before outside of nightmares.
It stood as tall as a man, its grey skin pallid and cool, like death. Claws extended from its hands and feet, curving inward like dark black sickles. Lean muscles rippled underneath its skin, revealing an incredible figure and strength. Where a head should be was a visage born of evil. Bone-white, it bore no flesh, as though the creature had donned the skull of a long-dead beast. Black markings fall from the crown to the jaw, crossing over vicious looking teeth that formed a permanently cruel smile, as though it reveled in the terror it caused. Two large horns lay on the top of its head, emerging from the temple at right angles before sharply jutting forward about a foot or so, tapering into razor-sharp points that glinted in the dimming light. Eyes glowed a cool blue, wisps of flame in the shadowy eye-holes of its mask. Behind it was the only proof of this demon's true nature, the only evidence it was not quite what it seemed. Long, flowing, orange hair fell down its back, whipping in the wind as it moved with a speed that threatened to turn back time itself.
Kurosaki Ichigo's hollow had emerged. It wasn't happy.
"Crush... You..." its voice rasped past its teeth, a quiet cruelty pervading every word. As if to demonstrate its own threat, it blocked an attack with its finger, grabbing the assailant's sword and shattering it. Knocking the stunned foe to the ground below, it turned to face the remaining seven enemies.
"Rose! You okay?" one called to the fallen figure. No response came, and the one who called out roared and charged. "Dammit! What the hell are you?" he asked through clenched teeth, swinging his blade at the demon's midsection. His sword was stopped by a raised hand. "Wha-?"
The beast cocked its head to look at the man. He was wearing a mask similar to its own, though smaller. It could sense a power like its own within the man, though that too was weaker than itself. The man had odd black hair, extending like five cones from his head, and dark skin covered by a green outfit. The beast repeated the man's question, "What... Am I...?"
It brought its midnight black sword back and prepared to strike. "I am... Power!" it roared as it brought the blade down, holding the man in place.
-SHINK-
A blade blocked the demon's attack, a blonde man with his hand wrapped around the hilt, a mask on his face as well. A wide grin could be seen peeking out around the edges of his mask. "Hey Love, why doncha go get outta here fer a sec, eh? I gotta talk to this guy here, y'know?" he spoke to the green-clothed man, who disappeared in a sudden wind, leaving the beastly hand clutching at air.
The blonde man spoke again, "Sooo... Ichigo, whadya up ta in there, eh?"
"Ain't ya gonna hurry up'n'tell yer hollow ta get lost?" he asked, deftly sidestepping to avoid a downward slash, firing off a small Bala as he did.
"Hey Ichigo, hurry up in there!"
"So, King, how's things been for ya?"
In this black world, Ichigo couldn't move or speak, but he could hear the oh-so-familiar voice of his inner hollow as it taunted him.
"C'mon King! You're so weak! Hahahaha! You can't even talk right now, you're so weak. How pathetic!"
The darkness swirled like mist to reveal the source of the voice. Ichigo's eyes widened. This is my inner hollow? When did it-?
Before his prone body stood his hollow, though it did not look at all like it had the last time Ichigo saw it. Where before the hollow had looked like a mere negative copy of himself, this creature looked more like the Devil himself. He could sense the power emanating from the hollow as it strode up to him. Glancing down, he was shocked to see a white copy of Zangetsu in the hollow's grip, the long blade reversing the real Zangetsu's form in every way, even the hilt rotated the opposite direction. If ever the expression of Yin and Yang had a better example, he hadn't seen it.
The hollow raised its blade and brought it to Ichigo's throat, tracing lightly across his adam's apple. It spoke again, "Relax, King, I ain't about to kill ya. I need you alive, unfortunately. See, I may be in control, but you're the one that owns this body, so I have to keep you from dyin' or else I'll die too. Why'd you think I helped ya by movin that ol' mask around back when you were tryin' to save that woman of yours?"
Ichigo was slowly feeling strength return to his body, perhaps just by absorbing the hollow's own power from this close distance. He tried to move his mouth and speak but only garbled noise came out.
