Chapter 39:
He had run out of time. Ichigo's body was starting to break under him. His bones alone were very brittle.
How could he win if he couldn't stand?
Yagi started laughing. "I knew it. I knew you could never-"
"Raugh!" Ichigo picked up his sword and swung.
Yagi jumped back, amazed to see Ichigo on his feet.
"How can he..?"
"Aurgh!" Ichigo fell, clutching his broken ankle. Standing on it was a bad idea. Putting pressure on it as he ran was even worse.
Yagi stood where he was, watching. He wasn't sure what Ichigo would do next. This teenager was full of surprises. He shouldn't have been able to stand, let alone rush at him with a sword as large as that.
"Where is he drawing this power from?"
Ichigo struggled up again. He stood, putting most of his weight on the other ankle. He hoisted his sword onto his shoulder and got ready to swing. His back was aching. His shoulders were in so much pain.
He swung, missing.
"Don't you know when to give up? This has gone on long enough. Just stop it already."
Ichigo jumped rather than run to close the gap between them. He swung his sword downward and Yagi blocked with his weapon. The Seele Schneider cracked and shattered in Yagi's hand. Yagi patted his belt with both hands, frantically searching for a replacement. Unable to find one on his belt, he reached inside his jacket and pulled out his last Seele Schneider. If Ichigo broke this one, he was out of luck.
"Ahh!" Ichigo sliced Yagi across the chest, cutting open his jacket.
For a brief moment, the lining of Yagi's jacket was revealed. The inner lining of his clothes were filled with pockets stuffed with different Quincy tools. He even had bottles and flasks stitched into the fabric so he wouldn't have to fumble through pockets for what he needed. Most of those tools had already been spent, leaving empty spots beside pockets which weren't as full as they had been before. Yagi was starting to run out of tools.
Ichigo aimed for the pockets in an attempt to eliminate all of Yagi's remaining tools and weapons. The tip of his sword sliced open one pocket and the contents spilled onto the ground.
"No!"
Flasks shattered, causing small explosions. Others smoked and oozed strange colored liquid. Yagi backed away from the mess, not wanting to get too close. Ichigo swung again and cut off the remains of Yagi's torn sleeve. He didn't manage to get any weapons this time.
He swung again and Yagi blocked. Their weapons clashed repeatedly. Ichigo was closing in. Yagi was in retreat. He backed away like before while Ichigo stepped closer, advancing.
Each swing was painful but Ichigo ignored it.
Until...
"Ahh!" Ichigo's sword hit the ground. He gripped his shoulders tightly as if to keep something from leaping out of him. "No. Not now... No!"
His flesh was being covered by a white shell. Ichigo started to rip off the white shell with his hands but as quickly as he ripped it off, more took its place. His hands were covered in white claws, growing larger by the second.
"Stop!" Ichigo begged his body. "No, don't! No! Not yet! Not yet!"
The transformation continued without mercy. His body could no longer hold it off. Though Ichigo was still conscious, he could do nothing about it.
"About time," said Yagi. "Took long enough, I have to say."
Ichigo reached for Yagi's throat with his mutating hand but his legs gave out under him.
His body couldn't keep up with his demands. It couldn't hold out anymore.
Ichigo's vision started to blur. As hard as he tried fighting it, his body could no longer listen. He couldn't stop the transformation from taking place.
A mask slowly encroached over Ichigo's pale, bloody face.
His body was heavy and in pain.
Yagi's image started to blur and fade to black.
He had one chance to defeat him. One last chance to fight.
He would not have another.
This was the final time.
He knew it. He knew he would not be coming back from this transformation. This was the last time.
Yagi's face disappeared as the mask formed over his face, casting him in darkness.
"This is how you die."
"Do you feel that?"
"Over there." Soi Fon pointed in the direction of the massive burst of Spiritual Pressure. "That has to be him. Let's move."
The Captains were reluctant but responded anyway. As regrettable as it was, they had a job to do.
"What's that?" Linnette asked, pointing.
Everyone turned in the direction of the blast. There was light and smoke and wind, all coming from a single location.
And a roar.
"Ichigo!" Veneno turned and ran, following the Hollow's cry.
"Veneno! Wait!"
The group chased after him.
Veneno didn't wait for them. As a Hollow himself, he understood that sound. It wasn't a sound of fury. It was a sound of pain.
It was the sound of a Hollow not long for this world.
Veneno hurried as fast as he could, not knowing what he could do but wanting to reach Ichigo at any cost.
He had to see him. He had to be with him. Just as Ichigo was with him through the pain, Veneno should be by his side to do the same.
"Ichigo!"
Yagi turned his head from the struggling Ichigo to the horizon, sensing something.
"Hm." He smirked. "It would seem they've sensed your presence. Those Soul Reapers are being drawn by your Spiritual Pressure. Oh. And it would appear to be Captains. How lucky are we?"
By this time, there was no trace of Ichigo left. His entire body had Hollowfied but his limbs were shivering with reluctance. A small part of Ichigo was still fighting.
"This saves us the trouble of going to them. They've come to you instead." Yagi turned back to face Ichigo. "Whatever happens next will play out according to my desires. They will either kill you, thus putting you out of your misery and my hair... Or, you will kill them shortly before the poison finishes you off. Either way, I get what I want."
Yagi knew all along that Ichigo was too powerful for him to handle on his own which was why he wanted the Soul Reapers to kill him in his stead. That way, they would be at risk and not him. If there were any casualties, which was very likely, it would not be Yagi. The Soul Reapers he deemed his enemy would be slaughtered by Ichigo while he watched from a safe distance.
