|
This article, The Cauldron of Black: Unite the Chosen, was added by Achrones150 who determines its usage on this wiki. |
|
This article, The Cauldron of Black: Unite the Chosen, was added by Blankslate who determines its usage on this wiki. |
|
This article, The Cauldron of Black: Unite the Chosen, was added by Mangetsu20 who determines its usage on this wiki. |
Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
The Cauldron of Black: Unite the Chosen[]
Eve of the Gathering, The Leader's Inner Turmoil[]
It was a terrible aftermath.
Despite all of the careful planning, relocation of headquarters material, arms and manpower; all of it was wasted. Hana presided over one of the worst losses the Gotei 13 and any affiliate organizations had received. Doing so wasn't something easy, that much anyone could see. The injured were tended to, critically maimed by the mysterious shooter that even pierced the unprepared Captain Commander. The only one that thwarted the projectile was Kaze and it was only thanks to his special Reishi conductor gloves he possessed.
She hid herself away in her private office within the Gotei 13 while DCO personnal uninvolved with the operation were briefed on a broader spectrum of the event. Braeburn McTavish, a valued ally of theirs, was an enemy spy. It was a hard pill to swallow and she knew there may not be a place for his return this time around. She had forgiven a lot, all of which was questionable. Her predecessor and mentor was not too popular with the nobility for his own rickshaw tactics and gut feeling decisions that made things ambiguous in nature of how he'd treat real threats. Her allowance of existence for the remaining Quincies instead of hunting them down, for example, may have not been as prudent as she once believed.
Staring at the pentacle that was placed into her hand before she was thrown into a blind fit of rage she began to thumb it with silence. She kept thinking over the words that were carefully muttered to her, even as she aimed to take his life. It wasn't too long until she pieced together, even after they escaped. Confiding with Kaze they planned to make this an Alliance initiative, bringing in Aether's RAC units to crush the enemy before they unleash that...thing...onto the world.
"So we go after this Arael and his band of misfit Quincies aiming to damn the world. Then what?"
"We'll take those into custody that we don't happen to kill in the first raid. For whatever reason they don't want to be taken down without a fight, maim them to ensure we get at least a handful of survivors. I want to know how many other cells that could be hidden from our sight. I get the bad feeling we're not fighting a singular force but an extension of another's hand."
"Yes, this does seem a bit soon. This radical group I've studied has gained a lot of resources in the fallout of the Vandenreich's forces. Still, the data I've collected from our battle, even against our mysterious ace shooter, should help us be better prepared against their comrades. Singular cores presiding within their chest make for good targets for permanent takedowns."
"They are to be eliminated. They're too strong to allow to be left alive and their powers make them capable of contending of people my caliber."
"At this rate, you may as well have to use that power. You have mastered it after all, haven't you?"
"You make it seem like its an easy feat to accomplish. Years of using an imperfect version to bolster my powers allowed my Reiryoku climb to an incredible peak. But as a result I can't force such a transformation upon an instance. Its impractical against a full offensive. Besides I won't need it to fight them."
"Truly? I think your feelings for that McTavish boy is clouding your judgement. Even knowing he was on their side you were determined to save him. That is both a disgusting and weak notion on your part. You are the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13! Start acting like it!"
"I know but...dammit, why didn't he understand? I gave him so many opportunities. Yet he was willing to almost kill his own friends who tried to save him. I was just so enraged that I didn't even think of what I'd do, but make him see what happens if he attacks his comrades! Yet, still, he was determined to tell me that message."
"It seems illogical. He works for the enemy yet is adamant not to side with us when he wants to inform us of what is about to transpire."
"Yashin did the same. He was a complete wild card and only workd for himself while dancing around the enemy's ranks, feeding us bread crumbs along the way so we could take them in their most vulnerable state. Before this is over I get the feeling we're going to see him again."
"Tch, that thing hardly qualifies as a man let alone a spirit. Things I don't understand are best left alone or destroyed if I can't analyze it."
"Onto a more useful topic, do you know when the RAC Knight Commander is supposed to arrive?"
"Heh, she'll be here in a few hours. Let me handle proceedings in organizing who is best suited to lead the attack. Those left standing anyways."
"I'll be in my office then. Inform me via Kidō when something comes up."
It had been several hours since that conversation. Upon her pondering the words she shared with the closest she had to a father or advisor within the Gotei 13 she realized on how little they talked. Perhaps it was his harsh, cynnical outlook on life or how little regard he has for it when performing her studies. But another was most certainly that dark voice in her head, telling her how she's nothing but an organic machine created for nothing more than to serve the Soul Society and have no happiness of her own.
Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to stifle any tears from being shed at the isolation she had with Braeburn. It ate her insides that she was responsible for so much harm to befall him. Foolish in her thoughts to think that he was worth being saved or their love was real. The only proof that he wasn't forsaking her was the moment he tried to push her away from the path of the bullet or giving her the pentacle. Even the vocalized poem was a warning of what was coming.
"Ultharon," She snarled with a fire burning in her eyes, "my sensei burned you. I intend to make sure there's nothing left of you when I'm through with you."
Old and New Gather, What of our Comrade? []
"....so, that's it, then. The dude just up and turned on us."
"I wouldn't have put it so bluntly, but that is how Captain Sasayaki had put it."
Tenshina sat with his arms on the table and a hand to his forehead, staring at the ice cream bowl in front of him. He had a rather bitter expression on his face, trying to take in what had been told to him. They had been told a little while before this moment, courtesy of the boss Kaze Sasayaki himself. However, he was still trying to get it to sink in. The fact that one of his own colleagues had betrayed them and willingly wounded two of his own was just getting processed into his brain. "And he's the reason why the ginger and straw-hat are in critical care right now? Why they seem more resembling to cooked bacon than anything else?"
"That is something that fascinates me." Kameyo remarked, looking over at her own bowl and cupping her chin and thought. "I have never personally seen his Zanpakutō in action, but I have heard from those particular three that it was supposed to be an extension-type melee Zanpakutō. Burns like that couldn't have been acquired by such a weapon, and he's known for melee combat rather than Kidō. Just how exactly could he have delivered such injuries, I wonder?"
At this, Tenshina raised his head up to look at Kameyo with a somewhat incredulous look. "Really? You're more concerned about what type of weapon hurt them than the fact that they were hurt by a supposed friend? Come on, Kameyo, I know that you're not exactly one for sensitivity, but they're in critical condition right now! The least you could do is show some decency!"
His words seemed to get a rise out of her, but not a negative one. Her eyes widened slightly as she registered what was said, before her face began to look lightly sheepish. "...you're right. My apologies."
Breaking the tension between the pair was the arrival of a trio of figures. Valeur's stalwart frame leading with Choku doing his best, if not awkwardly, to try and console a shooken up Yōki. Thanks to Kidō any sign of swelling or bruising was minimized to a dark scruff across her usually breathtaking visage. It was nothing compared to the dark outlines of despair over her crestfallen features. Choku showed remarkable indifference though the lack of adjustment to his downward slid spectacles was a clear sign he had too much on his mind.
"Relax, Serah Tenshina," Valeur said as he sidled up next to Kameyo's side, wrapping an arm comfortingly around her shoulders. A solemn look crossed his face as he stared at him purposefully while stroking her arm, "our friends will be fit for combat within a few hours. Our comrades' morale...well, I'm unsure how well they'll take knowing they were hospitalized becaues of Serah McTavish."
