Bleach is owned by their respective owners. This story is my own.
Author's Note:
This chapter is a little darker in tone then previous. It's not graphic, but it is implied. Be advised.
Arc Two: Chapter 25 – By the Honour of the Quincy!
By my honour as a Quincy...I will make you PAY for your crimes!
...CRACKLE...
The energy in the air was electric.
Masaki had exploded in anger and power.
So much so, that even distant denizens of the Seireitei, could feel the incredible spiritual pressure she was giving off...
Yo, Ichigo do you feel that?
Of course I do...I knew mom was strong but...
She seems a little too strong now?
Which means we have even less to worry about, with rescuing Rukia!
(But I am worried about this feeling of rage in her spiritual presence...Mom, be safe!)
Chad can you feel that?
Yes, it feels like Mrs. Kurosaki but this energy is...
Frightening. I feel, afraid.
[What does she mean by...?]
"You two, do you know what this massive pressure is?" The floral captain enquired of his young opponents. They (of course) kept silent but, he was perceptive enough to know they had an idea.
[Sensors indicate a tremendous spike in spiritual pressure, coming from... overloading...ove...] Pzzzt
Well that ain't good. If sensors that can handle Captain Zaraki's power are having trouble, then whoever the Captain and Lieutenant are facing is a verifiable monster.
Third Seat, Akon (of Squad 12) could feel this pressure himself, well enough. This power was incredible and frightening. The communicators were also on the fritz, so even if he wanted to contact his Captain...he couldn't.
...
Report Kaname.
Lord Aizen, there seems to be an immense spike in spiritual power, located at the vicinity where Kurotsuchi was located.
Is it the Ryōka boy?
No...it's...!
[Took them long enough to notice, and like Captain Shiba and her son, she announces herself with a bang – or is it more like a volcanic eruption? Will be interesting to see how she fares now.]
You mean the Quincy woman!?
Yes...Lord Aizen.
I see.
As for those at ground zero; they were a mix of awe, pride, astonishment and (particularly for Mayuri), fear and rage. Fear was something he was ill accustomed to. Rage was an old acquaintance - when it came to Kisuke Urahara, of course.
"What are you Quincy!" He snarled. Defiant, in the face of overwhelming might.
"Someone, who will end your evil, for my fallen brothers and sisters!"
Masaki seethed – her eyes now glowing orbs. She outstretched her wings and they started to glow – ominously.
This is...!
[Heiliges Sperrfeur] (Holy Barrage)
Masaki's voice echoed.
Suddenly a rapid volley of projectiles were expelled from Masaki's wings. Like the whistling of arrows, the energy projectiles aimed to obliterate Mayuri on the spot. However, Mayuri was still a Captain and had access to flash step. He evaded the attacks (barely), with some of his coat catching fire from the continual barrage.
He tossed the robes aside, like discarded junk. Or a pest.
He knew in the face of this kind of power, he was at a clear disadvantage.
If this is anything like a Soul Reaper's bankai, she should run out of power soon enough. Then I can strike when she's exhausted!
He then realised the folly of his analysis, as he looked around the environment. Parts of the walkway, walls...even his own discarded haori were seemingly feeding into, whatever form this Quincy was taking.
Dammit, she has an endless supply of energy at her disposal. This must be that absolute subordination of reishi, I had only gleamed from the others!
Mayuri now had no choice, but to continue evasive measures, and wait for an opening – otherwise...
Masaki knew this would happen. She continued to lead the monster into her trap.
I have to be careful...this form is both untested and...it almost feels like I'm losing myself to it.
She cornered him, into a very narrow causeway, where he had few options to manoeuvre.
Disappearing from his view, which panicked and relieved him – Masaki instead appeared in the sky above. She looked to be charging a single arrow. Her arms motioned the stretching of a bow, as a spiritual weapon appeared in her hands. A distinct ringing sound resonated across the seireitei, as she charged her energy.
[Urteilsfeld – Lanze] (Judgement Field – Lance)
Mayuri heard this declaration and instead stood in protest, as he charged his own spiritual attack. Aiming his hands towards the sky:
TAKE THIS QUINCY! Hado Number 88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!
A massive, electrically charged kidō, erupted from the hands of Mayuri. He was barely able to keep upright and steady from the force of his own attack.
Non-incantation kidō of this magnitude isn't my forte, but...the strike will be powerful enough to engulf you Quincy.
He snickered. Amused, that he finally found the opening he was waiting for.
Masaki looked on, un-phased, as her own attack was calmly released from her grasp. A massive lance-like projectile loomed over Mayuri, as even his own massive blast, was engulfed in Masaki's attack.
Why is my Number 88 Hadō being pushed back! What even is that!
Mayuri strained, as he poured more of his own spiritual energy into his attack.
Ghhh...Grrr!
Masaki's own attack continued to push through the mighty force of the Number 88 Hadō spell.
That was until...
CRASH
The lance-like attack shattered the hadō spell. In shock of what just happened, Mayuri couldn't evade the attack, as it struck true.
GAAAAAHHHH!
Mayuri was engulfed in pure white light.
From the outside; the attack formed a large cube-like pillar, made of white and blue reishi. Generating a blinding light, that could be gleamed from the furthest parts of the Seireitei.
