A.N: I'll admit, I was slightly disappointed that nobody decided to give me their preference as to what story they'd like to see next. But in the end, it was my fault for not thinking things through. It's my responsibility to decide what's best to put online, not anyone else's. So, I've decided that my multiple-anime crossover (which I'm pretty certain will be published under Bleach and Naruto Crossovers even though it's four anime) will be what I'm publishing next. I've already got part one of the overall series finished up and will be publishing it very soon while I finish up La Batalla de la Torre.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter by the way. This chapter will contain Nemu and Hiyori vs. Test Subject 010.
Chapter 19: Test Subject 010
The thing with mad scientists is that when they try to play God and create life, they create something that is downright horrifying. Victor Frankenstein was the first to show this. And now, Mayuri Kurotsuchi was the latest mad scientist to create life in the most horrific and grotesque way possible. The worst part of it all was that Mayuri seemed proud of the creation known as Test Subject 010.
Mayuri grinned madly at his creation. "What do you think?" He asked Nemu and Hiyori.
Nemu simply glared at Mayuri. "Mayuri," she began dangerously, "whose lives did you ruin to create that thing?"
Mayuri raised an eyebrow. "Ruin? I did none of the sort, Nemu." Mayuri replied. "I simply made them better than they were before."
Mayuri looked over Test Subject 010. "I mean, if you saw how weak these two were before the enhancements I gave them, you'd be applauding me for making them into this."
"Who were they?" Nemu screamed.
Mayuri smirked. "Their names were Loly Avirrne and Menoly Mallia. They were stupid enough to attempt to kill the King just because they hated the fact that Aizen wasn't running the show anymore. After His Majesty incapacitated the two, he turned them over to me for their punishment. Honestly, for awhile I thought of killing the two rather than making them my latest experiments. However, when I realized that combining their power would give me the results I had always been looking for, I simply could not resist the opportunity."
Mayuri grinned at his success. "And now I've turned them into the perfect killing machine. A true success for a brilliant man such as myself."
"How could you?" Nemu shouted. "I can let go experimenting on the dead but the living. How could you put them through that?"
"What do you care, you didn't even know them?"
"I didn't," Nemu admitted, "but I do know what it's like to be not given a choice. You're good at not giving people a choice, aren't you Mayuri?"
"Geez," Mayuri muttered angrily, "there must be something wrong with you. Just a few months ago you never concerned yourself with morals and ideals."
"That was before my eyes were opened, Mayuri. I'm making my own decisions now, and I've decided that you're a monster that should've been locked away years ago."
Mayuri glared at Nemu. He then noticed Hiyori, who was shaking in anger. "You look like you have something you want to say, Hiyori." Said Mayuri.
"You bastard," Hiyori muttered.
"Is that all?"
"That wasn't directed at you," Hiyori growled at Mayuri, "believe me, I'm pissed as hell at you, Mayuri. But that wasn't directed at you."
"Oh?"
"That was directed at Kisuke," Hiyori continued, "because when we get back, I'm gonna kick his ass for letting a monster like you out of the Maggot's Nest!"
Back in the World of the Living, Kisuke Urahara sneezed and then felt an involuntary shiver run down his back. "Gesundheit, Kisuke." Yoruichi Shihōin said from across the room.
"Thanks, Yoruichi," Kisuke replied, "I'm sure it's nothing. It's probably just some girl talking about me."
And considering the added shiver down my spine, Kisuke added mentally, there's one girl who could possibly be talking about me to cause both.
Kisuke voluntarily shivered at the thought of her. Yep, Kisuke thought, I'm gonna need to avoid Hiyori for quite a bit when this is over. Otherwise she'll probably try to kick me in the crotch again. She's gotten stronger than that last time so it might actually hurt this time.
Test Subject 010, formerly known as Loly Avirrne and Menoly Mallia roared in unison at Nemu and Hiyori. The two were furious at Mayuri for creating such a horrific creature, but they still managed to keep cool heads. They would have to keep a cool head. Mayuri had a love for the grotesque, but the things he created were actually powerful. They would need an effective strategy in order to defeat Test Subject 010.