"Thanks to the wonders of Kidō and modernized equipment, all damage can be practically undone. I'm not sure if they'll be traumatized but, given what state Yōki is in...well," Choku began to explain, biting the inside of his cheek before waving a hand over her face. Yōki barely batted an eye as the palm was mere inches from her face. Even when he snapped a few times in front of her face, he turned around to look at them glumly at Bokujin and Kameyo respectively. "she's barely spoken a few words when she was told what happened. The doctors say it isn't because of brain damage but because she's in shock. I...I don't know for how long."
Tenshina gave a scowl as he looked over at Valeur. "And you're seriously telling me to relax after hearing this lovely piece of information?" He asked, not restraining sarcasm. "Because this is such a peaceful and positive atmosphere we've got going on here." He shut his eyes tightly, balling up a fist and pressing it up against his head as he mulled over what had happened. The more it was starting to sink in, the more monstrous the actions of Braeburn had been. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anger; although he could admit he didn't know Yōki as closely as he did with the rest of them, seeing her in such a state was enough to bring out a sense of wrath towards the Aethian-born man.
"He did this. He hurt her and left her like this. What kind of man DOES that?"
"To have someone you regarded so closely as a comrade will do that to you." Kameyo stated, her red eyes looking at Yōki even as she leaned into Valeur's welcoming embrace. "Though, I have to admit that even this would be rather extreme, even if it was a close friendship that had been broken. The worst I would've expected was for a severe case of depression, with a healthy set of tear-shedding. The only other explanation to be offered is that--" Her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes squinted slightly as if she had hit some sort of new thought. "...no, that can't be, I can't believe it..."
"...what?" Tenshina questioned hesitantly, opening one eye up and looking over at her.
"Um..." Kameyo looked somewhat hesitant herself to speak afterwards, softly shaking her head. "Never mind, it was just a thought..."
"I think your thought is something we, who haven't known her for awhile, could come up with after awhile," Choku spoke in a level, yet serious volume towards the others before looking at Yōki's face. "she loves Braeburn McTavish. The fact she was struck with very little damage done to her in comparison to the others is clear that she suffered more emotionally than she did physically."
"Wait," Valeur began to say out loud, as if something just dawned upon him, "Braeburn and Yōki were romantically involved? How could I not have seen this?"
"N-No, Valeur, I'm saying that it was unrequited love," Choku quickly raised his hands up to explain away to his socially less inclined friend.
"Oh," Valeur's face dropped, realizing at the melancholic expressioned girl with a sad pair of eyes, "I see. Is it possible she tried to confess before she was struck? That could explain why someone of such a high caliber could be taken off guard. She was easily the most intelligent of their squad next to Braeburn himself."
"Makes sense, given that if she had a great love for him and found that her friends paid the consequences more dearly than herself. Which also brings up an interesting point," Choku cupped his chin, furrowing his brows as he looked downward, "why bother just hitting her? If she was within range of this unique weapon of his, why bother sparing her? Was it just the heat of the moment he hesitated or was it to prove a point or-?"
It was then that the inquisitive if not more intelligent member of their squad just gaped at what he thought. Looking up, he looked aghast at what he came to the conclusion to and was unsure what he was saying was even sane. "Braeburn...did that himself to save his friends. He attacked them so his allies wouldn't kill them!"
It was enough to make Tenshina and Kameyo regard him with surprised intrigue.
To think that Braeburn had hurt them voluntarily was something. But to believe that he was doing it in order to protect them? It seemed very unlikely, and Tenshina was naturally quick to voice it. "So he put them at the point of death to keep them from dying?" He questioned, giving a skeptical snort. "Nice try, Choku. But I think that some part of that logic is really flawed."
"It's plausible." Kameyo commented coolly, looking over to Tenshina. "While it would have been a gamble on his part to put them so far on the precipice of death, it could be said that he knew just how badly he could injure them without them dying. But then again," She turned her eye to Choku. "That would be inferring that he isn't as loyal to his new compatriots as everyone seems to believe. Are you trying to suggest that, Choku?"
Shrugging, Choku released a sly smile of his own, "My hunches have never been that far off. I believed the Inner Circle was more nefarious than they preached themselves not to be. You all thought I was crazy then, too. Whose to say this isn't another case of someone like Yashin, who is pretending on being the good little convert while doing all he can to help. Who knows? Maybe he slipped something to his precious beloved before he got pulled away by his brothers in arms?"
"What you say has some merit, true. It'd be too easy to rashly suggest Braeburn wasn't in some sort of dilemma that forced him into the hands of the enemy. That and...well," Valeur bowed his head as he looked away to the side, "past actions committed against the McTavish family has never been kind from what I know of. By the Soul Society or any other spiritual realm. He could have some dogma against all governments to allow him some form of comraderie with them despite his reservations of harming his friends."
"So he's a traitor but didn't want to go through with whatever insane scheme it is. Either way, Braeburn won't be pardoned like his sister or the Circle was. He might be lucky if he's doing time in a dark cell. Or worse, be experimented on by Captain Sasayaki and turned to something else if he isn't stuck in a jar," Choku shuddered as he verbally speculated out loud.
That brought about a look of shock on Tenshina's face, and he regarded Choku incredulously. Although he still disliked what the McTavish had did, the talk about experimentation was something that was never a pleasant thing for him. In addition, he was doing it right in front of the emotionally distressed Yōki without any regard for her listening in. "Choku!" He exclaimed indignantly, giving a somewhat angry glare. "By the Spirit King, learn to hold your tongue! One of his closest is sitting right there beside you!!"
At this, Kameyo stole a glance over at Yōki just to see if she had reacted at all to the rather grisly statements.
"I...love...him," Yōki whispered, almost inaudible as she stared off into space. A slight smile worked its way up to her face as her eyes twitched, slowly forming droplets of moisture within her eyes. As she spoke, they dripped down her cheeks as her emotions ran wild with her words. "I...I don't want him to die. I don't want him to suffer. He's suffered so much already. Why? Why doesn't he want to keep being with us? Why didn't he...love me back?"
Choku, unable to really to defend his actions as Yōki continued to shed more tears, raised his hands lamely before dropping them to his sides. He couldn't offer any encouragement. He wasn't the compassionate type. The only one that came close to that was Valeur and he was too busy keeping himself close to his beloved. Thankfully he saw him offer a gentle grip on her shoulder that made her shuddering quiet.
"Serah Yōki, you shouldn't fret on what could happen. Instead, find it within you what you should do to help him. Will it be in his best interest that you bring him back, regardless of what others may say? Will keeping him alive without knowing why he fights us be good for him? Ask yourself this the next time you say you love him. You should think of what is best not just for yourself but for his sake," Valeur turned to look at Kameyo, Bokujin and then Choku, nodding to the latter, "we have to keep level heads. We're going as members of Order and Preservation of Peace, but we still have our own wills. If we're going to do something we're all going to regret, make sure we're all in it unanimously."
Nodding, Yōki choked a few sobs back before leaning into Valeur halfway, earning a gentle embrace as she calmed herself down.
Level heads...
Suddenly becoming aware of how agitated he felt, Tenshina turned away and took in a deep breath to calm himself. He reached out to take a bite from his ice cream bowl, allowing his thoughts to wonder as he stuffed the filled spoon into his mouth. No matter how he currently looked at it, he saw Braeburn as despicable for leaving his own friends and colleagues like this. He could hardly believe that nearly killing them was a means to keep them protected. But in truth, would anyone in his shoes believe it? He doubted it. He mentally made a note to confront Braeburn should they ever meet in direct combat. After all, considering the amount of power he had been given, fighting the renegade would be no problem for him.
He looked over at Valeur, Kameyo and Yōki, unable to keep himself from grinning a little when he saw Kameyo reach over and poke Yōki gently on the nose. "Boop." She monotoned, casually retracting her hand back.
