Hello, everyone. ThunderReborn from 2025. This chapter was edited once again by my current beta reader, Waroyer123. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.
The following is a fan-based parody.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot.
Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and Young Justice are owned by Warner Bros, DC Comics, and DC Entertainment.
All other ideas belong to their original sources. Please support the official release.
"Hello." – Normal talking.
"Hello." – Normal thoughts.
"Hello." – Spirit speaking.
"Hello." – Spirit thoughts.
Chapter 88:
Scene Change: Throne Room
Highfather sat upon his throne, the Mother Box displaying Orion's image before him.
"How is it over there?" Highfather inquired.
"The Royal Guards and I are purging all the Parademons and Hunting Dogs," Orion reported. "I estimate it will take a few days to finish the purge."
"Good," Highfather replied. "Keep up the good work."
"Yes, Highfather," Orion acknowledged as the communication ended. A silver boom tube materialized in the throne room, catching Highfather's attention. He watched as Ichigo, Mobius, and In'yō emerged, the tube closing behind them.
"Welcome back," Highfather greeted, rising from his throne. "I hope Hyalt was able to forge your weapon."
"He has agreed to my request, but it will require three days," Ichigo responded. Highfather nodded in understanding.
"In that case, allow me to host you for the time being," Highfather offered.
"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline," Ichigo replied. "I am planning to return to Earth in the meantime."
"I see," Highfather acknowledged. Ichigo clenched his fist and pointed the ring in front of him.
"Send me to the Watchtower," Ichigo mentally commanded. A black and white beam shot out from the ring, opening a boom tube. Ichigo walked into it.
Scene Change: Watchtower
Ichigo emerged from the boom tube into a scene of Justice League members arguing. Zatanna and others were in a heated discussion with Doctor Fate, Superman, and the rest of the League.
"Avenger," Doctor Fate greeted with annoyance.
"Is there a problem?" Ichigo asked.
"It's you," Batman interjected.
"They're trying to argue that the Justice League needs to stop you from killing any more people," Zatanna explained. Ichigo surveyed the divided Justice League members, noting those who sided with him, including Zatanna, Jonah Hex, Crimson Avenger, Fire, Ice, Vigilante, and two unfamiliar heroines.
"Can't you see? He must be an agent of Chaos. He's breaking the team apart," Doctor Fate accused.
"If I were an agent of Chaos, why would I kill one who was living on Earth?" Ichigo countered.
"What are you talking about?" Zatanna asked. Ichigo snapped his fingers, summoning a red garganta beside him. Everyone stepped back cautiously as Vandal Savage was pulled through, appearing disheveled and adorned with rusted silver chains.
"Vandal Savage!?" Batman exclaimed. Vandal Savage glared at the gathered heroes, while Ichigo immobilized him with a snap of his fingers.
"Indeed," Ichigo confirmed.
"What did you do to him?" Doctor Fate demanded, golden energy swirling around him as he prepared for confrontation. Others around him moved further back.
"It makes sense Nabu would be concerned about him," Ichigo remarked.
"Nabu should only be concerned about maintaining order," Zatanna interjected firmly.
"Avenger, don't you dare," Doctor Fate warned, struggling against the Chains of Hell that bound him. Ichigo snapped his fingers, further immobilizing Doctor Fate.
"Before Nabu became who he is now, he was a metahuman living in Babylonia," Ichigo began, standing over the subdued Vandal Savage. "He was the son of a man named Marduk."
"He wasn't a man, but a demigod!" Doctor Fate interjected.
"Marduk was one of Vandal Savage's many aliases," Ichigo revealed.
"Stop it!" Doctor Fate's voice reverberated through the room as he unleashed waves of magical power, trying to break free from the Chains of Hell. John Constantine quickly erected a barrier around the Justice League members, while Zatanna rushed over and grabbed Ichigo's arm, her expression filled with concern.
"Can you free the host from the helmet?" she asked urgently.
"I'll try. Is the current host someone important to you?" Ichigo inquired.
"It's my father," Zatanna replied. Ichigo activated Schrift N: The Negate and advanced toward Doctor Fate, parting the torrent of magical energy forcefully.
"NO!" Doctor Fate's cry filled the air as Ichigo seized the helmet and removed it, revealing a middle-aged man beneath. He had green eyes, pure white hair, and a matching beard and mustache. His attire consisted of a white wing-collar shirt, a red bowtie, a yellow vest, and a black tailcoat.
"Father!" Zatanna's voice trembled with emotion as she rushed to his side. Ichigo released Doctor Fate from the Chains of Hell, allowing him to collapse into Zatanna's embrace. Meanwhile, the Helmet of Fate struggled violently in Ichigo's grasp.
"What now?" Ichigo mused aloud. Suddenly, the Helmet of Fate shook, and a hand made of golden energy emerged from its opening.
"I wish to use this to free Vandal Savage from Hell," Nabu's voice echoed, accompanied by a silver card appearing in his hand. Ichigo accepted the card, which bore the inscription 'Get Out of Hell Free' engraved in Hellfire.
"So, you want to use this Get Out of Hell Free card on Vandal Savage," Ichigo clarified.
"I do," Nabu affirmed. Ichigo confronted the immobilized Vandal Savage, creating a Garganta to Hell and kicking him into its depths.
"The card doesn't work that way," Ichigo explained, turning the card over to reveal hellfire-etched text. "It only works on those who have just died, and they must have possessed the card at the time of death." He returned the card to Nabu, who snatched it back angrily. "Your part here is finished."
"What do you mean? Klarion won't halt his plans just because Father is no longer here," Nabu argued. "Unless…" Ichigo snapped his fingers, summoning Klarion from Hell before sending him back with a casual response.
"I did," Ichigo confirmed. Walking towards a glass window, he opened a boom tube and discarded the Helmet of Fate away from the planet before returning to the Watchtower. He made his way over to Zatanna and her father, inquiring about the man's condition.
"He's fading," Zatanna murmured tearfully, her emotions running high. A hand rose to wipe her tears, and she looked up to see her father's reassuring gesture.
"Giovanni Zatara," Ichigo addressed him, capturing their attention. "I have a way to undo the damage inflicted by Nabu."
"Please help him. I will do anything," Zatanna pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
"Zatanna!" her father interjected firmly. She turned to him, her resolve evident.
"No. I lost you for most of my life. I don't want this to be my last time seeing you," she declared. Ichigo nodded and activated Schrift N: The Negate.
"Stand before Creation. Fall after The End. Chrónou Génesi," Ichigo intoned, activating Schrift C: The Chrónou Árchonta. The golden beam surrounded Zatanna's father, and the clocks on Chrónou Génesi reversed, turning back time itself. The observers watched in awe as the white hairs receded, replaced by a prominent black mustache and hair. Ichigo ended his move and sealed Chrónou Génesi.
"Daddy!" Zatanna exclaimed, rushing into her father's arms. His eyes widened with astonishment.
"I feel great," he exclaimed, turning to Ichigo with gratitude in his eyes.
"I reverted time to the moment before you wore the helmet," Ichigo explained.
"I-I can't thank you enough," her father expressed, overwhelmed with emotion. Ichigo waved his hand, erecting a privacy barrier around them, ensuring their moment remained private.
