Bleach: The Rise of The Renverseur IC

[Elation]

"You're not alone in this. Not yet." Max spoke as he tried to pull Amarda away. She jerked her arm for a moment, trying to push him off, but then Amarda took a deep breath, and took a step back with Max.

Just as the pillar of fire spiked upwards. Amarda barely escaped being completely engulfed by the flames, and the fringes of Yomiko's robe were lit as she pulled away.

"You aren't going to win! Just stop it!" she shouted at Damien. "When you deal with him, there are no winners. He is the only one! You will spend all eternity thinking you were the victor but you are just another fool in his garden of idiots!" She continued to back away from the flames and Ifrita, an accusatory finger leveled at Rarren.

[Blandman]

Medrakan

Medrakan's smile did not leave his face once as he watched the Renverseur make her move. He had given her the first strike, as was only fitting of a gentleman. The two circular blades she weilded were impressive indeed, and seemed aptly designed for throwing at enemies. Which was in fact the very thing she did for an opening act. However, as soon as the blade had left her hand, Taro disappeared in a flash of speed. Medrakan stood his place, watching the weapon coming hurtling toward him with gleaming eyes. As it neared, the woman came back into view right behind him, already mid-swing. But still, he did not move. Medrakan merely looked backward and grinned at her.

All in one moment the truth became abundant as both blades simply sailed right through the Espada's body. They met no resistance, drew no blood and caused no pain as the illusion simply turned around. Wide-eyed and off-guard, it was too late for Taro as she felt cold steel run its way through her spinal cord. The woman let out a gasp of air and would have fallen if not for a hand placed upon her shoulder. The illusion of Medrakan drifted away into nothingness as the real man leant his face forward so their cheeks were touching. He was deathly cold. A playful smile was etched across his face, but other than that his features were blurred by both the immense pain and his closeness.

"There there my dear, I know it hurts," he started in a kindly and soothing tone "I did give you a chance to walk away now, didn't I? Such a shame. I do feel for you. By all rights you, as a creature of natural creation, have more right to live than I, a beast of twisted science. But alas, it simply shall not be."

Taro shuddered slightly as Medrakan moved his blade with the deftest of touches. The pain was excruciating, but she found herself unable to move. She didn't know whether to feel angry, hopeless or just plain sad. How had he beaten her so quickly? How could he be that fast? It didn't seem possible. She was a General! Killed by some lowly magician.

"Fear not my sweet lady. Your time is not at an end just this moment. Why, we have a perfect use for you. Your spine might be severed, but you shall still have motion."

Just at that moment a soft melody reached Taro's ears. It seemed such a sorrowful tune. The music brought with it a chill through her entire body. Soon she felt it in her very fingertips and then without warning her hands began to flex of their own accord. After just a few more seconds Medrakan swiftly withdrew his blade, but instead of falling Taro simply stayed exactly where she was, held up by some unseen force. The magician casually walked around to the front of Taro, a smile still on his face. Whatever was holding her up left her perferctly aware of everything which was going on.

"Usually I would have waited to see your abilities so that we might use them, but I suppose you'll be just as useful like this," he bowed lowly "Again I deeply apologise. I simply didn't have the time to dance today. Now, if you'll excuse me."

And in an instance he was gone, leaving her and the flute music alone.

******

Manouvering through the battle with ease, Medrakan came upon the focal point of all energy in a matter of minutes, just in time to see Amarda being pulled away from a pillar of fire by Max. It seemed that Rarren was occupied by some Shinigami. Good, it did well for him to be distracted for just a little longer. With a casual attitude completely unbefitting of the situation, Medrakan settled down a few feet to the left of his two fellow Espada.

"Please excuse me for my late arrival," he explained to the other two "But I had some prior engagements. Though I've always enjoyed being fashonably late."

He looked around non-chalantly, his staff held out in front of him again. He turned to Max, a warm expression on his face.

"Where is your young companion, Max? I have some good news you will both like to hear," he paused to build suspense "Lily is finally safe."

[Valerium Therme]

It was beautiful how things seemed to go his way. It appeared Pahria had been a good little insect and at least made sure to kill Amarda's Fraccion for Rarren before trying to betray him. Damien accepted the token but it didn't seem he was simply willing to take the token and leave, foolish but Rarren supposed he understood his reasons. Sadly Max had made sure to stop Amarda before she got within reach of Rarren and his blade, sure he could just as easily kill her where she was as he could if she had charged Damien but he supposed he would let her live long enough for the final scene in this theater of horrors. Despite Pahria's betrayal Rarren still had a plan for him that required him to live a little longer as well. Things were going Rarrens way and he would make certain that things would continue going his way now until his plan had come to fruition. As Damien lifted his hand towards Rarren's chin Rarren could see where things were going. He wasn't distracted enough to miss this action as Damien may have hoped but he was not quick enough to get out of the full force of the attack before it was released towards his face. He used his sonido ability to jump back away from the attack and avoid it taking off his whole face but he could feel the burning sensation still graze the shallow skin along his face. Tearing it up and leaving scars and burn marks all around it to give Rarren an even more demonic appearance as he continued to grin on like nothing had happened. The pain was immense but the adrenaline Rarren felt from the fruition of all his plans numbed the pain as he wildly grinned at Damien and the rest of the people around them.

