Enters hallway to see a large 12' Oni in bronze armor almost walk by before noticing the readers. He stops and addresses them.
"Oh! You guys must be here to finally hear the next part of the story Matoro is telling correct? He should be in his study at the moment, but he should have some time to tell you more, as he is taking a week off from his duties as King of the Youkai."
"Name's Ogremen by the way. Come on, I'll lead ya guys to him."
Follows Ogremen to a large door. The Oni opens it to reveal a large room with bookcases, a desk, and several couches and chairs. On one couch lies Matoro, who sits up upon seeing who is entering.
"Ah! I was hoping you all would come soon to hear the next part of Lord of the Hollows."
"So that's the one you're telling them this time? Can't say it's a bad choice, as that was a great tale."
"Indeed it was my friend. Now, please sit down everyone. Now, where were we? Ah yes…."
Last time:
Amelia turned to Sui Feng. "You have no idea how thankful I am to you," she said. So many of the Ministry of Magic's problems had been solved today, and the scary part was how connected they all seemed in hindsight, even if distantly so.
"It was no problem, Amelia," Sui Feng said with a smile. "So," she added as she saw Sirius looking at them both in interest, "Aren't you going to go greet your fiancé?"
Amelia looked in the direction her old friend had motioned, and her smile grew even larger. "If you'll excuse me," she said as she walked over to the man she dearly loved.
Sui Feng smiled as she saw the two embrace. She knew Amelia from back when she was still with James. The Head of the House of Bones had been the only other living girl, aside from Lily, that she called friend, and had been overjoyed when she learned of her and Sirius' engagement.
Of course, the engagement had been arranged by Sirius and Amelia themselves, rather than their parents, something that had pissed off Walburga Black, as she was the type to 'micro manage', the family. When her husband had died, she had tried to kick Sirius out as heir, but, as the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black could only be led by a man, by its house rules, she was unable to do anything as Sirius was, by right, the next Lord Black. She could do nothing, which pissed her off further.
As such, was it really any surprise that, as she neared her death, people said she had lost her mind to madness. Now, with Sirius released from prison, he could, properly, take up the position of Lord Black, and many could tell, mostly from the huge grin that Sirius was giving Lucius, that the blonde's days of having a stake in the next heir of Lord Black, namely through his son, Draco, were numbered.
Sirius turned to Amelia. "So, 'darling'," he said sweetly, his tone causing Amelia to pause in fear. "How hard exactly did you try to get me out of prison?"
Amelia gulped. She knew that Sirius would be upset for spending three years in prison, but then she remembered: he is an unrepentant prankster at heart. So, turning towards him, and smiling coyly, she replied, "Only as hard as you deserved, 'darling'."
She smiled at the flat-footed look on Sirius's face as he realised he just had his little joke turned on him by his finance. Sirius then smiled. "Well, I just got tables turned on me," he said smiling, as his future was looking bright once more. "So, Amelia, what does a man have to do to get a chance to clean up?" he asked with a smile.
Amelia sighed and said, "Well, you have to go through processing first, but don't tempt me to spray you down with an aguamenti first," she said with a glare. Sirius just laughed in response, something he hadn't done in three years.
Su Feng smiled at the banter shared between the two lovers. She really missed James, but she had yet to find him in Soul Society, something that irked her deeply. However, at least she had her son, her husband's best friend, and now, one of her surrogate sisters, back with her.
Life was definitely looking up for Sui Feng. All that was left was to find Remus Lupin, and get him to rejoin 'the family'. Looking at Amelia, Sui Feng smiled, "Amelia, Sirius, I will see you in a few days, alright?"
Amelia nodded. "Stay out of trouble Sui Feng. The Dursleys will be facing magical justice in a week or so to answer for the abuse they dished out to the heir of a Most Ancient and Noble House," she said. Oh how Amelia was looking forward to that trial.
With Amelia as acting minister, and a shoo-in for the position, and she could soon get on to making sure that Peter Pettigrew, now the most notorious wizarding traitor, would be hunted down like an animal, before being put down like a rabid animal...
Once she was in, the Ministry of Magic would be getting a swift kick in the right direction, and a bit modernized. Oh, how her plans to progress the magical world forward would be a golden age.
Little did she know how right she would be in the years to come...
AND NOW, ON WITH THE ADVENTURE!
Chapter 5: A Date turned disaster...
Lies, Corruption, & Mysteries!
By Rita Skeeter
My dear readers and followers, so much has happened since the last time I wrote something. A minister ousted, a headmaster removed, numerous ministry employees fired and arrested, and the Boy who Lived's parentage brought into a new light! First off, it came to light that due to corruption of some employees of old, Sirius Black was never given a trial, stymied by efforts of the now ex-minister and a few lords, it was revealed that he would have gained guardianship of young Harry Potter should he have been found innocent, which he was! That's right my dear readers, Sirius Black was NOT the secret keeper of the Potters, and there's more on that later. For now, Sirius Black was announced as the former godfather of the Boy Who Lived till his incarceration happened... But why receive a trial now? It would seem that the true mother of Harry Potter, a certain Shinigami, or, as this reporter has discovered a 'death god', has been pushing for an investigation into the matter after getting her hands on her son. However, one must ask, is she truly the mother of our national hero, or, is she trying to raise the rights of her people by claiming that Lily Potter was unfaithful? We must ask also if this woman claiming to be our hero's mother is a creature, or a witch, or something else? Keep reading my dear readers as we discover more in the days and weeks to come...
For more information on the relation between Sirius Black and James and Harry Potter, see Page 4; For more info on Cornelius Fudge and his various crimes, see Page 8; For a list of Employees facing charges, see Page 10; For more info on the former headmaster of Hogwarts and why he was removed, see pages 12 to 16.
Sui Feng sighed as she put down the Dailey Prophet. After the trial, Sirius had been checked over by Unohana and a Goblin healer and been declared competent, despite being in Azkaban for three years.
Now, Harry was happily eating his breakfast on his mother's lap. It had been a month since the trials, and it was finally time for the double trial of the Dursleys, first in the court of magical law for the abuse of the heir to an Ancient and Most Noble family, then in the court of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad to face Shinigami justice.