"What are we going to do about this thing, Hiyori?" Nemu asked.
Hiyori thought it over. "Kick its ass." Hiyori replied.
Nemu shook her head. "No!" She exclaimed. "We can't do that!"
Hiyori looked at Nemu. "No? Why the hell not?" She asked.
"We don't know the full extent of what this creature can do," Nemu explained to Hiyori, "attacking it head on would be foolish of us."
Hiyori sighed, she normally hated strategy. In fact, the first part of their clash with Mayuri had been the first time she had actually used strategy. She usually preferred to rush in head on. Lately, this method has only led to her getting injured (Gin Ichimaru's sneak attack on her had proven that).
Knowing that she could not afford to do this without strategy, Hiyori conceded. "All right, what do you suggest?" She asked.
Nemu looked at the monster, which was awaiting the command to strike from its master. "There's no doubt in my mind that that thing will attack the minute Mayuri gives the command. We'll be able to figure out plenty once it starts behaving like a wild animal. That being said, we need to be on guard. What we need to do is lure it into attacking and showing the full extent of its powers. An animal shows the full extent of its strength when attacking elusive prey."
"We're prey?" Hiyori raised an eyebrow.
Nemu, surprising Hiyori, smirked. "Yes," she admitted before quickly adding, "but not for long."
Hiyori got over her surprise at Nemu's sudden display of emotion and smirked back. "Not for long, eh?" Hiyori grinned. "All righty than, I can live with that. Let's do it!"
With that, Hiyori and Nemu charged Test Subject 010. Test Subject 010 quickly struck by launching its tail at them. Hiyori and Nemu quickly leapt to opposite sides. The beast hissed in frustration at being unable to hit its target.
Its tail is a weapon, Nemu thought, but that can't be all it can do. It's never simple with Mayuri.
Test Subject 010 roared as its back started to spread open. Two birdlike wings sprouted out of the monsters back. Hiyori's eyes widened in comedic shock.
"Wings?" She shouted. "Wings? That's not fair!"
Nemu gritted her teeth. Damn, she thought, of all things, I did not expect wings to sprout from its back. This just made things more difficult.
The beast roared again as it took flight. It immediately started to sweat strange, purple liquid. Nemu and Hiyori looked on curiously at the purple perspiration. Their eyes widened in fear as the purple liquid hit the ground and dissolved it.
"Oh crap!" Hiyori cursed. "It's poison! It's acid!"
The creature started shooting balls of acid off of its body. Hiyori and Nemu dodged frantically as Test Subject 010 filled the floor with more holes than swiss cheese. Mayuri laughed maniacally as the creature kept his two opponents on their toes.
Hiyori gritted her teeth in anger. I can't keep this up, we need to go on the offensive before we're completely melted by this thing's poison!
Hiyori quickly pulled down her Hollow Mask over her face. Okay Kurotsuchi, Hiyori thought angrily, time to fight freak with freak. Let's see how your monster handles another monster!
Hiyori's speed was instantly enhanced by her Hollowfication. Nemu watched Hiyori do this. If Hiyori is going to step it up, I should as well.
Nemu drew her Zanpakutō. "Take aim, Oniya!"
Nemu's Zanpakutō immediately changed into a dark crossbow. Mayuri narrowed his eyes at this. It's been a long time since I've seen Nemu release her Shikai, Mayuri thought, I designed her Shikai based off of the data I received from Sōken Ishida. She's a definite threat with Oniya released.
Meanwhile, Test Subject 010, enthralled by the monstrous being that was Hiyori, had shifted its attention to her. Mayuri turned to Test Subject 010. "010!" He called to the monster.
The monster briefly paused its acidic barrage. "Kill her!" Mayuri pointed at Nemu. "Focus your efforts on her!"
The monster roared in approval and flew towards Nemu. Nemu's eyes widened and pointed Oniya at 010. Nemu fired a blast of black spirit energy at the beast. Surprisingly, the creature showed off impressive speed and barrel-rolled out of the way. Hiyori then leapt into the air and attempted a sneak attack on the creature. Noting this, 010 whipped its tail at Hiyori and knocked her out of the way. Hiyori managed to land on her feet as the monster resumed its poisonous attack.