Rarren watched Amarda charge Damien and used on of his arms to smack away the few weak balas she sent his way. He prepared to cut her down if she got to close to Damien but it seemed Max had made sure to interfere and stop her mid rush. As he stopped her Rarren noticed him release his Zanpakuto's destination ability by the flower scent and fog that spread out around them. Rarren took note of where they were in the fog and had no intention of losing them in it. Rarren started cackling as Amarda went on her rant about how he was a plague and how fools ruled this world. It appeared she was stricken with grief and oh how exciting it would be to see her face when she found out who had really killed her poor Fraccion Gouhei. Rarren stopped cackling and listened to Amarda as she yelled out yet another rant towards Damien and him after Max had kept her from a clear straight forward suicide. This time Rarren felt the need to respond as let himself take full pleasure in taunting her for her weaknesses.

"This world isn't run by fools Amarda!. This world is run by me! I am the god of this new world and I have not been a fool getting to this position. In fact you are the true fool here Amarda, you and all of your pathetic little allies are the fools! Who was it who helped me get to this position? Who was it who came up with the assassination of our first Primera? Who was it that allowed me to devour our second Primera after that same person had allowed them to devour the first? And who was it who fell for every little trap and ploy I've set or made so far? YOU ARE AMARDA! You and all your little allies have done everything I've wanted, played your parts perfectly in the plan I made that day I overheard you talk about overthrowing the first Primera. Might makes right because weak fools like yourself allow it to, in fact you encourage it! So who is really the fool her Amarda? Is it I? The one who controlled and played you from the very first day we spoke like you were nothing but a puppet attached to strings I've held in my hands? Or is it you who allowed yourself to be controlled since the very first time we met and who allowed your weakness to show in every decision you made?"

Rarren had no intention of helping out Damien as Pahria continued to attack him. Rarren may have been generous enough to allow Damien to have that "farewell token" but he was willing to make sure Damien had to at least work to keep it. Still for Rarren's plan to work he would need to lure them into going back with him to Hueco Mundo. Rarren decided to do that he would first need to show them that they didn't have a choice in whether or not they went back to Hueco Mundo with him in the end. So Rarren decided it was time to show off just how powerful he had become now as he drew his Zanpakuto from his sheath and uttered just one gut wrenching line. "Drene la sangre de los ángeles, Consumidor del cielo!" With that there was a massive explosion of wind around Rarren as the air pressure within his vicinity became far denser then it was.The explosion of wind pushed away the "fog" Max had released around him. As Rarren stood tall in his spider-like resurrection form he started at Max, Amarda, and now the newly arrived Medraken. Medraken seemed to have assured Max of Lily's safe but Rarren was certain that Maliruki or at least Daryaki would not have failed him so incredibly as to let Medraken get his hands on an alive and well Lily. Besides if Medraken had saved Lily then where was she right now?

Though Rarren decided now he couldn't give Max time to think about whether or not Medraken was telling him the truth so Rarren decided to make sure to have their attention focused on him. He let out a long bellowing roar as the the mask around his face lifted up and he, without uttering a single word, fired an incredibly powerful Gran Rey Cero towards the three. The cero was far stronger and larger than Rarren's usual Gran Rey Cero, as ithe crimson filled ray of blue cut across the sky towards them.

[1Gr1mm]

MAX

A sigh of short-lasting relief escaped Max's mouth as the two managed to pull back just in time to escape being engulfed in flames. He remained silent as Amarda pointed and shouted, his gaze calmly following Rarren's position. Only the appearance of the third party made him look away and face the newcomer. “There is no need for excuses, what matters is that you're here now.” Max replied, and quieted down when Medrakan continued to speak.

“Lily is finally safe.” His hand stopped in mid-air. For a moment he just stood there motionless. “What do you mean safe; how?” He asked, trying to keep his composure. If Medrakan was telling the truth, it would calm his heart for the time being, but the real question remained: was he? Few times he opened his mouth to respond, but to no avail. The last time he tried, he was interrupted by the sound of Rarren’s voice. The all too familiar voice brought him back to earth, disregarding Medrakan’s words in an instant. Maybe his intention were sincere and Lily was really safe, but he wasn’t going to believe it until he saw her himself. If he indeed saved her, where was she right now? His eyes focused on Rarren, the thought creeping up on him. He was hopeful, but not a fool. His mind focused on his words, taking them all in; especially the last sentence.

