(The Nekokaburi Magic Show.)

Toku and Nero each gazed at the other following Toku's statement. Both had their weapons hanging at their sides. Nero's scythe, and Toku's blade.

Momo watched from below. What was Toku thinking? Raijin and Toshiro were in danger. As it was, she would be no help at all. Toku could help, but all he did was quietly stare at Nero, who seemed to be losing patience himself.

Nero growled under his breath, the hand that was holding his large scythe started to shake. This fool had the nerve to order him to be quiet, then just sit there, staring into space. Nero had just about had enough of this farce. It was time to end this battle, once and for all. He tightened his grip on the scythe and lifted into the air until it was resting on his right shoulder. He took a deep breath and his spirit energy surged. It paled in comparison to the distant battles being fought by Ulquiorra and the number 2 Espada, but still, it easily surpassed that of the fool directly across from him. He was going to end this in one fell swoop. He lifted his scythe again, this time so that it was raised high above his head, and charged at the shinigami, his scythe spread out in preparation of his attack. He saw Toku start to move. He slowly brought his zanpakuto up till it was pointing straight out, at arm level. Nero hurriedly stopped. What was he planning?

Toku raised his blade, his gaze not once leaving the Espada. He wasn't sure if this was going to work. He could easily defeat this opponent without using this ability, but he wondered about it. Toku looked at his sword. Sunlight reflected off of the blade and got a little in his eye.

He turned his attention back to Nero. "Leave."

Nero: "What?"

Toku: "You heard me. I'm giving you a chance to leave and never come back. We don't have to fight."

Nero: "A little late to bring this up now."

Toku: "Your response?"

Nero put his finger to his chin in mock thought. "No, I think I will just kill you."

Toku sighed. "I guess it was a long shot. Very well."

*Play Music*

Toku hardened his gaze and, without a release command, his blade suddenly transformed as it released it's shikai. The blade twisting itself to form a ring. The handle lengthened to match it and several strands of spiritual energy, shaped like lightning, appeared in the gaps.

Nero adjusted his guard. "So he's finally going to get serious." He focused on Toku and his weapon. He had to figure out what that sword's powers are to be able to avoid it.

Toku smiled when he saw where Nero's attention was. He placed his finger inside the hole in the middle of his blade. He gave the ring shaped sword a light spin and it started spinning slowly. It continued to spin, not picking up speed at all. Nero tried to figure out what was going to happen and prepared to dodge whatever it was. Meanwhile, the blade continued to spin. The strands of spirit energy began to get brighter and brighter. Eventually, they became bright enough that the blue light was filling the entirety of the inside of the ring blade. Then the blade flashed once and it became a uniform blue color, making it look as if the inside of the blade was a portal of some sort.

Nero brought one hand up to shield his eyes from the flash of light and Toku took that opportunity to attack. He swung the weapon at Nero, releasing it at the last moment and sending the whole blade flying towards Nero. Nero noticed it and dodged just in time. He laughed.

Nero: "Ha! That was it? Your 'power?' If that is what you wanted me to witness, then I'm disap-"

Nero stopped speaking because he felt something wrapped around his waist. He looked down to see Toku's zanpakuto tightly wrapped around his waist. "What the?"

Toku: "Dekobou. Allow me to explain."

As he spoke, a red will-o-wisp appeared an inch away from the ring blade, at 1 o-clock.

Toku: "My Zanpakuto is pretty dishonest. It likes to clown around. Tricking people is it's specialty. All of my other attacks are mere parlor tricks to my Zanpakuto."

Two more will-o-wisps appeared. At 2 and 3 o-clock.

Toku: "But this attack is different. It is the "grand finale" if you will. It's Nekokaburi's ultimate trick, hence the name "mischief."

Two more wisps, following the same pattern.

Nero: "You think this will hold me?"

Toku: "Probably. I've never seen anyone break free. Now back to how I trapped you."

Another wisp.

Toku: "This technique is two-fold. First it absorbs my spirit energy and emits that flash, which tricks your mind into thinking I am attacking you, when in reality, I hadn't actually thrown it yet. Then I actually do throw the weapon and when you're captured by it, the will-o-wisps you see now start to appear. When all twelve appear..."

By that time, 10 wisps had formed.

Nero: "Tch. So tell me. What happens when 12 of these things appear?"

Toku: "You die. By burning to be exact. You could have escaped from that attack, if you were strong enough. It only becomes impossible to escape when the seventh one appears. If you broke free any time before that, not much would happen, but if all twelve appear..."

As he finished his sentence, the twelfth wisp appeared and they all connected. Suddenly, the space inside the pillar filled with fire and it expanded until there was an extremely large, solid column, of magma. Anything inside it was melted down into nothing.

*Stop Music*

Toku smiled and landed safely on the ground and smiled over at Momo. He gave her the thumbs up and disappeared as he flash stepped away.

Momo sighed as she stared at the molten pillar. "That guy is weird...."

-------------------------------

Toku arrived in Raijin's vicinity shortly after. He glanced around. There were signs of a large battle having been fought. Noises to the right and a massive spirit energy told him that it wasn't finished yet. Toku ran off in the direction. Raijin's reiatsu was easily recognizable. He guessed that the one he was fighting was one of the higher ups in the Espada ranks. It couldn't be Ulquiorra, who Toku was pretty sure was fighting Toshiro. So that left one of the other ones. Maybe the second or third Espada.

Toku arrived at the scene just in time to see Raijin finish the battle with the Espada. Toku watched as Raijin's mask shattered and he landed hard. Toku walked up to him. "Need some help there?"

Raijin obviously didn't have the energy to talk back. Toku sighed and rolled up his sleeves. "You get all the fun opponents." He said as he began to heal Raijin using kido.

Raijin felt strength returning to his body and he saw his injuries fading before his eyes. Toku was focused on his work and wasn't saying much. Did something happen?

Raijin: "...Toku?..."

Toku: "Quiet. Speaking will make this harder. Whatever it is you need to say can wait."

Raijin sighed and waited impatiently. Toku muttered something under his breath and a orange glow mixed with the green glow of his healing kido. Raijin felt his strength returning at an enormous rate. Toku kept muttering and Raijin looked down at Toku's hands. He noticed that there was a green light emanating from each finger on Toku's left hand, and orange light emanating from each finger on his right hand.

Raijin: He must be performing multiple variations of the healing kido all at once so that he could heal all of my different types of wounds without the slightest delay. Impressive, that takes enormous concentration.

Despite all of this, it still took Toku another five minutes of work before he sat back and sighed. Raijin sat up and flexed his arms.

Raijin: "Perfect"

END.

Well, being Jewish, I have the normal plans for Christmas - go out for Chinese food and see a movie (Django Unchained should be awesome!).

@Whiteflame. Heh, sounds like fun. Hope you enjoyed. XD

@Wantadog. Awesome post, dude. That was exactly how I thought it might go and it worked perfectly. Thanks. XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

actually what is this.............the full story of bleach is written here....................

@KEISUKE_URAHARA - It's an RP, one based off of Bleach, but, as you can see, utilizing less than half of the characters from the actual series.

realy............what is this big essay's.......................

They're not essays, they're parts to the story.

ohhhh..........sorry.............and u guyz typed these things or u copied from some links...........so which one.............

...Are you seriously asking that? These are original writings, we're all doing our own work here. If we'd copied these, then there wouldn't be much point in making this at all, and it would basically be thievery.

oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh my ggggooooooooddddddddddddd.................­...­...­
i cant believe this...............u r kidding me.........................

...Really not sure what to make of you at this point. It's an RP, we are prolific, we write our own pieces, and we've been at it for quite a while.

wow..... i m really really impressed..............by the way what is RP............

...Role-playing.

NOPE..............I WAS WONDERING..................HOW LONG IT TAKES......TO WRITE THIS STORIES...............
AND THESE STORIES ARE LINKED SOME HOW.....?

They aren't separate stories. It's all part of one large story. As for writing time, it depends on the person, the length of the piece, whether we have a solid idea nailed down and how much time we have in any given sitting.

coooooooooooooool man.................i m impressed................!

[The War Diety's Cry]

“I see…perhaps there is no helping it…”

Idoya frowned as Tsubaki heaved a heavy sigh and spoke aloud to herself, as if she had come to some sort of conclusion.

“What exactly is there no helping?”

“I continue to press the importance of valuing honor and pride on the battlefield and you persistently refute this ideal. We’ve both made ourselves clear but we cannot come to an agreement. However…in the end, that is the very reason we cross blades, is it not? While your morals leave much to be desired, you still display adamant faith in your beliefs. This you cannot deny. As such, there is no more to be said.”

