[REMINDER: This is where I start mixing DxD and the Fate series into Awakens. At the same time, Ichigo is in the Akame ga Kill world and that will be covered in Ichigo Awakens: Soul Conviction. Burn the Witch is already a part of Bleach canon.]
(Kingdom of Las Noches)
The typical day of nothingness in the desert sands of the land of Hollows and the thunderous clangs and booms of training were stilled when a force of Vasto Lorde thought to invade the kingdom. It wasn't the first time it happened and it likely wouldn't be the last, as these events have been happening rather sporadically ever since Ichigo left. The worst single attack was Arturo, the worst group assault was happening now. One hundred Vasto Lorde looking to conquer Las Noches and claim dominion of all Hueco Mundo.
"Hey, are we still just sending out one person?" Grimmjow asked, grinning at the challenge to come. He, along with Starrk, Neliel, and Ulquiorra, were standing on a tower and watching the invading army come at the fortress. "Because I think it's my turn now." He began glowing with power, eager for an outlet to burn through.
"We were only repelling those attacks in such a risky manner to achieve Tercera Etapa." Nel answered as they army continued to advance on them. "The Captain Commander sent the Hogyoku here for the past few months specifically because of its involvement with Ulquiorra's ascension." The mint haired girl then sighed. "I just wished I was able to achieve Segunda Etapa before that 'infused' form."
"Just be glad that the Hogyoku acknowledged us enough to even give us that power so easily." Starrk yawned out as Lilynette appeared at his side, looking less like a child and more like a young teen. "I'm not sure I have it in me to do what Ulquiorra did with that Arturo guy."
"Well, you'll have to show off what you've got anyway." The smaller Arrancar said, pointing a thumb at the coming army of Menos. "They ain't interested in submitting unless it's OUR surrender. To which, I just laughed." An action Grimmjow just performed as he glowed an ethereal blue while grinning savagely.
"Then let me go have some fun." He said before flashing into his new form. His Hollow mask was gone and his hair grew to his legs, turning almost white in color. His chest was decorated in black tattoos that seemed like they were fire, his waist down was covered in white fur with jaguar spots that shifted to black on his ankles, which had black blades on the shins. His hands became black claws that seemed like they could tear throw anything with ease and he now sported a second tail with both burning with Reishi, along with his eyebrows, ankle blades, and the top of his forehead. "I've been itching to use this power more."
"Sometimes you remind me of Nnoitra." Neliel said, glowing a fiery pink as she began her own transformation. She turned into her centaur form, only bigger and sturdier and was kept modest only by fur from her horse body up to her chest. She lost her mask and gained four horns on her head, with glowing pink marks on her body. Her horsetail burned with pink Reishi and in her hand was a hollow handle that generated a jousting lance of burning pink Reishi. "Not the worst parts, like the misogyny and the hypocritical death seeking, but the lust of battle for the sake of fighting."
"I say we end this quickly and get back to helping the others get their own Hogyoku forms." Starrk voted, resting a hand on Lilynette's shoulder and merging themselves together. Like Grimmjow and Neliel, his clothes burned away and was replaced with Reishi in the form of a black sleeveless vest and pants, his forearms also turned black with a gray pattern rising from his middle and ring fingers. His usual Resurreccion's eye patch was now burning blackish blue Reiatsu, his skin turned pale, his hair now knee-length and gray with Reishi flowing from the tip, but the biggest change was a second hole on his stomach. The original hole on his chest was a bright blue while the one below was bright green, each with segmented Reishi like a bandolier connecting to his guns, which were now black one handed Henry Rifles with silver wolf skulls on the rifle butts. "We don't have the luxury of time. Remember?"
"Indeed." Ulquiorra agreed as he changed to his own Hogyoku form. "Let's end this." Each Aranncar held out their hand or weapon and fired a Cero at the hundred Vasto Lorde, reduced to two in an instant as they barely escaped the multicolored blast that left a massive black gash in the desert landscape. "How are they Starrk?" The bat asked the coyote, who squinted with his one eye.
"Looks like they'll live. Hard to say when they're a hundred kilometers away." They all changed back to their normal forms and started their trip back to the training grounds of Las Noches. "Should've just sent Grimmjow out. Holding back this much is so annoying."