Nemu quickly realized she could not prepare a second shot and resumed dodging the monster's barrage. Hiyori did the same. The two quickly met up and discussed their next strategy.
"Well," Hiyori began, "we know now that this thing likes to shoot poison at us."
"Indeed," Nemu replied, "but the fact that it's able to continuously fire such a great amount is troubling."
"So what the hell are we supposed to do?" Hiyori asked.
Nemu thought it over. She then remembered how the monster had briefly focused on Hiyori. "That thing had been distracted when you used your Hollowfication."
Hiyori nodded. "Yeah, so?"
"As I've said before, this thing is practically a wild animal." Said Nemu. "While most animals choose to avoid stronger animals, at the same time, they will not hesitate to attack any animal they perceive as a threat to their status as an Alpha."
Nemu's expression softened. "I'd hate to ask this of you," Nemu admitted, "but you're the only one I can trust to do this."
Hiyori nodded. "What do I have to do?" She inquired.
After explaining her plan, Nemu separated from Hiyori once more. Mayuri watched this curiously. What are they planning he thought?
Mayuri called out to 010. "Focus on Nemu, 010!" He ordered it.
010 was about to obey Mayuri's command when something suddenly froze it into place. Mayuri felt this as well. He immediately realized what it was. He looked to the source to see Hiyori exerting her dual-spiritual pressure.
What the hell is the point of this? Mayuri thought.
Mayuri then saw 010 turn its attention to Hiyori. His eyes widened. "010, focus on Nemu, the other enemy!" He ordered frantically.
The monster did not listen. It was dead-set on fighting Hiyori. "Damn you, obey my command!" Mayuri shouted.
Hiyori grinned underneath her mask. Just like Nemu had predicted, she thought.
Flashback
"A distraction?"
Nemu nodded at Hiyori's words. "When the monster noticed your power, it immediately turned its attention to you. It saw you as a threat to its status. If you raised your power to the highest level possible, there's no doubt in my mind you'll gain its full attention." Nemu explained.
"But what about Mayuri?" Hiyori asked.
Nemu shook her head. "Don't worry about Mayuri. If you can get that monster's full attention, not even Mayuri's commands will stop it."
"How do you know?"
"I don't," Nemu admitted, "all of this is pure hypothesis. But if this monster truly is like a wild animal, it will divert all its focus onto some other creature that threatens its status."
"Unfortunately," Nemu continued, "we don't have another plan. Are you okay with this?"
Hiyori nodded. "All right, lets do it. What are you going to do while I distract it?"
"Just distract it," Nemu replied, "and leave it to me!"
End Flashback
That's right you ugly…err, bastard? Bitch? Thing? Hiyori thought. Whatever! Come a little closer…
The monster roared and launched its tail at Hiyori. This time, Hiyori was prepared for it. She grabbed the tail and held it close. The monster roared in frustration at this and prepared to fire poison at Hiyori. Hiyori managed to stop it by yanking the monster by the tail and throwing it into the wall. The beast hissed and growled in pain as it quickly recovered from the pain of the impact.
010 seemed to glared at Hiyori as it resumed shooting poison. Hiyori leapt out of the way several times, effortlessly dodging the attack.
Mayuri was growing frustrated at this point. "Damn you 010!" He screamed. "Obey my commands before I rip you limp from limp!"
However, during Mayuri's tirade, he failed to notice the girl he was commanding the monster to destroy. Nemu had been aiming Oniya straight at the monster. She had been charging spirit energy inside of the crossbow.
Fire! She mentally commanded.
A larger blast of black spirit energy rocketed out of Oniya, straight towards 010. The blast tore through the monster's right wing, sending it careening to the ground. The monster roared in pain at the feeling of its wing being destroyed. It struggled back upright and seemed to glare at Nemu. Roaring the monster charged Nemu, furious at the pain she had caused her.
