TTGL: So this is the Heavens.
Chapter 12: The crimson demon, eh?
The command deck of the Burning Spirit was packed with shinigami, each eager for a chance to pilot the behemoth. Kamina had never been aboard the real Dai-Gurren but from his glimpses through the Squad Twelve screen he had been able to get the basic design accurate. Nemu had been given creative licence so that it would all fit together and function properly but apparently she had little in the way of imagination, building it perfectly to Kamina's plans and fitting in practicality and science afterwards.
It didn't have the same level of function as a real Gunmen, making it impractical for open combat but for Kamina's goal it was perfect. As soon as a suitable deck crew had been found they set of across the plains, giant footsteps shaking the ground in a rhythmic crash.
Without the need for a Gunmen hanger, a full replica of the academy with dojo and firing range had been fitted so that the Dai-Gurren members could train as they travelled. The living quarters were small and basic but were comfortable. Shinigami had already invaded all the different areas from the canteen to the engine room.
On Kamina's request they had tested the cannons to "Ensure that they worked okay". The main gun was aimed at a far-off mountain. Nemu fired it up then stepped aside to let Kamina have the honour of first shot. He slammed the button down with vigour.
There was a moment of nothing followed closely by a crash that racked the entire ship. Through the window they watched as the main cannon shot out a large red beam. It hit the mountain and blew a hole clean through its centre.
"How strong did you actually make it?" questioned Kamina to fill the amazed silence.
"Nemu tilted her head slightly to the side. "As powerful as the conventional laws of physics allow."
"Ah. Good! You all just saw the power that we have at our disposal. We're gonna take this cannon to that Aizen fella and shoot him straight in his ugly mug, see if he stands back up after that!" boasted Kamina to the cheers of his men.
One major difference between Kamina's battleship and the one that Simon now controlled back on Earth was the issue of power. Gunmen ran off of fighting spirit, something Kamina had in abundance, this ship however needed physical fuel. Kamina decided to kill two grapehippo with one stone by stopping at the closest village to pick up supplies and look for information.
They passed through two villages with barely a pause, both nothing but ruins. They had done quick searches for survivors but found nothing except one near dead boy of about eight. Kamina insisted that they take him aboard and help him regardless of how close to death he might have been.
On approach to the third town Kamina thought that they had found yet another destroyed human settlement but as they drew closer he realised that there were a few buildings that still remained standing.
They stopped beside it, the Burning Spirit towering over the ramshackle buildings like a god. There was no sign of movement within the village but Kamina was sure that since it still stood then someone would have remained here. He hopped down to investigate.
The streets were empty but behind dust coated windows he could glimpse faces watching him. He stood in the centre of the town and called out. "You can all come out. I am the mighty Kamina, leader of team Dai-Gurren and overall protector of the oppressed. You have nothing to fear with me around. Oh, and that bigass ship there, that's protecting you too."
Reluctantly a man shuffled from a house onto the street. He was a middle aged man with thinning hair but had a strong body used to hard labour. He cautiously approached the shinigami.
"Are you really shinigami. We all thought that they were gone."
"Course we're shinigami. Don't let the sweet cape and shades fool you." announced Kamina. He eyed the village. "What happened here anyway? You weren't attacked by Aizen's forces or we wouldn't be stood her talking."
"Aizen's forces? What are you talking about. We were attacked by hollows, big, dark skinned ones that killed everything they touched. That was when the crimson demon arrived." relayed the man grimly.
"Crimson demon? Just what the hell is that."
The man frowned. "It came just after the hollows started to attack. It fought against them but was quickly overwhelmed. Next think we know it had turned it a dragon and destroyed the hollows, taking half of the village with them. We hurled rocks at it until it fled. "
By this time most of the villagers had ventured outside and now grouped around the man. They glanced apprehensively at Kamina, then to the Dai-Gurren.
"So you haven't heard anything about the shinigami?" The man shook his head. "Fine. Which way did this demon flee then?"
"To the east, into the cursed forest. I advise you not to enter that forsaken place. It is an area of lost souls, monsters and death." gibbered the man.
Kamina eyed the nearby forest sceptically. "I'll make you guys a deal then. You give us supplies and fuel for our ship and I'll go clear your magic forest out and bring you your crimson demon."
"It is very powerful. I doubt that a normal shinigami will be enough to hurt him."
"Do I look like a normal shinigami?" asked Kamina, his tattooed naked upper body gleaming in the light, cape billowing dramatically in the breeze and orange shades glinting. The only aspect of him that looked like a shinigami were the zanpakuto, sandals and trousers. His old white belt held these up making him look much the same as before he joined the academy.
"No, no you do not. Are you a member of some kind of special forces?"
"You could say that." beamed Kamina. "You up for the deal then."
The man conversed briefly with the other villagers. "Sure, we'll help in what way we can. What sort of fuel does that monstrosity take?"
"…I don't actually know." admitted Kamina.
"Maple syrup would be best." informed Nemu who had suddenly appeared at his side. "Any sugar will do but maple syrup would prove most efficient."