"And from the feel of things, they're in a weakened state. My subordinates must have given them a run for their money. Either that, or they still haven't recovered from our last encounter. But with them being weaker than before means that you should have no problem killing at least one of them. Even if you don't, you'll still put up a good fight. One which should undoubtedly weaken them further so I should have no problem finishing them off myself."
Sensing them approach, Yagi quickly bid Ichigo farewell and fled the area.
"There he is."
The Captains stopped and stared at Ichigo's fully Hollowfied appearance.
"Ugh. Disgusting," said Soi Fon with a grimace. "What these Quincies have done to him is unacceptable."
"Indeed. But..." Komamura looked at his fellow Captains.
Not every Captain was present for this. Unohana had stayed behind along with Kenpachi. He was told to stay behind because the matter required a more delicate hand and they were afraid he would not comply, wanting to slaughter Ichigo in a brutal manner. However, Kenpachi, surprisingly, had offered to stay behind without a fuss, claiming that he had no desire to battle Ichigo while he was in such a state. If he killed Ichigo, he wanted the boy to be aware of what was happening and give him the fight he deserved. Killing him as a Hollow would be unfair, especially if this transformation was not of his own choosing.
Mayuri was also not amongst the Captains present. He was still in his lab working on a cure that would never reach Ichigo in time. Everyone doubted he would ever find one, even if they were given more time.
Soi Fon drew her weapon. "Let what must be done, be done."
Kensei looked at Ichigo with a pained expression.
How was this any different from what he had to go through? What any of the Vizards had to go through?
Being killed for something they never chose. Not being given a choice.
When Kensei looked at Ichigo, he saw himself. He saw all of them. Lisa, Shinji, Mashiro, Hyori, all of them.
The monster looking back at Ichigo was how he must have looked to the others who saw him back then. Those Soul Reapers who took one look at him and his friends and decided they must be killed.
Kisuke managed to save them. He did so much for them.
They were saved, but what about Ichigo? Who would save him?
Kensei looked at his sword and felt sick.
"How the hell am I any different?"
"I see him! I see him!"
Rukia and the others stopped, seeing Ichigo in his Hollowfied form. Linnette was happy to have found Ichigo still standing, despite his looks. She was just thankful he was still alive.
Rukia turned her head to the left. "What are the Captains doing here?" She had a horrifying thought. "Unless..."
"They must be here to put an end to Ichigo," finished Shinji. "The Captains were talking about it in one of our last meetings. They said they would kill him if either a cure wasn't found or because he was found too dangerous to keep alive."
Soi Fon started to approach the Hollow.
"Ichigo's not even attacking them," said Linnette. "If they go after him first, then it is an execution."
"The hell it is." Veneno sprinted to the Captains.
Ichigo was not attacking them. The only sign of hostility he displayed was growling. He was on his knees and would not rise. Either that or he could not. If that was the case, then they had little choice but to swing their blades.
This was what Soi Fon told herself as she approached. If he could not move, it meant he was too weak and would die soon. It was best to put an end to his suffering.
"No!"
Veneno threw himself on Soi Fon's sword, forcing it down.
"What the hell are you..?"
"Don't!" Veneno shouted. "Don't kill him!"
"You think I want this?" Soi Fon demanded. "You think this is something I want to do? I take no joy in this. But this is something that has to be done."
"No! No, it doesn't! You don't have to kill him."
"Look at him!" Soi Fon shouted. "Look at Ichigo! Nothing about him remains. There is no trace of Ichigo left. This may be difficult for you to understand, but he is not who he used to be anymore and never will be again! He's just a mindless Hollow who no longer knows what he's doing. He's suffering and in pain. You want him to live like that for however long he has left? He doesn't know who he is anymore. He doesn't even know you or any of us."
Veneno looked back at the monster behind him. Ichigo huffed and growled. Even his eyes had changed. Nothing about him looked like the Ichigo he knew.
"Stand aside," Soi Fon ordered.
Veneno would not let go of her sword.
"I said, stand aside."
Veneno looked at her. "I know what you think. But..."
"But what?"
"But... But you still shouldn't kill him. Not yet. Mayuri is still working on a cure. I know he is."
"But he hasn't found one and we can't wait any longer."
"But what if he finds one and then it's too late?" asked Veneno. "What if the second you swing your sword, a cure is found and he gets it to us? You can't cut him down. Even if he's suffering. There's still hope. You shouldn't kill him before his time. Let him live until the end. I just don't want you to kill him only to discover that we had a cure and have it be too late. Then there's no going back. I don't want regrets. Just let him live. Please."
Soi Fon had her doubts about there being a cure but she was also afraid of things playing out as Veneno described. She didn't want to kill Ichigo as it was, but killing him moments before a cure was discovered would have made everything much worse.
Still, she chose not to show weakness.
"Is this what Ichigo would want or what you want?"
Veneno flinched.
"Well?"
Veneno thought a moment, then said, "I know Ichigo would not want to hurt his friends."
"Good. We agree. Because right now, in this state, he is, so-"
"But I also know that he wouldn't want you to play into the enemy's hands. Killing him is just what the enemy wants. Do you want to be used?"
Offended, Soi Fon slapped Veneno across the face. It wasn't with all her strength, but Veneno being in a weakened state, it was enough to throw him to the ground and off her weapon.
"You think I want this? The enemy has given us little choice in the matter. Before you go saying such careless things, you need to take a good look around you. We have no options. None!"
Veneno picked himself up, holding his stomach. He was still on the mend from the battle that had taken place a few minutes ago.
"You're in no condition to stop me. And I'd rather not kill you, too."
