Hello, everyone. ThunderReborn from 2025. This chapter was originally edited by Darklord331. Finally, in April 2025, this chapter was edited again by my current beta reader, Waroyer123. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.
Hello again my wonderful readers. The end of 2020 is approaching. Time for the Padoru memes to rise again. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.
The following is a fan-based parody.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot.
All other references of characters or abilities are not mine.
Please support the official release.
"Hello." – Normal talking
"Hello." – Ichigo's thoughts.
"Hello." – Zanpakutō speaking
"Hello." – Zanpakutō thoughts.
Chapter 55:
It was around noon at the Estate. Ophis and Tearju sat on the porch, holding their respective babies, enjoying the pleasant weather. A Garganta suddenly appeared in front of them, and Ichigo drove out of it. He stopped in front of the house, and Ichigo, Jeanne, and Joan stepped out of the car.
"Hello Ophis and Tearju," Ichigo greeted.
"Hello Ichigo, Jeanne, and Joan," they responded.
"Thank you for the trip," Jeanne said.
"It's been a while since I had a good fight," Joan remarked as they both walked upstairs. Ichigo noticed Nyx and Mea staring at him. Mea raised her arms toward Ichigo, and he gently picked her up.
"How are both of you?" Ichigo asked.
"Good," Tearju replied.
"Bored," Ophis said.
"Great," Ichigo said. "I'm currently touring parts of America. Do you two want to come along?"
"Will there be food?" Ophis asked.
Ichigo chuckled. "I'll make sure to let you try the local food there."
"Um… what about the girls?" Tearju asked.
"You mean Eve, Esdeath, and Mea?" Ichigo replied.
"Esdeath went to the Yuki-onna village to train her powers," Tearju explained.
"I see…" Ichigo said.
"I'm not sure if Eve wants to come…" Tearju added.
"Let's go ask her," Ichigo suggested. Tearju and Ophis carefully stood up. Mea raised her arms again, and Tearju gently moved her back into her arms.
"She's usually in the library," Tearju said. Everyone walked toward the library. As expected, Eve was sitting on a couch reading a book about boxing.
"Hello, Eve," Tearju said.
"Hello, Mama, Miss Ophis, and Mister Ichigo," Eve greeted. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, dear," Tearju reassured her.
"I was wondering if you want to come with us to America," Ichigo said.
"Really?" Eve asked, surprised.
"Yes," Ichigo replied.
Eve grabbed a piece of paper and showed it to Ichigo. He glanced at it. To a normal child, you'd expect a flyer for an amusement park or something fictional. But Eve wasn't ordinary. The flyer was for a UFC fight in Springfield, Illinois. Ichigo read it carefully, his amusement growing.
"You want to go here?" Ichigo asked. Eve nodded eagerly.
"Well, it's not too far from one of the key spots I'm planning to investigate," Ichigo said.
"Does that mean…?" Eve asked, hope in her voice.
"Yes, we can go and watch the fight," Ichigo confirmed.
"Yay!" Eve shouted, jumping up to hug Ichigo with both her arms. After a moment, she let go.
"Come on, Eve, we need to pack for the trip," Tearju said.
"Maybe for a day or two," Ichigo added.
"Give us 10 minutes," Tearju said as she walked toward her room, holding Mea. Eve followed quietly behind. Ichigo noticed Ophis had disappeared, likely to prepare a bag for Nyx. Ichigo stepped outside, noticing Damasen and the other maids maintaining the farms. He walked over to them, and as soon as the maids saw Ichigo, they stood in attention. Damasen followed suit.
"Good day, Master Ichigo," Damasen and the maids greeted.
"Good day to all of you, carry on," Ichigo replied. He walked over to Damasen. "How are you?"
"Good," Damasen said. "Everyone is treating me well."
"That's good to hear," Ichigo said, looking toward a well-built wooden cabin in the forest clearing. "I assume that cabin is yours?"
"It is," Damasen admitted. "It felt good building something out of wood instead of drákōn bones."
"Well, keep up the good work," Ichigo said.
"Yes, Master Ichigo," Damasen responded. Ichigo headed back toward the manor, noticing that someone had washed, dried, and polished his car.
"Sakuya," Ichigo called.
"Yes, Master Ichigo?" Sakuya replied, appearing behind him.
"I assume you washed, dried, and polished my car?" Ichigo asked.
"I did," she said. "Were there any issues?"
"No, Sakuya. Good job, as always," Ichigo said with a smile.
"Thank you, Master Ichigo. I live to serve," Sakuya said before disappearing. The estate doors opened, and Tearju, Eve, Mea, Ophis, and Nyx walked down toward Ichigo's car.
"All ready?" Ichigo asked. Tearju, Eve, and Ophis nodded.
Suddenly, Sakuya appeared with two baby chairs, a double stroller, two bottles of milk, and two glasses of water.
"Once again, thank you, Sakuya," Ichigo said as he took the baby chairs and attached them to the backseat of the car. The stroller was placed in the trunk. Sakuya handed the milk bottles to Ophis and Tearju, one bottle of milk and a glass of water for each of them, and the other glass of water to Eve. They looked at her, puzzled.
"The milk bottle and water contain a sleeping potion that will help you adjust to the time zone in America," Ichigo explained.
"I see," Tearju said.
Everyone climbed into the car. Ichigo checked to make sure everyone was properly buckled and drinking their potions. He snapped his fingers, and a Garganta opened in front of the car. Ichigo drove straight through.
Scene Change: America: Indiana
The Garganta opened onto an empty highway. Ichigo drove out of it and carefully landed on the road.
"Where are we?" Ophis asked.
The display on the headrest lit up, showing their current location.
"We're in Indiana, one of America's many states," Ichigo explained as he continued driving. It took them six hours to reach Springfield, Illinois—normally a three-hour trip. But Ophis had insisted on trying every local dish along the way. Fortunately, Ichigo managed to book the hotel room and buy the tickets to the fight during their journey. He arrived at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and parked in the lot.
Ichigo got out of the car and retrieved the stroller. Tearju and Ophis carefully freed their babies from their car seats. They all entered the hotel to check-in. Afterward, they headed to their penthouse suite. Tearju and Ophis took time to clean up the babies while Ichigo and Eve checked the statistics of the match. One of the fighters was a former champion making his return for redemption, while the other was relatively unknown in America. Ichigo knew exactly who the unknown fighter was.
"So, who do you think is going to win?" Eve asked.
"I believe our underdog is going to win," Ichigo replied.
"Hm… the statistics say otherwise," Eve said, pointing at the fighter stats and the current bets on the fight.
"Let's make a deal," Ichigo suggested. "The winner gets to order the loser to do one thing."
"Sure," Eve agreed. Soon, Tearju and Ophis were ready. Mea and Nyx were placed in the stroller, and Ichigo began to push them toward the Prairie Capital Convention Center. Their hotel and the convention center were connected by a tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, staff were checking tickets. Ichigo showed them his VIP tickets and was escorted to a private booth. There, Ichigo spotted a familiar face. Most of her Aztec attire had been replaced with casual clothes, including a shirt featuring two luchadores wrestling in a ring.
"Hola!" she greeted, hugging Ichigo.
"Hola, Questz," Ichigo replied, and they ended their hug.
"Who's this?" Tearju asked.
"Oh, I'm Quetzalcoatl, but you can call me Questz for short."
"Wait, Quetzalcoatl, as in the Aztec god?" Eve asked, surprised.
"Exactly," Questz confirmed. "And who are you?" she asked.
"I'm Tearju, and these are my daughters, Eve and Mea," Tearju introduced.
"Look at the cuties," Questz cooed.
"I am Ophis, and this is Nyx," Ophis said, causing Questz's eyes to widen.
"As in…" she started, but Ophis nodded.