"Right! You heard the lady. Give me sugar! Nemu, your in charge of refuelling. Kempi! Myu! Get your asses down here, your with me. Everyone else, your on clean up duty. I want this place rebuilt stronger than ever!" Kamina yelled out his orders. Without waiting for Kenpi and Myu he strode off toward the oppressive looking trees ahead.
Myu and Kenpi jogged to catch up, reaching him half way across the open space between the village and forest. The space between the trees was total darkness, like a black void leading to a different world. Without hesitating or even slowing Kamina passed through into the woods. His eyes were used to the dark so they adjusted quickly buy his two companions didn't adapt as fast. They stumbled slowly behind Kamina, tripping and bumping into branches while Kamina moved as easily as if he was in an open field.
It only took a few minutes before Myu gave up her blind progression and lit a branch on fire with her Kido. With this light source they were able to move quicker but it also alerted any other creatures within the darkness to their presence.
There was an eerie silence that hung in the air like a mass of cobwebs, a metaphor that was quite accurate considering their spider infested surroundings. Other than bugs, there was nothing that moved, not even the wind perpetrated the leaves.
"You really think there are demons here?" muttered Kenpi dully. "It strikes me as stupid, building a village next to a supposedly cursed forest."
"What could be demonic than hollows anyway?" added Myu.
"I don't care." grunted Kamina. "If it could kill a group of those super hollows then it'll be worth my time to fight. I'm aching to test out my control over Gurren."
They walked on for a while until Kenpi stopped them. "I saw something. It looked red."
"Where." asked Kamina. Kenpi pointed to his right. Kamina stared intently at the area of darkness. "You're right. Hey! Show yourself!"
Nothing moved. Myu blasted the entire area with her Red Flame Cannon. In the moment of light a red and black blur moved between the trunks. A slither of metal shot out of the shadows at them. Myu dodged narrowly and the metal flew past her, slicing a tree clean in half. She screamed out as the metal suddenly changed course and returned the way it had came, slicing her arm as it passed.
Kamina and Kenpi leapt through the trees in the direction that the blade had come from while Myu released a series of lightning bolts that lit the way as well as pepper the greying wood with scorch marks.
The figure appeared at Kamina's side and the ex-pilot instinctively swiped his sword in that direction. The supposed demon blocked easily and launched its own attack but was forced to go back on the defence as Kenpi attacked from its flank.
The three fought furiously for a few moments before a bolt of lightning struck the demon's chest. It shrugged of any damage with little concern but had managed to alight the situation. They had been fighting with a red haired shinigami.
"A shinigami? You don't happen to know where a crimson demon is do you?" asked Kamina hopefully.
"Demon? Is that what those ungrateful villagers are calling me? I saved them and just 'cos I wrecked a few little buildings in the process they tried to stone me!"
Myu finally caught up and shone her torch on the man. He was tall and muscular with narrow eyes and distinctive tattoos across his eyebrows and neck. He looked vaguely familiar to Kamina but he couldn't put a name to his face.
"I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before. Its defiantly not the academy though. You'd think that I'd remember such a weird looking face." puzzled Kamina. Names were not one of his strong points, neither was being courteous.
"Kamina. I should have guessed." sighed the red haired man. "I am Captain of Squad Three, Renji Abarai. I was present along with the other captains when you saw the general." explained the man.
"Renji, the crimson demon, eh. Where's ya white captain jacket then?"
"We're being hunted down and I'm currently in a dark forest. A white jacket is like putting up a big sign saying 'Captain here.' I don't fancy all the unwanted attention." Renji pointed out.
"Are your squad member okay as well?" asked Kenpi, cutting straight to the point.
Renji's face contorted slightly with anger. "Most were killed. We we're ambushed by everything from bandits to hollows. Just to cut our chances even more they destroyed our objective building while we were still inside. The ones of us that escaped have been slowly hunted down by those new-type hollows."
He turned and began to walk deeper into the gloom. "Come on. We have a little camp a bit further in."
It was a short walk until they reached the camp. There was a thick tree in the centre of a small clearing that had been turned into a makeshift house. Several shinigami sat upon its thick branches while many more wandered around the clearing doing various tasks. They all seemed visibly relieved to see their captain returned safely.
The place looked crowded but Kamina took note of how few shinigami there really was. Added to that was the fact that they all looked drained and in need of a good rest.
An awkward looking young man approached them. He had a small bag across his back and his eyes looked glazed as though he was in a dream. "Captain Abarai-san, you're hurt. Let me heal you up."
Only then did Renji notice the cut across his shoulder. "Damn hollows." he muttered. "Go ahead, just don't get in the way. I have a lot to discuss."
The young man held out his hands and a green glow began to emanate from them and the cut started to knot itself back together.
"Hey, are you a proper medic?" asked Kamina.
"Yes sir. I am Fourth seat Hanataro Yamada, Squad Four. Pleasure to meet you." replied the medic happily.
"Squad Four eh? Good, I've got some injured that need help but no fully trained healers. I could do with you. Fancy becoming a member of Team Dai-Gurren?"
"Whoa whoa whoa!" called out Renji. "You have more shinigami with you? Why didn't you say. I need every sword I can get. How many? You were with Ichigo weren't you, is he fine? Course he is, stubborn bastard wouldn't die."
