Yu-Gi-Oh! : Dragon Knight Reborn!
Created by: DragonKnight15
Hello to all, this is Chapter 4 of the first Arc of Volume 6: Battle in Hueco Mundo!
Intro: The Earth... is a great place where humanity and all other creatures live and learn to evolve little by little, but this great world has Darkness in it too. Evil beings who wish to conquer this world and everyone.
Only one being stood against them to show everyone the power of light and hope, but this great mythical dragon wasn't able to stop them. He gave his powers and hope to a human that was known by his name, the Dragon Knight!
Before this hero also met his end, he gave the legendary Dragon Sword and his hopes and dreams to the next knight, his youngest son who is destined to become a legend by the sides of his comrades and his love. This hero... is the Dragon Knight of Light!
(OPENING 1: Diver by NICO Touches the Walls from Naruto Shippuden)
Volume 6: Chapter 4: Beyond the Failure! Light that Burns Sorrow!
In the previous episode of DKR:
The Espada had been informed by Aizen about Team Dragon Knight's arrival and were ordered to wait for them to come for them as Harribel will be forced to deal with a hesitating task by her master; getting rid of Ichigo.
Yugi's group found themselves in the tower where the 1st Espada lives, Starrk and Lilynette. The moment was awkward but since Yugi wasn't interested in fighting any of the Espada; he instead suggested a game with them to show he was not the enemy, and hopefully learned where Ichigo was.
Splitting up and further split up due to the surprise attacks of strange Arrancars, Rukia's group that had herself, Judai and Usagi are confronted by the Espada Aaroniero. Luring them to his dark tower, he revealed to the group to be a revived Kaien Shiba. Overwhelmed to see her old lieutenant she admired; Judai spoke up and protested the idea as he can feel through its disguise. Even Usagi felt he's not good.
Expecting to toy around and break her, 'Kaien' revealed his real colors to be Aaroniero and his ability that can absorb and feed on death Arrancar. Realizing her mistake again, Rukia determinedly challenged the Arrancar who uses Kaien's memories, skills and his powers, including his Zanpakuto. But Rukia isn't alone as Judai and Usagi, transformed into Sailor Moon, attack the Espada's weakness of sunlight that Rukia theorized and she used that to damage him. However, Aaroniero wasn't defeated yet as he unleashed his Resurrección.
What will happen next?
And now the conclusion... last left off in the previous episode:
Jenny and the others stare at Yugi with concern and annoyance that he's willingly to play a game with the enemy at a time like this. Still, this is Yugi and he might be confident this is the best course.
"Concentration? What the hell is that?'' Lilynette asks puzzled while Starrk yawns again, rubbing his back neck in hopes this game isn't too difficult.
Yugi pulls out a set of blank cards with a marker. He starts writing different symbols for each pair of two cards.
''Concentration is a card game, where a Deck of cards is scattered face-down across a table. Players take turns turning over two cards. If they get a matching pair, they keep them. If not, they return them to their original position face-down. Whoever turns over the most matching pairs in the end wins.'' Yugi begins to explain the game, shuffling the deck before laying each card on top of a table face-down. "The idea is that players try to remember where and what cards that have already been turned over are and use that to their advantage."
Starrk groans, rubbing the back of his head before responding. ''Sounds like too much work.''
Yugi oddly smiles at his response and says. ''It is but it also tests both your intelligence and your memory, like improving to notice certain patterns.''
Starrk still isn't interested but it does get Lilynette's interest, yelling at him. ''Come on Starrk! It's better than DOING NOTHING!''
The Espada groans, annoyed by the big mouth of his partner but sighs, rolling his eyes.
''… Fine.'' He finally accepts, making Lilynette get excited. Yugi smiles as he then asks. ''But I wish to put up a wager.''
The two eye him as he explains his wager. ''I want to know where exactly Ichigo-kun is being kept and why she was taken.''
This surprises the others, except Jenny who thinks that's not a bad wager. It's likely that Yugi has no clue to locate Ichigo's actual aura without it being some kind of trap but he might also want to know why she was taken too. She'll like to know too.
''That girl huh?'' Starrk mutters, recalling how she scratched Nnoitra in that small exchange. Aizen didn't order them to get rid of them unless they wanted to, but he's not the type. Besides, he is curious.
''Alright, fine.'' Starrk accepts the terms though he places his own wager. ''If I win, you and your friends run off.''
Yugi smirks, accepting the challenge. ''Deal!''
The others watch as Yugi stares down smiling at the Espada, determined to beat this game.
Massive tentacles spin around as Rukia, carrying Sailor Moon by her shoulder and Judai, grabbing on Elemental HERO Neos' shoulder jump upward to evade the attack. Their fight against Aaroniero has accelerated to dangerous new heights with him using his Resurrección.