In the Presence of Allies, The Alliance's Long Table[]
Half a day later, all those of the Gotei and the Aether forces assembled in a hastily crafted hall. For what it was worth, Kaze was commended by Hana in its design, with the colors of blue and red on banners decorating the hall, with a shield covered grim reaper holding a scythe in a presenting manner. A long table of elegantly stained and carved wood held each held almost twenty seats on each side, with two others on opposite ends. Those who didn't or couldn't seat were able to stand a respectable distance away from those conditioning the plans for what was to occur.
Surprisingly it took awhile to get the seating just right. While the Gotei weren't much for ceremony as they were used to standing while their Captain Commander sat, the Knight Commander and her Knight Captains were used to being seated in an orderly fashion. When they found each other's seats after twenty minutes of confusion, the eight of the Knight Captains were seated, with one having remained dutifully in Aether to keep the peace. Sitting nearest to the Captain Commander was Adrian Rivers, the Overseer of The Aethian Magus Order, and Aesa Saras, the Paladinus Primus of the Holy Decimo.
On the other hand, almost all of the Gotei minus their extra affiliates were seated. The Captain Commander was able to see down the long row of people to see the equally rivetting yet stoic Knight Commander. The Onmitsukidō Commander was hospitalized and couldn't attend due to the unnatural trauma she endured. Kaze said he was "too busy to attend trifle meetings when I have to prepare for the biggest field dissection in his whole career," in regards to the talks with Aether's RAC members. It was hard for Hana to admit but the formality of the whole proceedings seemed like a waste of time. The only reason she didn't refuse to reach out to them was that she needed the manpower what with how easily marksman could end so many of their best fighters, including herself.
No, it was necessary. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.
"Knight Commander," Hana began, offering a cordial smile as she waved across the table as all seated individuals were settled, "glad for you to have come with so many Knight Captains at such short notice."
"After the bravery you demonstrated in your fight against the Axis? I see no reason that this would be uncomfortable for anyone. Isn't that right, ladies and gentleman of the RAC?" Elizabeth said back in a genuinely polite, if not firm tone that carried on to an imploring gesture as her hawk eyes swept her side of the table for confirmation.
The voice of a male would answer her - specifically, the voice of Knight Captain Cecil Kellogg.
"Quite right." He answered, tilting his head to the side as he regarded both his superior and the superior of the Gotei 13 with a studying look. "To say that coming to the beck of a respectable ally would be nothing less than shameful, especially after everything that's happened. Though, if I may ask..." He lowered his head and gave a raise of the eyebrow, scanning the rest of the audience. "Why are we here, exactly? Although this call wasn't unwelcome, it was quite sudden in the case for many of us."
"I know, right?" Captain Tsubasa Muromachi interrupted, giving a frown. "I was in the middle of my weekly back-sack-and-crack."
There was a brief moment of silence, and more than a few heads turned to his direction. He cocked an eyebrow, his mouth twitching a little as he shrugged his shoulders. "What?"
Captain Gina Tachibana took in a deep breath. "...not going to ask, Qi. As strongly as I'm tempted to, I'm not even daring myself here."
"Before we get too sidetracked, I thought I should be to the point," Hana interrupted smoothly, leaning back onto her seat as her arms rested fully onto the table. Eyes traded expectant glances from all those present within the chamber, those seated and those who weren't. Inhaling deeply, she delivered the news matter-of-fact, "through an incident that occurred in Deep Cover Operations headquarters I was able to acquire evidence of the enemy's intentions. The ones that are named the SKM, but their goal is what its important. Their radical leader and his band of zealots are going to enter the realm of Hell and unleash one of its residents from his chains. The monster they want to set free is none other than Ultharon the Almighty, otherwise known as the Archdemon."
Gasps, stirring turns and incredulous blinks of the eye were sent from both sides at her. She knew that, of all those who knew of this information she disclosed, it was only herself and Kaze. In a way she knew in a twisted sense why the R&D and DCO Overseer wanted to be out of the meeting. He didn't want to see or deal with the immediate backlash of delivering such news.
"And you decide to let all of us know at the same time? What? Do you like playing sick jokes?" Taiyō asked incredulously, twitching irritably at Hana's decision of keeping it a secret until now.
"Believe me, I don't like this situation anymore than you do, but I didn't want to come across as already sharing this revelation with everyone except our neighbours from the west. If none of you acted surprised, we'd end up looking like we manipulated them into this mess instead of imploring that we need their aid as much as we do. Which we do and that question is a moot point so I'd appreciate if you'd keep your aggravations to yourself till after we're done speaking, Captain Ikidōri," She explained in a hardened, direct tone, one of which she could see worked. Despite a frustrated glare, Taiyō turned her face away to look at the table with frustration.
"Whether you shared with your comrades is highly irrelevant to me, Captain Yūgure," Elizabeth replied as her eyes narrowed, her hands clasping to form a bridge just below her nose, keeping her lower features hidden. "but I'm more interested in how they seek to even attempt such a feat. Isn't the lowest reaches of Hell, let alone its first level, under the control of the Hankami, the Punisher? Why would this be even a threat?"
"One shot fired from one of their elites almost killed me. Another was able to match my strength blow for blow without giving ground. These Quincies aren't human. They're monsters with outrageous power that can easily outclass the majority of our best and match those who are even better. If they're leader is any kind of man he could potentially hold the key of besting her or at least bypassing her powers," She explained readily, trying to make them understand the dire consequences of underestimating their foes.
"So if I'm not mistaken," Xavier Longstreet, the First Cohort Knight Captain, leaned forward along the table to look at the Captain Commander with an almost dubious expression on his features, "you, the strongest Shinigami of the Gotei, was almost killed?"
"Consider," Kukkyōna intervened, looking forward at the man with a stoic and calm visage adorned across his face, "that before Aizen's rebellion in the White War, the Captains were unquestionably the strongest warriors in any realm's society military. Then, Arrancars suddenly evolved to levels past their previous limitations. Quincies gained the strength to fight at a higher precipice. Mere souls and humans were transcendant. I think doubting that someone can kill even our strongest fighter is hardly the one thing you should be asking at this moment."
"Hm, point taken," Knight Captain Longstreet nodded with acceptance, leaning back on his seat as he contemplated what was said. Who could be safe when mutants and abhorrations were running loose like them?
"Do we know where they are now? Any trace of their residual Reiatsu?" Adrian Rivers, the Overseer of the Magus Order in Aether, asked as he was the closest on Hana's left side.
"None," She shook her head solemnly, turning her gaze to the rest, "we were hoping you'd have an idea where we had none. Our absent Captain Sasayaki is doing all he can to pinpoint his position based on the dimensional wavelength of their portal useage. However, he said it could take time we don't have. So any recommendations are open to the table at this point."
"Sheesh," Ryōken muttered as he scratched his head and looked over at Noriko with a sheepish grin, "I got no ideas. You?"
"Perahps, Milady," Aesa began whispering to her Knight Commander, whom glanced at her while maintaining her hand bridge, "we could dispatch the Paladins en masse across the spiritual realms? It's quite possible the reason we haven't detected their location is that they haven't jumped into a place like the Valley of Screams, Hueco Mundo or the Material World. We would have something to go off before meeting here if that was the case."
"As fast and effective scouts you are, it still would take far too much time. There's also the element of surprise that could be lost if these unusual Quincies are able to detect you from afar," The Knight Commander deterred with a smooth look before looking down at the reflection she made in the table itself.
Shindō remained silent on the matter, staring ahead with a forlorn look on his own face. He was far more worried about what would happen if Ultharon could do if he got out. Could any of them stop him now that Furuidenshō was dead? Could Hana fill in those monumental shoes, or could any of them? He was once confident in his powers before but his battle with Seigi had redefined what was his limits and true strength. He knew there was a reason why it was Hana, and not him, who was sitting in the Captain Commander's seat.
