Bleach: Rise of the Bount [PG-13][Co-Owned by Ryuujinn][Second Arc][Accept via OOC]

[ryuujinn]

Saren's consciousness was fading. It was bad, very very bad. Because if his consciousness completely fades, his right hand would never regenerate anymore. That was the price to pay for using an augmented version of Black Gates technique. At least with Heaven's Gate Techniques and Judgements, it was simply fatigue and exhaustion, but Black Gate Techniques are different. They consume life force, and if Saren's consciousness fades, he cannot keep the negative effects at bay. He tried to look around, sweat was present on his face as Karek carried him by an arm. He remembered Sayori, who knew about his healing methods.

 

"Sa...Yo....Ri..." Saren muttered, fighting hard to concentrate and keep himself awake. Sayori could help him out since she knew how to use the silver liquid and the effects of it when combined with the reiatsu cube in Saren's satchel.

 

Back at Kyokotsu, he was now forging a path towards the fleeing shinigamis and Quincies. His skeletal guardian was moving at a slow but sure pace. His Kido, which Kisune tried to block with Danku, kept moving forward. It swallowed the barrier as if it wasn't there, primarily because Danku wasn't made to block Hado greater than Hado #89. Kyokotsu's Hado was numbered 150, and so its power was clearly very superior. It was still gaining distance, moving forward like it was some sort of bulldozer. After a few more meters, the wall stopped, then dissipated. By then, it has traveled a solid 500 meters.

 

"Hrmph! It seems you do have some skills after all, Quincy. Now, will you all go away! This place isn't for you to trifle with! I am giving you young whippersnappers a rare second chance. Go away!" Kyokotsu snarled, sealing back his zanpakutou. His skeletal guardian crumbled to the ground with a massive THUD! and Kyokotsu himself landed gingerly on his feet, moving back towards the boundary near the Heigou.

 

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

 

Reinhardt was finding it hard to track their current location. It was probably because they were already too deep in the jungle, and the reiatsu was getting incredibly dense. Tracking other people from their position was impossible already, that not even high level sensors could detect them or even them detecting other people aside from themselves. However, it was a good sign. Reinhardt had a gut feel that they were near their objective. It was only a matter of time before they grasp the Heigou.

 

"Kaishi, recall your worm. This sensation isn't normal. Save your energy for a possible battle. Somehow, I feel something's watching us." Reinhardt remarked, gripping his whip, Schmerz, tightly. Schmerz was about to say something, but he was silenced by Reinhardt.

 

It took the bounts a few ways before they actually stumbled into something. A majestic structure was standing right in front of them! It was temple-like, and had a very long stairs that slither all the way to the top of the cliff, where the structure was. It was clearly ruined, but it still retained its base shape. Reinhardt noticed several seals placed on the entrance. They were broken, suggesting that they have expired or someone ripped them apart forcefully.

 

At the top of the stairs, a figure was clearly seen. It was human-like, and it was carrying a very big, scythe-like weapon on one hand. The figure was too far up in the stairs for anyone to see any striking features other than a general silhouette.

 

"Let's go. I want everyone to be prepared. Something's clearly amiss here, judging from those broken seals." Reinhardt remarked coldly, gripping his whip tighter.

 

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

 

Zasalamel saw Kasen popped out of his Garganta. His facial expression wasn't seen, clearly because of all the bandages wrapping around his face. It was impossible to tell if he was happy or annoyed, but one thing is for sure. He was very agitated. He wanted to move forward, but everytime he takes a step, he comes back to where he came from. Like something was forcibly making the path into a loop. He traced a finger towards the invisible wall, and gave a short gasp. Something was indeed in front of them, and it wasn't going to go away that easily. And it also meant that there's a proper way to enter.

 

"My. My. Isn't this a challenge now?" Zasalamel remarked rather happily, clapping both hands together.

 

He made his hands glow white, sending his reiatsu towards the wall. It formed a thin, white line that snaked around empty air, moving towards the jungle. Zasalamel sniggered. He was right! But of course, he was right. Stuffs like these are easy to decode for someone who delves into reiatsu most of the time. He followed the trail, and motioned the other Espada and Fraccion to follow.

 

The trail flowed on to empty air, and went straight inside the forest, deep into the bowels of the jungle. Zasalamel's eyes were filled with glee when the trail stopped, and encircled what looked like a hole on thin air. The hole was big enough to admit a small group, and looked stable enough.

 

"Smell you guys on the other side then!" Zasalamel remarked happily, diving onto the hole head first.

[namelessk]

Karek continued using shunpo to get farther and farther away until he judged that they had moved far enough away from the wall. When he stopped, he turned around and saw that the wall had disappeared. Interesting. So it has a radius to which it can move. Just then, Karek's thoughts were interrupted when Iyusaka said something to him about using their shikai. "Yeah." he said. Then, when Iyusaka talked about using that technique, Karek's eyes widened a little and then returned to normal. "Yeah, I won't be using that anytime soon. I can't with the limiters on." Karek told Iyusaka.

 

Just then, Karek was interrupted when he heard Saren muttering something. He heard him mutter the words "Sayori." He must need Sayori to heal him or something. "Captain Kuchiki, Saren is calling for you over here. I think he needs you to heal him. Hurry. His hand looks really bad." Karek called to Sayori. He looked at Saren's hand as he did, noticing it decaying quicker than before. Saren seemed to be fading. He had to keep him awake. "Don't go to sleep on me now Saren! Don't fall unconscious. Captain Kuchiki is on her way now." Karek said to Saren. He shook him a little to keep him from falling unconscious.

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

As the hand moved to grab at his throat, Kasen instinctively ducked. He continued on his conversation with Zasalamel while doing so. Training with the Primera required one to have keen instincts. Without them, one would never survive against him. This was something Kasen had to learn, and now his instincts were as keen as ever, which allowed him to avoid the hand moving to grab his throat.

 

On the other side, Kasen grinned at Rey as he greeted him back. "Things have been good. I got to play with a kitty today!" Kasen said with extreme joy in his voice. "Nah, I haven't done much killing lately. That makes the game too boring if I do." he added. Then his face took on a more serious look. "But I should kill those cheaters who I played with in Seireitei. The Quincy and those two Shinigami. They ganged up on me and trapped me." he said. As he finished, his face grew happy once more and he looked around. "So, what are you guys doing here?" Kasen asked.