"As a token of gratitude for your defense, each of you has been given this opportunity," Ichigo announced, waving his hand to summon contracts before them. They all took the contracts and began reading. "The Justice League might pose challenges to your continued membership," Ichigo added.
"Is accompanying you the cost for freeing my father and restoring him?" Zatanna inquired, her gaze intense.
"Interpret it as you wish," Ichigo replied. "I'll be here for three more days. Use that time to decide. The contracts are bound to your soul, ensuring they follow you. Enchantments also prevent you from discussing or showing the contract to anyone."
"In that case," Zatanna handed Ichigo a business card. "This holds the address of my home. We'll convene there in three days."
"Understood," Ichigo accepted the card and stored it carefully before lowering the barrier. He clenched his fist and directed the ring ahead of him.
"San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge," Ichigo commanded mentally. A black and white beam shot out, opening a boom tube. Ichigo entered.
Scene Change: San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge
Stepping onto the iconic bridge, Ichigo surveyed the surroundings. In the distance, an island stood with a large 'T' shaped building.
"Titans Tower," Ichigo concluded, making his way toward it. Inside, alarms blared as five figures gathered in the OPS room.
"What's happening, Cyborg?" one of them asked, wearing a black-and-white domino mask and green attire.
"Hold on, Robin," Cyborg, a tall, muscular man with cybernetic parts, responded as he operated the computer, projecting an image of Ichigo.
"Who's he?" a green-skinned youth with matching eyes and hair asked.
"Lost, perhaps?" a tall girl with orange skin and fiery red hair pondered aloud.
"Not exactly, Starfire," Robin replied, typing commands to reveal Ichigo's identity as Avenger, notorious for his recent spree of villainous eliminations.
"What's his purpose here?" Cyborg wondered as a bell chimed, signaling Ichigo's arrival at the tower's entrance.
"Should we allow him entry?" Starfire queried. Robin sighed.
"Let's meet him downstairs," he decided, initiating the descent.
"Raven, could you teleport us?" Robin asked.
"Sure," Raven agreed. She chanted, summoning dark energy to transport them to ground level.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven intoned, enveloping the team before landing them safely. Robin opened the door, inviting Ichigo inside.
"These must be the Teen Titans," Ichigo mused, recognizing the members. "Blackfire and Starfire are sisters, yet Blackfire never mentioned her…" His thoughts trailed off as the door fully opened, revealing his towering presence.
"Apologies, let me adjust," Ichigo said, shrinking to match Cyborg's height.
"Avenger, what brings you here?" Robin asked, his tone cautious.
"I need to speak with Raven," Ichigo stated firmly.
"You're not laying a finger on her, much less killing her!" Beast Boy bellowed, transforming into a charging green rhinoceros. Ichigo calmly intercepted and halted the oncoming rhino with a raised hand.
"Who said I'm here to kill her?" Ichigo questioned calmly.
"Beast Boy, calm down," Raven's voice cut through the tension as she approached Ichigo. "What brings you here?" she asked.
"I intend to confront your father," Ichigo declared. Raven's eyes widened, while the other Titans exchanged puzzled glances.
"How do you know about him?" Raven asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"The source doesn't matter. I know his intentions involving you, and I aim to thwart them," Ichigo replied, meeting Raven's gaze.
"Robin, let me handle this," Raven addressed her teammate. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she intoned, enveloping Ichigo and herself in shadows before transporting them to her room. The room was dimly lit, filled with mystical artifacts, a trunk, books, and a circular bed with an ornate headboard and purple-blue sheets.
"What's our plan?" Raven asked, her expression serious.
"We have two options," Ichigo explained. "Summon your father here," which was followed by a glare from Raven, "or confront him in his realm."
"Do you believe you can defeat him?" Raven inquired.
"I do," Ichigo affirmed, sealing Jigoku no Yoroi and summoning Longinus, which emitted a potent aura of holy energy.
"Very well," Raven acquiesced, closing her eyes. "The gem was born of evil's fire, the gem shall be his portal, he comes to claim, he comes to sire, the end of all things mortal!" Raven chanted, the gem on her forehead glowing as a red portal materialized. Without hesitation, Ichigo charged into the portal.
Scene Change: Trigon's Dimensional Prison
Ichigo materialized in the presence of a colossal, red-skinned demon with four eyes, long white hair, elk-like antlers, and hooved feet.
"Mortal!" Trigon thundered.
"Prepare for your end," Ichigo declared, activating his powers with a Balance Breaker. Holy energy surged forth, forcing Trigon back as Ichigo wielded Longinus, raining beams of holy power upon him.
"DIE, MORTAL!" Trigon roared, attempting to retaliate. Ichigo evaded, maintaining his assault with relentless volleys of holy blasts.
"I am the Lord thy God," Ichigo intoned the Commandments, conjuring golden seals beneath Trigon's feet that weakened him and restrained his movements.
"Gah!" Trigon cried out, feeling his strength wane under Ichigo's divine assault.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," Ichigo recited, adding another seal that further diminished Trigon's power. Chains of golden light ensnared him, dragging him down as Ichigo pressed his advantage.
"Raven, do you wish to deliver the final blow?" Ichigo called out, offering her the opportunity. She declined, and Ichigo resumed his assault, culminating in Longinus piercing through Trigon's head and heart. Holy energy consumed Trigon's form, and the Chains of Hell claimed his soul as Ichigo sealed Longinus.
Scene Change: Raven's Room
Exiting the portal, Ichigo informed Raven of Trigon's demise, and she closed the portal. Exhausted, Raven collapsed, but Ichigo caught her before gently laying her on the bed. Activating Schrift P: The Planter, Ichigo channeled life energy into Raven, reviving her. After ensuring her well-being, Ichigo sealed Schrift P: The Planter, concluding the intense encounter.
"How are you feeling?" Ichigo inquired.
"Good," Raven replied. "How long was I out?"
"A few minutes," Ichigo responded. "I used my powers to quickly restore your magical reserves."
"Thank you," Raven expressed her gratitude as she slowly sat up. After concentrating her powers, she turned to Ichigo.
"I can't feel him!" She exclaimed, suddenly leaping at Ichigo and hugging him. Ichigo hugged her back. They soon let go of each other. "What can I do to repay you?" she asked.
"I'm not asking you to do anything," Ichigo stated, snapping his fingers as a contract appeared in his hand. "Robin likely told Batman that I'm here and they might give you a hard time."
"I understand," Raven acknowledged, rolling the contract and placing it in her trunk.
"In a few days, I will be at Zatanna's home," Ichigo said. "I hope to hear your answer then." Ichigo tightened his fist and pointed the ring in front of him.
"Himalayan Mountains, Nepal," Ichigo mentally commanded. A black-and-white beam shot out from the ring, opening a boom tube. Ichigo walked into the boom tube.
Scene Change: Himalayan Mountains, Nepal
Ichigo stepped out of the boom tube into a blizzard. He began walking up the mountain. It didn't take long before he stood before a cave. He entered the cave, sensing two assassins positioned on the ceiling. They noticed Ichigo and immediately left to report to their superiors. Ichigo didn't stop them. Exiting the cave, he found a group of assassins outside, all wearing dark blue full-body suits, making it impossible to determine their gender. In the middle was a dark-skinned man with black tiger stripes on his exposed chest. He wore a dark brown leather jacket, leather pants, and combat boots, with a pair of tiger claw knuckle dusters.
