A.N: So, if anyone's been keeping up with the latest Bleach chapters, let me sum it up for you this way: Rukia and Renji can now be officially counted amongst the badasses of anime and manga. Seriously, Renji owned that Luchador Quincy, Mask, and Rukia's owning Äs Nödt.

Anyways, here's the next chapter. Komamura continues his battle with a powered-up Cortez Orgulloso. Hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 12: The Ultimate Defense

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez whistled in appreciation. "Damn, didn't expect him to use it after Sentencía exploded."

Ichigo had sensed the rise in spiritual pressure as well. "What was that, Grimmjow?"

"That, Ichigo, was Cortez Orgulloso's full power." Grimmjow explained. "Whoever's down there fighting him is screwed now."

"We'll see about that."

Grimmjow shook his head. "Don't make such statements without letting me explain why, dumb ass." Grimmjow chided.

Grimmjow lowered his head, giving off a look that he was in deep thought at the moment. "As you know, among the Los Retazos, the hierarchy is quite simple. At the very top is the king, Benito, ruling next to him, Halibel the Queen, and directly below them are six Generals who've become as strong if not stronger than the Espada."

"Your point?"

"I was getting to that," said Grimmjow. "Among those six Generals, each one of them has a skill set that they are better that than everyone else's. For example, I'm the fastest of the Generals. I've honed my speed for the past two years to match the speed you have in Bankai."

"That General you fought in the Fake Karakura, Bruto De Poder, the man had more destructive power than even me, and I was the Espada of Destruction for crying out loud." Grimmjow continued.

"What about the others?" Ichigo asked.

Grimmjow chuckled evilly. "One's offense towers over the rest, one's planning towers over the rest as well, and then there's one who's a master of psychological warfare. Hell, I get freaked out by what that one can do sometimes."

Ichigo did a quick count. "That's only five, Grimmjow."

"Again, I was getting to that," Grimmjow growled at his rival. "You're always so damn impatient. Anyways, the last one is the Ultimate Defense of Los Retazos. That one in particular is Cortez Orgulloso."

"The Ultimate Defense?"

Grimmjow nodded. "I've sparred with each General," Grimmjow told Ichigo. "But when Cortez unleashed his Resurreción, Caballero, even I couldn't scratch him."

"What is that old saying, Ichigo? The best offense is a strong defense?" Grimmjow continued. "If that's true, than Cortez is more than capable of ending this war himself."

Komamura stood bravely as he awaited the sight of whatever form Cortez took with the release of his Resurreción. A shadowy outline appeared in the dust and smoke. He then noticed the bulkiness of the outline. His eyes widened when he realized that Cortez had been much thinner than that. What is he? Komamura asked himself.

The dust settled. The smoke cleared. In Cortez' place was a 10 foot tall behemoth clad in black armor meant for a knight. A large sword was strapped to the large man's back. "So," Komamura spoke. "This is what your Resurreción is."

No mouth moved on the knight. However, Cortez' voice was still heard. "Yes," he replied. "This is my Resurreción, Caballero."

Komamura looked Cortez over. There doesn't seem to be much of a change in his current power. Komamura thought. If anything, he might be hindered. He was so fast before.

Komamura raised his Zanpakutō. But this is all just speculation, Komamura continued. The only thing I can do is attack and test out what he's got now.

"Roar," Komamura screamed. "Tenken!"

A giant arm appeared and Komamura swung horizontally straight at Cortez' neck. Cortez remained motionless. The impact kicked up a large amount of dust. Did I get him? Komamura wondered rhetorically.

The dust quickly settled. Komamura's eyes widened at the sight before him. Cortez' armor had stopped the attack cold in its tracks. His armor didn't even look dented from Tenken's attacks. "Impossible…"

Cortez shook his head. "Not at all, Captain Komamura," he said. "As I told your comrade, I have the strongest defense in all of Los Retazos. My speed is my defense when I fight normally. But when I release Caballero, I gain the ultimate armor. Not even your strongest attacks can penetrate it."

Komamura glared at Cortez. "Having a strong defense like your armor is important," he admitted. "But there has to be a trade-off for such a strong defense."

Cortez didn't respond. "Like the loss of your speed!"