 

He watched as Zasalamel tried to figure out what it was that was blocking the way. As Zasalamel began following a trail he had created, Kasen followed after him, keeping right behind his heels. Upon stopping, Kasen became curious as to why they had stopped, but then Zasalamel suddenly leaped head first into a hole within the air. "Yippee. A treasure hunt!" Kasen said as he also dove into the hole as well.

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

 

Kaishi moved along the path, keeping an eye on his doll moving under the ground on the path before them. Then, Reinhardt told him to recall his doll and so he did. He lifted his hand, which glowed with a turquoise colored reiatsu and then the ground in front of them ceased to move. The butterfly pin reformed on his shirt once more and he looked towards Reinhardt for what to do next.

 

Next moment, they were moving along again. They eventually stopped when they came up to a temple-like structure. Kaishi stared at it in amazement, curiosity overwhelming him. Could the Heigou be here? If so, Master Fui would be pleased that they were able to reach it before the other group that he had sensed. Now it was only a matter of recovering it before the other group got there. Kaishi stared at the figure at the top of the temple. He grew a little worried and wary that a fight would occur. He prepared himself and got ready to summon Schmetterling again if he needed to.

[Hotaru987]

After Karek's and Iyusaka's combine attack, for a split second, things looked better. That is until Kyokotsu activated his bankai, and then did a kido that even Sayori wasn't familiar with. It was decaying the very ground it passed on. Even the air suddenly felt dead to her. With their limiters on things didn't look to good for them. Sayori then heard Saren say something about the wall was just an illusion, and he went on and destroyed it.

 

Sayori's heart dropped at the painfilled scream that escaped from Saren, and she was instantly by his side. "H-his hand. It's decaying." She whispered starig wie eye'd at his arm. Before she could do anything ales Karek hauled Saren up, saying that they should move through the opening now. She agreed wholeheartedly, and followed Karek. When she got there Karek told her that Saren had called for her, and she immediately reurned to his side.

 

She tried healing kido but so far it was having no effect on his arm. It was decaying too quickly for any of her kidos to have any effect. Saren was fighting to stay awake, that much she could tell, and from how fast the decaying process was if he went under it would probably spread. My kido's are having no effect...I really don't know what to do. Sayori thought, angry at herself for not being able to help.

 

She looked at Saren with a worried expression for a few seconds before it clicked in her head. "His satchel!" Her hand shot towards it and grabbed one of the reiatsu cubes, and a vile with that silvery liquid. Quickly, but gingerly, she rubbed it onto Saren's hand before feeding him the reiatsu cube. She remembered how he gave her some of his reiatsu to heal her legs, so she hoped that she could do the same for him. Sayori placed her hand on his and pushed her reiatsu into him. "I hope that helps..."

 

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

 

Yori waved towards to the new arrivals, while Yoru just nodded his hands behind his head. "Hello, I'm Yori Maramusa the new Octava Espa-"

 

"And I'm Yoru Maramusa her Fraccion." Yoru said watching Zasalamel do something with his hands. Soon he produced a thin white line that curved in midair, presumely outlining our path. The twins quickly ran behind Zasalamel, and soon they came to a wide whole. Zasalamel jumped in first, and the twins quickly followed after; Yoru wooping and hollering all the way down.

[.:Blu:.]

Iyusaka looked at Saren and gave a sigh. "I hope he'll be alright....." Iyusaka said in a sad tone of voice. Even though Iyusaka doesn't particularly know Saren very well, to him, Saren is still a comrade and Iyusaka only wishes the best for him. Iyusaka then turned to watch as Kyokotsu sealed back his zanpakuto and went back to the location near the Heigou. Before that, Iyusaka noticed the kido had stopped 500 meters from the place of release.

 

"It seems we're safe for now. That kido seems to have a traveling range of 500 meters, be sure to keep that in mind." Iyusaka stated. "If it comes to it, I think Karek, Cpt. Karnon, and myself will have to go fight with Kyokotsu, while Cpt. Kuchiki, Rogue, and Christine should stay back to protect Saren from any harm which means any skeleton shinigami and wild beasts. Christine, I know you don't want to take any orders from a shinigami like myself, but Saren is a Quincy which only makes sense for you to also stay here and help to protect him." Iyusaka stated with a calm voice. "Cpt. Karnon, Karek, we should go after the barrier has been set up and Gentei Kaijo has been activated." Iyusaka stated.

 

-Meanwhile-

 

Izearya stayed quiet as usual and jumped into the hole to get to where the others were.

[ryuujinn]

Saren fidgeted a bit when Sayori poured the silver liquid to his decaying hand. His consciousness was nearly at its limit, and so it was very much in the nick of time. He swallowed the reiatsu cube that Sayori gave him and concentrated every ounce of his being into healing. It was harder to do so because of the constant surge of pain, but he managed to stabilize the decaying process. His hand slowly stopped decaying, and now, was gradually reforming, much to his relief. He gave Sayori an appreciative stare.

 

"Thanks, Kuchiki-san. I owe you one." Saren said happily, albeit his voice was extremely exhausted. He then turned towards Karek, and gave the shinigami a cold, yet rather non-sarcastic gaze.

 

"Well. I never thought I'd say this, but, thanks, I guess, for whatever its worth." Saren said in a deep, low grumble.

 

He removed his arm around Karek, and proceeded to a sitting position on the ground. It will take time before his reiatsu replenishes and so until then, he can't use any of his techniques, except his reiatsu sensing abilities. He gazed back at Kyokotsu, who has his back turned towards the shinigami, and was sitting in front of a big tree.

 

"I wonder what that old man is doing. His reiatsu seems to be keeping something up, like a wall of some sort, but I can't see it." Saren remarked, giving a weird gaze on the old man.

 

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

 

The temple-like structure was standing right on top of what looked like a very long flight of stairs, slithering from where the bounts are, to all the way towards the top, where a humanoid figure can be seen holding some sort of scythe. Reinhardt didn't looked too thrilled, but he can feel that they're closer to their goals. They must forge a path before any of the other factions arrive.

 

"Let's move out. Dolls at the ready. This definitely is the place, but just in case someone is waiting for us up there, we'll have to be ready." Reinhardt remarked coldly.

