Pandemonium. It was the only word Linake Zaraki could even think to use as her wide blue eyes took in her surroundings, scanning the chaos for her husband. It seemed even Kenpachi's height advantage wasn't going to help her this time.
"Fuck!" Linake spat as she placed her blade forward and tensed herself for immanent attack.
Squinting against the uprising smoke and dust that wafted across the threshold of the Senkaimon, Linake forced her body the rest of the way onto what was now, the battlefield. This wasn't training anymore; this was all too real.
Linake pushed onward, willing her mind to stay calm as the metallic stench of crumpled metal filled her nose and the haze of the wreckage danced upon the sky, leaving her vision weaker against the haze. The mother ship lay within a crater that looked equal to the land mass of a small country. If Linake hadn't known the switch between the human world and the soul society had been made, she would have crumpled on the spot. All of the human casualties she could have been responsible for…
Linake let out a pent up breath as her head tilted upward. Wasn't it supposed to be daytime right now? Linake shook the thought from her head just as quickly as it presented itself. This wasn't the time to argue the sun's placement; she needed to find her husband!
The sound of scraping metal caught Linake's attention; she jerked her head to the right. At first she wasn't sure her eyes were working properly, but as the wind changed direction, she found herself in the exact place she had once feared would be her outcome. Linake tipped her head back, her sapphire gaze meeting putrid acid green orbs; the creatures eyes.
Linake took a step back, bracing her body just as Ikkaku had drilled her to do when coming face to face with an enemy of unknown strength. A tremor of uncertainty bloomed from the pit of her stomach, swimming through each of her veins as if winter itself had decided to take root within her nervous system-I'm supposed to fight this thing?
Linake licked her dry lips, allowing a shaky breath to release, surprised it wasn't visible with how cold she felt inside. The creature moved forward, it's orbs seeking her out, taking in her measure. Linake clamped her teeth, hard. Refusing to allow her panic to burst from her. That wouldn't do anyone any good, and it would dishonor her husband and the squad in which she had made her home.
Squaring her shoulders; Linake allowed her gaze to scan the monster in front of her; thick scaled dark green flesh, almost reminiscent of a crocodile, yet, it looked to be thicker then the earth bound reptiles. Would her blades edge even be able to pass through the tough flesh?
"You shouldn't be able to see me, human."
Linake forced her body to stay still; not allowing herself to shake. Whatever this thing was had just spoken to her, without even opening it's mouth. Telepathy; so they have that power…
"I'm no mere, human." Linake countered; proud of the steel in which she was able to put into her own voice.
"Soul Reaper…" The creature sneered, lifting the edge of it's thick green skin right above a row of glinting sharp teeth.
Linake braced her body weight on the tips of her toes, finding she didn't really like the way this arrogant outsider had just spoken to her, as if being a soul reaper were something to be ashamed of.
"That's right, asshole. I am a soul reaper." Linake blurted back.
It seemed she had managed to find her footing; even facing something as horrific as this primordial reptilian. As Linake stared up at the creature, it's acid eyes changed, seeming to glow from within. Linake swallowed, hoping the bastard didn't have the ability to beam her with it's eyesight like some kind of laser-anything was possible, she reminded herself. I have to think quick, I need to get to Kenpachi!
Linake braced herself, intending to try and flash step away, but was stopped short as more creaking sounded throughout the area. Linake held her breath as she watched the flaming crumpled metal break away from the impacted dirt, like soft aluminium the thick elemental material gave way, revealing another scaly green fist.
"Shit!" Linake spat, gripping the handle of her blade tighter against her clammy palm. It looks like my enemy has just doubled in number. Linake swung her gaze back to the initial threat, noticing that the creature had just turned it's gaze to look back upon the rubble behind it as if she herself wasn't a threat to it at all.
