Calavera and the rest of the group watched as Ichigo and (Y/N) got separated from them with their respective fights. As Orihime was healing Yoruichi, the group was approached by the remaining members of the Schutzstaffel.

"What's this? I thought that a massive army had come to stop His Majesty. But all I see are foot soldiers."

Gerard was the first person to speak. Ganju didn't take his insult too kindly.

Ganju: Screw you! We're an army by ourselves!

Calavera knocked Ganju in the head.

Calavera: Shut it! We don't stand a chance! You saw how one of them was enough to nearly put Yoruichi out of commission!

Ganju: If you're scared then sit back and watch me and Sado handle this. We can't have you holding us back because you're scared.

Ganju made a point. Calavera legs were shaking. Calavera wouldn't admit it but a lot of her confidence came from (Y/N). If (Y/N) was confident they could win, she felt much more confident.

She felt safer because she knew her brother would bail her out of trouble.

But after watching (Y/N) struggle against Yhwach and getting swept up in another battle, she felt that confidence taken away from her.

Calavera took a step back. She thought she had the courage to stand on her own.

But she was the same when she fought Tsukishima.

"Snap out of it!"

Calavera flinched at the voice. She recognized it as Yoruichi's voice.

Yoruichi: Wiz and the Tres Bestias didn't take the time out of their day to train you just for you to run and hide! You came because you thought you could make a difference, right?! Then prove it!

Calavera listened to Yoruichi's speech before thinking back to her training with the aforementioned group.

(FlashBack)

Calavera fell to the ground in exhaustion as she lost to Wiz in a sparring match. Wiz held her rapier shaped zanpakuto in her hand.

Wiz: You failed again. Take five and we'll try again.

Calavera: Right...

Calavera was breathing heavily. Did (Y/N) train this hard with Wiz during his visits to Hueco Mundo?

Calavera: Um... Wiz?

Wiz: Yes?

Calavera: How do you guys handle all of this training? You know... those huge experience jumps in a short amount of time?

Wiz: It almost sounds like you want to take a shortcut.

Calavera: We don't have much time left. If there's a shortcut we need to take it. How can I be of help if I can't keep up with you guys?

...

...

...

Wiz: There is no shortcut. And even if there was, I wouldn't teach you it.

Calavera: Wha-? Why not?! This is serious!

Wiz: Because you wouldn't truly grasp what it means to be strong. And that strength you attained wouldn't be of much help in the long run.

Calavera: (Y/N) learned Bankai in three days! He told me himself! Isn't Bankai something that takes shinigamis tens to hundreds of years to learn and master?! How's that different from now?

Wiz: The time it took (Y/N) to learn Bankai came with consequences. And even then, he didn't unlock the true potential of that Bankai after using Urahara's method. Now I'm not saying Urahara's method is bad in any way, but take the time to consider the other training methods (Y/N) went through prior to that.

Calavera: Uh... Well...

Calavera couldn't say with confidence what (Y/N)'s training was like. Usually he just goes "I'm heading off to train" with whoever he's mentoring with at that time and leaves. She hasn't seen the training itself.

Wiz: Anytime (Y/N) trains, he trains to soak up any information he could about those who know more than him. Everytime he trains, he trains to leave with more experience than he originally started with. No shortcut can give you that.

Calavera: But (Y/N)'s so much smarter than I am... I don't know the first thing about battling with anything other than Hollows...

Wiz: Do you think (Y/N) started that way?

Calavera: Huh?

Wiz: (Y/N) began as a kid who didn't know how to take out a single hollow and now he's fighting against the best of the best. Sure, (Y/N) has gifts. He has talents. But he has a very strong worth ethic to compliment it. No matter how talented or gifted you might be, if you don't work hard, those talents will eventually fall flat. You'll hit your peak. You understand, don't you?

Calavera nodded.

Wiz: Good. Now, is there anything you wanted to talk about during our break?

Calavera: Yeah... How come you guys never get scared of fighting these freaks of nature? I mean... People taking over realms and now putting an end to them.

Wiz: Fear is natural when you start battling. But you battle that fear with the feeling of wanting to win. If you want to achieve your goal through battle, you have to win. And when you're serious about winning, you choose to look fear in the face and tell it that it has no place in your mind.

Calavera: That sounds... pretty intense. But I think I get the idea...

Wiz: That's because battles "are" intense. But as long as you understand then you'll learn to kick that feeling out of your mind during battle eventually.

Calavera: Right!

Wiz: Oh. And one last piece of advice.

Calavera: What is it?

Wiz: In a battle against supernatural beings, anything can happen. Always be on your toes. The abilities that your opponent possesses are vast. You have to be open minded that some abilities can be absolutely absurd. And in order to combat those, you have to be a bit crazy.

Calavera: Crazy?

