In the main office of Las Noches, a blonde-haired woman let out a sigh as she sat on a throne, staring down at her trio of Fraccion currently arguing with each other.
"I told you three! I can do it on my own!" Apache exclaimed, to which Mila Rose and Sung-Sun rolled their eyes at her.
"You say that, but I'm the best masseuse out of the three of us," Mila replied, drawing a scoff from her serpentine friend.
"Well, that is also foolish given that I am the most skilled with my hands," she spoke up, and both Mila Rose and Apache glared at her as Tier rubbed her temples.
She didn't even know how this foolish discussion started, but here she was, stuck with her three Fraccion who each claimed that their hands were best to massage her.
Truthfully, she was amused by their antics, but unfortunately, it was only their antics.
"Girls, quiet," her words were but a whisper yet loud enough to cut through their shouting as all three immediately quieted down.
Finally allowed a moment of quiet, her gaze moved to the three monitoring screens in front of her.
One showed off a blue-haired battle maniac racing through Hueco Mundo's sandy dunes, fighting and devouring every Hollow that dared to cross his path.
She had offered a seat of power at her side for Grimmjow, but unfortunately, her fellow Espada decided to go ahead and gain more strength in death battles instead of joining her.
Turning her gaze to the second screen, she stared at the live feed of the Espada member that she replaced when she became number three.
Nelliel and her Fraccion were currently playing right on the outskirts of Las Noches, close enough to where they would be within range of communication but also far enough to where they could run away should something happen.
As she looked to the third screen, though, she couldn't help her frown as she stared at the figures gathered on it.
The feed was coming from tens of thousands of kilometers away in the deserted area, an area where all manner of Hollows were allowed to run free and do as they please.
However, instead of Hollows on the screen, there was a small platoon of humans dressed in white militaristic outfits instead.
They were led by a man wearing the same outfit with the addition of gold-rimmed spectacles and a sheathed sword at his side.
For the past year, she has been observing these figures and she found them...disturbing. The first part was that they didn't kill the Hollows in a way that she could see.
No, instead, each one was simply rid of their limbs and then pushed into their very own shadow, sending them off to a place she knew not where.
The second part was the way the man spoke about a 'Wandenreich' or something along those lines, making it seem as though it was a grand utopia for all.
The third part, which was also the most concerning, was their path of advancement. They marched half a kilometer for the past year, not one centimeter over or under.
It doesn't matter how many they 'killed/ recruited' nor how much the man preached. It was always half a kilometer every day on point.
That was until six months ago when they went from that simple 500 meters to 5 000 kilometers. They didn't talk to any Hollows nor did they stop to rest.
No, the small platoon just advanced at a rapid pace and killed everything in their path. The man that lead the group was the most precise, his sword cleaving off head and not letting a speck of dust nor blood touch him.
Yet again, the moment they reached 5 000 kilometers, they stopped, resting in the very same spot for the day.
It both befuddled and worried her, especially when she saw how the man that led them did not look as tired as the rest of his platoon for crossing that distance.
'He's a threat that needs to be ended,' she thought with a frown, staring at the screen before rising to her feet.
As she expected, her three Fraccion focused their eyes to her instead of glowering at each other, awaiting her command as she cleared her throat.
"I am going to head out to the deserted area to find out what these humans want in our lands."
"Then, let's go fi-"
"You three, however, are to stay here and await my orders should I return," Tier cut off Mila Rose, a stern look in her eyes when all three stared wide-eyed at her.
"B-But, Lady Harribel, we should always-"
"I know, Apache," she cut off her doe-like Fraccion with a soft stare. "You want to stay close and make sure nothing happens, but if I am to leave Las Noches, I wish to leave it in the hands of those that I know are loyal to me until I return."
"We understand," Sung-Sung, ever the responsible one, spoke with a nod, though she looked just as displeased as the other two when Tier nodded.
However, the doors to the throne room were thrown open as she went to take a step, her Fraccion immediately spinning on their heel right as an Arrancar rushed in.