"Ah, so my brethren did not perish from the fall…"
Linake shook her head as the inner thought of the creature penetrated her mind. Linake realized a little too late that it had meant for her to hear it as it's gaze turned back to her, it's thick lips now stretching across it's glinting teeth. Linake's blood ran another degree cooler as she realized it was smiling.
"Ignite! Godai Ka!" Linake commanded her Zanpakuto.
The gleam of electric blue flames lit the space between them as Linake raised her blade in a defensive motion in front of her; a warning of sorts.
"You'll need more than flames, little soul reaper…" It challenged her, it's smile only turning wider.
Linake's gaze widened; her breath catching in her throat as more bodies erupted from the wreckage behind the alien.
"Lucky for me, I have more than flames then." Linake countered haughtily.
The creatures eyes glinted as if excited by her admission. The acid yellow of it's gaze tinting orange as Linake pulled the inner element of fire free from within, surrounding herself fully with an aura of flames, while simultaneously pulling the element of earth, strengthening her body to the density of a diamond.
"You think to fight against us, soul reaper? Allow me to show you the error of your ways." it challenged her, taking a large step closer.
Linake pivoted her body, flash stepping to the left, but instead of fleeing, she charged, swinging the flame tipped edge of her Zanpakuto. Linake gritted her teeth as she put all her strength into the swing, hitting her target with such force her blade plunged half way into the thick scales covering the creatures jugular, almost taking it's head clean off.
With a lift of it's arm, the creature shrugged away her attack, not even flinching from the damage to it's flesh. Linake paused, watching as the wound healed before her eyes. Instant regeneration!?
Linake turned her head too late to ignore the creatures counter attack as a large scaly fist slammed into her right cheek, causing her to sway on her feet. If she hadn't of decided to pull the element of Earth, she would have surely felt a great deal more pain and been tossed headlong onto her back.
Instead, Linake planted her feet into the dirt, managing to only skid a few inches from her original placement. She'd nearly taken the bastards head off with one attack. She could strike again, it was time to find out what happened when it's head was removed from it's shoulders entirely!
Linake tossed her head up, meeting the creatures stare with a glare cold enough to freeze. It tilted it's head at her as if pondering something, as if it knew more about her on a personal level. Linake fixed her position, standing fully, squaring her shoulders as she pulled the flames surrounding her body back inside.
With gritted teeth Linake pulled both the Elements of Air and Water forward, too much ash and debris surrounded her from the crash; she needed to clear the air. A loud crash of thunder boomed across the land, the flash of lighting hovered straight above, highlighting her placement and arrival to the melee. Hard drops of rain pelted down from the skies, removing the thick cloud from the battlefield.
Linake wasn't surprised to see that she was surrounded by the creatures now, a massive circular wall had formed around her and the one she called her opponent. The crash hadn't done anything to dwindle their numbers then, it only forced the war into action. Where the hell were the other squads!?
"Come, little soul reaper…" The creature taunted her, it's gleaming yellow eyes alight with the promise of victory.
Linake lifted her sword arm in the air, calling the lighting forward to hit the flamed tip of her Zanpakuto. As the current of lightning filled and illuminated her body, her blue eyes flashed white and with a war cry good enough to be called Valkyrie; Linake attacked.
"Where the hell is Linake?" Kenpachi grated, trying his best to seek out his wife through the ruble in the distance. For whatever damn reason the Senkaimon had let them out farther away from the wreckage than he'd liked.
"Probably over there, if the lighting is any indication." Amaya spoke up over the loud crashes of thunder that had literally appeared out of thin air.
"Fuck!" Kenpachi spat and he braced his body to run; he had to get to her!
"Kenpachi! Our bodies!" Amaya called out to his back.
Kenpachi halted, remembering he still held Linake's unconscious shell over his shoulder. It was strange to him, holding her body, yet knowing her soul was out there, probably fighting off the enemy alone. Where the fuck were the other squads!?
Kenpachi turned on his feet, snapping at Amaya.
"Where the hell do you want me to put her?"