“In short; you’ve given up on trying to convince me.”

“Correction: I have given up on trying to convince you with words. I shall merely show you with my blade. The joy of acknowledging and trading blows with another, that is.”

[Play Music]

Without further ado, Tsubaki held two katana up, the two blades leaving after images similar to the light given off by the sun’s corona.

“O sun that drapes this world in light and warmth, heed my prayer. Let my blades’ strikes be true and carve my spirit into their body, displaying true life. In the name of Tokugawa, I send you my words. Give me the blade that shines with the untarnished loyalty of my ancestors. Shinken!”

Idoya blinked in surprise at the lengthy (and unnecessary) speech as the air suddenly became much warmer. The countless katana all around them began to dissolve into floating fireflies of light that hovered in the air. The same happened to the two swords in Tsubaki’s hand and Tsubaki held her two hands together as all of the small lights floated into her palms, quickly assembling a long glowing sword of pure energy and light.

Idoya recalled the noticeable heat each individual sword gave off as she touched them. If all of it was added together without losing any heat, how hot could the blade become?

Tsubaki pointed the tip of the blade in her hand at Idoya slowly and a wave of heat washed over the Espada.

“This is a blade that has wiped many foes off of the face of the earth, reducing them to mere soot. I shall say my name once more; Captain of the 9th squad of the Gotei 13, Tsubaki Tokugawa, commonly known as ‘Titania’. I shall not hold back.”

Tsubaki took one firm step forward and thrust the blazing sword forward, though there were several yards between them that the blade could not reach. Idoya, however, did not hesitate to create swords out of her ceros and use them to guard.

Flames and heat engulfed Idoya ferociously in a single stream, but the attack did not stop there. It continued far past the espada, engulfing the walls and buildings behind them. However, it did not set anything on fire. It merely melted whatever it touched, reducing the terrain to nothingness.

Idoya reappeared several feet away, surprised. She’d been forced to evade even having already convinced herself that she would deflect or block the attack. Upon seeing the mass of heat approach, she’d found herself unable to remember her decision and had only thought of moving out of the way.

Had it withered her faith?

Before Idoya could come to a conclusion, Tsubaki appeared directly before her, swinging the sword down fiercely. The movement was fierce and completely direct, showing no signs of deceit. Rather than attempting to attack from behind or surprise her, Tsubaki intended to attack head on.

Idoya raised her swords of cero to intercept the attack and managed to stop the blade itself, but a wave of heat washed over Idoya and she felt her perspiration leave her body and evaporate immediately before it could even cool her off. Meanwhile, the ground beneath her feet sunk in under the force exert from Tsubaki’s strike.

“So the ‘blade of faith’ represents your level of faith, eh?”

Even under this stress, Idoya managed to keep calm as she looked directly into Tsubaki’s eyes. They had become hard and focused with only the intention of fighting in them, similar to a samurai of the Sengoku period. Those who believed to choose honorable death over peaceful longevity were celebrated even today.

Finally Idoya couldn’t hold Tsubaki back any longer and the swords of cero were ripped of her hand, exploded violently. Tsubaki’s glowing blade seemed to cut right through the explosion, resulting in a bigger explosion that sent Idoya flying backwards, tripping over herself as she attempted to dig her heels into the ground to slow her momentum. She finally succeeded, but had to use sonido in order to evade Tsubaki’s relentless assault, the glowing blade slashing forth without hesitation.

“If you cannot defend against this blade, then you best step off the battlefield, 6th espada!” Tsubaki warned as she swung her sword around fiercely and the tip nicked Idoya’s cheek, drawing blood. However, the cut did not even get to bleed. The heat and pressure the sword exuded dried it immediately and burned fiercely, making the side of Idoya’s face painful to move even slightly. “This blade that I swing in for the sake of justice that I stand for! You, who do not know of such a concept, shall only prove to be useless to any who you show allegiance to!”

Idoya grimaced as she formed new blades of cero energy once more in order to attempt to intercept the charging Tsubaki. Dodge or block, the blades heat would reach her and mercilessly burn her to a crisp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Oh, it seems that the woman of ethics has acknowledged another fool as a worthy foe.”

Adelheid Von Einsberg mentioned this aloud as she stood laxly, holding her grimoire open. Around her, Gillian were rushing into each other, biting at one another’s necks in an attempt to kill one another for some reason. The Adjuchas were had been skillfully caught by Adelheid’s Loki’s Net through much effort and consequently destroyed by Soi Fon’s powerful bankai that had created an explosion even more powerful than the one that destroyed several buildings elsewhere in Soul Society. Soi Fon eyed Adelheid curiously as they took advantage of the moment to rest as the Gillian continued to pay more attention to one another rather than to their initial enemies.

“‘Woman of ethics’…? You mean Captain Tokugawa?”

“Indeed. As long as I have known her, she has been a woman who’s only wish was to face an opponent on the battlefield who upheld their own justice. She understands the true meaning behind ‘combat etiquette’. To be frank, as I am comparable to a goddess of witchcraft, she could be considered a goddess of war.”

“…It sounds as if you are praising her.”

Soi Fon murmured this aloud with a look of displeasure. Adelheid snorted in response to that.

“Hardly. She has intellect, but of a military general rather than a philosopher or scholar. There are worlds separating the two of us that you cannot even imagine. She’s willing to stoop to calling a person a ‘friend’ after trading unrestrained blows with them.”

“‘Enemy today, friend tomorrow’, eh? Even if it is a hallow?”

“I wouldn’t know. So far, she’s killed ever hallow that has ever provoked her.”

@Everyone. Hey, guys, I'm back from my holiday and such, so I'll begin writing my next post as soon as possible. Nice post, Exorcist, I see that your writing is getting better and better.

@Whiteflame. How's it going? Did you have a good Christmas?

@KeisukeUrahara. You can join... if you want... it's a free forum. XD

@Wantadog. What's up? Good Christmas?

Hey BP. I'm fine. My Christmas was....er......terrible, but I still had a good time. So how was your Christmas/New years?

Oh, that sucks, dude. But good to hear that you still had a good time. Heh, mine was okay - basically the same as every year... Eat, eat and eat, while seeing family. Lol.

(What else has been happening?)

@BP I'm flattered, but I still feel that that last post was too short, even though it expressed what I wanted properly. I can see the influence from watching Sengoku Basara in it XD

That aside, I should give everyone my condolences for surviving the end of the world. While I'm sure some other planet was destroyed by mistake by an alien armada, we can proudly say that we are seeing 2013. Now we just have to watch out for 2099, as that is when the Windows calender ends...

@Exorcist. No problem, dude. All your posts are generally awesome... as a rule. XD

Bp: Windows calendar ends... I won't even be alive in 2099... Who cares.

Exorcist: I won't be either, but I still care. What about your children and such?

Bp: I'll care till I die... I can't really do anything after that, you know.

Wantadog: What happens if Windows crashes and desperate Windows fans swamp the streets in rage and lust for something Windows-related... They'd be like Windows Zombies... Ya know.

Exorcist: ...Really? That sounds lame. If the world was going to end, it could at least happen in a cool way and not something lame like computer-addicts causing riots.

Bp: It would be cool if the sun supernova'd and flowed over us, exploding the whole planet. A fitting end, one might say.

Exorcist: It would only be fitting if we were more reliant on the sun... Even more than we already are, that is.

Whiteflame: I hate to break this to you, but this skit sucks.

Bp: And I hate to break it to you, but I don't care... You suck. Haha, haha.

Whiteflame: Moron.

Bp: Fiend!

Whiteflame: Philistine.

Bp: Unappreciative boor.

Whiteflame: ...Okay... I'm done.

Bp: Yeah, me too. That was fun...

Whiteflame: Fun...? Interesting idea of fun you have there, Bp.

Bp: I know, I know... I'm a Creep... I'm a weirdo... What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here (In singing voice)

Whiteflame: Yeah, I'm outta here... That caterwauling is not flash at all.

Wantadog: Damn, Bp, you managed to word duel Whiteflame and quote the worst Radiohead lyric known to mankind... Anything else you wish to desecrate, Bp?

Bp: Well... There is a horrible ghoul in my closet that needs dealing with... Anyone?

Everyone: Back to the asylum with you, fool!

Alrighty. I'm about halfway, maybe even less than that, through my post and I should have it up tomorrow morning.