“Drene la sangre de los angeles, Consumidor del cielo!”

The wind blew his ability away and Rarren’s figure appeared in the air. For the first time ever, Max saw him in his resurrection form. Despite the grotesque figure, Max didn’t feel fear, not even when Rarren let out a monstrous roar. Only a few moments afterwards he felt the massive amount of power being produced within him. There was no time whatsoever to prepare, or to react. In a matter of seconds a massive cero had begun cutting the air towards the three. The power was so immense that Max was sure he never saw another Hollow release such a powerful cero. Even with such devastating power, the level of precision was unbelievable; like it was shot from the point blank range, no chance of missing. Without immediately acting upon the matter, the three would be swept away in a brief moment.

That moment quickly came, but quickly passed as well. Upon impact, the cero disappeared, moments before producing a massive explosion, engulfing the battlefield, followed by a blinding light. The mere seconds it lasted seemed like days.

After the dust settled down, what remained was the sound of crackling fire. “You’re quite the god if you can’t even kill this pathetic little ally.” The restrained sound of Max’s voice made its way towards Rarren. The silhouette that appeared through what remained of the dust had its back turned to Rarren, arms spread and the robe engulfed in flames. From the perspective of both Amarda and Medrakan, they could clearly see the blood that dripped down Max’s mouth. His eyes remained closed as he took a deep breath of the scorched air. He waited until he felt the air completely cleared, before turning to face Rarren, swiftly throwing his flaming robe to the side, his torso covered only with what remained of his once white scarf. His right shoulder was bleeding and he had to resist the urge to succumb to the short bursts of pressure and pain. His eyes opened, instantly searching for Rarren’s gaze; they would be completely white, if it weren’t for a thin black line dividing the iris from the rest of the eye.

This by itself should’ve been enough to put him down for good, yet he was still on his feet, willing to fight. He was injured and bleeding, but still on his feet. He barely managed to smile, even if it was mixed with an expression of pain. There were many times he felt he should’ve died, yet he lived on, that he got used to the pain, as much as one can get used to the feeling. “Amarda… if we die today, I want you to know,” He said, few fragments of the boney “shield” on his back falling to the ground. It was the only part of his body covered with a mark of an Arrancar, having the role of a mask some Espada have on their faces when they call upon their resurrection state; Espada like Rarren. It was by far the most resilient part of his body; the one that took the hit of the massive cero.

“I’m glad I met someone like you amongst the Espada. You’re quite the character.” He let out a low chuckle, catching his breath before focusing back on Rarren.

Reaching down, he withdrew his white rapier from its respective hilt. He felt connected to this sword; it was a good weapon, a faithful weapon that had seen him through heaven and hell; mostly hell. During their previous encounters, Rarren spared Max’s life, when he could’ve disposed of him more easily, knowing he had to keep him alive for his plans to proceed as planned. But not now; not this time. This would be the last time they face each other. He could it feel it, the blood pumping through his veins, the energy rejuvenating his muscles, all that was missing was the sound of his rapid beating heart; he was sure he would be able to hear it if he still had one. Despite the injuries, he felt alive and vibrant. “You think you manipulated everything? Whatever you think you made me become, I always remained true to the people I cared for. With pride and honor; with what little love I could feel being a Hollow. That is how I lived, and if must be, that’s how I will die. Not as your puppet. We are not fools.”

“I don’t ask for you to retreat, I ask you to go back to Hueco Mundo, a fitting place for the first and the last fight we’ll ever share. I ask you to fight me, Rarren; Fight ME.” Bringing his rapier to bear, he tensed, his body perfectly aligned with it through years of experience. It wasn’t the weapon he handled so well, but himself; every time he held his weapon high, he himself became a weapon, an instrument of war. “The tragedy of war is that it uses man's best to do man's worst… but I suppose that doesn’t mean anything to someone who only has his worst.” Max wouldn’t hesitate, nor surrender.

“Face me.”

[Glitchybugger]

Damien wasn't impressed with the fact that he'd barely missed Rarren, only dealing mostly cosmetic damage to the monstrous Arrancar. He was also impressed that he'd managed to do even that to such a creature. Whilst Rarren and Armarda had their discussion and Max seemed to be going in to face-off with Rarren himself, which made Damien chuckle before he heard a noise dangerously similar to a cero.

"Shi-" He didn't even finish his sentence before he attempted to move, reinforcing himself with reiatsu as his back was just caught by the explosion and hurling him towards the ground before he was caught by a pair of lovely arms he knew too well.