Veneno looked up at Soi Fon and saw that this was something she did not want to do. Just as she claimed, she took no joy in this whatsoever. This was just something they felt had to be done.
"I've never bowed my head to a Soul Reaper before but if that's what it takes for you to listen..."
"Beg all you want, it won't change anything." Soi Fon raised her weapon. "Now out of my way!"
As she moved around Veneno, a new obstacle blocked her path.
"No, don't!" Linnette shrieked, throwing herself between Soi Fon and Ichigo. "Please, don't!"
Soi Fon pulled back just before Linnette could be cut. Soi Fon held her sword in front of her body with one hand, refusing to lower it.
"Get out of the way."
Linnette spread her arms wide to prevent Soi Fon from going around her.
"Don't you understand that he's dangerous as he is and that he's never coming back?"
"Don't you understand that we can wait until the end? Veneno's right. You shouldn't kill him yet. Not before his time. Besides, he's not even attacking you. That's not a fair fight."
"If we wait around for him to attack, lives could be lost."
"And if you don't wait and attack him anyway, lives will still be lost. Ichigo's life will be lost. I'm not going to let you kill him!"
"This doesn't concern you!" Soi Fon snapped.
"Yes, it does!" shouted Linnette. "It does because it's my fault! If I hadn't gotten hurt, Ichigo would have had no reason to go to the Quincy and get that poison put in him. He did it to save me. I know he did. I didn't ask him to, but he did anyway. If I hadn't gotten hurt, then..."
She felt responsible.
That was why she felt she had to do something herself. Feeling guilty, she went to find Ichigo and help him. Not just because he was her friend but because she felt responsible for what happened to him. He risked himself to save her so now she was going to risk herself to save him.
Behind her, Ichigo started to move. He lifted his head and snarled at the group assembled in front of him. He slowly got to his feet, getting ready to fight.
"You have to get out of the way," Soi Fon told her. "I don't want to kill him but we don't have much of a choice."
"You do have a choice! You can wait!"
Soi Fon saw Ichigo rise over Linnette's shoulder. There was no time to argue. If something wasn't done then Ichigo would end up killing someone.
"We don't have time for this." Soi Fon grabbed Linnette's arm and threw her aside. Then she turned to the Captains behind her. "Let's make this quick."
Veneno wrapped both arms around her waist and held her. "I'm not going to let you kill him!"
"Get off, you idiot! He's coming!"
Byakuya had yet to draw his sword, but he was preparing to fight if Ichigo attacked.
His eyes darted to his left, seeing Komamura draw his sword and take a step forward.
Just as he did so, Kensei grabbed the hilt of Komamura's Zanpakuto and held it down.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm sorry. But I can't." Kensei kept his face turned the other direction so the Captain couldn't see his face.
Komamura looked at Linnette, wondering if this was her doing.
"It's not her," said Kensei. "Not completely. She had given my Hollow the command not to harm Ichigo, so there's no way I can let anyone attack him with murderous intent. But, my Hollow isn't in control right now. Not of my body, at least. Just part of it. Only my arm."
Kensei turned his head so Komamura could see his eyes which had a light gold hue around his irises.
"The rest of what I'm doing is my own choice. Including my words," Kensei went on. "I can't in all good conscience let you go through with it. And I certainly can't bring myself to do it."
"Regardless of how you feel about Ichigo-"
"Friendship has nothing to do with it. Not for this." Kensei grit his teeth. "Even if Ichigo and I weren't friends, I still wouldn't go through with what you're asking me to do. Not after I was in the same position myself all those years ago. Back when I was going to be killed because of what someone else had done to me. Something beyond my control, beyond my wishes. The way I felt... I can't do what you're asking of me because it'd be the same. I can't kill him without condemning myself and all the other Vizards. It would be like saying none of us deserve to live. I just can't do that. I have morals, you know. I can't condemn Ichigo to death without condemning all of us. Don't you get that?"
Komamura didn't fight against Kensei's grip. He knew that he was right.
"Look out!"
Everyone turned to look at Ichigo who had started attacking anything in sight. He roared at the group and took a swipe at Soi Fon and Veneno. They both managed to escape harm, but Ichigo was still coming.
Rukai's eyes widened when she saw a fissure appear on Ichigo's right shoulder. The same thing that had happened to Sharif was starting to happen to him.
Ichigo was not going to survive much longer.
Victor stood anxiously as Mayuri finished testing the latest concoction, hoping it was the cure they were all waiting for.
"Just one more second." Mayuri was testing the mixture multiple times and putting samples through various trials to make sure it would work. This was the final test. If all went well, they would have something.
Mayuri made his observations and read the data.
"Well?"
Mayuri's smile was promising. So far, so good.
The final test was done.
"Yes!" Mayuri turned to Victor. "This is it. This will not only reverse the effects, but it won't kill him in the process. This should bring him back to the way he was before being given the first drug."
The relief was short when Victor reminded Mayuri that a team had already been dispatched to Ichigo's location in order to kill him.
Mayuri turned his back to Victor as he loaded the serum into a small vial and capped it.
Then Mayuri put the vial into Victor's hand.
"With your speed, you should be able to reach him in time."
Victor could move faster than a Soul Reaper's flash-step, traveling great distances in a matter of seconds. The only drawback was that Victor had to know where he was going. If he didn't know Ichigo's exact location, it might take him longer than usual to find him. Zipping from place to place would only add to the time they didn't have.
"Race to Ichigo's side and inject him with it," Mayuri told him. "It can be swallowed as well, but injecting him would be the fastest way to get it into his system. Now hurry. There's no time to waste."