[The Thunderbird Strikes! Raijin's Final Assault] – Part One

In the distance, Raijin could see the shape of the Head-Captain crumple. As Toku managed to just catch the smaller man in time, Raijin was already heading straight for Ulquiorra. His reiatsu already began to burst outwards and his Bankai swathed him automatically. Then time froze and Ulquiorra disappeared. Raijin realised that he was in his Inner World - a place he hadn't visited in some time. Hageshii Raikouarashi appeared before him, a smirk on his face. 'So, you have managed to defy death again, Raijin... Wonderful effort, I must say. So, here's the deal... I can see that you want to keep growing stronger, so I'll let you in on a secret... Kaminari and I have been convening, as he is as much a part of you as I am now. We decided that you shall know the final secret of your powers - and how you can transform your own reiatsu... It will make it that much harder for others to bear... If you can do it, that is.'

Raijin raised his eyebrow. 'Can you talk a bit slower...? I swear you are like a motormouth sometimes... Anyway, if it involves gaining more power to defeat Aizen, then I will gladly do it!'

Hageshii rolled his eyes. 'I knew, somehow, that name would come into it. Here's a bit of advice, Raijin. Keep the resolve and don't lose it - but, don't lose focus on that one man. I know you are doing this many other reasons than just to kill him, but, like I said, make sure you don't lose sight of the important things, otherwise you'll fall into his trap. Don't vow for revenge... Just protect the Soul Society, like you vowed to do long ago.'

'Yeah, I get you. If I try to fight him with revenge in mind, I'll end up losing... If I fight for Renji and for all my friends in the Soul Society, then I can win against him. But, at this point, Ulquiorra is my target. Though, I don't need anyone's help for that. I'll kill him, because he hurt Toshiro... Plus, he'll kill others if they are drawn into the fight with him.'

'That's right. Now... Are you ready to learn?'

Raijin rolled his eyes, something that seemed to be becoming a habit. 'Yeah, I'm ready. If I can make the effort, then I shall.'

'Good, let's go.'

-Back to Present-

Once Raijin had finished learning about manipulating his reiatsu, he realised that he was on a crash course with Ulquiorra, after being instantly transferred back to reality. Shunpoing swiftly, he drew his blade in mid-air, twisted and then struck at Ulquiorra, who seemed as though he was about to attack Toku and the fallen Toshiro. Raijin's blade smashed into his energy shield and he looked around in dawning anticipation.

'Ahhhh, Rogue Shinigami... We meet again. So, it seems that you wish to be utterly and completely defeated once more, is that it?'

Raijin shook his head with frustration. 'Don't mock me, you bastard. I have become even stronger than before... You have yet to witness what I have learned since the last time we met in battle!'

'In that case, I will be quite content to show you what I have learned since our last fight, too. Don't underestimate me again, Shinigami. This time, you will not be saved. Show me what you've got.'

'With pleasure!' And Raijin began to concentrate his energy. It appeared around him, a glistening yellow pressure, that began to glow blue around it, while grey sparks issued outwards. However, instead of growing larger visually, the density suddenly changed abruptly and it grew heavy and thick, almost causing Ulquiorra to choke. Finally, it leveled out and the feeling lingered, arousing Ulquiorra's interests. 'So... It seems that you have grown stringer, after all. Then, I'll just have to keep knocking you down, until you realise that you don't stand a chance against me.'

'Stop running your mouth and fight me... Or are you scared?'

'Scared? Fool, I know of no such feeling or emotion. I represent emptiness... I feel nothing. I'm hardly 'scared', as you seem to think.'

'That's good, then. It means that you won't feel anything when my blade finally cuts you down. I really do hate emotional endings, you know.'

Ulquiorra countered, without uttering anything. The energy in his hands seemed to become malleable, and he began to stretch it into a completely different shape – one that didn't make immediate sense to Raijin. Once it had formed a shape, however, Raijin realised that Ulquiorra was shaping his energy, much in the same way that Raijin could shape the lightning energy, while in Bankai state. Ulquiorra struck, but Raijin dodged in time and his Zanpakuto whizzed past the Espada's head, almost taking his horn off. The Espada countered with more energy, this time resembling a sword. They fought – sword to sword for a moment, then separated, both puffing from exertion. Raijin raised his reiatsu and tried to make it feel as dark as possible, but Ulquiorra responded by knocking him backwards, sending him spinning to and fro in the air. Finally, he came to a halt and his feet left the ground, as he sped back towards Ulquiorra. The energy had changed again and now it resembled a lasso, which settled around Raijin's midriff, pulling him downwards and slamming him to thr ground. He stood with effort and raised his reiatsu again, finally managing to dispel the energy caught around him. Ulquiorra looked unimpressed, and fired a Cero Oscuras at him, which caught him in the chest and sent him flying backwards, where, his body crashed into a building, then the Cero Oscuras black energy exploded around him, while he was in the motion of shunpoing away. He arrived back in front of Ulquiorra.

'That didn't work. How long are you going to keep playing around?' Raijin said impatiently.

'It appears I underestimated you, Shinigami. I will have to expend all of my killing intent to destroy you, it seems. Lanza Del Relampago!'

The lance appeared in Ulquiorra's hands, but instead of throwing it, he used his swift sonido, appearing before Raijin before the Rogue Shinigami could even spin around and then
smashed the lance into him, and sonidoing out of the radius of the massive blast area. Raijin was caught up in the blast and disappeared from Ulquiorra's view.

'Stop patronising me! Such a weak blast will never keep me down. I'll show you true power, Primera Espada!' Raijin re-appeared, his mask out and his intense reiatsu choking the whole area. Ulquiorra seemed to crumple somewhat and then Raijin's blade, sparkling with lightning energy came crashing into Ulquiorra, and he crashed to the ground. When he emerged, his injuries had already healed and he seemed to be completely unharmed, though his energy was beginning to ebb in comparison to Raijin's.

-Kogase-

'Bankai!' And the air around him began to shimmer with the intensity of his reiatsu. It flared in a multicoloured kaleidoscope of intense proportions and Grimmjow seemed to understand that he had finally found a worthy opponent, because he screamed in delight, sending shockwaves rippling through the area.

'That's it! That's it! Show your true powers, Shinigami!'

Kogase's energy burst into the air and finally, his changed Zanpakuto was left, a blade with two sharp spikes near the blade tip. 'Taishita Tenshiarashi...'

He shunpoed swiftly, even taking Grimmjow by surprise and managed to deal a cutting blow to the Espada's shoulder. Grimmjow grabbed the Zanpakuto and flung it backwards, catching Kogase by surprise. Then, he made as if to swipe Kogase with his claws, but Kogase managed to dodge just in time and seized his blade, parrying the next attack, too. Grimmjow pirouetted in mid-air, and hit Kogase, and caused him to descend rapidly and cause a depression in the ground. Kogase ignored this and used one of his attacks, freezing the air around Grimmjow and sucking the energy from him. Grimmjow sliced through the ice easily and then roared loudly, shattering the rest. Kogase shook his head and came in for another attack, this time cutting into Grimmjow's chest.

'Damned Shinigami! You are such a little pest. Alright, try this. Gran Rey Cero!' The blue blast came spiralling towards Kogase, eating him up and obscuring him from Grimmjow's view.

-To Be Continued-

@BP - I did! As per usual with Jewish Christmases, I went to a movie, but we went to Indian food instead of Chinese. Still good though, much enjoyed.

@exorcist - On the 21st, took a call, "Yeah, we're fine here. Just feels a little hot for December. That giant wave of fire might have something to do with it."

@Flame. Haha, indeed. Indian is good. Vindaloo for the win! XDDD

[Deluge]

Idoya was drowning. As the heat of Tsubaki’s blade bathed her in its fiery essence, literally boiling the outer layers of her skin and scorching her within an inch of her life, that’s all she could think of – that she was being held under thousands of tons of water. She could almost feel the pressure cracking her bones. Even as the heat scorched her throat and lungs, her only thought was that there was water rushing down her throat, filling her lungs and suffocating her.

The ocean was crushing her, tearing her apart, and breaking her down piece by piece.

To anyone else, it would have been an utterly foolish thought. The battlefield had long since lost any modicum of moisture and every drop of saliva and sweat barely existed for an instance. Even the liquid in her right eye had completely evaporated, leaving behind a cracked and damaged iris incapable of performing its basic duty.

Duty…

Idoya did not fear death. Once, long ago, she had experienced it as a human being. The thought of a second death did not impress her. No, the ocean was not a fear of death. The ocean was a duty failed, to a man who had given her purpose where none existed before.