"If you so much as dare to perish, my subject, I will make you pay." That commanding voice made Damien nod as he got onto his own two feet. "My deepest apologies, my liege. Perhaps we should make a swift exit?" He suggested, part of him hoping that the explosions from the cero mines had made Pahria assume Damien had been killed.

[yoshua171]

Clyde Rasch V.S Orsair D'erte

A chain suddenly in his way, he ducked down, his enhanced reflexes barely saving him, and dashed around the corner. Orsair's eyes narrowed and his vitesse took him to the end of his own hall and he slid, firing an arrow at Clyde's back as he ran.

However, as he slid and fired he noticed a web of some sort in his path. His aim shifted and the arrow fired at the ground in front of this strange web of reiatsu. Clyde turned and dashed back, a shunpo used, to strike at the Renverseur. A smile met him as corruption erupted from the arrow and Orsair reached to his right in a flash and withdrew the arrow from the wall. Similarly fast the arrow found itself slashed forth and impeding the vaizard's blade. Clyde's spirits fell and Orsair's smile became ever more devious in his enjoyment. "You do not plan enough...hybrid"

Clyde flinched as he was rather taken aback by his opponent's words, but it did not matter for suddenly there was a glint and Orsair's other arm had lunged out to strike him in his lower abdomen. He turned his body to the side and jumped away just in time. He was breathing hard now and knew he could only hold the mask for so long.

"Fading fast eh?" Orsair smiled, it was almost smug, but certainly there was a dark quality to the near kind visage. He withdrew his arm and the arrow was pulled back with a chain. The other he had fired dissolved -the one located in the hall they had exited- while the one that had blasted corruption had now ceased. Orsair took several steps forwards and Clyde mirrored by stepping away. 'Fear...' Orsair thought "...so much wonderful fear. Drop your morals and your masks shinigami hybrid." He reveled in every moment of the fool's pain.

There it was again, he called him a hybrid, why did that strike him so hard? Yet, when he spoke of masks it made him subconsciously reach up with his free hand to graze his own. "My...My mask? No!" He strengthened his grip, but his shivers only moved through the blade making it unsteady. Maybe he had enough for that...then again he might pass out if he tried, and he knew that meant certain death.

Orsair sneered and continued approaching Clyde "Pathetic." This time the hybrid did not move, but rather stood his ground. Orsair narrowed his eyes and a smile began to blossom once more, he was pleased with this new front at least. "So you will stand and fight then? Good, I can cut you down with no remorse or thought." Then he raised his right arm, aimed, and fired another of his arrows in Clyde's direction. The shinigami moved to block it as he dashed forwards, he'd have to close in and catch his opponent off gaurd, but Orsair was not so simple.

A flick of his wrist and a chain appeared and then he whipped his arm to the left and the weapon slashed at him from the side now. 'No escape' Orsair thought as he did this, then he jumped back in order to pull the arrow at his opponent more. Clyde winced as he felt it make a light cut on his side and then jumped at the wall, pushed off, and attacked the Renverseur from the left slashing sideways at him from above.

Attempting to block, he was too slow and the strike cut into Orsair, but not deeply as he leaned away in final reaction. Clyde had passed him by now 'dead end', Orsair whirled and shot twice with one arm as well as reeling in and slashing with the other. The two fired arrows both missed and pinned Clyde between them while the slash sent a blade of corruption to engulf the hybrid fool.

Clyde took the strike to his back and fell forwards then, the chains hooking under his arms and making him drape over them. His breathing continued to grow heavier as the corruption overtook his body. Fear engulfed him, fear of death, of remaining so weak and inexperienced. Foot steps echoed to him as someone approached, who was it?

Then a dark voice, filled with pleasure, sounded "You tried, but in the end all you are is a corrupt hybrid filled with fear and cowardice." Then something pierced his chest and the corruption increased in it's intensity, in moments his lungs took their last inhale and his brain ceased to function.

The body slumped, Orsair withdrew the bladed gauntlet, and his other projectiles dissolved into reiatsu. "Now to find more purity to turn pestilent," his laugh echoed throughout the halls as he set off.
- - - - -

Taking barely any time at all, Orsair arrived outside to see a battlefield before him. 'Who to target...' he contemplated as he glanced about, who seemed an opponent to his liking? Then, he felt something, no someone and his eyes looked high above the field. What power? Was this another perfect existence? He could not tell, he was curious, he had to investigate and so after glancing around he did just that.

Bounding into the sky he flew towards the individual, he would soon discover who it was for it was none other than the Colonel of the East: Randolph.