"Bronze Tiger, right?" Ichigo asked.
"Who's asking?" Bronze Tiger questioned.
"Everyone has been calling me Avenger," Ichigo replied. "And I'm here to kill Ra's al Ghul."
"Attack!" Bronze Tiger yelled. The assassins charged at him. Ichigo activated Haōgan. Immediately, everyone felt an immense pressure from Ichigo before being knocked unconscious.
"So weak," Ichigo thought as he summoned the Chains of Hell, wrapping them tightly around the unconscious assassins and Bronze Tiger. Without breaking stride, he dragged their bodies behind him as he continued toward the League of Assassins' headquarters.
More assassins emerged from the shadows, attacking without hesitation. With Sekaigan and Haōgan, Ichigo dispatched them effortlessly, capturing each one with the Chains of Hell.
In the distance, a grand manor came into view. Standing at its entrance was a lone woman. She was tall and slender, her pale skin contrasting with her youthful, striking features. She had short raven-colored hair, brown eyes, and black lipstick that accentuated her sharp expression.
She wore a form-fitting, long-sleeved bodysuit that emphasized her curves. The bodysuit was blood-red with dark gray stripes looping around her shoulders and forearms, matching patches on her elbows, and a Mandarin collar. A diamond-shaped keyhole at the sternum exposed a hint of skin, its lower hem running down to meet her waist, where a golden ring fastened her belt and a sash hung from it. Her suit's legs were gray, decorated with dark gray knee pads and stripes spiraling around her thighs and shins.
At her side, a sheathed Dao broadsword rested on her belt, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice.
"Hello, Lady Shiva, or Sandra Wu-Sa," Ichigo said.
Lady Shiva's eyes narrowed as she glared at him.
"Draw your weapon," she replied, unsheathing her broadsword. Ichigo raised his hand, and Rebellion appeared in his grip. Without hesitation, she charged toward him, and the clash of their swords began.
Ichigo, focused and precise, decided to defeat her with his swordsmanship. Lady Shiva could feel the weight behind each of his strikes.
"Each of his attacks is extremely heavy," she thought, blocking another of his strikes and attempting to counterattack. Ichigo easily evaded her blow and retaliated. "Despite his power, he's able to dodge my attacks and strike back effortlessly."
As the battle progressed, Ichigo's sword forced Lady Shiva's broadsword from her grasp. She quickly dropped into a fighting stance, prepared to continue.
"Wait," Ichigo said. Surprisingly, Lady Shiva complied. Ichigo sealed Jigoku no Yoroi and sent Rebellion back into his mindscape, preparing for a change in tactics. They resumed their duel with bare fists.
"Each of his blows could easily shatter steel," Lady Shiva thought, struggling to block one of his powerful punches. She was forced to dodge and retaliate, but as the fight wore on, she began to feel increasingly helpless against Ichigo's overwhelming strength. Suddenly, an unexpected punch to the gut knocked her off her feet. She collapsed onto the ground.
"Is this all you've got, Lady Shiva?" Ichigo asked, staring down at her.
Lady Shiva gritted her teeth.
"Don't look down on me!" she yelled, launching herself at Ichigo in a burst of fury. Her attacks were faster and more brutal than before, but Ichigo easily knocked her back to the ground. Bruises blossomed across her body from the force of his counterattacks.
"Finish me," she said, defeated.
"No," Ichigo replied, waving his hand in front of her. Lady Shiva could feel her wounds begin to heal.
"Why don't you finish me?" she asked, her voice quieter.
"Because you didn't kill for enjoyment," Ichigo said. "You killed to get stronger, believing you had reached the peak of your journey. So you became a teacher, hoping one of your students would surpass you."
"Not many people understood my intent with taking students," she admitted.
"But if given a chance, would you continue your path?" Ichigo asked. Lady Shiva chuckled softly.
"I'm over forty years old. Do you really think I can continue?" she questioned.
"Yes," Ichigo replied confidently, summoning a contract into his hand. Lady Shiva took the contract and began reading it.
"Are you serious?" she asked, her brow furrowing.
"I am," Ichigo replied. Lady Shiva signed the contract with a sharp motion.
"Grab your belongings. We'll meet after I deal with my other targets," Ichigo added.
Lady Shiva nodded in acknowledgment and quickly dashed off. Ichigo summoned the Chains of Hell, which wrapped themselves tightly around a nearby boulder. With a thought, he resummoned Jigoku no Yoroi and Rebellion, ready for what lay ahead.
He continued his assault on the League of Assassins. Assassins charged at him, but Ichigo effortlessly knocked them unconscious. More Chains of Hell appeared, binding the fallen attackers and dragging them behind him as he pushed forward.
After a short while, Ichigo arrived at the end of a courtyard. There, he spotted a tanned-skinned woman with waist-length black hair and sharp brown eyes. Her broad shoulders and confident posture gave her an imposing presence. She wore gold-plated breast armor with long black sleeves, black pants, and combat boots. Gold armor protected her pelvis and knees.
Two pairs of arms, formed from purple energy, appeared around her shoulders, making her resemble an asura. In each of her four hands, she wielded a sword, ready for combat.
"Die, invader!" the woman shouted as she charged toward Ichigo.
Ichigo sighed, effortlessly sidestepping her attack. He raised Rebellion and countered with a precise strike. The woman blocked the attack with one of her swords, but the force of the blow caused her to lose her balance. Ichigo seized the opportunity, slamming the flat side of Rebellion into her face. The blow knocked her to the ground, unconscious.
Ichigo quickly bound her with the Chains of Hell, ensuring she wouldn't be a threat.
After another ten minutes of dealing with more assassins, Ichigo reached an office. Inside, he saw a tall, imposing man with green eyes, black hair streaked with gray, a long black mustache, and wild black eyebrows. His appearance was regal, with a high-collared green cloak adorned with large gold buttons draped over most of his attire. Beneath it, he wore a black vest with gold hems, a white undershirt, and a golden sash. His black pants were tucked into knee-high black boots, completing his commanding look.
"We finally meet, Ra's al Ghul," Ichigo said.
"Indeed, Avenger," Ra's al Ghul replied, walking around his desk. "So, what landed me on your hit list?"
"You've cheated Death," Ichigo said coldly.
"I see... One of my old demons," Ra's al Ghul muttered.
"Not exactly," Ichigo thought.
"Do you mind if we move this somewhere else?" Ra's al Ghul asked. "My office is filled with priceless antiques that I'd prefer not to destroy during our fight."
"Sure," Ichigo agreed. He sent Rebellion back into his mindscape as Ra's al Ghul led him out.
"Avenger has some kind of mortal code since he agreed with me. Not only that, but he also sent his weapon away to give me a sense of security, especially since I'm facing my back to him," Ra's al Ghul thought.
They eventually arrived at an arena. Ichigo stood on one side, poised and focused, while Ra's al Ghul positioned himself on the other side, preparing for the impending confrontation.
"Thank you for granting my small request," Ra's al Ghul said, drawing his scimitar and pointing it at Ichigo.
"Not a problem," Ichigo replied, resummoning Rebellion. Ra's al Ghul picked up a small pebble.
"When the pebble lands on the ground, the duel will begin," Ra's al Ghul proposed.