However, in its moment of anger, 010 had forgotten about Hiyori. The petite Visored leapt into the air with Kubikiri Orochi raised above her head. Hiyori swung down and performed the Zanjutsu technique known as Suikawari. The blade immediately cut through the body of 010, splitting the heads of Loly Avirrne and Menoly Mallia in half.
Mayuri gasped in shock as his mighty creation fell at the hands of the two girls he despised the most. This simply could not be forgiven!
Hiyori grinned underneath her Hollow Mask and Flash Stepped back to Nemu. "How was that, Nemu?" Hiyori asked.
Nemu smiled lightly. "Better than I ever could have hope for. You were flawless."
"UNFORGIVABLE!"
Nemu and Hiyori turned to see a livid-looking Mayuri. "Unforgivable! Unforgivable! Unforgivable!" Mayuri screamed repeatedly.
"Looks like we've made him mad." Hiyori noted nonchalantly.
Mayuri gave the two a death glare. "It's bad enough that you came into this thinking that you actually had a chance," he began, "but then you cut off my arm, and to top it all off you destroyed my beautiful creation!"
Mayuri raised Ashisogi Jizō. "I've had it with you both, do you hear me?" He screamed. "I am shutting you up permanently! And I'm going to do it right here and now!"
"Oh crap." Hiyori muttered.
"Bankai!"
Purple mist spewed out of the mouth of baby-face on Ashisogi Jizō. The mist quickly surrounded Mayuri and cleared up just as quick. The giant, grotesque looking creature that was Mayuri's Bankai stood behind him. "Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!"
A.N: So, I thought it was super awesome that we finally got to see what Kenpachi's Zanpakutō really looks like. Nozarashi's design really contributes to his brawler-like fighting style. As for what has just happened to the fight between Kenpachi and Sternritter V, Gremmy, I can't say I'm surprised. Granted, we all knew from the start Kenpachi would win, but to me, it was one-sided from the get go. Gremmy is a strong character, that Visionary ability of his is truly frightening. However, most of his boasting was rather unwarranted and quite arrogant. In reality, while Gremmy claimed to be the strongest Sternritter, his strength was quite overrated. The problem with his mind-based powers is that focus is key. If he loses focus for one minute, he loses control over his own power. And if there's one thing Kenpachi is good at besides fighting and killing is keeping his opponents on their toes. Gremmy can't focus on anything if he's got to constantly focus on Kenpachi. That fight, while awesome, was over before it even began. Kenpachi is probably the second-strongest captain now behind Shunsui, and Gremmy overestimated his own abilities.
As for the actual strength of the Sternritter, let me offer some thoughts on this. Obviously, Haschwalth is the strongest. As Grandmaster of the Sternritter and substitute-monarch when Yhwach sleeps, he's obviously the strongest. As for the others, however, keep an eye on Pepe, Askinn, Bazz-B, and the gunman-Sternritter for several different reasons.
Pepe and Askinn referred to themselves as monsters, but that's not the real reason people should keep an eye on. The laid-back villains are usually the most frightening, Coyote Starrk and Donquixote Doflamingo prove that. Askinn is one of the most laid-back characters I've seen in manga. There's no doubt in my mind that he's got a few aces up his sleeve.
Pepe was the one that took control of Jidanbō. Also, the fact that his presence was among the many things that deterred Haschwalth and Bazz-B's fight proves that he's a powerful combatant. I can't wait to see what his letter is and what he can do. Maybe C, for the Charm.
Bazz-B may seem like a Grimmjow-esque character, and he is, but he's definitely one of the strongest Sternritter. The guy's fire is strong enough to offset Ryūjin Jakka. That alone puts him in the top ranks of the Sternritter. I can't wait to see what happens when he starts using more than two fingers.
Finally, there's the gunman. The fact that Kubo still hasn't formally introduced him hints at his capabilities. What's more is that this guy managed to overwhelm Shunsui. This guy needs to be kept an eye on and I can't wait to learn more about him. Perhaps he's M, for the Marksman.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and keep an eye out on the crossovers for my multiple-anime crossover. Although, keep in mind, the first chapter won't have much of the anime characters, but it really sets the stage (which is really what the part one of the overall story is all about). Keep on reading. This is ND2014, signing off.