The Espada laughs like a madman, thrusting his tentacles towards them that were able to destroy Judai's other heroes. Neos, however, simply swings a barrage of punches that repels and pushes the bloated tentacles back.
''Nice job, Neos!'' Judai praises his hero, still holding on his monster's back. Aaroniero just laughs it off, twirling Nejibana rapidly and fires waves of water at them. Rukia has to freeze them while she and the others move away from the tentacles.
''IT'S HOPELESS FOR ANY OF YOU!'' Aaroniero laughs loudly, taunting the three as he grins with a look of hunger while his tentacle hand twirls around excitedly. ''NOW BE DEVOURED AND BECOME ONE WITH ME!''
Rukia glares irritated, not sure how to hit him with all of his tentacles and his large amount of energy too.
''Go Neos! Wrath of Neos!'' Judai commands, getting off his hero as Neos charges at the Espada with his right fist engulfed in neon aura glow around it. Aaroniero thrusts all of his tentacles at once, managing to block and repel Neos.
''MOON PRINCESS HALATION!'' Sailor Moon shouts, twirling the Spiral Heart Moon Rod, before raising her rod and releasing a bright harmonic light. Snapping at this attack, Aaroniero fires a Cero from the mouth of his octopus's body, countering her attack.
''Damn it.'' Rukia mutters at their situation. ''He has over 30000 Hollows in his body; he's above a Menos Grande, dozens of them. He's too powerful.''
Aaroniero laughs more sinisterly, swinging his weapon around and summons powerful tsunamis towards the group. Judai panics, having enough time to use Negate Attack trap to form a barrier to protect them from the waves.
Rukia begins to recall her training with Kaien, in which he told her how a person's heart is passed on to those they are close to. But now, seeing Kaien's face being used by this psychopath, is really pissing her off.
''…'' She stares silent, thinking about what she can do and realizes she has one way to beat him.
''… I cannot let Kaien's very being to be replaced by this monster's actions.'' Making up her mind, Rukia dashes right towards him while Sailor Moon shouts out to her. ''Rukia-chan!''
Rukia ignores her pleas, flying around the tentacles that nearly hit her, charging directly to the Espada's main body. She bites her lips, shredding a tear as she tells herself mentally. ''Forgive me, Kaien…''
Aaroniero sees her coming at him and just grins, shouting excitedly. ''DIE!''
He swings and thrusts his lance right towards Rukia's chest. She watches this, wanting this to deliver the finishing-
However, Neos instantly appears and catches the trident from stabbing her. This shocks the Espada and the Shinigami.
''Don't mind me, me being the hero.'' Judai declares, on the floor as Neos erupts in energy and tosses the trident away. He then flies to grab Rukia and takes her back to the others.
''What are you doing?!'' She yells at them, breaking free from Neos' hold and before she can say anything else, Sailor Moon frowns and yells out at her. ''I know why Judai-chan did that and you shouldn't have done that, Rukia-chan!''
Rukia is startled by her reaction. Sailor Moon breathes heavily, calming down as she shouldn't be this mad but she is; reminded of her selfish action. She remembers when Beryl captured and brainwashed Mamoru, doing her bidding and not thinking straight or out of options; she decided to kill the two of them so they could live happily in the afterlife. It… it's something that Usagi slowly realizes was a mistake; not having enough faith in herself and in her love for Mamoru. If she did better… But the past is the past.
''I did something similar to save Mamo-chan.'' The blonde haired heroine begins to express her early days as Sailor Moon, frowning at how much more foolish and selfish she was. ''I was an idiot to do such a thing but it was the only way at the time. Somehow, we both survived but my mistake nearly cost everyone's lives because of Metalia. But most of all, I was doing it to ease the pain in my heart for losing Mamo-chan.''
This gets to Rukia, widening her eyes. Judai looks at them with his own frown, looking away as he remembers his own mistake that took his friends away by his own foolishness and selfishness.
''That's why you can't give up your life even if you think it's the right thing! Accept the pain and move forward!'' Sailor Moon tells her, encouraging her to follow a different path even if the pain is worse. ''Because even Kaien-chan wouldn't want this for you!''
Rukia stares at her, thinking this girl was Ichigo but a dolt but she's so much more than that and she realizes it. Yes, it hurts; that pain has never left… but it slowly faded away since she met Ichigo. Meeting him made her realize what is more important is to move forward, no matter how painful the past is.
''… You're right…'' The raven haired Shinigami utters out, admitting her mistake. Sailor Moon slowly smiles, glad to hear-
''HAHAHAHA!'' The Sailor Guardian immediately frowns, turning up towards the Espada who's laughing.