"Yes," Ophis confirmed.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer's voice boomed, interrupting her thoughts. "Welcome to Springfield Stadium!" The crowd cheered as someone stood in the middle of the ring. "No doubt we'll witness something amazing today!" He pointed to one side of the arena.
"The Baby Eagle has fallen once. Can this eagle soar again? Give it up for the former champion, Daniel EAGLE!" Loud American rock music blared as a tall, blonde man with blue eyes walked into the stadium. He wore a large coat decorated in red, white, and blue. The audience cheered as he slowly made his way to the arena, performing a combination of punches to rile them up. He reached the edge of the arena, and shrugged off his overcoat, revealing his ripped, muscular body. His blue shorts had the word Eagle written across them. A person handed him a pair of red gloves as he entered the ring.
(Play Invasion by Shiro Sagisu)
"On the other side!" the announcer shouted, pointing to the opposite side of the arena. "The Silent Demon Giant from Japan has arisen. Will this giant rise above the Eagle? Give it up for Sado Yasutora!"
Unlike Daniel Eagle's entrance, Chad walked calmly toward the ring. His dramatic music played as he made his way in, and despite his Japanese name, he looked mostly Hispanic. His violet overcoat had "Brazo Izquierda del Diablo [Left Arm of the Devil]" on the left side and "Brazo Derecho del Gigante [Right Arm of the Giant]" on the right side in crimson with white and red accents. The audience was confused; they had been told he was Japanese, but this man looked Hispanic.
"For those who aren't aware," the announcer added, "Sado Yasutora is half Japanese and half Hispanic." Chad reached the arena, calmly untied his overcoat, and handed it to his coach, Makunouchi Ippo, who handed him a pair of black gloves. Chad entered the ring, and the referee took over from the announcer.
The match began.
Chad started with quick jabs aimed at Daniel, who easily blocked them. Chad moved around, throwing more jabs, and Daniel followed, blocking them as well. Chad feinted with another jab, but instead of a block, he punched Daniel in the unprotected side with a right hook. The blow disoriented Daniel. Chad followed up with a series of punches to Daniel's face and chest.
"Hands up!" Daniel's coach shouted, but Daniel couldn't raise his hands fast enough. Chad finished Daniel off with a devastating uppercut to his jaw. Daniel's body rose briefly before collapsing to the mat. The referee walked over to Daniel, and the countdown began.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Zero!" the crowd shouted. The referee stood and raised Chad's hand. The audience erupted into applause.
"Winner, by Knockout, Sado Yasutora!" the referee announced. The coaches entered the ring to check on their fighters.
"There we have it, folks!" the announcer yelled. "The Demon Giant has silently crushed the Eagle! Will the Demon Giant continue his silent assault on the American front?"
Ichigo looked over at Eve, who was mesmerized by the fight. He turned to Questz.
"Where are you two staying right now?" Ichigo asked.
"I forgot the name of it," Questz admitted.
"Is it the hotel next to us?" Ichigo asked.
"Actually, it is," she said.
"That's good because we're staying there too," Ichigo said. Just then, the door to their private booth opened, and Chad walked in. He noticed Questz wasn't alone.
"Hello, Chad," Ichigo greeted.
"Ichigo," Chad replied, shaking his hand. Eve was shocked to see Ichigo knew him.
"You know him?" Eve asked.
"I did. We attended high school together," Ichigo explained.
"Um… can I get your autograph?" Eve asked, pulling out a notepad. Chad chuckled.
"And who are you?" Chad asked.
"I'm Eve," she said. Chad took the notepad from her and signed it, handing it back with a smile.
"To Eve, never forget your friends and family who stick with you from the beginning to the end. Sado 'Chad' Yasutora," the message read in both English and Japanese. Eve blushed as she tightly held the signed notepad. Ichigo pulled out a camera.
"Why don't you two take a photo together?" Ichigo suggested.
"Can we?" Eve asked, looking up at Chad.
"I can't say no to that face," Chad said with a grin. He knelt down, and Eve sat on his knee while holding up the sign. Ichigo snapped the photo.
Ichigo looked over and saw that Tearju was just as happy as Eve.
"Hey, let's head back to the hotel," Ichigo suggested.
"What about the reporters?" Chad asked. Ichigo smiled and tapped his finger on Chad's shoulder. He could feel something flowing around him.
"What did you do?" Chad asked, looking surprised.
"I cast an illusion on you," Ichigo said, his smile widening.
"I see…" Chad said as they left the private booth. No one noticed him walking back to his hotel, just as Ichigo had suggested.
"Ichigo. I want food," Ophis said.
"Sure," Ichigo replied, turning to Chad and Questz. "Want to join us for dinner?"
"Sure," Chad agreed. They found a nearby buffet. Twenty minutes later, Chad, Questz, the other customers, and the staff were shocked by how much Ophis could eat. It was hilarious when they tried to stop her from getting more food. One glare from Ophis made them fear for their lives. By the time they left the buffet, all the food they had in stock was completely gone.
"Um…" Chad started.
"Yes, she can eat that much," Ichigo said casually as they walked back to their hotel. It turned out Chad and Questz's room was next door to Ichigo's.
"It's nice to see all of you again," Chad said. Questz nodded.
"It's an honor to meet the Apocalypse," Questz added. Chad looked at her in confusion. Ophis silently nodded.
"Don't worry, Mastero. I will explain it to you later," Questz mentally told him.
"Thank you," Ophis replied.
"See you two later," Ichigo said as they entered their room.
"I'm going to give Mea a bath," Tearju said, holding baby Mea in her arms.
"Same with me," Ophis said, holding baby Nyx in her arms.
"Okay," Ichigo said. They walked to the bathroom and began washing the babies.
"Um…" Ichigo turned to see Eve still holding her notebook. "Thank you for taking me to see the fight and for letting me meet Yasutora-san."
"No problem, Eve," Ichigo said.
"Um… so what are you going to do to me?" Eve asked.
"Huh?" Ichigo replied.
"I mean... from the bet."
"Ah," Ichigo said, remembering what they had talked about earlier. "I want you to tell me what you would have asked me to do if I lost the bet." Eve's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"What?"
"I want to know what you would have asked me to do if you had won the bet."
"I wanted you to adopt me," she whispered. Ichigo clearly heard her but pretended he didn't.
"Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear you," Ichigo replied. Eve pouted.
"I want to adopt your last name."
"I see… Have you talked with your mother about this?"
"Um…" Eve mumbled.
"Ask your mother, she might give you her blessing," Ichigo said.
"Okay," Eve said. "How do you know Yasutora-san?" she asked.
"Ah…" Ichigo began. "It all started a few years ago." He began telling her about Chad.
"Um… why do you call Yasutora-san, Chad instead of his name?" Eve asked.
"When I first met Chad, I misread his nametag and called him Chad. He never corrected me, so I still call him Chad to this day, even though I know his name is Sado Yasutora," Ichigo explained.
"Oh." Soon, Tearju and Mea came out of the bath.
"I'm going to go next. Eve has something she wants to ask you," Ichigo said, rushing toward the bathroom and leaving Eve with her mother.
"Yes, honey?" Tearju asked.
"Um… I wanted to change my last name from Lunatique to Kurosaki… just like Mea," Eve admitted.
"I see…" Tearju said. "Then… I guess I need to marry Ichigo," she said with a teasing smile.
"Huh?" Eve shouted.
"Eve, you're going to startle Mea," Tearju scolded.
"Sorry," Eve said.
"Anyway, that was a joke," Tearju said with a laugh.
"Um…," Eve sounded unsure.
"Yes, you can change your last name to Kurosaki," Tearju said
"Really?"
"Really. Though I do ask that you move Lunatique to your middle name," Tearju added.
"Okay," Eve said. Ichigo walked out of the bathroom when something hit his leg. He looked down to see Eve.
"Yes, Eve?"
"Mama said I can," Eve said, smiling up at him.
