(In Y/N's inner world)

(Y/N) opened his eyes to see a dark sky. Standing above him was Thanatos and Ankou.

(Y/N): Huh... What are you guys...

Thanatos: We dragged you here.

Ankou: And for a good reason.

(Y/N): But what's happening outside?

Ankou: You can relax, you're in no real danger right now.

Thanatos: You're being healed as we speak. But that aside we have something important to talk about.

(Y/N): Important? Oh right... Segunda Etapa...

Thanatos: Naturally, going beyond your body's limits for the first time will have negative effects. But now that your body has experienced it, it can now adjust accordingly. We can break past the limit we have thought existed.

(Y/N): But how do we willingly tap into Segunda Etapa?

Thanatos: There is no new name for your Resurreccion. Unlike Shikai or Bankai, Segunda Etapa is just that... a Second stage. Once you call out to it with the intention of using it, you'll use it.

(Y/N): T-That's it?

Ankou: Yes. Remember that names hold power. Discovering our names was what gives you and every other shinigami and hollow powers. Remember that.

(Y/N): Right.

Thanatos: Now get to working that brain of yours because we're still in a predicament.

Ankou: Thanatos is right. Yhwach isn't going to stop and wait for you guys to catch up. He's progressing his plans as we speak.

(Y/N): I'll try my best.

.

.

.

(Y/N)'s eyes shot opened again, this time, he was looking at the skies in the Royal Palace.

(Y/N): I feel like I got shot, run over by a truck, and burned alive.

"Well at least you have the energy to joke about it so that means you're doing better already."

(Y/N) turned his head and saw Yoruichi sitting next to him.

(Y/N): That wasn't a joke. I was serious.

Calavera: You had us worried sick!

(Y/N): I'm not doing this on purpose!

Chad: We're just glad you're still with us.

(Y/N): Thanks...

(Y/N) looked over his friends' shoulder and watched as Orihime was too busy healing Ichigo to notice that he was awake...

(Y/N): How long has she been at it?

Yoruichi: About 5 minutes. You took around the same amount of time to be healed.

(Y/N): I see... It's good to have someone as proficient at healing as Orihime with us. I should help her...

Yoruichi: Keep your energy. If you haven't noticed, your reiatsu dropped immensely halfway through your battle. Not to mention, that strange form that you took drained it even more.

Yoruichi was referring to when Daichi prevented him from absorbing reishi, and later using Segunda Etapa.

(Y/N): I can just get it back.

Yoruichi: Don't take unnecessary risks. Let your body rest normally for now. Orihime can take care of Ichigo.

(Y/N): ...Yeah, you're right.

.

.

.

Yoruichi: So what's the deal? About Daichi, I mean...

(Y/N) ears perked up.

(Y/N): Y-you know-

Yoruichi: Of course I know. I've known your father for a while. And your fight wasn't a secluded one. So... Why's he working with Yhwach? As far as I know, he wanted the Quincies to make amends with the Shinigamis.

(Y/N): Yhwach must've done something with his memories. He didn't recall having a grandson and he wasn't familiar with my name. Almost everything dad said that Grandpa stands for was the exact opposite when I spoke with him.

Yoruichi: So that's what's going on... There might also be a chance he was just acting to avoid raising suspicion.

(Y/N): I hope so.

Just then, Ichigo suddenly woke up. The first person he came in eye contact with was Orihime.

Ichigo: Orihime?

Orihime: Ichigo? Thank goodness...

Orihime, in exhaustion, collapsed onto Ichigo.

Ichigo: Are you okay, Orihime?

*rumble*

Orihime: Y-Yeah... I'm just a bit hungry, that's all.

Okay, so maybe Orihime wasn't exhausted, but she worked hard.

Ganju: Orihime's been healing everyone without any breaks.

Yoruichi: She fixed my arm, and those severe injuries that you and (Y/N) got.

(Y/N): Thanks for that, by the way.

Orihime: It was nothing really. You all were fighting your hardest so I did my best to get you all back on your feet.

Ichigo: It still should be said that we're grateful for all your help, though. So thank you, Orihime.

Orihime: O-oh.. gee.. It was nothing special, really! Heh heh...

While Orihime was blushing from Ichigo's comment, Chad decided to bring up something that hadn't been discussed since their arrival at the Royal Palace.

Chad: Ichigo... Did Uryu really...

Ichigo: Yeah...

Ganju: So he really did betray us?