[Cirka88]

Pahria

Decisions, decision... Pahria knew his opponent was still alive, because he could feel his reiatsu somewhere below. However, there was another down there with him. Pahria could go after them, but at this point was beginning to doubt his ability to fight them both at once. Not after exhausting himself as much as he already had. Then, his mind was made up for him. A powerful reiatsu that Pahria recognized all too well filled the air. Rarren was beginning in earnest. Pahria turned and as the mist was violently blown away, he saw the brilliant crimson-blue glow of a massive cero. The others would need his help to defeat that monster. Let Damien have his sliver of Rarren. Killing the Primera was first priority.

Aerandir

"Fucking hell!!!!!!!!!!!!" Aerandir screamed, walking along the barrier at the bottom of the battlefield. "Not one damn kill!!!!!! And my FUCKING ARM IS GONE!"

Just then, he noticed something nearby. A fellow Arrancar appeared to be laying, unconscious on the bottom of the barrier. "Hm... Maybe I can get myself ahead a bit, after all..." He said, with a wicked grin. Approaching the woman, however, he was quickly disappointed. "Dammit... You're not an Espada... You're just Pahria's fraccion."

The woman was badly injured, apparently held together only by her master's power, at this point. Since there was nothing to gain from killing her, he instead picked her up with his remain hand and slung her over his shoulder. He looked back at the battlefield one last time. The Espada had entered this war to aid the western Renverseur, but in the end, had done little but settle their own grudges and tear each other apart. Aerandir was a little sad that he hadn't gotten to partake, since that was the whole reason he had come in the first place. At least the last act would be interesting to watch... Would their Primera ascend to god-hood, or would the Espada rebellion succeed and usurp him? It was a show Aerandir didn't plan to miss, so he opened a Garganta, and returned with Zharya to Hueco Mundo. He would drop her off to be tended to by the Arrancar medics, and then go find a good vantage point to watch the fight...

[Blandman]

Medrakan

Medrakan had wanted more time to explain, more time to lay down his own plans, more time to prepare everything, more time to save others. More time. He always needed more. More. Time. But there was none left to have. He knew it, all the way down to his core he knew the moment had finally come to set aside his caution and apply himself fully to the cause at hand. If Rarren could not be stopped here and now then everything he had worked for would have been pointless. That could not be allowed. The vicious Gran Rey Cero was nothing less than he had expected from the monstrous 'leader'. The smirk never left Medrakan's face as the powerful energy came surging toward the three. Slowly he rose his left hand to the brim of his hat and then like that he was gone from sight. Coming back into sight again on the opposite side, he watched in curious marvel as the dust settled to reveal Max's form. Was he mad? Standing there and wasting energy on surviving that attack? Such audacity! Such heroics! Such foolishness. Though the illusionist had to concede had he tried the same his very being would now be scattered to the four winds. Still, it was good he was here to bring a sense of level-headedness to their cause.

Unfortunately he would not be able to combat Rarren in his preferred method of illusions for the moment, as those abilities were otherwise previously engaged in another matter of importance. So it was due to that fact that he had resigned to using more mundane methods. He understood that Max wished to face Rarren mano a mano, but he had no time for standing on ceremony. The time to act was now! Whilst the beast was distracted. He knew his attacks would be negligible, but anything he could do to weaken this fledgling god, anything he could do to assist in his downfallen, then it would have been worth it. He did not fear death. With his heart and mind set to the task Medrakan vanished once more, before appearing to Rarren's left, holding his cane forward gem pointing at his opponent. He simply muttered a single word.

"Bala"

Instantly a bullet of crimson shot out from the gem on Medrakan's cane, and then he was gone again. This was his gambit, his opening attack. The magician continued to move like this no less than ten times, evade, attack, evade, attack. Evade and then attack again. Once more. Twice. More and more from all angels. Until finally he came above Rarren, twisting around mid-air whilst charging yet another attack, this one more powerful than before. A fully fledged Cero shot out from Medrakan's cane, his cape fluttering in the force of the attack, hurtling down at Rarren. Before the attack even hit, the 8th Espada had moved again, putting good distance between himself and his former leader.

He only hoped that he'd done something in all that.

Amelia

She burst through the Gargantua and back onto the battlefield full of anger, vengeance and a plethora of other useless emotions. But all that came to a sudden stop as she surveyed the scene before her. Rarren had been engaged in earnest, the battle raged on with devastating causalities, and her own master was now in danger. As luck would have it she had come out near enough to Peter for them to see each other, and for the shock on her face to tell. Peter's lips were pressed firmly against his flute, indicating that he was playing a sweet song for some poor unlucky soul. Soon enough her eyes fell upon the soul in question. A Renverseur of all things. No words passed between Amelia and Peter, but she knew. She knew what their master had in mind. Staying in here current form, Amelia fell in line next to the currently possessed Taro, and stood as if guarding her. The reasons, however, we clear only to Medrakan and his two loyal Fraccion.

Raion

Foolish heroics and young pride.