"Great," Ichigo said as he picked Eve up. He walked over to Tearju.
"Does Eve have the proper paperwork filed?" Ichigo asked.
"No… not yet," Tearju said. "After all, I was kidnapped from my home in France," she added, her smile tinged with sadness.
"Hm… Let me ask someone," Ichigo said.
"Hana? Can you hear me?" Ichigo asked.
"One second, finishing up a video recording," Hana replied. Ichigo turned to Tearju.
"Do you have any family or someone who can connect you with France?" Ichigo asked.
"No," Tearju said with a sad smile. "I was an orphan. According to the orphanage, my parents asked them to keep my first name but allowed them to choose my second name. Eventually, they named me Lunatique because I was very moody as a kid."
"Yes, Ichigo?" Hana replied.
"Can you check the French database for Tearju Lunatique?"
"Sure," Hana said. "Found her. The French have her listed as dead, saying she died in a gas line explosion."
"I see… Can you create a replica of Tearju's profile in Japan and include both Eve and Mea on it?" Ichigo asked.
"Sure," Hana replied.
"Make sure their last names are Kurosaki and their middle name is Lunatique," Ichigo requested.
"Why?" Hana asked.
"Eve wanted to have my last name, and Tearju allowed it but requested that her last name be her middle name."
"I managed to get it where all three are official citizens of Japan, and both Eve and Mea have the name changes."
"Great. Thanks," Ichigo said.
"No problem. Are you planning to go to California?"
"I am."
"Great. I'll talk to you about it in a few days."
"Oh… okay then." Ichigo ended the call. Tearju looked at him.
"As of this moment, Tearju Lunatique, Eve Lunatique Kurosaki, and Mea Lunatique Kurosaki are official Japanese citizens."
"Yay!" Eve shouted. Her loud shout startled baby Mea, causing her to cry.
"Eve," Tearju scolded. She quickly turned her attention to Mea and began to calm her down.
"Allow me," Ichigo said as he gently took Mea from Tearju. He rubbed her back gently and released a calming aura. Mea quickly settled down and went back to sleep.
"Wow. It usually takes me a while to get her to calm down," Tearju said as Ichigo handed Mea back.
"Anyways, it's getting late," Ichigo said, standing up. He went to the master bedroom alone, while Eve, Tearju, and Mea shared a room, and Ophis and Nyx occupied another room.
Time Skip: Midnight
"Ichigo, wake up. Something supernatural entered the city," Kyōka said. Ichigo groaned as he opened his eyes. He got out of bed.
"It's currently driving towards us," Kyōka added.
"Got it," Ichigo replied, shifting into his Shinigami form. He phased through the wall and into the streets. Ichigo spotted his target. The figure was dressed in black, riding a black motorcycle covered in Hellfire. The rider's head was a white skull, engulfed in flames. Ichigo could feel Hell's reiatsu emanating from this being. He appeared in front of him. The rider didn't change course, driving straight toward Ichigo. Ichigo raised his right foot and stopped the motorcycle. The rider revved the engine. The bike let out a loud roar, trying to move. Ichigo stood firm, halting it.
"You dare stop the Ghost Rider?" the rider yelled.
"How do you have Hell's energy?" Ichigo asked.
"I am the Spirit of Vengeance!" the rider roared, summoning a set of steel chains engulfed in Hellfire. He flung them at Ichigo like whips. Ichigo grabbed the chains. Ghost Rider was shocked when the Hellfire didn't harm him.
"Who are you!?" Ghost Rider demanded.
"I am the Emperor of Hell," Ichigo replied, summoning the Jigoku no Yoroi. He glared at Ghost Rider. "And you dare steal powers from Hell?" The eye sockets of the skulls on the Jigoku no Yoroi glowed crimson as Hellfire leaked out. Rebellion appeared in Ichigo's hands. He swung Rebellion at Ghost Rider, who blocked the attack with his chains. Rebellion easily shattered the chains. Ichigo lunged at him. Ghost Rider opened his mouth and began spewing Hellfire at Ichigo. Ichigo ignored it, stabbing the Ghost Rider in the chest.
"GAH!" the rider screamed in pain. Ichigo withdrew Rebellion from Ghost Rider's chest.
"H-help me," the Ghost Rider gasped, a different voice echoing through his form.
"Someone's possessed?" Ichigo thought.
"Regain control of your body," Ichigo ordered, charging at the Ghost Rider.
"Die, mortal!" the Ghost Rider yelled, summoning another set of chains. Ichigo spent the next ten minutes attacking, weakening him. Then, suddenly, the Ghost Rider stopped moving. The Hellfire around his skull was extinguished. The skull began to regain its human features. A few minutes later, Ichigo saw a Caucasian man, probably his age.
"Thank you," the man said. "The name's Johnny Blaze."
"Ichigo," Ichigo introduced.
"Nice meeting you," Johnny said.
"I have a few questions for you," Ichigo said.
"Sure," Johnny replied.
"How did you get this power?" Ichigo asked.
"I made a deal with a devil," Johnny answered.
"Oh?"
"His name was Mephisto," Johnny added.
"During our fight, I noticed there seems to be another personality inside you."
"Indeed," Johnny confirmed. Ichigo summoned his black gloves.
"I want you to concentrate on that other personality," Ichigo instructed.
"Sure," Johnny said, closing his eyes in concentration. Ichigo pushed his arm into Johnny's body and forced out another spirit. This being appeared male, with dark red skin. His head and arms were on fire. He wore a purple suit with a blush mantle, cape, and boots.
"Who are you?" Ichigo demanded. The being tried to attack, but Ichigo snapped his fingers, and the Chains of Hell bound his limbs.
"Who are you?" Ichigo repeated.
"I am Zarathos," the being said.
"Where is Mephisto?" Ichigo asked.
"So you're the one interfering," a voice said. Ichigo turned to see a muscular, red-skinned man in a business suit.
"I assume you are Mephisto?" Ichigo asked.
"Indeed, and you are?" Mephisto said, his gaze falling on the Jigoku no Yoroi. Both Mephisto and Zarathos's eyes widened in shock and fear.
Ichigo snapped his fingers, and the Chains of Hell wrapped around both Mephisto and Zarathos.
"Both of you are coming with me to see Sirzechs," Ichigo said. Johnny looked confused.
"Who is Sirzechs?" Johnny asked. Mephisto and Zarathos, however, recognized the name immediately.
"NO!" they both yelled in fear.
"Thanks for the help," Ichigo said as he ripped open a red Garganta, stepping inside with the captured devils.
Scene Change: Sirzechs's Office
Sirzechs was sitting at his desk, taking a break from paperwork, while Grayfia stood nearby, ensuring he would return to work afterward. A red Garganta opened, and Ichigo stepped through, dragging Zarathos and Mephisto behind him. Sirzechs and Grayfia immediately recognized the prisoners.
Sirzechs smiled like a child receiving their favorite toy for Christmas.
"Ichigo, you shouldn't have," Sirzechs said, standing up from his desk.
"Found them in America. They both stole a fragment of the Emperor of Hell's powers," Ichigo replied.
"I see…" Sirzechs said, looking at them. "This is a treasonable offense due to the current contract we have with the Emperor of Hell." Zarathos and Mephisto looked nervous.
"I'll make sure my investigation goes smoothly, and these criminals receive the punishment they deserve," Sirzechs added.
"Very well," Ichigo said, turning to leave through a red Garganta.
Grayfia turned to Sirzechs. "Why did we have this discussion in English?" she asked.
"He was in America for the last week. He might have forgotten to speak Japanese," Sirzechs reasoned. They both turned to the bound prisoners. "Oh, we're going to have so much fun with both of you," Sirzechs said with a smile that promised pain and suffering.
Scene Change: Springfield, Illinois
Johnny Blaze could feel it. The invader in his soul was finally gone. A red Garganta appeared beside him. Ichigo calmly stepped out.