Complaining about having to find Ichigo would take a lot longer than going out and doing it, so Victor kept quiet.
"Thank you."
He closed the vial in his fist and bolted from the laboratory.
It was only fitting that it be him to bring it to Ichigo. Not just because of his speed but because it was his serum that did this to him in the first place. If only he hadn't come up with that serum, the Quincy wouldn't have been able to take it for his own and change it into something even more dangerous. Victor had to share the blame in all this. He was truly sorry. At least now he can right a wrong and save Ichigo's life.
Bellowing, Ichigo thrust his arm forward to knock Soi Fon's weapon aside. She pulled back and tried to swing, but Veneno stopped her. Their bodies collided and both fell to the ground. Komamura moved in to defend them and Kensei held him back. It was utter chaos. There were three sides to this fight. Those who sought to kill Ichigo, those who protected him and Ichigo himself. It had become a free-for-all.
Veneno saw Soi Fon move to attack again and tried to stop her. Blood spurted from the wound in his stomach as he dashed forward. He fell just short of her body, slamming into her legs instead of her torso. Her attack continued and clashed with Ichigo's white arm.
"I told you, you're in no condition to fight, Arrancar," Soi Fon told him as she fought off Ichigo's attack. "Get out of here!"
Veneno refused. "Whatever happens here, I want to be by Ichigo's side. No matter what becomes of this fight."
Whether Ichigo lived or died. If he died from the poison or died from an attack, it didn't matter to him. Veneno wanted to be there for him like a true friend. If Ichigo was going to die, then he wanted to be by his side when it happened.
Someone like Ichigo didn't deserve to die alone. Someone had to be there with him to see him off.
Death was lonely and frightening.
The only thing that could ease such a thing was having someone who cared about him there beside him.
Even if Veneno couldn't stop their attacks and save Ichigo's life, the least he could do was be there for him.
Ichigo lunged at Soi Fon's abdomen and sent her flying.
After having faced Zalya twice within a matter of hours, Soi Fon still wasn't fully recovered. She could stand and run, but her fighting was off slightly. Still on the mend, she came all this way to fight Ichigo and put him down. Though advised to stay behind until she was back to full strength, she refused, not wanting to appear weak by babying her injuries.
Against Ichigo in his Hollow state was a poor idea.
Though on his last legs, Ichigo still possessed monstrous strength. He was not to be taken lightly and that was her biggest mistake. She didn't think he would have this much fight left in him.
Rukia didn't know what to do. She had to keep Ichigo from moving but she didn't want to make it easier for them to kill him. If she did nothing, her friends would be injured or worse.
The only one who had not attacked yet was her brother. Byakuya had drawn his sword but wasn't using it. He had yet to be given a reason to strike Ichigo and so far he hadn't received it.
Ichigo unleashed a roar and threw Veneno aside with his arm. Veneno tumbled away and lay on the ground. He was alive but was in too much pain to move.
He then turned his rage on the girl standing by the injured Vizard Captains. His claws extended and twisted together, forming a long single blade. He aimed it at the girl standing in front of the two men.
Shinji and Rojuro grabbed her arms to pull her down. She fell on top of them. They tried to get up to carry her to safety but they were too injured to move. All they could do was hold her and pray Ichigo's attack wasn't too deep.
He thrust his arm forward to skewer all three of them.
Fearing for her life and theirs, Linnette screamed.
Ichigo's claws went through a male torso and out the back, the tips of his claws stopping just short of Linnette's chest.
Though punctured, there was no blood.
"Cedric!"
Hearing her speak his name, Cedric turned and smiled at Linnette. "Hello."
"What are you doing here? I didn't call you."
"He must have come because you were in danger," said Shinji.
"That... And it was a request."
"From whom?"
Cedric turned slightly, Ichigo's claws still in his abdomen, and held up the person under his arm.
"Stop carrying me like a freaking suitcase!" yelled Hitsugaya.
"If you were on my back, you would have been injured by that attack. I had little choice," said Cedric.
Komamura turned and saw the Captain under Cedric's arm. "Captain Hitsugaya, what are you doing here? I thought you were in the sickbay."
"I was. But when I heard that you were going to execute Ichigo, I felt like I should be here as well."
"To witness or assist?"
Hitsugaya did not answer.
Ichigo pulled his claws free and roared at Cedric. Ichigo's breath blew back Cedric's hair but he wasn't intimidated.
"You have to put me down or something," complained Hitsugaya. "From this position-"
"Hold on, then."
"Hold on to wha- Ahh!"
Cedric threw Hitsugaya straight up into the air. His arms free, Cedric picked up Linnette and the two Captains and carried them away from Ichigo. Then Cedric flashed back and caught Hitsugaya before he could hit the ground. When Ichigo slashed at them, Cedric jumped, stepped on Ichigo's back and landed behind him.
Hitsugaya dug his nails into Cedric's chest and arm, very tense.
Cedric looked down. "What?"
Hitsugaya smacked him. "What!? You threw me into the air!"
"I caught you, didn't I?"
"You threw me!"
"I do that to Linnette all the time. She finds it fun." Cedric didn't see the issue. "Besides, I couldn't carry all four of you at the same time. Not when two of them are injured."
"I'm injured, too! That's my point! You tossed me into the air when I can hardly move as it is!"
"You opted to come here. You asked me to bring you no matter what state you were in."
"You..." Hitsugaya saw Ichigo raise his arm. "Move!"
Cedric took Hitsugaya and retreated.
Ichigo's arm slammed into the ground and he took two steps to pursue Cedric but quickly gave up. He turned his attention back to the Captains who weren't injured, favoring them instead.
