Ever since Toshirou had lost control of himself the other day, Heihachi had been having uneasy premonitions that it probably wouldn't be the last time, but he'd hoped with Jushirou keeping an eye on the situation it wouldn't get out of hand.
Jushirou couldn't be everywhere at once though. There was a salvage to oversee, and despite his encouragements, Toshirou wouldn't seek anyone's help on the matter, which had finally lead to this. It had started with a shipwide chill, but after checking out the heating system there was nothing amiss...until the furnaces had inexplicably started to dim, and the cold became more oppressive. Heihachi was already intimately acquainted with it, and had realised what was going on right before Toshirou's scream had sounded across the network
( ... )
Jushirou had already ran out of his quarters. His tea set had come crashing to the floor, scattering the contents in a mess that froze immediately as it struck the floor. He didn't stop to watch the phenomenon though. Already he had tossed on the deep read "Sogyo" haori and grabbed his zanpaktou from its stand. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not now!
"HEIHACHI! STAND BACK!" Jushirou called out as he reached the top deck, immediately moving into his casting stance. There was little time...he had to act now!
"Waves rise now and become my shield.... Lighting strike now and become my blade....," he said, both hands gripping the hilt of his sword firmly, as a strong wind picked up around him.
"SOGYO NO KOTOWARI!!!!"
In a brilliant flash, what was once one blade was now two. Twin piked swords connected at the pommel by the same red cord that had kept the spirits of his blade tethered together.
Hyorinmaru continued to rage as it flew around the ship striking the sides every now and then slowly encasing the outer hull in a thin layer of ice. In the middle of the small blizzard kneeled Toshirou eyes wide with panic, and horror at what was taking place.
Ice encased his hands and feet, even working it's way up his spine until it branched off at his shoulders forming what was begining to look like wings.
Toshirou didn't hear his friend, or his mentor over Hyorinmaru's thundering roar all he knew was that he felt a shift in the air around him, another powerful spirit was nearby. He couldn't tell if it was a friend or an enemy. After tearing a very large hole in one side of the ship, Hyorinmaru flew at Jushirou roaring in fury.
The buildup had been impossible not to notice for anyone sensitive to that kind of energy. It looked like Hitsugaya had finally lost control.
This was a problem.
Ryuuken quickly made his way up to the deck in time to observe Ukitake bring out his weapons. He stood back a ways; there was no need to be too close.
Hm.
He knew he could potentially help here. As a Quincy, his power involved taking energy from around him and channeling it into his weapon. And Ukitake looked like he had the situation far from under control, he noted as the dragon tore a hole in the side of the ship.
Very well. It wasn't as though he was keeping these abilities a secret. His mouth formed a thin line, and his eyes narrowed as he drew energy from Hitsugaya. In his hand, a white bow appeared, but he did not use it. Instead, he discharged the energy directly into the atmosphere.
The Dog, running an errand just below deck, had barely noticed the growing chill, thickening her coat automatically to cope with it as she trotted along
( ... )
Heihachi was relieved to see Jushirou and his twin blades, though even if he summoned the creatures that lived inside them would they be able to stand up to the dragon? It was huge. Bigger even than the version Toshirou had summoned in the Badlands, and that one had been fearsome enough. This one could coil around the ship with length to spare, and didn't seem to have any direction - only mindless rage
( ... )
The sharp decrease in temperature was not the only indication that Hitsugaya was the cause of this. Ice had begun to form across the floors and walls, designing rooms as ice coffins. Catching the unmistakable roar of a dragon from somewhere in the proximity of the top deck, she wasted no time in heading there. After such a long search through the Montague, she was more than jaded, but it was something she could deal with, hopefully. Regardless, she couldn't simply stand there and idle away
( ... )
Ikkaku, holding up his hands in front of his face to shield away the bitter ice and horrible winds kicked up by the roaring fury of Hyorinmaru, fought his way out of the deck's main doorway from the ship, trudging slowly against the unyielding spiritual energy it exuded. He stared angrily up at it as it circled above, drawing strength from the cold of this, a very mountainous region. As he left the interior of the ship, he joined his comrades quickly, drawing out Hozukimaru from its blue-lacquered sheath; the polished steel sang sweetly as it was pulled free, and with a deft flick of his wrist, Ikkaku wielded it menacingly in a fierce and readied position.