"Sure," Ichigo replied. Ra's al Ghul tossed the pebble into the air, sending it towards the center of the arena. Both Ra's al Ghul and Ichigo followed its descent with their eyes. As soon as the pebble hit the ground, they surged forward, charging at each other. Ra's al Ghul swung his scimitar downwards, aiming for Ichigo, while Ichigo swung Rebellion upwards to intercept. The clash of the two blades echoed through the arena, sending a shockwave through the air.
Ra's al Ghul was pushed back by the force of the impact, but Ichigo pressed the advantage, following up with a fierce downward strike. Quick as a serpent, Ra's al Ghul raised his scimitar above his head to block, narrowly avoiding being struck. The sheer power behind Ichigo's attack sent Ra's al Ghul stumbling back.
Ichigo didn't relent, launching several more downward strikes. Ra's al Ghul gritted his teeth, his body shuddering with the force of each blow as he desperately raised his sword to block. Each strike rattled him, and he groaned under the pressure.
Suddenly, Ichigo's foot shot out, connecting squarely with Ra's al Ghul's chest. The unexpected kick caught him off guard, and the force sent him reeling. With a painful grunt, Ra's al Ghul's legs buckled, his ankles giving way as he collapsed to the ground.
"GAHAH!" he screamed in agony. Ichigo stood over him, Rebellion pointed at Ra's al Ghul, waiting for his next move.
"Any last words?" Ichigo asked, pointing Rebellion at him.
"I will be back," Ra's al Ghul grunted.
"Not this time," Ichigo said as he drove Rebellion deep into Ra's al Ghul's chest. Ra's al Ghul screamed in agony, but Ichigo paid him no mind. He summoned Tsuki no Hansha and whispered, "Scatter, Kyoka Suigetsu." With a swift motion, he stabbed Ra's al Ghul with Kyoka Suigetsu, activating Yomu Kioku. In an instant, a replica of Ra's al Ghul's memories emerged, filling Ichigo's mind with every detail of his life.
Ichigo watched as Ra's al Ghul's soul began to separate from his body. With a quick motion, he grabbed the escaping soul and hurled it into the depths of Hell. Without hesitation, Ichigo summoned a ball of Hellfire, tossing it onto Ra's al Ghul's lifeless body. The flames spread rapidly, consuming the corpse until there was nothing left but ash. Ichigo stood motionless for a moment, watching the destruction, before turning and walking out of the now-empty arena.
"One more target left," Ichigo thought, his focus narrowing.
After a few minutes of navigating the labyrinthine halls, Ichigo arrived at a door. He opened it to find a woman with Arab heritage standing inside. She had high cheekbones, a sharp nose, and green eyes that locked onto Ichigo's. Her long brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore a sleek black jumpsuit, matching gloves, and boots. A white belt with a holster containing a small semi-automatic pistol rested around her waist.
Cradled in her arms was a baby with blonde hair. The baby turned to face Ichigo, revealing bright green eyes that met his gaze. Ichigo's attention flicked to the room, where he noticed two cribs. One was occupied by another baby, this one with black hair, sleeping peacefully.
"Hello, Talia al Ghul," Ichigo said, his voice steady.
Talia stared at him, her eyes sharp with suspicion.
"Are you going to kill me as well?" she asked coldly, gently placing the child into the other crib.
"No," Ichigo replied, his tone unwavering. "But I need to see that child."
Talia glared at him, her protective instincts kicking in.
"I just need to check something," Ichigo added, keeping his voice calm.
"Fine," Talia said after a moment, stepping aside reluctantly.
Ichigo approached carefully, his movements slow and deliberate. He gently lifted the child from the crib. To his surprise, the child was a girl. Her bright green eyes met his gaze, full of innocence. With a soft breath, Ichigo placed his hand gently on her forehead, feeling for something deeper.
"Chishiki, can you scan her quickly?" Ichigo asked.
"On it," Chishiki replied. Ichigo felt the nanomachines from Chishiki materialize on his palm as he began scanning the child.
"Found him," Chishiki said after a moment. "I've got good news, bad news, and interesting news."
"What is it?" Ichigo asked, his eyes never leaving the child.
"The good news is that I found Brainiac. He was in a hibernated state, and I've absorbed him," Chishiki reported.
"Okay. What's the other news?" Ichigo pressed.
"The bad news is that Brainiac has already made cybernetic modifications to her body," Chishiki continued. "The interesting part is that it's a cleaner version of the operation we did to you."
"I see…" Ichigo replied, digesting the information. He gently placed the girl back into her crib and turned to face Talia.
"Well?" Talia asked, her voice sharp, awaiting an explanation.
"What will you do now that the League of Assassins is no more?" Ichigo asked.
"Why do you care?" she asked.
"Based on your answer, it will determine what happens to her," Ichigo replied.
"Why?" Talia asked, her hand hovering over her gun.
"Based on what you know of Lex Luthor, why do you think he would decide to have a child?" Ichigo asked.
"Hearing that he married and had a child was extremely unexpected," Talia admitted. "You think someone forced him to have a child?"
"Yes," Ichigo confirmed. "I found traces of Brainiac in the child."
"What!?" Talia questioned. "How?"
"I believe Brainiac stored a copy of himself either in Luthor or on one of his computers. When the fused Luthor was defeated, Brainiac couldn't comprehend how they lost. He might have concluded it had something to do with being human."
"So, he forced Lex to have a child to test his hypothesis?" Talia suggested.
"That's what I think," Ichigo agreed.
"So, if I decide to continue with the League of Assassins..." Talia began.
"Then I would take Alexandria with me," Ichigo replied.
"But if I decide to give up on the League of Assassins?" Talia asked.
"Then I would offer you, your son, and Alexandria help to start over," Ichigo offered.
"How?" she asked. Ichigo took a moment to explain his situation. At the end of his explanation, Ichigo handed Talia the contract. She took it and read through it.
"Will Alexandria still be under my care?" she asked.
"If you wish," Ichigo answered. Talia signed the contract.
"Is there a limit to what I can bring?" she inquired.
"No," Ichigo replied. Talia nodded. "Give me twenty minutes."
"Okay," Ichigo agreed as he stepped out of the room. He saw Lady Shiva standing there with a midsize backpack.
"I'm ready to go," she said. Ichigo activated Haōgan and sent her into Haō Zaimushō. He then walked back to the courtyard, where the other unconscious assassins lay. Using both Tsumi no Me and Legilimency, Ichigo sorted the assassins into four groups: those loyal to Ra's al Ghul or the League of Assassins, sadistic killers, mercenaries, and those who had been forced into service. The loyalists and sadistic killers were immediately sent to Hell. Ichigo cast a sleep spell on the mercenaries, one that would last for a few more hours. Finally, he turned to the last group, the smallest one.
The first was a young Hispanic girl named Sofia Ramos. Her parents had been killed by Ra's al Ghul, and she had been brainwashed to become one of his soldiers. Ichigo was able to purge the brainwashing. Next was Cassandra Wu-San, a young Asian girl and the daughter of Lady Shiva. Her mother had cut her vocal cords as part of her training to become the perfect assassin. Lastly was a Caucasian girl with silver-white hair, Rose Wilson. She was a genetic creation, the daughter of Deathstroke and Talia al Ghul.
By now, Talia had returned with a two-seater stroller containing both babies, along with a backpack. She walked over to the girls and explained the situation to them. Unsurprisingly, they agreed to the contract. Talia told them to gather their belongings, and they quickly disappeared from the courtyard. Talia then noticed the unconscious mercenaries.