 

He wasn't much of a talker, so he didn't know how to encourage people, but it didn't bother him. He was surrounded by bounts who knows what they should do. He gave one last look towards the jungle, then proceeded making his way up the stairs. It was going to be a long walk up.

 

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

 

Yomi's team was by far, probably the most undisturbed group. They haven't encountered any obstacle since the big gorilla-like beast, and have somewhat been enjoying a peaceful trek. This was bittersweet for Yomi, of course. Sweet, because it was ideal, and it meant that they had enough strength to fight off whatever bount or Arrancar they bump into. Bitter, because it meant that something was up. The Heigou was supposed to be heavily guarded, and he doesn't believe that a big gorilla and a pack of wild beasts are those guards. And he didn't like the fact that someone was watching them. He can feel it at the back of his neck, but he didn't know who.

 

It wasn't long until they reached what looked like a massive flight of stairs that led to a temple-like structure. A number of talisman-seals lined the gate to the stairs, but they were broken, suggesting that someone either broke them, or they expired. Yomi guessed it was the former. He could also see a humanoid silhouette standing on top of the stairs, holding what looked like a scythe.

 

"Hmmm. Let's go guys. Be on your guard. This must be the place where the Heigou is kept." Yomi said seriously, drawing out his zanpakutou once again.

[CarlinFan]

"What did the two Shinigami look like? Because we may have a conflict here. I already have dibs on the 3rd Division Captain, Nagano. But feel free to rip apart the Bount, though I'm fully willing to help you with kicking his head off and bludgeoning his abdomen with it." Rey said, responding to Kasen's complaint. "And since when has a kitty ever gotten into Hueco Mundo? I'd think Sven would exterminate them all on sight after the... 'incident'..." Rey mimed quotes with his hands, recalling a time when he'd dropped a feral cat down the back of a sleeping Sven's clothing and blamed it on Kasen. They were still rebuilding that section of Las Noches.

 

Rey was the last to reach the hole. He cast one last look at the forest around him before jumping through with a grin and a whoop.

[Allesk]

Reifujin scurried through the garganta and trailed behind the group. She would not be anywhere else but the last since they were going into uncharted territory it would be the safest if she remained towards the back. She was incredibly quite until they all shuffled into the hole. Reifujin then glided into it gracefully and quietly. She wasn't in much of a talking mood all of a sudden, but was eager to fight.

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

 

Baldur followed right behind the group and Adilei stayed at his side. She felt left out and he was the only one who told her she could come along so she thought it best to stay near him. They both went along with the group and got prepared to release their dolls at any moment if they needed to. "So what is this thing you guys are looking for? Whats it do?" Adilei finally blurted out.

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

 

"I cannot sense the Heigou itself because of the dense reaitsu but the most dense area is just a little further although there are alot of clusters of immensly dense reaitsu around, at least 4 groupings. So I don't kno which if any could be the heigou." Kaosu said. When they found the area that looked like it could be kept Kaosu's eyes widened. It was so amazing to him, he had never seen any place like this before.

 

Uwaki ignored what everyone said he figured he would just keep his mouth shut and his comments to himself. He didn't even care anymore.

[Ultimate Assassin Ninjew]

As Karek and the group stopped moving from the kidou Kyokotsu used, Kisune noticed that it only went so far. He also noticed it had simply gone through Danku without simply stopping. ‘Well that was a waste,’ he thought. When Saren called for Capt. Kuchiki, he watched that he was drifting off and that Sayori’s kidou weren’t working. Christine went to Saren’s side as she had just realized what was going on. It was like she was lost in thought through the entire encounter with Kyokotsu. She looked at him with a hint of losing another comrade and nearly broke out into tears. Then as Sayori gave him the cube, and he began to return to normal, she felt happier. “Saren. Don’t ever do that again,” she said with anger and fear in her voice. She stood up and walked a few meters away, allowing some tears flow, but didn’t want to show them to the shinigami because it would show weakness.

 

Rogue saw her emotional breakdown and went to comfort her, but Christine pushed her away and said she was alright. Rogue returned and heard what Iyusaka said about guarding Saren. She gave a nod and looked at Kisune to see his response. He also gave a nod and looked toward Kyokotsu. “It can’t be helped. We will do what we need to defeat him,” Kisune said. Moments later Christine returned whipping the tears from her cheeks and then crouched next to Saren. “Next time, I’ll show you a little trick that I have,” she said to him, “You may have shown some strength, but I’ve got stuff too.”

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

Sven and Turantura followed Zasalamel as he led them along the trail he created. When Rey brought up the 'incident', Sven punched him as well as gave a seriously angry glare. The punch left a bruise even on the Espada's skin. As a few went through the hole that Zasalamel found, Sven entered afterwards then Turantura did. After they got through the hole, they saw everyone who had entered so far, waiting for the others. They both moved to the side so the others could get through without bumping into them. He looked at Rey, wondering what he would do in response to the punch.

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

Silvia looked at the structure and went a little wide eyed. “Wow, this place looks pretty,” she said. Then her eyes focused upon the figure standing on top of the long flight of stairs. “She don’t look to friendly. Shall we go play,” she said loud enough for the others, but mostly towards Drache. She quickly ran up the steps to catch up to Reinhardt and Kaisu because she didn’t want to miss out on the fun. As Reinhardt told them ‘Dolls at the ready,’ Silvia was moving her hand along the pattern on her shirt. “Soon we will have fun Drache, I promise,” she spoke to Drache directly. After a while of walking on the stairs she was growing bored and tired. “This is taking too long, are we there yet,” she whined.

[Joey Miles]

"Hey yomi I have a bad feeling here. We didnt get much of a welcoming party in the first place and now we're pretty much walking in on this place. I have a feeling we're gona be attacked by something big and if we are i dont think it would be wise for me to fight other wise i might not be able to heal the injured." Rnaki said as he looked around the temple a bit. "I hope thats ok with you." personaly Rnaki felt bad about saying this but at the moment his job wasnt to fight it was to make sure that nobody died and he was going to make sure that mission got completd.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

A blurring white light surrounded Nato's eyes as he woke up. After the meeting with Captain-Commander and the other Shinigami Captains, Nato had been sent back to the 4th Division Barracks to recuperate, because of his serious internal injuries from his battle with Raizou. He sighed slightly before ruffling what short hair he had in shape, and sat up on his bed. His Nodachi was near his bed, and he sighed slightly.