Komamura flash stepped towards Cortez with his fist raised. Cortez reacted quickly. He reached behind his back and brought out his giant longsword with amazing speed and reflexes, blocking Komamura's punch perfectly. Like before, the force of the attack blew dust all around them.

Komamura looked at Cortez in surprise. He shouldn't be able to react so quickly! Komamura thought. The heaviness of that armor should've slowed down his movements!

"My turn." Cortez said coldly.

Cortez suddenly vanished, which caused Komamura to stumble a bit. Cortez quickly reappeared behind Komamura with his longsword raised and ready to strike. Komamura looked behind just in time to see Cortez swing downwards. Komamura cried out in pain as blood splattered onto the sand.

Akio Yamamoto rubbed his aching head. He groaned in both pain and annoyance. "I'm really starting to hate pits." He muttered.

He looked around to see that he was in a dark room. "Ugh, now where the hell am I? Don't tell me I fell all the way to the damn basement."

Akio than realized something. "If that's true though, where's everyone else?"

He quickly started calling out, clearly concerned for the safety of the others. "Kenpachi! Tōshirō! Rukia! Anyone!"

"Ugh, Akio? Is that you?"

Akio immediately recognized the voice. "Rukia!" He called out. "Where are you?"

"Well, clearly I'm down here with you." Rukia Kuchiki came into view.

Akio couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're okay." He said, smiling.

"Aww, are you starting to think of me as a sibling like you do with Ichigo?" Rukia teased lightly.

"Not at all," Akio rebuked, grinning mockingly. "It's just that Ichigo would kill me if anything happened to you. You're like his precious china doll, or his hemophiliac baby."

A tic mark appeared on Rukia's head. "Are you saying I'm incapable of taking care of myself?" She shouted, threatening to hit him in the head.

Akio raised his hands in defense. "Not at all," he said, lying slightly. "I'm just reiterating the fact that Ichigo cares about you a lot, don't get so defensive, Rukia."

"I'm gonna make you defensive, Spark-Plug!" Rukia shouted.

Akio was now starting to get annoyed. "Spark-Plug?" Akio knew that name was making fun of his abilities. "Where do you get off calling me names, Midget?"

Rukia glared at Akio, only Ichigo was allowed to call her that (of course, he didn't need to know that little fact)! "It's on now, Sparky!"

"Are you two done yet?"

Akio and Rukia turned to the sound of the unfamiliar voice to see six Adhuchas surrounding them. The two looked at each other. "Lets work together," Akio said, before adding while grinning. "But only for a few minutes."

Rukia nodded. "You better be ready when we're done," she said, smiling slightly. "Because I'm gonna have a whole list of insults and names for you, you low-voltage bastard."

"Bring it on, shortcake." Akio charged the Adhuchas

"Shortcake? I can top that." Rukia charged in after Akio.

Meanwhile, Tōshirō Hitsugaya looked up at the ceiling of the dark room he was in as best he could. He sighed worriedly. "I have to get back up there," he said. "Momo and Rangiku still injured."

"Lt. Hinamori and Lt. Matsumoto are in good hands, Captain Hitsugaya." Said a familiar voice.

"Hachi? Good to know I'm not alone down here."

Hachigen Ushōda nodded in agreement. "Are you sure you should be moving so soon?" Tōshirō asked. "What with that Kidō spell you had used earlier."

Hachi smiled. "Don't worry about me." He said. "After collapsing from exhaustion, Lt. Kotetsu provided first aid treatment. I can move enough to be of help."

Tōshirō smiled slightly. "Good, because I want to get out of here, and fast." He said. "I don't like being in such an ominous place. Especially when that ominous place happens to be in enemy territory."

Kenpachi Zaraki laughed as he looked over the enemies surrounding him. "It looks like I get to fight after all. And what's more, I have to fight even more now to reach the top floor!"

"Yay, more fun for Kenny!" Yachiru Kusajishi cheered.

Neliel sighed. He reminds me too much of Nnoitra, she thought. But, Ichigo trusts him…he's wary of him, and frightened as well, but he trusts him. That's good enough for me I suppose.

"Thank you for the hand, Ms. Hiyori." Said Nemu Kurotsuchi, as Hiyori Sarugaki helped her to her feet.

"Che, it was no problem," Hiyori replied, still trying to act tough around her new friend. "And stop calling me Ms, it makes me fell old."

Nemu nodded. "Very well, Hiyori."