Yukiakari leaned back and closed her eyes, earnestly trying to think of anything herself. Nozomi twiddled her fingers uselessly, biting her lower lip in worry. Taiyō continued to glower at her own reflection on the table. Where could they even begin to understand how and where they transport themselves across the ether?
Noriko's voice, prompted by Ryōken, would be what broke the silence.
"So if I'm going at this correctly, then the situation is this." She said, folding her hands on the table and regarding each of her compatriots. "The enemy attacked the Deep Cover Ops HQ and then vanished from the face of our sensors. The only way we have of tracking them down is too timely for any of us to wait on, and we have absolutely no idea as to what they could be doing right now. So, if nothing else, I think the best option right now is to consult are more "otherworldly" companions. No doubt they're more knowledgeable about a breach within their own home dimension than we are, especially considering the protocol of ours concerning intervention."
"Otherworldly?" Cecil repeated her words in inquiry, regarding her with a confused gaze. "Just what do you mean by that, Captain Nagasaki?"
Noriko frowned, furrowing her eyebrows at him. "What? Even after fifty years, no one has ever bothered to tell Aether about it? I'm pretty sure that no one has bothered to keep secret concerning the Punisher's close association with the Alliance."
They were the words that made Cecil's eyes widen. He wasn't alone, for at least a few of the Paladins - particularly Simon Moriarty and Percival Chapman - displayed their own brand of shock towards the statement. The Knight Captain immediately rose up from his chair, regarding Noriko with disbelief. "You can't be serious!" He insisted. "It is a well-known fact that the Spiritual Realms and the dimensions such as Hell remain separate due to the volatile nature of that underworld! Are you truly telling me that the very Queen of Tartarus is an ally?!"
She would not be able to answer him, for another female voice did it for him.
"You're damn right she is."
It was loud, resonating through the entire room like an earthquake. It wasn't a second later that the entire room began to darken, almost giving way to total blackness. From one of the walls, a massive rectangular portal of crimson light opened up. It was as if a furnace had been opened up into the room, with a sweltering heat engulfing the entire space. There would be feelings of suffocation, but not just in the physical sense. It was as if one's very soul was being crushed to pieces and pushed to the brink of absolute destruction. There was a continuous chorus of howling, moaning, screaming and snarling, all of these sounds holding demonic quality to them. There could've been no other place such a blood-curling and ear-violating sound could've come from.
It was from this light that two figures stepped out, an arm from each person linking the two together. The one who had spoken out was a red-haired woman who looked as if she had stepped out of ancient European history. She wore a red, long-sleeved top with a bronze outline tracing the hem and underside of her breasts, red armored arm guards and shoulder plates, a black cloak which nearly hung down to the ground, and black pants with cuffs fit neatly into gray boots. The one she was hooked to was a male of orange spiky hair, a headband of mourning and a black overcoat that enveloped what would've been his Lieutenant uniform. Once they made their way through, the portal of hellfire was shut and light was restored once again.
The feeling of suffocation was still present, as subdued as it was. But it wasn't residue from the portal. It was coming from the creator of the portal herself. Had it been fifty years ago, it would've felt as if they were standing with one of their own. But now, it was very clear that a massive restraint of power was being shown. If it was fully released, more than a few people would have keeled over. But despite this fact, the woman didn't seem as if she was straining to hold it back. In fact, she was allowing herself to stand as confidently as she always had. Her somewhat narrowed eyes scanned the table, a sedate grin of amusement clear on her face.
"And on the way here..." She continued to say, her eyes falling directly on Hana. "She's been asking herself this one teeny-tiny question: "Just why exactly is the toy soldier's boy-toy waddling around in the underworks of my dimension unsupervised?"
All those who were standing near where she opened the door to oblivion instantly were struck by the wave of Shinsei Pressure. They could feel the nasty effects of just her restrained power at such a close distance. Even the Paladins, super weapons by their own rights, tensed and trembled at being so proximate to her. When she closed the portal, the tension was there, but the unbearable temperature was released. For some strange reason, a young Shinigami that looked particularly familiar to those in Aether and already infamous among the ranks of the Gotei 13 and the DCO.
Elizabeth kept her eyes trained stoically, admirably withstanding the wave of power that entered the room with only a sense of mild apprehension and alarm. But as soon as she saw her enter, she appraised her look with a thorough inspection. She didn't look like someone who'd run Hell, but the way she stood, spoke and felt definitely backed up the Queen's title. Her throat felt parched just being in the same chambers as her.
When Hana tapped the ridge of her hands together, she cast a stern scowl at a more confidently smiling Daisuke. He looked smug, something she didn't picture the young Hayate heir being, but perhaps his exposure to this free spirited and quite frankly crass woman had rubbed off on him in some way. Regardless, he made no move to defend himself or rub anything in. He was, while close to her, respectful to his comrade from the DCO and now ranking superior.
"I've been aware of your intriguing if not questionable relationship with Lieutenant Hayate, Punisher," She tongued licked the title with a turn of her head, staring pointedly at Hachiro and Kukkyōna. "so I know the how. But why he wasn't here is the point I'd like to know from those who remain above him in rank and class. Well, gentlemen?"
"I gave him permission for time off," Kukkyōna replied smoothly, not skipping a beat as he nodded to his friend, "I coordinated with Captain Horikawa to give him extended leave. He had been working on an abundant amount of duties for both the Noble House and his Division due to all the repairs and mending the world back into proper shape. I didn't want him burnt on both ends, if you understand."
Hachiro simply closed his eyes and nodded, a slight smile of amusement crossing his face.
Sighing, Hana waved him off, taking care to readjust her attention to their new guests. She wondered why Furuidenshō could stand the woman. She literally butted heads with the Hankami since the eve of their crisis, even when they were under the impression of rescuing her in Hell the first time around in the Valley of Ashes. He treated her as if she was someone to be rebuked openly, like one of his Captains, but not anyone beneath himself. It was an odd balance of relationship, authority, and respect that he handled admirably well to the point it baffled her.
After musing for only a few seconds about what her late surrogate father and mentor was like, she asked with her left jaw leaning into an upraised fist, "So, tell me, Punisher. Other than flaunting your lover off like a prized fish, was there a point in interrupting this meeting? I don't believe you were contacted for this gathering."
As the Punisher slipped her arm from Daisuke's, she seemed to ignore the question for a brief moment. She gave a few pats to Daisuke's shoulder as well as a slight nod - a nonverbal message to let him know about the possibly long discussion she would have with Hana. It was an invitation for him to freely sit down, knowing that the talk would be a bit of a long one for anyone to be standing up for too long. Afterward, she started to approach Hana with her hands folded behind her back. "What, seriously?" She asked, sounding as if she had bit back a scoff. "I thought my question would've been enough to tell you everything. But I guess that I need to play "fill in the blanks" for you to get it, don't I?"
She stopped when she was standing at the middle of the table and behind a few select people. "I was minding my own business," She explained, lifting two fingers to press against her temples. "Using my recently improved omnipotence for the standard maintenance check. At first, everything looked normal. But when I reached deep into the crevices that no one else would've dared of thinking to stick their nose in, I was more than a bit surprised. There was a massive group of Quincy moving through one of my tunnels, just like rats going through a sewer. At first, I thought it was just my daily dose of intruders coming in. But then I felt his presence - the presence of one Braeburn McTavish."