 

"This is more than I had expected. First, these modified Hollows... then there are new Espada as well? Gimme a break... I don't know if we will be enough. Maybe we'll have to ally those Quincys in order to win this one..."

 

Nato spoke for himself. He usually did that when trying to concentrate on a subject, or to just gain a recap of information he had received. He stood up then, noticing his torn Haori outfit. He just shrugged, thinking that it could be changed or fixed later on. He took his Nodachi, strapped it to his waist, and then went outside.

 

"I wonder where I am suppose to go now..." he said to himself, looking around Serireitei. "MAybe Captain-Commander wants to meet me again." he nodded to himself, before using Shunpo to disappear, leaping towards the Captain-Commander's office, and arrived in a matter of minutes. He went inside, bowing to the Captain-Commander. "Turokenji, I've arrived. I woke up in the 4th Division Barracks not long ago, and thought that you'd want to see me. Just in case." he told the Captain-Commander.

[ryuujinn]

Reinhardt was very anxious to find out what was waiting for them at the top. He kept having a scathing feeling at the back of his neck, as if someone was watching them ascend the stairs. Twice did he see something flash from the corner of his eyes, only to vanish when he turned his head towards the flash. He also had seen two quick flashes in front of them, only to disappear faster than the blink of an eye. He was getting extremely anxious. After more than an hour of climbing, they finally reached the top, and there, standing in front of them was----

 

"Nothing." Reinhardt remarked coldly, in his emotionless tone. "Where was that silhouette we keep seeing earlier?"

 

Reinhardt turned his head around, trying to see if there are any places the figure could've gone to, but aside from the nearly destroyed, majestic temple in front of them, there was no place to hide. He was, however, amazed at the expansive place the temple ground has. It stretched more than 500 meters from the stairs all the way towards the temple, and has a width of around 500 meters as well. The space was empty, save for the temple, which was open. Reinhardt could see something inside the temple. A small, jade box was standing on a pedestal. It can be easily seen because it was glowing faintly.

 

"That must be it. The Heigou." Reinhardt said, moving closer, and motioning for the other bounts to follow. It wasn't after a few steps that something happened that made Reinhardt stop.

 

"Dear me. What to make of you? Treasure seekers? Power hunters? Or perhaps," a female figure appeared in front of them, covered in a thick layer of black clothing. It resembled a shinto-sort of robes. Her face was covered in a pale-white mask similar to a hollow, but with an ominous number "Zero" emblazoned in red on the forehead. "You were sent by that pup, Fui."

 

The female was holding a massive scythe, with the blade nearly as tall as an average 5'5 man, and the body taller than the female. It was obsidian, and extremely foreboding. Along the blade was inscribed the words, "None May Pass". Reinhardt gave the female a stern look, staring at the only facial feature that she has, a pair of black eyes.

 

"You. How do you know about Fui-sama?" Reinhardt interrogated coldly, stretching the whip with two hands, as if to threaten the female.

 

"Puh-lease. Even before you lot were born, I existed. I even attended the extraction ceremony that Fui underwent before. Don't tell me you're here to recover that which he has lost?" the female questioned back, giving Reinhardt a very dark glare.

 

Reinhardt's mind was spinning with so many questions. He didn't know what to ask first. Something about the female's word shouts the truth, and he doesn't see the point what she would gain from lying. He gave her an even colder stare, something which the female actually didn't mind.

 

"Hmm. You've got spunk, kid." she motioned to every other bount present. "And so do the rest of you younglings. Perhaps I should give manners. I am Kyokotsu Garandou, Former True Bount, and Former Primera Espada." Kyokotsu introduced, letting go of the scythe. The obsidian scythe ominously stood on its own, unsupported.

 

Kyokotsu's eyes glowed dark and he gave the bounts an extremely dark glare, as if taunting them to make their move.

 

"So, do I have to say that you're not allowed to linger around here," She raised a finger and motioned for them to come nearer, "Or do I have to beat that into your souls, permanently?"

 

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

 

Yomi nodded towards Rnaki to show his acknowledgement. He agreed to it only because he felt that they needed every bit of healer they can. Somehow, he keeps on having bad vibes going on around the place. They were only halfway through the stairs, and for some reason, they can't use their shunpo to travel fast. Something was preventing them from using their shunpo, and it doesn't bode well for Yomi and the others. It wasn't until they reached a few more flight did Yomi felt something incredibly dense, something was pressing down on them.

 

"What is this spiritual pressure? Where's this coming from?" Yomi said, releasing his own spiritual pressure to prevent him from being crushed. Even at full power, he was having extreme difficulty in moving. The pressure was simply too dense to block completely. Every step he took broke the earth, but not because of his pressure, but because he was being pressed down, along with the other shinigamis.

 

"Something must be going up there." Yomi remarked, pressing forward.

 

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

 

Kyokotsu gave a slight grunt when he saw the shinigamis from Saren's group moving once again. He has just finished repairing the illusory boundary towards the Heigou so that it would appear that the jungle was extending infinitely northwards, when in fact, it was only a few meters ahead. He drew out his katana once again, and gave the approaching shinigamis a wild glare.

 

"Will you still continue to fight me? Do you not learn enough?" Kyokotsu remarked in his old, raspy tone. His reiatsu was flaring up once again, twice as intense as earlier. Nearby trees were reduced to cinders as he walked past them.

 

Meanwhile, Saren's hand was almost regenerated. There were still decayed spots, but it was looking far better than it used to earlier. He gave a few more coughs before opening his eyes completely. He gave a few bewildering stare around him before finally blurting out his first words.

 

"What happened here?" Saren asked in a confused tone.

[.:Blu:.]

Iyusaka gave a sigh of relief as he saw Saren recovering. "That's good.... I hope you'll be alright Saren....." Iyusaka stated. He looked at Kisune and Rogue and nodded then Iyusaka turned back to Saren. "Saren, please stay here, that last attack seemed to have taken a lot out of you. Cpt. Karnon, Karek, and I will handle Kyokotsu. Cpt. Kuchiki, Rogue, and Christine will stay here to protect you. The barrier will be set up in an enclosed space so you guys won't get caught in the cross fire." Iyusaka stated firmly. He then turned his attention to Kisune and Karek. "Are you guys ready? This will be a tough and long battle...."