That's what Raion was full of. That's what he had always been full of. No matter how much James had tried to drill it out of him, Raion was born with a deep instinct to act rashly. Which is exactly what he had done this time too. Without any thought or concern he was about to lead his own daring little raid. For vengeance? For honour? Just for the sake of it? Only he could know, and even then barely. In any case, because of his actions a massive Senkaimon gate now appeared in the sky above the battleground. As it slowly opened from the middle it revealed Raion in his regular form, flanked on both sides and to the back of a rag-tag group which consisted not seasoned Shinigami or experienced fighters, but green academy pupils and the strongest of 4th Divisions members. These were Raion's own regiment of recruits. And he was determined to lead the straight into the fray. Time to prove his worth. Though one look at the few hundred faces showed that only Raion was sure of his plan. The rest simply had a look of absolute fear on them. The young lieutenant drew forth his Zanpakuto and instantly barked orders.

"You 4th Division lot! Get down there and get the wounded. Save whoever you can," with his sword pointed forward he roared the next words "The rest of you, with me! CHARGE!"

This was no tactical approach, no calculated effort or thoughtful affair. No, what Raion led as he surged forward was a haphazardly thrown together rabble of inexperienced fools, simply going towards the nearest enemy. Their battle cry filled the air as they went, charging through Hell and death to reach the line of what remained of the Hollow forces in order to relieve their Shinigami brethren. Raion, as was to be expected, reached them first, cutting through an unsuspecting Arrancar with ease, before using his immense speed to cut down another. His 'regiment' wasn't far behind, though their impact was somewhat less impressive, with far too high a number getting cut down before they could even land a blow. Those that did manage to survive struggled on with their engaged opponents. Their would-be leader, however, was oblivious to this, choosing instead to cut through as many enemies as he could in as little time as possible. Soon enough he grew bold, taking on ever more powerful opponents and falling into a state of battle rage. An idea entered his blood-lusting mind. An idea so grand and foolish that it could not be ignored. Why, with all his speed and power, should he be wasting time on these weaklings? He, master-of-arms that he was, should go straight for the head of the snake. The Arrancar leader himself. Such a grand plan! Such a masterful chance!

With an almost cruel cackle and wicked smile, Raion went forward without another thought, gunning straight for where Rarren was situated. Now was his time!

James

Another ghastly demon was cut down, another energy wave was let loose, one more Renverseur fool was torn asunder. He could not count the amount of lives he had taken. He could not fathom the amount of lives he had lost. Good men and women. Captains, lieutenants, all-ranks of Shinigami. Too many friends, old and new. Even the Captain-Commander himself. And for what? They had become embroiled in a battle that was not theirs, for a cause which they had little reason to care for. He hated the Renverseur. The feel of their spiritual energy, the smell of their sweat, the way they fought, the annoying screams of agony they let out each time he ripped one to shreds. Everything about them caused nothing but hate. Hate! He would slay every last one if he had the power or energy. Sometimes he completely forgot that the Hollow were even there till one strayed into his path of destruction. Even they could not garner as much vicious spite as the Renverseur could at that moment in time. It seemed as if they had been fighting for an age, for so long that he had almost forgotten what they were even fighting for. Between the ever increasing moments of hate and the brief periods of slaughter, James found himself wondering on the fates of the other Captains. He knew that Damien still lived, though what exactly he was doing James could not say. But what of the others? They had come with eleven other comrades. They could not all be dead? Could they? The thought filled him with equal measures of dread, and yet more hatred.

He would carry on till the end if he had to, even if he was the last ever Shinigami in existence, he would not surrender. Not one step back! No compromise! Not now, not ever. With blood soaked clothes and a tiring body, James pushed on, going further and deeper into the enemy line, cutting a bloody swathe through the scum all by himself. None of them could so much as touch him. He, a venerable Captain of the Shinigami ranks! They, nothing more than disgusting dirty wretched beasts, fit only to be crushed under heel. Which was fitting seems as he killed his next enemy by crushing its skull with his foot. Filth. Only one thing brought him out of his rage, one moment which he had not expected. A gate had opened. A gate from Seireitei. In those few seconds everything seemed to go quiet. The battle no longer seemed to matter. For the briefest of times his heart filled with hope that a fellow Captain had gone back to bring a full unit of seasoned reinforcement. Such a calculated movement would bring victory all the closer. But in an instant his hope turned to horror as he saw his own lieutenant at the head of what was nothing more than a smattering of ill prepared peasants.

"Oh no," he muttered, all rage drained and gone, his eyes wide with fear "Oh Raion, you fool...what have you done?"