"What about them?" she asked.
"They're just assassins who want to become mercenaries," Ichigo replied.
"I see…" Talia said. Sofia, Cassandra, and Rose soon returned with backpacks filled with their belongings.
"Just make sure you destroy the Lazarus Pit," Talia added.
"Okay," Ichigo said as he activated Haōgan and sent them into Haō Zaimushō. Ichigo then used Schrift E: The Earth to locate the Lazarus Pit. He could feel the concentrated life energy radiating from the green liquid.
Suddenly, Mysteria and Chishiki appeared beside him.
"I think I know why those who use the Lazarus Pit suffer those side effects," Mysteria said.
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"The liquid in the Lazarus Pit is concentrated life energy," Mysteria explained. Ichigo nodded.
"When the dead are placed in the pit, the energy heals their body and pulls their soul back from the dead," Chishiki added.
"And that forced resurrection causes them to briefly go insane and violent," Ichigo concluded.
"That's my belief as well," Chishiki agreed.
"How should we destroy it?" Ichigo asked.
"You should take advantage of the Lazarus Pit before we destroy it," Mysteria suggested.
"You want me to go inside it?" Ichigo asked, skeptical.
"Yes," Mysteria said. "When you're in it, let the energy flow through your body."
"You should be in your regular form," Chishiki added. Ichigo sighed, transforming back into his true form. He stripped down and submerged himself in the Lazarus Pit. He could feel the concentrated life energy starting to flow into his body.
"Gently force the energy through every part of your body," Mysteria instructed. Ichigo focused, doing his best to follow her guidance. He could feel his entire body growing heavier and stronger with each passing moment. The experience was intense, but he didn't know how long he had been sitting in the Lazarus Pit.
"Ichigo, you should come out now," Mysteria called out.
Slowly, Ichigo moved toward the edge of the Lazarus Pit, summoning every ounce of strength to lift himself out. As he emerged, he saw that he was covered in thick, smelly black liquid. Glancing back at the pit, he noticed that it had turned black, completely devoid of the usual life energy.
Suddenly, warm water began to pour down on him, washing away the residue from the pit.
"Thank you, Mysteria," Ichigo said, grateful as he began washing off the residue. After a few minutes, Mysteria stopped the shower and waved her hand, pulling the remaining water off of him.
"Thanks again," Ichigo said.
"No problem, but you should check out your body," she said. Ichigo glanced at himself and noticed his skin had become a lighter shade than before. His old scars had disappeared, and as he rubbed his skin, it felt incredibly smooth, like a baby's skin. Despite its soft appearance, it felt much stronger than it had before.
"Chishiki, how tall am I now?" Ichigo asked.
Chishiki stood next to him, raising her hand. It began to stretch, reaching higher until her hand hovered above Ichigo's head. She bent her wrist at a 90-degree angle and slowly lowered her arm until her fingers touched his head.
"You're now 320 cm (10.5 feet) tall," she replied, her arm returning to normal. A scale appeared in front of Ichigo. He stepped onto it, and Chishiki continued, "You also now weigh 550 kg (1212.542 lbs)."
"That was an unexpected development," Ichigo said, a little taken aback.
"You unconsciously absorbed all the life energy from the pit and used it to replace the weaker parts of your body with newer stronger parts," Chishiki explained.
"You also purged all the impurities in your body into the pit," Mysteria added.
"I see…" Ichigo said, noticing the changes in his body as he performed a few katas. His movements were much faster than before. He walked over to a stone wall and, with a single finger, pushed against it. His finger easily pierced through the wall, impressing him.
Mysteria handed Ichigo his clothes, enlarging them to fit his new, larger physique. Ichigo activated Schrift H: The Hakaimono, forming a sphere of Destructive Aura in his hand. He walked to the edge of the former Lazarus Pit and dropped the sphere. As it fell, it unleashed the Destructive Aura, obliterating the pit completely.
Ichigo pulled out his scroll, scanning the last two names on the list. "Almost done," he thought, as he tucked the scroll away. With a firm grip, he tightened his fist and pointed the ring in front of him.
"Send me to the Highlands of Scotland," Ichigo mentally commanded. A black and white beam shot out from the ring, opening a black-and-white boom tube. Ichigo stepped into the tube, ready for his next destination.
Scene Change: Highlands of Scotland
Ichigo stepped out of the boom tube and found himself in the middle of a dense forest. He closed his eyes and sent out a pulse of reiatsu. "Looks like there are only animals here," Ichigo thought, pulling out the scroll. He began walking, adjusting his course based on the distance shown on the map. After ten minutes of walking, Ichigo realized he was drifting further away from the target location.
He stopped and turned back. "She's likely hidden in a pocket dimension," Ichigo thought, halting in front of a tree. "This is the closest spot to the map," he mused. He turned left and took a few steps away from the tree. "Looks like I'm going off track again," Ichigo observed, before returning to the tree.
Ichigo activated Hōgen, and his eyes glowed as he saw grey strings surrounding the tree. "Looks like Morgaine Le Fay used this tree as her dimensional anchor," he noted, examining the strands closely. Ichigo then activated Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai, and Kurokishi materialized in his hand. With a precise motion, Ichigo carefully cut through the tree's trunk, forcibly opening an entrance to Morgaine's pocket dimension. Without hesitation, he leaped inside.
Scene Change: Morgaine's Pocket Dimension
Ichigo stood in the middle of an empty plain, surrounded by green grass and a calming blue sky.
"This feels somewhat nostalgic," Ichigo thought, recalling a similar scene. "It was when Artoria activated her Reality Marble." He continued his walk, using the scroll to help guide him. Soon, he entered a dense forest.
Without warning, the ground shook, and large tree branches shot toward Ichigo. He reacted instantly, shunpō'ing forward to avoid the attack. "Looks like I'm on the right path," Ichigo thought as he returned Kurokishi to his mindscape. More tree branches lashed out, but Ichigo was too fast, dodging them effortlessly.
As he continued, he eventually emerged from the forest and found himself standing before a grand castle.
"Camelot," Ichigo thought, recognizing the structure both from Artoria's memories and from his time in 1994. The castle doors creaked open, and a woman, accompanied by a young man, stepped out. The woman wore a pink medieval dress robe, with a golden chest plate and a golden mask obscuring her face. The young man was dressed in a purple medieval outfit.
"Seems like this sly rat managed to slip past Mother's protections," the young man said.
"Shush, Mordred," the woman said.
"Looks like I found them, Morgaine and Mordred," Ichigo thought.
"Stranger, what are you here for?" Morgaine asked.
"Your death," Ichigo replied.
"I see…" Morgaine murmured, her hand brushing her amulet. It began to glow with a golden light. "Camelot, your residents are threatened!" Morgaine's voice echoed across the land. In the distance, Ichigo saw the eyes of stone statues glowing golden as they began to move. "Man, the boundaries! Protect us! Do your duty to Camelot!" she chanted. The stone statues raised their weapons and charged toward Ichigo.
"So, this is truly Camelot," Ichigo confirmed, setting Rebellion aside and raising his hand toward the incoming knights.
"May your light shine down upon the battlefield and bring me victory, Excalibur!" Ichigo chanted, and Excalibur appeared in his hand, its blue and golden form glowing brilliantly.