 

-Meanwhile-

 

As Group B arrived at the destination of the Heigou, Takeda sensed an ominously strong spiritual pressure. "Wh-what the hell is that?! That's an incredibly strong spiritual pressure!" Takeda exclaimed as he looked towards the direction of the spiritual pressure.

[namelessk]

Karek listened as Captain Iyusaka talked about having himself, Captain Karnon, and Karek fight Kyokotsu while Rogue, Christine, and Captain Kuchiki remained behind to protect Saren. He didn't like that he would have to reveal his shikai, but he had to help save the world, and if it meant revealing his powers, then so be it. He would just have to in order to protect his comrades and recover the Heigou.

 

When Saren began recovering with Sayori's help, a smile formed on Karek's face. He was happy that Saren was alive and would soon grow healthy. They couldn't complete this mission without him. Not only that, Karek felt as if he and Saren could become good friends if Saren would give him a chance. "No problem. Just helping out a comrade." Karek said with a smile on his face, even though Saren's "Thank you" had been half-hearted. He was just glad that Saren at least thanked him.

 

After he saw that Saren was healed to some degree, he stood up and looked back at where they had come from. He stared at the dissolved ground before them and then looked back towards Captain Iyusaka and Captain Karnon. "Yeah, I'm ready. Ready as I'll ever be." Karek said, staring at the approaching Kyokotsu.

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

Meanwhile, back in Seireitei, Turokenji sat at his desk when Nato appeared within his office. He looked up from his work upon hearing his name, only to see Nato standing before him, alive and well. "Captain Sanketsu, I was worried about you. I figured that you had been taken back to the 4th Division Barracks for healing when you didn't show up at the second meeting in my office. Are you well?" Turokenji asked him.

 

Turokenji looked Nato up and down before continuing on. He rose from his desk and began moving towards Captain Sanketsu. "Nato, the other Captains have been sent out on an important mission to retrieve a powerful artifact called the Heigou. This artifact is the deciding factor in this war with the Bount. Fui has learned of its existence and may have gone after it himself as well. The Captains have been sent to retrieve it at all costs and to bring it back here to Seireitei." Turokenji said.

 

"I wanted you, Captain Jun Fon, and Captain Achiha to help guard Seireitei incase anything happens while they are gone. I haven't seen Captain Jun Fon nor Captain Achiha. I hope that they are okay as well." Turokenji said. He then looked to Captain Nato, wondering if he had any questions. "Do you have any questions Captain Sanketsu?" he asked.

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

Kaishi climbed the lengthy stairs with the other Bount, continuing to sense around him for any sign of trouble. When Reinhardt said that they should prepare their dolls, he became slightly worried. Something must be up. There must be someone or something here. Kaishi's doll was not really meant for battle until it's second form, but that would take some time to achieve. He would just have to do what he could.

 

When they finally got to the top, the saw nothing except the temple with a small jade box within it. He was about to move towards the box when a voice stopped him. It was chilling, and when he turned towards the owner of the voice, their appearance was even more chilling. They looked too strong for them to handle. Kaishi didn't come here to cower in fear though. He had come to complete the mission Fui had given him. "True Bount and Primera Espada? What is a True Bount? How can you even be both a Bount and a Hollow?" Kaishi questioned her. "Please, don't insult our race." he added, his right hand moving to the butterfly pin on his shirt, ready to summon it if he needed to.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

Within the Seireitei, a certain captain of the tenth division was, well, laying down for a nap. The man was simply laying back against the wall of one of the buildings, near the gate which allowed travel back and forth between the Human world and the Soul Society. The man certainly did not look like the typical Shinigami, being clad in a pure white Kimono. The black, rectangular sunglasses seemed anchored to his face, as his head was resting at an odd angle to the right. His long, spiked black hair shone in the sunlight, as did the bells attached to the end of each spike. This was Nex Addo, the seemingly lazy and unmotivated captain of squad ten. The black lacquered scabbard which contained his Zanpakutou was resting gently in his lap.

 

It happened that the captain was snoring, not loudly but it definitely bore some resemblance to the sound of a freight train being cut in half by a chainsaw. Yet, somehow, there was a small sparrow sitting atop his head, seemingly undisturbed by his snoring.

[ryuujinn]

"I agree with Kaishi. Do not pretend to be one of us when you are not. We are not so low as to be compared to hollows, if that's what you mean. True bount indeed." Reinhardt said coldly.

 

In a blink of an eye, he was gone, and was already in front of Kyokotsu, an icy blade on his left hand once again, plunged straight into the chest of Kyokotsu. It was the same move he used with Adilei earlier, the icy blade protruding from the front to the back of Kyokotsu's robed body. A look of emotionless chill surfaced around Reinhardt's face, suggesting that he relished at killing the female. However, Kyokotsu raised and arm and placed it around the blade.

 

"The Blade of Truth. One of the old abilities of the Bount Race. Fui must've given this to you, no?" Kyokotsu said rather playfully. She drew out the blade, showing no wound on her chest, like Adilei, but somehow, she wasn't letting go of Reinhardt's hand. "Gives a near light speed ability to move, and stabs the target cleanly on the chest. Works only Bounts, and if that bount was not loyal to Fui's cause, that bount will die. Interesting."

 

Kyokotsu then extended a palm towards Reinhardt's chest, glowing gold. In a blink of an eye, something exploded from Reinhardt's chest, pushing him back towards a couple of feet, slamming him towards an outlying post near the stairs. On his chest were several broken ice crystals, and a third-degree burn.

 

"My. You're quick, kid. Had you not erected that ice armor of yours, you'd probably have a massive hole on your chest. Then again, if used my full strength, not even a bunch of armors can protect you." Kyokotsu muttered, then rounded towards the rest of the bounts. "Are you all idiots? If you won't believe me, then allow me to show you what a true bount means."

 

She held out a palm towards the bounts, and released a bit of reiatsu. Something was forming beside her to the right.

 

"Zeige Dich, Zerstörer." Kyokotsu laughed out.

 

The reiatsu forming around her suddenly became human like, and materialized, revealing a man draped in black bandages, holding an english rapier. It looked nothing like a doll, but more of another human. It has an ominously black aura around it, and its eyes were glowing red. The ground underneath the two started to crumble from the spiritual pressure they were emitting.