(Soul Society SRDI: Project Spearhead)
"Spearhead log, number 127. Progress into Reigai development has been improving with various increase in abilities, but strain on the bodies itself has been the biggest limitation on that front. Stronger bodies and minds are always desired. The Frankenstein program is proving to be moderately successful, but the main use out of our two living units is to be cute. Raises moral and motivation, but I wish they could be thought of as more than just cute. Recently, Ichigo Kurosaki sent us a surprising specimen that could further assist us in improving our Reigai. A Teigu that resembles a Gikon with a body that could alter its form. I'm still impressed that such weapons and tools could be made in that world. End log." Nozomi Kujo said as she closed the recording for her work in Project Spearhead and readied the next log and started recording, combing through the project data on her computer.
"Sub head of Teigu Research, Nozomi Kujo. Log, 57. As impressed as I am with the Teigu, I am also greatly annoyed by them as well. Some can be recreated while others prove to be more difficult without the proper materials. Example of one we can do is Pumpkin, a multipurpose rifle that absorbs and shoots out Reiryoka much like the Quincy and is a very taxing weapon to use. It's a purely mechanical device that they only managed with a crystal that could absorb and expel Reishi. Example of one we can't is that Incursio, the ever evolving armor made from a dragon of the same abilities. Organic in nature, all we really need is the armor shift and not the adaptation ability... it does seem nice though." Then a loud crash followed by a few screams could be heard, some saying 'The Hekatonkheires is loose! That dog ate Shiki!'. Nozomi sighed and grabbed her Zanpakuto. "End log."
(Mayuri's Playground)
"Some time ago, I thought I did all the research I needed to do on the Quincy." The twisted master of the underground lab said as he slowly cut open Gilles de Rais, making the Sternritter scream into his gag. "But then you Sternritters appear, proving that there is always something new to learn. Then you Quincy break the rules and trespass into other territories, but it lets me experiment on new test subjects." He glanced over to sample jars recovered from Greece in a very black op that the Onmitsukido performed in Greece, retrieving monster corpses and the deceased body of Jason after the Quincy killed him, all achieved with the help of the 'Chameleon Gigai' allowing them to go in undetected. "Let's see what else I can learn." Mayuri was about open up Gilles's chest when one of his starfish monsters burst out and wrapped around Mayuri's face. Instead of freaking out and calmly taking the ever increasing grip of the monster, Mayuri reached up with a hand cackling with electricity and grabbed the monster, frying it in his touch. "You just gave me incentive to take my time." Kurotsuchi hissed.
"Does it have to be so crude Mayuri?" Tsukishima asked, walking in while reading his book. "And isn't interrogation my job? Shouldn't I get the Sternritter first?" The Fullbringer asked as Mayuri waved him off.
"You can have him when I'm done." He said before noticing the slight pallor to Rais, getting a hiss of disappointment. "Guess that'll take longer. Maybe he used his own blood to give that last monster its form." The lieutenant speculated, taking a needle and drawing a bit of blood from the Quincy's arm. "If you're going to be down here, make yourself useful and do some analysis on this sample. I'm going to do some tests on the other test subject." He then put Gilles on a special IV drip that would replenish the Sternritter's blood while also putting him to sleep, then walked into a different room with a Quincy prisoner that was recovered from the Greece operation.
"MMMM! MMM!" The Soldat tried to scream through duct tape, a lean man with a shaved head yet still looked like a fresh recruit.
"Save your breath. I'll need it for when you describe what it's like to have your soul rot away." Mayuri said before ripping off the tape and getting a pained scream in response. "Now, which Reishi injection do you think we should start with? Regular Hollow, one of the Menos Grande, Arrancar, or the really interesting one?" He said, grinning savagely.
"I-i-i-i-if you're looking for answers, then you're w-w-wasting your time!" The Soldat cried out, trying to sound brave. "N-nothing you can do will get me to betray his majesty!"
"We already got enough from those Sternritters Yhwach sent to spy on Ichigo and Uryu." Mayuri answered, grabbing Reishi extract from a low level Hollow. "And I doubt a bottom of the barrel grunt has anything worthwhile to share." Just then, the Quincy began laughing.