It was only when he moved to intercept his idiotic second-in-command that James realised he had become surrounded by unsure enemies. They had formed a full circle around him, Hollow and Renverseur alike. There was no time for this! Every second he wasted on these scum was another Shinigami recruit lost needlessly. The captain let out a low growl, before flicking his shield-sword to the side and engaging the enemy once more.

Randolph

The Eastern Colonel had stayed well out of harms way and had instructed his own, now considerable forces, to do the same, happy to simply survey the ongoing carnage all around. He wanted to see with his own eyes just what this Arrancar leader could do, and so far he was not disappointed. One small part of him was glad he was no longer fighting the beast himself, but the rest of his body told that small part to shut up. Randolph stayed in this surveillance mode for quite some time, not expecting to be interrupted by anyone in particular. That is until he sensed a presence approaching him from the West, one that was not familiar to him. A new fool come to meet their end? He barely turned his eyes to look in the direction of his new company. The individual who finally came upon his position was no-one he recognised by sight, though they seemed very intent on meeting him. Randolph looked the man up and down with a sheer expression of disinterest.

"Can I help you?" was all he barely managed to say.

[Glitchybugger]

Damien grimaced as he saw the Senkai Gate open, just for what felt to be a lieutenant leading a mob of green shinigami into the fight, this was not in anyone's plans whatsoever.... It was time to force everyone into line and fix THIS problem. Putting that scrap of Rarren into his pocket, with a concerned look from Ifrita, Damien began with the same lines he'd used what he'd used once before. "My Queen, the Shinigami are going to pull back, I believe we should cause a distraction of some form." He uttered before he broken out into an incantation.

"Black and white net. Twenty-two bridges, sixty-six crowns and belts. Footprints, distant thunder, sharp peak, engulfing land, hidden in the night, sea of clouds, blue line. Form a circle and fly though the heavens. Tenteikūra!" The box materialized as he reached out to every shinigami he could, even the new arrivals. "This is a direct order for all who are below the rank of captain. We are pulling back immediately and I will hear no objections or else I will personally find and punish anyone who goes against this order, just retrieve any wounded you can and escape, keep your safety in mind and don't do anything that could put even more lives at risk. Any remaining Captains, flare your reiatsu, draw the enemies to you to give the others a greater chance of escape. Undoubtedly you will all be fine, otherwise you would not be a captain. Now get a move on and allow us Captains to distract whilst you pull back." Finishing the Kido once again, Damien let out a small, tired sigh. "I am getting too tired for this." He idly complained.

The battlefield was hellish, everything was fighting with one another, where a shinigami may cut through a few hollow, a renverseur would end up takingt he chance to slay that shinigami, or get himself eaten by a hollow no one had noticed this whole time. It was a blood bath and there wasn't much that could be done to improve it's state anymore... What a place to be, surrounded by death and spilled blood.

"Let us get a move on as well, my subject, we cannot provide a distraction from here." Ifrita chimed in, both of them looking around, feeling for any other captains. It didn't take long for Damien to locate James, who was surrounded. "We'll go to James, he could do with some aid." Without another word, the pair were gone.
------------------

And with a cacophonous roar of twin engines, the circle of foes around James was suddenly widened by a vicious slice from Damien and Ifrita. "Finally a friendly face for you to see, eh James?" Damien joked as he flared his reiatsu. "I felt your subordinate's foolish charge and had to tell everyone to fall back. We've got to look out for our own more than some bastardisations of souls." He continued before the twin engines revved up with a synchronisation only a machine could attain. "Myself and Ifrita shall cut a path to him if you like, save you the effort of doing it in case your subordinate has disobeyed orders in his foolishly brave endeavour." The pair were ready to either make a stand here and keep on swinging, or to move and cut down any in the way, whatever happened, both Damien and his zanpakuto were primed for battle now.

[Valerium Therme]

He could see his words had the effect he had hoped for. Doubt, doubt burrowed itself deep into Max’s mind as he had to decide between Medraken's snake-like lies or Rarren's brutal truth. It seemed that his words had taken effect as Medrakan was asked to explain how he had managed to save Max's precious fraccion. Rarren knew as well as Medrakan did that Lily was either long dead or still within Rarren's hands. Though he expected more from Medrakan than simply trying to tell Max that he had saved Lily. The Arrancar was an illusionist at heart, a true creature born of deception. Which made Rarren wonder, did he have something else planned? A trick sitting up his sleeve maybe? He had a feeling that Medrakan had a plan in mind to sway Max to his side, after all Medrakan seemed intent on meddling with Rarren's plans. Whatever he had planned, whatever illusion he may be planning to pull off, Rarren would make sure to be ready. He would make sure that his plans wouldn't be hindered by this fang-less snake. Of course he’d only need to go that far if the lot of them had proven to have survived his powerful Gran Rey Cero.