'Loly, right?' she thought, staring at the young Arrancar with pigtails that was traumatized by something that human did during his brief stay here.
"What is the matter?"
"G-Group of men! Here, outside!" she barely managed to get out as she tried her best to get air into her lungs.
The moment she finished speaking, Tier felt it, a surge of pure spiritual pressure ripping through the front of Las Noches.
She immediately vanished, racing through the hallways of Las Noches with her Fraccion close behind.
"...and know that whether you live or die, that your soul has been put to better use under the service of the Wandenreich!" her eyes immediately locked onto the familiar human that stood at her front gate.
"Ah, the wondrous leader of this decrepit land!" the man exclaimed, turning to her with a swift spin and giving a sharp, mocking smile. "It is a displeasure to meet your acquaintance, vile Queen of the Arrancars!"
"Who the hell do you think you're insulting, you bastard?!" Apache exclaimed, but Tier held up a hand to stop her from advancing.
"State your name and affiliation."
"Quilge Opie, Sternritter 'J' and close confidant to the great Lord Yhwach," the man replied as though she was supposed to know those names and titles, even giving a bow in greeting.
"This Lord Yhwach must not be powerful if we don't know who he is."
"Careful, young lady," he chastised Mila Rose, but the hairs on the back of Tier's neck stood up when she heard the subtle bloodthirsty tone in his voice. "I adore my lord just as you adore the woman you call Queen. Do not insult him in my presence."
"Then, don't insult Lady Harribel in ours. If you cannot take it, do not dish it out," Sung-Sun replied with a teasing tone, to which Quilpe hummed before nodding.
"Correct you are. For that, I shall spare your lives," the man replied in a bright tone. "However, for you, Ms. Harribel, I must ask that you come with me to meet Lord Yhwach."
"I will have to decline."
"As detestable as I find your presence, the lord asked to speak to and so, I must insist."
"See? Again, you're insul-!"
"Quiet," Tier and her Fraccion stood wide-eyed as Sung-Sun vanished from their side, Mila and Apache turning to see their fellow Fraccion impaled by a sword against the wall.
"I made sure to avoid her vitals, but she will not have long to leave."
"Apache, Mila, get her to the medical bay. Loly, go with them," the latter was all too eager to move away from the danger, Mila and Apache being forced to go with a glare especially when Quilpe pulled his sword back to his hand.
"Destroy, Tiburon!" Tier immediately activated her Resurreccion as Quilpe vanished, barely bringing up her weapon to deflect the blade coming down onto her head.
"Trident," Water gathered at the tip of her pata as it opened, Quilpe immediately taking a step back to avoid the triple high-pressured water shots that flew past him.
Landing with a flip, he immediately shifted to the side to avoid the bursts of water bullets fired at him, lunging towards Tier as she met his charge.
Sparks flew as the two fighters danced in the sands of Las Noches, each of her blows deflected by his weaponry as he smirked and swung a low slash at her legs.
As she went to block it, he stopped his feint halfway and swung up, Tier barely avoiding the attack even as it left a shallow cut along her left shoulder.
"Cascada!" With a growl, she thrust her pata forward and a torrent of cold water erupted from the sides of the weapon, sweeping up Quilge before pushing him further back.
"No, men!" However, Tier was surprised as the man easily walked out the side of the torrent of water like it was nothing, holding up a hand to stop the others from shooting at her. "This is my battle! I must not allow you to intervene on my behalf."
"You should. You're are far weaker than I am," Tier spoke and the man chuckled as he gave a shrug.
"Of course, I'm weak. I have to reduce my strength to a level where my lightest blows would not kill you," Tier narrowed her eyes as she shifted her stance when Quilge adjusted his cap.
"Then, show me this supposed 'strength' of yours."
"As you ask, Queen of the vile Hollows," he replied and his Reiatsu surged, making the ground tremble as he took off his left white glove to show a black one underneath it.
