The Heir Apparent
Chapter 32: Battle Royale 2, Melee
Hitsugaya panted, holding his singed right shoulder. The searing wound throbbed, making it difficult for him to keep grip on his sword. Damn it to hell, this guy was strong. Even worse, his abilities lent him a natural advantage over Hitsugaya's ice-type attacks. Khaan flicked the burning coil that was his Shikai and shot another superheated firebolt at him, while still shooting Quincy bolts from his crossbow. Hitsugaya dodged, it was all he could do.
Hovering two meters above Hitsugaya's head was a blazing inferno that Khaan had created at the beginning of the fight. He had called it a tracer. It didn't seem to be a physical threat to him in itself, but it did dry out the air by evaporating the water molecules, thereby increasing the effectiveness of Khaan's flame attacks. For Hitsugaya the result was devastating, without water he couldn't use any of his ice abilities. He was limited to only his blade and Kido.
'Dammit,' he swore under his breath. That blaze was as dangerous as his enemy, and try as he might he couldn't get close to it to put it out, it always stayed three meters away no matter how quickly he came. The Kido he'd tried on it had so far proved ineffective, and Khaan had kept him too busy to cast a more powerful one.
Khaan shot another volley of bolts at him, he hop; stepped and jumped out the way, narrowly avoiding the follow up fireball. Then he shot a restraining spell at Khaan, but his aim was off and the other man easily evaded. How much easier would it be if he could just face him at close range, but his attempt at that had proven worse than fruitless; Khaan had brought his whip-like coil into play and burned his shoulder. He'd been lucky not to have it cauterised off.
There was only one possible salvation for him, he had to go Bankai. But how to get enough water if he couldn't extract it from the air? The answer was simple, he'd have to find running water, a river. There were no rivers close enough to help him, but this was a settlement; people needed water to drink. Where would… then he remembered, the fountain. Silently blessing the better districts for providing free water for their inhabitants, he set off at a run.
Khaan though was no mans fool, and moved immediately to block his way. Hitsugaya evaded and tried to manoeuvre, Khaan got in the way again. A deadly game of tag started, the only weapon Hitsugaya was able to use besides Kido was the moon-blade and chain attached to the back of his zanpakutou. Finally a red smoke escape (Bakudo no. 21) spell created enough confusion that he got past him, and in an instant he flash-stepped away and; dodging all the other combat; made his way to the fountain.
The fountain was a statue of a young woman poring water from a amphora on her shoulder, while looking down adoringly at the boy child skipping along at her side; holding her other hand. The back of the woman's head had been blown off in the fighting. Hitsugaya reached it and stuck his sword in the pool of collecting water.
'Bankai, Daiguren Hyorinmaru,' he cried, the water draining up his blade and freezing on his shoulders. As the icy wings formed, he turned to Khaan, who had just caught up with him. 'Now the real battle begins.'
'I applaud you for managing to reach your ultimate release, but don't think it will save you,' said Khaan. 'After all, I have yet to show you my true power.'
'What do you mean?' said Hitsugaya, flicking his eyes to the fountain which had, he now noticed, all but run out of liquid thanks to his large consumption. His wings were already melting at the tips, thanks to the annoying fire which had stayed above him, if he wasn't able to finish this fast he'd need another water source. Unless it was possible to put it out.
'I'll show you the true power of the Rache, the reason why we will destroy you,' he said, placing his burning coil over his crossbow. 'Lay the land to waste, Höllenwut.'
His hands ignited, the crossbow melting into his coil, which elongated and became a length of chain. When the flame faded Hitsugaya saw that on one end there was an scythe and on the other a butterfly axe blade. He'd seen some strange weapons in his time, but this was by far the strangest. Oddly enough it reminded him a bit of his own shikai.
'So,' he said, 'You combine your Quincy and Shinigami abilities, creating something entirely new.'
'Correct. We call this power fusion,' said Khaan.