 

"Master. What is thy bidding?" Zerstörer said in its misty, whispering voice.

 

"Show our guests what a True Bount's power really is." Kyokotsu remarked, grabbing the scythe. Her pale-white mask had some linings on it now, compared to its plain look earlier.

 

Zerstörer then stabbed the ground with his rapier almost nonchalantly, sending his reiatsu towards it. In a burst of power, several blades suddenly erupted from the ground, heading towards the Bounts. Kyokotsu then made her move, jumping upwards, and aiming her scythe towards the Bounts.

 

"A gift." She exclaimed from high above. A gold flash of reiatsu erupted from his scythe in lightning form, hitting Zerstörer's blades with it, causing an electric field to materialize with the blades. Anyone caught within it was sure to take severe damage. The Bounts must either dodge it or block it, but blocking it presents a whole new level of difficulty. Kyokotsu's reiatsu strength coupled with Zerstörer's reiatsu is harder to block.

 

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

 

Yomi's team was still being subjected under heavy spiritual pressure, followed by gold flashes from the top of the stairs. Something was going on near the temple, and the outburst of reiatsu suggested that a fight was flaring up. Yomi was getting sick of their predicament. It was then he felt that his limiter was off. At least, now he didn't have to worry about the pressure, nor would the other captains. They can fight at full strength here, but it still doesn't solve their mission. If there was a fight going on ahead, then the mission was getting more complicated.

 

"Takeda, Akiyama, Rnaki, Kaosu, Uwaki, be careful. We don't know yet who's who up ahead. If it comes down to all out fighting, we better work together. We'll have a better chance of surviving if we fight using teamwork, than fighting individually." Yomi remarked, running towards the top. He was getting anxious what's going at the top.

 

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

 

Zasalamel jumped out of the hole, and saw himself standing in front of a temple gate at the foot of a long flight of stairs. It had several seals placed on it, but they were all broken. He didn't gave any thought on it, since he was expecting half of it anyway. They were not the only ones after the Heigou. And judging from the reiatsu going off towards the top of the stairs, he knew that the Heigou is near them.

 

"Let's go boys and girls. Treasure Hunting is nearly finished!" Zasalamel said with glee, a hint of intoxication present in his voice.

 

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

 

Kyokotsu was standing in front of the rest of the shinigamis by now, his zanpakutou drawn and his hot reiatsu lining his entire body. His face was contorted with anger, and his fists were shaking. He didn't like being challenged over and over again. If the shinigamis wanted to fight him, he will not hold back anymore. He raised his zanpakutou and pointed it towards the advancing group of shinigamis.

 

"You whippersnappers don't learn do you? Stop forcing your way in, or I will kill you myself!" Kyokotsu said angrily. "One last chance. Give up or you die."

[.:Blu:.]

Takeda nodded at Yomi as he felt the spiritual pressure's effect on him fading away. Takeda also felt stronger. "(Could Gentei Kaijo have already been release? Well if it has, then I can finally fight without any restraints.)" Takeda thought to himself. "Alright then. Let's go!" Takeda stated with confidence as he placed his zanpakuto on his shoulder.

 

-Meanwhile-

 

Izearya apppeared to where Zasalamel was at. "This spiritual pressure is strong..... extremely strong......" Izearya stated quietly to himself as he followed Zasalamel.

 

-Meanwhile-

 

Iyusaka faced Kyokotsu with a firm look as he felt his strength increasing to maximum and felt the presence of a high level barrier surrounding the area with himself, Kisune, and Karek as well as Kyokotsu inside it. "I'm sorry but this is something I must do in order to assure the safety of the Soul Society." Iyusaka then stare at Karek then Kisune. "Alright, let's go...." Iyusaka said in a firm voice while unsheathing his zanpakuto. Iyusaka then kneel down to the ground with his zanpakuto pointing downwards. "Fragile blade impale the ground and spread your roots to become anew, Kesshoo Goon Ken!" A large flood of spiritual pressure burst out across the area, and at the base of it was Iyusaka holding his shikai.

[ryuujinn]

"Very well, youngling. A fight it is then!" Kyokotsu exclaimed, allowing bloodlust to enter his body. "Reap the flesh from my enemies! Kokkaku!"

 

Kyokotsu's katana exploded into a multitude of pieces, then reforming back, becoming the huge scimitar that they saw earlier. It gleamed thoroughly in even in the dim light, and looked twice as menacing. There was a dark aura surrounding the blade of the sword, mirrored by Kyokotsu's dark gaze. He was not holding back anymore. His face was contorted with malice and bloodlust.

 

"Rise!" Kyokotsu exclaimed, raising his scimitar up high.

 

The ground quaked and quivered, and then becoming extremely unstable. Standing on it would've been extremely hard for an average man. Multiple hands shot out from the ground, followed by their skeletal bodies draped in Shinigami clothing. They all had lieutenant insignia wrapped around their hands.

 

"Let's up the ante!" Kyokotsu muttered more, stabbing his sword to the ground. "Bankai! Kokujin no Kokkaku!"

 

The skeletons changed their uniforms, forming what looked like a captain's haori wrapped around their bodies. Each Haori was numbered -1 to -13. Aside from those changes, they all looked capable, and stronger than an average skeleton. They raised their swords, which mimicked Kyokotsu's sword.

 

"Hado #88, Hiryugekizokushintenraiho!" Kyokotsu exclaimed, releasing a massive burst of reiatsu from the tip of his sword. Amazingly, all the skeletons did the same, of equal power and intensity, all heading straight towards Iyusaka, Karek, Kisune, and the others in Saren's group.

[.:Blu:.]

As Kyokotsu summoned a multitude of skeletons, the earth began to shake and stir. Iyusaka tried his best to remain his balance. As the skeleton's attire changed into what appears to be a captain's haori, Iyusaka's eyes widened in surprise. "(To what extent is this man's power?)" Iyusaka thought to himself. Kyokotsu then fired a hado which is then copied by the skeletons as well as they fired the same hado which based on the reiatsu level of the hado fired, is the same power and intensity as the hado Kyokotsu fired.