''Such an adorable speech! It almost makes me cry!'' Aaroniero proclaims with a crazy grin, mocking the lovely speech as he hungered. ''Now make me laugh as I devour all of you and add you all as a part of me!''
Judai glares madly while Sailor Moon calmly walks forward towards the massive tentacle monster. She's been angry before but this time she's filled with such fury towards him. She can't ever forgive someone as evil as him.
''… Unforgivable.'' The Sailor Guardian begins to declare, gazing up at the Espada with a firm yet cute face. ''You hurt Rukia-chan, making her doubt herself and now you mock the bond between her and her friend!''
Aaroniero gazes down at her, not afraid… until he glares deep in her blue eyes. He begins to frown and sweat, horrified by this strong fire in her eyes. He's never felt like this, as if he was going to-
''I won't forgive you!'' Sailor Moon shouts strongly as a bright light surrounds her entire body. ''Never!''
Gritting his teeth as his face slowly becomes one of absolute fear by her brightness, Aaroniero howls and shouts. ''THEN GET ABSORBED!''
He thrusts all of its tentacles towards her but Sailor Moon holds forward her rod and forms a barrier of light, surrounding herself and the others, that repels all of the tentacles with ease.
''W-what the?'' Aaroniero utters puzzled as the barrier begins to glow as brightly as the sun itself. This causes the Espada to wrap himself in his tentacles but the light burns across him. He hisses in confusion and pain, uttering in terror. ''W-what is this? Sunlight?!''
Rukia is also confused too but Judai knows better, correcting them with a smirk. ''No, Usagi-chan shines like the hopeful moonlight, brighter than the sun!''
This further terrifies the Espada, not possible for any human to have this kind of power. It causes his mere body to twist around, shivering out of pure horror.
''W-what the hell are you!'' Aaroniero demands furiously.
Sailor Moon stares up at the monster, beginning to declare. ''I am the Pretty Sailor Guardian of the Moon! And under the name of the moon…'' She immediately does her signature pose, pointing with her staff rather than her index fingers. ''I will punish you!''
Aaroniero just roars as his octopus' mouth opens up and charges up a Cero. However, Sailor Moon reacts faster, spinning around as she shouts, holding her rod over her head. ''MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!''
A large, pink energy heart manifests underneath Aaroniero and releases a blast through it, consuming him. He screams in such pain, his charging Cero vanishing as he's in too much pain to focus. And worst is that he feels that his body is melting, screaming out loud. "IT BURNS!''
''This is our chance!'' Judai shouts, realizing this is their chance. He fuses Neos with Bladedge to bring out Elemental HERO Neos Knight. The hero flies right at Aaroniero as Judai commands. ''Go, Neos Knight!''
Raising his double-ended sword forward, Neos Knight swings and slashes down multiple tentacles. ''Wrath of Neos Slash!''
With the tentacles shredded, Rukia sees her chance and dashes upward at the Espada.
''Third Dance…'' She begins to chant as she comes up to Aaroniero. Glaring furiously, the Espada swings Nejibana right at Rukia's Sode no Shirayuki. They clash Zanpakutos once more but this time Rukia's blade shatters as his spear stabs across the side of her waist. Aaroniero smirks, victorious as he prepares to swing through her until Rukia, staring calmly, proclaims aiming the guard of her sword towards his head. ''SAN NO MAI SHIRAFUNE!''
Swirls of ice wrap around the missing blade and within that instant, the blade rematerializes and pierces through the fake Kaien's head. His eyes widened, rolling over head. Rukia frowns, saddened, muttering as she shreds a tear. ''Farewell…''
Aaroniero can only garble through his voice as his face dissolves and reveals his real head. The long helmet cracks open and reveals the fishbowl-like head. Usagi just stares speechless at the two weird skull heads, really creeping her out. What's worse is the shrieking, female-male voice of the Espada as the fishbowl shatters. The two skull heads drop on the ground head, rolling around as they still scream in agony.
''DAMN YOU, DAMN YOU!'' The male skull head of Aaroniero screams in agony as does the female skull, pleading for help. ''HELP US, AIZEN-SAMA! HHHEEEELLLPPPPP…''
Rukia lands on the ground, gasping heavily as Nejibana drops and stabs into the ground. The main body of Aaroniero begins fading, almost melting away as do the two skull heads. They scream one last time, cursing and begging before they melted into nothing.
Sailor Moon and Judai look down at the melted skull heads, not thinking they would have managed to beat him.