The moment he unveiled it, his Reiatsu spiked even higher and Tier's eyes widened as a crown-like star formed above his head along with a pair of wings made out of spiritual energy, gauntlets, boots and his sword being fused to his right hand now.
"As you have asked, madame, here is my full power," Quilge declared with a smile, his unnatural eyes looking over the edge of his glasses at the Queen as Tier frowned.
"Now, I allow you to feel despair."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A sigh escaped my lips as I sat in the headquarters, being the only one here as everyone else was busy helping out now that the school day has ended.
To be truthful, I was still thinking about what's been going on as well as Urahara's warning. I did make a promise so I was definitely not going to intervene at Hueco Mundo, but I would ask Chad and the Xcution if they would want to help out.
'Then again, there's an entire arc about these people and from what I've heard, a lot of people died so maybe I should go help. ...Eh, I'll just tell Ikumi I wanted to visit Yamamoto while relaying the info,' I thought as I stood up, dusting off my pants while reaching forward.
With a claw motion with my left hand, the Garganta opened as I stepped through, taking a few glances around before thrusting my hand forward with a chop.
Instead of hitting thin air, I stabbed through something solid and twisted my wrist, activating only the spiritual energy of the arm at the same time.
It was a little trick I learned during my peaceful time as a stepdad and a boyfriend, one that I made sure to master as I watched a Senkaimon opening in front of me.
Stepping through, the air whistled as I dropped from a high height, a Reishukaku platform already forming below me as I flew down to the West Gate of the Seireitei.
I saw the bewildered look of confusion on Jidanbo's face as I dropped in front of him, the giant looking at me as I grinned.
"Hey, Jidanbo."
"Uh, Kanonji? What are you doing here? Wait, how did you get here?"
"This way and that way. Anyway, do you think you could open the gate a bit? I got something I want to discuss with the Captain Commander."
"Oh, sure," he replied with a thumbs-up, turning and grunting as he slowly raised the gate up with one hand.
"Thanks for that," I thanked him with a wave as I walked under the gate, leaving the giant to close it behind me while the Shinigami that saw him looked surprised.
"Is that him?"
"Yeah, he's supposedly the mentor of them all."
"Even Ichigo? Damn, he must be strong then."
'Mentor? Nah. Glory-hogger? Yes,' I thought with a smirk as I continued walking, but I paused as I saw a familiar face already walking up to me.
"Mr. Sasakibe, pleased to see that you are doing well," I greeted with a hand over my heart and a bow, which made Chojiro smile ever so slightly as he returned the greeting.
"Sir Kanonji, I did not expect you to be in the Soul Society, especially after you swore off combat to focus on your family."
"I wish I could, but unfortunately, Urahara brought something to my attention and I fear that it may be something troubling."
"I see. Well, master Eijisai is currently in his office if you wish to speak with him."
"Great. Escort me, then. The trip would be boring without company," I said and even as the man rolled his eyes, he fell in step with me as the two of us made our way through the Seireitei.
Instead of walking, I decided to fly the two of us atop a barrier made by the Reishukaku, an act that made Chojiro paused as he studied the platform.
"Hmm, your control over it has been greatly refined."
"When you have as much free time as I does, it gives me more than enough time to master how to use my energy efficiently."
"That, I agree with," he replied and I smiled.
"That's enough about me, though. How about you and Master Yamamoto? How has things been in the Soul Society?"
"As well as they can be. We have had our incidents now and again, but other than a few rogue incidents, everything has been well."
"Well, I'm glad to hear tha-" I paused as I felt a shift in the air and I was not the only one. Chojiro himself looked confused for a moment before his eyes widened, both of us looking to the South Gate where we felt spiritual energies dropping like flies.
"Go. I'll follow," I spoke and Chojiro nodded, taking off at a blistering pace while I kept pace with my barrier platform.
Ah, and here I thought it would be a lovely afternoon.
A/N: Sorry about the sporadic and weird upload schedule. Like I said with the other stories, I had some personal business and family stuff last week that threw off my schedule a lot but we're back.
Next chapter: Battle.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!