For all her dissociative talk about the foolishness of defending those things that mattered most, she was entirely dependent on Aizen. She had spent so long living in the world of Hueco Mundo, traversing its endless sands and fields of death, only adding to the piles of skulls. She had once heard of a King of Hueco Mundo, a man more dead than alive who controlled the fate of those around him with his breath alone. Some had the audacity to call him the true Grim Reaper, though he ended falling just the same. She was just like him for so long – an undead being with no purpose other than to assert her power over the dying landscape.

Towards what end? Why had she struggled all those years for power? What had power given her other than distance from her fellow monsters and a reason to keep moving?

It had been such a sham.

When she had come to Las Noches so few weeks ago, she had gone there to die, to be torn asunder by the great and powerful Espada who lived there. They were Hollows that mattered, those with purpose to their name. Perhaps an honorable death at their hands would provide one of them with the power to become significant. Perhaps that would make her relevant.

Grimmjow had made short work of her, bringing her to her knees after only a few minutes of battle. He was as strong she had been told, and far faster than she could hope to manage.

Grimmjow: That’s all you have? Some conviction. Why come to this place if only to die?

Idoya breathed heavily, pushing herself off the ground with her only working arm, which still held one of the cero blades she had created. She didn’t know why she still held it – she no longer had the intention of using it.

Idoya: I came here… to live!

Grimmjow: Hell of a way to live. Death by my hands won’t bring you anything but emptiness.

Idoya: Then emptiness will be my way to live.

???: We already have an Espada for that.

Grimmjow growled, glaring over at the man who strode into the room. Aizen Sosuke was every inch the ruler of Hueco Mundo, a man who knew no fear and made men and women of power run at his beck and call. The easy smile on his face had become a mark of his sovereignty.

Grimmjow barked: You can’t just claim every piece of trash that wanders in here.

Aizen: Is she trash now? I remember a mangy dog who wandered in here once upon a time. Many believed him to be worthless as well.

Grimmjow grimaced: Why the hell would you send me to fight her if you felt that way?

Aizen: Because you’re not like the others, Grimmjow. You believe in some sense of honor while fighting. If she intrigued you to any extent, she would be alive by the end of the fight. If not… well, there’s plenty of trash in the desert, as you say.

Grimmjow smirked and shrugged: You and your ploys. I won’t have any goddamn part of this. If she’s worth so much to you, take her. She’s not worth another breath from me.

He strode out of the room, leaving behind Aizen and a struggling Idoya. He eyed her curiously as she fought to a sitting position.

Idoya: You believe I’ll join you? Why?

Aizen: I don’t ever “believe” in things. For centuries, I was told to believe in the powers of Shinigami and the Soul King. It was foolish. Believing in something you cannot see is nothing short of self delusion. No, I know you will join us.



Idoya: Then where does that certainty come from?

Aizen’s smile broadened: We are all creatures of desire, Idoya. To one extent or another, we all crave power. How long have you braved the deserts, building your strength to such an extent? And yet you came here only now, after so long. It’s because you realized something – power is not an end, it’s a means to an end. And yet, you have no end to achieve. Perhaps you sought an end by coming here, a worthless end at the hands of a superior opponent. But every powerful creature in this world has some worth to it. Why waste yours?

Idoya frowned: And you think your purpose is worth my pledging loyalty to you?

Aizen spread his arms wide: I don’t need your power, I think Grimmjow did an effective job proving that. What I need is a duty so few can provide, a willingness to seek a finale to this ridiculous world run by Soul Reapers without personal vendetta or desire. I will give you power if you join me, Idoya, but most importantly, I will give you a trust I afford to none of the others. You will be my vanguard, leading the way into battle and forging a path to my victory, unflinching in the face of her duty.

Idoya couldn’t help but be perplexed. This man…

He reached into his chest and withdrew a small object. Taking it out, he held it out to her on his upright palm. So this was the Hougyoku.

Aizen: Trust goes both ways. If you wish now, you can take this from me and do as you please with it. Or you can simply place your hand on it, allow me to imbue you with the power you crave, and give you something to fight for, something with meaning.

He took her hand and placed it directly on the crystal housing the little glowing orb. It was the only time she could remember being shocked. His smile never wavered as her hand twitched. She thought of grabbing it and implanting it in herself – she had heard of the incredible powers it had granted him. But what of his request? There was no way that he could be offering her such an option, no way he could grant her such trust. When the words came out of her mouth, she couldn’t even believe she was saying them.

Idoya: I pledge my life and faith to you.

Aizen nodded: I told you, faith is unnecessary. You’ll see the truth of my promise with your own eyes.

A glow engulfed them both, filling her with white light as she her power rose to the heavens. In that moment, she believed herself to be ascendant, capable of fulfilling her promise despite the weakness she had shown that day. She felt powerful enough to warrant his trust.

And now she was being crushed under the weight of a promise she could not keep. Wielding two of her cero blades, she did her best to shove aside the blade of light and fire again and again, feeling the meat of her arms sear under the heat and pressure of each blow. Every sonido was met with a shunpo, and every attempt to escape was a failure. She was drowning, her world turning to seared ash at the bottom of that endless ocean of duty. A duty that she had taken on willingly, one that she would gladly lose her life for.

Had she done that duty? A single captain… the one who stood before her was weak, a mite Lord Aizen and nothing more. And yet, she would fall against her, without fail, without question. This single failure was enough to prove her worthlessness.

Such was the weight of duty, and the severity of failure. She didn’t fear Aizen’s anger at her, only the look of disappointment in his eyes. Who was she to anger a god? And who was he to care for the death of an insect like her?

A strong slash barely deflected sent a burst of hot air sent a wave of hot air down at her left eye. She barely closed it in time, but the temporary blindness was all her opponent required. Tsubaki brought her blade down onto Idoya’s left shoulder, cleaving it from her body like a knife through butter. Blood hissed and evaporated; arteries and veins were clamped shut by the sudden cauterization; pain lanced through her like lightning as the heat pierced her body like unwrought iron shoved into a furnace. She fell to her knees, opening her left eye only a crack as she met the imperious gaze of the woman across from her. The heat of the blade had begun to burn Tsubaki’s hands badly, but she hardly cared.

Tsubaki: This is the end, Espada. Perhaps you have learned something of honor through death. But then, perhaps not.

The blade arced down, and once again searing heat covered her body as Idoya closed her eye. But no other pain came. She did not feel a blade enter her flesh, she did not feel anything. Again, she opened her eye, resisting the intense heat around her. Tsubaki’s hands her poised in front of her face, but the blade she had once held was no longer there. She couldn’t see it, but it had been launched several hundred feet in the opposite direction, immediately liquidating much of the ground where it pierced before losing its fiery aura.

Tsubaki’s mouth was agape. She looked down at her hands, but as burned and bloody as they were, they had held fast to the blade with no issue. She lifted her gaze, looking before her. There, a man stood with his hand raised. He was a man full of sharp angles, an austere person all of sinew and taut muscle. Though he had lost a significant amount of weight since she had last seen him, Tsubaki quickly recognized the man as Demandred. Her eyes went wide.

Tsubaki: Demandred!

She quickly rushed over to pick up her fallen blade and it burst with light again. Demandred didn’t move as she used shunpo to appear in front of him, anger strong in her features as she sliced out with her blade. His hand moved only to meet it, and a few short inches before they connected, the blade and Tsubaki were sent flying from a powerful push. The strength of it was such that she landed with a tremendous impact, the blade nearly slipping from her grasp. She yelled and charged again, this time using shunpo to appear behind him and taking a slash at his neck. Without moving an inch, the blade tore from her grasp and flew a tremendous distance away. Demandred then shifted around, grabbing her by the throat with pewter enhanced strength and slammed her hard into the ground beneath them. She gasped from the force of it has her throat was nearly crushed and the back of her skull cracked. The world turned to black.

Demandred dusted off his hands, walking with an unsteady gait towards Idoya. His stride took him just around the Espada, who could only stare at him incredulously.

Idoya: Y…you… How are you standing? You were on your death bed when we found you. Even with a Hollow’s regeneration…

Demandred stopped in place. He turned to her only partially, only half of his face visible, and that in shadow. Pain arced through his features, the veins and arteries on his face protruding visibly. He was sweating heavily, and his eye was bloodshot.