Saying it without the Ms sounded strange to Nemu, but she followed Hiyori's request, regardless. Hiyori looked down a dark hallway. "So, what do you think is at the end?" She asked.

Nemu frowned. "I honestly don't know," she replied. "Perhaps the best way to find out is to investigate?"

Hiyori looked at Nemu and grinned. "Yeah, investigate! Sounds good to me! Lets go Nemu!"

Renji Abarai glared at the two 'brothers' of the former Third Espada as they cowered behind him. In front of the trio were several Adhuchas. "I thought you two were supposed to be mighty warriors." Renji grumbled angrily.

"Than what the hell is this?" Renji screamed. "Cowering behind someone isn't bravery at all."

"Well, you know what they say," Pesche began. "It takes real bravery to be a coward."

"Nobody says that!" Renji shouted at Pesche.

"What Pesche is trying to say, Renji, is that it's best that neither of us get in the way, doncha' know." Said Dondochaka.

Renji sighed and faced the many Hollows once again. "Just don't get in my way." He muttered.

Benito Muerta looked over his invading army. Very soon now, he thought. Soul Society will come to an end.

"Lord Muerta!"

Tesla Lindocruz ran towards his king. Benito looked at him curiously. "Yes, what is it Tesla?" He asked.

"The enemy is now on the basement floors, Sir." Tesla reported. "It seems that Lord Szayel Aporro's device still has its uses."

Tesla was referring to the device that Gin Ichimaru had used in Las Noches when Ichigo and his friends first invaded. The one that manipulated the rooms to his liking. Benito and his men had taken said device and modified it into a new type of trap. One that would have the invaders falling into a different place of the users choice. "And their status?" Benito asked.

"They are all trapped and will soon die at the hands of your men, Sir." Tesla saluted Benito.

Benito nodded. "Good, that should slow them down."

"Umm, about that…"

Benito sighed. "What is it?"

"Sir, a few invaders avoided the pits. Most of them have hung back to heal their wounded, but two are running up as we speak."

Benito grumbled in annoyance. "Do we know which ones they are?"

"One is a captain-class Soul Reaper, the other a lieutenant-class," said Tesla. "Although, the captain-class appears weaker than other captains."

"Than don't worry about it, just continue final preparations."

"Yes sir."

Komamura was now officially on the defensive as he desperately tried to block Cortez' relentless attacks while simultaneously trying to ignore the pain he felt from getting slashed down the middle earlier. I have to get some breathing room. He thought.

Komamura weakly raised his free hand. "Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!"

Cortez grunted in surprise as six beams of light held him in place. Kidō? Cortez thought in surprise.

"If direct physical attacks won't work, than I'll use Kidō!" Komamura shouted. "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens. Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui!"

The large blue flame shot towards Cortez, who was still struggling to escape Rikujōkōrō. When the Kidō spell connected, a large explosion engulfed the area around Cortez. Komamura panted, and then grunted in pain as his injury acted up again. "I hope that got him."

As if replying, Cortez suddenly appeared via Sonido, and he looked completely unharmed by Komamura's attack. Komamura's eyes widened as Cortez threw a left hook straight at Komamura's face, sending him flying. Komamura cried out in pain as he hit the ground. Is this happening? Komamura asked. I hit him directly with Sōren Sōkatsui. How can he not be injured.

Komamura struggled to his feet. Cortez walked towards him. "There is no point in you fighting anymore," Cortez said. "Drop your weapons and you will spend the remainder of your days as a prisoner of war."

"You didn't seem interested such an offer when that cannon was ready to kill us." Said Komamura.

"Those were His Majesty's orders, circumstances have changed with the cannon's destruction." Cortez said dismissively. "My offer stands. I do not wish to kill a man who's been a worthy opponent up until this point."

Komamura glared at Cortez. "If I gave up, I would be unworthy as a man, not just an opponent! I refuse to give up, not when I still have a duty as a Captain and to Master Genryūsai!"

Cortez sighed, genuinely saddened at the fact he had to kill such an honorable man. "You give me no choice than."

With that, Cortez slashed Komamura across the middle. Komamura gasped in pain as blood sprayed into the air. The giant captain fell to the ground, the earth shaking from the impact.

A.N: Hopefully getting chapters out at this rate will become a habit. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. ND2014, signing off.