Part 5
Meanwhile, Somewhere Else
The crescent moon glows overhead in a black, starless sky above the desert. Beneath the moon stands a gigantic domed structure, with towers and spires encircling the dire behemoth of a building. A flash of bright, white light breaks the dismal atmosphere and a gate with two sets of Shoji doors appears. The doors slide open, revealing two figures.
One of the figures is tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and the irregular shadow of several layers of robes and a Kasa hat. Beside this figure stands a smaller and more slender, spectacled figure. The two step through the Senkaimon and stand before the massive structure, looking up. As the two each take steps toward the building's large front gate, a party of skull-faced soldiers appear in a ring surrounding the two newcomers. In unison the soldiers draw their swords, blocking the way and clearly arresting the unwelcome guests.
The slighter of the figures raises her hand into the air and points, speaking the words "Hado Number 75: Kokoro Hakai Hanabi" [Way of Destruction Number 75: Heart-Destroying Starburst]. With a whistle, a faint trail of glittering energy shoots skyward then bursts like silent fireworks. Each petal of the burst splits and careens toward each skull soldier. The bursts hone in on the soldiers' chests and impact their sternums. The site of each impact ignites with radiant searing energy. The soldiers writhe and squirm for a few seconds, then collapse, their chests burnt out.
The two figures step over the fallen enemy and continue across the threshold of the gate.
Inside the structure is a vast canopy of daylight, shining bright over an ocean that reaches as far as the eye can see, only separated by a bridge that floats between small islands. Towers jut out of the water on either side of the ocean, and the islands form a string of beaches around which the water is shallow and beneath the rippling surface, reefs are visible.
The two begin the crossing, pausing momentarily but then vanishing in a flurry of speed faster than the eye can follow. Time passes, and the two come within sight of a great, cylindrical building on the horizon, looming above the ocean. They continue on to it, and at reaching the building find that a bridge extends in each cardinal direction radially from the building.
Stopping before the dark arch of a doorway that looks miniscule in the building's scale, the larger figure says to the smaller, "If I have to draw swords, it's possible I'll be going all the way. If that happens…if you see me draw swords, leave. Keep sensing my spiritual signature. But…I suspect we may have to fight our way out one way or another. If it comes to it…you can return home and notify the Acting Commander. I'm sure if it came to it…he'd be very pleased with a chance to invade." With that, the man in the Kasa and floral Kimono takes the lead, hand on the pommel of his Katana.
The interior of the structure is dark and dismal like the night outside the dome. There isn't enough light to cast shadows, save for in the occasional room to the side. Ahead is a wide doorway with a brightly lit chamber beyond. The two figures stop once more. The woman hangs back, pushing her glasses up. The swordsman nods to her, then forges on ahead.
As the man enters the room, he is met with a wide, square chamber lit with the same sunny light as the ocean room. Raised pulpits stand on either side of the room's central passage, and on the far side is a raised dais. Upon the dais is a simple, white throne, with identical thrones to either side, offset slightly behind. To either side of these is a row of three slightly smaller chairs. All of these tertiary thrones are occupied but one, each with a warrior and officer under the Throne. They wear white Shihakusho with swords at each of their sides. The two secondary thrones are empty. And upon the primary throne sits the Queen.
The swordsman approaches the foot of the dais of the Throne of Las Noches. Beneath his pink overcoat covered in flower decorations, he wears a white Haori over a black Shihakusho, over which he wears a light, teal belt in which his Katana and Shoto are sheathed.
Standing a stone's throw from the throne, the swordsman looks up only enough to put the Queen in view beneath the brim of his Kasa. "The Will of the Soul Society..." He speaks in an easygoing voice. "...has been declared that you be put to trial, Queen of Hueco Mundo."
The Queen remains inscrutable. She wears the crown upon her blond hair as though it were light, and her face is covered beneath the eyes by the tall collar of her cropped jacket. She merely sits imperiously, pensively, coldly. The five women sitting to either side of the throne each place a hand on their swords, the tension in the court becoming palpable. Everyone scowls at the flowery swordsman.
"If you come quietly...the Central 46 might take it as a gesture of submission." The man speaks as though the idea that the Soul Society's government expected the Queen to come quietly amused him.
"You know of course... Your authority is not recognised here, Shunsui Kyouraku. And your presence in Las Noches with a hand on your sword and no authorisation is a violation of the treaty." A woman with clear green eyes, toned muscular arms crossed sternly over her white Shihakusho, a dark hand resting on the pommel of a rosey-coloured sheathed Zanpakuto speaks up. She stands a few places right of the throne and speaks coolly, with channelled disdain for the unannounced visit.
"It would be, if we were at peace."
Everyone on the dais exchanges alarmed looks, and a soldier with a messy bun and a single, violet eye draws a Wakizashi and holds it at the ready, her expression fierce. On the other side of the throne, an equally inflamed woman with short black hair and heterochromic eyes, one of which has a ring of red eyeliner, stands and draws her sword as well.
Unperturbed by the alarm on the dais, he continues. "Now you wouldn't happen to know...about an Arrancar wearing a white Shihakusho, leading an infiltrating party into the Seireitei?" The man remains tranquil and friendly, his voice hesitating as though he were savouring the conversation.
"No such person has been dispatched from Las Noches, nor has Lady Halibel sanctioned any such operation." The spokeswoman's tone is quiet and deliberate.
"I see. And you wouldn't happen to know anything about 'the True Authority of Hueco Mundo'?"
The spokeswoman and her companions glance at one another. "Las Noches is the authority in Hueco Mundo."
"I figured you'd say that. Well, then. I guess there's no helping it." The swordsman's hand shifts on the pommel of one of his swords. The Queen's eyes narrow further, her body poised to lunge from the throne, or react to a preemptive strike. The swordsman is likewise poised, only feigning his laid back attitude as he prepares to engage the six women standing before him.
"Tier Halibel, Primera Espada, Queen of Hueco Mundo. In the name of the Soul Society, you are under arrest for violating the treaty and attacking during peacetime. On behalf of the Gotei 13, I am here to carry out the duty of bringing you in." The swordsman speaks with office now, and upon announcing his station draws his swords and assumes a ready stance. The Queen remains unmoved.