Demandred: Duty is an ocean. You must bear it all your days, or be crushed under its weight. No matter how large the ocean… no matter the duty…

He turned away, moving like a man possessed. The power of a god resonated through his veins, yet even as it fed him power; it sought to drain him of his life with every breath he took, with every beat of his heart. With this, he could bring an end to this whole war. He looked down at his hand, which shook visibly. Clenching it into a fist, he instantly reduced his weight as low as it would go, and began to run. He stumbled at first, but managed to right himself, gaining balance through using pewter. He started moving faster than could ever be possible for a human of his size, his weight no longer an encumbrance. He moved towards the two massive reiatsus fighting in the midst of Soul Society, towards the finale of this war.

Interesting development. Awesome post, man.

Heh, thanks. Been waiting to spring this one for a while.

Indeed, I knew you'd do it eventually, but didn't know when. Either way, it worked out pretty good.

[The Thunderbird Strikes! Raijin's Final Assault] – Part Two

-Kogase-

The Gran Rey Cero came spiralling in, but Kogase had seen this attack before and had already dodged it. In fact, he was almost at Grimmjow, before the Espada realised and pulled out of the Cero and slammed his right paw down on the ground, creating a shockwave between them. Kogase jumped, avoiding the ground cracking and raised his reiatsu to shield against the shockwave. It still blew him back, but he somehow managed to right himself and thrust his Zanpakuto at Grimmjow's head, just as he shunpoed towards the Espada. Grimmjow's eyes narrowed, as he tried to detect Kogase's reiatsu. Unbeknownst to Grimmjow, Kogase was an expert in hiding his reiatsu when it is sitting at it's natural level for what state he is in; in other words, when in Bankai, as long as he is not consciously trying to raise his reiatsu, at any given point, Kogase can hide his reiatsu from his opponent. In this particular case, it worked out exceptionally well and Kogase thrust his blade through Grimmjow's right shoulder.

'Damn you, Shinigami. So, you feel superior with your fancy tricks, do you? I'll teach you not to look down on me!' Grimmjow snarled, his outrage finally beginning to show.

'You've made your final mistake, Grimmjow Jaegerjacques. You are relying on your animalistic instinct and rage to defeat me, but that won't work with me. You see, I don't allow rage to blind me, nor do I entertain the notion that instinct is the only thing that can govern victory in a battle. So, I will stop fooling around, and show you exactly what I mean. Hado No.31, Shakkaho!' The red Kido blazed from his hands and struck out towards Grimmjow. 'Hado No. 33, Sokatsui!' The blue Kido energy followed behind the first, and Grimmjow dodged the first one, but missed the second, which struck him head-on. He raged again and moved in for the kill. 'No, you don't. Bakudo No. 63, Sajo Sabaku!' The yellow, snake-like tendrils of energy surrounded him and began to twist aorund his body. 'Hado No. 63, Raikoho!' The massive lightning bolt struck Grimmjow's location, leaving a smoking body and ground.

Grimmjow looked injured, but moved nonetheless. 'That won't stop me, Shinigami. Just because you are talented, that means nothing to me. I will keep moving forward and I definitely won't lose to you here and now!'

Grimmjow's reiatsu began to rise, becoming somewhat more powerful, then it was released in one big burst, as he swiftly sped away from the ground and at Kogase. This time the Captain was struck on the side, in the middle of pulling away. He cringed with pain and landed awkwardly, striking out automatically with his blade, then fired a series of Byakurai. One of them managed to go through Grimmjow's injured shoulder, and he snarled with pain, jumping backwards. They glared at each other for a moment, each resting themselves for the anticipated battle to come.

'You look MAD, Espada. Do you want to rip me to shreds?' Kogase grinned, baiting Grimmjow.

'I WILL rip you to shreds!!! There is no avoiding it. I suppose I will have to show you how to dodge numerous Cero at once... That might make you more wise about how you approach me.'

'Then do it... I'm ready!'

Grimmjow obliged more than willingly and charged a Cero in each hand, then fired off, both on either side of Kogase. However, as they drew closer, Kogase realised that they were larger than the first normal Cero he used and he was almost blown to pieces before he escaped, though he did so with minor burns. 'Try again... I thought you were going to use plenty of them, Espada.'

'Oh, I will.' Then Grimmjow began to fire Bala at Kogase, who had to spend time dodging them all, while this was happening, Grimmjow was readying the next lot of Ceros to fire, then did so without warning. Kogase, who was still avoiding the last of the Balas, didn't see the first one and was struck by it. The second, luckily, just missed him - but, it made little difference. Kogase was starting to get puffed now and he had used one of his Bankai attacks, which had no effect and all of the Kido seemed to have done little as well.

'Well, Shinigami, you seem to be a bit stuck. What's wrong?'

'Don't patronise me. You know fully well that this fight isn't over yet... It won't be over until you lie bleeding in a ditch somewhere... That I can promise you. Kamisori Kaze! Hado No.58, Tenran!' the attack suddenly sliced into Grimmjow's Hierro and, for the first time, it seemed as though he was actually in a bit of pain. Then, the Tenran blew him backwards and he stood, puffing for a moment.

'So, you were saying, Espada?'

'Shut up! Don't think that this changes anything... BECAUSE IT DOESN'T! Desagarion!' And, suddenly, Kogase felt an overwhelming reiatsu begin to pulsate. Grimmjow was high in the air, and his claws suddenly drew massive arcs of blue reiatsu out of them. They hung in the air, looking almost like scythe-shaped blades. Then, Grimmjow used all his energy to Sonido, and appeared in front of Kogase. The blasts were drawn downwards and Kogase blocked them with his blade... But, it wasn't enough and they crashed through his defenses and slicing through his body like razors. He coughed blood and fell to the ground, his energy starting to ebb. Even though he had a bit of energy left, his body didn't seem to be able to move. Was this how it was going to end?

I can't just die like this. What would the Head-Captain say? And what would Shunsui say? He'd have to bear my death, too. It was enough that Jushiro died. That killed a piece of him. He's like a father to me. I can't do that to him! I can't let everyone down. Arms, legs... MOVE!!! Move, damn you!

A wave of reiatsu began to rise from Kogase's body, like an aura... It was massive, probably every available amount of energy left in his body. He stood, without even feeling the pain, instead his body was so intent on winning that it had abandoned all pretense of feeling the immense pain of his injuries. 'I'm not going to let them down. Bakudo No.99, Restrict!' The Bakudo came from the ground and seemed to forkm like ribbons or chains. They clung to Grimmjow, who howled with rage, trying to break free. 'Not going to happen. This is one of the strongest Bakudo spells known... You will never break free. Kyuuzou Kouyo!' A multicoloured blast struck Grimmjow in the throes of his rage. It was massive, a conglomeration of each element, which seemed to completely dissolve him, and, when the blast cleared, Grimmjow was no more.

Kogase collapsed.

I am done. I can't fight any more today

[The Limits of Omnipotence]

Aizen toyed with the Hougyoku in his hands. Such a small thing, yet so infinitesimally important. It was a gift of power, one created by a man who knew scant little about what he had created, and even less about what it meant. Aizen smirked at the thought of its inception, and a grimace as he remembered how long those hands had guarded it.

It was as though Urahara Kisuke was the Pantheon, and Aizen was Promethius. How long had he been bound to the rock of the Seireitei, letting foolish Shinigami feast upon him, not unlike the eagle feasted upon Promethius’s liver each day? It was almost poetic.

He crushed the facsimile in his hands, letting the pieces fall to the foot of his throne. The Hougyoku was not his to give, nor his to hold. It chose him as the vessel of its power, and whether he or anyone else physically removed it was immaterial. Even he did not have the power to destroy it. Even knowing that, he couldn’t help but feel his power in moments like these. It was somehow gratifying.

“L-l-lord Aizen?”

He raised dispassionate eyes to view the young arrancar who stood before him. He was sweating uncertainly and wringing his hands. Aizen had called him in here over an hour ago, and he had been forced to stand there ever since. Apparently, the wait was wearing on him.

Aizen: Yes?

Arrancar: You told me to attend to you, but you have given me no orders, sir…

Aizen: Isn’t attendance enough?

He rose from his throne, plodding easily down the steps before them. His cloak parted, revealing the Hougyoku embedded in his chest and the grooves running above, below and to the sides of it. It was a symbol of power, and one all the more necessary to showcase now that his war had begun. The arrancar knew it all too well, and cringed as he got close.

Aizen: You aren’t an Espada, so I’m not requiring you to fight with them. In fact, I require very little of you. Do you truly crave more?