''So long, fishbowl.'' Judai bids farewell to their enemy, frowning with some sign of sympathy. Sailor Moon turns to Rukia and panics to see her dropping to her knees and gripping on the side of her waist that's bleeding.
''Rukia-chan!'' She cries out, running to her aide. Judai turns and runs up to her too.
''I-I'm okay…'' Rukia tells the two, breathing heavily. That could have ended much worse for her if not for them.
''W-we have to-'' She tries to tell them, pulling herself up but Sailor Moon stops her, now lecturing her nervously. ''No butts! We need to treat your wound! Even Cousin Ichigo-chan would lecture you too!''
''…'' Rukia just stares silent before she smiles. She nods as Sailor Moon smiles and uses her Moon Healing Escalation to heal the Shinigami's wound.
Judai watches this, smiling before turning back to see that the door that they once entered this place has reappeared, wide open. He thinks about the others and makes up his mind; he too must overcome his own past sins.
He begins to walk out but Sailor Moon notices this and asks him concern. ''Judai-chan, where are you going?!''
Judai stops, turning to face them and responds with a small smirk. ''To be of use while you guys catch up.''
Sailor Moon frowns, not sure but Rukia is fine with that, simply telling him. ''… Careful.''
Judai just smirks, giving them a thumb up before he runs off. Sailor Moon frowns, wondering if Judai too is trying to move forward from his past mistake too.
Somewhat healed, Rukia stops Sailor Moon from finishing her healing; needing to do something. She walks slowly, approaching Kaien's Zanpakuto which has transformed back to its sealed form. She frowns, picking it up and holds it in front of her. She begins to cry a bit, vowing that she will become strong to never let anyone else die. Sailor Moon watches this and smiles softly. Maybe now… Kaien will rest in peace.
Within his tower, Zommari is in a meditation state, legs crossed and hands lowered on each side of his body. His sword is resting between his knees, perfectly balanced. He's trying to meditate, focusing his strength for the intruders until he feels something; the fall of the 9th Espada.
''… Aaroniero has fallen.'' He proclaims, de-crossing his legs. His sword is suddenly tossed upward as Zommari stands up almost instantly before catching the sword in his right hand. This will not do and he will not tolerate it.
''Then I shall put an end to them, for Aizen-sama's will.'' The Espada proclaims calmly with a dead look, preparing to vanish away using Sonido until a gust of wind blows past him. He staggers partly, turning and within his chamber is both Ruby and-
''Hey there…'' Replying with a smug smirk, Sonic begins to declare as he turns to face his Espada "rival". ''Long time no see, Voodoo guy.''
''… You…'' Zommari mutters calmly with a voice of disdain, both pleased and displeased to see him. Ruby just blinks awkwardly, kinda wishing she was with Danny and the others.
Edward grunts furiously as he, Renji and Dondochakka scream, falling through some kind of a trap hole. It had to be a trap hole as they find themselves in a large room. Such an obvious trap they gotten themselves in.
''I agree with the tiny-'' Dondochakka begins to agree with the small human- Oh…
Snapping his nerves, Ed loses it and kicks the Arrancar across his face so hard it launches him inside the room. Renji sweat drops heavily, uttering out. ''… Well too late now.''
Edward just growls, face palming himself. He just had to lose it at a place like this. Just his damn luck!
"AW, WE'RE FRIENDS!" Dondochakka expresses in pain, sobbing as the fist mark is shown across his eyes.
The two walk to pull the Arrancar back up, both sighing by his complaining.
''Y-you sure he's friend of ours.'' He asks Renji with his eyes spinning around. The Shinigami still sweat dropping, actually admitting. ''Let's just say I feel like you and I are more like friends.''
Dondochakka blinks awkwardly before sobbing tears of joy. Renji becomes uncomfortable as he suggests. "Anyway, we should-"
He turns and makes a face that the hole they fell in is gone. Renji sweat drops heavily.
''… Feels like a trap if I ever seen one.'' Ed mutters out sarcastically, not all surprised that just happened.
''You are very correct, dear Alchemist.'' Edward immediately widens his eyes to hear that voice. The three turn around and appear out of thin air is Szayelaporro, grinning like a horny psychopath. Ed immediately growls, now getting the message who's behind this.
''So we meet once more.'' The Espada announces with a small smirk.
''It's…'' Renji begins to utter out only to pause and soon finds himself stomping. He actually forgot his name. ''Eh… The brother of the Arrancar I killed. His name is… Eh…''
''Szayelaporro Granz, 8th Espada.'' Edward proclaims, remembering his name too well. Szayelaporro can't help but be impressed that the human remembered his name and his number too.
