The Battle for the Soul Society
The War had erupted all over the Soul Society. Every member of the Gotei 13 from high to low ranking had been summoned to battle. Captain Unohanna was at Squad Six with Captain Kuchiki.
And the Captains led their divisions into battle, where they themselves might have faced a foe worthy of their strength. As the Head-Captain battled the Quincy King.
Yhwach raised his hand causing a glass-like dome to cover him. Shunsui pressed his attack crashing his swords into it. But his swords bounced off it as if made of rubber.
"Useless." Ywhach said." My Blut Vent is unbreakable."
"Perhaps. "Shunsui shrugged casually." But easily avoidable." He turned both swords upside down and buried them into the ground. And before Ywhach knew it he felt the two blades piecing him, one in the stomach the other in the chest.
His miracle shield easily avoided Ywhach turned and jumped into the air but Shunsui wasn't done with him yet.
"Hado #78 Zangerin." And Shunsui swung his swords to accompany the blasts as it shot from his blades. The blasts continued until they hit Ywhach sending him flying back. Not threw one or two but three buildings.
Shunsui quickly followed after his foe preparing to find him amongst the rubble. At first he sensed nothing and for that second prayed that this was all over. But nothing can ever be that simple.
Yhwach suddenly appeared beside him. His sword used to knock Shunsui's away but his free hand went forward, punching a hole right into Shunsui's stomach. The attack knocked the Captain Commander back but he quickly returned to his feet.
Blades drawn and ready for more he prepared for combat.
Squad Eleven would not fall. It's members would form a barricade with their bloody, beaten, dead bodies before their barracks was overrun. It was here at the entrance to their barracks, the surrounding walls and streets that they held their ground.
Ikkaku lunged forward and stabbed Hozukimaru right threw a Quincy's chest. And when a sword came swinging for his blade head he ducked under it, jumped forward and drove his shoulder into that enemy and knocked him off his feet.
"Yumichika!" He called over his shoulder." Two already!" With a single slice of his sword Yumichika cut what once was a single Quincy into five.
"I'm on five!" He called back, needless to say the Third Seat was startled. It had been he as third highest ranking officer who rallied the men of the Division to fight. It should be he who gets the glory. Enraged he turned on another foe stabbing him with Hozukimaru.
Fujimaru was putting his new Kido skills to use. He pointed his finger across the barracks, narrowed his vision and aimed.
"Hado #4 Byakurai!" The lightning bolt shot from his finger and right through the Quincy's head. He was pleased with himself, but this was child's play compared to what would come next.
A dark figure moved across the blood red sky over them and came bearing down with monstrous strength.
With a single swing of his sword alone and the vast amount of spiritual pressure in it, Kenpachi had cut not only the Quincy in front of him in two but every single one from the courtyard of his barracks to a mile back.
"Captain Zaraki!" Ikkaku cheered when the Captain stood up to his full height. But he wasn't alone.
"Hey!" Yachiru chirped from his shoulder." What about me?!"
"And the Lieutenant too." The Third seat added nervously. And the sight of them brought new spirits to the men. It seemed as if the tide of battle had turned already. But it wasn't over yet, it was only going to get worse.
Kenpachi's one eye rolled around the battleground and then up to the sky. Up there was a Quincy unlike any of the others. He was in the common white cloths of the Quincy, his face hidden behind a hood. The only visible marking on him was his bright blonde hair. But he was clearly younger than any of the others before him, perhaps more in line with Yachiru or Fujimaru's age.
"Who the hell are you?" He demanded. But there was no answer from the boy, but that didn't concern Kenpachi in the least." Doesn't matter I suppose. But I suppose I'll start with you first, before I go to the other Divisions. Stand back!" He said raising his arm to his subordinates." I'll handle this myself."
"Captain." Yumichika said stepping up." Are you sure?"
"Of course he's sure." Yachiru said as she jumped down from his shoulder. Kenpachi's smiled at the situation.
"I've got a new trick up my sleeve." His smile grew." Something I've been waiting to try out." His smile grew.
