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~ I'm planning to increase the number of advanced chapters to +50 this weekend!
~ I've edited some of the previous chapters to remove anything you might consider "cringe" or "unnecessary." I'll continue reviewing them from time to time!
~ Very soon, we'll return to releasing two chapters daily, including bonus privileges for Power Stone contributions!
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Ichigo's eyes drifted open and he was greeted with an all too familiar sight. Familiar…and sorely missed. The skyscrapers were the same as ever. The deafening silence still roamed through the horizon and the sense of tranquility was already imbued within the air.
Although, he noticed there was one startling change from when he was last here. The sky was no longer a vibrant blue. Rather, it was a stark red laced with black clouds. As he noted the amorphous blacks masses pass by, Ichigo noticed something on the edge of his vision.
An ethereal crimson glow surrounded one of the skyscrapers in his mindscape. Ichigo walked over to the edge of the building he was standing on. His hands tucked away in his jeans, he stared dispassionately down at the building.
It was then that he realized, upon getting a better look at it, that it wasn't one of the gargantuan buildings in his soul. Instead, it was the twisted spire of iron that shaped the chess piece that Ichigo had grabbed from Sirzechs. It was the pawn piece, the one Sirzechs had called a mutation piece.
"Quite the eye sore, ain't it?"
Ichigo twisted his waist and cast a glance over his shoulder.
White robes lined with black fur, bone white hair falling to the back of his knees, and a skull like mask with curved horns and tribal markings. A pale imitation of Tensa Zangetsu in his left hand. Exactly the same as he was three years ago.
"Was wondering when you'd show up," Ichigo said with a nostalgic quirk of the lips.
Alabaster fingers rose to the chin of the mask and tilted it back. The all too familiar wolfish grin and flash of teeth were, strangely enough, comforting to Ichigo.
He turned back around to observe the changes to his soul.
"Hey…don't go ignoring me now! This is our long awaited reunion!'
Ichigo's lips quirked as he could hear the scowl in his Hollow's voice. The damn thing hadn't changed one bit. Which was a bit disconcerting as Ichigo felt that a reflection of his soul should have matured along with him. Unless he really hadn't changed in the last three years.
"Where's the old man?" Ichigo asked unconcernedly.
"HaaaH?" His hollow exclaimed. "Seriously! That's the first thing you're gonna ask me?! It's barely been a minute and you're already pissin me off!"
Ichigo turned around and rolled his eyes. Perhaps he did grow up and just shoved all his immaturity to his Hollow. "Well," Ichigo sighed. "Might as well do this."
The Hollow blinked a few times, "The hell you talking bout?"
Ichigo closed his eyes and held out his hand.
His inner world responded.
Behind Ichigo, the massive representation of Sirzechs's hold on his soul gave off an even stronger light. The wind picked up in the mindscape, and the dark clouds drew themselves forward and spiraled towards Ichigo's outstretched hand.
In a rush, the black vapor began to condense itself in his hand. Ichigo opened his eyes and beheld a single black double-edged sword. He examined it closely, as the metallic sheen reflected light. Ichigo cast his gaze back towards the sky. Without the clouds, a mercurial moon hung onto the crimson sky.
"Holy shit…that's creepy as fuck" He heard his Hollow exclaim. Though Ichigo would normally agree with the sentiment, he actually thought that it was quite appropriate.
The silver moon was a perfect reflection of the hollow mask he dawned in his fight with Aizen.
After staring for a few seconds, Ichigo went back to examining his new blade. It was wider than Tensa Zangetsu by more than inch and perhaps longer by half a foot. It was also quite heavier. The most startling difference, though, was the lack of a guard. It only consisted of a hilt wrapped in black cloth. Ichigo twirled the new blade in his hands and gave a few experimental swings.
Ichigo smirked.
Drawing from the depths of the blade, as he would have done if Zangetsu were still in his possession, a dark wellspring of power answered and surrounded him in an aura of pure malevolence. His brown eyes glimmered a deep red and Ichigo flashed out of existence.
The Hollow barely had time to react as Ichigo's black steel crashed into Tensa Zangetsu.
Power flared from both of them as the weight of Ichigo's attack crushed the ground beneath them. The Hollow's surprise was momentary and, quick enough, a maddening grin spread across his face. Crimson reiatsu exploded and the Hollow pushed back against Ichigo. The sheer friction and collision of their aura caused flames to randomly flicker about them, sparks fly and tendrils of electricity to flare.
"Hahahaha!" It laughed maniacally. "Oh you've definitely changed for the better! Show me more!"
The corners of Ichigo's lips curved in answer as his darkened blade bled power. "Getsuga-"
The Hollow's golden irises widened. "Oh fuck yo-"
"-Tenshō."
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