The hollow grabbed him by the collar, lifting him up and pushing their faces together. Blue eyes bore into his, and icy cold breath stung his face. "King, you aren't trying to interrupt me, are ya? How rude..." it hissed before reaching out and breaking Ichigo's wrist with a quick twist.
The pain bubbled up within Ichigo, eventually building to the point that he couldn't take it any more. He somehow found the strength to scream, eyes beginning to tear at the pain, as the hollow continued to roll around the broken wrist in its hand and increased the agony.
"AAAAAAAUUUUUUUGH!"
The battle continued between the eight remaining figures. Seven against one, and it was thus far a stalemate, neither side tiring yet neither side gaining an upper hand. The leader of the seven ordered his troops around with the ease of a practiced commander who had fought for centuries. Which, of course, he had.
"Hiyori, attack from below! Lisa, Mashiro, take either side! Kensei, get him from behind! I'll take him head on!" he yelled. Shinji Harako wasn't about to lose this fight. He couldn't really win it either, however, since they needed Ichigo to live through this. He didn't question whether the substitute shinigami would prevail over his inner hollow, he just didn't know when he'd prevail.
Sighing, he charged forward, his sword held out like a lance, hoping to stab the beast in the shoulder or mask, enough to distract it for Ichigo's sake. He saw out of the edges of his vision as his comrades flew at the target as well. Realizing he'd forgotten to guard the area above the hollow, he called out another quick order, "Hachi! Put a barrier above 'im! Now!"
A golden dome appeared above the hollowfied Ichigo, just as the five Vizards reached it, hitting it at all different angles simultaneously. Sparks flew as the great demon's sword moved with impossible speed to block all of the attacks. A small cut appeared on Shinji's face and he grimaced as he realized they were outmatched. Without moving or speaking, he pushed reiatsu into his sealed blade and brought out his shikai. His friends realized they were in trouble and followed suit, each wordlessly activating their shikai's save for Kensei who already had it out.
"You fools... Challenging me...? I'll end you... All..." the hollow warned menacingly. Looking upwards, it began gathering energy between its horns. The vizards all gasped at the rapidly spinning orb. A cero oscuras? Shinji wondered how Ichigo or his hollow could manage such a technique. Only the Espada had that attack, or so Urahara had explained to him.
The massive cero shot out at Hachi's barrier, its blue energy pushing against gold, wind whipping in every direction. Cracks began to appear on the barrier, much to everyones' surprise, when the barrier suddenly succumbed to the cero and shattered, the beam of energy pulsing through the heavens as it broke past the shield. The hollow flew upwards, away from the Vizards, and looked down.
"You... Will all die..." it said as it rushed at them, another massive cero forming between its long horns. Shinji frowned, sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Damn, Ichigo, y'gotta be makin' some progress by now, right?"
Ichigo had managed to gather enough strength to move awhile ago, and had immediately begun running from his hollow. He needed to find a way to attack, or escape, because the hollow would just keep hurting him if he didn't. Not just me... Everyone else too! I need to beat him so he can't hurt anyone he thought to himself.
The hollow was only mildly interested in chasing the King around his own soul. He figured taunting him would be more fun. "Oi, King, ya think I have a shot with any of those women ya got?" he asked.
"I could teach 'em so many things! They gotta be fans of guys with long tongues, eh?"
"Aww, no answer, King? That's fine, I didn't need yer input anyways. I already know which one I want."
Ichigo was far away, trying not to listen. He thought he could feel some sort of... exit, nearby. He wanted to find the way out now.
"That red-head! Man, King, you gotta admit she'd be great without all those clothes on, eh? And she already wants ya, so this oughtta be a snap!"
Ichigo whirled, shouting: "You fucking perverted hollow! Don't you even think about crap like that! Just cuz Inoue likes me doesn't mean I want anything to do with her! I'm not like that you bastard, and if you try anything it won't work cuz they all know I'm not!"
The hollow sneered, "Oh, King, I think you put too much faith in your friends' intelligence. Especially that girl. I bet I can get her to go all the way on just the first date! Hahaha!"
Ichigo was still searching for the exit, but answered anyways. "Shut the hell up, you useless hollow. When I beat you I'm gonna have Inoue reject you out of me if you keep talking like that!" he threatened, his hand finally grabbing what felt like a door handle. "And believe me, hollow, I'm gonna kick your ass."