Arrancar: T-the Espada-

Aizen interrupted: Died en masse during our last war. We may indeed be stronger now, but make no mistake – Soul Society is a tough rock to break. It will likely withstand their assault.

The arrancar could only look on with wide eyes. The expression on his face spoke the question more blatantly than words ever could.

Aizen: One must learn from one’s mistakes. The King’s Key was a fool’s venture, one that would merely land me in the thick of a battle with Squad 0 and then with the Soul King himself. I wield powers similar to a god, but I have become acutely aware of the capabilities of true gods. I don’t mean to test my power against one when the strength of Ichigo Kurosaki was enough to stop me last time. No, to kill a god, one requires less… refined means.

The young arrancar had a glazed over look to his eyes as he listened. Aizen couldn’t tell for sure whether he could even comprehend his words, but it hardly mattered. Aizen just needed a willing ear for the moment, and this one was willing enough.

Aizen: A large enough concentration of reishi within the Seireitei will be enough, and it only matters that a few of them stay alive. Sacrifices are necessary in order to bring an end to this farce.

To his surprise, the dense little creature’s mouth flapped open and words he didn’t expect came out.

Arrancar mumbled: But why would you seek to destroy something like that?

Aizen: What was that, child? Make yourself clear.

He shuddered before speaking up: The Soul King is supposed to be a… a…

Aizen: The word you’re searching for is “linchpin,” and if what we’ve been told is to be believed then killing him would destroy the fabric of time and space.

The arrancar gulped loudly. He had obviously heard something about it before.

Aizen smiled: I don’t believe in such things. I believe that the Soul King is responsible for something much more banal, and I intend to expose that truth to the light of day. But I haven’t completely ruled out the idea that his powers might be as they say, and needless to say, I am just as vulnerable as anyone to such an ultimate outcome.

He leaned in. To his credit, the arrancar stood his ground without cringing, but he could see that it took great effort.

Aizen: And should that end occur, I would relish it.

The look of shock on the young man’s face was stark. For the first time, he met Aizen’s gaze.

Aizen: To have this world balanced on the dime that the Soul Reapers see fit to keep all for themselves. This world is not meant to be controlled by one entity – Hollows are here with a purpose, just as much as any Soul Reaper, and just as much as any Quincy. If forcing a shift in the balance causes the end of all things, then so be it .

Arrancar: But… you are not a Hollow.

Aizen: And I am not a Soul Reaper, not anymore. The world is not meant to be controlled by any single group – the balance of life after death should not be in their hands. I would rather see no one with control, no life and no death whatsoever, than continue to lament their control over the transition.

He crossed his hands behind his back, plodding his way slowly to the entrance. He was in no rush – time was on his side this time, and he had already sent his secret weapon to end this. Demandred might very well manage to destroy them utterly. Or, perhaps, as he had supposed from the start, he would rejoin the Soul Reapers and add to the piles of bodies that way. It truly didn’t matter; even with his new powers, the man was no threat to Aizen. Not anymore.

He held out a hand before him, watching as a white sheen stretched over it. When he had unleashed the Hougyoku before, it had evolved with time, changing his form as it was challenged with new dangers. Now, it had met most of those challenges, and he could freely control the transformations as he wished. Of course, he hadn’t met all of them yet. No, there was another reason to go to Soul Society that required a bit of déjà vu. He wasn’t much for prison visits, though this time, he would not be the prisoner. The shoe would be on the other foot now, and the last stage in his evolution was so close he could taste it.

In the throne room, the young arrancar fell to his knees. For a moment, Aizen expected him to attack in a fit of rage; after all, he had sent the Espada to die once again, and this child likely felt some loyalty to them. Yet he didn’t. He just sat there numbly, taking in the fact that the end of his life – no, his existence – may come from the very man who had ruled them all these years. It was a solemn thought, and one that left him empty. He removed the sword from the sheath at his belt, held it out in front of him so that the blade was positioned in front of his neck, and stabbed. A gush of blood and a soft thud later, and his life was no more.

Aizen grimaced. He had hoped to have a messenger for his cause here, but it appeared to have been for nothing. But he sighed, extending a hand before him and splitting the air into the gaping black maw of a Garganta. It was time.

[Crushed Warrior's Pride]

The sound of blades clashing and blood spilling was a familiar sound to any warrior. Tsubaki was no exception. In fact, she was so attuned to it, it acted as a stimulate that prevented her from remaining unconscious for long.

Tsubaki shot to her feet furiously while making a primal noise that displayed her will to fight that appeared to have resisted any means to douse it. She grabbed at her four sealed swords in her hands as a scary look crossed her face.

Then she stumbled forward as blood spurted from her wounds and her body ached. Her eyes widened as she barely managed to keep herself standing, though pain wracked every bone and muscle within her as if her body expected to be dead and couldn’t comprehend any movement that proved there was life within her.

“Such bestial noises you are making; have you lost control of your cognitive abilities?”

Adelheid von Einsberg eyed Tsubaki Tokugawa with a haughty expression as the woman kept her back to the injured captain, only cocking her head slightly to peer in her direction. Tsubaki was slightly stunned to see the kido corps commander out in the open, but was even more surprised as she recalled the hazy memories from before she’d passed out. Her hand flew to her neck and more pain erupted in both her neck and her burned hands. She was in terrible shape.

“I’m…alive?”

“Yes, though barely. You skull is cracked, you are covered in blade wounds and bruises that pierced your armor, and you’re suffering from some head trauma. Not to mention you’re fatigued beyond belief. Your standing on sheer will right not.”

“Why…” Tsubaki murmured quietly as she stared at her burned hands with lifeless eyes. Burned as they were, they were still intact. She could still feel the painful sensation of a strike strong enough to have knocked her sword from her hand despite her stone-like grip. She had never faced such an overwhelming force since the last time she’d faced the former Captain Commander—Yamamoto. “Why didn’t he kill me…?”

“Hmm? Wasn’t your opponent a female Arrancar? I recall seeing her face momentarily before arriving.”

“Demandred…Demandred was here…”

Tsubaki’s hands trembled as she curled her hands into tight fists as she ground her teeth together. Adelheid’s eyes narrowed slightly at that.

“Demandred…? Does this mean that there are three captains incapable of performing their duty, perhaps more? Or did he turn traitor and attack you?”

Rather than answering, Tsubaki took a shaky step forward and her both trembled as she struggled to keep herself from falling. She forced herself to take another step and blood drool from her lips as she bit down on them.

“Where are you going?” Adelheid asked dully without attempting to stop the 9th squad captain.

“To find…Demandred…and pay him back.” Tsubaki hissed in a strained voice. “He interrupted my fight…and shamefully struck…me unawares…He shall pay!”

“You’ll die if those wounds are not treated soon.”

“I’d sooner die than bear this burden!”

Tsubaki yelled angrily as she whirled around to face Adelheid, provoked like an injured bear. The unnecessary movement sent pain through all of Tsubaki’s body like flames and the warrior spirit trembled under her own weight. She then collapsed to the ground without even managing to throw her hands out in front of her to catch herself. Adelheid watched coldly as Tsubaki struggled to pick herself up, but could no longer bear her own weight, only falling on her face again and again.

“Pitiful.” The kido corps commander sighed cruelly.

“I do not care.” Tsubaki’s voice spoke harshly from the ground. “I do not care anymore!”

Adelheid averted her eyes in disgust as her fellow noblewoman felt tears stream from her eyes. Tsubaki Tokugawa, the valiant warrior of the sun, was reduced to a shameful state of tears due to a consecutive battle with those lacking honor. It was inconceivable for Adelheid to witness this with her eyes.

“Adelheid…please…heal me.”

Adelheid remained silent as she heard this pitiful plea. With her kido abilities, it was within her ability to heal the captain on the spot. However…

“Put yourself at ease, Tokugawa. You are not the only warrior on this battlefield. There is no need for you to stress yourself over this. Patiently await your chance to avenge your honor at a different time and admit defeat this once.”

“I shall never cast aside my pride…Adelheid!”

The voice of defiance responded to Adelheid’s words, provoking a momentary urge of anger within the elegant woman. Adelheid glared at Tsubaki whose fierce eyes looked up in return. The captain would remain proud and unwavering no matter what the circumstance, it seemed. Adelheid thought that she was beyond help.

“Tsubaki…do you see your own death? Do you truly believe in the philosophy of an honorable death before shameful longevity?”

“The answer should be obvious, Adelheid. I wish to die defending my honor and upholding justice. If you tell me that I am better of forgetting my debts and living on without concern, I shall disagree with my very last breath. I shall ask once more; heal me Adelheid. Heal me and allow me to join the battle once more.”