'Kurosaki mentioned that in his report,' said Hitsugaya, thinking back.
Above his head the blaze grew brighter, then three smaller flames each slightly larger than his head broke off. One blue, another red and the last yellow. They floated down until they were chest height, each two meters from him. Taken from above they would have formed a perfect triangle, with him in the centre. They didn't seem to be doing anything, but he was certain that they weren't there just for decoration.
'Let's just get on with it,' he said, feeling fear for the first time. It wasn't death that he was afraid of, but if he lost to this man there was no way he'd be able to help Hinamori.
x
Kukaku growled as she blocked her opponent's blade, and twist to avoid a bolt aimed for her neck. Serena's released zanpakutou's form was a single edged blade almost as long as she was tall, it lacked the usual hand guard and its point curved back in almost a circle. It was thin enough that the woman wielded it in one hand, holding her bolt-shooting Quincy blowpipe in the other. From what she had seen so far, it had the power to control water, creating waves out of nothing and spouts to drench her. Not particularly effective on the damaging side, but very in distracting her, concealing her arrow attacks until the last instant and knocking her off balance. All the water around also meant that Kukaku had to be very careful with her electric abilities, lest she zap herself.
One thing that stumped her was how Serena knew enough about her abilities to avoid them. Time and again Kukaku had used her Inazumaitokuri's four weaves, attacks her enemy had no defense against, only to have them dodged perfectly or her attack interrupted before she could charge up its full power. By now she was certain, her enemy had been studying her. But how?
'Who are you that you know so much about me,' she said as Serena dodged her second weave again.
'We've been watching all you captain-class Shinigami for a while now,' said Serena, 'After all, knowledge is power, don't you agree?'
If they'd been watching her, the only time they could have seen her abilities since her return to Gotei thirteen was during her test against Hiyori, and another time when she'd sparred with Unohana. That meant that they'd documented all her shikai abilities, but still had no idea what her Bankai was; or what it did. She'd have to use it if she was to win, but first she wanted to have an idea about her enemy's true power.
Then two people flash-stepped to her side. 'We're here to help you, Shiba-taicho,' said Sentaro, third seat of the thirteenth.
'Sheesh, she looks strong,' said Kiyone, the other third seat.
'You guys, this is out of your league,' said Kukaku, 'Get outta here before you get yourselves killed.'
'I think we'll manage,' said Kiyone, adjusting the angle she held her katana at.
'We'll distract her, you finish her off,' said Sentaro.
'You two are seated officers,' said Serena, narrowing her eyes as she stared at them. 'High-ranked seated officers, strong enough to cause trouble. Himmel, I guess I have to use it then.' She stabbed her guard-less katana straight into the tip of her blowpipe. 'Drown them all, Durstiger'she cried, the two weapons glowing and merging as Kukaku watched.
They formed one of the strangest weapons she'd ever seen. Most of it was a thick wooden staff, but just near top a thinner barbed harpoon with a short length of shaft stuck out. Where the thinner shaft met the larger there was an iron ring and four axe blades pointing to each of the compass points, creating an almost mace-like appearance. She was pointing it at them.
Before Kukaku could do anything, she fired. It was too fast to stop, Kukaku gripped her teeth, anticipating the shock of impact. But nothing happened, at least not to her. Beside her Sentaro let out a croak that sounded horribly like a death rattle. She turned to stare at him, her eyes widening as she took in the massive rent in the centre of his chest. Replaying the last instant in her mind she realised that the bolt had been shot with a high-pressure blast of water, which was what made it so insanely fast, it had also ripped the wound much larger than the harpoon alone could have done. Absurdly she noted that it cut more cleanly than any energy bolt ever could have. It also didn't cauterise, so immediately blood was pouring from it like a tap left on.
'SENTARO!' Kiyone cried, rushing to his side as he flopped to the floor.
Kukaku was horrified, as much by what had happened to him as the knowledge that it could just as easily have been her. She could never have reacted in time. Meanwhile Sentaro was trying desperately to draw breath, while Kiyone tried to stem the bleeding; both to no avail.