Sui Feng, needless to say, was looking forward to later. There was also the festival coming up in a few days that she was sure Harry was going to enjoy with Ruri, who, in turn, had been tremendous help in helping Harry learn more vocabulary so as to speak more eloquently.
Wait a minute, the young mother thought as she picked up the paper again. Rereading the article on the front page, her expression changed from confusion, to irritation, to downright furious.
She put the paper down, her eyes shadowed by her bangs. "So," she said in an eerily calm voice, "I'm a fake who's trying to raise my kind's popularity eh? Oooooohh how to dispose of this little BUG?
"Perhaps mutilation? Hmm. Sounds too simple. Dismemberment maybe? Or perhaps feed her to the Hollows. Soooooo many possibilities."
"... Mommy? Why 're you pettn' me like a kitty?"
*Ministry of Magic*
(SONG START: ReBoot OST Mega March)
While Sui Feng and Harry were enjoying their breakfast, the Dursleys were enjoying a Ministry of Magic containment cell, and had been for a month. Due to proper meals and portions, Vernon and Dudley had quickly begun losing weight.
"Why do we suffer 'cause of the freak?" Dudley asked. His question went ignored. Petunia, meanwhile, was cursing everyone inside her head, her sister, her sister's adopted son, at least as far as she knew, and she blamed Severus Snape, Dumbledore, and more.
Suddenly the door banged open. "Up and at 'em prisoners!" shouted a way too eager and happy Mad Eye Moody. "Oh, and CONSTANT VIGELENCE YOU WORMS!" he added with a thunderous roar.
"Up and at 'em boys and girls. Your about to face justice!" he smiled gleefully, which, on the face of Moody, was a terrifying sight indeed.
As the Dursleys were marched into the courtroom, they were under heavy guard, aurors in armor, Shinigami in armor, and then there was one more type of guard that really had Petunia worried, they looked like demons waiting to kill.
(MUSIC ENDS HERE, NOW PLAY: Nox Arcana - Dragon Riders)
As the Dursleys were stopped and then strapped into the chairs. What followed seemed like more of a farce as they were quickly read their charges, and then had the votes cast.
It wasn't till they were found guilty that the guards with demon masks acted. In a blur of shadows, the demon guards surrounded the Dursleys. Then one began talking in a dark, ominous voice.
"Dursley family..." the voice began, "You are to be brought before the full might of the Central 46, and the Thirteen Court Guard Squad combined. As you have been sentenced to death in the world of the living, your fate is in our hands..."
The guard continued, "We are the Shadow Legion, knowing our name will not be remembered. The knowledge will be wiped from your mind later, regardless. Prepare to die before being transported to the Soul Society for Judgement..." the guard finished, leaving everyone who heard the words to shiver in fear at the sheer emotionlessness, and yet threatening presence of the guard's voice.
What followed could only be described as a brutal and utter massacre as the Shadow Legion carried out the execution in such fashion that the only thing left was body parts, a mess of blood, and the souls with broken chains on their chests floating there for all to see.
Suddenly a Shinigami stepped forward. He had slate grey eyes and long black hair. He had the flare of a noble about him. "Souls of the Dursley family, my name is Byakuya Kuchiki. By order of the Central 46, your souls are to be transported to Soul Society for judgement in the case of abuse against the son of a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad," he said in an emotionless tone.
However, if one had been listening carefully, they would have detected an undercurrent of unbridled rage, indicating this man would love nothing more than to permanently destroy their souls.
The souls of the Dursleys screamed in fear and protest as they were escorted out at the point of swords that could harm souls out of the courtroom. Byakuya faced the Lords and Ladies before him with a blank expression.
"Forgive us for the mess, ladies and gentlemen of the court," he said with a bow. "We will have someone come to clean this up, as it would be considered bad manners to let such 'filth' lie around."
He was met with silence. After a minute, the Shinigami captain bowed again before leaving through the doors his brethren had left through moments earlier.
For several more minutes, everyone within the courtroom was silent, staring at the doors the 'death god' had just exited. Finally, a small chuckle broke the silence.
"Well," Sirius Black, who had recently been reinstated into the Seat for the House of Black, said in slight amusement at his comrades' expressions, "That was certainly interesting."
*Court of the Soul Society*
Central 46 rarely got involved in matters involving the captains and their families. This was because it rarely needed their attention. However, in the case of Sui Feng and her son's abusers, well, that was a case for the Shadow Legion to be called as a show of force if nothing else.
The Shadow Legion was rarely called in due to their eliteness and skill. As the accused and guilty were brought in though, the entirety of Central 46 could agree that these three humans were some of the ugliest humans they had ever seen. One looked like a horse, another an *emaciated walrus, and the third like a thinning hippo baby.
The spokesman for the Central 46 stood up. "Dursley family, you are accused of abusing an heir to three families. One of them being a Lost Family, the other, a noble family in the living world, and the third being a family affiliated with a captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad. How do you plead?" he spoke.
"Not guilty of course you nutcased hooligan freaks!" Vernon Dursley screamed out in both anger and fear. "The little 'thing' has no place among his superiors in society." he paused before continuing, "Plus," he added with a smug sneer, "There is no possible way the menace to society is in any way royalty. I demand that you let us go, or else you'll be sorry you ever crossed me!"
All of the high figures in the courtroom scoffed while giving the three walking zoo animals a glare that, had they been still among the living, they would have been twenty feet under.
"And how, may I ask, is a four-year-old CHILD a menace to society when he can barely talk, let alone survive on his own?" the spokesman all but growled. He wasn't the only one, as several souls were now sneering at the family trio in chains before them.
"Because he can use damned 'magic'," Vernon said, spitting at the word "magic", venom clearly in his tone. "Nothing good has EVER come of that freakishness, I tell you! We didn't even WANT the little beast to begin with!"
"In fact," the walking walrus of a man continued, "He should have been put down LONG ago. He'd contaminate and SPREAD the magic to us normal people! We HAD to beat it out of him! It was the ONLY way to ensure he'd NEVER be able to use it!"