''Oh? I'm touched you-'' Szayelaporro begins to express with such glee that a mere human remembers him only to turn to face the others and his eyes peek at the Arrancar who is freaking out behind Renji who is sweat dropping. He hums, muttering puzzled. ''Where have I seen you before…'' The face looks familiar but he's not sure from-
''Hey, pinky!'' Szayelaporro turns to Edward, interrupting him as he questions the madman. ''I had a feeling this thing is your trap.''
The Espada smirks, answering him honestly. ''Correct.''
''Like that helped!'' Renji shouts, unsheathing his Zanpakuto. ''BANKAI!''
Nothing happened to the Shinigami's horror. ''W-what?!''
Ed raises an eyebrow before he eyes the Espada and sees him smirking like crazy-like. He gets the message, theorizing what's happened. ''Figures as much. This room suppresses a Shinigami's powers.''
Szayelaporro just grins again, so very impressed by his human intelligence… almost.
''But that won't work on me!'' Edward declares, clapping his hands and slams them on the ground. He prepares to transmute pillars to stab through all the walls using the materials of this room… However, nothing happened. This surprises the Alchemist as Szayelaporro reveals with a smug smirk. ''Close, actually. I negate both his Bankai from past data from my parasites but also your Alchemy too. It proves quite a nuisance to deal with.''
Renji growls madly, meaning they're heavily nerfed. Ed thinks for a moment and realizes that can't be the case. Equivalent Exchange, Transmutation; those can't be negated unless the material can't be broken. That means this room nullifies all that's part of the room.
''… Not all of it!'' Ed protests, clapping his hands and then his left hand swipes across his right forearm, transmuting its forearm blade from his automail. Szayelaporro, again, can't help but grin as he licks his lips.
''Ah yes, you figure it out! The floor, ceiling; every inch in the room is coated to be unable to be 'transmuted'.'' The Espada reveals to the alchemist who scoffs and calls him out. ''If you need a handicap to beat us, then at least try to fight!''
The Espada just snickers, pushing up his glasses before snapping his fingers. He pulls a switch button and presses on it
''I would love to but first I must play with my test subjects.'' He responds as leaping in front of him are his craze Fracción, all of them leaping or moving around out of the ground while either grinning or acting crazy. ''My Fracción will gladly play with you all.''
Ed growls, complaining annoyed. ''Just our damn luck.''
''Can't be helped.'' Renji declares going to have to fight like this. Ed nods as the two will have to work together to fight these Arrancar while defending the panicking Dondochakka. Edward can only hope anyone of the others arrives to help them.
Commercial Break:
Sonic: Alright Red Riding Hood, let's kick this guy I wanna out speed!
Ruby: S-sure! I'll give it my all!
Ruby blinks, staring at the Espada before them. She and Sonic were just trying to find Danny and the rest of their group only to find this room and Sonic somehow knew someone was in there that he wanted to fight. She tried to remind him of their actual task but Sonic dashed in regardless. She sighed, following right behind him and here they are.
"He does look like a witch doctor!'' She proclaims, surprised how right he is. Sonic nods as he then warns her. ''Careful with him, Riding Hood. This guy is no joke. I should know; I fought him twice.''
She nods, trusting his word.
Zommari scowls firmly, annoyed that this creature has appeared to stand in his way, once again. It is one thing that this "hedgehog" assumes he can match his skills but it's another that he refuses to stop showing up when he's clearly outmatched. It is frustrating.
''You have truly irritated my patience towards you, hedgehog.'' The Espada proclaims with a tone of fury, reminded of when the creature turned golden and not only damaged him in his Resurrección but the other Espadas too. ''Last time, you humiliated me while Aizen-sama was counting on my victory.''
Sonic, rubbing his ear with his pinkie, raises an eyebrow as he says. ''Pretty sure he doesn't care what you were doing.''
That line enraged Zommari, his eyes widened and he called out furiously. ''You won through mere luck and that frustrating power! But now you will die here along with your friends!''
Sonic smirks, amazing himself that he just tickled his bone. Rather ironic.
''Sorry to disappoint you but that ain't happening!'' The blue hedgehog declares with a smirk, taking on a fighting pose. ''We're going to get Ichigo out of this place so you can either walk away or warm up for Round 3, baldy!''
Zommari glares coldly at him, replying firmly by Aizen's will. ''My answer justifies the will of Aizen-sama. And I will show you.''
He begins to use his special Sonido technique to multiply himself.
''He can multiply!'' Ruby utters in surprise. Sonic just smirks at the challenge, asking her. ''Shall we Ruby?''
She eyes him and smiles, not going to back away when Ichigo is counting on them. She reaches to her back to unfold and activate her Crescent Rose in Scythe Mode. She twirls it around, doing her own fighting pose as she responds determinedly. ''Let's!''