The hollow had stopped moving. Tilting its head, a sigh escaped its mouth. "Huh... Y'know, King, I have a name," it began. "It's-"
"I don't care what the hell your name is, asshole! I don't need to! You're just another problem I have to deal with right now!" Ichigo interrupted.
The hollow growled. "Screw you, King. My name's Ogihci Abihs. Yeah, it's your name spelt backwards, but guess what? That's my name."
Ichigo turned a curious eye as he twisted what he was certain was a doorknob. "Abihs? That spells..."
"Shiba," Ogihci interrupted. "Yeah, your old man's a liar. If you were better at sensin Reiatsu maybe you woulda figured it out, dumbass."
Ichigo was too suspicious, however, and decided Ogihci was trying to mess with him. He turned the doorknob and pushed out. "Yeah, right. Next you'll tell me I'm the Soul King. Tsch... Get lost." he said as he stepped out into his own familiar inner world of sideways buildings and falling rain.
Ogihci just smirked. If only that idiot would listen. The shadows of his hollow world vanished as the King's world took over once again. A shadow appeared next to him.
"You realize he will beat you again, of course?"
The slim figure of Zangetsu stood beside Ogihci, his tattered cloak billowing in a non-existent wind. Grey eyes peered out behind mirrored sunglasses, a rough beard surrounding tightly drawn lips.
"Hm? He's gonna beat me? Hah! You're funny, Zangetsu! Nah, that brat's too worried about his friends right now. Thinks I'm gonna go after the women. Heh, like I'd be interested in weak bitches like them anyways."
Ogihci laughed and turned back to watching Ichigo. "He definitely wants somethin'... What the hell is he lookin' for?"
Zangetsu smiled and replied, "His heart."
Hachi was sweating as he moved his hands furiously to erect as many different kidou barriers as possible around the hollowfied Ichigo. He realized he might have to resort to forbidden spells, but wanted to avoid that as long as possible. Donning his hollow mask for what may have been the hundredth time that night, he continued his defensive buildup with renewed vigor.
Hiyori and Love had joined Rose as unconscious forms on the ground. Rukia was tending to their wounds, she realized that the encounter before had all been a clever act to draw out Ichigo's inner hollow. Hachi had taken some time to explain as well, in between erecting barriers to contain the fighting. Apparently Urahara had called them back to Karakura in order to help Ichigo learn how to control his latest transformation. He hadn't used his hollow mask since his failure against Yammy, it turned out, and it had something to do with his emotional strength being drained by the transformation. Their goal was to weaken the hollow by fighting it, and hopefully Ichigo would emerge from within. Hachi explained that Zangetsu, Ichigo's zanpakuto, was like all Zanpakuto's in that it would attempt to fix any damage done to the master, emotional or physical. Rukia didn't quite understand it, she'd never really communicated with Sode no Shirayuki, only received vague dreams and somehow had the names of attacks pop into her memory as though they'd always been there, even when she'd never heard them before.
The demonic hollow was finally beginning to tire out, and Mashiro, Kensei, Lisa, and Shinji were now taking turns fighting it. Mashiro sent some flying kicks into its skull, while Kensei peppered it with small strikes from his dagger. Shinji was flashing in and out, blocking any strikes from hitting his partners, while Lisa slashed at it from every possible angle.
Cracks began to form on the mask, much to everyones' relief. A single horn broke off entirely, crumbling to dust before it hit the ground. Rukia sensed a shift in its reiatsu, and turned to Hachi who nodded in affirmation.
The hollow roared again, a howl so full of pain and rage it broke her heart to know it was Ichigo inside there. Thank the heavens this fight is almost over.
"Hyyyaaaahhhhh!"
"Hahhhhh!"
Ichigo roared as he swung his massive cleaver around at Ogihci. He had found this shikai of Zangetsu embedded in the side of a building, and when he touched it he felt his strength return to normal instantly.
