A.N: It's good that I got this chapter finished up. With La Batalla de la Torre quickly coming to an end and the final part of the story coming up, I want to try and get the last few chapters out ASAP. Of course, with AP tests coming up and other works I want to get out, that's going to be difficult. Whatever happens, I'm still gonna right. I hope you all enjoy chapter 20 of La Batalla de la Torre.
Chapter 20: Geniuses Don't Die
Hiyori Sarugaki and Nemu Kurotsuchi looked at the grotesque creature known as Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. Hiyori said the very first thing that came to mind.
"Well crap." She said.
Nemu looked at Hiyori. "I suppose that is an appropriate way to sum up our situation at the moment." She admitted.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi cackled at the expressions on their faces. "You two have been a thorn in my side for too long. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō will silence you both right now!"
Hiyori and Nemu stared down Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. They then looked at one another. "So," Hiyori began, "you've been the strategist throughout this entire thing. Do you have anymore ideas?"
Nemu thought it over. "I may have one plan but…"
Nemu could not finish as Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō charged them with blades out and acid coming out of its maw. "Hold that thought, look out!" Nemu screamed.
The monstrous Bankai hissed and roared at them as it leapt towards them. The blades on its throat crashed down onto the floor. Nemu pointed Oniya at Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō and fired at it. The black spirit energy barely made a dent in the beast. Nemu narrowed her eyes in frustration.
It's just as I thought, Nemu thought grimly, I'm going to need more power. Forgive me for asking you to do this once more, Hiyori. But at this rate you're the only person I can trust to deal with this.
Hiyori looked at Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. This is the first time I've ever seen Mayuri's Bankai, Hiyori thought, ugly son of a bitch. I hope Nemu actually has a strategy to deal with this thing.
Mayuri cackled once again. "Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō will rip you apart! It is going to be such a wonderful show."
Hiyori rolled her eyes at this. Does he ever shut up? Hiyori thought.
Hiyori looked at the blackened dent in Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō that Nemu had made when she shot it. Damn thing is pretty durable, Hiyori noted, If we don't take care of it fast we're either gonna get skewered or poisoned. Neither way is a good way to go.
Mayuri watched the two dodge Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō like prey avoiding the predator. He grinned contentedly and turned away. Now that victory is assured, I should begin the final preparations to open the Gargantas. Mayuri thought.
With that, Mayuri made his way to a room in the back and walked towards a control panel. Pressing a few buttons and tweaking a few dials, Mayuri quickly prepared the opening of the Garganta to the Soul Society. With one final selfish act, he guaranteed the passage of the Los Retazos into the Soul Society and a few other places.
An alarm sounded off throughout La Torre. Fielhombre Guardia had a grim yet determined look on his face as he knew what it meant. "It's begun," he said, "the preparations have been complete. We will be leaving very soon."
The Royal Fracciónes and Halibel's Fracciónes looked determined and eager.
"Blood will be spilt." Tesla Lindocruz noted.
"Indeed, it's exciting to think about, isn't it." Said Pastor Olegario.
Emilou Apacci paced anxiously, awaiting the return of her beloved master. Cyan Sun-Sun looked at her in annoyance. "Don't do that, Apacci," Sun-Sun said to her, "Master Halibel is just fine."
"I know that!" Apacci snapped at Sun-Sun. "It's just, she left without warning, I can't help but worry about her. She's never left without telling us where she is going."
Franceska Mila Rose shook her head. "That may be true, but Master Halibel never once had to tell us where she was going and when she would be back. It shouldn't bug you that she just went off."
"It's not just that," said Apacci, "but it's also the fact that we're moments away from the invasion. You'd think that she wouldn't just disappear with that in mind."
"Even if that isn't the case," Mila Rose replied, "you shouldn't get so worked up about it. Master Halibel is fine."
Apacci sighed. "I hope you're right."
As the alarm continued to sound off throughout Los Retazos, the Soul Reapers invading started to grow worried. Akio Yamamoto led the way as the remaining Soul Reapers charged up the stairs.
"I don't like the sound of that." Said Renji Abarai.
Neliel Tu Odelschwank looked worried at this. "I don't think the alarm is a warning or anything like that. I think it's a signal."