"Impossible! Destroy the faker!" Morgaine shouted.
"In the name of the King of Knights, stop," Ichigo commanded. Excalibur glowed golden, its light connecting with Camelot's magic. The stone statues halted their charge. Morgaine and Mordred watched as the statues stepped aside, forming two columns, facing inward.
"Are you going to come down here, or do I need to drag both of you out?" Ichigo taunted.
"What should we do, Mother?" Mordred asked. Golden energy gathered in her hands, and she unleashed a barrage of energy blasts toward Ichigo. He used Excalibur to slice through the blasts with ease.
"Violence it is," Ichigo muttered, then shunpō'ed in front of them. Switching Excalibur to its black and red form, he summoned Hellfire along the edge of the blade. Before they could react, Ichigo decapitated them both. The Hellfire quickly consumed their bodies, nullifying Morgaine's attempt to heal them. Ichigo could hear their screams of agony as the flames incinerated their souls, sending them to Hell. Pulling out the scroll, he saw the last name had been crossed out.
"I'm done with this mission," Ichigo thought. "But what should I do with this Pocket Dimension?"
"What if you make it a Reality Marble for Schrift W: The War Lord?" Yhwach suggested.
"Could that be done?" Ichigo asked, unsure about Schrift R: The Reality Marble's potential.
"I believe it's possible," Yhwach replied. "We can use Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai to take control of the pocket dimension, then activate Schrift R: The Reality Marble."
"Sure, let's try it," Ichigo replied, driving Excalibur into the ground in front of him. He activated Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai. Both Shirokishi and Kurokishi materialized in his hands. Ichigo raised the swords above him, and beams of platinum white and dark red violet shot up into the sky.
Soon, the beams struck the top of the pocket dimension. The light from the swords began to trickle down, slowly spreading across the edges of the dimension. Ichigo could feel the remnants of Morgaine's control over the dimension slipping away, as he began to take command. Ten minutes passed, and the entire pocket dimension was enveloped in a mix of platinum white and dark red violet energy.
Ichigo stabbed both swords into the ground beside Excalibur and activated Schrift R: The Reality Marble. As he did, he could sense the harmonization of Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai, Schrift R: The Reality Marble, and Schrift W: The War Lord. The platinum white energy shifted, transforming into a warm golden light, while the dark red violet energy turned into deep black and crimson hues. Ichigo felt Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai lose its influence on the world, while the powers of Schrift R and Schrift W intensified.
With a final effort, Ichigo sealed Schrift K: The Kūkan-teki Shihai, picking up Excalibur. The world around him turned a deep red, as though the sun was setting. He could feel the spirits of the Knights of the Round Table stirring, awakened by the combined power of Schrift R and Schrift W, alongside the countless warriors eager to fight again.
Ichigo sealed Schrift R: The Reality Marble and Schrift W: The War Lord. Moments later, he found himself back in the Highlands of Scotland.
"I name you Lord Camelot: Castle of Distant Ideals," Ichigo declared.
He pulled out Zatanna's card, which read, "The Shadowcrest is located in Gotham County." Ichigo read it aloud, then made his armor disappear and transformed into his six-foot form. His clothes shrank to fit his new size. He clenched his fist and pointed the ring in front of him.
"Outskirts of Gotham City, New Jersey," Ichigo mentally commanded. A black-and-white beam shot from the ring, opening a boom tube. Ichigo stepped into it.
Scene Change: Gotham City, New Jersey
Ichigo stepped out of the boom tube to find himself on an empty road. Summoning his car from his mindscape, he began driving. As he traveled, the business card glowed and floated on his dashboard like a compass, guiding him deeper into Gotham County. Eventually, he arrived at a black gate with the words "Shadowcrest" arching above it. A butler slightly opened the gate.
"Good day, sir. How may I assist you?" the butler asked.
"I'm here to see Zatanna," Ichigo replied, showing him the business card.
"Ah, Mistress Zatanna has informed us of your impending arrival," the butler said, snapping his fingers. The gate fully opened. "Follow the path down, and you'll reach Shadowcrest Manor."
"Thank you," Ichigo said, driving forward. As he passed, he could feel a magical barrier cross over him. Eventually, he stopped before a multi-story mansion. Ichigo parked and sent the car back to his mindscape. He climbed the stone stairs to the front door, which opened before he could knock. A maid stood in the doorway.
"Mistress is waiting for you," she said. Ichigo nodded and followed her inside. She led him to the living room, where Zatanna, Giovanni, Raven, Fire, Ice, and two other heroines waited.
"Jonah Hex, Crimson Avenger, and Vigilante aren't joining us?" Ichigo asked. Zatanna shook her head.
"They all declined the offer, but they sent their thanks," Zatanna explained, handing Ichigo three contracts. Ichigo glanced through them, matching each hero to their respective document. When he reached the final two, he paused.
"Helena Wayne?" Ichigo asked. One of the two heroines stepped forward. She had light skin, blue eyes, and blackish-blue hair. Her form-fitting black unitard, boots, and gloves accentuated her figure, while the chest area of her uniform featured a small V-shaped opening. She also wore blue shoulder pads, adding a touch of tactical style to her look (1).
"Are you related to Batman?" Ichigo asked.
"Oh? You know Batman's secret identity?" Helena raised an eyebrow.
"I do," Ichigo calmly replied, as all the heroes' and villains' identities were identified in the comics.
"I'm his daughter, from another universe," Helena explained.
"And so am I!" the other girl shouted. She wore a similar outfit to Galatea's, but instead of a one-piece leotard, she had a white unitard. A golden V-shaped belt rested around her waist. Over her unitard, she wore a red leather cropped jacket with long sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing blue, elbow-length gloves.
"And you are?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm Kara Zor-L, from the same universe as Helena," Kara said. "But not the daughter part."
"How did you two arrive here?" Ichigo asked.
"We came from a universe where the Justice League was made up only of Doctor Fate, Kara, and me," Helena began.
"Were they killed?" Ichigo asked.
"No," Kara replied. "They grew old, and no one was trained to take over."
"Anyway," Helena continued, "we were fighting an alien invasion when we got thrown into a boom tube, bringing us here. (2)"
"So, why do you want to join me?" Ichigo asked.
"A few reasons," Helena said. "Seeing familiar faces reminds us of our past."
"When we first arrived and found the Justice League, we told them about the atrocities committed by various villains from the future," Kara added.
"They just logged it in their database," Helena said. "They claimed they shouldn't be punished for crimes not yet committed."
"But Batman helped us create a background for ourselves," Helena explained, pulling out an ID card. She showed Ichigo a card with her name: Helena Starr. Kara showed hers, which read Karen Starr.
"Seeing the League's abundance of members, we decided to join as part-time members. I became Nightwing (3)," Helena explained.
"And I chose Power Girl," Kara added.
"During our time in the Justice League, we watched as history began to repeat itself. We saw the villains committing the atrocious acts that we had warned the Justice League about," Helena said.
"They were quicker to act than in our universe, but lives were still lost," Kara continued.
"But then you came," Helena said. "Your actions finally stopped the cycle."
"Hearing of a fresh universe with no attachment to either world made us interested," Kara said.
"I see," Ichigo replied as the contracts disappeared. He turned to Raven.
"The debt I owe you isn't something I can just say thank you and let go of," Raven said.