Sonic smirks as the two dash at Zommari who he and his clones dash right towards them too.
Alicia and Ryan are running in the long hallway. They were ambushed and attacked by an afro hair Arrancar and Sado led the enemy pretty far after they were launched through a few walls. Now they lost the trail on them.
"I can't believe we lost track of the big guy. He seems really cool!'' Ryan expresses with a small frown, recalling one client who did things on their own without me and it screwed up badly. He eyes Alicia and explains. ''Unless you know what you're doing; you shouldn't act alone. I had that with a client of mine. He was Mexican too. In fact, every nationally I've had a client.''
Alicia just smiles how Ryan cares a lot for others, no matter what color or place they come from.
''Maybe Welkin could introduce you to an insect who might want a lawyer like you.'' She teases him slightly. Ryan chuckles as he wouldn't mind it but not the giant, cannibal eating type.
''He's the same one you love right?'' He then asks her, recalling that name from Ichigo. From what he recalls; Welkin is Alicia's lover and commander of her squad back in her country.
Alicia looks ahead, thinking of him and replies with soft red cheeks. ''A weirdo like you but also really kind.''
Ryan smiles as he responds happily. ''You're lucky, Alicia. I can tell you really love him.''
She blushes, admitting out loud. ''Yes, he does love me for being me. And I love him for being him. If not for the war with the empire, I wouldn't have met him.''
Alicia then smiles saddened, thinking back that she vowed to herself she would no longer fight once the Empire is defeated and yet she's still not finished fighting, having met Yugi and the others. She should be back home in Gallia with Welkin, making her bakery shop and settling down… but she knows she must fight alongside her friends. Her Valkyria powers are the key to do so but most importantly; she must make it up to Selvaria. She was lied to and deceived by Maximilian, using her powers to kill for his own cold nature. Learning that almost all the Valkyries were evil; it's her duty to change that.
If her powers can be used for good like that one Valkyria, then she'll do the same. It's like Ryan who wants to be a Dragon Knight like Yugi.
She then realizes something and eyes Ryan, asking him. ''Oh, Ryan, I wanted to ask you something.''
Ryan blinks as she questions him. ''You and Erika; are you two like…''
He blushes, not assuming that she would know about he and Erika's.
''So you are the intruders of Las Noches.'' The two startle and turn around in surprise by an unknown voice. They stare at what looks like an Arrancar but his face is hidden by a skull-like face.
He stands there with a group of other similar Arrancars that all look the same. The one at the center is more distinguished from the other Arrancars with his bull-shaped skull, instead of the typical human-shaped skulls. He wears a customized white-black uniform, which is a long sleeve jacket with a black line starting at the high collar and curving down to his right hip. He also wears a black sash, white hakama, and black gloves.
Alicia looks weary that an Espada has found them so quickly.
''A sword- I mean Espada!'' Ryan proclaims, quickly correcting himself as he explains to Alicia. ''Sorry, Sword in Spanish is Espada.''
She sweat drops, not the time for stuff like that.
The Arrancar snarls, shaking his head as he explains with both hands crossed and grip to each other behind his back waist.
''You misunderstand. I am the Arrancar Rudbornn Chelute, leader of the Exaquias.'' The Arrancar, Rudbornn, corrects them with a rational, calm tone as if he's superior to them.
''… Oh!'' Alicia mutters out, oddly relieved. ''That's good that…''
''FUNERAL RITES?!" Interrupting her, Ryan yells out by the name of his squad to Alicia's confusion. He then asks the enemy. "So then you guys are like hunters or-''
''Executioners.'' Rudbornn corrects him again with Ryan gulping, not liking this. The Arrancar then proclaims at the two of the many other intruders. ''Aizen-sama has left me the job to deal with you and your friends. You two will be the first.''
Alicia glares, stepping forward as reaches to her back and grabs hold onto both her Valkyria shield and spear. She moves forward, guarding Ryan and herself with her shield forward.
Rudbornn stares at the woman and taunts her with such superiority. ''If I had wished for, I would have killed all of you at once.''
''And if you were, Yugi and the rest of us would have defeated you sooner.'' Alicia mocks him back with a small smirk. The Arrancar simply hisses, separating his hands apart from his back.
''I wanted to see how you fair against Aizen-sama…'' The Arrancar admits, wanting to understand how mere humans, no less children, would oppose his divine ruler; however, that changed with Aaroniero's death. ''But things have changed with an Espada already defeated. I will kill you all, starting with you two.''
Ryan doesn't like this but at least one of the others put down an Espada.