"Yes," said Tōshirō Hitsugaya, "but a signal for what?"
"A signal to start the invasion." Akio said through gritted teeth.
Akio was frustrated at this. There was no way in hell these guys were going to leave for the Soul Society on his watch!
"We have to hurry!" Akio shouted.
"The kid's right," Kenpachi Zaraki said grinning, "We need to get a move on. There's got to be some really strong enemies up at the top!"
"Where do you think Ichigo is?" Rukia asked.
"I don't know," Akio admitted, "I don't know where he is. I can only hope that he's not seriously injured."
"Considering that he flew back up, according to Hanatarō, I don't think that's the case." Said Tōshirō.
"Well, than I hope he's holding his position." Said Akio.
"What, why? If Ichigo is holding his position at this point they'll escape for sure." Said Renji.
"Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but he can't afford not to take that chance," said Akio, "there's no doubt in my mind that some of the remaining higher-ups are at the top of this tower, and if he faces them alone…"
Nobody like to think about that. "Captain Yamamoto is right," said Neliel, "if Ichigo faces them all alone, he'll die for sure, especially if Benito is with them."
"What about Ikkaku and Yumichika?" Rukia asked. "Didn't they head up there first?"
Akio sighed. "I just hope they're okay."
Akio looked back at everyone else. "Double time it everyone! We can't let them leave this tower!"
Claudia Tentadora and Armando Brizna looked at the great army that had been underneath La Torre. They listened to the alarm.
"It's almost time." Said Claudia.
Armando nodded. "I've been waiting for this." He said, licking his lips.
It had taken some effort, but eventually, Nemu and Hiyori managed to reunite, despite the onslaught from Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. Hiyori had it much worse than Nemu, however. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō had been absolutely merciless with her. It had rushed her with its retractable blades and had quickly followed up with its venomous breath. Despite the difficulties, the two reunited in the room that had become a wartorn battlefield.
"Okay, Nemu," Hiyori panted, "what's the plan?"
Nemu took a long look at the mark she had made when she had fired Oniya at Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. "It's going to be tough, but we can destroy that monster." Nemu replied to Hiyori.
Hiyori was surprised. "How?" She asked.
"Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō has an extremely high defense with its outer shell." Nemu explained. "In fact, the only person I've seen destroy it in battle, besides Mayuri himself, was the Quincy, Uryū Ishida."
"However," Nemu continued, "the only reason that had happened was that when Uryū Ishida removed his Sanrei Glove, his Quincy powers were pushed beyond their normal limitations, surpassing even a captain for a brief moment. He destroyed not only Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, but half of Mayuri's body as well."
"Well that would be great, except we don't have that damn four-eyes with us at the moment." Hiyori pointed out.
Nemu nodded. "That may be true," she said, "but we can do something somewhat similar."
"How so?" Hiyori inquired.
Nemu sighed. "I'm afraid," she began, "that you're going to have to be the bait again."
Hiyori blanched at this. "Again?"
Nemu nodded. "I need you to give it it everything you've got. Use your Hollowfication, hit with Kubikiri Orochi or your Cero, I don't care what you do. Just soften it up."
Hiyori raised an eyebrow at this. "So what will you be doing than?"
Nemu raised Oniya. "The true strength of my Oniya does not just lie within its range. If I can gather enough spirit energy, I can fire a blast capable of destroying that thing. Remember, my Shikai was the result of Mayuri experimenting on Sōken Ishida. The Quincy gain power from absorption."
"So why do you need me to soften it up than?" Hiyori asked. "Just distracting it would be a bit less dangerous."
"Because we don't exactly have all the time in the world. Mayuri will return to make sure we're dead and when he does, he'll quickly catch on to what we're doing. So I need you to weaken Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō to speed up the process."
"I wouldn't ask this of you," Nemu continued, "except for the fact that I can't move while charging Oniya. I need you to cover me while I do this, otherwise this is not going to work."
Hiyori thought it over. It was a risky plan, but it also had a lot of merit in it. Realizing that they had no other actual options, Hiyori sighed and brought her hand to her face. "Well charge up as fast as you can, because with what that thing can do, I don't know how long I can keep up."
