Ch19

His heart raced as he and Toshiro landed amidst the desolate deserts of Hueco Mundo. The sand beneath his feet felt coarse and unfamiliar, a stark contrast to the familiar ground of the Soul Society or his own world. With a sense of trepidation mixed with determination, he looked around, taking in the desolate landscape that stretched endlessly before him.

This place is so empty yet it feels like I'm being watched. He carefully scanned the area his hand on his zanpakuto as they walked along the sands. A tingle went down his spine as he looked around and saw nothing but ruined structures and sand as far as the eye could see.

"Careful the hollows here are stronger than anything you could've imagined," Toshiro said. "Don't leave me sight and stay close to me."

"Got it. What should we look for?" He asked as they trudged around the endless desert.

"Some sort of base," Toshiro said. "Saito should be around her soon."

As they began to explore their surroundings, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The oppressive silence and the eerie absence of life sent shivers down his spine. Every step seemed to echo in the vast emptiness, amplifying the sound of their presence. He gripped his Zanpakuto tightly. There is nothing here.

Toshiro navigated the treacherous terrain with a calm and calculated demeanor. His icy gaze scanned the surroundings, ever vigilant.

Glad I have some help with this. Toshiro knows more about these things than I do. Frankly he also doubted how well he would last her without him.

The air grew heavy, charged with an ominous energy that heightened his senses. A sudden gust of wind whistled through the dunes, carrying with it an unsettling foreboding.

The sound of rocks tumbling made them both draw their swords. He frowned when he realized it was a tuorquose haired girl with watery eyes.

"H-Hey there," he said cautiously.

The girl looked at him and cried. "Please don't hurt me."

His heart went out to the frightened child, and he approached her with gentle concern. "Hey, it's okay.

He tried to move forward but Toshiro stopped him. "We don't know what she is."

"But she is crying," he said as the girl burst into tears.

"Hollows hurt me," she sobbed.

"I think we can trust she isn't an enemy," he said.

Toshiro rolled his eyes. "Fine."

He carefully went over to the girl and knelt in front of her. "What's your name?"

The girl looked up at him cautiously. "N-Nel."

"Are you alone?" He asked.

"My friends were captured by the mean man," Nel said.

"Mean man? Who is that?" he asked.

The girl looked up at him and shivered. "Like you but scary."

Saito. He took a deep breath. "Where is he? We can help you."

The girl pointed in the distance. "In the big castle he made. Big bully hurts everyone."

"Alright we'll do our best," he said as he got up and turned to Toshiro.

Toshiro frowned but nodded. "Fine. Little girl can you lead us there."

Nel looked at Toshrio and back at him and nodded. "Please help. The big mean guy hurt my friends and-"

The shaking of the ground cut Nel off. "Stand back," he said as a large hollow erupted from the ground. It was a large four legged creature with a large thin mask on its face and two large pincers. Nel screamed and hid behind him.

"Don't worry we'll take care of this," he said as he gripped his zanpakuto tightly. Grabbing Nel they leaped back as the creature tried to stab them.

"Shine brightly Taiyo!" He yelled. His zanpakuto shined brightly as he swung it and cut off one of the pincers. The hollow screamed in pain as blood spilled onto the ground.

"Reign upon the Frozen Heavens Hyornimaru!" Toshiro yelled as an ice dragon hit the hollow knocking it off, balance. Toshiro swung his blade and summoned ice to trap it. "Lets go Netto!"

He nodded as they both charged at the hollow. Leaping into the air they both swung their blades, ice and light hit the hollow's mask causing it to break. The hollow screamed as it disintegrated.

"That was interesting," he sighed as he sheathed his blade and turned to Nel. "You ok Nel?"

Nel smiled at him and nodded. "I am thank you."

"Can you show us where this castle is?" Toshiro asked.

Nel looked at both of them and nodded. "Big meanie is scary but if you help my friends I'll be happy."

"We'll do what we can," he said as he knelt down and looked at Nel. "Where is this big meanie?"

Nel pointed in the distance. "That way!"

"Lets go," Toshiro said.

They trudged through the seemingly endless desert of Hueco Mundo, their footsteps leaving faint imprints in the pale sand. The scorching sun beat down upon them, intensifying the barren and desolate nature of their surroundings. Each step was a struggle against the oppressive heat and the unyielding vastness of the desert.

Eventually they saw the ruins of a large long abandoned castle. Its white exterior was covered in blood and sand. Nel pointed at the structure her body shaking. "He's there."

Saito I'm coming. "Lets end this."

"Don't let your guard down," Toshiro said as he scanned the area around them.

As they approached the castle, the towering structure loomed before them, an imposing testament to the power that resided within. Its pristine white walls stood in stark contrast to the sandy landscape, a beacon of dominance and control.