Ichigo roared and fired a single cero.
The explosion created a massive wind that knocked them off their feet. Any Soul Reapers in the air became Ichigo's new target. Rukia was the closest. He slammed his fist into her from the side and sent her flying.
That was all the reason Byakuya needed to attack.
Victor stopped and looked around. There was no sign of Ichigo here either.
The ground trembled.
Victor turned and saw a massive dust cloud rise into the air.
"There."
He ran to the dust cloud and heard voices. The Captains were already here.
Rukia tumbled across the dirt. She picked herself up and rubbed her shoulder. Even in this state, Ichigo packed a punch.
"Rukia?"
She looked up. "Victor! What are you doing here?"
Victor helped her to her feet and held out his hand.
His fingers opened, unveiling the vial in his hand.
Rukia's heart started pounding. "Is that..?"
He nodded. "This is the cure."
She was so happy she could cry. She couldn't believe they had found a cure.
With this, Ichigo's life would be saved.
Ichigo roared behind them. They looked and saw Byakuya battling Ichigo with his sword.
"Brother!"
Victor closed his fist around the vial. "Injected or swallowed, it will cure him."
With that, Victor ran forward.
Byakuya gripped his sword tightly and adjusted his footing. He threw Ichigo's claws down and moved to chop off his head.
Victor slammed into him from the side.
"Excuse me."
Byakuya gave him a crossed look. Byakuya did not take his words as an apology.
Victor uncapped the vial and stood in front of Ichigo. "Hold still. This will only take a second."
Byakuya's eyes went to the vial in Victor's hand and understood.
Ichigo roared and raised his arm to strike.
As he did, cracks started to appear just below the elbow.
Victor used his speed to get close.
He didn't inject him.
"Mm."
He couldn't tell which was flesh and which was the hard shell of a Hollow. Ichigo's entire body seemed to be armored. If Victor didn't inject him correctly, it would have been no different from not having a cure at all. He didn't want to waste his only shot.
Ichigo spun and caught Victor with his tail.
A hand reached out and caught him.
"Cedric?"
"Victor."
He stood and looked at his brother. "Then you are here as well. For what purpose?"
"I was asked to come here by this Captain child."
"I am not a child!"
Cedric ignored him. "If you're here then that must mean you've found a cure."
"That's correct." Victor held it up. "This is our one shot. But... I cannot tell where the best place is to inject it."
Ichigo roared and charged at the group.
"Make up your mind fast because here he comes."
"We're running out of time."
"I know that."
Victor got as close as he could and considered throwing the vial into Ichigo's mouth. The cure was effective if swallowed, or so he had been told.
Ichigo snapped at Victor's hand and he jerked back.
As he prepared to throw it into Ichigo's mouth, he saw cracks appear on his neck and shoulder. Blood seeped down Ichigo's chin.
Victor hesitated.
Snarling, Ichigo slammed his arm into Victor's stomach and threw him backwards.
The vial flew out of Victor's hand as he sailed backwards in a straight line.
"Ah!" Rukia dove forward and caught the vial in both hands.
Ichigo stood over her and snarled.
Byakuya moved to protect her but was held back by Cedric.
Ichigo raised his arm to strike.
"Stop, Ichigo!" Rukia ordered him. It had worked in the past so she hoped it would work again. "You don't have to do this. Not anymore. We have a cure. We can help you. Please, let us help you."
Ichigo threw his arm down and his claws sank into the ground at her feet. He huffed and snarled at her. He didn't seem to understand a word she was saying.
"It's ok, Ichigo. We have a cure. We can help you."
Snarling, he swung at her head. She stumbled back and fell against a tree.
Ichigo moved in.
Byakuya pulled against Cedric's grip, worried for his sister. Lieutenant or not, he felt it was his duty to protect her, no matter her status. She seemed so vulnerable.
Rukia kept her voice calm. "Ichigo. We have a cure. We can fix this. It will make you feel better. Ok? Ok, Ichigo?"
He growled.
"Ichigo... Please."
He huffed, his breath blowing back her hair.
"Please. I know you don't want to be like this. I know this isn't you. This isn't what you want. You never chose this. So please. Please let us cure you. This time you have a choice. You can either stay like this and die, or accept this cure and save your life."
Shinji grimaced. "I don't think he understands a word she's saying. I know she's trying not to provoke him, but... Inject him already."
"What if she hits the mask and the cure never reaches his skin to affect him?"
Shinji frowned. "I know, Rose. But..."
Rukia saw the cracks in his arms and neck. He didn't have long. At this rate, he would end up just like Sharif.
"Ichigo..."
He raised himself up and flexed his claws.
"Ichigo, don't."
He raised his arm.
"Ichigo!"
He slashed at her small body.
Rukia rolled aside and ran behind the tree. Ichigo roared and chased her. She ran to the other side as he chopped the tree down with the strength of his arm. As the tree snapped in two, more cracks appeared on his arm.
"He's beyond reason. Can't she see that?" asked Soi Fon. "Cure or not, it's too late for him. Look at him. He can't possibly..."
"Where's you faith, hm?" asked Victor.
Soi Fon was surprised to see him back so quickly. It showed just how resilient Victor was.
He stood beside her and watched.
The rest was up to Rukia. He decided to give her a chance. Ichigo must have been far more precious to her than to either Cedric or to Victor himself.
Rukia went to another tree, but didn't hide behind it. She used it to swing her body into a sharp turn and run beside Ichigo, hoping to find a place to inject him. She couldn't find anything resembling flesh on his body. He was too heavily armored.
Ichigo stood and used his tail to cut her off. Rukia came to a stop.