Another Quincy had found his way into the Tenth Division. But at the sight of the big man with a pink mask all the lower Division members ran away. The man's eyes looked through the crowd, scanning for someone in particular. But none of them stayed still long enough for him to get a good look.
"Hey." A voice called getting his attention." You lost?" There stood a slender woman across the courtyard from him.
"Oh?" Mask said upon seeing her there." Are you the Captain of this Division?"
"No." she shook her head." I'm not."
"Then I have no interest in you, be off!" He said with a wave of his hand." I'm here to fight the Captain, and won't settle for anything less. Where is he….or she?"
"Here." A voice boomed from behind him. Mask De Masculine turned around and the former Kenpachi Gosuke Kiganjo standing there. His Captain's cloak hanging around his shoulders as he puffed the pipe in his mouth.
"Excellent!" Mask smiled turning." The Captain! And a big fellow at that!" He reached back and swung off his coat showing now his snow white cloths that clung to his muscular body." Come Captain!" he cheered. "Face me in combat!" But Kiganjo didn't seem the slightest bit interested. He took a long puff on his pipe and then let out a long exhale of smoke. And the next sound out of his mouth was not an agreement or cheer for battle but a sharp whistle.
And Mask who had turned his back on Yoruichi found the woman suddenly appear beside him and plant her foot against his face, sending him flying back and crashing into the stone wall.
Renji dashed forward and beat Zabimaru against Gerard's shield. He managed to knock him down to one knee. But in a quick movement Gerard gripped the shield and swung it around, hitting Renji's legs out from under him and knocked the Captain to his back.
He dropped his sword in the process and quickly moved to retrieve it but Gerard was already on him. The big Quincy quickly slammed onto Renji and bashed his shield against his throat.
"You stand no match against me Soul Reaper!" He proclaimed. He raised the shield over his head and prepared to take off the Captain's head.
But before he could Izuru came to his Captain's rescue and slashed Wabisuke against the shield. Gerard however didn't seem to notice.
"HAZAH!" He announced as he turned on the Lieutenant, taking his shield and driving it into Izuru's chest until he was off his feet. Then kicked up his leg and with one firm kick to Izuru's chest sent him flying across the barracks. With a malicious smile he turned back to the Captain.
"Even together you stand no match Soul Reaper. For my power is too much for even a hundred of your Captains to subdue." The Quincy told. His right hand disappeared under his red cape. "BEHOLD!" He said shooting it back up to reveal a greatsword in his hand. The blade was pale as milk, alive with light." This Mighty Blade is Hoffnung, the Sword of Hope." He said showcasing it to Renji." You stand no chance against it, it would take a miracle for you to stand against it's might. With it I shall carve out a new era for the Quincy."
"Stop Talking!" Renji yelled. He dashed forward and beat Zabimaru against the mighty Hoffnung. The his attack had hardly moved his opponent. Gerard stepped forward now and pushed Renji back. With a great war-cry Gerard stepped forward putting all his strength behind the mighty swing. The Captain blocked with his sword and then swung.
With one great swing Renji brought Zabimaru down and in that same motion took Gerard's left arm clean off. The limb fell limply to the ground while blood poured from Gerard's body like a waterfall.
"Now stand down worthy advisory." Renji said. But he had no sooner finished than Gerard had answered.
"It's but a scratch."
"A scratch?! Your arms off!"
"No it isn't." Gerard shook his head.
"Look!" Renji pointed to the bloody limb on the ground. Gerard followed his gaze dumbfounded.
"I've had worse." He admitted.
"Liar!"
"C'mon ya pansy!" With only one hand now Gerard stepped forward and swung only for Renji to easily block him. He was a lot slower now than he had been before. Then he came in with another swing. Renji easily ducked under it and with another swing took off the last remaining arm.
"Victory is mine!" He announced. Just in time too as he saw Izuru get out from under the rubble." Lieutenant are you alright?"
"Yea." He groaned." I think so."
"We'd best get moving." Renji ordered." I sense that Rukia is-" He was cut off as Gerard jumped at him, kicking out his leg and knocking Renji to the ground.