"So, they're gone?" Johnny asked.
"Yes. Both of them will be punished for their crimes," Ichigo replied.
"I see…" Ichigo let his armor disappear. "Have a good rest of your life," Ichigo said.
"Thank you. You too," Johnny said as he got back on his bike and rode off under the moonlight. Ichigo returned to his hotel room and went to bed, alone.
Time Skip: Morning
Ichigo opened his eyes, once again alone in bed.
"Man, it still feels weird sleeping alone after all this time sharing a bed," Ichigo thought.
"Well, Ichigo, if you're feeling lonely, we could join you in bed," Shirayuki teased.
"I agree," Kyōka added. Ichigo chuckled as he slowly stood up. He walked out of his room to see everyone else already awake.
"Morning," Ichigo greeted.
"Morning," everyone replied, except for Nyx and Mea. Ichigo grabbed the hotel menu and began to order breakfast for everyone. As they waited for their food, Eve turned on the TV. While flipping through channels, she stumbled upon a local news station.
"-reports of a stranger in biker gang motif with his head on fire," the reporter said. He paused, glancing at his cohost. "Is this a joke?"
"A few local stores and restaurants managed to capture footage of this stranger," the cohost continued. "Local churches are reporting that the 'Spirit of Vengeance' has returned to punish all the nonbelievers and sinners." Eve turned to Ichigo.
"Are you here to investigate that?" she asked.
"I planned to," Ichigo started, "but he decided to come here last night."
"Really?" Eve asked.
"Yep," Ichigo said, picking up the room's phone and calling room service.
"So, was he powerful?" Eve asked.
"Yes… for anyone else but me," Ichigo replied.
"That sounds arrogant," Eve said.
"Normally, yes, it does," Ichigo admitted. "But he stole powers that belong to me and tried using them against me. That being said, it didn't work."
"I see…" Soon, there was a knock on the door. Ichigo opened it to reveal their breakfast.
"Come on in and place it on the table," Ichigo said. The hotel staff pushed a large cart into the room and unloaded all the food onto the table. Ichigo handed them a tip.
"Thank you, sir. Have a good morning," the hotel employee said as they left. Tearju and Ophis joined them for breakfast.
"So, what's the plan right now?" Tearju asked.
"I'm planning to take all of you back to Japan," Ichigo admitted.
"I see…" Tearju responded.
"Tearju, now that you don't need to stay at home, what do you want to do?" Ichigo asked.
"Um… Maybe a science teacher? But I don't have the teaching credentials."
"If you want to be a teacher, let me talk with Sirzechs," Ichigo offered.
"Who?"
"Rias's older brother, the leader of the Devil's Factions, and the true Headmaster of Kuoh Academy," Ichigo explained.
"I don't want to be an inconvenience."
"It's no problem," Ichigo said as he pulled out his phone and called Sirzechs.
"Hello, Ichigo," Grayfia answered in Japanese.
"Hello, Grayfia. I assume Sirzechs is having fun with those two?" Ichigo replied in Japanese.
"Oh, he is." There was a muffled scream of pain in the background. "Anyways, what do you need?"
"I have someone in my house, Lunatique Tearju. She's looking for a job as a science teacher."
"Oh, that's convenient. One of our science teachers is planning to retire soon," Grayfia said.
"She'll be at my house later this afternoon," Ichigo said.
"Okay, I'll interview her then," Grayfia replied.
"Grayfia, they fainted again," Sirzechs yelled in the background.
"Coming, Sirzechs-sama," Grayfia responded.
"Goodbye, Ichigo-sama," Grayfia said.
"Goodbye," Ichigo replied before hanging up. He turned to Tearju. "I assume you heard it all."
"I won't let you down," Tearju said. They finished breakfast, and Ichigo checked out of the hotel. They entered their car and drove out of the hotel. Ichigo found an empty alleyway and drove into it.
Scene Change: Ichigo's Estate
(Back to Japanese)
It was around midnight when a Garganta appeared. Ichigo's car rolled out of the Garganta. Ichigo stopped the car in front of the estate. Sakuya appeared beside the car and opened the door.
"Thank you, Sakuya," Tearju thanked.
"Thank you, Sakuya-san," Eve said. Ophis nodded to Sakuya. She turned to Ichigo.
"Who will you be grabbing next?" she asked.
"Maybe Scáthach and Nel," Ichigo said.
"About time," someone said. Ichigo looked up to see a figure leaping off the roof of the estate. The figure landed, revealing it was Scáthach.
"I guess you're ready?" Ichigo asked. Scáthach nodded and walked over to the passenger side of the car. She opened the door and got in, closing it behind her.
"I'm ready," she replied. Ichigo opened the Garganta and drove through.
Scene Change: Hueco Mundo
Ichigo drove out of the Garganta. He quickly activated the camouflage feature. Scáthach could see the eternal night sky.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Hueco Mundo, the Land of the Hollows," Ichigo replied as he drove lightly above the sand.
"Is it always dark here?"
"Yes," Ichigo said.
"Reminds me of the Land of Shadows," Scáthach mused as they drove on the sand.
"Do you see the white castle in the distance?"
"I do."
"That's Las Noches, the current home of the King of Hueco Mundo and his Espada."
"Nel and Tier said that you were the King of Hueco Mundo."
"I am."
"Why didn't you teleport us straight there?" Scáthach asked.
"For one, I wanted to show you Hueco Mundo and Las Noches from an outside perspective," Ichigo explained. Scáthach nodded. "Another thing is that I want to see how my Espada normally operates without me around,"
"I see… allowing your people the freedom to self-govern themselves despite being under your reign," Scáthach observed.
"Exactly," Ichigo said. As they got closer to Las Noches, Scáthach noticed plants growing around. Ichigo parked the car in front of Las Noches and noticed two hollows standing guard. Both guards were sitting down, watching a small monitor. Ichigo observed them for a moment, but to his dismay, they didn't look up from the monitor. Ichigo moved his car to the side and turned off the camouflage. The guards still didn't look up. Ichigo pulled out his phone and took a photo of them. He turned to Scáthach.
"Want to do some espionage?" Ichigo asked.
"Sure," Scáthach replied. They both drew the runes to hide themselves, their energies, their scent, and their footprints. They sneaked out of the car and into Las Noches. Ichigo gave Scáthach a tour of the place. Every time they found a security guard not doing their job, Ichigo would take a photo of them. After twenty minutes of espionage and touring Las Noches, they arrived at the stadium, a new addition to Las Noches, designed to facilitate duels, fights, and challenges. They could hear cheering from the spectators.
"Must be a big fight if most of the residents of Las Noches are here," Ichigo mentally said to Scáthach, purposely blocking the connection to Tier and Nel.
"Indeed," Scáthach replied. They managed to enter the arena. Ichigo soon spotted Tier sitting in a private booth. There were three thrones: one large, and two slightly smaller ones. Tier sat in one of the smaller ones. Ichigo and Scáthach looked down to see Nel in the arena, fighting.
Her opponent was a tall, muscular man with light blue spiky hair and matching light blue eyes. His remaining Hollow mask consisted of the right jawbone. He wore a partially zipped black shirt, and a ragged white jacket with an upturned collar and rolled sleeves, exposing his muscular chest, a Hollow hole at his abdomen, and a large scar on his torso. He wore black pants, black boots, and two belts wrapped around his waist, with a Zanpakutō sheathed on his left side.
"Grimmjow," Ichigo muttered, accidentally breaking the runes.
"Ichigo," Tier said as she noticed Ichigo's sudden appearance.
"Why is Grimmjow fighting Nel?" Ichigo asked.
"He demanded to fight you. So, we decided to fight him. If he defeats us, then we would've called you," Tier explained.
"Grind, PANTERA!" Grimmjow yelled. He was enveloped in the wind. The wind died down, revealing him in his resurrección state.