Instantly, the family was hit by a massive wave of killer intent from everyone in the room, and the glares they received made their blood run cold.
"You do realize," the spokesman said slowly, rage evident in his pitch-black eyes, "That the child's magic would have lashed out at you, harming or even KILLING you in the process in order to PROTECT him from you."
At this, the Dursleys' faces were drained of blood, becoming paler than a full moon.
"Then it should be put down immediately then! Before it KILLS us all!" Vernon screamed out, hoping that at least ONE person would agree with reason. Unfortunately for the brainless buffoon, no one appeared to show any sympathy.
Instead, the killer intent seemed to only increase, with the greatest source coming from an older looking black haired man dressed in regal robes.
"Are you implying." he growled, his teeth audibly grinding, "That the boy is nothing more than a stupid animal?!" By the end of his question, he was shouting in fury.
"Why would that abomination be of any importance to you?" Petunia finally spoke up in a haughty tone. After all, she reasoned with herself, it's not like the man had any direct relations to that hell spawn.
"That 'abomination' as you called him just so happens to be my GRANDSON!" Hui Feng roared out.
The horse's eyes widened at that, all too late realizing her mistake.
What followed was a long-winded list of charges, detailing everything the Dursleys had done wrong to Harry, from spreading rumors that he was a delinquent, to beating Harry as the 'only gift he deserved on his birthday'. Needless to say, when it came time to enter sentencing, it was without difficulty that all of Central 46 was in unanimous agreement with a sickened, and disgusted, Thirteen Court Guard Squad.
(SONG START: BFME2 Soundtrack: 4-Darkness Falls)
"Dursley Family, you are found guilty of all charges. For your blatantly evil actions against an innocent child, you are to be sentenced to the appropriate realm of Hell itself. Enjoy eternal damnation..." the spokesman said before indicating for the portal guard to activate the gateway.
As the portal guard activated the lever, a giant door appeared. The gates were chained shut and adorned with the bandaged head and torso of a skeleton on each door. The arms of both skeletons were positioned at an angle to pull the gates open.
(MUSIC ENDS, START: Midnight Syndicate - Alchemist's Chamber)
As the gates appeared and stopped coming from the ground, the two Skeletons suddenly opened their mouths and an eerie and downright frightening tune began to play, coming from the skeletons mouths. Suddenly, the skeletons slowly reached up, grabbed the doors, before suddenly jerking causing the massive doors to snap open. When they did, all one could see was darkness with a dull, hellish, red light from its depths giving it a haunting appearance.
Suddenly, a chain shot out and wrapped around Vernon's throat. Just as Petunia was about to scream in fear, another shot out and wrapped around Dudley, and a third wrapped around herself.
Then, with slow and precise action, the chains began reeling inwards, towards the gate. It took fifteen minutes, but soon, all three of the Dursleys had been pulled into the gate, before they snapped shut with a sense of finality and a resounding THUD. A black hell butterfly flew out of the gate before it closed and landed on the Head Captain's outstretched finger.
(song ends here)
When the head Captain looked up at all the eyes looking at him expectantly, he gulped in fear as he said, "Hell's Ruler said, 'Thanks for these three. We will be sure they suffer for hurting 'family,'" he finished with fear before giving a shudder.
He knew that the rulers of Hell appreciated every soul that was sent there that deserved it, but he had never guessed that hell considered Shinigami family.
Central 46 and the Captains and Lieutenants stared at one another, before thanking whatever higher power that they had earned the Hell God's favor, in a sense. Central 46 then cleared their throats and the spokesman spoke up, "With the Dursleys delivered to Hell, this session is here by concluded." With a bang of a gavel, everyone stood up and filed out, the gate dissipating into nothingness.
*A week later at the Feng Home*
(SONG BEGINS HERE: Fairy Tail Fairy's Glitter Extended)
Sui Feng smiled as she dressed Harry in his newest kimono for males. It was a special kimono with festivals in mind. It was a forest green with some red and blues. The latest festival was being held to raise the spirits of the souls of Soul Society, both the regular souls, and the nobles and the Thirteen Court Guard Squad members.
It was, effectively, the first festival that would be seen as a kind of recognized, all encompassing, festival that was also a holiday of sorts. It was two-fold, on the fore front, Shinigami and nobles would now be allowed to visit the world of the living more frequently, provided protections and steps were taken to minimize exposure to the Soul Society.
The second reason was to celebrate the up and coming festivals of the dead that were celebrated in the world of the living. Of course, in the Soul Society, rather than a festival for the dead, it was being called the Festival of the Living. It would honor those who still had family amongst the living, allowing them to, with permission from Central 46 and the Head Captain, go under a disguise and visit and interact with their families in the World of the Living.
However, one of the rules about this was they could not, under ANY circumstances, expose who they really were. Needless to say, many were willing to do this, as they just wanted a chance to see who they had lost contact with due to dying, and be able to make new memories, even if their loved ones didn't know it.
As the festival began several days ago, Harry was being given a place of honor as one of the speakers for the event. He was nervous as all hell about it, granted, but his mother was proud. Already Shinigami were eager to learn about the world of living, and all its many gadgets.
Mayuri was making a list of sorts for equipment he was eager to get his hands on and test out in the Soul Society. Byakuya was even making a list of sorts for some things that he apparently had wanted to get after learning about them.
All the captains were making their lists of things they would love to try and things they wanted to get and would then take to the Captain Commander for approval. Even Kenpachi Zaraki was making a list, though what for no one could possibly guess.
Harry, meanwhile, was looking forward to the festival itself. He had never been to a celebration of any kind before, and Ruri had promised to play all the games with him. His mother had been proud and happy for him when he told her.
Slowly, but surely, Harry was becoming more courageous and confident, and Sui Feng couldn't be happier. Sui Feng had been surprised with how protective many of the other captains had been towards Harry.
Though, one thing that had thrown up a red flag to her attention, along with some of the other captains, was that Harry was wary of one Sōsuke Aizen. When questioned about it, Harry could only shrug his shoulders and say, "Feeling says he bad. No trust..." and then go back to what he was doing beforehand. Not to mention that one particular meeting where Aizen had, as a result, been labeled a creeper for.