Wiz: Yeah. You have to be willing to take some risks. Sometimes it can sound pretty insane but that's what it means to fight things that go against the natural order of things. Take (Y/N) for example. He's one of the nicest people you know, but when he's in battle, or more specifically, when he's in the zone, he's almost an entirely different person. He's not opposed to fighting dirty. He sometimes comes up with absurd plans. Come up with the craziest suggestions. And quite frankly, it works. He doesn't operate by normal means when it comes to battle. So think about that in the upcoming battle, alright.

Calavera: Okay...

Wiz: Now... Ready for another sparring match?

Calavera: Let's do it!

(End of FlashBack)

https://youtu.be/k_wcw2wMZJY

Calavera steadied her breathing and took a step forward, right next to Ganju and Chad. The fear she showed prior changed to one of determination.

Calavera: I was about to take the coward's way out... Thank you, Yoruichi. Ganju. Chad. Let's assist (Y/N) and Ichigo as best we can!

Ganju: You got it!

Chad: Right!

Gerard was genuinely getting excited as he saw a sudden change in Calavera's personality.

Gerard: Now that is interesting! You girl! You look like an extraordinary warrior now!

Calavera: Uh... Thanks, I guess?

Gerard: I'll take on all of you at once!

Askin: Please, go ahead. By all means. Don't let us stop you.

Gerard smirked before making a dash towards the three fighters and bashed them with his shield in hand. The three got sent flying, however Gerard found his shield flying off of his arm as he saw a trail of blue spiritual energy attached to it. Calavera had attached her threads to the shield the moment it made contact with her to remove said item from the quincy.

Calavera, Ganju and Chad got back up and took a defensive stance.

Calavera: He lost one of his defenses. It's up to you Chad. Hit with everything you got.

Chad: I'll make sure it hurts.

Calavera tossed Gerard's shield to Ganju before taking out Calavera Jr. and attaching her spiritual threads to the stuffed animal.

Calavera: Me and CJ will give you an opening. Ganju, back me up, alright?

Ganju: We'll show 'em what for!

CJ grew in size and booked it towards Gerard before throwing its gigantic body on the quincy. Gerard drew his blade and attempted to cut into the stuffed animal but Ganju threw the shield with precise aim at the blade, causing the blade in Gerard's hand to recoil back a bit. It bought enough time for CJ to land on Gerard, essentially body slamming him.

Of course, Gerard simply lifted the stuffed rabbit off of his body, but CJ wrapped its stubby arms around Gerard and attempted to suplex him. Gerard however broke out the grip of CJ and attempted to stab CJ once again. However, CJ simply shrunk in size in order to evade the attack.

Ganju then used Seppa to obscure Gerard's vision once again.

Gerard: A simple trick that won't work on its second try!

Gerard swung his hand with enough force to blow the sand away but unfortunately for the Quincy, he quickly realized that Ganju also used Seppa to create a quick sand beneath his feet. Calavera used this chance to grab her zanpakuto and land a fury of slashes on Gerard.



Gerard had a wide grin on his face.

Gerard: These wounds. It's a miracle that you created these wounds.

Gerard took his sword and swung it at Calavera, but Ganju, who still had Gerard's shield in his possession, jumped in the way to protect Calavera. However the force of Gerard's attack sent both fighters flying, despite the shield's protection.

However, this gave the group the opening they needed for Chad to land a devastating La Muerte.

Gerard was sent flying into a wall. Chad then ran over to Calavera and Ganju and picked them up.

Calavera: I-I think we're doing pretty decent... What do you guys think?

Ganju: They better be ready to send in their next man, because we're on a roll!

Calavera: A-alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves...

"Fantastic! Fantastic indeed! However, you'll need more than that to take me down!"

Gerard brushed off Chad's attack with no effort.

Gerard: After a display like that, I think I can finally start taking you seriously!

In a split second, Ganju was picked up by Gerard and thrown aside, but not before taking his shield back from the Rukongai resident.

Calavera attached spiritual threads to Gerard after seeing his display of strength, but Calavera found it hard to move Gerard's body from its position.

Gerard turned to Calavera and ready a sword attack but Chad came to her protection and attempted to punch Gerard. Gerard readied his shield in response, negating any damage he might've taken from Chad's attack.

Calavera then attacked Gerard while he had his focus on Chad, but this time, Calavera could only do so much as nick his skin.

Gerard then swung his sword at Chad but Chad backed away in the nick of time to dodge the attack. However the attack caused a shockwave that knocked the entire group back.

Calavera got on her feet as she coughed due to the amount of dust that was in the atmosphere.

Calavera: *thinking* How do we get out of this...

It's obvious that if Gerard strikes either of them cleanly at least once, they were goners. So what could she or her friends realistically do?

Calavera: *thinking* At this rate we're dead... CJ doesn't have enough reiatsu for last resort...

...

...

...

!!!

Calavera: *thinking* But I still have the next best thing!

Calavera picked up CJ and tried to regroup with Ganju and Chad.