She got more than a few surprised reactions from the likes of the Gotei 13 - something that wasn't surprising, given that they had not yet been told of his betrayal. But she continued on casually. "I noted that along a certain path that led to one of my more notorious prisoners, there were seals of Red Sun variety capable of warding off the likes of my Daitenshi. While I'm not sure as to just what that boy and his new set of friends are trying to do, but considering he went through such lengths to keep me from rooting him out, I'd say that he's aiming to do something against me."
It was here that the smile of hers finally dropped away.
"Now, I'm going to ask you again, and this time in a way you can understand."
Her amiable if not mocking tone immediately changed, shifting into a cold and piercing one with only the slightest bit of anger. "Why is there a renegade of the Deep Cover Ops acting like he can do whatever he pleases INSIDE OF MY DIMENSION?!"
The last few words were unrestrained, allowing a considerable amount of fury to resonate as much as her power had. If that wasn't enough to convey her feelings on the matter, the livid death glare she was giving Hana would.
As Daisuke had been relieved of her embrace, he chose to stand a couple of meters away from her side. This choice he regretted in only he felt his body buckle at the sheer magnitude of her pressure being unleashed with every spoken word. Sweat beaded down his brow and he looked nervous at the mixture of reactions to her understandably angry shout. He first saw the more obvious side of the Gotei, the present and past Captains, looking quite scared of what the Hankami could do with only of the few stoic or brazen ones not reacting at all other than wince around the eyes.
Those of Aether had slightly more immediate reflexes guarding their fear of the Queen of Hell.
The Paladins who were gathered there had immediately recoiled, reaching for their swords or appropriate weapons. Despite their leader making no move to do so, he could feel an immense pressure rise up within her. It felt sinisterly like a Hollow's, yet was completely tuned and making a kind of melodious sound in the air to his senses. The Knight Captains themselves were just ready to push themselves from the table, bearing arms at what they perceived to be the threat. The Head Magus himself showed only the emotion of having his hands tremble at the shout that was sent his way indirectly, as he was the nearest to Hana.
"It appears," Elizabeth chose to speak out loud, after awaiting a half of minute of silence to sneak by as everyone felt on edge from the wrathful temper of Sakura's could literally bring down the roof on their heads. "that she's quite noisy when she's angry, isn't she, Hana?"
"Indeed, Elizabeth," Hana replied, her visage undoubtedly dour as her glare was strengthened by the Punisher's projected rage through her own firery orbs, "she's as childish as she was the day I met her. It's unfortunate that any hint of maturity she's attained over the years was wasted because of a mishap."
Pushing off of the table, Hana made sure to not cower in the face of Sakura, despite her very Shinsei ebbing off her like tongues of flames was very visible now. Walking around the RAC side of the table, she stood face to face with her, arms crossed as her eyes steeled towards hers. It took everything she had to restrain herself from telling the Hankami to leave or beckon her into a confrontation. She was angry, confused, and most likely upset that she saw what was likely interlopers associated with a once comrade of hers.
Deciding to shorten it as to ease her temper, she abbreviated what was likely a very glossed over version of the truth, "Braeburn has been recruited by a very nasty bunch of Quincies that wish to bring about the end of the known cosmos. He was their spy, planted in our ranks years ago before I even knew of their plotting. We tried to capture and detain him for questioning but his comrades appeared from the ether to rescue him. Our Alliance convening here's purpose was to find out what would be the best course of action to find them first before they achieve their ultimate goal. Something I know for a fact has something to do with a particular detainee you've kept in your lowest level of Hell for over four hundred years. Isn't that right, Sakura-chan?"
The only response to that, for what seemed like an eternity, was a slow and audible exhale through the Hankami's nose. Her eyes slowly narrowed in a mixture of irritation and intrigue as she took in the initial responses from both the Knight Commander and the Captain Commander. Most of her attention was on Hana, however; out of the massive collection that had gathered, she was the only one that had not displayed fear or apprehension at her demonstration of fury. That was reinforced further at the very sight of Hana walking up to her until they were face-to-face - something she doubted the majority of her allies would've done in that situation. Still, she could see the restrained anger within the younger woman's eyes and became aware that she was close to pressing a very sensitive button. It was clear to her that the confrontation she had with Hana so many years before had not left her mind just yet.
As the explanation was given, the anger within her expression slowly faded away. Her face shifted from a hawk's glare to an attentive stare, then gave way to slight surprise and finally to silent contemplation. A hand lifted two fingers to cup its owner's chin, regarding opposing eyes with quiet scrutiny. After nodding her head subtly, she closed her eyes and gave a soft grin to herself. "Right, right... that would make sense, wouldn't it? Here I thought you had sent the boy in there yourself for the sole purpose of fucking with me. Glad to see you're not that petty." She glanced over to the audience. "Also glad to see you've got a healthy amount of backbone in you, unlike your new underlings..."
"You've got quite the mouth on you, half-breed..." The masked voice of Percival spoke up. Although his eyes couldn't be seen behind the gas mask he wore, the glare could practically be heard within his voice. "We were able to handle to handle the likes of you before, or have you forgotten that fact?"
It made Punisher emit a brief laugh in incredulity, and she took a few steps back from Hana in order to regard the Paladin. "Are you referring to that little scuffle your Paladin boss had with my daughter?" She fired back, placing her hands on her hips. Her grin was wide and an eyebrow was cocked in mockery as she looked at him. "Oh, please. If she were a bit more like me, little Aesa over there would've been wiped clean from existence. Don't start getting a big head." Her eyes narrowed, and the mockery within her grin was exchanged with a slight bit of malevolence. "Even if we did lose our invincibility and our ability to live forever, someone like you could only dream of reaching the likes of us."
Percival remained silent to this, and she took it as a cue to get back on track.
"But I didn't come here to flaunt anything, regardless of what the peanut gallery says." She said, her smile fading away as she met Hana's eyes once again. "I came here to learn the reason why what is going on happened in the first place. That," She took a few steps forward, returning to her previous spot in front of Hana. "And I was curious to figure out what you and the rest of these soldiers would do before I made my move. The Daitenshi may not be able to get through to the spells the boy cast, but I can break them quite easily. Matter of fact, I was well on my way to just going down there and giving every single intruder a very thorough toasting. Unfortunately, there are quite a few things that are keeping me from doing so."
"Something stopping the mighty Queen of Hell from damning her enemies?" The voice of Qilin dared to speak up next, with its owner giving the Hankami a humored grin. "Now that's a shocker." It earned him a chuckle in response, and he took it as a sign to continue. "Just what exactly has been impeding you, Lady Senkuko?"
"One," The Punisher gave a nod over to Daisuke. "Would be the counsel of Lieutenant Hayate, naturally. Due to their history, I believe he knew the McTavish better than I ever could. So I figured that trying to override his opinion with my own would only result in negative consequences. The second..."
It was something that would've been surprising (and even amusing) to the ones that knew her. She paused for a moment, suddenly appearing hesitant to speak. She shut her eyes and mouth for a moment, clenched her fists briefly before relaxing them, and finally settled on pressing her teeth together. A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and her eyes immediately averted themselves away from Hana. This conveyed an emotion that one would've never expected from the likes of her - embarrassment. "Is that I'm... under orders..." She managed, her voice giving the impression that she would've rather chosen death over speaking the words. "Not to interfere at this given moment."
"Orders?" Hana queried out loud, suppressing the urge to taunt the Hankami about the look of uncomfortable mentioning of this. She couldn't imagine who specifically had done it, since Daisuke was mentioned as the first reason she didn't disobey such an order outright. But the thought did cross her mind that it could have been one of her kin. Given her often immature emotional responses to events outside of her control she couldn't blame them for wanting to keep her on a leash, however proverbial or literal it meant.