His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the castle's formidable presence. Its grandeur was both captivating and foreboding, a testament to the adversary they would soon face. He felt a mixture of anticipation and unease, aware that their true test awaited them within those walls.

"In there," Nel said, her body shaking. "The big meanie is inside."

Toshiro, his gaze as cold as ice, assessed the castle with a calculating eye. He sensed the dark aura emanating from within, a palpable manifestation of their enemy's power. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he remained resolute, ready to face whatever awaited them.

Together, they approached the castle's massive gate, its towering height dwarfing them in comparison. The heavy doors loomed like a barrier, a threshold separating them from their objective. With a shared nod of understanding, they pushed open the gate, their determination resolute.

Saito we'll be there to defeat you and set you free.

As they ventured into the castle, their steps echoed through the grand halls, a reminder of their purpose and the weight of their mission. Nel clung to him her body shaking

Yet, the castle was oddly empty as they made their way towards the main chamber.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of traversing the castle's intricate maze, they stood before the inner sanctum—the heart of their adversary's power. The air crackled with a malevolent energy, a tangible force that set their senses on edge.

Netto's grip tightened around his Zanpakuto as he exchanged a resolute glance with Toshiro. The moment of truth had arrived, and they steeled themselves for the ultimate confrontation. They were ready to face the enemy lurking within the castle's walls, to put an end to the darkness that had plagued Hueco Mundo.

They eventually arrived at a white marble room with a single thrown at the end of the hall. Sitting in it was a familiar sight.

Saito's eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he glared at Netto, his voice dripping with venom. "So, we meet again, little brother," he sneered, his words laced with disdain. "I thought I had rid myself of your pathetic presence."

Nel clung tighter and pointed to the corner. In the distance he saw a dark skinned female arrancar with two hollow behind her, the woman appeared to be unconscious while the hollow looked at Nel as in shock.

"Saito we are here to end this," he said firmly. "Let Nel's friends go while you are at it."

Saito laughed as he drew his blade. "To think a weakling like you can approach me? I'll tear you all to shreds."

"Netto lets end this," Toshiro yelled. "Bankai!" In a flash, Toshiro activated his bankai, and a cold wind enveloped the area as ice covered Toshiro.

Without warning, Saito lunged forward, his Zanpakuto slashing through the air with deadly precision. He instinctively drew his own weapon, engaging in a fierce clash of blades. Each strike reverberated through the castle, their clash echoing the deep-seated resentment between them.

His training kicked in as he blocked and countered Saito's strikes. Toshiro, his eyes narrowed with resolve, swiftly joined the battle, supporting him as they fought against Saito's relentless onslaught. Their movements were precise and calculated, their teamwork honed from their previous trials.

The image of Rockman appeared in his head, for a second as he stared at Saito he saw his navi and his family. He shook his head. Calm down I can't afford to be distracted.

"Shine brightly Taiyo!" His sword turned into a sword light as he swung it at his brother.

The arrancar laughed as he blocked the attack. "You'll need to better than that. Cero!"

Toshiro slammed his sword into the ground and a wall of eyes took the attack. He nearly was knocked down as the ice wall blew up. Damn it he is still strong.

As the battle raged on, his determination burned brighter. He refused to succumb to the despair that threatened to consume his brother. Memories of their shared childhood flashed through his mind, reminding him of the bond they once had, the love that had once existed between them.

Saito let us save you.

He fought not just to defend himself and Toshiro but also to rekindle the spark of brotherhood buried deep within Saito's heart. Each clash of their blades became a testament to his unwavering belief in redemption, in the hope that someday they could be brothers once more.

With every strike, every word spoken in the heat of battle, Netto chipped away at Saito's hardened exterior. Slowly, the wall of hatred began to crumble, revealing glimpses of the pain and longing buried beneath.

"Enough of this!" Saito growled as he raised his sword. "Obscuro."

The ground shook as darkness was pressed on him. A black cloud enveloped Saito until his form changed. His armor was made of white bone and looked like Rockman's armor except for the protruding horns. "Die!"

He raised his sword just in time to block Saito's attack. The force was so strong he was knocked down. Damn it he got stronger. He spat out blood as he quickly got up.

"Netto!" Toshiro and Nel yelled.

He got up just in time to see Saito kick Nel to the side like a rag doll. "Don't hurt her he yelled!"

Saito laughed as he picked up Nel by the throat. "Or what?"

His body shook as he raised his sword. "You bastard."

Nel screamed as the blade was brought down on her neck. "NEL!"

Smoke filled the area, covering his eyes. No Nel. He feared the worst yet when the smoke dissipated he was surprised to see a fully adult woman who looked like Nel wearing a tattered green shirt

"N-Nel!" He stared at her up and down.