"Okay," Ichigo replied. He turned to Zatanna and Giovanni. "Do you wish to take the mansion with you?" Ichigo asked.
"I've already taken care of it," Giovanni said, his hands glowing golden. The mansion began to glow and, in an instant, shrunk down to the size of a toy. Giovanni tucked the miniature mansion into his coat pocket. "Done," he said.
"What about the servants in the mansion?" Ichigo asked.
"The servants you saw are special golems created by my ancestor," Giovanni explained.
"The pocket dimension will contain former villains that I decided to save. Please don't antagonize them," Ichigo warned. The former Justice League members nodded in acknowledgment. He activated Haōgan and sent them into Haō Zaimushō.
"Now, I need to deal with the Warworld, pick up my weapons, and then I'm done here," Ichigo thought as he tightened his fist and pointed the ring in front of him.
"Send me to the War World," Ichigo mentally commanded. A black and white beam shot out from the ring, opening a black-and-white boom tube. Ichigo walked into the tube.
Scene Change: War World
Ichigo stepped out of the boom tube and onto the War World. His mind immediately reconnected with the massive construct.
"War World, is there a way to make yourself smaller?" Ichigo asked aloud. A screen appeared, revealing a metallic red sphere with horn-like protrusions.
"While it's not possible to shrink the War World itself, it is possible to create a new War World using War World Seeds. These mechanical devices can transform a medium to large-sized planet into a War World," Ichigo read aloud. He noticed a smaller version of the War World Seed displayed on the screen. "War Moon Seeds can transform a moon or small planet into a War Moon, which orbits and protects the War World."
"What's the recommended ratio of War Worlds to War Moons?" Ichigo thought. Another screen appeared with a response.
"Database recommends two War Moons for every single War World," Ichigo nodded in understanding.
"Based on that ratio, how many could be produced?" Ichigo thought again. The screen changed.
"Based on available resources, excluding the control room, we have enough material to make ten War World Seeds and twenty War Moon Seeds," the screen read.
"Move the remaining items from the Treasury to the control room. After that, begin production," Ichigo instructed. He heard the ground panels shifting as items from the Treasury appeared in the control room. Once the transfer was complete, all the screens disappeared, and a new one materialized. A progress bar with a countdown appeared on the screen.
"One hour," Ichigo thought. "I should head to New Genesis to pick up my new weapon." He tightened his fist and pointed the ring in front of him. "Send me to Hyalt's forge in New Genesis," he mentally commanded. A black and white beam shot out from the ring, opening a black-and-white boom tube. Ichigo stepped into the tube.
Scene Change: New Genesis, Hyalt's Forge
Ichigo stepped out of the boom tube and stood in front of Hyalt's forge. He raised his hand and tapped the metal door four times. After a brief moment, the door opened, revealing Hyalt, sweat-stained in his coveralls.
"Ah, it's you. Follow me," Hyalt said, pushing the door fully open. Ichigo stepped inside, and the quiet hum of the forge greeted them. They reached a table covered with a green cloth.
"This weapon was one of the most difficult I've ever forged," Hyalt admitted. "But it was a good learning experience." Ichigo stood before the table as Hyalt revealed a pair of metallic white battle axes, each about 214 cm (7.02 feet) long. Crescent moon-shaped axe blades adorned one side, with a hammer face on the other. A sharp spear tip graced the top of each shaft, the handles wrapped in dark green leather.
"Do they have a name yet?" Ichigo asked.
Hyalt shook his head. Ichigo picked up the battle axes and activated Schrift V: The Ventus. The energy fused with the Schrift.
"Let the sky become your hunting ground, Sky Hunter," Ichigo declared. Green light flashed, and when it dimmed, white metallic chains shot from Sky Hunter's pommel, wrapping around Ichigo's arms.
"Looks like the bonding worked," Hyalt said.
"Do you have a place where I can try them out?" Ichigo asked.
"Follow me," Hyalt replied, leading Ichigo down an underground corridor. They arrived at an empty underground area with several targets set up in the middle.
"Have at it," Hyalt said. Ichigo gathered divine wind energy around Sky Hunter, then swung both axes down. Two green crescent waves of energy shot at the target. The attack, reminiscent of Getsuga Tenshō but smaller, collided with the target.
"I'll name that Wind Scar," Ichigo said as the target regenerated. He gripped Sky Hunter in his right hand, the chains unraveling as he seized them. With a swift motion, he spun Sky Hunter, transforming it into a flail. Whipping it downward, the impact caused a massive explosion. Ichigo repeated the attack with the left Sky Hunter, the hammer side slamming into the target. He named the techniques Gale Guillotine, Gale Smasher, and Gale Piercer.
"The movement technique I used earlier will be called Wind Steps, while the attacks will be named Wind Chop, Wind Slam, and Wind Strike," Ichigo added. Sky Hunter accepted the names.
"What else can you do?" Ichigo wondered. His hands moved involuntarily, turning both Sky Hunters 90 degrees. The pommels faced each other, and the axe blades pointed in opposite directions.
"Become the end of the Horizon, Sky Executioner!" Ichigo commanded. The chains unraveled, swirling around each other. The two shafts combined to form a long staff, and Ichigo spun the double-sided weapon.
"The weight feels good," Ichigo thought. Wind Chop, Wind Slam, and Wind Strike were stronger now, but Gale Guillotine, Gale Smasher, and Gale Piercer couldn't be used.
"Sky Hunter is a hybrid of long-range and close-range combat, while Sky Executioner is purely close-range," Ichigo observed. Curious if Sky Striker still existed, Ichigo held Sky Executioner in his left hand.
"Nothing can escape your reach, Sky Striker!" Ichigo called. The other axe head shifted, and the shaft bent, forming a bow's spine. A green string connected both sides of the hammerhead. Ichigo released various attacks, sealing Schrift V: The Ventus after a minute and sending Sky Striker back. He turned to Hyalt.
"Guess it went well then?" Hyalt asked.
"It did," Ichigo replied.
"Good," Hyalt said, escorting Ichigo out of the forge. "It's been an honor to reforge your weapon."
Ichigo nodded and opened a boom tube leading back to War World.
Scene Change: War World
Ichigo materialized at the helm, greeted by a stack of War World Seeds and War Moon Seeds. He glanced at the screen and saw that the seeds were ready. Without hesitation, he transported all the seeds and remaining treasures into his mindscape.
"Final Command, self-destruct sequence. T-minus 60 seconds," Ichigo ordered. A new screen appeared the countdown already in progress. He summoned a white wooden stick engraved with the word "home" and snapped it. In an instant, he vanished from Universe 2091313. As the seconds ticked down, the helm of the War World exploded, leaving no trace behind.
Scene Change: Home Dimension
Ichigo reappeared in his empty throne room and initiated a peerage connection with Akasha.
"Give me a few moments," she replied. "Where are you right now?"
"In the throne room," Ichigo responded.
"Coming," she replied. A few minutes later, Ichigo heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Ichigo called. Akasha pushed the door open and closed it behind her.
"Good evening, Ichigo," she greeted.
"Evening to you too," Ichigo replied.
"Can I get a sip?" she asked.
"Sure, but be careful. I'm not sure how strong my blood is now," Ichigo said. Akasha nodded and pricked his finger with her fang, allowing a drop of bright red blood to drip onto her tongue. She immediately widened her eyes.