Seeing Jushirou having to summon up a considerable amount of power was a little more encouraging; for a minute, Ikkaku was afraid to think that he was the only one having to fight a little against the reiatsu's current. "Ehh-ehh, Jushirou-kun. Isn't this your little pupil here that's going nuts?" he asked, chiding the quartermaster a little. "I thought you
( ... )
Hyorinmaru changed course at the last possible minute, growling as he felt the Quincy drawing energy from him. Wings beating at the air the dragon threw back it's head let loose a earsplittling shriek of pure rage. Then it heard that song from before and turned it's attention towards Tear with a hiss. That song had calmed it before, now all it did was serve to anger it further. It would not be caged a second time.
Toshirou hugged himself as the ice continued to gather around him until the wings were completely formed spanning a good ten feet across from tip to tip. The ice that had formed down his back turned into a tail that coiled around him as he kneeled on the ground. He could feel his Zanpakuto's rage, and hate, it smothered everything making it hard to breathe.
Hyorinmaru whipped his head around and snapped at the thing that had just struck him. It had actually hurt.
Jushirou found himself more confident in current company. Even if he failed...it was possible that Hyorinmaru could be overpowered and subdued once more. But it would take a lot of effort, and there was a strong possibility one or more of them would be incapacitated. A necessary risk, Jushirou thought to himself as he readied a massive ball of lightning energy.
If they failed here, the entire ship would collapse in the weight of the cold. People would be killed...and he couldn't let Toshirou have that sort of catastrophe on his conscious.
As Hyorinmaru attempted to counter Ikkaku's attack, Jushirou let the energy fly towards the dragon, the electrical currents whipping at the frozen skin of the beast. The Dog, Isshin, and Tear on support...himself, Ikkaku, and Heihachi on the attack...their chances seemed good.
"Don't worry Toshirou...we won't let you or this ship fall..."
Between the Quincy drawing his energy and the others with Zanpakuto spirit's fighting him as well, Hyorinmaru could see that the fight wasn't going his way. Wounded the dragon roared again, whirling in the air to settle by his master. His tail coiled protectively around Toshirou as Hyorinmaru glared at everyone.
Toshirou looked up at Hyorinmaru, he knew Ichimaru's words were true. The raging, out of control dragon was merely a reflection of his soul, he just hadn't wanted to admit it. He bowed his head as Hyorinmaru tightened it's coils then with crack as loud as thunder, the dragon shattered.
Raising his Zanpakuto in his hand, Toshirou pointed the blade at Jushirou. Attacking his friend was going to break his heart even more, but it was the only way he could get the older man to stop him. Or if Jushirou couldn't strike, he was certain Ikkaku wouldn't hold back.
"Daiguren Hyorinmaru." The young man said in the sudden silence.
Was the boy truly going to attack? The fool. Did he have a death wish?
Ryuuken paused.
Perhaps the boy's thoughts were not so far from that.
He frowned, and redoubled his energy collection. The boy had a remarkable amount of energy for one so young (of course he did; if he did not, they would not be in this situation), but Ryuuken continued to draw and release the energy into the atmosphere above. He would not take enough to kill the boy, but instead weaken him as much as possible.
He would not use his bow unless it became absolutely necessary.
The Dog growled, abandoning the attempt at a magical attack and going for a more physical approach. The fur on her back bristled as she moved in to the attack, her body growing larger as she bounded forwards to confront the dragon - only to halt herself as the dragon shattered and scattered away.
Snarling, hackles raised, she looked around warily, tensed and ready to spring should the beast reappear. Even at the size she'd reached, however, formidable as it was - she was now larger and more ferocious-looking than almost any natural dog - she knew she was still no match for the dragon. If it did return, the most she could do would probably be to distract it while someone else took it out.
Her gaze focused on Hitsugaya as the boy spoke, his words ringing ominously across the deck. She didn't want to have to attack the kid, but it looked like she might have to. At least he should be easier to immobilize than his dragon, if it was going to come to that. As it looked like it might.
Heihachi stared in disbelief as Toshirou raised his sword. He wouldn't...but there was a fierce determination in Toshirou's expression that clearly said he would, and an even more disturbing lucidity that said it wasn't wild rage that drove him. Toshirou knew exactly what he was doing.