The woman smiled at him. "Hello Netto-kun. I can help you both for a bit." She then turned to Saito and drew her sword. His brother's eyes widened as she slashed him in the arm his blood spewing all over the ground.

"Y-You bitch," Saito seethed as blood splattered onto the ground.

Nel was quick, almost as quick as Toshiro. She repeatedly landed hits on Saito each one making him bleed profusely.

Her spiritual energy is almost as strong as Toshiro's. His friend came to his side and fired a blast of ice at Saito impaling him on the side.

He spat out blood and mustered all of the strength inside of him. "Bankai!"

His body shook as light enveloped the area. It covered him, giving him a protective layer, when it dissipated he was wearing a bright set of bright plated armor with wings on the back, his sword now twice its length.

"I won't let you hurt anyone else," he said as he swung his blade in the air sending a weave of fiery light at him.

"Come on Toshiro! Nel!"

They all charged at Saito. Nel was quick and slashed at his limbs as Toshiro stabbed him with ice. The arrancar swore as he struggled to keep up with both of them, their blades damaging him with every cut.

"I won't let you hurt anyone else," he said as he cut Saito's arm, blood spewing on the ground.

Saito swore only to be met by a blast of ice. Toshiro came at the arrancar and slashed his leg. They clashed in a flurry of sword blows, the air crackled with tension. Their blades met with resounding clashes, each strike an embodiment of their conflicting emotions. Saito's rage-fueled attacks were fierce and unyielding, while he fought with a mixture of determination and empathy.

"Surrender now," Nel said as she kicked Saito to the ground. She repeatedly kicked him not giving him a chance for a reprieve.

His eyes locked onto Saito's, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and longing. "Saito, please listen! This anger, this hatred is only harming you. Don't let darkness consume you."

Saito gritted his teeth, a mix of anguish and anger contorting his features. "You don't understand, Netto! You were always the favored one, while I was cast aside! I won't let you preach about brotherhood when it was denied to me!"

Their swords clashed again and again, each strike reverberating through the chamber "You're right, Saito. Our childhood wasn't perfect, but it doesn't define us. But our parents loved us and I know they still love you!" He sent a wave of fire and light at him, the arrancar

Saito's attacks grew even more aggressive, fueled by a mix of pain and defiance. "You speak of forgiveness? How can you understand the pain I've endured?! To have your own parents forget about you believing some program is now their son." Saito held out his hand and launched another cero.

He avoided the attack as Nel and Toshiro blasted Saito to the ground with their own attacks. "I may not understand your pain completely, Saito, but I've experienced loss and longing too. They grieve you and I know they still miss you."

"THEY FORGOT ABOUT ME!" Saito yelled as he fired another cero at him.

As the battle raged on, their swords blurred in a deadly dance. Saito's attacks were fueled by deep-seated resentment, but Netto refused to let go of hope. His unwavering belief in their bond allowed him to see past the anger, into the heart of his brother.

Finally, with one swift movement, Nel disarmed Saito, leaving him defenseless. Saito stumbled backward, his breath ragged, his eyes filled with a mix of defiance and vulnerability as Toshiro slammed his sword into the ground and summoned ice to entrap Saito.

"Saito, this doesn't have to be the end. I still believe in us." He gripped his sword which was now a pillar of fire and light in his hand. "I promise things will better. Our parents will remember you and think of you more." He then took out the small device and flung it at Saito hitting him in the chest. He then took out his PET. "Plug in Rockman!"

Rockman felt as if he were flying as flew through a white voice. He didn't know what he was supposed to do but he wasn't going to let his soul continue on like this.

Eventually he found him, curled up on the ground his arms wrapped around his knees. "Why. Why did they replace me?"

He froze and looked at his soul. "They didn't mean to replace you. Our family loves us."

His spirit looked him, its form fuzzing up. "Why couldn't I be the one to live?"

"We do live," he said calmly. Taking a few steps forward he placed his hand onto his spirit's head. "Let me show you."

The spirit's eyes widened as he poured all of the memories of all his adventures with Netto poured into his head. "We are loved and cared for, please rest."

With that he could feel their minds connect, his spirit screamed as the memories of his time as Rockman hit him. "You've been through a lot, let us help you rest in peace."

Back in Netto he saw Saito's eyes white for a bit before being replaced with longing and pain. He glanced at his discarded sword, then at him, his voice barely a whisper. "Can... Can we truly find our way back?"

He nodded, his own voice filled with hope. "Yes, Saito. It won't be easy, but I'm willing to walk this path with you. Together, we can overcome the darkness that has consumed us."

"Netto-kun go ahead," Rockman said from his PET.

Saito looked at him the anger slowly dissipating and nodded. "Do it."

Raising his zanpakuto tears fell down his face. "Rest in peace."