"I think its for the best of everyone that you keep that way," Kukkyōna spoke up, his humor nonexistant in how he spoke strictly to the Hankami one tablespace and some meters away, "as long as we have no idea how many of them there are or where they're hiding, using sheer force to accomplish the objective could be liable to cause more harm than good. This needs to be a coordinated strike, not one of pure aggression."
"I don't see how that's a bad thing," Kenpachi Zaraki murmured out loud.
"Shhh!" Yoruichi raised a finger to silent the larger than life Kenpachi.
"Tch, don't shush me, woman," Zaraki turned his head, idly picking at his nose as he barely listened to her.
"To not derail the subject further," Elizabeth mentioned out loud, not wanting anything petty to disrupt their meeting. Her voice earned Hana's attention but didn't deter her from her postured stance at staying near Sakura. If anything she had earned a great deal of respect for the new Captain Commander of the Gotei. "were you able to trace where the enemy escaped to? The idea of assaulting them is purely hypothetical until we have a good plan of attack on the lay of the land and where their headquarters is. Otherwise it could be walking into a minefield without any idea where the traps are set or how many lie in wait."
"Sorry, Cupcake." The Punisher gave a shake of her head. "If you're referring to what I'm assuming is their escape from your friend's D.C.O. HQ, then I've absolutely no clue. I can ask Apashii or the Oracle about it, but that's all I can promise you concerning immediate action. The only other thing would be concerning the uninvited scouting party guests making their way to my prisoner. I, and by my extension my soldiers, can't afford to do anything too risky. So I figured you folks would lend a hand, just like you usually do when someone you know is in trouble. With that being said," She lifted her arms in a casual shrug. "Do you got anything for me? Or do I have to go back to Hell with a bag of popcorn and watch it all take place?"
"I believe I can answer that and much more, Senkoku."
"Who-?" Hana began to ask, turning on her heel to the origin of the voice seeming to speak all around them. She saw nothing but the flabbergasted expressions of everyone, even the most impassive were looking quite shocked. The voice sounded so eerily familiar yet haunting in vague remembrance. Who did it belong to? She had a sudden inkling of who it was and it caused cold chills to run up and down her spine.
"Wait a minute! That voice," Daisuke began to speak out, only to hear a violent ripping sound gouge open the ceiling. But instead of infrastructure being peeled open, instead an eye shaped rift was cleaved through space by a white scythe blade attached to a jet black stave that ebbed smog while colored a liquid obsidian. With it seeming to expand like a flow blooming, figures dropped down to the table surface one at a time causing those who were seated to lurch back, flinch or look upon incredulously who appeared.
"Incredible!" Ryōken exclaimed with a breathy gasp, leaning back to see Zaii stand up with his bandage wrapped sword hefted over one shoulder. Beside him was a slightly pleased Shinshin, whom wore both new swords that were crafted by Qilin in a criss-cross fashion over his red and black kimono he wore. Kaitlyn stood by his left flank while just behind him stood Shadō, next to Hyōryū who Anton kept close while Oliver crouched dramatically in front of them.
Kukkyōna's eyes narrowed suspiciously at those who had their backs towards him, past the feral grinning Yajū whom bore leather strapped gear with a compact version of his normal scythe strapped to his back with intricate locks holding it in place. Next to him was Genesis, a Daitenshi he recognized who helped the Alliance, along with Shou who stood among them in total composed form. Kenja, Rika and Yusuke faced the area where the Knight Commander was while on the opposite end facing the Captain Commander's former seat was Shito, Shinji and Mōka.
But whom Hana stared at caused her face to pull back into a look of both fear and confused anger. Angelika Hartmann and Asuka Sakamoto stood on either flank of Yashin Shiyōnin, whom looked drastically different as his mere aura inflected. Cool blue eyes stared back at her own bright orbs, the scythe that cut through dimensions now resting comfortably over his shoulder, its cutting edge nestled along the crook of his hooded shoulder meeting his neck. Kneeling attentively behind him in a semi-circle fashion was Manami Hamasaki, Yūyo Hakumei, Kōkō Kage Hyōjin all of which were donning their trademark garments of black that similarly was tailored to their master.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?!" One of the Knight Captains shouted, pushing himself away from the table at a host of intimidating figures now occupying their meeting space.
"Enemies?!" Another Knight Captain exclaimed while reaching for her weapon.
"Calm down, all of you!" The Knight Captain announced while keeping her gaze at those who had dropped in without announcement or informal invitation. Keeping a hawk's gaze at all of them, she could tell they all were powerful, most of them emanating a substantial amount of Reiatsu from each of them even contained. She made a mental note not to start a brawl in such a compact space less casualties happening within the first few seconds of the fight.
"Angelika Hartmann," Hana announced out loud, her eyes briefly making contact with hers noticing that her signature eyepatch was gone. Inhaling deeply she exhaled in a calm, steeled fashion as she dared to turn part of her back to the Punisher, taking care to keep a level stare at Yashin as he smiled candidly at her, "I see your organization has recruited some...questionable characters. Can you explain to me what business V-14 has here?"
"I'm fairly certain I told you, prior to our honestly dramatic entrance," Yashin admitted with a sly grin, waving his free hand around for emphasis, "I have information regarding the whereabouts of one Quincy base intent on freeing the Archdemon. Unless, you don't find it keen to take advantage of this nouget of goodwill, just as I had to help retake the Soul Society?"
A twitch emanated around Hana's eye, remembering how Yashin willingly gave out intel on the Inner Circle's forces and defenses so they could easily penetrate their captured fortress. Still, the man came across as eerie and very ill intent in her book. Despite not meeting him informally, anything she heard or was told about him wasn't good in particular. Seeing him with V-14, however wayward they were in their own right, gave her a small amount of relief that it wasn't a misleading trap.
Turning her head, she asked Angelika pointedly, "Do you truly have information about the Schwarze Krähen Macht's whereabouts?"
"Do I truly have information, you say?" Angelika repeated, cocking an eyebrow and giving a slight frown. She placed her hands into her coat pockets, standing with a casual and yet professional gait. "I don't like the way you worded that, Captain-Commander. It almost sounds like despite everything we've been through, you're doubting that we have anything good to contribute. What, did you think that we came here primarily to cause trouble? Frankly, I find it insulting."
Then, a loud crash.
Those who weren't paying attention would not suspect Anton and Oliver moving up to the table. With a lift of their legs, they promptly kicked it and and sent it flying towards the ceiling. Under the force, it smashed into pieces that rained down on the congregation - an action which startled at least a few of the table's occupants. Gina, for one, was quick to voice her concerns about their actions. "Wh-what the hell is wrong with you?!"
Anton shrugged. "What? It's not like you need that table."
"Yeah." Oliver grunted, smirking as he kicked away a piece that happened to be in front of him. "Fuck tables. Back from we come from, you stand when you wanna say something. Sitting down is for the pussies!" He stepped into the center of the table, waving his arms around in a gesture for everyone to stand up. "Now stand up! Come on, get up from those chairs and stretch those hamstrings! Every second you sit down is another second your fat ass gains another pound! Come on! Up, you go!"
"Unless you happened to refer to it as a side effect." Angelika continued on nonchalantly, brushing off a piece of wood that had fallen on her shoulders. It was a contrast to the giggling and snickering members of the more loose members of V-14, as well as the looks of surprise and shock Anton and Oliver had gained from their own colleagues. "Then you'd be entirely justified."