'Kssht, I missed the heart, it'll take him a few minutes to die,' said Serena.
Kukaku had been around at the time of the last war, and she remembered exactly what happened when a soul was destroyed by Quincy arrows. This was a fusion power, so it might not completely destroy the soul. But it wasn't worth taking a chance on. 'Kiyone, cut off his head,' she shouted, keeping her eyes on her enemy.
'WHAT!' Kiyone turned sharply, her cheeks streaked with tears.
'If he dies from this wound, he'll never be able to be reborn. He's done for, there's no other way.'
'Now I can't have that,' said Serena, aiming her harpoon-launcher at them. 'I need his zanpakutou.'
Kukaku had no idea what she was talking about, but it was clear she meant to stop them. 'Do it NOW,' she cried, stepping between her and the enemy. 'Third weave, Seiryoku Inazuma,' she cried, blasting her short range; area affecting attack into the incoming missile. Even though she hit it squarely, the harpoon broke through and struck her in the belly. Its power was diminished; so it didn't penetrate far; and the water did nothing more than push her back and wet her.
A slicing sound behind her informed her that Kiyone had done the deed. 'I'm so sorry,' the girl whispered.
'Get outta here,' said Kukaku, grimacing as she tried to pluck the metal shaft from her flesh. It had penetrated a good few centimetres and the barbs made it impossible to extract.
'…huh?'
'Go, that's an order. You're out of your league and you're emotionally involved now. I'm not letting you get killed as well.'
For a moment she thought that the girl was going to defy her. Then she flash-stepped away without a word. Kukaku gave up trying to remove the harpoon, it wasn't working with just one hand, and it was too dangerous to try with two. But with that in her, acting as a conductor, there was no way she could use her Bankai. Not without it being terribly counterproductive.
'That was a fun interlude, shall we continue?' said Serena.
Kukaku was in trouble.
x
Ikkaku knew how furious his captain got when he interrupted his battles. But honestly, even with his limited spiritual sense he could tell that it wasn't a fight, it was an execution. Kenpachi had been poisoned, that was a filthy tactic. He muttered a few choice words about what he thought about the Quincy people -or whatever they were- under his breath.
Standing next to him, Yumichika nodded. 'Their underhanded tactics are revolting,' he said, trying in vain to repair his damaged feathers.
'Let's go,' said Ikkaku, wincing as he tested a bolt-burn on the side of his neck. They'd both been tested in their previous fights. Somehow they'd been devoid of fun, he was just relieved they were over.
They leapt from rooftop to rooftop of the buildings still standing, nearly crashing into Ganju and a group of second division fighters who were taking out pockets of enemies. They reached their captain quickly, the various battles were frightfully condensed, after passing Hitsugaya; who'd just gone Bankai.
As they caught sight of Kenpachi, Ikkaku gasped aloud. Not only was blood pouring out his mouth, there were three bolts driven deep in his flesh attached to a taut chains. The other end of the chains were driven into the ground, all positioned around him. His movement was totally inhibited, but even still he fought, blocking the iron bolts shot at him and throwing them back.
The man shooting the bolts had an absurdly large weapon. It looked like a mini-ballista, except that no ballista had an X-head. He seemed to wield it easily enough, even though it was easily as tall as him, and he was as thin a beanpole. Nearby Ichigo's redhead human girl friend was propped up against a building, slightly wounded but not enough that she should be incapacitated. Ikkaku snorted, weakling.
'Captain!' Yumichika cried out as they hit the ground running.
'You guys,' said Kenpachi, staring at them. Then he shook his head, 'Get goin', this is my fight.'
'Don't give me that bullshit,' said Ikkaku, taking up fighting stance at his right side, 'No ways this is fair.'
'Who said it has to be fair? And I still got this guy to do his fusion release, what did you call it again, Stainer?'