"Alright sweetie," Sui Feng said with a smile as she fixed her son's kimono one final time, "Are you ready to go meet Ruri and go to the festival?"
"Uh huh!" Harry cheered with his little hands raised in the air, his eyes filled with happiness. He had never been to a festival before with the Dursleys, so this would be a new experience for the little child.
His mother grinned at the boy's antics as she took his hand. "Alright then, Harry," she chuckled softly. "Let's get a move on then. Don't want to keep your friend waiting right?"
"Right!" was the reply as the mother son duo headed out.
*Kasumiōji Clan Home*
Rurichiyo Kasumiōji was worried, and with good reason. At least in her mind anyway.
Aimi Kasumiōji sighed, and swatted her daughter's head. "You have nothing to worry about Ruri," Aimi said. "Harry will be a dear and delightful company, if a bit overwhelmed by what you told me you plan to show him for his first celebration," she said with a smirk.
Rurichiyo bit her lip. "But mother, he has never been to a celebration, let alone a festival, further more a multicultural themed festival..."
She had a point at that, as the Soul Society was, for the most part, Japanese in their corner of the afterlife. There were still souls from other cultures who immigrated to this corner, or were in this part of the world when they died and were sent to the Soul Society though, so there were still some other cultural influences as well.
Aimi sighed, "Ruri, if you act strong, Harry will be strong by your side. He adores you dear." She smiled as she combed Ruri's hair. "Besides, your Harry's first friend Ruri," she said, reminding her daughter of this fact. At that, Ruri smiled. If she could teach Harry to speak properly, she could help him learn to have fun.
(SONG ENDED)
(Song Start: Naruto OST Yellow Moon)
*The Festival, hours later*
When Harry met up with Ruri, he was not expecting what he ended up seeing.
The young heiress was dressed in a light sakura pink kimono with yellow and violet flowers adorning the formal Japanese robes. Her hair had been tied up in the typical Japanese style bun, and her face had both a nervous yet excited look.
Harry just stood at his mother's side, staring at Rurichiyo with a large blush that matched the one on his friend's face. Even though he was only a little over four years old, he clearly understood how pretty the young girl was, if his red face was anything to go by.
The two mothers saw their children's faces, then looked up and smirked at each other. They had each had worries about the betrothal even though the two were already close, but this action cleared some of the lingering doubt the two had.
Now if only they could get the message through to the political bigots that the two were already taken. Honestly, the numerous marriages proposals were starting to get annoying by now.
"If you two are done staring at each other," Aimi said with a chuckle, "What say we enter the festival and have some fun tonight shall we?"
Her statement broke the kids out of their almost stupefied trance. They avoided their mothers' gazes so as they would not see their blushes and nodded.
"Well now," a familiar voice said from behind them, "Looks like some people already have a little crush."
The quartet turned to see Unohana in a purple kimono, a serene smile on her gentle face. The Shinigami doctor walked up to them with a giggle as Harry and Ruri blushed even harder.
"Now, now Unohana," a deep voice said as a large figure walked up to them, "You shouldn't go embarrassing ones so young. Especially if they are in the first steps of love."
Sajin Komamura chuckled at the children's expressions of awe at the sight of the Shinigami werewolf's 9'5" frame towering above them.
Harry's eyes widened in recognition. "Moo'y," he whispered in surprise.
The wolf captain raised a furry eyebrow at the young boy's statement. "Come again little one?" he asked he kneeled down so as to be closer to the children. "Who is this 'Moo'y you speak of?" he added in amusement
"Sorry Koma," Sui Feng said as she ruffled her son's hair, which had refused to be tamed no matter how long she tried. "He's referring to Remus Lupin, one of James' old friends from Hogwarts," she explained.
"He was called Moony as a nickname, since he is a werewolf like yourself," she continued to explain.
"A werewolf eh?" he mused. "Is he a pureblood or...?"
"Infected," Sui Feng replied with a sigh. "An infamous criminal named Fenrir Greyback bit him when he was a child."
"Fenrir Greyback?" her colleague growled in fury. The two captains looked at their friend in confusion. The malice in his voice surprised them and, to be truthful, made them nervous.
"Do you know that man Koma?" Unohana asked tensely.
"What werewolf HASN'T heard of that abomination?!" Komamura snarled. "He's an infected who takes great pleasure in infecting CHILDREN, a practice that is ILLEGAL by the laws that ALL werewolves, infected, pureblood, and halfblood are supposed to obey!
"In fact," he continued, "He and those like him are the reason we werewolves are hunted and slaughtered!"
"You seem to have taken this really personally," Sui Feng said curiously.
"I should," the massive captain snorted angrily, "He's the one who bit Ylva." At this, the three women's eyes widened in realization.
Ylva was Komamura's wife for years now. When she was human, she had been frail and sickly, even as a child. Her condition only became worse when she had become an infected werewolf at eight years old. When she was a teen, she had met Komamura, and had fallen in love with the pureblood werewolf.
When Fenrir learned of her relationship with a pureblood werewolf, he had ordered her to ask him to go through with the ritual that would be able to turn an infected werewolf into a halfblood, thus being able to control their abilities and change forms at will or even remain in wolf form indefinitely.
In defiance, she had instead ran off and told Komamura the truth about Greyback. When he heard this, he hid Ylva so that when the criminal finally learned of her betrayal, he was unable to find her.
When Fenrir finally found her again fifteen years ago, he mortally wounded her. In a rage, the Shinigami werewolf captain attacked the infected and depraved Death Eater, forcing him to flee and nurse his heavy wounds.
Though he was too late to save Ylva, with her dying in his arms, he escorted her to the Soul Society, where they were married a year later.
However, Ylva's sickness had apparently followed her even in death. If it wasn't for Unohana, she would have died and been reincarnated without ANY memories of her husband. Though her condition of being an infected werewolf still remained, which was remedied about twelve years ago with the last blue moon.
Unohana again had saved her when she gave birth to her and Komamura's children. When she had both litters of three, she was able to survive thanks to both being a soul now and the expert skills of the Shinigami doctor.