Amaya paused, turning her head to scan the area, blinking against the rain that fell from the sky. It wasn't so much a burden, now that it had cleared the smoke and ash from hindering their view of the landscape. Thank you, Linake; Amaya thought.
"Over here, lay her down in front of these boulders. Kisuke, put my body down next to hers." Amaya instructed.
Both men hurried to do her bidding, ridding themselves of the dead weight they both carried. Kisuke turned his head as the familiar clinking sound of the Senkaimon doors opening caught his attention. Like a swarm of locus, bodies flew from the open doors.
Kenpachi turned on his heal, taking off in the direction of the crash, not even bothering to stop as the Head Captain called out his name. They had been too late, and now Linake was fighting an unknown enemy by herself. Hold on, woman, I'm comin'!
"Captain!" the loud call filled Kenpachi's ears as both Ikkaku and Yumichika caught up to him using flash step. Kenpachi didn't even turn his head to look at them, just kept running as more bodies appeared behind him. It was his squad, he realized.
"Where is Linake!?" Yumichika called out over another crash of thunder, another flash of lighting.
"Over there!" Kenpachi admitted with a scowl.
Yumichika turned his gaze forward, his violet eyes going wide as he realized what Kenpachi already knew. The storm wasn't just a freak occurrence; it belonged to Linake.
"Move out! Go to your positions!" Shunsui demanded as each swarm of bodies ran passed the open doors of the Senkaimon.
Minutes ticked by as each squad rushed through the doors, not one officer hesitated at the sight of crumpled metal and dying out flames. Like a plague, the Gotei 13 descended upon the enemy, Shunsui himself flash stepping to the front lines.
His grey eye scanning in front of him, seeing squad 11 in the distance. Each man moved like a blur, flashing stepping farther and farther into the carnage. Shunsui came up short, many officers halting behind him as he came face to face with the enemy.
"You dare to face me!" a booming voice sounded.
It took a minute for Shunsui to realize that the sound came internally, as if someone had just spoken directly into his mind.
Shunsui tilted his head, getting a better look at the creature who stood towering in front of him. It was a sight to behold, that was for sure. Large and powerful, covered in thick dark green scaly flesh with eyes that seemed to glow with wrath.
"Sorry to crash your party, but I can't let you go any farther." Shunsui countered with a shrug of his shoulders.
"And you think to stop me, soul reaper? You, a mere replacement?" Munashi spat.
Shunsui hid the sting of the creatures words behind another shrug. It was true that Shunsui was a replacement for the former Head Captain, and that those were awfully large shoes to fill, but he wouldn't let this outsider get under his skin like that. The more important question was, how did this outsider know?
"Only one way to find out." Shunsui challenged; something that was normally out of his character, but it was apparent that these beings hadn't come here for a simple sight seeing; they came with the intent to kill.
With an eerie lift of a large claw tipped hand, the leader of the outsiders pointed at Shunsui and the officers gathered around him and the Queen of Hueco Mundo.
"Kill them. Kill them all." Munashi commanded the soldiers behind him.
Shunsui sucked in a breath as more bodies than he could mentally count emerged from the shadows. The thick drops of rain falling over large muscled reptilian bodies. Each set of eyes gleaming a putrid yellow. Claw tipped hands lifted and the ground shook as the enemy moved forward to engage. Shunsui didn't waste time, knowing well enough, the fight was just about to begin. Raising his duel blades, the head captain led the way into the melee.
"Flower wind rage and flower god roar, heavenly wind rage and heavenly demon sneer; Katen Kyokotsu!"
Jungyo kept his presence hidden from the swarms of bodies exiting the doorway that lead to the soul society. Knowing well enough that the perfect opportunity has presented itself, just the one he was looking for; a way inside. Stupid Soul Reapers!
Jungyo turned his massive head over his shoulder, sensing his master had made contact with the enemy through their mental link. Without much effort, the general told his master he had the opening they sought. With all the Soul Reapers here locked in battle, the weaker souls would not be protected. That was how they would gain the upper hand!