Adelheid read the resolve on Tsubaki’s face. Tsubaki’s thoughts were focused on continuing fighting with her swords in hand. She’d probably release Shinken again despite her hands having yet to recover properly. Perhaps this woman would have made an excellent eleventh squad captain, had the circumstances been different.

“I refuse, Tsubaki.”

“Adelheid!”

“I shall not send you to your death, no matter what your honor says. Lie on the ground and cry in shame if you wish; I am deaf to your foolishness.>”

After speaking those cold words for the sake of her friend, Adelheid turned her back to the incapacitated captain and left without hesitation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, another warrior had taken to the battlefield.

“Hyaaaahhhh!”

Johan Pesaro swung his two-sided spear furiously as he sat atop the flaming stallion Carmen. His spear decapitated hallow after hallow without pause, each stroke sending blasts of heat and flames in all directions.

“In the name of Soul Society, we shall crush the enemies who dare to invade our holy land! To wing, Carmen! We’ll defeat the snake’s head and show it to the Gotei 13 to prove to them the worth of the Rogue Squad!”

Carmen neighed as it pawed the ground fiercely. Soon, they fired into the air like an ascending meteor, slashing down a few more hallow mercilessly along the way, before firing across the sky toward the clashing spiritual pressures in the distance. Johan was completely unaware that his echoing war cry reached the ears of his kin of the sun below, provoking more hot tears to stream down their face in frustration.

Epic posts, guys. My next one is currently in contruction, but I shall finish and put it up tonight. XD

Mhmmm, I have to neglect Fanpop for a while guys... Hopefully, we can still finish this when I come back on. Otherwise, I have to say that this RP was most fun and I'm overjoyed to have been through this all with you guys, even those of you that are not on here any longer.

Heh, I can't speak for the rest, but I'll be here. Already lost Fallout, not planning on losing this one. I'll likely have a few posts up by the time you return. Anyway, whatever it is that's drawing your attention away, hope it's nothing too serious and I wish you well.

Don't worry - I will still add my Clan War posts on here... However, I have to sort myself out with a job and basically just my life, in general... Once that is achieved, I'll be back on here, with a vengeance. Lol. Anyway, thanks, dude. I hope the others will keep up the good work, too.

[Unstoppable Force]

Cadence was bored. With all of the fighting going on around her, she was relegated to basic guard duty. And not to any interesting buildings either – just the austere barracks of the First Division. She could see all of the other buildings being damaged by various attacks, but she had been told very specifically not to leave…

Well, she thought she had, but every time that she questioned it, rising and starting to move away as she did, she would look down at her hand and see the note taped there.

Stay here. Allow access to no one. – Captain Commander Hitsugaya Toshiro

And so she would sigh, sit back down, and find small things to amuse herself while she waited. A small pebble before her had acted as a source of fun, though she grew bored with it every other minute. It was a minute thing that didn’t respond to her, after all. But then she would flip it over, notice another set of grooves and bumps, and enjoy it all over again.

But even the pebble didn’t prevent her from feeling the force of the explosions. She could feel the intensity of the reiatsus being emitted all around her as powerful foes clashed. The Seireitei would be leveled once again, and she was tasked with defending a single building.

It wasn’t fair. This Captain Commander was a meanie!

And yet, she held to his note. She vaguely remembered him saying something about her role being incredibly important, but she couldn’t recall why. Maybe he hadn’t said anything at all. Maybe she should just-

???: Oh? So he did leave someone to defend this place. Hitsugaya’s learned.

A smile spread across her face as she raised her gaze to the man standing before her. He had a pair of menacing brown eyes, a slight smile touching his lips. His hair is now swept back, with a strand hanging in his face. His hands were clasped behind his back as he exited the black maw of a Garganta.

Cadence: You mean I have someone to fight now?

Aizen: Yes, it would appear so, though from the sound of it you won’t make for much of a fight. I was certain that he would place someone like Renee Chevalier in my path, thinking to counter mental strength with mental strength. Apparently, he thought otherwise.

Cadence stuck a pinky in her ear, her eyes turning away from him and over to another portion of the battlefield. She could feel Renee’s reishi clashing against another, one that seemed to exude a haphazard reiatsu that made it easy to feel all over Soul Society.

Cadence: Yeah, she’s busy. My name’s Cadence… Cadence… what’s my last name again?

Aizen’s eyes narrowed: Has Hitsugaya completely lost his wits? Using someone like you to defend this place...

Cadence didn’t hear him. She shrugged.

Cadence: What’s your name then?

Aizen sighed: Did you not even pass through the Academy?

Cadence turned petulant: Of course I did! My teachers even threw me a party when I graduated!

Aizen: I’m sure they were just that happy to get rid of you.

Cadence: That’s not what they said!

Aizen shrugged: Aizen Sosuke, the instrument of your destruction. You may not know me yet, but I promise, you will learn.

Cadence wasn’t paying attention again. She actually seemed to be mumbling to herself. Aizen grew impatient.

Aizen: Speak up. These might very well be your last words after all.

Cadence’s eyes refocused on him: I wasn’t talking to you. You’re not the only one here, you know!

Aizen’s eyes widened: Oh? You’re one of those foolish gods’ toys, the so-called “Rogue Squad.” I had wondered how one of you would stack up against me.

Cadence had once again turned her attention away. Eris was speaking to her, after all. She wasn’t going to ignore her !

At least, Cadence believed that the goddess was speaking to her. Like the others, she was no longer able to hear the goddess that she had come to know so well. Yet she could almost hear her thoughts.

Eris: This one’s powerful, but prideful. Show him what chaos can do.

Cadence smirked: Sounds like fun. Bankai!

Interesting stuff, so I put aside a moment to let you know that I'm not abandoning this RP - I will post my posts every so often, maybe once a week, or so. I won't stop writing, because that is a part of me that I cannot get rid of, but I won't be on much from now on. So, just leave me messages, whenever you need to know something and I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks, guys.

Lol i wanna write a post, but I'm kinda drawing a blank...

In that case, I have a special plan for you, Wantadog. Take Toku and any of the Rogue Squad members you can find and beat the living f**k outta those Arrancars! XD
For any other plans, I suggest helping the Captains finish off the Espada as well. I imagine you could probably heal Raijin after he smashes Ulquiorra's face in. Lol.

Simple and violent. I like it! Lol I guess I can do that after Toku is done fixing up Toshiro. XD

Heh, good, I enjoyed articulating that piece of 'violent' planning. XD. Heh, sounds like a plan, then. I still haven't posted mine, but I will in the next couple of days, now that I'm caught up on Resurgance.

[The Thunderbird Strikes! Raijin's Final Assault] – Part Three

-Shunsui-

Shunsui raised his eyebrow, unwilling to admit that he was impressed. Even so, he hadn't exactly released his Bankai yet, so would leave him a back-up if Starrk's new ability was too powerful. Either way, it wouldn't make any difference - Shunsui would not lose to him. He would not let Toshiro down, or allow Aizen's minions to defeat him here and now, in the Seireitei.

[Start Music 1]

'Busogoma!' Shunsui shunpoed rapidly, heading Starrk's counter-attack off and spun in the air, landing with his face to Starrk's back. The Espada twirled gracefully, firing off a Cero. Shunsui avoided this and slashed at Starrk again. They parried each other, disappearing and then clashing in another stunning display of swordsmanship.

'Takaoni!' Shunsui cried, slamming his Zanpakuto into Starrk's and forcing the other man downwards. Starrk managed to withdraw his double-blade and make a forceful stab at Shunsui's midriff. Shunsui jumped upwards, then dropped down again and shunpoed again, fighting off the massive weapon.

'Wolf Growl!' Starrk suddenly disappeared, moving even faster than Shunsui had ever bothered to notice and slammed his claws into Shunsui's side. He dropped to the ground, his side injured and bleeding. Puffing, he studied Starrk's movement patterns again and avoided another deadly blow.

'Rainbow Cero!' Starrk's mouth opened and a blast with all seven colours of the colour wavelength chart began to spark, then burst from his mouth with rampant destruction. Shunsui somehow managed to miss the trajectory of it and landed clumsily, his side still painful. He breathed hard and watched for the elusive Espada. The next attack came quicker than Shunsui anticipated and his arm was sliced into, while he spun desperately, beginning to feel as though he was actually fighting for his life.