"So THAT'S who infected Ylva," Aimi gasped in amazement and horror. She had grown close to the female werewolf, and decided to babysit the pups whenever their parents went out. As a result, Ruri was good friends with the six pups as well.
"Exactly," Komamura growled. "And you say that this Remus was infected by the same man?" he asked Sui Feng with a concerned expression, who nodded with a glum look.
Before the furry captain could growl again and scare the children, a small, delicate white furred hand grabbed his hand, massaging it gently and calming the giant werewolf.
"As much as I love to see you get concerned over me as well as others, dear," Ylva said softly, "I think you should stop so as not to frighten the young pups here."
Sajin Ylva was wearing a blue and silver kimono, and stood at five foot four, which was actually VERY short for a werewolf. Her size was due to her growth being stunted when she had been ill as a living. Her silvery white fur glistened in the lights of the lamps.
Meanwhile, Ruri and Harry had snuck off during the conversation, wanting to enjoy the festival. It took a while for the parents to figure out the children had run off.
Harry was having the time of his life, enjoying the celebration and the fun, the new foods, the new games, and the prizes. It was a bit *overwhelming if not for Ruri by his side to keep him grounded.
Harry had tried his hand at one game and had won Ruri a plushy of a purple dragon. Ruri had won Harry a pen and pad for drawing with dragon designs on it. Needless to say, both had been happy with their prizes.
Neither noticed the eyes from the roof top watching them, though Harry did keep getting this strange feeling that someone dangerous had him in their sights.
(SONG ENDS. SONG START: 'Solty Rei Original Soundtrack - Enemy Attack'; note, if not on YouTube, google it =w=)
Just as Harry and Ruri were going to a stand to order some food, their stalker decided it was time to strike.
Suddenly, years of abuse, and training to avoid fatal blows from the Dursleys, kicked in as a sixth sense, and Harry just had time to push Ruri out of the way and dodge to the side as a wicked and evil looking sword came down just where the two had been standing mere moments ago.
Harry was terrified, as he had never had someone like this try and kill him before. His fear only grew when he saw what his attacker looked like.
The...'thing', standing in front of him was half Shinigami, and half covered in bone like features. Of what could be made out of the man underneath the bone, was that he was a large man, almost twice the height of Sui Feng, and probably over four times her weight.
He had black hair, and was wearing the standard Shinigami robes with a large purple collar just being seen under the bone covering him. He was wearing expensive jewelry too, or at least, what little could be seen was expensive looking.
The bone side of his body however, could only be described as a Skele-Gro potion gone wrong, in a horrible way. A large portion of the face was covered in what appeared to be a bone mask. His one arm completely covered in what appeared to be a bone gauntlet and arm coverings with joints for easier movement and spikes coming out of the side.
The 'Mask', was in the shape of a pig, and a twisted one at that. Out of the man's back was what looked like a skeletal wing of some sort on the one side. On the opposite side from the arm covered in bone, was a leg covered in what appeared to be the same bone material. The bone covered foot ended with a wicked looking boot of bone with clawed toes. and then there was the bone covered hand holding the Zanpakutō.
The Zanpakutō, or at least, what had once been one, now resembled something forged by the Orcs of Mordor from Lord of the Rings, but in the style of a bastardised katana, crude and unrefined in its form. And it showed too, but was still an effective killing instrument none the less.
Breathing hard, the 'thing' glared down at Harry hatefully. With an echoing tone, one that many of the souls attending the fair recognized for what the creature was half of, who began running to get a Shinigami to deal with it, the figure roared in rage.
Meanwhile, Ruri was staring at the creature in horror, as it had nearly killed her and Harry had it not be for his instincts and reflexes. The creature then began to laugh, in its distinctly Hallowfied voice.
"Oh, you are a stupid little half breed freak of nature, aren't you?" it said arrogantly. "Here I was, getting ready to pronounce my intentions, and then you, you disgusting half human piece of filth, had to come along and ruin all my plans!"
The creature then lunged and Harry just had time to dodge as the creature plowed into the ground with all the finesse of a tank inside a house.
"Goddam it! Stop moving you misbegotten creature!" the creature shouted in anger, as he tried to pounce on the boy another time, but was met with the same results.
Then it spotted Ruri.
"To think, your betrothed to a fine noble family, and that the two of you have a childish crush on each other makes it all the more sickening," the creature began to rant.
"I should cleanse both houses of their taints. The Feng, and Kasumiōji clans should not have to deal with marrying each other through the use of a half breed BASTARD!" The creature then lunged at Harry and grabbed him the throat. "Now how best to crush your spirit, out right slaughter, or by killing the Kasumiōji heir first in front of your eyes half-breed?"
Harry was choking from the pressure on his throat, but he heard every word, and grew angry. Just as he was about to act on his anger, he suddenly heard his mother's cry.
"HARRY!" Sui Feng shouted in horror.
(Song end, song start: Echoes from the Crypt by Nox Arcana)
Suddenly the creature turned around and sneered in a twisted, evil, disgusting way. "Oh, look, the damned harlot is here!" he said arrogantly. "Do you recognise me at all?" the creature asked.
Sui Feng looked at the creature with confusion, and shook her head. "Sorry, don't know who you are freak. I just know your threatening my son..." she said as she got into a fighting stance, her sword drawn in her classic reverse grip.
The creature laughed. "It is I, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, your ever-loving lieutenant," the newly revealed Marechiyo Ōmaeda said. "On top of that, I am about to deal with this... half breed filth...to purify your family!" he said angrily as he turned his attention back Harry.
"Wh-what the hell?!" Sui Feng all but shouted in shock and horror. "Ōmaeda?! Wha-what happened to you?! More importantly, why the hell are you attacking my son?!"
The captain's mind was in a large state of shock. Now that she could get a good look at it, she realized that it was telling the truth. This... this THING was her lieutenant?! How?! He looked almost like a Hollow with the way he looked!
How could this have happened?! It was impossible for a SOUL to turn into a Hollow once it was in Soul Society! It just wasn't possible... Right?
Seeing her confused look, Ōmaeda smirked. "I promised the one who granted me the power to win your heart that I would not reveal their identity..." he said with a smirk.