Alicia, however, doesn't say a word as she focuses with her eyes closed. She breathes softly as her hair wavers, floating in the air as her body flickers a light blue, fiery aura. Gripping tightly on her lance, Alicia opens her brown eyes, suddenly glowing bright red as her hair changes into pure white and her aura erupts like grander flames.
Ryan pulls back, feeling the heat of Alicia's fiery Valkyrie form as she declares determinedly. ''That won't happen, not while Ryan and I can stop you!''
''W-we will for sure!'' The inexperience Dragon Knight declares, slightly nervous as he unsheathes his sword.
Rudbornn scoffs, hoping for them to cower in fear. Shame, now he must put them down with no mercy. If he succeeds, he might finally become the new 9th Espada and earn Aizen's divine grace.
Raising his sword at them, he orders his men. ''Kill them, my Calaveras.''
His men charge forward only for the first one to get stabbed through by Alicia's lance. She then bashes her shield across the closest, brushing him aside. They still come at her but she evades their sword swings as Ryan slashes a few of them with his own sword and slamming his fists across their faces.
''These guys look weird, like they're similar to him.'' Ryan proclaims, finding it weird they all look the same. Alicia doesn't pay attention, noticing how Ryan is jumping the gun, attacking the enemy with such an onslaught.
''Just be cautious with-'' She tries to warn him to not attack like this but it's the best of him as two of the Calaveras slashes him: one across his right arm and the other across his left leg. He gasps in agony to Alicia's shock. ''Ryan!''
She tosses the Arrancar she stabbed through before she dashes at them and slashes them down with one swing. Ryan grunts, dropping on one knee but he breathes. ''I-I'm fine…''
Rudbornn snarls, proclaiming overconfident. ''Pathetic, is this really your-''
''Don't test us!'' Turning to face him, Alicia yells out determinedly. ''We didn't come here to fight you; we came to save our friend!''
Rudbornn oddly begins to laugh at her declaration. Such foolishness as he responds with a different attitude. ''How naïve! I am the law to Aizen-sama's will. In other words, I am the Law of God! I am a God of Law for Aizen-sama!''
Alicia makes a face; pretty sure this guy is crazy to say that.
''I will not tolerate some humans to interfere with him!'' Rudbornn then declares as the Calaveras surround the two, plotting to put them down.
Frowning, Alicia aims with her lance, swirls of blue fiery aura forms around the weapon. She then pushes Ryan onto the ground as she leaps upward, spinning around. She fires a piercing torrent of blue flames from her lance, consuming and annihilating all of the Arrancars with the spinning fiery attack except Rudbornn who dodges with Sonido upward. He watches his men burn away and growls, charging downward to strike her back except Alicia blocks it at the last second and tosses him backwards.
Rudbornn startles with a grunt as Alicia instantly fires a straight-forward blast of flames at him, hitting him but he leaps out of the flames. He breathes with loud hissing, burned but not killed. Ryan stands up again, astonished that she did all that. It was amazing.
''… You talk too much for a law enforcer.'' The Valkyria proclaims calmly, looking down at him. This enrages the Arrancar, not going to tolerate some human to mock him. He will not allow her to mock him!
''GROW!'' Rudborne proclaims as he holds his katana forward. His body begins to glow and changes rapidly. Alicia and Ryan watch as the right side of Rudbornn's body becomes wrapped in branches reaching down to his waist, where they split off into roots that flare out on either of Rudbornn's sides. Four lightning bolt shaped branches grow out of the upper part of his right arm, with skulls similar to those worn by his subordinates hanging off of each one. His Zanpakuto also turns into a lightning bolt shaped stick or branch. ''Árbol!''
''He's a tree?'' Alicia utters in actual surprise, expecting something crazy like that Grimmjow pulled off. She just sighs, declaring. ''Guess he'll be a burned tree.''
''That will never happen.'' Rudbornn declares, planning to show the human what real power is. ''BEHOLD! THE POWER OF GOD!''
The skulls attached to his branches suddenly drop on the ground and begin to grow instantly, transforming into his Calaveras men. This shocks the two with Alicia uttering, again in surprise. ''H-He grew his men?!''
''They could be his fruit.'' Ryan theorizes only to realize the link; he and his men are one and the same. ''Then-''
Snickering that this human figure out the truth, Rudbornn responds eagerly. ''That's right. The Calaveras are my creations! This is the gift Aizen-sama gave to me! And with it, I will become an Espada!''
Alicia glares, charging forward and thrusts her lance through multiple clones, burning them away with her burning weapon. More come at her, swinging their swords at her but she reflects with her shield and then releases a powerful burst of flames from it, burning them away. She now takes aim with her lance and shouts loudly. ''BLUE FLAME!''
She fires another torrent of blue flames right at the Arrancar.