"DIE!" he shouted as he charged at Nel.
"You remind me so much of Nnoitra," Nel calmly replied, blocking all of Grimmjow's attacks.
"I'm nothing like that dead fucker!" Grimmjow yelled as he continued his assault.
"You use your anger and rage to attack others with a reckless assault," Nel calmly answered. Grimmjow's fury only grew as he attacked relentlessly.
"FIGHT BACK, DAMN IT!" Grimmjow yelled.
Ichigo and Tier could tell that Nel could easily defeat Grimmjow, but she chose not to. Ichigo silently moved closer to the edge of the private booth.
"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck!" Ichigo yelled. His voice echoed throughout the arena. Everyone looked up at him.
"ICHIGO!" Grimmjow roared, turning toward him.
"Yes, Master?" Nel replied.
"Give him a taste of your true power. Show him how far below he is compared to me," Ichigo ordered.
"As you wish, Master," Nel replied. She turned back to Grimmjow. "Declare, Gamuza," she said as she entered her resurrección form. She raised her double-sided lance. "Lanzador Verde," she said as she launched the lance. It glowed pink as it soared toward Grimmjow.
"Desgarrón!" Grimmjow yelled, slashing his hands forward. Ten long, blue, sharp blades shot toward the green lance. The two attacks collided, but Nel's lance easily broke through Grimmjow's attack and struck him.
"AAAHHH!" Grimmjow screamed as Nel's spear pushed him back. "GAH!" The lance pierced his body. Nel flicked her hand, summoning the lance back to her. She trotted over to the fallen Grimmjow, and her spear tore a hole into his chest. Blood began to leak out of the wound. Nel pointed her spear at him. Grimmjow glared at her, his eyes filled with rage and vengeance.
"You think this is over?" Grimmjow growled. He slowly stood up, blue reiatsu surrounding him. He remembered his goal. His purpose in life. "I am Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. I swore to destroy everything in my way to BE KING!" he roared, and a large pillar of blue reiatsu shot upward, knocking Nel a few feet away. A small marble-like object appeared in his Hollow hole. Ichigo, Tier, and Nel recognized it immediately.
"Impossible. How and why is that there?" they mentally shouted.
"Oh no. NO! NO! NO!" Hōgyoku screamed in dismay.
"What is that, Hōgyoku?" Ichigo demanded.
"Kill him before he completes his transformation!" Hōgyoku cried.
Nel heard Hōgyoku's frantic screams through the peerage connection.
"Lanzador Verde!" Nel yelled, throwing her lance at Grimmjow. The lance soared toward him, and when it hit his reiatsu, a massive explosion erupted. The dust settled to reveal a figure standing in the midst of it.
Grimmjow no longer wore his Hollow mask. His blue hair had lengthened and turned vibrantly white, blending into a patterned blue and black gradient near the end. At the crest of his head, the white turned to black, and his eyebrows were aflame, burning black with a vivid blue outline. His chest was covered in black tribal tattoos that circled around his body to his back. His scar was cracked open and filled with blue reiatsu. From his torso to his calves, Grimmjow was covered in white fur striped with black and speckled with black. The fur blended into black near his feet, which had transformed into feline paws with vicious claws. A sickle-like appendage extended from both ankles. His former single tail had split into two, both ablaze with flame, matching the flames on his forehead. The Hōgyoku now floated in his Hollow hole, glowing blue.
"Resurrección… Segunda Etapa," Grimmjow growled. He charged at Nel, launching a barrage of kicks and punches. Nel gritted her teeth, defending herself against his relentless attacks.
"Hōgyoku, what is going on?" Ichigo asked.
"I agree. What just happened?" Tier questioned.
"It's a side effect of Aizen using me to create his Arrancars," Hōgyoku explained.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"Even in my dormant state, I wanted to be freed. Every time Aizen used me, I tried to escape. But each time, I failed. Those failures caused a small fragment of myself to be contained in all of Aizen's Arrancars."
"What!?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"I didn't realize it until this moment when I saw that in Grimmjow's Hollow Hole."
"Does this mean that Nel and I have this Hōgyoku Fragment in us as well?" Tier asked.
"Indeed. But I'm not sure how you can tap into that."
"But Ulquiorra's Resurrección Segunda Etapa didn't have a fragment of you on his body."
"It's possible that the Hōgyoku Fragment in Ulquiorra's body sensed his desire to hide his power. It decided to give him a weaker version of his true Resurrección Segunda Etapa."
"I don't like doing this, but should we interfere?" Scáthach asked.
"No," Ichigo said. "Tier and Nel are in charge of Hueco Mundo in my absence. If I interfere now, it may imply that I don't trust Nel to win or that I admit Grimmjow is a viable threat to me."
"I agree," Tier said. "It crushes the honor aspect of these duels and sows distrust among the Espada." Nel was mildly injured by Grimmjow's fast and powerful attacks. Nel tried to sonído away, creating distance between her and Grimmjow. But Grimmjow quickly sonídoed toward her.
"I, Kurosaki Ichigo, your King, command you to defeat Grimmjow with everything you have!" Ichigo yelled. His voice echoed through the stadium.
"Just give up!" Grimmjow yelled. His claws glowed blue as he swung them at Nel. "You're not going to win! You'll die useless, just like the rest of your Fracción!" Nel blocked the attack with her lance.
"What did you just say?" Nel whispered.
"Did you become deaf? You're as useless as your Fracción!"
"SHUT UP!" Nel yelled, pink reiatsu beginning to surround her. "Unlike you, Grimmjow, I care about my Fracción," Nel remembered all the times her Fracción had taken care of her when she was stuck in her child state. "I regret the burden I placed on them for all this time. Even to their dying breath, they protected me from the Quincys." More pink reiatsu flowed around her. Nel glared at Grimmjow. "Their sacrifice is what allowed me to be with the man I love." Ichigo could feel Nel beginning to pull reiatsu from him, causing a pillar of pink reiatsu to shoot up. "I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SPIT ON THEIR SACRIFICE!" Nel yelled as she was enveloped in her pink reiatsu.
"NO, YOU DON'T!" Grimmjow roared as he charged at Nel. Soon, there was a large explosion of pink reiatsu, sending Grimmjow flying. The dust settled, and Nel was still standing.
All traces of Nel's Hollow mask vanished, replaced by four curling black-and-white horns that jutted upward from her head. She retained her equine lower body, though the fur was now darker in areas and extended to cover her upper body, arms, and hands. Glowing pink markings stretched from her torso to her chest and shoulders. Fur, identical in color to her hair, formed on her back and tail, the end of which blazed with pink reiatsu. Nel's eyes darkened, her pupils turning slit-shaped. Her weapon changed from a dual-ended jousting lance to a stylized spear, blazing in pink reiatsu.
"Resurrección… Segunda Etapa," Nel said as she glared at Grimmjow. Grimmjow charged at Nel.
"Even with the power boost, don't think you can defeat me!" Grimmjow yelled as he charged toward Nel with his elongated blue claws. He began to slash at her. Nel blocked his attack with her lance. Nel kicked Grimmjow in the chest with her front legs, pushing him away.
"Lanza de Tormenta [Lance of Storm," Nel said as she stabbed her lance toward Grimmjow. The lance began to spin, sending a tornado of pink reiatsu toward Grimmjow. Lanza de Tormenta slammed Grimmjow into the arena walls.
"Gah!" Grimmjow coughed from the impact. Some of his blood landed on his hand. Grimmjow clenched his fist, getting his blood all over his hand. He pointed his blood-covered hand at Nel. Navy blue reiatsu began to form.
"GRAN RAY CERO!" He yelled as he fired his attack. It soared toward Nel. She raised her bare left hand and caught Grimmjow's Gran Ray Cero. Nel opened her mouth wide and began to swallow Grimmjow's Gran Ray Cero.