"And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to dispose of the trash, on both sides of the family..." he said as he slammed Harry into the ground before letting him go and then turning towards Ruri.
Harry, though stunned, widened his eyes as he, with his more simple mind, realised that this... monster... was going to attack Ruri, and he had no way to help her. He began to despair before he realised something that he had forgotten in his time with his mother: he was a survivor. He had powers. His mommy told him so. Surely there was something deep within him that could help, right?
(Song end, new song start: X-Ray Dog: Dethroned extended)
Suddenly, deep within Harry's soul, something stirred. It was ancient, powerful, and, what's more, right now, it was reacting to Harry's anger, desperation, and his magic.
As a result, it felt something else drawing it forth. Harry's magic was searching, reaching, trying to find anything that could help Harry save Ruri when it had detected... something... in Harry's soul, and had latched on to it, pushing, nudging, drawing forth what it could reach, eventually causing a damn of power to burst, filling Harry with power and energy of a spiritual nature.
Outside of Harry's body, suddenly a massive form began to leak out and spread around Harry, encasing him like armor protecting a wearer. It eventually formed into the form of a bipedal dragonoid like form. It unfurled its wings around its body as its arms and legs extended, when, suddenly it raised its head and gave a mighty roar that shook the entire fairgrounds, and alerted every Soul Reaper in the area that a fight was happening.
When the dragonoid looked around, its eyes flashed gold when it spotted Ōmaeda ready to attack Rurichiyo. It roared again, this time, bellowing a war cry. One that hadn't been heard by the Soul Reapers of old since the 'Lost Times', the time when the Lost Families had still been around.
As it roared, it said "And the world came to know my power!" It was an ancient battle cry, one that Sui Feng only recognized due to her research on ancient battle cries for a history paper back when she was in the academy.
But, it couldn't be. He was a mythic Zanpakutō spirit. If he was her son's Zanpakutō spirit, and he was awoken as he seemed to have been, then the Spirit King help everyone at the fair.
The spectral Dragon then took to the air, after spreading its wings, and hovered for a moment before diving at Ōmaeda. When it reached him, the poor fool was hit with such force that he was forced to let go of Rurichiyo as he was sent flying through at least 10 fair stands behind him. Before the young heiress could be sent flying by the force, though, one of the Dragon's clawed hands caught her gently.
Turning to look down at the staring in fear Rurichiyo, the dragon smiled. "Fear not for my partner little one. He will be fine. For now, know that his concern and care for you, and your friendship, has spared you from the wrath I feel for being forcefully awoken. After all, tis the saying, 'Fear not the monster, but the dragon the monster awoke...'" it said in a regal, yet commanding voice, before setting her down, then taking off and flying after Ōmaeda.
(Song end, new song start: Final Fantasy XIII-2 OST - Clash On The Big Bridge (Gilgamesh Theme FFXIII-2 Version))
Ōmaeda tore through the remains of the tent he had fallen into with a roar of fury. He had been so close to killing that little brat when that THING had appeared! How can a mere spectral stand up to HIM?! He was the ultimate being, the true unity of Shinigami and Hollow!
"You impudent brute!" The abomination roared in defiance at the massive creature. "I am Marechiyo Ōmaeda! The greatest being throughout both the worlds of the Soul Society AND the living! You are nothing but an inferior fake specter wannabe!"
A growling snort came from behind the hybrid, causing him to turn to see the Great Dragon land with a resounding thud that echoed across the fair.
"Though amusing, creature," the tall spectral being said as its eyes narrowed, "I grow tired of your folly. You call yourself the perfect combination? You're nothing more than what a scientist in this age would call a 'prototype'."
"There is nothing great about you aside from being the perfect 'test dummy', if you will even understand that term, which I highly doubt due to your lack of intelligence."
"W-What did you say?!" the mutated former lieutenant sputtered in outrage. "You DARE insult me? Your better in every way!"
"And how, may I ask, are you my 'better'," the Dragon snapped, his eyes flashing a brilliant gold. A gold so bright, it seemed as if it was born from the very essence of light itself.
"I have been around for more millennia then ANY of your kind have!" he continued. "It is YOU who dare to insult me by your very pungent and hideous presence! I have not slept for thousands of years just to finally be awakened to see the ABOMINATION before me!"
"As such," here, his jaws opened to reveal a bright blue light beginning to gather. The mutant just roared in defiance as he charged forward, preparing to strike the child curled up within the specter.
"BE GONE! MEGA FLARE CANNON!"
As he said this, a beam of what could only be called pure blue fire shot from his maw. The beam struck the charging opponent and, with one final scream of pain, Marechiyo Ōmaeda was no more.
(Song end)
The Dragon's gaze fell to the only thing that remained of the now deceased lieutenant; his Zanpakutō. With its wielder gone, its appearance was once again normal.
"To have called such a worm your wielder," he snorted as his eyes narrowed, "You truly have reached a farther low than any other I know of Gegetsuburi"
The sword glowed a bright white before the silhouette of a hunched and heavily spiked figure took its place. When the light faded, those except for the Dragon were shocked by what they saw.
Where the sword once was, now stood a black 8' armored figure. Its arms were both long and thick, with its massive clawed fists resting on the ground on its knuckles. Above the fists was what could only be described as twin maces, one for each arm. A pair of the same objects covered its broad shoulders, making it look even more fearsome than it already did.
Its metal plated legs were as thick as tree trunks, and were shorter than how one of the figure's height would normally be, hence its stooped posture. A long, armored tail swung behind it, the spiked ball at the end accidentally shattering a support beam for the barely standing tent it stood by.
Its body was also very broad, thick, and, like the rest of its body, HEAVILY armored. From its back were six massive spikes. It only took one look at them to see that they were meant to protect the creature from being attacked from behind.
Its head, though, was the thing that gained the most attention. Connecting it to the rest of the body was a thick and semi long plated neck. The head was slightly elongated; giving whatever it was a small snout. Covering the entire head was a helmet, leaving only its two glowing green eyes visible. Covering the top and sides of said helmet were smaller, but no less sharp, spikes.