''Worthless!'' Rudbornn shouts, as he grows six more branches, a total of ten, that spread to the other side of his body, while the rest of his upper body is wrapped up too.
''Calavera Wall!'' He declares as he grows more Calavera and then they all band together to create a wall with their bodies in order to protect Rudbornn. The blue flames hit the wall and even though this attack can pierce through multiple enemies; it isn't the same as the wall resists as the Calavera drops and dies.
Rudbornn now charges at her but Ryan intercepts, firing a Dragon Slice Attack but he repels it with ease with his sword, cutting it in half.
''I got your back, Alicia!'' Ryan shouts, still charging in as he swings a barrage of sword swings and punches while spinning his body around, keeping up his motion and movement. Rudbornn moves away from these pathetic assaults and proceeds to slash away Ryan who barely repels with his sword. It knocks him backwards, falling hard on the ground.
Alicia watches before glaring at the Arrancar, taking aim at her lance and-
''DRAGONAUN BLOW 1-2 BARRAGE!'' She startles as Ryan charges at the enemy again, swinging his right fist, engulfed in energy, as well as his left fist extending back. Rudbornn simply repels again with a sword swing. Ryan's fist still repels the attack as he thrusts his left hand forward only to panic as he sees Rudbornn having vanished. The Arrancar used Sonido to appear behind the human, chuckling as he thrust his sword right at his back. Ryan panics heavily until the Arrancar is slammed across the whole body by Alicia's barrier, tackling him away.
Ryan barely drops to his knees, breathing loudly. Alicia sighs upsetly, lecturing him. ''Ryan, you can't fight them all at once! You should know better!''
He looks saddened, not meaning to but he's… he's reminded of Kojan's words to him. He has to prove him wrong, show that he too is a Dragon Knight and will reach both he and Yugi's level.
''I-I do… but…'' Ryan tries to defend himself but staggers back, now questioning if he's even doing the right thing. Alicia frowns before turning around and widens her eyes in horror, narrowing her eyes towards Rudbornn who stands staring at her back.
''You're left yourself wide open, human.'' The Arrancar speaks, alarming Ryan who barely reacts as he turns around to see the Arrancar stab the Valkyria. All he could do was let out a scream of horror. ''ALICIA!''
Are Alicia and Ryan outmatched against this dangerous Arrancar?
To be continued…
(ENDING 1: Motherland by Crystal Kay by Fullmetal Alchemist)
Next Time…
Alicia is seriously wounded, leaving Ryan to fight Rudborne alone. Overpowered by the Arrancar, can Ryan step up and be a Dragon Knight of his own? Also, Sonic and Ruby's fight against Zommari escalates. Will the two have the speed to beat their dangerous enemy?
Ruby: You think we can beat the Witch Doctor bad guy, Sonic? I just think I'm just-
Sonic: I know what you mean but you're not out of your league. You can keep up with me so I know you can handle yourself. Trust yourself!
Ruby just smiles, nodding determinedly: Right! *realizes there's nothing else to say* REALLY?! UM… Sonic?
Sonic: On it! Next time in Yu-Gi-Oh! Dragon Knight Reborn: Bravery and Swiftness! The Overwhelming Odds!
Ruby: Please remember to read, enjoy and review. See you all next time! YES! Nailed it!
Author's Note: Goodbye Aaroniero, you will be missed... for now. 1 Espada has fallen, 9 more to go!
Before someone asks… yea, the Captains aren't involved so no Byakuya, Mayuri or Kenpachi to show up. Why? To change things up and I did that already in Volume 3. Make this fight more focus on Team Dragon Knight.
Another thing I am sure I'm not the only one who thought Usagi's sacrifice (Crystal version) was… stupid, right? I still like Crystal. They did a better job to convince me Usagi and Mamoru are a great couple (like HUNDRED times better than the original Anime) but that moment is like ''… Wait, seriously?''. Well here I am giving some growth to Usagi on her past mistake. At least this will please fans until Volume 7.
You may have noticed I am REALLY speeding up the fight against the Espada and Aizen's army rather quickly… The truth is; I am. Volume 3, I sort of covered this and here I am ''wrapping'' things up. Like Rudbornn and his one-army assassin squad were going to be wiped off by Rukia… and later Yammy. So in this case, I gave Alicia and Ryan someone to fight before they do fight an actual Espada.
Next time we see if Ryan and Ruby are able to overcome their disadvantages.
I am fully aware of the stupid crap happening again on FF with the email error but I ensure you guys to remember each Thursday, DKR will be updated UNLESS I say something in a chapter like this.
At the moment, everything will run smoothing until we reach a new "arc" so no worries!