"C'mon then!" He shouted as he did so.
"What?!" Renji exclaimed looking up at him.
"Have at you!" Gerard swung down with another kick as Renji pushed himself to his feet.
"Your very brave Quincy but the fight is mine."
"Oh." Gerard mocked as he danced from one leg to the other around Renji." Had enough, eh?" He swung out with another kick. This was getting tiresome very quickly.
"Look you stupid bastard you've got now arms left!" Renji let out.
"Yes I have." Gerard disagreed.
"Look!" Renji pointed to his armless torso.
"Just a flesh wound." Gerard admitted with another kick.
"Stop that!"
"Is that the best you can do?!" Gerard taunted with another kick.
"I'll have your leg." Renji warned. Gerard didn't listen and hit another one against Renji's leg." Right!" He screamed and with a final swing took off Gerard's leg mid-kick, leaving him only one to hop around on.
"Right, I'll get you for that!" He screamed.
"You'll what?!" Renji said in disbelief.
"Come here!" Gerard said as he pushed himself against Renji.
"What are you gonna do bleed on me?!"
"I'm invincible! Unstoppable!" Gerard exclaimed as he jumped into Renji, but found it impossible to move such a firm station target. Renji tired of this display swung out his sword and took out the last of Gerard's legs, leaving him stunted and motionless on the ground." Is that all you've got?!" Gerard continued clearly unaware of the situation.
Renji rolled his eyes and turned to Izuru.
"Come Lieutenant." He said with a wave of his hand." The others will need our help. It's best we-"
"YAHO!" Gerard shouted as he suddenly sprang up and knocked Renji in the back of the head, this time managing to hit him to the ground.
"Captain!" Izuru said as he knelt by his Captain's side. Renji let out a distraught yell as he jumped back to his feet.
"Why won't you-" He yelled but stopped as he saw something strange. Gerard was standing there on two solid, strong legs with two strong arms crossed over his barrel chest. Looking as if the wounds he'd just received had never been there at all.
"BEHOLD!" he announced." A MIRACLE! The Greatest power of all." His long red cape suddenly began to grow longer, as it flapped into the air and all around the leaders of Squad Three." Now." He smiled." Where were we?"
Chojiro was trapped, completely surrounded on all sides. His only defense his sword and his patience. He was older than all four of these girls combined and that of course gave him an edge most others didn't have.
"Come on then." He said." None of us are getting any younger." And that comment seemed to do it as Candice prepared to attack. She grimaced first, stunned at his calmness despite the situation. That coupled with the equally calm look on his face annoyed her.
"Why you!" she jumped forward.
"Candice wait!"called Lilotto. But it was already too late as Candice was already on Chojiro. She thought she had him and that with one good punch she'd knock him off his feet, if only it were that easy. She saw Chojiro there and she saw her fist about to make contact. But the next thing she knew he was gone and she felt a pain in her stomach.
Looking down she saw Chojiro had hit her with the butt of his sword. The single hit was enough to send her flying back across the barracks. She fell back and into the dirt, forming a trench in the ground where she fell.
When she looked up she saw one by one the faces of her comrades.
"As I was saying." Lilotto continued." He's only trying to make you lose your cool."
"It isn't too hard." Commented Meninas.
"And he is a Captain." She continued. "You shouldn't rush in like that." Finished Giselle.
"I'm more than just any Captain." Chojiro said getting their attentions." I am Chojiro Sasakibe. Here and now I am the Captain of Squad Eight but before I was Lieutenant of Squad One. Lieutenant to Head-Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya and Head-Captain Yamamoto before him. The two of which I trained with intimately." He kept one arm firmly at his side while he brought the other bearing his sword right before his face." Bite Gonryomaru."
"Shut up!" Candice yelled as she quickly sat up. "Shut up! Shut up!" She pushed herself up to her feet." I don't care about any of that." She glanced down from the Captain and to herself, head to toe covered in dirt. Her once bright white cloaks now covered brown, her bright green hair now covered in gravel.