A smile spread across Kamina's face. "Redhead, times are changing. Under the circumstances I think you'll find that I get to requisition you and your men, not the other way around."
"What! You little punk! You may have been big in life but here I'm a captain and you're a student. Therefore I get command by default."
Give me half an hour and you'll be eating those words." stated Kamina boldly.
"Your on!" growled Renji, drawing his sword.
"As much as that looks appealing I aint gonna fight ya. I'm gonna simply show you my argument. Anyway, I wouldn't need half an hour to fight you. Five minutes top before you're on the ground crying like a little girl."
Thirty minutes later: "Holy Jesus shit! That's a goddamn walking ship!"
"Bathe in the epicness. This is why I am the general!"
Renji shook sense back into himself, breaking away from his awe at the construct before him. "As a captain of the Gotei 13 I order you to relinquish this ship to me. You don't have the skills to lead under these kind of life or death circumstances."
Kamina got right up to Renji's face. You don't get it do you. There isn't a Gotei 13 anymore, just dust. You are captain of nothing! Sure you still plenty strong but the old system isn't in place anymore. If you want to lead then you will have to fight for it again. It's simple, you either join my team or you can go find your own ten story tall battleship."
Renji thought this for a moment. "I suppose I have no choice but to accept. I'll join you on one condition: that I get to be second in command."
"Whatever, no skin off my back. Get your men on deck, we're leaving since there was no powerful crimson demon for me to destroy." answered Kamina offhandedly.
They climbed aboard and as the Dai-Gurren began its steadfast walk, Kamina and Renji sat down in a private room to discuss their next move over a cup of saki. Both were thick headed and overconfident but Renji was somewhat more grounded and realistic.
"We need to find all of the captains before we can even attempt to fight Aizen head on. You don't know the chaos he caused last time he walked freely. I was there and I saw first hand how powerful he was. And since you told me of his fight with Ichigo then the chances are that he is stronger than he was back then."
"That was my plan anyway." Kamina said. "Although if I see him I'm gonna knock him down a few pegs. You know where any may be?"
Renji took a slow sip of his saki. "I know where they were all sent but that doesn't cover those that had stayed in the Seireitei. Add to that the fact that they too were all probably ambushed and scattered then we don't have any clear leads."
Kamina was about to speak when Hanataro stumbled through the door. Captain Abarai-san, Kamina sama! He's woken up and is in a stable condition."
"Who?" chorused Kamina and Renji together.
"The child. The one that you saved. We nearly lost him but now he is fine but he was muttering something about a 'pink mist'."
"Pink mist!" exclaimed Renji. "It has to be!"
"Has to be what?" snapped Kamina.
"Captain Kuchiki. His zanpakuto is Senbonzakura could easily be mistaken for a pink mist." informed Renji.
"Pink? Is this guy-"
"No. Pink is a manly colour." grunted Renji.
"Keep telling that yourself, sparkles. He'd get on with Leeron." laughed Kamina before downing all of his remaining saki. He rose from his chair and headed to the medical bay, Renji and Hanataro on his heels.
The boy was laid in one of the beds. He still looked sickly and pale but he definitely seemed more healthy than when they had first picked him up. He had dark green hair that hung in clumps like seaweed. He opened his slate grey eyes as they approached.
"Hey kid. How ya feeling?" asked Kamina loudly, standing near to the fan designed to keep the boy cool to make his cape billow even inside to give the right first impression of the mighty Kamina to the boy.
"I've…felt better." groaned the boy.
"Defiance, I like it! Tell me about this pink mist."
"There was…a man in the…pink mist. I was hidden. The monsters had hurt me. I watched as the pink vanished the monsters." the boy told them breathlessly. With some prompting from Kamina he continued. "He walked toward…the sun. There were more figures but I couldn't really see them. They all left toward the lake I think."
"Thanks kid. What's your name?" asked Kamina encouragingly. "I am Kamina, the mighty and badass leader of Team Dai-Gurren and general of the battleship Nensho Seirei no Dai-Gurren."
"Sasori Myda.
"Well Sasori, from now on I'm your big brother! Rest up and we'll have you on your feet and kicking ass in no time."
They left the medical bay and entered the command deck. After a brief check of a map they set course for the closest lake to the village where they had found Sasori.
"If we do find him, he won't allow you to command him. He is too proud to compromise." Renji muttered.
"I'll just have to make him then." Kamina replied, slipping his shades upon his face and staring out at the sun.
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A/N: All our cherished Bleach characters are finally beginning to make their appearance. Not all Captains will be the same due to the time skip but most will be known.
Can Kamina really keep control of his own army as more captains join or will he be forced to step down. This is Kamina, who the hell do those captains think he is! I promise action in the next chapter and lots of it.
P.S. If you're interested then I posted a poll on my profile about pairings as most of my feedback last chapter was 'whoever as long as you make it fit'. That's fine but doesn't really give me any direction. It means that I'll have to think for myself lol.
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this story. Please Review or PM me with comments or suggestions.
-FWF