"You, you think that ANY Quincy would betray our king!?" He said, madly grinning. "Sternritters E, H, and T did their job, and laid the seeds for the destruction of Soul Society!" He started laughing again. Mayuri injected the Reishi into a spray nozzle and fired in the face of the Quincy. The effects were instantaneous as he began convulsing, thrashing, and screaming in agony.
"I'll be back later to see how this goes." The scientist promised as he walked out of that room and into one where Tsukishima was laying on a medical bed, barely breathing, with a book and pen that shifted into his bookmark on the ground. The bed had all the monitors tracking his vitals and a number that read 38. "I think we may have underestimated this ability of yours. To think it cost that many Gikon."
"At... least... I'm... still... alive..." Tsukishima weakly muttered, sounding like anything might kill him. "Was... it... success...ful?"
"Possibly." Mayuri admitted, typing some commands and getting Tsukishima to give a relieved sigh. "What did you write?" Silence was his answer as Tsukishima fell asleep. 'Book of the End, editing individual memories, and Scribe of Eternity.' Mayuri thought, naming Tsukishima's new ability they just tested. 'If this is successful, then Uryu will never have a better chance.' He left the room, after confirming the Fullbringer would not die and was merely resting, to get back to the Quincy he poisoned with Hollow Reishi. He almost didn't make it as the Hollow hole was almost complete.
(With Yamamoto)
'The deadline is fast approaching.' Yamamoto thought, going over the reports of what has been happening as of late. 'Those kids should be returning soon. Ichigo, my student, I hope your own training has been going well.' He could only think and pray that Ichigo was nearing the end of his journey in the alternate dimension and would soon return, hopefully to have one last carefree day before the final war of the Vandenreich. Such thoughts weighed heavy on his mind and he was thankful when Urahara walked in, carrying a few files for his report.
"Chemical weapons are MILD compared to what Mayuri just did." The scientist immediately groaned out, setting down the files and pulling out a red vial that he set in front of Yamamoto. "After testing and comparing different levels of Hollow Reishi, either the test subject couldn't handle the continued stress or Mayuri made a Reishi gas that causes every single vein inside a Quincy's body to explode. Either way, we're currently down to the one Sternritter so we'll be stopping that experiment for now." He shuffled the papers a bit. "Also it seems that the Tsukishima experiment may be a success but we'd need more Quincy to be completely sure, and that's not even touching the severe toll it took on Tsukishima. Though we've probably figured out a method to grant Fullbringers some leeway to using their strongest abilities."
"That is good news." The old dragon nodded, taking the two files and sorting them out. "Hopefully, this war will be less bloody. I've too many regrets as it is."
"Ichigo will not approve." Urahara said, immediately making the atmosphere more tense while Yamamoto continued his work. "About either plan."
"His approval does not matter," Genryusai plainly stated, "it's Uryu's choice and unlike Ichigo, that boy will do every dirty action that Ichigo is too pure to do himself. As for the other, I've made up my mind a long time ago. My student should be grateful for that. Anything else?" He asked, making Kisuke take out a small stack of papers titled, 'Dragons in Soul Society'.
"Because of his prolonged stay with the Wing Bind agency, Uryu decided to write a thesis paper on eventually bringing dragons to Soul Society. I've made copies and sent them to everyone that would need to see it. All the current political heads and most of the captains, not Zaraki. He wouldn't care."
"And your opinion?" The head captain asked, opening an eye to the scientist.
"We should take it slowly, and ONLY after the war." Urahara said, earning a nod from Yamamoto.
"Then you are dismissed." Kisuke nodded and left the aged dragon. Shortly after his departure, Chojiro Sasakibe appeared behind him. "Do you have it?" Chojiro said nothing as he passed the scroll to Yamamoto, who opened them and his expression became more hardened than before. "I had an idea, but this is worse." He closed and sealed the scroll before taking out his calligraphy set and got to work, writing the one thing no one must know of until the time is right. His last will and testament.
(Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers)
Coming Back
Uryu
"Well, sorry we didn't have anything that could've been actually helpful Uryu." Billy Banx told the Quincy as he was packing his things. "Reverse London and Wing Bind concerns ourselves with dragons, not spirits and the afterlife."