"Shit," Grimmjow muttered as he realized what Nel had done. Nel finished swallowing Grimmjow's Gran Ray Cero.
"Gran Ray Cero Doble!" Nel screamed as she shot her own Gran Ray Cero. It was pink, like her reiatsu, much bigger and more powerful than Grimmjow's Gran Ray Cero.
"Grrah!" Grimmjow roared. His twin tails lit up with blue flames. "Pantera Destrucción!" Grimmjow did a front flip into the air, releasing a barrage of Desgarróns toward the Cero Doble. The two attacks crashed into each other, causing a massive explosion of pink and blue reiatsu. The entire stadium was covered in dust from the explosion. Suddenly, something shot through the dust, parting it, and stabbed into Grimmjow's chest.
"GAH!" He screamed. He looked to see Nel standing before him, her spear firmly piercing through his chest. His resurrección finally failed, turning him back to his normal state.
"Admit defeat," Nel ordered. The pink reiatsu that covered the lance began to spin, inflicting even more pain on Grimmjow.
"N-never," Grimmjow said, coughing up more blood.
"Enough," Ichigo said. All the hollows turned to him. He jumped from his platform and landed beside the two fighters. "Nel, please pull your lance out of Grimmjow's body."
"As you wish, Master," she replied as she yanked her lance out. Ichigo looked at Grimmjow. Despite his heavily injured state, Grimmjow still glared at Ichigo.
"Despite being this injured and in this sorry state, you still have that ferocious determination in your eyes," Ichigo said. Ichigo grabbed Grimmjow's collar with one hand and lifted him to his face. "Grimmjow. Congratulations on being the second Espada to achieve Segunda Etapa." Ichigo whispered.
"W-what?"
"Ulquiorra was the first one to achieve Segunda Etapa…even if it wasn't the true version," Ichigo said. "Anyways… in return for pushing me to grow stronger, I'm returning the favor."
"What are you talking about?"
"Grow stronger, Grimmjow. Master your Segunda Etapa and come back to challenge us again," Ichigo said as he turned to the side and slightly lowered Grimmjow. Grimmjow's eyes widened as he realized what Ichigo was about to do.
"You!" Grimmjow yelled as Ichigo threw him. He was sent flying out of Las Noches. "BAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAARRDDDDDDDDD!" His yell echoed through all of Hueco Mundo.
"Was that a good idea?" Nel asked. Suddenly, she was forced back into her normal state and fell unconscious. Ichigo quickly caught her in a princess carry. Ichigo shunpō'ed to his private quarters. Tier and Scáthach quickly followed behind him. Ichigo placed the unconscious Nel on the bed. Ichigo noticed Jack had suddenly appeared. Jack laid down with Nel, hugging her arm.
"How is she?" Scáthach asked.
"She exhausted all of her reiatsu," Ichigo said. "I'm currently sending her my reiatsu to help her recover faster."
"How long should that take?" Scáthach asked.
"I don't know," Ichigo admitted.
"You're on a schedule?" Tier asked.
"Kind of," Ichigo replied. "I'm currently touring across the United States with a few members of my peerage."
"And Ichigo is taking me and Nel right now," Scáthach said.
"I see…" Tier said.
"Don't worry, I remembered a few things you said during your introduction," Ichigo said. Tier looked at him.
"You did?" she asked.
"I know where you came from," Ichigo said. He ignored Tier's blushing as he looked at Nel. "Are you going to wake up now, Nel?" Ichigo asked.
"Didn't you just say that she was unconscious?" Scáthach asked.
"I know. But I also know that her body just stopped draining me of my reiatsu," Ichigo said. Nel woke up.
"Don't you know a woman needs her beauty sleep?" she said with a pout on her face.
"First off, you're a Hollow, and sleep isn't something you need," Ichigo said. He leaned in closer to Nel; his mouth was beside her ear. "Second, you're already beautiful," Ichigo whispered to her. Nel's face lit up bright red. Ichigo quickly moved away from the blushing Arrancar.
"Now that Nel's awake… should we get ready to go?" Scáthach asked.
"Huh? Go where?" Nel asked.
"I'm currently touring parts of America and taking a few members to different locations," Ichigo explained.
"Oh," Nel replied. She casually got out of bed. Jack was still hugging her entire right arm like a body pillow. "Let's go!" Nel shouted.
"Before we do that, I've got something to show you." Ichigo pulled out his phone. "Before I showed up at the stadium, I did a surprise investigation of Las Noches."
"Oh no," Nel and Tier thought.
"Oh yes," Ichigo replied. "I want you to fix this situation."
"Very well," Tier said.
"In their defense, they were watching the match," Nel said. Tier nodded.
"It was the first match where someone challenged you for your Kingship," Tier added.
"Very well. I leave reprimanding them to you," Ichigo said.
"Very well," Tier said.
"With that done, let's go!" Nel shouted.
"Jack wants to come too!" Jack shouted.
"Sure," Ichigo said.
"Yay! Thank you, Master," Jack cheered in joy. They all began to walk back to the front of Las Noches. As they were walking, they passed a few guards who had been slacking off earlier. Now they were standing at attention, doing their jobs. They all greeted Ichigo as "Your Highness." Ichigo nodded to each guard as they walked past. Soon, they arrived back at the front of Las Noches.
"Hello, Your Highness," the front guards said.
"Hello, guards. Seen anything strange while on your post?" Ichigo casually asked.
"No, Your Highness," they replied.
"I see…" Ichigo said as he deactivated the camouflage feature on his car. Ichigo, Scáthach, Nel, and Jack walked to his car.
"Bye, Tier," Nel said.
"Bye, Miss Tier," Jack said.
"Goodbye, you two," Tier said. Ichigo opened a Garganta and drove in. Tier looked at the current guards.
"Inform everyone that was on this rotation, in all positions, to meet me in the throne room. King Ichigo saw all of you slacking off and took pictures of it," Tier said as she walked away. The front guards gulped in fear as they relayed the order to the rest of the guards. Soon, all of them dreaded the impending meeting.
Scene Change: America: Springfield, Illinois
The Garganta opened up on an empty highway as Ichigo drove out. Jack looked out the window.
"Wow. Jack sees so many things," Jack said in amazement.
"So, where are we heading?" Nel asked.
"Saint Paul, Minnesota," Ichigo said as he raced down the highway.
"Why?" Scáthach asked.
"There are rumors that another pantheon resides in America," Ichigo said.
"Which one?" Nel asked.
"The Norse," Ichigo said. Nel gasped in shock, while Scáthach groaned. They looked at each other.
"You don't like them?" Nel asked.
"I hate them very much," Scáthach said.
"Why?" Nel asked.
"It's due to Skaði," Scáthach replied.
"Why her?"
"Because the Norse Vikings invaded Ireland and renamed a lot of things, causing my land and hers to overlap. This forced us into a connection despite being separate deities," Scáthach explained.
"Hm… This doesn't explain why you hate them," Nel said.
"I met Skaði once on the Throne of Heroes. She looked exactly like me but acted more royal and loved ice cream."
"I see…" Nel said.
"Why do you look excited?" Ichigo asked.
"You may not realize it, Ichigo, but I'm of Germania descent."
"Germania, you mean German?" Ichigo asked.
"No. Germania was the term the Romans used for those who lived around the northern regions of Europe."
"Oh. I didn't know that," Ichigo said.
"When I was alive, I worshiped the Norse Pantheon," Nel said.
"When were you alive?" Scáthach asked.
"I'm not sure," Nel said.
"Hm… According to research, the term Germania dates back about 2,000 years," Ichigo said.
"What?" Scáthach and Nel shouted.
"I'm that old?" Nel mumbled.
"It's not that bad," Scáthach said. "Ophis, Eu, and most of the servants are about that age, if not longer."