Calavera: Ganju! Chad! With me! I have an idea!

Chad and Ganju ran towards Calavera after her request. Gerard used this chance to attack and take them all in one fell swoop.

Calavera: Ganju, drop us down a few floors!

Ganju: You got it!

Ganju used Seppa and turned the ground beneath them to sand, dodging Gerard's execution.

(End Song)

Gerard: A retreat, eh? No matter, I'll catch up in-

https://youtu.be/W-gN-rUxtio

Gerard was interrupted when he heard a loud roar. That echoed throughout the Royal Palace. The Shrine then began to shake. Gerard then saw the ground crumble below him as a familiar Bull Hollow climbed the Royal Palace like it just came out the pits of Hell. The hand of the Hollow grabbed onto Gerard and attempted to crush the Quincy in its hand.



Orihime looked at the hollow with a bit of fear in her eyes.

Orihime: What... is that?

Yoruichi: Don't be scared. It's on our side.

Orihime: You know that thing?

Yoruichi: That's Asterius. Wiz's "familiar" as she calls it.

~~~~

Wiz: If that's the case, then please take Asterius with you. He'll be good to have in an emergency.

Yoruichi: ...You want me to take that thing...?

Wiz: Oh don't worry about his size. Calavera's little doll can keep him concealed- Asterius! What have I told you about trying to eat the lab!

~~~~

Yoruichi: Wiz made the right call, allowing us to take that thing with us. But is it strong enough to take them all on?

Meanwhile Asterius, who held Gerard in his hand, threw Gerard into another Royal Palace Castle.

The Schutzstaffel watched in amazement as they saw Gerard get treated like a piece of trash getting thrown in the bin.

Askin: Whoa, whoa... I knew Gerard was fooling around before but that thing might be trouble.

Asterius then charged a Cero that was extremely massive. Despite being a normal Cero, it made a Gran Rey Cero look like a joke. Asterius fired the Cero in the general direction of Gerard.



Gerard flew out of the debris and charged head first into the beam with his shield.

Gerard was no doubt taking damage from Asterius' Cero but he didn't care. He was beginning to have fun.

Gerard: Now this is a battle! You guys had a miracle of your own. But now it's my turn!

Gerard miraculously powered through Asterius' Cero with his shield and attempted to cut into Asterius' skull.

Asterius in response swung his head in an attempt to pierce Gerard in the heart with his horn. Unfortunately, Asterius couldn't pierce Gerard and this gave the warrior the chance to land a clean strike in Asterius horn that nearly took it off.

In response Asterius swatted Gerard away with his huge arm. Asterius then pummeled Gerard into the ground.

Asterius then released an ear ringing roar as his spiritual pressure rose drastically.

Gerard grinned widely at this.

Gerard: Not one to savor a fight, huh? A beast like yourself doesn't seem to know how to enjoy a fine battle. So I'll respond in kind!

Despite his injuries, Gerard got off the ground and flew into the air before sheathed his sword and summoned his Heilig Bogen. Gerard prepared a Heilig Pfeil to fire at Asterius.

Asterius' horn then began to emit black flames as a ginormous pillar of the same black flame erupted that was aimed directly at Gerard. Gerard simultaneously fired his arrow.

Calavera, Chad, and Ganju during the battle between the warrior and the beast, were trying to find a place to escort Yoruichi and Orihime. However after feeling Asterius' spiritual pressure, they turned their attention to the battle at hand.

Calavera: What do we do?

Yoruichi: Orihime, be prepared to protect us. This next attack may be Asterius' last.

Orihime: O-okay!

As Asterius' flames met with Gerard's Heilig Pfeil, it caused an explosion that blew everyone in the area away. The blast was so strong, Calavera and the group were thrown off of the Soul King's Shrine into one of the lesser plates in the Royal Palace.

As the explosion cleared, the only thing that remained was Gerard, as Asterius' body was scattered into bones.

Gerard laughed as he struck a victorious pose.

Gerard: That was truly marvelous! You may have thought you lucked out by summoning that beast but I was simply blessed with a miracle. Now then...

Gerard watched as the battle between Ichigo and Uryu as well as (Y/N) and Daichi raged on.

Gerard: I must know if they're truly on our side...

To be continued.

You thought (Y/N) vs Daichi was going to be this chapter but instead you get a Calavera team up with Chad and Ganju. Honestly didn't think I'd be writing a fight with Ganju but here we are.

Calavera actually locks in for a fight and does pretty good. And against Gerard of all people. Granted, she has no chance in defeating him but damaging him at least shows that she's pretty damn strong.

Also, you get more Asterius action. Not writing Asterius in the Cien fight during the SAFWY arc was kinda criminal on my part but there was so many characters involved that I decided not to add more. But I made up for it here.

By the way, the Royal Palace is definitely in shambles with all these fights going on, Ichibei's probably mad as hell that he has to somehow repair all of this after the war.