She pointed a finger at Chojiro. "Your mine!" At the very mention of it her body began to crackle with electricity. First down her right arm, then left leg and then suddenly her entire body erupted in it. Coming out of her back came six giant lightning bolts in the form of wings. But this did not frighten Chojiro in the slightest.
She gave no advanced warning of her incoming attack. She stepped off from the ground and was only seen again when about to strike, a lightning bolt in both her hands acting like a sword. But before she could come slashing down on Chojiro she was stopped by a violent wind.
It suddenly appeared and ripped her away and into the air. Her wings giving her no added support or help from this furious flurry. What's more is that she could feel a clawing at her skin almost as if she was being swarmed by thousands of biting insects.
"How'd you like that burn bitch?" called a voice from above. Everyone turned their attention from Candice to the newcomer.
"Another one?!" Meninas questioned.
"Who the hell is that?" questioned Giselle. Chojiro turned with a smile to see Rangiku having joined the fight.
"Lieutenant." Chojiro said to her." Glad to see you've made it."
The battle was over as far as Captain Kommamura was concerned. His Quincy foe has been flattened by Tenken, even in Shikai it usually constituted a one-hit kill. Usually.
The arm of Tenken had disappeared but the rubble it made stayed behind. And in that rubble Sajin saw movement. Then Jerome reappeared but he was different than before. His skin turned darker, his teeth grew sharper and hair began to grow all over his body, making him look more animal than man. And when he opened his mouth to speak a sound defining cry came out.
The strength of which was easily put out as Sajin covered his ears with both hands. But he watched in horror as his Lieutenant began bleeding from the ears and falling to the ground in pain. Even worse the other members of his division not only bleed from their ears but their eyes and noses until their heads exploded. Sajin could not allow him to continued.
He raised his hand to the sky and when he swung it down the giant's hand appeared. The hand of Tenken come from the sky to flatten Jerome like a bug. It surely did that, crushing him to the ground and silencing the noise.
But then Sajin felt a sudden sharp pain in his hand. Looking down he saw beneath his gauntlet blood. Looking up he saw Jerome still alive and having bitten into the giant's hand. Then he put his arms up and launched the giant's hand off him, freeing himself.
With both hands he reached for the nearest stone he could find and held it over his head. Then with a step forward and one great swing he sent it across the yard at the Captain.
But in the same movement Sajin released his sword from it's sheath and in one swing cut the stone in pieces.
Jerome sunk both his giant hands into the dirt, gripping it and then propelled himself across the courtyard and tackled Sajin to the ground, this time burying his sharp fangs into the Captain's right shoulder. Sajin dropped his sword as Jerome stood over him beating his giant fists against the Captain in a savage fury. Sajin kept his own arms up and blocked. Then Jerome put his two great hands on both sides of Sajin's head, bring him up so he could yell full force into Sajin's face.
With his sword drawn Seigen jumped onto the rooftop after Bazz-B. As he sliced his sword threw the air Bazz-B ducked under him. Seigen followed after him with another slice that Bazz-B once again dodged. Now being so close Bazz-B shot up his hands and shot a point blank ball of fire from them.
But as an expert of Shunpo Seigen disappeared from Bazz-B's sight only to reappear in the air above him. He came slashing down only for Bazz-B to jump aside, making Seigen destroy the tiles instead of his foe. But Bazz-B had made some distance between them, the Quincy raised a finger and pointed it at the Captain.
"Burn Finger 1!" And fire blasted from his finger tip and at Seigen. But Seigen swung down with his sword and a bolt of lightning came from it's tip. The lightning and fire met in the center of the Squad Twelve barracks and from there erupted.
The entire Fifth Squad had surrounded Pepe. But the big man just kept snapping his fingers casually.
"Take him." Matsuri ordered. And the division did as they were told. But Pepe remained casual continuing to snap his fingers. And with that one final snap four giant figures surrounded him, shaking the ground.
At first glance Matsuri didn't recognize them but at second glance she saw it was the Four Gatekeepers of the Soul Society. The Captain was happy to see them until Jidanbo turned one of his great battle axes and sliced a man clean in two.