Without waiting for an answer from his master, Jungyo took his opportunity. Waiting brief minutes for the last of the Soul Reaper's to exit the doorway. With fluid motion the large creature forced his body through the half closed doors, his senses picking up on the energy of the realm it led to as darkness closed over him.
With a sharp smile of triumph the primordial stepped onward, knowing he would be rewarded greatly by his master for his skills. The three realms would be theirs, with no Soul Reaper's or filthy Espada to stand in their way. The humans would make nice pets once the changes were made. His master would be their new king; the king of lost souls…
"Linake!" Kenpachi's gruff voice called out to his wife. The sounds of heavy footsteps closed in on her, breaking through the pounding sounds of rain and thunder. Linake didn't take her eyes away from her opponent, she didn't dare drop down her guard. Electricity flowed through her body like an extension of her own nervous system, she housed the current within.
The primordial swung it's newly regenerated hand, aiming for her throat this time. Linake could tell it was feeling frustration; after all, she was just a little soul reaper. She shouldn't be that hard to kill…
"Linake!" Kenpachi's voice broke through the chaos around her as the battle started to escalate. The creature's frustration turning into anger. Nothing like wounded pride to make an enemy even more dangerous. Linake side stepped from the swing of claws, knowing that any contact the alien made would only end up with a limb being chard down to the bone. With a hiss between clenched jagged sharp teeth the primordial snatched Linake by the throat, lifting her off her feet.
Linake sucked in a breath as her body went weightless, even as the thick green flesh melted away from the creature's hand, he didn't give up his grip. Sharp dark grey finger bones dug into her skin, not able to penetrate through it's diamond strength.
"What are you!?" The creature demanded her, his yellow eyes tinged with what looked like disbelief mixed with pure insanity. Linake couldn't even answer it's question with the pressure against her windpipe, she could barely suck in enough breath through her nose. So she did what Kenpachi would do in that situation. She smiled.
With a rough growl the primordial shook her with more strength than Linake could have imagined, her body flopping against it's hard muscled frame, all of her concentration focused on the Element of Earth now, her body lay relaxed, protecting her flesh from being ripped apart or crushed within the monster's grip. Steam rose from her pale skin with each drop of rain, her skin still too hot to touch.
Linake's vision seemed to blur, within seconds she was free falling onto her back from at least seven feet in the air. The deep feral growl that filled her ears made her heart twist in her chest. The impact with the ground sent Linake's body into a harsh bounce, her head slamming into the ground under her with enough force it could of cracked her skull if she hadn't given into it. Linake jerked her eyes open, staring at the white captain's haori with the symbol of her squad, it was her husband's back, she realized.
"Linake! Are you okay!? Can you get up!?" another deep voice called to her from her left.
Linake turned her head, meeting Ikkaku's concerned gaze. Linake nodded her head, not able to speak as her mind hurried to catch up with reality. Ikkaku came closer to her, dropping down to his haunches as the sound of steel hitting flesh filled the area. Linake held up her hand.
"Don't touch me! I'll burn you!" she warned her Lieutenant.
As Linake spoke the warning, she turned her eyes forward and watched as her husband took over her battle, his strong body like a machine as he swung his sword over head, landing a punishing blow so powerful the ground beneath them caved in on itself.
Linake's breath quickened as she took in the full scene around her. It wasn't just Kenpachi and Ikkaku who had come to her aid; it was her whole squad! All around her, the members of Squad 11 took their positions; around her. They were protecting her!
"Ikkaku! You have to tell them to fall back! They won't be strong enough!" Linake tried to warn her men.
"Then they will die with honor." Ikkaku spat back, going to his full height, bringing his attention back to the battlefield.
"They can regenerate!" Linake screamed out her warning as she pushed herself back to her feet, the hilt of her sword clenched in a white knuckle grip.