Inside the attack, Mayuri felt like he was being burned from the inside out! Somehow, this attack struck at the very essence of his being. The deepest, darkest recesses of his diabolical soul, and brought them forth in excruciating detail.
WHAT IS THIS?! GAAAAHHH!
Masaki looked on-high; like a divine emissary passing judgement on the wicked.
MY SOUL! IT ALL BURNS!
"Of course it does-"
CURSE YOU QUINCY! CURSE YOU...! WHAT IS THIS I'M FEELING...?!
"-you are feeling the pain, of all those whom you have wronged. My brothers, sisters and countless other innocents. Feel it tear away that wretched soul!"
Masaki wasn't normally one to gloat or be cruel, but in this form, something had cracked inside her. A rage she had never felt before, made her cold – especially towards this Soul Reaper. I kinda...like this feeling.
The lieutenant (Nemu) whimpered meekly as she watched helplessly, as her Master, her Captain, her creator (father) was subjected to the worst punishment he had ever endured. One, he had no counter to. An attack that (if she heard correctly), judged Master Mayuri on his deeds in life. And sadly...her Master had been cruel and wicked – especially when it came to his myriad of experiments.
Should I beg her to stop this? Would that even be possible or right for me to do so? Would she even listen?
Lieutenant Nemu of Squad 12, looked into the sky and saw the almost angelic form of Masaki, floating there and watching her attack burn her creator.
Using her enhanced eyesight, she saw the coldness in the Quincy woman's eyes. This told her all she needed. Master Mayuri would perish here...
I feel...sad.
Within the now ruined confines of the storage building, Uryū watched on in awe as his Aunt Masaki completely outclassed the Soul Reaper Captain. And it wasn't that the Soul Reaper was some weakling. Uryū had felt the pressure from the creep, and it was powerful. In his current form, he'd seriously struggle against him. However, his Aunt was another matter entirely.
This new form of hers (which might be Letz Stile, he wasn't sure), was absolutely monstrous. The pressure she gave off, made him gasp for air at times. It blanketed the whole environment – thick and with intent. An intent to judge this evil Captain for his crimes.
However...
He was a little worried about his Aunt. Sure, he felt the same anger towards this monster, for what he did, but she had suddenly become so... cold and calculating.
A far cry from her usually warm and gentle self.
Not to mention, if this was Letz Stil (The Quincy's final form), or some derivative AND, it had that same drawback... she'd be in trouble.
He could hear the blood curdling screams from the Soul Reaper. As the attack by his Aunt continued to burn his soul. He even started to feel pity for the monster.
'What is wrong with me. Why should I pity him. Especially with what he did to Grandfather!'
However, even Uryū knew that needless cruelty, was not the Quincy way. At least, that was his interpretation of the Quincy code he lived by.
Since the attack hit that Captain, it had been several minutes, and his screams had died down somewhat.
Uryū had had enough. It was time for this to end.
"Aunt Masaki!" He yelled out.
She thought she heard her name being called out.
"AUNT MASAKI!" Uryū repeated in a scream.
Her gaze adjusted down towards the now ruined storage building. Towards her...nephew.
"It's over, he's done. You can finish him off mercifully now."
Nemu heard this declaration, and her eyes widened. Yes, even she thought this was just too cruel, and for some reason the Quincy boy agreed. At least...her Master would be mercifully sent off to the netherworld. A mercy he didn't extend to many others.
Masaki snapped back to her senses, and realised belatedly that she had taken it too far. Mayuri might've been a cruel piece of dirt, but they didn't have to stoop to that level (even if he did deserve it).
"...Yes, I agree. He has received his just desserts. And has paid the ultimate price."
Masaki calmly floated back down, and then, with a wave of her hand, dispelled the attack – as if it had never existed in the first place.
She knew the Soul Reaper was dead. This attack was incredibly powerful against those who commit evil acts. A trump card for her against truly vile beings. Normally, she'd use this on a particularly pesky hollow (or arrancar), and use their built up evil to incinerate themselves. However, this attack was amplified by her usage of the Quincy: Heilige Gestalt (Holy Form) and for some reason...
Doesn't matter at this point, the battle is won. Now...
She closed her eyes and breathed out, before the form dissipated into thin air.
I feel lighter now...
She then looked in front of her to see that her nephew was smiling (even if a little forced) at her.
Yeah...I completely blew my top in front of him! Not sure if I could explain it. Or need to?
She then heard some sniffling and whimpering to the side, and realised that it was the Lieutenant...crying.
"H-He's gone... isn't he?" She sniffled out in between her tears.
"Yes...he is. I ended his suffering by dispelling the attack. That was the greatest mercy I could give someone like him."
Masaki was a little sad. Sad not for Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but for this Lieutenant who clearly cared for the vile Captain.
I guess even the cruel, can have someone who genuinely cares for them.
End of Chapter Notes: Sorry Mayuri fans, but Masaki ended him in this extended chapter. I however, gave him a somewhat nice send off, even adding in some of Nemu's thoughts on this. As for the attack - it's like a version of Uryū's Gintō spell field, he can perform (in canon) using Seele Schneider and Gintō. I will likely go into more detail on her new spells post Soul Society.
Now how will this affect Soul Society? Will this mean Urahara has to step in moreso then in canon? Probably. A lot of twists and turns now.