'Steinspalter,' his black-cloaked enemy corrected coldly.
'Yeah, that. It's these chains he made that's really keeping' me down.'
'Well, we're joining in, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it,' said Ikkaku.
Kenpachi spluttered up another lump of blood, but still managed a smirk. 'Hmph, figures.'
The skinny man with the giant 4-shooter crossbow had been watching them with some interest, not making any move. 'You are Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, the third and fifth seat of the eleventh division,' he stated. 'You are hardly worth my time.'
'Hey, he knows my name,' said Ikkaku, grinning from ear to ear, 'That makes things easier.'
'He's strong,' Kenpachi warned, 'You'll have go all-out if you wanna win.'
'Don't I always?'
'No. Use your Bankai.'
Ikkaku stared at him, totally forgetting the cardinal rule of never taking your eyes off your opponent. 'When did you… How long have you…'
'Since you got it, you nincompoop. Now get out there and show me what you got!'
The Quincy -or whatever he was- suddenly smiled. 'Well well, it appears that my list was incomplete. There is another captain class Shinigami, another blade we could collect.'
Ikkaku had no idea what he was talking about, but it hardly mattered. This fight looked like it would be very fun. 'Yumichika, see if you can get those chains off. I'm goin' in.' Energy swirled around him as he screeched, 'BAN-KAI'
x
Sweat ran freely down Uryuu's brow as he panted, dirt and singe marks adorning his previously pristine uniform. Beside him Chad was in an even worse way, having pushed himself to the limit just to keep up. Their opponent on the other hand looked annoyingly unruffled.
'You really are a prodigy, you know,' said Takumo pleasantly. 'I don't know how many there have been able to use the 5-pointed cross at your age. Normally only the grandmasters reach that level, and to top it all off you're almost entirely self-taught!'
'Thanks for the compliment,' said Ishida. Talking was giving him time to catch his breath, he didn't want to lose the opportunity.
'I thought I'd have been able to cut off your power, since you couldn't have had experience fighting Quincy, apparently you know how to avoid that.'
'We were attacked in the material world by two of your friends, they did that to me and I was useless. So I did some studying and training as soon as I got home, I'm not going to be caught the same way twice.'
Takumo nodded, evidently pleased. 'Fantastic, imagine what you could become with formal training. I'd like you to join our order, Ishida Uryuu.'
'No thanks,' said Uryuu.
'Don't misunderstand. You don't have a choice in the matter. You will join us, if necessary we'll abduct some of your human friends to ensure your cooperation.'
'We can defend ourselves just fine,' said Chad.
'Please, I can tell you're at your limit. But taking you alive would be a bit of a pain, your hollow powers would be difficult to seal. However, what about your friends on earth or-' Takumo's smile grew wider, '-or the red haired girl who came with you.'
Uryuu gave an involuntary flinch.
'Huh, jackpot. Bad luck for you though, Marx is after her. She's likely dead already.'
'She's not, I can feel her energy signature.' She was hurt, that much was apparent. Not in a life threatening way, fortunately.
'Then surrender already and we'll go and save her.'
Uryuu raised his bow. He'd caught his breath and was tired of talking. 'I have no intention of joining you and your self-righteous crusade, in fact I will oppose you with every breath in my body.'
'That's too bad,' said Takumo. 'I guess we'll have to do this the hard way. You two have been most impressive in your ability to hold me off. But now it's time for me to show you my true power.' He drew his zanpakutou, and placed it across his bow like he was about to shoot it. 'My song is the wind; sing of death, Aufschneidensturm.'
His bow folded into the blade, which glowed and lengthened as he exploded with power. Uryuu leapt back, a moment later Chad landed beside him. Wordlessly they looked at each other, then back at Takumo. The weapon solidified as a sword-bladed short spear with a small rattle hanging just behind the blade. Takumo had also gained a leather gauntlet on his right arm, and a brother rattle was hanging at his wrist. He smirked, then he disappeared.