"Great King," the figure bowed his head as he began in a deep metallic and surprisingly soft voice, "Marechiyo Ōmaeda was not like that at first, if you choose to believe it. He was once an honorable man, but his pride and lust for his captain soon clouded his judgment."
"That is still no excuse to continue to serve that scum, though, young Gegetsuburi," the specter said with an irritated sigh. "You know that according to the Ancient Rights that you had every right and were allowed to leave him at ANY time."
"So, why didn't you?" the Great Dragon asked with what could be called a raised eyebrow, even though he had two massive horns on said brow.
"It is because of Marechiyo's little sister Mareyo," was the reply from the now revealed Gegetsuburi. "Unlike the rest of the Ōmaeda clan, Mareyo is a gentle and kind soul, and without someone to watch out for her, she could end up being in grave danger from outside the clan... As well as within I fear."
The Dragon sighed as he closed his eyes in contemplation. "So... I am assuming that you wish to remain in the Soul Society to watch over her, even without a wielder then?"
At this question, the spiked armored figure fell to his knees, his head bowed. "I know of the Ancient Rights, so I know that I am allowed to be Mareyo's guardian without a wielder," he said in accepted humility. "But I would still wish to have your blessing though, oh Great Dragon God Bahamut."
The Great Dragon, now revealed to be called Bahamut, remained still for a few moments, his eyes closed to not reveal his thoughts. All around them, the sounds of what could strangely be called a battle died down, leaving them all in an uncomfortable silence. Apparently while Bahamut had been dealing with Ōmaeda, a horde of mutants had attacked the fair. They were now being dealt with by the Shinigami.
Sui Feng watched the whole thing in shock and disbelief. This was insane! Zanpakutō spirits taking physical form?! How?! Deciding to ask for clarification, she cleared her throat loudly, drawing the attention of the two spirits. "Is my son going to be alright, oh Great Lord Bahamut?" she asked in concern.
The spectral form of the Dragon God stared at her, before approaching the young mother. When he stood over her, he lowered his head and sniffed at her.
"You are my wielder's mother." This was clearly not a question. Sui Feng nodded. "I am even now looking through the boy's memories, and the ones with you in them are filled with nothing but love, happiness, safety, and pure unadulterated joy."
"Yes, the boy shall be alright. He is currently asleep at the moment. And dreaming of spending the entire day with you and his mate from what I can sense," he added the last part in amusement, to which the woman blushed at the knowledge that her son loved her so much that he wished he could spend every day with her.
... Wait a minute.
"Mate?" Sui Feng asked in confusion. How can her son have a mate? He wasn't even FIVE yet!
"I believe her name is Rurichiyo, if the young lad's memories are anything to go by," the Dragon said with a nod. "The connection those two have is filled with adoration, closeness, and trust, the very foundations for what I am certain will be a beautiful love."
Sui Feng beamed at this. While she knew that engaging the two children together was a good idea, Bahamut's statement was more than enough to fully reassure her of any remaining doubts that lingered in the back of her mind.
"Harry?!" a panicked voice called out from their right. The trio of a Shinigami captain and two Zanpakutō spirits turned to see Rurichiyo, Aimi, Komamura, Ylva, Unohana, Yamamoto, and the other members of the 13 Court Guards. The shout had come from Rurichiyo, whose face was filled with fear for her friend.
Yamamoto froze at the sight of the spectral form before him, as well as noticing the child within his chest. Before him was a being who had not been seen for countless millennium, far back to before even HE was born.
"Great Dragon God Bahamut," he said as he kneeled before the Dragon. "I have heard the tales of old, but I never imagined one of the First Zanpakutō to honor us with his awakening in this day and age."
Hmm hmm," Bahamut chuckled lightly. "It relieves me that there are still those that have heard of me in this age. However, I would like to hear the name of the one who is addressing me, if you will."
"Of course," the Captain Commander said with a nod. "I am Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain Commander of the 13 Court Guard, wielder of Ryūjin Jakka, and have recently been one of the few chosen to be the ambassadors to the world of the living."
"So, contact with the world of the living has been re-established..." Bahamut replied. "I see it now in my partner's memories, terrible things that family did to the boy. I hope they suffer what they deserve..."
He then paused. "I will say this: I know not why one of the Shinigami would welcome the power of the Hollows. It would be best if you investigated... I should add that looking through my partner's memories, someone once attempted to place a powerful illusion on his mind, but his magic interfered with it and the attacker fled but not before he could be partially identified in the boys memories..."
He paused again, "And while I would love to exercise my anger at being awoken so forcefully to save the life of my partner's mate, he is running low on magic, and so I must return to him as a Zanpakutō spirit. For now, know this: I may be only a sword once I return, but I WILL be listening, and communicating with my partner..."
Suddenly, Bahamut began to shrink and then withdraw into Harry's body until finally the boy was all that remained as he floated to the ground, unconscious.
Sui Feng rushed to her son's side almost immediately, scooping him into her arms gently as she checked him over, still on her knees. She sighed in relief when she found nothing wrong with him physically, hugging him to her chest as tightly and gently as possible.
Feeling a tugging on her sleeve, she turned to see a very concerned Rurichiyo. "Is he okay?" she asked, her eyes never leaving her friend's face.
"Unohana?" the mother asked her friend, who nodded as she approached the trio. Kneeling down to their level, she proceeded to place her hand on the child's forehead.
"Captain Commander," Komamura turned to his superior as he asked, "What was that Dragon? How did you know him? I have never heard of this Bahamut before."
Everyone, excluding Unohana, who was still checking Harry, looked to Yamamoto for his answer.
"As most of you hopefully already know, most of the Zanpakutō spirits are of an animal nature correct?" Everyone nodded. "Well, Dragon Zanpakutō are amongst the rarest of the spirits one can wield. The most powerful of these are the Seven Dragon Gods, who were among the First Generation to be made by the Soul Smith, Ōetsu Nimaiya."
Everyone except Sui Feng's eyes widened as he continued, "These Dragon Gods are possibly THE most powerful of all the Zanpakutō ever in history if what Nimaiya says is true. Each one has a different title, as well as powers that are unrivalled by any being, be they Soul or living."