"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM, OLLIE?!" Hyōryū screamed out, having barely got off the table before it shattered into the ceiling. Everyone else promptly had disembarked from the wooden top, and quite a few of them looked ruffled at almost being sent flying up into a face first smack. The red-headed vixen in general held an upraised fist with pulsating veins crossing the knuckles, whited out eyes of outrage shining through towards him. "WE WERE ALL STANDING ON TOP OF THE TABLE! WHY DID YOU TRY TO SEND US FLYING, HUH?!"
"We haven't been here for more than a minute and we're already causing problems," Shadō commented with a sweatdropping sigh.
Shinshin looked over at Mōka striding over to where her mother was, leaving the others to stare idly at the other Captains assembled. He was grateful that, with the exception of Ryōken about to stand but told otherwise by Kukkyōna, they remained seated and didn't take the bait Oliver so ungracefully laid out. Glaring at Holmes, it did everything his will commanded to keep from striking him openly, not to mention while his daughters were still present.
"Holmes," Knight Captain Longstreak murmued out loud, catching sight of the man who almost was hung months ago. Until the War of Four, he was one of the most infamous criminals Aether had. Now, still with the clandestine organization V-14 was known for, he brazenly kept causing trouble no matter what form it was. Sighing, he palmed his face as the other Knight Captains grumbled in silent protest at their ridiculous antics.
"Mom," Mōka irreverantly called out, taking a stand next to the other leaders of V-14, the Gotei and Hell all at once. Placing her hands on her red silk covered hips, she arched a brow up and pouted her lips, "why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would have made sure our two dynamic entries were in perfect sync!"
"I...hardly think all of that matters at the moment," Hana breathed out in an exasperated sigh, palming her face with a groan. Looking back at Angelika and Yashin, she asked once more, "if you're done making fools of yourselves, I'd like for you to ignore the fact you're a bunch of degenerates for hire and that you have one of the most questionable figures in your employ. Instead, please work with us on establishing precisely where the Quincy base is so we may plan accordingly?"
"Well, I can't argue with that logic," Yashin shrugged with a solemn expression. Turning to Angelika, he waved his arm to her to present the given information, "it's your show, my lady."
It was Hana's choice of words that made Angelika furrow her eyebrows and frown in a subtle show of displeasure. They were far from welcoming, teetering on the edge of hostility. While she could easily admit that their entrance was loud and at least a little bit obnoxious, one would've thought that the woman would've taken it in stride. In addition, she couldn't help but note the obvious body tension, as if she was bracing herself for an enemy to ambush her out of the blue. If Angelika didn't know any better, she would've deemed it to be a heavy degree of paranoia. A quick sweep around the room showed that the sentiment was shared by at least a good majority of the people there. It was baffling, if not irritating, to see the experienced soldiers act like they were standing on pins and needles.
She wasn't the only one who noticed it.
Oliver's jovial attitude was replaced by his own brand of displeasure as he saw that there was no one willing to stand up from their seats. "Wait, really?" He asked rhetorically, looking around in disbelief. He didn't take notice of the glare Shinshin was giving him. "No one's going to just--" He gave a harsh sigh, throwing his hands up and rolling his eyes. "All right, fine. I guess that's the kind of tone we're going for here. Suit yourselves." He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked from the table area in order to stand by his partner-in-crime. "Judas Priest. These guys are acting like they all had puppies that got murdered. What the hell's going on here?"
Anton frowned, folding his arms across his chest and tilting his head to the side slightly. "Beats me. I guess the whole Quincy situation hit them a lot harder than expected. Have to be surprised, though. One would think the battle with the Inner Circle, Yhwach and Aizen would've steeled them."
"Yeah?" Oliver inquired, scowling. "Well, apparently it just shoved the stick in deeper. I'm telling you, man, just like the Sect..."
"Certainly." The German muttered in response to the Captain-Commander, pulling out a lighter and a cigar. She put one end in her mouth, her thumb flicking the wheel of the lighter when the candle was level with the appropriate end. "But I can only work with you if you're willing to work with us. After all, your peers and subordinates worked very hard to form the pact between us. It'd be a shame for all of that work to go out the window because you couldn't keep your passive-aggressive attitude out of such an important discussion."
"Did I hear that bitch call Yashin-sama a degenerate? I'm going to cut those non-existent boobs right off--"
"Manami, no."
After cocking an eyebrow at the dialogue between an irate Manami and a firm Asuka, Angelika turned her attention back to her audience. Once she had her cigar lit and put the lighter back in her pocket, she took a puff and casually blew out the smoke. She took the cigar between two fingers, pulling it from her mouth to speak. "Onto business, then. Thanks to an extension of contact, we've been able to keep a good update on what is happening within both the spiritual and the material worlds. I'm going to have to give your Quincy friends credit here; they're elusive and they've been very good at covering their tracks. But we've managed to locate what looks like a base occupied by more than a handful of the mediums. It's located in what the humans refer to as Sussex, England - more specifically, near the likes of what used to be an abandoned castle. We've only managed to scope out bits and pieces, but from what we've seen, there's plenty of them occupying that area. Most likely, the number compares to a small army."
"By which, it's important we use as much manpower in order to give us an advantage over them," Hana pointed out, her eyes becoming knitted into a serious stare at Angelika, "between your group, the Gotei's and the RAC's we should possess a significant edge over the Quincies. Regardless of how good they are, they can't take this much firepower. Using your group's infiltration skills, perhaps you could even drop into their encampment and startle them from within their camp."
"You make me sound like a handy man to have around, Captain Yūgure," Yashin pointed out with a frown, almost pouting at the shorter woman standing apart from him, "I'm not just a convienent tool, little girl. I'm not like your henchmen in the Deep Cover Ops. I am one of the Four Horsemen, didn't you know?"
"That makes me trust you a whole lot more, for sure," Hana growled out with a roll of her eyes.
"If I seem to recall, you were the one who pardoned the Inner Circle in the first place," Daisuke pointed out with a blank expression, "why wouldn't you trust someone who's our technical ally?"
"He's a creepy bastard and everyone knows it, Lieutenant! Now be quiet!" Hana sneered out with comical fires lit up in her eyes.
"Fine-Fine," Daisuke relented with a shrug and sigh, turning away to look the other direction.
"Back to more important things," Mōka, of all people, reacquired everyone's attention to the topic at hand, "I think we should have a small detachment of people to join Sakura back in Hell. If she's ordered not to intervene at this time, we have to make sure anyone sneaking by our preemptive attack forces is going to regret it. That being said, I will join my mother and anyone willing to join me."
"Sounds like a plan," Yashin said with a grin, satisfied at the resolve the Punisher's daughter had, "in the meantime, V-14 will make sure to be the first line of attack. We'll spread chaos and keep focus on us while the Gotei and RAC approach them from the outside. Keeping into account they have the McTavish boy, some may choose to run straight to any Hell portal he'll create so we need to stay alert of a large invasion force going into the nether."
The Knight Commander chose this point to raise her voice and participate in the strategizing, "I suggest we have a detachment of forces lying in wait at the top level of Hell. Unlike any volunteers heading with the Punisher, we should be prepared to be the first line of defense for the brimstone dimension. They most likely have a plan to bypass most of the levels so the first level should be the most prioritized in reinforcing."
"Ladies." Angelika cut in with a somewhat sharp tone, her eyebrows furrowing and her stare gaining a more scrutinizing edge to it. Her eyes swept the room to gaze at the ones who had spoken up, her hands raised up in a gesture to stop. "And gentlemen. Let's not get ourselves carried away here. After what I'm sure was a nasty encounter with their soldiers, I can understand the need to get back at them. But if I'm interpreting this correctly, you're aiming for a full-on rush against what you're assuming is a simple base. For those of such high command," She cast a gaze of slight disapproval towards Yashin. "That is a very foolish decision to make."