 

Iyusaka stabbed Kesshoo Goon Ken into the ground and a leaning wall of crystals appeared. As the hado reached the wall, Iyusaka transfered some of his reiatsu into it to slide the hado along the wall to change their trajectory to shoot above. As the multitude of hado ascended, the made impact with the barrier. The barrier was extremely strong and the multitude of hado wasn't able to damage it. "{Sigh} Good..... at least the barrier is strong..... well, it seems that he has more surprises than I imagined." Iyusaka stated to Karek and Kisune.

[ryuujinn]

Iyusaka was right about the surprises. Kyokotsu was barely finished. While the Kido was heading straight towards them, Kyokotsu has wounded himself on one finger, and was charging a red looking reiatsu. It looked different from a shinigami's kido, and instead resembled something much, much more sinister. It was a Cero! But it wasn't just any Cero. The blood on his finger was a mere hint.

 

"Gran Rey Cero!" Kyokotsu exclaimed with enough malice that would make another person flinch in terror.

 

Just like with the Hado, the skeletons all copied his movements, firing an equally massive, and strong Gran Rey Cero that's colored dark purple. It moved faster than the Hado #88, and was more than three levels stronger than the Kido. Kyokotsu wasn't playing anymore. His aggressiveness was a testament to his intent on killing them all.

[.:Blu:.]

Iyusaka peeked up at Kyokotsu to see if he has made his next move, and to Iyusaka's bitter surprise, Kyokotsu was charging up what appeared to be a cero. From the reiatsu it was giving off, Iyusaka concluded that might just be the logical answer. But Iyusaka was know more confused than ever. "(H-how could a shinigami be able to fire a cero..... The only kind of groups I know who can fire a cero would be either a hollow or a vizard..... Is this man a vizard? No it couldn't be, could it? Damn it, I can't just stay here a think like this.)" Iyusaka quickly grabbed both captain's haori and shunpo'd to where the multiple ceros wouldn't hit them. "Sorry you guys, because of my wall blocking the way, you probably couldn't see the cero so I had to act fast." Iyusaka stated to Karek and Kisune.

 

The multitude of ceros made impact with the crystal wall, completely destroying and causing a large cloud of smoke to appear. Iyusaka then quietly stabbed Kesshoo Goon Ken into the ground. "Gesshooki (Crystalized Tree)....." Suddenly, crystalized branches burst out of the ground and aimed for the heads of the skeletons, but not Kyokotsu. Iyusaka was hoping Kyokotsu wouldn't be able to see due to the cloud of smoke.

[Hotaru987]

"No problem that's what I'm here for!" Sayori smiled happily towards Saren. It wasn't that long before Iyusaka proposed that she, along with Rouge and Christine should stay here and protect Saren while the rest of them take care of Kyokotsu. "Alright, not only that but I'll be throwing heal kido's your way if it's needed." She said. Minutes Sayori felt her power coming back to her. Good, the Gentei Kaijo has been released. We can afford to be handicapped right now. Sayori snapped her fingers causing every ally to encased in a breeze making them more agile, and providing a defense.

 

Right after Iyusaka activated his Shikai, Kyokotsu pulled another trick forming 13 more skeletons. However these had the insignia of the captain 13 gotei, only in negative numbers. "Well....That's certaintly interesting." She muttered watching as Kyokotsu and the 13 skeletons prepared to fire an attack. "Dance in the Breeze, Monoroki." As soon as that was done, she closed her fans and a blade about 2" appeared. She then threw them opposite side and they lodged into the trees.

 

"Garasu-fū." On the ends of the fans green reiatsu swirled around it, before reseading into the fan.

 

Suddenly a green line trailed from the ground until it reached the group around Saren and formed an arking shield around them. It looked almost like glass, however, if the person within the sheild was to touch it there hand would go right throught. She wasn't taking any chances, especially after seeing Kyokotsu's Grey Ran Cero, and was relieved that Iyusaka was able to take care of it.

 

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

 

 

"Hey sis." Yoru whispered. "That Sven dude has some issues. He just friggen punched Rey-sama." Yori shrugged. "Don't know, just don't mess with him. If he has no qualms from hitting other Espadas then he won't think twice about hitting a fraccion. And getting into arguments is no fun at all." Yori whispered back right before Zasalamel mentined something about a treasure hunt.

Yori and Yoru smiled widely. "Alright! A treasure hunt!" They both yelled just as happy as Zasalamel.

[Allesk]

The moment that The enemey released her doll Baldur instanly released his. " Zeige dich, hundert-schnitt, Krake." He said in a low tone not trying to draw attention to himself. Krake formed behind Baldur and Hundert-schnitt formed as a hilt in his hand. Adilei hadf also released one of her dolls, Bö. She held Schlange in her hands in his sealed form incase she needed to defend herself up close. Bö rester on her shoulder sitting and watching. The moment that Kyokotsu commander her doll Baldur tossed Hundert-schnitt infront of him a blade shot from it and slamed into the ground. When the blades emerged from the ground flying towards the group branches of blades slamed out of Hundert-schnitt eyes on each blade so they could know where to hit the oncomming blades. Adilei commanded Bö to send a large gust at the oncomming blades at attempt to push them away. When the blades collided with Hundert-Schnitt the lightning would run through him and be directed into the ground. Bö Then sent violent gusts of wind in Kyokotsu's direction at an attempt to retaliate. Hundert-schnitt then fromed its blades back into the hilt and Baldur ran over and picked hundert-schnitt up. He spun his doll in his hands.

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

 

Uwaki unsheathed his blade and looked around studying his surroundings. Kaosu however took no measure of preparing himself. He knew that they were walking into a world of trouble and would rather resort to his bow if he needed to instead of using close ranged attacks.

[.:Abarai Renji:.]

Nato carefully listened to the Captain-Commander's words, nodding a bit after each statement. Though, he did have some questions, one such being about the Heigou.

 

"Yes, Turokenji. I do have some questions, first off, I would like to know about this Heigou. What sort of artifact is this? What powers does it have? How will it turn the favor for us in this war?"

 

When Nato had one question, that question was surely filled with up to three sub-questions, like in this case. Next up, he had never heard of the Bounts before, even as a little kid. These creatures left him disoriented, since a few of them managed to handle themselves against Captain-ranked Shinigami, they must of been strong. Very strong.

 

"And about these "Bounts", Turokenji... I apologize for my disknowledge, but what are they?" he asked slowly, bowing down to show he had no more questions.