The other guardians attacked as well. Stomping some into pudding, tossing them across the yard, or ripping them apart with their bare hands. The blood and bones of her squad painted all over the courtyard.
"Defend yourselves!" she quickly ordered. But by that time there were only two of them still standing. Danzomaru the Northern gatekeeper picked one of them up, opened his mouth and bit off his head as if he was a piece of candy.
In one swift motion Matsuri drew her sword and cut the gatekeepers arm off. His limp collapsed to the ground but he did nothing more than casually turn his head to her.
"Don't just stand there." Pepe said." Take care of her." Danzomaru was the first to move but the other three were quick to follow.
Matsuri didn't know what was going on but she had to defend herself and the rest of her division. Danzomaru stomped before her and swung his only arm. Matsuri swung her sword and in one slash cut that one off too. Then with her bare hand she punched him in the chin and pushed him back, sending him into the air and crashing into the nearby buildings.
The Southern and Eastern guardians each stood before her. Matsuri pointed her sword at Higonyugo blasting him back with a gust of wind, blasting him up and into the air and collapsing him on Danzomaru. With her other hand she aimed an open palm at Kaiwan.
"Shakkaho" she announced. And she shot a blast of Kido from her hand, blasting a hole right threw his chest finishing him. Jidanbo stomped behind her next wielding both axes he swung down at her.
Matsuri met his axes with her sealed blade, cutting both his axes in two. With that same slice she sliced right into Jidanbo's chest causing a waterfall of blood to come down upon her.
"Snap Tobiume!" Momo yelled and with a swing she shot a fireball at the Quincy. Then something happened. Something neither the Captain or Lieutenant could explain.
The last of their division member jumped forward between Pepe and the fireball, allowing it to hit them and burn them to ash.
"NO!" Momo shrieked. Matsuri looked on in fright while they burned and screamed. Momo fell onto her feet unable to hold her sword. When the fire cleared all either of them could see was Pepe on the other side of it.
"I love it." He chuckled his hands still in the same position and aimed in their direction.
"You…You." Matsuri grunted. She dashed forward, unsheathing her sword and taking a slice at Pepe. But the Quincy floated out of her reach. But she moved forward and swung once more but she was stopped. Not by Pepe but by her own Lieutenant.
"Momo!"Matsuri exclaimed." What are you doing?!" But her Lieutenant didn't respond and instead swung her sword at her Captain again. Matsuri choose not to engage this time but jumped back, putting distance between them and jumping onto the roof. With the distance she thought the situation over, it wasn't hard to figure out.
Momo didn't start acting strange until Pepe appeared. The Captain pointed her sword at him.
"I don't know what you've done! But I'll make you undo it!"
Amused Pepe smiled and continued snapping his fingers.
"Kotomaru!" Matsuri commanded raising her sword to the sky. And when she swung down it changed shape, shooting a gust of wind down at the Quincy.
But the attack wouldn't hit him. Momo suddenly appeared between the Quincy and her the blast of wind.
"NO!" Matsuri yelled as Momo was blasted right in her torso, knocking her back into the ground. But Pepe found it amusing as he reared his head back and laughed.
"HA!" He exclaimed with a smile." Thank you baby!" He pointed to Momo's lifeless body. But in his amusement he hadn't noticed Matsuri appear before him. He turned back right as she swung her sword down. But before the blade could slice his skin he was saved once more. Matsuri looked as a blade blocked her own, it's owner none other than Momo.
"What?!" she exclaimed.
Momo pressed her attack. Matsuri not wanting to hurt her Lieutenant jumped back and avoided her once more. But Momo pressed her attack.
He said nothing but pointed her finger forward and shot byakurai from her fingertip. Matsuri raised her sword and deflected the blast. And when Momo shot once more Matsuri did the same. Now the Captain knew she had to act.
"Bakudo #61 Rikujokoro" And Momo was then imbedded with five yellow beams of light. No matter what Pepe was doing this would hold her in place until the fighting was done.
Matsuri then turned her attention to the Quincy and with one swing of her sword blasted him with a gust of air. He seemed unprepared and was knocked back threw the wall of the barracks.