It seemed that Max had foolishly attempted to block the shot for the lot of them. How disappointing that would be to have killed him so soon. Before his plans could even fully reach their conclusions. As Rarren waited for the dust to settle he could sense that Medrakan had, at the very least, escaped his blast before impact. He started to turn to face Medrakan, deciding it best to kill him for the treachery he had performed by attempting to save Lily from Rarren’s grasp. That was when he heard Max’s taunt, the tone of his voice was enough to draw Rarren's full attention. Medrakan could becoming nothing more than an afterthought to him. Rarren could see now why Max had survived his attack, if ever so slightly. It appeared he had used his hollow mask like a shield to defend himself and Amarda from the powerful cero that had been launched towards them. Despite Max’s taunt Rarren could tell he was barely holding on after taking the attack head on like that. It had always been like Max to try and play the hero. It was such a foolish sentiment that Max displayed still that Rarren couldn’t resist letting out a ghoulish laugh. As Max drew his rapier and prepared for a fight against Rarren he found himself laugh even harder. Max wouldn’t have been able to beat him with that weapon before Rarren transformed into his resurrection form and he most definitely wasn’t going to beat him with it after! Max seemed intent on facing Rarren alone but wanted to do so back within Hueco Mundo. How perfect that Max would push for them to return to Hueco Mundo just as Rarren had wanted.

He prepared to respond, to ‘accept’ Max’s offer and return to Hueco Mundo. Of course he had no intention of returning to duel Max, that wasn’t a part of his grand plan at the end of the day. Rarren and Max would cross blades on Rarren’s terms only. When the need to fight best suited Rarren and no one else. As Rarren went to speak it seemed Medrakan had decided to make his move. Rarren had been too distracted by Max, too focused to notice Medrakan’s hostile move towards Rarren. As Medraken appeared beside him Rarren only had enough time to turn his head to face Medrakan before he heard Medrakan’s word and felt the bala Medrakan had released smash into him. Medrakan had seemed to overestimate his abilities though as the bala proved to be more of a nuisance than any real harm to Rarren. Rarren’s hierro, especially in his Resurrection mode where his bone armour made his hide even thicker than normal. Rarren easily shrugged off the first bala but it seemed that first futile attempt hadn’t been enough to convince Medrakan just how futile his attempt to hurt the god was as he continued to disappear and reappear, launching bala’s from all angles at Rarren. Rarren found himself smirk as Medrakan continued his annoying tactic, he wondered whether Medrakan had bothered at all to learn anything about his godly opponent before this whole insurrection had taken place. Rarren supposed he couldn’t blame him though for not knowing much about Rarren’s resurrection form as this had been the first time he had ever used it in the presence of the Espada.

Rarren had become far more arrogant then he had been before with his new level of godly power. It was this sense of arrogance that kept Rarren from noticing as Medrakan started launching balas at the unarmoured part of his back. The balas hitting the few spots of Rarren’s resurrection where he could be easily damaged. As the balas hit their mark he found himself wince in pain as it felt like he was being cut through his flesh by the explosions of the balas. His long chainsaw covered spider arms flailing angrily at Medrakan every time he appeared again. His temper rising incredibly as the last few balas caused him pain and cut away at his over-inflated ego. Finally after he had finally had enough Medrakan had decided to stop his attack and appear above Rarren before releasing a powerful cero towards the god-like Espada. This was his mistake, his error had been to launch that cero at Rarren’s shielded upper body rather than the weak points on his back and such. Rarren had no time to dodge nor did he want as the cero slammed into him from above, the cero barely scratching Rarren’s incredibly hierro but annoying him even more so than the balas had originally. There was a moment where Rarren seemed consumed by the cero but before the cero could fully dissipate, as Medrakan appeared again with some distance between himself and Rarren, Rarren used his sonido to appear in front of Medrakan. A repulsed and rage filled expression across his face as he looked at the Espada’s illusionist. Without a word and without a moment of hesitation Rarren’s heavily armoured tail swung around from behind Rarren, aiming to smash Medrakan in the ribs with it. The swing was a strong one which was given the extra momentum from the armour that covered it. After his swing he used his sonido to disappear and reappear back in front of Max.

The expression of rage seemed to drain from his face as he faced Max. Whether this was because he was simply hiding this emotion or actually genuinely rid himself of it was something Max wouldn’t be able to know as Rarren spoke to him and him alone. His voice held the same mocking, arrogant, childish, and self-absorbed tone it usually had as a grin crossed his face."You’re a fool if you think you can face me alone Max. I’ll slaughter you without you even creating a scratch on my impenetrable hierro. If you decide that is truly the path you’d wish to go down though than I commend you on your suicidal bravery. And I will gladly take your offer. If you’d like to take this fight back to Hueco Mundo to be settled amongst us, the Espada and their new god, then by all means after you."