"Whoa," she exclaimed. "That was very concentrated."
"Do you still want some?" Ichigo asked.
"I'll take a little," she said. Ichigo tilted his neck to the side. She walked over and licked his neck before biting down. Ichigo heard her take one gulp of his blood. Suddenly, she unleashed a large amount of her Yōki. Her pink hair turned silver, and her eyes shifted to red slit pupils. She gazed at Ichigo with a lustful and hungry look.
"Akasha, control yourself," Ichigo intervened, using the Emperor Piece on her. She slowly regained composure.
"I underestimated how strong your blood is," Akasha admitted.
"It reminds me of when Moka had her Rosario removed," Ichigo remarked.
"I've long mastered the ability to limit my power without needing a physical limiter," Akasha explained.
"But my blood was so strong it broke your limiter," Ichigo realized.
"Yes," she admitted.
"How long has it been since I left?" Ichigo asked.
"It's been a week," Akasha replied. "Anyway, why did you need to see me?" Ichigo explained the situation from Universe 2091313 and the refugees he had brought. "I need some information from them."
"I have them," Ichigo said. He activated Haōgan and sent them into Haō Zaimushō. Chishiki casually walked toward them with a large stack of folders. She handed them to Akasha.
"Thank you, Chishiki," Ichigo said. Other copies of Chishiki were carrying sleeping children. Some of the other maids quickly took the sleeping children from Chishiki's copies. Each copy handed the maid a folder about each child. Chishiki nodded her head before transforming back into nanomachines and returning to Schrift X: The Xenomachina.
"Good evening, everyone," Akasha said to all the refugees Ichigo brought from Universe 2091313. "Follow me, and we'll get you situated." Everyone followed Akasha's instructions.
"Artoria is available to report on what has happened since you were gone," Akasha informed.
"That's fine. Is she coming to me, or do I need to go to her?" Ichigo asked.
"I've already informed her, and she is on her way," Akasha replied. Artoria entered the throne room, followed by a familiar figure.
"Hello, Artoria, Myrddin," Ichigo greeted.
"Hello, Ichigo," Artoria responded, pulling him into a hug.
"It's good to see the king embracing her true self," Myrddin interjected. Artoria pulled away from the hug, shooting him a sharp glare.
"So, this is your real body?" Ichigo asked.
"It is," Myrddin said. "I was trapped in a magical tower constructed by Vivian in the Reverse Side of the World, trapping me there for all of eternity."
"And when the Reverse Side of the World merged with our layer, it disrupted the trap and set you free," Ichigo said.
"Exactly," Myrddin replied. "When I was freed, I decided to return to Artoria's side, if she would allow me."
"Did you allow him?" Ichigo asked.
"I did, but I forced him to swear an oath of fidelity to both of us," she said.
"I planned to swear that oath after I did something," Myrddin said.
"Which is?" Ichigo asked.
"I plan to use a magical spell to 'reset' myself," Myrddin said.
"Reset yourself?" Artoria asked. "Like wiping out your memories?"
"Kind of," Myrddin admitted. "The spell will deconstruct my physical body and reconstruct it to be younger. This will also create a new version of myself who will have a new personality, but I'll still be able to view my old memories."
"Why?" Artoria asked.
"I am old," Myrddin began. "I've been trapped in that tower for over a millennia. I originally planned to kill myself once I was free from the tower, but seeing you here, leading the people of Britannia, reminded me of the past, where I failed to be there with you because of a prophecy. So, I created this spell as an alternative."
"How old will the new you be?" Ichigo asked.
"My new self won't be too young," Myrddin said as he took a few steps back. He waved his hand, and a golden runic circle appeared. Myrddin's body began to glow golden. The light blinded them. They raised their arms, blocking the bright light. When the light died down, they looked to see a gorgeous woman with long white hair and lavender eyes. She wore a similar white tunic robe with a hood. In her arms was a silver staff with a blue gem in the middle.
"H-hello," she said.
"I didn't expect Myrddin to turn into a girl," Ichigo said.
"Agreed," Artoria replied.
"My other self purposely made the spell random," Myrddin admitted.
"Why?" Artoria asked.
"He wanted to make it truly random to enjoy a pseudo-reincarnation," Myrddin replied with a shrug.
"I think we should do the oath," Ichigo suggested.
"Good idea," Artoria replied. Myrddin nodded.
"I, Myrddin, Last Lady of the Emrys, swear an Oath of Loyalty to Artoria Pendragon, Once and Future King, and Ichigo Kurosaki, King Consort." Golden rope flowed from Myrddin to Artoria and Ichigo.
"I, Artoria Pendragon, accept your Oath of Loyalty," Artoria replied. Silver rope flowed from Artoria and coiled across the golden rope to Myrddin.
"I, Ichigo Kurosaki, accept your Oath of Loyalty," Ichigo replied. Multicolored rope flowed from Ichigo and coiled across the golden rope to Myrddin.
"So, mote it be," they all said in unison. The magical ropes glowed as they could feel the oath binding them to each other.
"Now that's done, how has it been since I left?" Ichigo asked.
"Officially, everyone is currently stabilizing their territory," Artoria began. "We were already prepared for the changes, so it didn't take long for us to stabilize. We sent out a small group of peerage members to the nearby countries." Artoria took out a few pictures of the planet. Ichigo noticed there were four new continents. "Right after the Americas, we have the land from the Reverse Side of the World. As of now, we've named it the Fey Realm."
"The Fey Realm is split into two sides, the Summer Court and the Winter Court," Myrddin said. "The Winter Court occupies the colder portions of the Fey Realm." Myrddin pointed at the top and bottom portions of the Fey Realm. "The Summer Court occupies the warmer portions." Myrddin pointed to the middle.
"The other three continents are called Wǔxīng Lóng [Five Star Dragons, Evernight, and Gigantas," Artoria said.
"We have secretly established peace treaties with all three continents," Artoria added.
"Because of me," Ichigo said.
"Correct," Artoria replied.
"One more thing." Ichigo took out the Trainer and released In'yō and Mobius.
"About time you let us out," In'yō said.
"Who are these people?" Artoria asked.
"Meet In'yō and Mobius, who are both cyborgs, an android," Ichigo introduced.
"I thought technology would short-circuit due to the dense amount of mana?" Myrddin asked.
"Our components were designed to handle a much denser amount of energy fields," Mobius replied.
"How dense?" Artoria asked.
"Basic estimates show about ten times denser compared to now," Mobius said.
"I have already created a pocket dimension for all of our Eternal Guardians, so we do not need to remain in the Trainer," Mobius telepathically communicated to Ichigo.
"Thank you," Ichigo replied.
"All right then, enough of the boring talk," Ichigo said as he put the Trainer away. "I'm going to spend the next few days with everyone before I resume my task."
"Will you be gone for long?" Artoria asked.
"It's likely going to be much longer," Ichigo admitted as he walked toward the door.
"I see…" Artoria replied as she followed behind him.
Thank you everyone for reading this arc. Next up is the Naruto Arc. See everyone in June. Good luck to those who will be taking their final exams in May.
Author Notes:
Look up Female Nightwing on Devientart posted by Georgia564 who used AI Mirror to generate the image.
This explanation is a combination of the different universe origins for Helena Wayne and Kara Zor-L.