Jerome continued to yell with all his might and animalistic fury into Sajin's face. But this time it wasn't enough to simply try and cover his ears. Not only Sajin was affected but the rest of his divisions were all rolling on the ground in pain as they tried to cover their ears. The Captain knew he had to silence this big beast once and for all.
He swung his right arm out and covered Jerome's mouth, managing to silence him some. But if then this muffled roar was still too much for others to handle. Then with his other arm Sajin swung out and punched Jerome in the jaw, knocking him back some and loosening his grip. With another punch he forced Jerome to release him entirely. But the Quincy was not done as he lashed out and punched Sajin, knocking him off his feet.
The Captain landed on his back, and looking up he saw Jerome and jumped into the air and prepared to flatten him. But looking over Sajin saw his zanpaktou Tenken within arm's reach. He reached out and retrieved it. And as Jerome came crashing down Sajin swung his sword up and slashed the Quincy right across the torso.
The big beast crumbled to his knees, trying to support himself on his big arms. The wound had cut deep and blood was pouring out of him.
"You killed the Head-Captain." he grumbled as he gripped his sword tighter, rising to his full height." He was a friend of mine, villain." He put both hands on his sword and raised it high." Bankai!" And all the giant's rage and hatred fueled into that sword swing. And with that one slash he cut his enemy into nothing.
And Ywach felt the demise of one of his own even from across the Soul Society. And although Shunsui couldn't see it just yet he was about to see what happens when a Quincy died.
When Shunsui came down swinging both swords Ywach opened his mouth and emitted a mighty roar. A roar powerful enough to shake the ground and crumbled buildings, most importantly it sent Shunsui flying back.
The Quincy are a spiritual people. And each and every Quincy alive have the blood of their King in them, the Sternritters more so. Each given a piece of his soul which in turn gave them their powers. And when one of them dies the power he gave them was returned to him, just like in this case with Jerome.
"Well." Shunsui commented." That was interesting." Ywach raised his hand.
"You haven't seen anything yet." He formed another Quincy arrow and fired it at Shunsui. But the Head-Captain quickly disappeared from his sight only to reappear beside him.
"Bushogama" he commanded. He swung his blades around and the whirlwind they created surround Ywach. But Ywach swung up his arm causing the whirlwind to vanish. And when it did he found the Head-Captain standing right before him.
"White." He said. He swung both blades forward and managed to slash Ywach across his torso and chest. Ywach stepped back putting a hand to his chest and using his master of reishi control to heal the wounds. But at the same time Shunsui advanced on him.
He's too fast for a reishi attack, even at this close a distance he'd dodge it. A sword attack would take up one but not the other, leaving him open. But Ywach knew exactly what to do.
"Bazz-B." he said. And even though his Master was across the Soul Society the Quincy could still hear him." I need your power." Ywach held his hand to the sky and gave it a slight wave. Then he stepped forward and with a swing of his arm sent a blast of fire down and at Shunsui.
The flames were monstrous and burned just as hot as Ryuijin Jakka. The Quincy King watched as the Head-Captain burned right before his eyes, with the flames rising as tall as the buildings and the smoke even higher. He watched with a stern smile on his face until the fires burned down and the Head-Captain knelt before him, his cloths burned and his skin black.
"Now that's a heat I haven't felt in a long time." He managed a chuckle. It was just like old times and that he was a boy once more. The heat of the fire reminded him so much of his late mentor, both powerful and relentless. But soon it wasn't the fire that had his attention. He felt something. A presence more like, a presence he'd thought long gone. He was so distracted by it he turned his attention entirely away from his opponent. Instead of attacking the King Quincy decided to talk.
"Do you feel that?" Ywach asked.
"No." Shunsui said in disbelief." I don't believe it."
"You know it's true." Ywach said. There was a familiar spiritual pressure on the battlefield, and everyone felt it.
Unohana and Byakuya stood by in shock. Sajin turned his attention away from his wounded men to feel at it for himself.
"It can't be." Chojiro said when he saw it. Turning her head Rangiku saw none other than Toshiro Hitsuguya himself.