"Idiot," he hissed, drawing his own sword. Ice nearly froze it to the sheath, but a sharp yank pulled it free, though he made a note to be careful with it. In this temperature, there was a good chance the blade might shatter.
He would have felt much better with Kambei or Gorobei beside him, but in lieu of that, the crew of the Silvana would have to do. He hoped Jushirou and Madarame were skilled enough to take Toshirou down without hurting him too badly. Heihachi was going to avoid crossing swords with the boy if possible, unless he saw a good opening to strike without drawing blood.
It looked like everyone was to hesitant to attack him, well he couldn't just stand there and let Ryuuken slowly drain him of energy until he was to weak to fight before anyone made a move to stop him. Narrowing his eyes, he kept his blade leveled in Jushirou's direction as his wings fully unfurled from his sides.
With a silent command he released Hyorinmaru from his blade as he cut the air in a flat arc before flying straight at his friend, and mentor. The ice dragon shot out from the sword roaring as it slammed into the ship, ice and water covering the deck hopefully distracting everyone else as the young man moved to attack Jushirou.
Toshirou's blade was met by both of Jushirou's own, a spark flying from the force of the impact, but quickly died within the intense cold around them. Jushirou's expression was deadly serious. He knew exactly what Toshirou was doing, no matter how foolish he though it to be. But...it was perhaps the only way to show Hyorinmaru how serious he was. It was time to test Toshirou's training in a way the older man never wanted to...at the point of death would true understanding be reached.
He countered Toshirou's attack with expert grace and strength. Jushirou was one of the greatest swordsmen in all of Reial. There were little to none who could best him. He just hoped he would not have to use the full extent of that skill...
Jushirou couldn't be everywhere at once though. There was a salvage to oversee, and despite his encouragements, Toshirou wouldn't seek anyone's help on the matter, which had finally lead to this. It had started with a shipwide chill, but after checking out the heating system there was nothing amiss...until the furnaces had inexplicably started to dim, and the cold became more oppressive. Heihachi was already intimately acquainted with it, and had realised what was going on right before Toshirou's scream had sounded across the network ( ... )
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Jushirou had already ran out of his quarters. His tea set had come crashing to the floor, scattering the contents in a mess that froze immediately as it struck the floor. He didn't stop to watch the phenomenon though. Already he had tossed on the deep read "Sogyo" haori and grabbed his zanpaktou from its stand. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not now!
"HEIHACHI! STAND BACK!" Jushirou called out as he reached the top deck, immediately moving into his casting stance. There was little time...he had to act now!
"Waves rise now and become my shield.... Lighting strike now and become my blade....," he said, both hands gripping the hilt of his sword firmly, as a strong wind picked up around him.
"SOGYO NO KOTOWARI!!!!"
In a brilliant flash, what was once one blade was now two. Twin piked swords connected at the pommel by the same red cord that had kept the spirits of his blade tethered together.
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Ice encased his hands and feet, even working it's way up his spine until it branched off at his shoulders forming what was begining to look like wings.
Toshirou didn't hear his friend, or his mentor over Hyorinmaru's thundering roar all he knew was that he felt a shift in the air around him, another powerful spirit was nearby. He couldn't tell if it was a friend or an enemy. After tearing a very large hole in one side of the ship, Hyorinmaru flew at Jushirou roaring in fury.
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This was a problem.
Ryuuken quickly made his way up to the deck in time to observe Ukitake bring out his weapons. He stood back a ways; there was no need to be too close.
Hm.
He knew he could potentially help here. As a Quincy, his power involved taking energy from around him and channeling it into his weapon. And Ukitake looked like he had the situation far from under control, he noted as the dragon tore a hole in the side of the ship.
Very well. It wasn't as though he was keeping these abilities a secret. His mouth formed a thin line, and his eyes narrowed as he drew energy from Hitsugaya. In his hand, a white bow appeared, but he did not use it. Instead, he discharged the energy directly into the atmosphere.