As soon as she was sure that she had the floor, she continued to speak. "This isn't your typical renegade or some cultist with a fancy reputation. This is an individual who knows what he's doing. Your personal encounter with these Quincy should've spoke leagues about that. This "Arael" person... he knew where to hit you, when to hit you and how hard the hit needed to be in order for it to hurt. If he had more of his elites with him, chances are that there would've been much more substantial damage done to your base than what was received." She put the cigar back into her mouth, folding her arms across her chest. "And right now, he's on a bid to cause one of the biggest catastrophes since the Plinian Movement. Become quick to assume, quick to judge the enemy's strength right before your engagement, and you'll lose it all."
Her gaze darkened. "You've already lost the sense of security we all held when the McTavish revealed himself. I don't think that you or I can afford to lose any more."
At this point, everyone became a bit quieter.
Angelika's words rang a sharp yet truthful edge in the excited if not terribly tense filled air. The atmosphere was disguised by a formal meeting among friends and old allies, attempting to deal with this matter like any other. Despite the endgame goal, there was a pretended confidence that they could easily overcome this threat. Yet, the facade blinded them to the unavoidable fact that it only took three Elites of the Quincy to incapacitate nearly a third of the Gotei's best Shinigami. Even then, they could match power and lock blades with the strongest the Gotei even had to offer. And this was just three of them, two discluding the fact that the third had remained hidden during his bullet's rampage.
The Knight Commander, coolly as ever, retreated her attention from the Captain Commander to V-14's distinguished leader. She gained a new found respect for the woman. Despite her nefarious reputation, her participation in helping bring down the Inner Circle's corrupted regime and fighting back the Vandenreich's army with them wasn't unnoticed by her. If anything their presence was practically a welcome one, hadn't they been not invited in the first place and chose to come with a questionable character such as Yashin.
Daisuke couldn't help but nervously look over at Hana, judging that she'd react the harshest to Angelika's speach. As much as Daisuke had a personal past history with the mercenary, he had come to understand their feelings were insignificant compared to the necessity of their alliance. He, along with Captain Ryōken, had practically done everything in their power to ensure they were brought into the fold of their Alliance and made a legal guild. The fact they were being seen as interlopers instead of welcome allies frustrated him a little inside, but he chose to keep quiet and see how things played out.
After all, if Sakura could keep her cool in this situation, its obvious she wanted to see how they acted accordingly as much as he did.
"That wasn't too kind to say, Angelika," Yashin said cheekily, ignoring what her jab had intended to him, gesturing to them to keep her attention off of his own shortcomings, "you'll hurt their feelings in shooting down their plans like that. Certainly they have much more experience in leading a war you can place a little faith in them-"
"No," Hana interrupted, her overshadowed visage finally rising to look over at Yashin and then at Angelika. Inhaling deeply, she let out a ragged sigh as she stared hard at the woman, "I confess I'm...a bit too personalized in this affair. Ultharon was the one thing my successor was known for in his placement as Captain Commander. His triumph over that monster is about to be tarnished and I feel helpless in keeping it from happening. Not only that, but the man I loved turned out to be a liar and a traitor all in the same day I discovered his treachery. Yet, I'm at a loss of words. He helped me find out this plot of theirs and I can't deny that he wants us to succeed in stopping him, yet he's not attempting to get away. I just want this over with soon so I can have answers and keep the security my predecessor had kept for over four hundred years of his service to the Gotei and the whole world!"
Taking the time to collect herself, she allowed a slight if not sincere smile grace her image as she waved a hand to Angelika, "By all means, Angelika, please give us your own suggestions on how we should proceed. As you pointed out, this is an unorthodox situation with an enemy craftier than most we've faced. If anything we should be more cautious than hasty with our proceedings."
It was just like the meeting with the Sect.
When everyone else made propositions and threw out questions in the hope that they would be answered appropriately, Angelika had spoken out and made a declaration. The others had followed suit, courtesy of her logic and conviction to stand by her decision. She spoke her mind, and it always seemed like everyone was willing to listen when she did. It made Oliver chuckle, folding his arms across his chest. "What do you know?" He said over to Anton, though keeping his voice low as to keep other people from hearing him. "Even the kid boss backed down and gave the floor to Nazi. Either she's a wimp, or we're just too damn awesome to be ignored."
"I'm more concerned about what was said." Anton muttered, furrowing his eyebrows. His choice of words earned Oliver's curious eye. "Braeburn McTavish... she referred to him as a liar and a traitor, yet she says he helped her figure out what was going on. I'd like to say that she's just getting too emotional for her own good. But if she's right, just what could it mean? Could this be a case of a double-agent? Is it some big, elaborate trap?"
Oliver snorted. "I wouldn't worry about too much. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Always have, always will."
Angelika gave a light nod, folding her arms behind her back. "We trade an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The first encounter with these Quincy, while providing them with information, also provided you with information about them. A second move of analysis should be fitting before any motions of aggression can be made. I'd say a few scouting parties of our own would be appropriate for the situation. But they must be carefully chosen; the ones who will serve as the scouts must be able to get in and get out if need be, regardless of any traps or obstacles set in their way. Nothing but the best can do." She turned her head towards the Punisher, earning a slightly surprised gaze as she turned and gestured to her with two fingers. "Punisher. How many did you pick up?"
"Five of them, all of them carrying above-average spiritual energy." The Punisher answered, furrowing her eyebrows at the question. "There were a multitude of low-energy foot soldiers alongside them - presumably their escorts in case things get too hot for them."
"All right..." Taking in a deep breath, Angelika began an explanation of the plan. Her freed hand moved in emphasizing gestures. "There should be a total of two scouting parties, with one for the castle and one for the interception of the S.K.M.'s scouts in Hell. A minimum of five will do, but like I said before, the choices must count. Gather every piece of information you believe is vital to any future strategies and leave nothing out, even if you happen to be caught in a direct engagement with the enemy. The rest of us will stay behind and keep on guard. Build up our forces and prepare them for attack if the word of reconnaissance deems it so. Inform any trustworthy affiliates you have about this. If we happen to fail in containing this, there must be someone else ready to pick up the torch. That is what I propose to you, heads and arms of the spiritual world."
It was a sound plan. Scouting parties would help determine the nature of their enemy's path to victory and their headquarters. While Hana felt an inner anxiousness about this wasting time she knew it was for the best. If anything it sounded like something Furui-dono would do before the invasion of the Soul Society by the Axis. Still, a small squad needed to be as tough as they were subtle and she knew Sazuke was out of commission.
"I think we can come up with a couple of teams within half an hour. We'll just need to convene who's the most suited of the many men and women we have at our disposal," The Captain Commander replied, smiling a little to show that she trusted the woman. Waving an arm towards the table, she walked towards it beckoning the Mercenary Leader to stand beside her, "perhaps you can lend your voice to what you'd recommend would be the most suited, between our forces and your own?"
"I think that's a sound plan," The Knight Commander concurred, stoically locking eyes with Angelika, "I'd love to see who you have in mind for such delicate missions."
Angelika readily took up the position offered to her, sliding her hands into her pockets and regarding the other individuals. "Oh, not to worry..." She remarked, giving a sedate smirk. This facial gesture earned her the subtle grins of her colleagues, particularly the grins of her own personal team. Once again, she was reminded of just how lucky she was to have such men and women under her command. Unlike the "officals" within the room, they took this scenario with a grain of salt. They - or at least, a satisfactory portion of them - would walk into the depths of Hell and laugh all the way down to its core. They were fearless, and combined with the might of the Gotei 13, they would be a nigh-unstoppable force.
"I believe I have just the players needed for this particular round."