(Y/N): I wish I was there to talk to him myself.

Ichigo then looked over to his side and saw Kon all torn up.

Ichigo: Kon?

Orihime: Kon was the real hero. When you came falling, Kon inflated his body to act as a cushion.

Ichigo: Kon... Rest in peace.

Everyone prayed in respect, but Kon got up and made a fuss.

Kon: Don't go killing me off!

Ichigo: Wait, you're still alive?

Kon: Damn right! You should be grateful, Ichigo. It's a good thing I hid inside your clothes just in case.

Ichigo: I see. So you were hiding, huh? Thanks.

Kon: What?

Kon was confused. Kon was used to Ichigo using him as a punching bag but this time Ichigo was genuinely thanking him and showing care. Kon wasn't used to it.

Kon: Wrong line! You're supposed to beat me up so I can gain sympathy to boost my popularity! Do it! Come on, Ichigo!

Before (Y/N) could question Kon's weird comment, he had questioned how he survived the fall.

(Y/N): Say... If Ichigo survived the fall because of Kon, how did I survive the fall?

Calavera: This is the part where you thank your adorable sister and her cute stuffed animal for coming to your rescue.

(Y/N): So that's how. You did the same thing Kon did, huh? Thanks Cal.

(Y/N) ruffled Calavera's hair, which prompted her to fight back.

Calavera: Hey, you're messing up my hair!

(Y/N): What's it matter during a war? It'll get messed up eventually.

Calavera: But I spent so much time on it before I got here...

(Y/N): When did you find the time to fix your hair in Hueco Mundo? And where do you even keep your hair products for that matter?

Calavera: In CJ obviously!

(Y/N) Right...

Yoruichi: With that out of the way, are you guys ready to mount a counterattack? We need to move quick. It's been a while since the Soul King's Spiritual Pressure got consumed. No telling when this area, or the world itself, will start falling apart.

Ichigo: Yeah, but... First, we need to figure out how to get back up there. We can't get close without being seen. We'll be sitting ducks.

(Y/N): I haven't tried using Kyokkō on multiple targets before... They won't be able to detect us that way, right?

Yoruichi: We won't need to worry about that. Open it!

Space began to rip open in front of Yoruichi.

Ichigo: The way that space is opening up...

(Y/N): It's a Garganta.

The Garganta flew open as the first person to show their face was none other than...



Ichigo: Grimmjow!

(Y/N) then remembered. This was the first time Ichigo has seen Grimmjow since he found out he survived. He felt as though some sort of fight would break out now that they've finally met face to face since their original fight in Hueco Mundo.

Grimmjow: Hey. It's been a while, Kurosaki.

Grimmjow leaped towards Ichigo, meeting each other face to face.

Grimmjow: How many years has it been? Looks like the wound I gave you in our last battle has healed.

Ichigo: You're damn right. You're looking good yourself.

Grimmjow drew his zanpakuto, cutting down the building next to them. Ichigo drew his zanpakuto.

(Y/N): I knew this was going to end up in a fight...

Grimmjow: I've been waiting for this moment... where I can settle the score with you—

Grimmjow got thrown to the ground as Nelliel knocked him over and dived towards Ichigo.



Nelliel: Ichigo!

Ichigo: N-Nel?!

Ichigo was tackled to the ground by Nelliel.

Nel: I missed you so much, Ichigo!

(Y/N) realized that Nelliel was wearing much more... "revealing clothing" that she normally did. No doubt this was Urahara's doing.

Orihime, on the other hand, looked on in jealousy that she did a poor job in hiding.



(Y/N): Orihime, just calm down...

Orihime: I am calm...

(Y/N): We can feel your jealousy from here...

Orihime: What jealousy?

Chad: Orihime, You're probably thinking, "Why does he have to keep making unnecessary things..." But don't think like that. Urahara's doing the best he can...

Orihime: D-Don't be silly, Chad... I would never think of that! Really!

(Y/N) looked at Chad.

(Y/N): She's in the denial phase.

Chad: Indeed.

(Y/N) then felt a tug on the sleeve of his Shihakusho as turned to his side and saw Roka standing beside him.

(Y/N): Roka? You came too?

Roka: Yes. It wouldn't be fair to not come to your aid after everything you've done for me.

(Y/N): Well, I'm glad you came. Thanks for helping us in our battle.

Meanwhile, Grimmjow got up and began to argue with Nelliel.

Grimmjow: Nelliel, what's the big idea?! Get lost, you're in my way!