[ryuujinn]

Zasalamel was feeling alive once again. His mood was in an all time high, and there was a playful aura enveloping his entire body once again. He could feel the clash of reiatsu up ahead, and because of that, his blood was boiling with excitement. It meant only one thing. They were on the right path. He drew out his zanpakutou and placed it in front of him, floating in mid air at Zasalamel's chest level, vibrating slightly. It was floating thanks to the magnetic field that the Segunda Espada was emitting. It pointed like a compass towards the top of the stairs, where the massive reiatsu was emanating.

 

"Ah. Alright kids, its time to move. Mind you, stay inside my field so that we won't have any hassle going to the top. I daresay that Spiritual Pressure seemed to be extremely dense." Zasalamel noted as he saw one of the guardian statues' head break off and turned into dust all of a sudden, a proof of the crushing effect of Kyokotsu Garandou's Spiritual Pressure.

 

He started to move up, one step at a time. Just like with Yomi's group who can't use shunpo, the Arrancars somehow cannot use Sonido as well, which meant that they will have to climb up step by agonizing step.

 

[spoiler=[b]OOC[/b]]

 

I will post a counter attack for Kyokotsu (The Gramps) and Kyokotsu (The Female) once at least a few more people did their attack. Arrancars will have to climb up manually, without the use of Sonido. Yomi's group is about 20 meters away from the top, at an angle of 70 degrees sloping upwards, so they can't see the fight still.

 

Zasalamel's group is more than 80 meters from Yomi's group, at the same angle of elevation, but they can probably see their silhouettes. Also, because of the pressure, none of you can run, including my characters. This is so that there'd be some 'dynamic entry' upon each faction's arrival to where the bounts are.. :D

 

[namelessk]

Karek watched as Kyokotsu released his Shikai and then his Bankai. He saw the when the shikai was released, the skeletons wore the garbs of a lieutenant while when he released his Bankai, they wore the garbs of a Captain with the numbers from -1 to -13 emblazoned on their haori. Karek was awestruck when he saw Kyokotsu using such a powerful kidou as Hado #88. He was glad when he saw Iyusaka block the kidou for them. Then, Kyokotsu used a cero. A cero?! How could a Shinigami use a cero? Did the Zero Division do some kind of experiments on it's members to make them more able to fight to protect the Spirit King?

 

When Karek saw Iyusaka using his Crystalized Tree ability, Karek knew that he had to help him. It was then that he felt his limiter form on his chest. He looked down at it and saw it disappear. His reiatsu overflowed from his body, surrounding him in a dark blue aura. "Yes. Gentei Kaijo has been removed." Karek said. He quickly rushed forward, grabbing the hilt of his zanpakutou with his right hand as he neared Iyusaka. "Guess it can't be helped. I better hit him now that I have the chance." he said, fully unsheathing his zanpakutou.

 

"Resound, Hibiki Kaichou." Karek said. As he said this, his zanpakutou resonated with a dark bluish hue. The blade then widened while turning a dark blue color with black lining the edges and a crack formed down the middle, splitting the blade. The two halves of the blade were both five inches and were split five inches apart. Holes then formed on the middle of each blade, each three inches apart from one another. All in all, the blade resembled a tuning fork overall. Karek lifted this, staring at his zanpakutou as if he had not seen it before. "Let's go Hibiki Kaichou." he whispered to the blade.

 

He tapped his blade onto the ground about 4 times and then stabbed it into the ground in front of him. "Doton Shogeki. Level 4." he called out. Almost instantly, the ground around him began shaking. The shaking continued and moved towards Kyokotsu who was covered by the smoke. The earth ripped up from in front of Karek while moving towards Kyokotsu, and upon reaching him, a huge blast of reiatsu and sound was released. It was like a geyser of sound had erupted under his body and was echoing around him. Karek wasn't sure if this would work, but it would be enough to distract him long enough for someone else to attack him. If it did work, it would fracture Kyokotsu's bones enough so that he would move slower and become an easier target for the others.

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

"What is the Heigou?" Turokenji repeated Captain Sanketsu's question. It is a mysterious artifact, yet still very powerful. No one knows what it looks like exactly or it's complete abilities. Legends tell of it being able to give the user immense power. I have heard that it gives power rivaling all four races, since it was created to unite the four races and bring equality between them." Turokenji said.

 

"It won't exactly turn the tide for us in this war, but it will prevent Fui's victory. If he has it, then what happened many years ago will happen again, but this time Seireitei will fall, and then I fear the rest of the world is next." Turokenji finished. He then looked at Captain Sanketsu as he asked him about Bounts. "Bounts, are powerful humans, given the ability to remain immortal by feasting on souls. By feeding on living souls, they grow more powerful, but if they feed on dead souls, then they prolong their immortality. Their weapons are like our zanpakutou in similarity. They have a call out phrase to summon their 'dolls' which are the weapons they use to fight with. They have a variety of appearances and a variety of powers. I would tell you more, but right now I do not have much time." Turokenji said. "Come. We must search for any other Captains left within Seireitei." he said and went to the door of his office, waiting for Nato to follow.

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

Upon jumping out of the hole, Kasen landed in front of a huge temple. His eyes widened when he saw it. It was so large. He grew more happy when he felt the large spiritual pressure at the top of the temple. "Yay! A treasure hunt!" he exclaimed. He immediately dashed off, heading up the stairs of the temple. "Let's race. Last one to the top is a rotten egg." he called out as he dashed off.

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

Kaishi immediately reacted as Kyokotsu released her doll. "Zeige Dich, Schmetterling" he said. There was a flash of reiatsu and before him appeared a huge dark blue worm about 25 feet long. The worms tail moved down the side of the stairs, it's whole body unable to fit on top of the temple where Kaishi stood. On the worms head was emblazoned the Bount symbol in black and it's huge bulging eyes stared forward at Kyokotsu. It's mouth was open, an all that could be seen within it was just utter blackness. It was sucking at the air, as if it had trouble breathing.

 

As the lightning was sent down onto the blades, it suddenly vanished. It was weakened somehow. The golden reiatsu was moving towards Schmetterling's gaping mouth. It continued sucking, absorbing the rest of the reiatsu from the lightning. "Reiatsu is useless against my doll." Kaishi said, his eyes flashing. This was the ability of his doll. The ability to absorb reiatsu. That was why it could also sense it, because it fed off of it.