Ikkaku ignored her warning as he pushed himself forward, flash stepping into the melee that had started around her. Linake's eyes widened as she caught sight of Yumichika already fighting one of the many creatures that had surrounded her while she fought. Now she was surrounded in a protective circle of her own men; men who couldn't possibly stand a chance against this foe! Linake rushed forward.
"Let me pass!" She demanded.
"We can't do that!" One of her men called back to her, his gaze fixed on the battle ahead.
Linake turned her gaze, just as two of the creatures made their way towards her group. Without thinking, Linake reached her hand out, grabbing a fist full of the man's Shihakusho and pulling him backward. The man's cry of protest fell on deaf ears as Linake ran in front of the circle of lower seated officers.
"Fall back!" Linake yelled at them.
"Lady Zaraki!" One of the men started to argue.
"I am your 4th seat! You will listen to me!" Linake commanded, raising her blade to the sky, she called upon every ounce of power she held inside-help me, Goadi! Linake pleaded. As the skies above filled with dark inky clouds, sending rapid winds across the battlefield; Linake heard the voice of her Zanpakuto.
"It is time…to merge…with me…young one…"
Amaya sucked in a deep breath as she lowered her body, squatting in front of both her and Linake's unconscious human shells. If the enemy learned their weakness, it wouldn't take much for them to gain the advantage. Even Amaya wasn't sure what would happen if their human shells died; would her and Linake just live on as souls? Would they be forced into transmigration? Amaya didn't really want to find out! With shaking hands at the thought, Amaya pushed at her own body trying to wedge it even deeper between the boulders she had sought out as protection.
"Amaya…"
Amaya jerked her head upright, her brown eyes going wide at the sight of her husband.
"Sosuke!? They let you come!?" Amaya gasped as she jumped to her feet, rushing into his arms.
Aizen smiled softly as he wrapped his arms around her, his gaze going to what she had been guarding. Sosuke pulled back from her, his finger tips gently caressing the sides of her cheeks.
"I see you have been given the task of keeping you and Linake safe." Sosuke spoke quietly.
"I'm the only one who can!" Amaya argued.
"No. I am. You can help them, Amaya. I know you can." Sosuke retorted.
Amaya hesitated, her lips parting as she stared up at him.
"I've never tried…Sosuke…they don't even know I have the ability. What if…what if they fear me after I reveal it?" Amaya asked, her wide brown eyes rimming with tears.
"It's a risk that will have to be taken, Amaya." Sosuke answered, lifting his head and turning his body towards the battle ahead of them.
"They are not like any other enemy…they regenerate, like me. Even I can't figure out a weakness. They can see my illusions coming, it seems…" Sosuke admitted.
"They need your guidance, my sweet Amaya." Aizen continued, turning his honey brown gaze to hers, his lips a soft smile of encouragement.
"You'll keep us safe?" Amaya whispered, her gaze darting back to her and Linake's bodies.
"You know you don't even have to ask." Sosuke countered.
Amaya nodded her head jerkily before stepping forward. Sosuke came to her side, lifting her by her slim waist up onto the jagged top of the massive boulder. Amaya met his gaze as her shaking hand went to the hilt of her Zanpaukto.
"I've kept so many secrets, Sosuke…" Amaya whispered.
"Secrets you have kept for a reason, my sweet Amaya." Sosuke retorted, trying to give his wife comfort. He knew how it felt to be on the outside looking in, to be a being with so much unique power that it would be feared by those who could not understand it.
"I love you…" Amaya whispered, pulling her blade from it's sheath and holding the blade flush against her body, the guard of the hilt right against her heart.
"And I love you." Sosuke encouraged her with a nod.
Amaya sucked in a deep breath, her brown eyes taking in the battle around her, so many lives...
Amaya allowed her shoulders to square and her breathing to even out, pulling in air from her nose slowly. Now wasn't the time to feel afraid for what she had been holding back from her comrades. It was time to use her power to the fullest, it was time to help!