He towered over her.
He raised his claws.
"Ichigo!" she screamed, fearing what he would do next.
Roaring, he slammed his claws down. Not on her, but on the ground. He made a sharp right turn and ran head-first into the tree.
"Ah..?"
He pulled back and slammed his head against it again.
"Ichigo?"
The other Captains stared in confusion. "What is he doing?"
Ichigo pummeled his head with the tree trunk repeatedly.
"Ichigo, stop it!" Rukia yelled.
She didn't know why he was doing this but it was only damaging him further. His mask protected him from injury, but cracks were starting to appear on his head now. Throwing himself against the tree was only killing him faster.
"Is he trying to kill himself in order to keep himself from hurting others?" Komamura wondered aloud.
Ichigo pulled back and stumbled. Blood was dripping down his mask, oozing from his mouth. More cracks were appearing on other parts of his body as well.
He lifted his head, looking at Rukia. He raised his claws again.
Then another surprise occurred.
He turned the claws on himself.
He dug his claws into the cracks on his shoulder and started to pulled pieces of armor off his body. He was ripping his arm apart.
"The pain must be so much, he can't take it anymore."
"Does he even know what he's doing?"
"Who can tell anymore?"
Byakuya squinted. "Wait. Is he..? Is that..?"
Ichigo tore off a huge chunk of his white armor and threw it aside. After that, he stopped attacking himself.
He stumbled and staggered and slumped to his knees, huffing and growling.
As he knelt hunched over, Rukia saw it.
An opening. Ichigo had given her an opening.
Whether he knew what he was doing or not, Rukai was just happy to see a break in his armor so she could reach his flesh.
The flesh below the surface wasn't Ichigo's. It was thick and dripping with puss and blood. It was gray and leathery. It was Hollow flesh, not human.
Rukia approached quickly but cautiously.
Ichigo lifted himself up and prepared to launch another attack.
He snapped at her as she came closer. He threw his arm at her and she retreated. More cracks started to appear. His body was even more brittle than before. His armor was like glass.
His claws caught Rukia's sleeve. Twisting his arm, he tore off her sleeve. He missed her flesh but that only made him thirst for blood. He wanted to kill her.
Rukia stood still, a plan forming in her mind. Ichigo swiped at her head and she ducked. He swung again and she ducked. Irritated, he lowered himself on all fours like a beast and snapped at her with his jaws. She stepped back, his jaws clamping shut just in front of her chest. He snapped again and she dove to the side.
She grabbed one of Ichigo's horns. She swung her body close and steadied herself. Ichigo turned his head but his teeth couldn't quite reach her. She took the vial and plunged the needle into the opening his his armor. The liquid was injected straight into his flesh.
Ichigo screeched.
His cries were enough to shake her loose and she fell. Rukia scrambled back.
Ichigo roared and howled in agony. Then he turned his rage back on her. He started slashing again.
"Didn't it work?" asked Rojuro. "I thought that was supposed to cure him."
"Was it a dud? Does it need more time to take effect?"
Shinji frowned in despair. "Maybe we were too late."
Ichigo snapped at Rukia's head as she stumbled back. He swung his arm, hitting her with the back of his clawed hand. As she fell, he moved in to finish her off.
Then stopped.
More cracks started to form on his body, faster than before. They grew and spread.
He roared and staggered backwards.
Everyone watched with fearful uncertainty.
He screeched and howled. He stood on his hind legs and bellowed at the sky. His roar echoed for miles.
His roar caught in his throat and the eye-holes in his mask went dark.
He stood frozen like a statue.
Silence.
Ichigo's body began to fall apart.
Thick pieces of armor fell, pulverizing into dust at his feet. His horns broke and fell. His arms, his chest and his head.
His mask shattered into pieces and fell, revealing Ichigo's human face.
Freed from his broken Holow form, Ichigo's body fell over. With nothing to support him, he was nothing but dead weight.
"Ichigo!"
Rukia ran forward. She was the first and only one to reach him. Everyone else was either unable to move from injury or too stunned.
Rukia turned his body over. She rolled Ichigo onto his back and cradled his head in her lap.
He wasn't moving. His eyes were closed.
"Ichigo?"
He didn't respond.
"Ichigo?" She gave him a little shake but still didn't get a response from him. "Ichigo!"
Were they too late? Was the strain too much for his body to handle? Had the poison taken its toll on him?
"Ichigo! Answer me." She felt so helpless. All she could do was call his name. "Ichigo! Ichigo!"
No matter what she did, he didn't move.
"Ichigo. Please..." She prayed he wasn't dead. "Ichigo, can you hear me? Say something! Ichigo. Ichigo!"
"Mm."
A sound.
His eyebrows twitched.
"Ichigo?"
His eyes started to open.
"Rukia?"
He spoke. It was weak and hoarse but he spoke.
His brown eyes fell on her. He smiled.
She was so relieved.
"Ichigo!" Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes. She was so happy to hear his voice and see his smile. "Ichigo, are you ok? How do you feel?"
He smiled again. "I feel... a lot better." He chuckled. "I'm feeling much better."
She smiled and a tear fell onto his cheek.
"You're such an idiot. Making me worry like that." She sniffled. "Why didn't you say anything when I called you the first several times?"
"Sorry. I couldn't really..." Ichigo sighed. "I wasn't really awake yet. And when I did hear your voice, I couldn't make my body respond." He looked down at his body. "I can't really move right now. I'm having trouble feeling my lower half but I think I'm all there, aren't I?"
Rukia nodded. "You're ok. You just need rest."