"And I'm sure it'll be helpful that I did that research at some point." The squad 15 lieutenant responded as he finished packing. "Learning that Yhwach sustains himself though the souls of others does little to help now. Barely offers much in the way of ideas."
"OI, Quincy! Don't delay your trip!" Spangle Ninii yelled out, barging into his room. "Don't you have to 'protect the balance' or whatever?"
"Don't take that the wrong way, she's just upset her crush was already spoken for." Noel said, making the other witch blush furiously.
"SHUT UP NOEL! THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!" She shouted, being ignored while Noel walked by.
"Thanks for being here." Noel said before giving Uryu a quick peck on the cheek. "Good luck out there, Uryu Ishida. I hope your thesis is properly considered."
"You had a crush on him too! Why aren't you more upset!?"
"Because I've already accepted it and moved on."
"Nemu's open to sharing, just so you know." Uryu told them before leaving, making their eyes widen. They then mobbed Billy to ensure their transfer if Soul Society opens up to dragons.
Tatsuki
"I've taught you all I could in our short time frame." Sun Wukong told Tatsuki as they were going through airport security in China. "All that's left is to strengthen yourself and refine your touki. Shouldn't be difficult, you're a natural." The fiery martial artist couldn't help but blush.
"I've had a good teacher." She returned, making the monkey smirk. They pair took a moment to compose themselves before bowing to each other. "Thank you for your teachings, Shifu."
"Take care of yourself Tatsuki. And give those Quincy bastards a few good punches from me." He told her before their attention was brought to a loud argument, between airport security and Karna. The hero of charity was wearing a large cloak he refused to take off and was continuously setting off the metal detectors.
"Can't you just use your Senjutsu to create an illusion?" She groaned, predicting that they'll miss their flight. "Or why not just work with them?"
"Senjustu doesn't include illusions." Goku answered, snickering at the display. "Besides, how often do you see that much gold. People are greedy and he isn't losing that armor again." They continued to watch the argument, getting no closer to their flight.
Chad
"Do you have everything? Provisions? Extra clothes? Your weapons?" Chiron asked in Centaur form, fussing over his two children before they left for the war.
"Yes teacher, we have everything." Achilles laughed, trying to put the immortal's mind at ease. Chiron was unable to join since the reincarnation of two of Zeus's sons were arriving and needed proper training, but the centaur promised to arrive later on.
"Come on!" Atlanta called out, already going down the mountain with Chad, Jackie, and Medea. "We've a long way to go and only so much time to get there!" Achilles gave one last wave before running down to join his comrades.
"Next stop, various airports, then Japan, and then Soul Society." Jackie said as they continued walking. "Not as impressive if I say it like that."
"Let's make sure to do our teacher proud sis!" Achilles said with a thousand watt smile. "He said if we come back alive I get a chariot made by Hephaestus himself and a bow blessed by Artemis for you." Atlanta didn't answer, but there was a small smirk that said she was just as excited. They then heard Chad's stomach growl, turning to the giant in question.
"Skipped breakfast because he woke up late." Jackie answered for her boyfriend. Without a word, Achilles pulled out a jelly sandwich which he gave to the Fullbringer, who accepted it graciously.
"Did you make that?" Atlanta asked, suddenly concerned.
"Yep. Simple grape jelly and bread." The hero said with confidence, then Chad fell down while foaming at the mouth.
"There's a reason we never let you use the kitchen." Atlanta sighed as Medea got to work with her healing magic.
Orihime
"And that's the basic application of rune magic." Cu Chulainn told Orihime as they flew on one of her Santen Kesshun shields. When Scathach was told how much time there was before the predicted start of the war, and that Ichigo wasn't even there, she decided to stay in Dun Scaith and would make her grand entrance when the fighting started. She then told Cu Chulainn to teach her the basics of Rune magic as a way for them to pass the time. Orihime was eager to learn. "You also have the dictionary of what runes mean what, so I'd recommend you memorize that before-"
"Like this?" Orihime asked, generating a small fiery tornado in her hands. The hound was frozen in surprise. "This is fun!" She said, quickly drawing another rune and creating a whirlpool of water.
'It took me weeks to get there, how the hell is she doing that in minutes?!' He thought as Orihime made spheres of elements and started juggling them.