"No, but Tier is much younger than me."
"Nel," Ichigo said. "Age is just a number. If you feel like you're 2,000 years old, then you're 2,000 years old. If you feel like you're 20, then you're 20."
"Thank you, Ichigo!" Nel shouted as she lunged at Ichigo and hugged him.
"Nel, he's driving," Scáthach scolded. Nel quickly let go.
"Sorry," Nel said. Jack began to laugh at Nel's expense. Ichigo and Scáthach joined in. Nel pouted. "Hey, stop it," she said. Soon, they stopped laughing.
"So, you're excited because it's like meeting your idols," Ichigo said.
"Yep," Nel replied.
"Hm… Why do you think the Norse Pantheon has a base here?" Scáthach asked.
"From my research, there are a lot of Norwegian descendants in Minnesota," Ichigo said as he handed them his laptop with the current statistics of Minnesota's population. Nel and Scáthach nodded in agreement with Ichigo's conclusion.
"How much longer until we get there?" Scáthach asked.
"Maybe an hour or two," Ichigo said. Scáthach and Nel spent the time sharing stories with each other. Jack spent her time either looking outside or listening to their stories. A few stops later, they arrived in Saint Paul, Minnesota. As they drove around the city, Ichigo tried to detect any unusual energy.
"Found it," Ichigo said. He stopped the car in front of a fifteen-foot-tall limestone wall.
"Why did you stop here?" Scáthach asked.
"The source of the energy is behind this wall," Ichigo said as he stepped out of the car. Scáthach, Nel, and Jack quickly followed behind him. Ichigo tapped the wall, then stabbed his hands into it and ripped the limestone apart, creating an opening for them. They all entered the hole. Ichigo turned around and closed it behind them. They could see large birch trees with pure white bark and golden leaves. As they walked past the trees, they saw an eight-story mansion made of white-and-gray stone. The double front doors were made of dark, heavy wood bound with iron. Mounted in the middle of each door was a life-size wolf head-shaped doorknocker. The doors were pulled open as women dressed in armor rushed out. They all wore white breastplates with golden and pale blue accents, along with matching fingerless gauntlets, boots, hip guards, and wing-shaped hair clips. One of the women stepped forward and looked at them.
She was a tall, burly eighteen-year-old with pale blue eyes and snow-blonde hair braided down her shoulders. Her armor was similar to the others, but she also wore a bandolier of ball-peen hammers over her armor and a golden hammer pendant around her neck.
"Invader. This is your first and only warning," she said. "Leave now or face our wrath."
"I assume you are the Valkyries?" Ichigo asked.
"We are," she replied.
"While I wouldn't mind a fight… I was wondering if Odin is available to talk," Ichigo said.
"It's Lord Odin to you," one of the other Valkyries said. The leader glared at the Valkyrie who spoke, and she quickly looked away. The leader turned back to Ichigo.
"Lord Odin will not speak to an invader," she said.
"I insist. Tell him my name," Ichigo said.
"Very well," she said. "What is your name, invader?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Ichigo said.
"In respect, I shall introduce myself," she said. "I am Gunilla, daughter of Thor, captain of the Valkyries." She looked at one of the other Valkyries, who nodded slightly before running back to the hotel. "While we wait, would you mind answering a few questions of mine?"
"I can choose not to reply," Gunilla said. Ichigo shrugged.
"I wasn't aware that the Norse Pantheon had a base in America."
"Lord Odin realized that his descendants would not remain in the homeland, so he decided to build a base here, where most of them chose to live," Gunilla answered.
"That makes sense," Ichigo commented.
"Thank you." She could hear the Valkyrie return.
"Lord Odin ordered us to welcome them," the Valkyrie said, still shocked at what she had to announce. She wasn't alone; all the other Valkyries looked equally stunned. Gunilla quickly regained her composure.
"Follow me," she said as she walked inside the hotel. Ichigo, Scáthach, Nel, and Jack followed behind her, with the other Valkyries trailing.
They entered the lobby, where the hardwood floors were covered with exotic animal skins. Columns made from rough-hewn tree trunks supported spears for rafters. They stood in front of a hearth the size of a bedroom.
"For many of the residents of Hotel Valhalla, there are certain floors they can't access without special permission. But this elevator doesn't have that restriction," Gunilla explained as she placed her hand on the side of the hearth.
The fire parted, revealing an elevator. The doors opened, and Gunilla, Ichigo, Scáthach, Nel, and Jack entered. The doors closed behind them. Ichigo noticed a small screen on the top right of the elevator. The number "1" was lit up in red. The elevator began to move, and the number quickly started to increase. Soon, they were past floor 50.
Ichigo turned to the remaining Valkyries.
"How many floors are there?" Ichigo asked.
"540 floors with 540 rooms," she answered.
"Why so many rooms and floors?" Scáthach asked.
"Hotel Valhalla is designed to be a paradise for the fallen warriors in the service of Lord Odin. They live here and train for Ragnarök," Gunilla explained.
"I apologize for my ignorance, but what is Ragnarök?" Ichigo asked.
"I assume you are not aware of Norse mythology?" she asked.
"I am," Nel said.
"Okay then. Go explain to him what Ragnarök is," Gunilla said.
"Ragnarök is a series of predicted events foretold to bring the death of the major Norse gods, the burning of the Nine Worlds, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water," Nel explained.
"The Nine Worlds? I thought there was only one world?" Jack chimed in.
"No. Norse mythology has nine worlds: Asgard, the home of the Aesir; Vanaheim, the home of the Vanir; Alfheim, the home of the light elves; Midgard, the home of the humans; Jotunheim, the home of the giants; Nidavellir, the home of the dwarves; Niflheim, the world of cold; Muspellheim, the home of the fire giants and demons; and Helheim, the home of the dishonorable dead," Gunilla said.
They soon heard a ping. Ichigo looked up to see the number 540.
"We're here," Gunilla said as the elevator doors opened. They all stepped out. The hallway was decorated with various statues and artifacts, no doubt from Norse mythology. They arrived in front of a large door, flanked by two wolf statues standing guard. Near the frame of the door were two crows watching them. Gunilla stepped forward.
"Lord Odin is expecting you," one of the crows said. The wolves moved aside, allowing them to pass.
"Thank you, Huginn," Gunilla said. They walked to the door and pushed it open.
"Amazing performance, as always," someone said.
"I am always in your service, Lord Odin," another person replied. They looked to see Odin lying half-naked on a massage table, a towel wrapped around his waist. The other person was a woman, tall with bright blue eyes and brown-blonde hair braided down her back.
"Ortlinde," Gunilla growled.
"Oh, Gunilla, how are you?" Ortlinde replied with a small smile before walking away. Gunilla took a deep breath, regaining her composure, then turned to Odin.
"I apologize, Lord Odin, for my lack of bearing," she said.
"It's no problem," Odin replied, snapping his fingers. He was now dressed in a set of robes and sitting in a chair. "You're good now, Gunilla," Odin said.
"Very well, Lord Odin," she replied, about-facing and walking out of the room. Odin turned to Ichigo, Scáthach, Nel, and Jack. His eye widened when he noticed Scáthach.
"Skaði?" he asked.
"I am Scáthach, not that ice cream princess," Scáthach growled.
"Ah… of course. Sorry about that. It's just—"
"Because we look similar," Scáthach finished.
"Exactly," Odin said. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Ichigo shrugged. "I heard from the Greek gods that you made a headquarters here. I was curious and wanted to check it out."
"I see…" Odin said.
"How is Loki right now?" Ichigo asked. Odin let out a long sigh.
"He's doing well. He no longer desires Ragnarök," Odin said.
"Isn't that good?" Ichigo asked.
"It is," Odin admitted. "But the issue is that he's no longer capable of leading."
"I see…" Ichigo said, remembering Odin's desire. "What about Thor?"