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Ikkaku, holding up his hands in front of his face to shield away the bitter ice and horrible winds kicked up by the roaring fury of Hyorinmaru, fought his way out of the deck's main doorway from the ship, trudging slowly against the unyielding spiritual energy it exuded. He stared angrily up at it as it circled above, drawing strength from the cold of this, a very mountainous region. As he left the interior of the ship, he joined his comrades quickly, drawing out Hozukimaru from its blue-lacquered sheath; the polished steel sang sweetly as it was pulled free, and with a deft flick of his wrist, Ikkaku wielded it menacingly in a fierce and readied position.
Seeing Jushirou having to summon up a considerable amount of power was a little more encouraging; for a minute, Ikkaku was afraid to think that he was the only one having to fight a little against the reiatsu's current. "Ehh-ehh, Jushirou-kun. Isn't this your little pupil here that's going nuts?" he asked, chiding the quartermaster a little. "I thought you ( ... )
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Toshirou hugged himself as the ice continued to gather around him until the wings were completely formed spanning a good ten feet across from tip to tip. The ice that had formed down his back turned into a tail that coiled around him as he kneeled on the ground. He could feel his Zanpakuto's rage, and hate, it smothered everything making it hard to breathe.
Hyorinmaru whipped his head around and snapped at the thing that had just struck him. It had actually hurt.
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If they failed here, the entire ship would collapse in the weight of the cold. People would be killed...and he couldn't let Toshirou have that sort of catastrophe on his conscious.
As Hyorinmaru attempted to counter Ikkaku's attack, Jushirou let the energy fly towards the dragon, the electrical currents whipping at the frozen skin of the beast. The Dog, Isshin, and Tear on support...himself, Ikkaku, and Heihachi on the attack...their chances seemed good.
"Don't worry Toshirou...we won't let you or this ship fall..."
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Toshirou looked up at Hyorinmaru, he knew Ichimaru's words were true. The raging, out of control dragon was merely a reflection of his soul, he just hadn't wanted to admit it. He bowed his head as Hyorinmaru tightened it's coils then with crack as loud as thunder, the dragon shattered.
Raising his Zanpakuto in his hand, Toshirou pointed the blade at Jushirou. Attacking his friend was going to break his heart even more, but it was the only way he could get the older man to stop him. Or if Jushirou couldn't strike, he was certain Ikkaku wouldn't hold back.
"Daiguren Hyorinmaru." The young man said in the sudden silence.
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Ryuuken paused.
Perhaps the boy's thoughts were not so far from that.
He frowned, and redoubled his energy collection. The boy had a remarkable amount of energy for one so young (of course he did; if he did not, they would not be in this situation), but Ryuuken continued to draw and release the energy into the atmosphere above. He would not take enough to kill the boy, but instead weaken him as much as possible.
He would not use his bow unless it became absolutely necessary.
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Snarling, hackles raised, she looked around warily, tensed and ready to spring should the beast reappear. Even at the size she'd reached, however, formidable as it was - she was now larger and more ferocious-looking than almost any natural dog - she knew she was still no match for the dragon. If it did return, the most she could do would probably be to distract it while someone else took it out.
Her gaze focused on Hitsugaya as the boy spoke, his words ringing ominously across the deck. She didn't want to have to attack the kid, but it looked like she might have to. At least he should be easier to immobilize than his dragon, if it was going to come to that. As it looked like it might.
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"Idiot," he hissed, drawing his own sword. Ice nearly froze it to the sheath, but a sharp yank pulled it free, though he made a note to be careful with it. In this temperature, there was a good chance the blade might shatter.
He would have felt much better with Kambei or Gorobei beside him, but in lieu of that, the crew of the Silvana would have to do. He hoped Jushirou and Madarame were skilled enough to take Toshirou down without hurting him too badly. Heihachi was going to avoid crossing swords with the boy if possible, unless he saw a good opening to strike without drawing blood.
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With a silent command he released Hyorinmaru from his blade as he cut the air in a flat arc before flying straight at his friend, and mentor. The ice dragon shot out from the sword roaring as it slammed into the ship, ice and water covering the deck hopefully distracting everyone else as the young man moved to attack Jushirou.
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He countered Toshirou's attack with expert grace and strength. Jushirou was one of the greatest swordsmen in all of Reial. There were little to none who could best him. He just hoped he would not have to use the full extent of that skill...
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