"The two most powerful or the Dragon Gods are Bahamut, the Ultimate Dragon God, and God of Light and Life, and Hell Wyrm, the Fallen Dragon God, and God of Darkness and Death."
"Next is Jormungardr, the Serpent Dragon God, and God of the Seas, and Tiamat, the Frozen Dragon God, and God of the Frozen Wastes. They are under Bahamut and Hell Wyrm in terms of power, but are still foes that no one in their right mind should even attempt to try to take on."
Below them are Yiazmat, the Chaos Dragon God, God of Destruction and Carnage, and Fafnyr, the Shield Dragon God, God of Peace and Prosperity and Iron. Both are said to have a similar relationship like Bahamut and Hell Wyrm; a very violent and grudge filled one where they usually fight whenever they are near one another due to their opposing powers."
"And what is the seventh one?" asked Ylva in curiosity. The others nodded in agreement, as so far they had only heard of six of the Dragon Gods when there were supposed to be seven of them.
Yamamoto chuckled lightly at this. "Well that would have to be the Burning Dragon God Ryūjin Jakka, God of Fire."
Everyone's eyes, including Sui Feng's, widened in shock. Ryūjin Jakka?! That was the name of...
Yamamoto smirked at their reaction. "Yes," he said as he drew his Zanpakutō from it's sheath, "I am the wielder of the Burning Dragon God Ryūjin Jakka. Though he is by far the weakest of the Seven Dragon Gods, he is by no means one to be underestimated."
Needless to say, the soul reapers that had gathered were taken aback that their Captain Commander had such a powerful Zanpakutō. Sui Feng suddenly spoke up, and looked at Unohana. "What is the status of my son?" she asked hopefully.
Unohana sighed. "Severe magical exhaustion," she said. "And some torn muscles, which are quickly healing." She then turned to Harry. "Given that his Zanpakutō spirit was just awakened, forcefully I might add, it's kind of understandable that he would be near death from the drain on his magic..." she said worriedly.
Sui-Feng sighed. "Any idea when he will recover?" she asked hopefully. Unohana sighed. "Given the magic required to awaken a Zanpakutō prematurely, at his age, and how long it was active for..." She sighed again. "Best guess, a month or two, maybe more..." Sui-Feng frowned while Ruri sighed sadly for her friend.
Omake: Introduction to Pranks...
"A-are you surre this is okay we doing t'is, Ruri?" Harry asked nervously as he crept alongside his friend through the hallway.
(song begin: Saints Row IV: How the Saints Save Christmas - The Fight Before Christmas Mission Theme (Battle))
"Of course I'm sure Harry," Rurichiyo said matter of factly as they stopped at the end of the hall. The hall branched off to the left and right, with seemingly no end in sight. Ruri scratched her head in thought. "Now where was that stripe face's lab again?" she thought out loud as she looked left and right.
Harry had been in the Soul Society for a couple weeks now, and had grown to be quite close to the young heiress. It was three days before the Festival of the Living, and Ruri decided to introduce her betrothed to one of her favorite past times; pranking.
And the poor, unfortunate target of the day?
Mayuri's precious, clean, laboratory.
The Shinigami scientist was notoriously known for his clean labs. On top of that, he kept a constant eye on it to make sure that NO ONE ever entered his lab without his knowing.
Rurichiyo had come prepared though. She had brought spray paint, toilet papers, and sticky notes. She had also brought hate mail from the Anti-Mayuri Club made up of people who detested him and his experiments.
Taking out her spray paint cans, she began to spray all sorts of occult symbols and messages onto the walls and desks. She then sprayed a smiley face with X's for eyes on his big computer screen. Then she took out the sticky notes and began to cover the screen with the notes. They were blank of course, but it was the principle of the thing that mattered!
Harry, meanwhile, was doing as instructed, and was pouring juice onto the security system, causing it to short circuit and shut down, while also wiping all evidence they had been there from the system as it was unable to be restarted.
Rurichiyo smiled, "Great job Harry," she smiled. Without the security system, Mayuri would never know who pranked his lab, and would tear through the Seireitei to find out who did it, never knowing the real culprits.
Placing the finishing touch with the hate mail on his desk as a 'red herring', they took their leave, as the captains meeting would be finished soon in preparation for the event that was coming up.
(Music ends)
Omake: Sōsuke Aizen is a creeper...
(Days before the Festival of the Living)
Sōsuke Aizen was currently nursing his wounds he had received after the rather spectacular beat down he had received at the hands of the Shinigami Women's Association.
The reason he had been beat up? He had tried to unleash his real Zanpakutō on the young Feng heir, only for the brat to somehow prove immune to his swords powers. To make matters worse, the brat had gone to tell his mother that 'a creepy man was trying to get him to follow him'.
Needless to say, it had tarnished his reputation as a gentle and kind captain, and he was now considered a creeper by female Shinigami.
Now Sōsuke Aizen was plotting. He had to get rid of the brat because with him being immune to his swords power, it meant there was a threat to his plans. But how to do it? He would have to plan carefully...
...Well, the Festival of the Living was coming up, so perhaps a little 'gift' was in order...
Omake 3: Furballs of Trouble
Rumors and tales had been coming out of the Soul Society for weeks now, and had even spread to the world of the living's inhabitants that were souls.
As such, a purple cat was making its way into the Soul Society from a senkaimon from the world of the living. It immediately headed for the Clan districts as the portal closed behind it.
It had occasionally been seen around Soul Society from time to time, and was always dismissed as nothing special, everyone assuming it was someone's pet or something. This time, however, it seemed to be... looking... for something.
"…. And that is where we will leave it for today. I apologize for the lack of any more parts to this amazing story, as I have been busy with a great deal of other things and was only now able to get this part for you."
"I'll say. You've been really stressed out lately man."
"Thank you for stating that obvious fact, Ogremen. Now I hope you will all be patient with me for the next part to come out, as well as another story that will hopefully be released to you within the next month or two. It does not yet have a name, but let it be known that it is a Harry Potter/Stardew Valley story that I was only reminded of thanks to Ogremen bringing it to my attention."
"What? It was a good story!"
"I know that. I wasn't implying anything by it. Now, till next time readers!"