With that, Hiyori Hollowfied for the second time during this battle and charged towards Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. "All right you ugly bastard, lets dance!" Hiyori screamed in a more demonic voice.
The beast hissed and roared as it attempted to impale Hiyori. Hiyori quickly leapt into the air and delivered a bone crushing kick to the creature's face. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō cried out as it stumbled backwards.
"I'm not giving you a chance to recover!" Hiyori shouted.
Hiyori opened her mouth and charged a Cero. Screaming demonically, Hiyori fired a blast or red spirit energy that enveloped Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. She could hear the monster scream in pain. Smoke surrounded the beast. Hiyori awaited its next move. If it was as durable as Nemu claimed it to be, there was no way in hell that Cero has destroyed it.
With a roar, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō leapt out of the smoke, its blades aimed straight at Hiyori.
"Aww crap." Hiyori muttered, raising Kubikiri Orochi.
Hiyori blocked the blades that were directly aimed at her with Kubikiri Orochi. However, some of the blades that were not as direct managed to puncture her skin. The wounds were not serious in the least bit, but it was a reminder that Hiyori had to keep her guard up at all times, otherwise this thing was going to overwhelm her.
Hiyori then looked at the results of her Cero. The monster looked charred, but otherwise okay. This caused her to grit her teeth in annoyance. This thing was durable.
Hiyori managed to leap back and prepared another Cero. Hopefully this stops at and it saves Nemu the trouble. Hiyori thought hopefully.
With that, Hiyori fired her second Cero. As the blast enveloped the monster for the second time, Hiyori's mask shattered. This had been the most exhausting battle she had ever taken part in. Two times she had Hollowfied and during the second time she had fired two Ceros! She needed a long rest after this.
Suddenly, poisonous gas poured out of the smoke. Hiyori's eyes widened. She was too exhausted to dodge this attack. The gas enveloped her. Hiyori choked and coughed as she felt the poison enter her system.
Dammit! She cursed. Sorry Nemu, I hope I gave you enough time.
This was the scene Mayuri saw when he reentered the room. He cackled at the sight. "I hope you've made peace with yourself, Hiyori," he spat, "because that poison is fatal!"
Mayuri reached into his pocket and took out a vial. "Ever since the Ryōka invasion a few years back, only I have held the antidote for it, due to the fact that an untrustworthy subordinate of mine gave hers to my enemy!"
As Hiyori started to cough and writhed in pain, Mayuri continued to laugh. "I always thought you were stupid, but thinking you actually had a chance against me was truly the stupidest thing I've ever seen!"
"I am a genius among geniuses!" Mayuri continued. "Something the Soul Society could never appreciate! Hell, even before my removal they never appreciated my genius!"
"You're no genius," Hiyori muttered weakly.
Mayuri raised an eyebrow. "Laugh it up if you want," Hiyori continued, "but a genius would've noticed what's about to happen."
Mayuri was confused. Until he realized that he had forgotten about Nemu! A high pitched sound filled the air as an enormous amount of black spirit energy shot towards Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. Mayuri's eyes widened at this, it was Nemu!
The blast tore through Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. However, it did not stop there. The attack went through the monster and tore through Mayuri's right side. Mayuri screamed in pain as his right side, along with his own weapon, was disintegrated by the attack. The attack finally dissipated as Mayuri Kurotsuchi, former Captain of Squad 12, collapsed to his knees.
Did those two…really just defeat me? Mayuri asked in disbelief.
No, his stream of consciousness continued, not me. I'm a genius; a true genius. There's no way I could've lost to them!
A.N: With Mayuri's weapon destroyed by Nemu's attack, there's no way he's going to liquify and escape from this! Is this the end of Mayuri Kurotsuchi? I won't reveal too much, but I do intend to have the next chapter reveal more of Mayuri's past. Perhaps show why I think Soul Society's resident madman had been placed in the Maggot's Nest all those years ago before Kisuke's arrival. I hope you all enjoyed the showdown between Nemu, Hiyori, and Mayuri, and keep your eyes out for the next chapter of not just this, but all of my other future projects. ND2014, signing off.