'You certainly have become much stronger, Espada. I suppose I had better get serious, otherwise I might just lose my life to you...' Shunsui completely avoided Starrk's next attack, then established his position elsewhere. 'In fact, I have just the thing. You'll remember this one, I'm sure. Iro Oni: Brown!' Shunsui spoke. Starrk's eyes widened and he suddenly raised his reiatsu. The brown fur pieces around his upper arms were the target and suddenly both parts of his body streamed red.

'Damn you. So, you decided to use that one again, huh? It doesn't matter. If I remember correctly, it is now my turn. White!' Starrk's guess was correct and Shunsui's body received cuts all across it. He slumped in the air and began to breath hard.

'Anyway, I will show you an attack that will show you just how strong I truly have become. But, before I will explain something to you, 8th Squad Captain... Sosuke Aizen sought to improve the originals, did he not? In doing so, he allowed Halibel, former Espada, Starrk, 3rd Espada, and Ulquiorra Schiffer, 1st Espada, the chance for regeneration. I never had it originally, but now injuries clear up in minutes, if they are minor. He also allowed the 1st Espada, to regeneration from almost any injury. Your friend, the Rogue Shinigami, will never defeat Ulquiorra... He has no hope of killing that which can take any injury and survive.'

Shunsui tried to laugh, but failed. 'You'll see... Raijin... Stronger than him, for sure. If you... Won't stop...Then I'll just have to use Bankai. Bankai!' A flash of blue reiatsu resulted, bursting high into the air. When it made contact with the clouds, it burst into a star-shaped flurry of energy, which began to take on a black outline, before it dissipated, leaving an eerie feeling of terror in the air. Starrk looked on in slight dismay, remembering what Shunsui had told him when they met in battle 500 years ago.

Bankai? I have no intention of using it... It is not one to use in such a crowded area. I cannot use Bankai, here, no, and my Shikai will suffice for you, Espada

'So, this is the fabled Bankai you refused to use last time, eh Captain? It suits you. So, what changed?'

Shunsui looked different now. During the release, he had removed his kimono and hat, along with his Captain's haori. He now was wearing the general Shinigami attire – the shihakusho, black, with a funny looking overcoat draping over his shoulders – made of some flowing material, that Starrk had to admit looked kinda cool.

'Indeed. What changed, you ask? Nothing, there just happens to be no one around to get in our way. This Bankai cannot have stragglers wandering around while it is active – it would confuse her. I really would rather that didn't happen. Kagemusha is not the most forgiving of Zanpakutous...' Shunsui said, looking slightly ominous. The darkly coloured overcoat, black Shinigami robes and his natural crouching display seemed to give him the look of a great, big bird about to gobble its prey up. Starrk shuddered inside and ceased to imagine that.

'Well, you are strong. I guess we'll find out who's stronger now, won't we. I'm honoured to be the recipient of this power you have. Show me, Shinigami, what you've got!' Then Starrk lunged forwards, his reiatsu beginning to rise and his weapon outstretched. Shunsui was much faster in Bankai and met Starrk as an equal, parrying the blow and winced at the nasty scraping sounds of Starrk's sharp claws running along the width of his nodachi. He swung the broadsword, sweeping the nodachi around at the same time and caused Starrk to move swiftly, in order to dodge both attacks. Shunsui saw his chance and leapt forwards, swinging both blades at the same time. The nodachi was quicker, naturally, and cut into Starrk's forearm, while the broadsword cleaved the air above the Espada's head.

'This is much too tedious for me, I'm afraid. I really need to finish this fight. There's so much that needs to be done elsewhere. I'll have to show you the special abilities of my Bankai...' Shunsui explained, while dodging Starrk's claws again.

Starrk's eyes narrowed. 'Don't tell me... The fact that you can keep up with me, while swinging that massive relic, is testament to what your Bankai has done for you... And, yet, there's more? I'll have to show you a bit of what I've got, first!'

Shunsui ignored him briefly. 'Kagemusha!' The whole sky went black and Shunsui disappeared, his reiatsu, however, staying in place. Then, he reappeared. His reiatsu was much, much more massive and it seemed darker, rather than large in terms of magnitude. Even the darkness seemed to accommodate his body. It was almost teeth-chattering, to think that such a dark power could exist in this world and not be from a Hollow, or Arrancar.

[End Music 1]

-Raijin-

[Start Music 2]

Raijin's power seemed to be overwhelming the intense Espada. Ulquiorra's reiatsu was now slowly depleting, especially after the use of all of the energy expended to use his attacks and to regenerate his damaged body. Even so, he was amazing. Raijin smiled lightly in anticipation of the next attack, which came as a rod of green energy. He allowed it to hit his body, which caused a explosion of green residue and a massive shockwave. However, once the debris had cleared, Raijin was undamaged, his power proving to be stronger than the Espada's. Ulquiorra sighed, emotion finally seeming to grab him in its clutches. He remembered feeling this way, right before he faded from existence in the last overwhelming fight he had. He recalled it as though it had happened yesterday. Ichigo Kurosaki, Substitute Shinigami, had transformed into a real Hollow, taking on a completely different form than Ulquiorra had even thought possible. But, it was the events that had transpired after this form had vanished that Ulquiorra recalled the most.

'Let's finish this now!' Ulquiorra spoke softly, his resignment unprecedented.

'I was unconscious when I took on that form. That wasn't me! It wouldn't be a fair fight, unless you are in the same condition as me!'

'Very well... I shall comply, if that is your wish...' Ulquiorra spoke, and began to heal, then his face took on an almost-shocked look, as his wings began to fade away and turn to dust. 'I'm that far gone already...?' the Espada almost seemed to sigh in regret. For an emotionless machine, it appeared that he was learning something humans – those with souls.

'Hurry up! I can no longer walk... You'll never finish the fight if you don't kill me now...'

'No.'

'What was that?' Ulquiorra questioned unblinkingly.

'I won't do it. I... I don't wanna win like this!' Ichigo cried, panting with frustration and sadness, or regret.

'You never did as anticipated, right until the very end... Right as I was finally growing interested in you people.' Then Ulquiorra stretched out his arm towards the woman. 'Do I scare you, woman?'

Orihime stood stock still, and her resolve hardened. 'I'm not afraid...'

Ulquiorra's pulled his arm back towards his body and the woman – Orihime – made to grab at his arm, but it, too, turned to dust and, as the life finally receded from his body, the fallen Espada spoke his last words. 'Now I see. Her heart was right... In my hands...' Finally, his body disappeared and the dusts of his dissipation were scattered into the air.

'Don't get distracted! You should know better than that!' Raijin snarled, as his blade came slashing downwards, right into Ulquiorra's chest, then it exploded with a fury unlike that which Ulquiorra had felt before. This was beyond the powers of Sosuke Aizen... This guy was on a different level.

Can I let this happen again? Can I allow my opponent to defeat me like this? Who am I kidding? I really lucked out with this guy. There's something different about his reiatsu... It is not of this world, or the next. It is on par with that of a God... I cannot contend with that. Now I see, Aizen is up against this power... I'll leave it to him now. Us Espada have expired past our use-by dates... I can die and finally rest in peace...

'You win, Shinigami... I can't fight you. My organs were damaged by that blast you just hit me with. Even if they weren't, my energy is finally running out... I can do nothing to you – not while you are in that form. Finish me now, so I can rest easy knowing that you'll have to meet that man – Sosuke Aizen – in battle. Do it now!'

Raijin complied willingly. It was regretful, yes, but he had no time to sympathise with his enemies. 'Sorry, Espada... I enjoyed that... It was a good fight... I will allow you to die in honour... It would be pointless to act the brute now...' Then his blade separated Ulquiorra's head from its body and the Espada scattered into dust.

[End Music 2]

Raijin puffed and his mask broke, falling into pieces below him. It was the longest he had ever worn it before, and, before he knew it, he was falling to the ground, his body finally giving up on him. The last thing he saw, was a flash of light and then darkness.

[Music 2]

I will post the next piece another time - a continuation of the fight between Shunsui and Starrk. XD

hey bp mind if i join

Heck... You can if you want, but I'd appreciate you being honest about participation first, before I can consider. How active would you be? Because I really despise it when people ask to join, say they'll make a character and then never post on here again. That being said - if you plan to post on here regularly (like at least once a week), then I'd be more than happy for you to join. If you feel that you can actively participate on here, then let me know. Of course, if you are planning to make a character, I need you to make a choice about what affiliations you would have... Like a Shinigami, or whatever. Thanks for your interest. Please message me your intentions and I'll find the right place for you in this RP.