Ichigo sighed again. "I was worried I'd never see you guys again. I fought Yagi a little while ago but I don't remember what happened to him. I fought him until I lost control of my body and changed."
"Don't worry about that right now. I'm just glad you're safe. We'll get you back to the Seireitei and get you fixed up."
Ichigo gave a small moan. "Rukia..." His voice was fading slightly. "Did I... hurt anyone while I was..?"
"I told you not to worry. We're all fine."
She looked back at the group assembled behind her. Now that Ichigo had returned to normal, there was no longer a reason to kill him. Everyone looked relieved.
She looked back at Ichigo and hugged his shoulders gently. "I'm so glad you're ok." It was finally over.
"How touching."
That voice. That sinister voice cloaked in velvet.
Ichigo didn't have the strength to turn his head but thankfully Rukia's movements did the work for him. As she tensed, looking up, Ichigo's head rolled to his left shoulder and he saw Yagi.
He was standing nearby. Alone.
He had no more supporters. No more followers. No more laboratories. No more Hollows.
He stood alone.
Despite all this, he gave a confident smirk.
"You're not out of the woods yet, Ichigo," he said. "That poison has taken its toll on you. It's clear in the fact that you can't move anymore. Your organs must be shot. Your form doesn't matter if the damage has already been done. I wonder how long you have left before your body shuts down. You're so weak, I doubt it will be long at all. Don't be so cheery, seeing you back in a Soul Reaper's flesh. That doesn't mean the worst is over."
The Captains raised their weapons.
"Ah-ah-ah." Yagi held up his hand. "Don't be so quick. I still have an ace up my sleeve. I can see that you Soul Reapers are on your last legs as well. My subordinates must have invaded the Seireitei and gave you a run for your money. Some of you still haven't recovered from past events. Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
As he said this, Ichigo noticed he had taken a step back. He hadn't done that the last time he gave such a speech. Yagi must have been scared. He was worried.
"As for those two there..." Yagi looked at Victor and Cedric who were still standing amongst the Captains. "If you think you can reach me with your speed, think again. The same trick I used on that girl I can do again. To multiple targets. I can do it to her right here, right now. And being so far from medical attention, she'll likely die this time."
Neither of them wanted to risk it. If Linnette's life weren't in danger, they would have taken off Yagi's head by now. The fact that they didn't meant the situation was dire. Having seen Linnette in such a state had frightened them to the point where they no longer wanted to take risks when it came to Yagi.
"Even if she wasn't my target, I can do it to Ichigo. He's already so weak, it won't take much to finish him off. It would likely kill him in an instant. Would you like to risk such a thing?" Yagi chuckled. "I could even use it on those Captains there. The ones who can't move. Or that Arrancar. I could hit all of you at once. Long before any of you can reach me."
No one moved.
"You don't even know how I use the Blood Spear attack," Yagi added. "I was careful to keep that part a secret. I could flick my wrist, wink my eye. I might just have to think about it and you know how fast a thought can enter one's mind. Your speed won't matter here. As soon as I see one of you flinch or flicker, I'll do it. If someone grabs me or tries to freeze me in ice, I'll do it. It won't matter. There isn't a single move you can make that will stop me or prevent me from using it. My death alone could trigger it."
No one wanted to take such a risk. Not knowing how he performed that attack made things dangerous. If they didn't know how he did it, they didn't know what to avoid.
"A thought, a movement, or something beyond my control." Yagi chuckled again. "You see the danger?"
There wasn't anything they were willing to do. Even Soi Fon wasn't willing to be that reckless in order to take him down.
Yagi started laughing.
"You see? You cannot defeat me. There's no possible way. I made sure of that. I calculated everything and every possibility to ensure my victory. Arrogance gets you killed but being smart keeps you alive. I haven't lost yet. As long as I'm alive, I'll win. I can always come back with a new plan."
He looked at Ichigo and then to the others.
"Every injury I sustained isn't enough to stop me. Though I've lost all my men, I'll find more. I'm not picky."
He knew Yaku and Zalya were dead. These Captains wouldn't be here if they weren't.
"You had a good run but it wasn't enough. Not against me. I lost everyone but I'm still standing and that's all that matters. I still have so much. The Blood Spear, of course, but so much more. I have plenty of weapons. I have every base covered. Every outcome, every solution, everything."
As long as he had these Soul Reapers scared, no one would think of touching him. He would keep them at bay with his words. He was determined not to die here.
"Don't think for a second you've won. I still have so much. Much more than any of you. I have more in my arsenal than you people. All you have are your swords and kido. You Soul Reapers think you're so strong but look at you. Just the five of us have managed to shake the Seireitei and rattle each and every one of you. I even managed to make your dear puppet Ichigo attack you, something I bet none of you ever thought would be possible. I managed to use him and so many others. I've proven myself to be far greater than any of you. I am your biggest threat and there's nothing you can do to stop me. I cannot be defeated by a Soul Reaper."
Yagi was rattled. Ichigo knew it. He was trying to scare them off with his words because he knew he had nothing left.
Either that or Yagi was trying to convince himself that he had nothing to fear.
"Look at you. So weak." Yagi chuckled. "The things you do. You know, you wouldn't have had to go through half of what you did if you had simply killed Ichigo as I thought you would. Perhaps you kept your distance because you knew you didn't stand a chance and didn't want to be killed. Though you didn't kill him, I still consider this a success. You've all been weakened and now Ichigo, my biggest hurdle, has been immobilized. As far as I'm concerned, this is a victory. You are all too weak to stop me. Even those two inhuman creatures and that disgusting piece of Hollow filth. The company you keep is varied and that has done nothing for you. You are still weak. You have been weakened further. There is nothing any of you can do. What did you expect? I always-"
SHUCK!