"Not bad, King! But you're still hung up on somethin', and you ain't gonna be good enough to beat me 'til you get over it!" Ogihci mocked, twirling his white Tensa Zangetsu in his fingers. He stopped its movement and swung outward, releasing a black Getsuga Tenshou towards Ichigo.
Raising his sword to block, Ichigo pushed one foot back as a brace. The energy hit the blade and he forced all his power into the edge, cleaving through the attack, then lunged forward to stab at Ogihci.
"You bastard, I can't let you win this!" he yelled.
"Ichigo."
The orange haired boy stopped, stunned. "Zangetsu?" he asked incredulously. "The hell? Where've you been this whole time, old man?"
"Ichigo, see that it is raining here? You are sad. I cannot tell you why, for only you know the answer. All I can say is that if you do not overcome this sadness you will not overcome this hollow. I also cannot help you overcome this hollow, for it exists as a separate soul, one that I hold only limited power over. You, however, can control him if your heart desires it." the wise man said.
"My heart...? Of course my heart wants to defeat him!"
"No, Ichigo, it doesn't. It is focused on something else right now. Think. It will come to you."
Ichigo thought, his fight on pause while Zangetsu and Ogihci waited for his revelation. Why Ogihci was waiting didn't make any sense to him, but he wasn't complaining. He realized that what happened in Hueco Mundo must have affected him more deeply than he thought. Attacking Ishida, brutally killing Ulquiorra, losing to Yammy so quickly... They had hurt his pride, he realized. His pride was founded on protecting people, and killing enemies with honor, yet he had failed to do that. He may have come to terms with hurting Ishida, or brutalizing Ulquiorra, but he hadn't realized that his pride was so damaged. He knew what he had to do now. He thought he'd lost his humanity, then he had realized he lost his heart. Now he was beginning to understand that his pride was his heart, the core of his very being.
"Heh, guess you're right, Ossan. I'm gonna have to regain MY PRIDE!" he yelled as he lunged towards Ogihci, catching the hollow off guard. A white blade deflected a massive black one as the two foes clashed, Ichigo smirking as he brought a foot up and kicked Ogihci in the head, stunning him. Following through with the kick he spun and knocked the hollow's blade aside before plunging his own blade deep into a stunned Ogihci's chest. Blood poured out and Ichigo felt all his strength returning, and more strength he hadn't remembered seeping through his very core.
"What the-" Ogihci gasped. "You! You were too weak to speak a few minutes ago! How did you manage to do this to me without a real fight?"
The bright-haired teen just smirked. "How? I needed to get my pride back, so I resolved myself to win. You never stood a chance against my resolve, hollow," he explained. "Now I'm going back to the real world. Thanks, Ossan. Keep this jerkwad in line will ya?"
"Of course. Congratulations, Ichigo. You found what you were lacking..."
In the skies of Karakura, the sun was slowly rising in the east. Shinji and Hachi were all that remained fighting, the other Vizards having long ago exhausted their strength. The demon before them had suffered minimal damage, but was obviously on its last legs. It raised its sword and flew at the blonde vizard, meaning to cut him in half. Shinji wearily raised his blade to counter the strike, not sure if he could hold on for much longer himself.
Without warning, the hollow creature stopped. It froze in midair, then clutched at its head, howling in agony. Shinji nearly collapsed with relief. Finally Ichigo had beaten that damn thing!
He watched as the beast tore off its mask, revealing Ichigo's tired but happy face. The grey skin slowly peeled off to reveal the rest of Ichigo, as the figure collapsed and fell through the air.
It stopped before it hit the ground though, a slender pair of arms holding it up. Rukia slowly brought the returned Ichigo to the ground, setting him down and immediately beginning healing kidou. A single amber eye opened up halfway, and the boy whispered something to her that neither Shinji or Hachi could hear. They saw her shake her head and continue healing him.
Shinji turned to the large man beside him, then motioned at the unconscious Vizards. "Hey Hachi, ya think ya can get us into the ol' hideout without gettin noticed? Not that it matters much anyways, but..."
The Kidou master nodded, clapping his hands together as he prepared a great, and illegal, teleportation spell. A bright flash of light, and all that remained in the streets of Karakura were two shinigami, their whispered words a mystery to even the gods.