Uryuu immediately jumped high, twisting around, certain that Takumo was going for a back attack. He was right, except he wasn't the target. Chad, who hadn't moved in time, cried out as the blade pierced his spine. He tried to hit his enemy with a backhand, but the spear was longer than his arm. Takumo twisted the blade, paralysing the youth with pain. Then in one terrible movement ripped upwards, the blade emerging from the top of his head. Then he slashed open the back of his neck. Chad was dead before he hit the floor.
'Sa-SADO!' Uryuu cried, almost too shocked to speak.
'And that is how you kill slippery eels,' said Takumo. He fixed his gaze on Uryuu. 'You will come with us whether you like it or not.'
'I-will-NEVER!' he shouted, his eyes murderous as drew back a shot and powered it to the max.
'Then this will just get even harder for you,' said Takumo simply.
x
Yamamoto grunted as his blade clashed again with Hikuru, his son's old sword, trying to contain the fit of bloody coughs that threatened to erupt again. Deep in his heart, he knew the battle was as good as over. His opponent was toying with him; and he could already feel his body shutting down. He'd exerted too much of his spiritual pressure early on, the poison had done too much damage to him. Even if the fight ended right now he was probably too late for medical attention.
Bismark came in hard, flashing a blinding beam into his eyes as he attacked. They clashed blades, Yamamoto being steadily driven back by the bigger man's strength. As he counterattacked, pain came so suddenly and harshly that his vision went black. In an instant, Bismark beat his sword away and chopped off both hands at the wrist.
'You're finished, old man,' said the enemy leader.
Yamamoto regained enough sight to see the two diagonally cut wounds. Oddly, it didn't hurt, it felt like his hands were still there. Strange that he should feel so calm now, but since death was inevitable all he could do was accept it. Who would take his position, he wondered. Then he smiled, he knew exactly who would.
'So it would appear,' he said, 'Tell me, how is it that you are using my son's sword. Or was that just made to look like his?'
'No, it is his sword,' said Bismark, sheathing it behind his back. Then he ignited his Quincy bow. 'We discovered a way to use zanpakutou, the ones left behind after the shinigami was destroyed.'
'And now you plan to take mine,' said Yamamoto. A sudden vision came to his mind of this terrible man wielding his destructive powers, and Seireitei burning. He couldn't let that happen, even if it cost him his life.
'I have plans for it,' said Bismark, drawing an arrow. 'Great plans. Goodbye, mighty captain-commander. I must say I expected more from you. Your protégé Kyoraku will be joining you soon.'
Yamamoto chuckled, he couldn't contain himself. 'You fool, do you really think you have a chance against him?'
'I beat you with a fraction of my true power. Like son, like father, you will-'
'That was only because you poisoned me.' He pointed at his exposed torso with a severed wrist, 'Take a look at my body, you see the-'
'Enough talk, die,' Bismark snarled, releasing his arrow.
'Bakudo no 81, Splitting Void,' Yamamoto shouted, throwing up a nearly impenetrable wall. The expenditure ripped deep into his body, and even as he tried to retrieve and impale himself on his own sword using his feet, his vision went black again and he passed out momentarily. The last thing he saw as his sight returned was Bismark fire a bolt from point blank range into his face.
x
A/N: Origionally I had planned to show some of the lieutenants fights in this section. But honestly, they don't add anything to the story and just drag it out. So I've deleted them. But the lieutenants are fighting, some winning and others losing, against the stronger members of the Rache Kreis and Innen Kreis.
Since there's two Ishida's, from now on Ichigo's friend/rival will go by his first name; Uryuu.
Here's some translations, and thanks a bunch to those guys and girls who helped me with them.
Yamamoto's son's blade Hikuru: (jap) Light bringer
Khaan's fusion Höllenwut: Hells Fury
Serena's fusion Durstiger: Thirsty one
Marx's fusion Steinspalter: Stone splitter
Takumo's fusion Aufschneidensturm: Slicing storm