"Bankai! Gin Tsuki Kijo!" Amaya commanded, her words drifting off into the dark whipping winds.
Sosuke tipped his head back, his fierce gaze watching as his wife's body levitated up into the skies, her blonde hair fanning out behind her, turning from golden blonde to as silver as a moonbeam. Amaya slipped her eyes shut for a brief moment as the sword against her heart shattered into microscopic metal shards, like dust among the inky black. Amaya's eyes snapped open, no longer the deep chocolate brown, but now a menacing shade of deep crimson.
Grimmjow let out a curse as his right hand slapped against the back of his neck. A sharp pain, as if he'd just been bitten by a small insect making his lips lift into a sneer.
"The fuck!" He spat, lifting his head and looking around the battlefield.
"Well, this is interesting…" Another voice rang out behind him; turning his head, Grimmjow met Mayuri's curious gaze as he too, lifted his hand to the back of his own neck.
"Did you feel that? Like somethin' just bit you?" Grimmjow demanded, turning his gaze back to the melee that surrounded them.
"I do believe I did." Mayuri answered, his gaze moving to the Head Captain, as Shunsui's own hand clamped down against the back of his neck. With a quick scan of the area, Mayuri noticed that all of the officers, from the captain's down to the lowest ranked held their hands to the same place.
"Now what could possibly explain this?" Mayuri asked aloud.
"Head Captain, to your left." a silent warning sounded across the skies.
Shunsui pivoted his body, almost a second too late, blocking the powerful strike of claws. Shunsui flash stepped, feeling the breeze where his white captain's haori had just been shredded. Shunsui tipped his head up, as if seeking out were the warning had come from; the voice had sounded…familiar.
Mayuri spun on his heal, his deep golden gaze searching the surrounding area, then paused.
"My, My…it would seem that Mrs. Aizen has been keeping secrets…" Mayuri grinned.
"Grimmjow, behind you." her voice, Amaya's voice rang soft and clear, as if implanted into his own consciousness.
Grimmjow spun on his heals, lifting his right arm just in time to block the attack coming from behind. Grimmjow snarled into the face of the enemy, his anger building at both the thought of Amaya Aizen being locked inside his head, and the fact he'd been brought here to fight alongside the soul reapers in the first place.
"Grind! Pantera!"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi grinned as he watched the transformation of the Espada. It would seem the notion that Amaya Aizen had somehow managed to gain access to every officer's and Espada's cerebellum wasn't a comfort to the male.
"I take it you can also read the minds of the enemy as well?" Mayuri spoke silently.
"I can." Amaya's soft voice answered.
"Excellent. If you should come across a weakness during this fray…" Mayuri continued.
"You'll be the first to know." Amaya answered, her voice coming softer, as if her own consciousnesses had now expanded, allowing her to see and complete multiple tasks at one time. How many others had she just saved from a death blow?
Mayuri shook his head, turning his gaze to the melee in front of him, now was not the time to ponder the extent of Amaya Aizen's hidden Bankai, he admonished. Mayuri forced his gaze forward, watching as the head captain continued to dodge his attacker, quickly making work of his little game. Thanks to the darkening skies, no doubt, brought on by Linake's ability to manipulate the weather, it seemed the head captain would have plenty of shadows to play with.
Author's note: Man, I'm sorry it's taking me so long to get new chapters out. I know I am nowhere near as fast as I once was. I still hope you guys enjoy what I'm doing here even with the monthly gaps between chapters. I have been struggling to really find the motivation at times, this chapter has been written very slowly, section by section.
I also think it has to do with the plot points and me not wanting to really jumble shit up and take away from the plot points in general. Nevertheless, I will not give up, this will come to an end, I won't leave you guys hanging! By the way, for those who are curious; Amaya's Bankai means: Silver Moon Enchantress, in a loose English translation. Thanks for the continued support! -L.J.