"Ugh!"
Yagi's body lurched forward.
Something glinted in his chest. It looked like the tip of a knife.
Ichigo's eyes widened. That was the tip of the blade he had stabbed Yagi with in the small town. It was embedded in his back. Something must have struck Yagi from behind to force the tip through his back and out his chest.
But what?
Blood started to seep down Yagi's chest. He put a shaky had to his wound, his fingers pressing near the knife tip.
He slowly turned. As he did, everyone saw what had forced the arrow through his body.
An arrow. A Quincy's arrow.
"Y... Y- You..?"
Standing behind him, with his weapon raised high, was Uryu.
"You run your mouth too much," he told Yagi. "It made it easy for me not only to locate you but to sneak up from behind. You didn't detect me at all."
Yagi's body shook. The blood oozing from his chest dyed his white coat crimson.
The tip of the knife had been driven through his heart.
"I don't... understand..." Yagi said hoarsely. "You're... a Quincy, aren't you? Why..? Why would you..?" Yagi pressed his hands tight around the wound. "You're... just like me."
Uryu looked offended. "I am nothing like you."
Yagi met Uryu's eyes. Uryu's face was firm and serious. His eyes matched his expression. There was no trace of sadness or regret in having shot Yagi from behind.
"Frankly, I don't consider you to be a Quincy. Not a true one, at least."
Yagi, for once, had no words.
"As far as I'm concerned, you're a Quincy in name only. A real Quincy would never do the things you've done. I've heard all about it. Experimenting on innocent people, turning them into Hollows and then doing the same thing to Soul Reapers. Or rather one specifically. You took advantage of someone's kind heart and turned them into a Hollow so they would be easier to fight. You made him attack his friends against his willing with the desire to have them kill him out of sheer desperation. You wanted to make sure neither side had a choice. A real Quincy would never stoop so low. A true Quincy would never be that much of a coward or resort to such tricks. If you desire to take down Soul Reapers then have the pride to do it yourself with your own strength."
Yagi could no longer stand. He slumped to his knees with his head bowed as if begging for Uryu's forgiveness.
"Pride... gets you killed. Cast that aside... and you'll have a better chance of winning. As long as they fell, I didn't care how it was done," said Yagi.
"I also heard that you turned a Quincy into a Hollow. After that, I couldn't bear to hear anymore. Despicable doesn't even begin to describe you. How could you do such a thing? Just to give yourself an edge? What were you thinking? Did you even have the Quincy's consent? How does he feel about all this?"
Yagi gave a hoarse chuckle. "Who cares what he thinks? He's dead anyway. I didn't think he'd last as long as he did. I figured he'd die on the table but as long as he was alive, I decided to use him to my full advantage. Until he rebelled against me, that is. At least he managed to weaken Kurosaki's companions before switching sides. If the transformation didn't kill him, I would have. He was an abomination."
"You turned him into that."
Yagi snorted.
"Are all people meant to be used by you?" Uryu asked him.
"Just looking out for number one. As a Quincy, you should be on my side. Instead, you do this? Where is your Quincy pride?"
"Pride doesn't mean blindly following those of the same race. It's about doing what's right. And like I've said, what you were dong is something no real Quincy would do. They certainly would never turn someone into a Hollow and use them to fight in their place. And who the hell attempts to shoot someone when they're down? Who attacks an innocent girl who isn't even taking part in battle? That is beyond low."
Yagi gasped, fighting to draw breath.
The man who longed to be the last one standing had reached his end.
"Take pride in having been vanquished by a true Quincy," Uryu said in a harsh tone.
Yagi opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out were garbled words and blood.
Still clutching his chest, Yagi shot Uryu a look of contempt and fell forward.
The man who had caused them so much trouble and pain was dead.
Uryu lowered his bow and it faded away. He looked over Yagi's fallen body at Ichigo briefly then turned to leave.
"Uryu..."
He stopped, hearing Ichigo's faint voice.
"... Thank you."
Uryu paused, letting those words sink in.
Ichigo wasn't upset about not being the one to finish Yagi off. In a way, he did, since it was the knife that officially finished the job. As usual, it was his friends who gave him that final push.
As far as he was concerned, it was still a victory.
Uryu turned his body slightly to one side but didn't look at any of them directly.
"I didn't do it for you," he said. "I did it because it had to be done. That man had no right to call himself a Quincy. As far as I'm concerned, he isn't a real Quincy. Not with the things he's done or any..."
Uryu turned his head so his face wouldn't be seen.
"That guy had to be brought down. It only seemed right that I be the one to do it. None of you were moving so... A Quincy has to pick up the slack when a Soul Reaper fails, that's all."
No one, not even Soi Fon, had a retort for that remark. They let it slide.
"Besides..." Uryu went on. "Orihime was asking after you. So... So I thought... Again, it's nothing personal." He scoffed. "You're always running off without saying anything. Can you blame her for being worried? Someone has to keep an eye on you and make sure you're ok."
Uryu may have said that, but Ichigo didn't fully believe it. He knew Uryu was just as worried as he claimed Orihime to be.
"Hey..." Uryu gave a forced chuckle. "You're the one always rescuing other people. It's nice for the tables to turn for a change. For once, you're the one who needs saving."
Uryu was going to hold that over his head for a long time.
"So that's it," Uryu concluded. "That's the only reason I came. Now that you're fine and he's finished..."
By this time, Ichigo had stopped listening. He just couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.
For the first time in ages, he felt like he could rest. His body and mind were at peace.
It was over.
We're nearing the end now.
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