"Don't even get me started on that reckless idiot," Odin complained.
"I assume he's a frontline warrior who charges into battle recklessly?" Ichigo guessed.
"Exactly," Odin said.
"Do you have any other candidates?" Ichigo asked.
"I don't have many to choose from, but Hela might be a possibility."
"Hela?" Nel asked, looking at Odin.
"Sorry for interrupting," she added.
"It's fine, Nel," Ichigo said.
"Child, what is your full name?"
"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck," she answered.
"Ah," Odin said. "To think a child from the Age of Gods still remains." Ichigo stared at him.
"Sorry. Odelschwanck is a very old Germanic name, one I haven't heard of since the Age of Gods."
"Please stop reminding me of my age," Nel said.
"Sorry, child," Odin apologized. "Sorry… what were we talking about?"
"Hela, your other child," Ichigo reminded.
"Oh, right. She's my eldest child."
"But none of the legends mention her," Nel said.
"I was forced to erase her from history and legends," Odin admitted. "She was from an era when we were in constant war with the other Nine Worlds. I had to banish her from Asgard to Helheim. I covered up her existence from all history and legends."
"She reminds me of Yachiru Unohana," Ichigo thought.
"Have you tried to force her to control herself?" Ichigo asked.
"I've tried," Odin admitted. "But doing so would force her to defy her written legend."
"Defy her legend?" Ichigo questioned.
"All divine beings are governed by their legend, even if it is forgotten. For example, Zeus is seen as a playboy and a jerk. He can't help himself because that's how his followers and legend depict him."
"What if he defies his legend?"
"Then he begins to weaken," Odin said.
"What if someone else forces him to defy his legend?" Ichigo asked.
"What did you do?"
"I forced him to swear an oath to be loyal to Hera."
"Did he willingly accept it?" Odin asked.
"No. I had to beat him in combat to force him to accept the oath."
"Then it should be fine since he didn't personally defy his oath but was forced to by a third party," Odin said. His single eye widened with realization. "Do you think you can help Hela?"
"I can try," Ichigo replied. Odin began to tell the true history of Asgard, the one not written in history—the story of when the Nine Worlds were at war with each other. Eventually, Odin and Hela forced peace upon the Nine Worlds. Despite the peace, Hela desired world domination. She eventually tried to kill Odin to take the throne. Odin defended against her rebellion and was forced to seal her in Helheim, where she took over the world and ruled.
"I see…" Ichigo said after hearing what happened between Odin and Hela.
"How come you haven't reconciled with her?" Nel asked.
"I've tried. She comes at me with absolute rage," Odin admitted.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she wants your head," Ichigo commented. Odin sighed.
"If she swears the oath I've written and allows me to teach her what I've learned during my reign, I am willing to allow her to be my executioner," Odin said. "If you do this for me, I will reward each of you when you return."
"What do you think?" Ichigo asked Scáthach and Nel.
"You should help them," Nel replied.
"I agree. From what I've heard, you indirectly caused the problem," Scáthach said.
"Do you want to come with me?" Ichigo asked.
"Sure," Scáthach replied.
"I will stand with you if you allow me to," Nel said. "But will Jack be fine with us?"
"Don't worry, Mama. Jack will be fine," Jack said. Jack's sudden appearance in their mental conversation startled them.
"Jack. How did you join the conversation?" Nel asked.
"When Mama mentioned Jack, Jack could feel something that connects Jack with Mama," Jack replied.
"I think a bond formed between Nel and Jack, similar to a familiar bond," Ichigo theorized.
"So, what is your answer?" Odin asked. Ichigo looked at him.
"We accept."
"Great," Odin said. He pulled out a sheet of parchment and began to write the contract. Once he finished, he handed it to Ichigo.
"I can't read Norse," Ichigo said.
"I see…" Odin said. "Can any of you read Norse?" he asked. They all shook their heads. "I see…" Odin repeated. He drew a few Norse runes around them, and they began to glow. Ichigo, Scáthach, Nel, and Jack could feel the magic from the runes enter their minds.
"That should allow you to read Norse," Odin said. Ichigo looked at the parchment.
"Wow. You're being literal about this," Ichigo said.
"Indeed," Odin replied as he stood up. He began to transform. Odin now looked like a barrel-chested man with massive arms, close-cropped gray hair, and a square-cut beard. He wore a black patch over his eye and a short-sleeve polo shirt with the words "Hotel Valhalla" printed on it.
"Let's go," Odin said, walking toward the door. They all followed him into the elevator. "Floor 1," Odin said. The elevator quickly descended, the numbers on the screen decreasing rapidly. Eventually, it stopped. Odin stepped out first, and everyone followed.
They arrived to see a man standing there. He had dark skin and orange-yellow eyes. He was dressed in golden armor, and a golden helmet, and had a golden sword sheathed in a golden sheath.
"All-Father," the man greeted.
"Hello, Heimdall," Odin replied. Heimdall turned to Ichigo.
"Thank you for assisting the All-Father with his plan."
"No problem… I guess?" Ichigo replied.
"He is Heimdall. He can see and hear everything across the Nine Realms," Odin explained.
"All Nine Realms?" Ichigo asked.
"The limits of my sight are other countries not influenced by Norse mythology or dimensions created by magic," Heimdall admitted.
"Makes more sense," Ichigo said.
"Follow me," Heimdall instructed. They followed him into a dome.
"This is the Bifrost Bridge," Heimdall said. "It allows me to send others across all Nine Realms." He walked to the center of the room and drew his sword. He stabbed it into the ground, and magical energy began to spark around them. The dome began to spin. They noticed the entrance they'd used closed behind them, and the top of the dome started moving. An opening began to form on the side.
"Enter that portal, and it will send you to Helheim," Heimdall said.
"How will we get back?" Nel asked.
"Call me," Heimdall answered.
"Ready?" Ichigo asked.
"Ready," everyone replied. With that, they stepped into the opening. They were shot into space in a green beam. Soon, they were gone. Heimdall pulled his sword out, deactivating the Bifrost.
Disclaimers:
The Valkyries' armor, pervert Odin, and Ortlinde are from Highschool DXD, which is owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fuhumishobo, Funimation, ATX, and TNK.
Hotel Valhalla, Gunilla, and Muscular Odin are from the Magus Chase book series, which is owned by Rick Riordan and Disney Hyperion.
Ghost Rider, Hela, Heimdall, Bifrost Bridge, and the 'true' history of Hela are owned by Marvel Comics.
Now with that out of the way, allow me to explain a few things:
With the inclusion of the Marvel Universe in this story, will I plan to do anything with the Avengers? For right now, I do not plan to do anything with the Avengers. But I do have an idea of how this would work if I decided to do it. I also have a few ideas to make it happen and a few twists and turns. The Avengers happened in 2012. The story is still in 2007. I could just shift the year.
Why did I move Hotel Valhalla from Boston, Massachusetts to Saint Paul, Minnesota? If I have the Greek Gods in New York, I don't think it would be logical to have Norse be a few hours away from them, despite the possible Norse connections with the founding of Boston. I chose Minnesota because according to the US Census states, Minnesota is the state with the most Norwegian descendants in the US. This also doesn't mean that I will be doing a crossover with the Magnus Chase series because I have not read them.
Nel's origin, I spent many hours looking up any information about Tite Kubo's inspiration for Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. I found nothing. During my search, I stumbled upon one website which said that Odelschwanck has German origins. German or Germania followed Norse mythology during the Roman Empire, so I decided to make Nelliel from Germania.
I hope everyone is fine with how I incorporated the Can't Fear Your Own World designs that Tite Kubo did. Anyways, should I give Ichigo his own Resurrección: Segunda Etapa? If so what should it look like? Keep in mind Ichigo's Resurrección looks like his 'Vasto Lorde' form with five sets of black wings and duel wielding his 'fake' Tensa Zangetsu.