Nelliel: That's my line. If you're only here to start a fight, then stay out of it. Need I remind you that I'm No.3? I don't take orders from a No.6 like you.

Grimmjow: Bullshit. Those numbers mean nothing now that Aizen's gone. In fact, why don't we find out right now to see which one of us is superior!

(Y/N) looked on as tension rose.

(Y/N): Perhaps I should stop them...

Roka: I'll try to calm down Nel...

(Y/N): Then I'll handle Grimmjow.

Right before (Y/N) and Roka could stop either of them, Wiz and Lilynette came through the Garganta.

Wiz: What's with all the noise?! Grimmjow, get it together! Nel, stop provoking him!

Grimmjow only grunted in annoyance while Nelliel apologized.

Nelliel: Sorry, Wiz.

Wiz: Now that we've cleared that up.

Wiz turned her attention towards (Y/N) and dropped her bag of items, pulling (Y/N) into a hug before taking a look at his neck and inspecting the scar he got from Yhwach.

Wiz: It's worse than I thought. Did you feel any side effects? No pain?

(Y/N): It's alright, Wiz. It's completely healed.

Wiz let out a sigh of relief before letting go of (Y/N).

Wiz: Well that's good. Now that we're all here, we can recruit our last member. Lilynette.

Lilynette: On it.

Lilynette dug through the bag of items and took out four crystal like orbs. Lilynette then tossed them to (Y/N).

Wiz: Restore your spiritual energy, (Y/N). Azoth is coming with us.

(Y/N) eyes widened but a smile found itself on his face nonetheless.

(Y/N): Alright then.

(Y/N) absorbed the spiritual energy out of two of the orbs.

(Y/N): We'll need a hiding spot or else we'll alert the Quincies that we're still alive.

Wiz: We got that covered.

"Testing, testing..."

Ichigo: That voice.

"Will you hurry up and get inside before they see us?"

The world started to distort itself.

Ichigo: And that box... could it be...?

A huge metal box appeared out of the sky with the door swinging open, revealing Riruka and Yukio.

Riruka: I said, hurry up and get inside!



Ichigo: Riruka?!

"I'm here, too, you know."

Yukio poked his head out from the corner of the door to make himself known.

Ichigo: Yukio!

Yukio: Oh, and in case it wasn't already obvious, this is my ability you're looking at.

Ichigo: I knew you guys were alive! Hold on, what are you doing here anyway?

Yukio: Just get in for now. We'll explain inside.

Everyone made their way into the cube made by Yukio and disappeared from sight.

Now with a hiding place and a place where they can freely talk, Yoruichi sat (Y/N) and Ichigo down to discuss the plan.

Yoruichi: So which part do you need me to explain, you two?

Ichigo: Are you kidding me? What do you mean, "which part"?! You need to explain everything!

(Y/N): Yeah. None of this "plan" was ever discussed with us. I mean, you guys never once mentioned getting help from the fullbringers.

Ichigo: We're so lost here! Right, guys?

Orihime: Actually, we were told while at Hueco Mundo...

Chad: Sorry...

Calavera: No hard feelings, right?

(Y/N): I guess that means the only three people who were in Soul Society are out of the loop.

(Y/N) was referring to himself, Ichigo, and Ganju.

Yoruichi: The more manpower we have, the better, right?

(Y/N): I agree, but I'm just surprised that members of Xcution decided to help us. I thought you guys would've held a grudge against us after killing... Well, you know...

Riruka: We weren't upset, you idiot. If anything, you and Ichigo saved Ginjo in a way. And it looked like Tsukishima's worries were quelled in the end as well...

(Y/N): Is that so...

Ichigo: How'd you guys know about this whole thing anyway?

Yukio: It was the police detective.

(Y/N): Dad asked you guys for help?

Yukio: He was just the middleman. The shopkeeper was the one that needed our help.

Yoruichi: And speaking of (F/N), it sounds like he's plotting something on his own in the World of the Living.

(Y/N): Wonder what that is...

Ichigo: Isn't it wrong that we're the only ones left out of the loop?

Chad: True...

Yoruichi: Well, you two have been quite busy lately, so...

(Y/N): You had an entire rocket ride to fill us in.

Ichigo: Exactly!

Yukio then conjured up a screen to visualize the plan.

Yoruichi: The Precipice World connects the Soul Society and the World of the Living. That, you two know.

Ichigo and (Y/N) nodded.

Yoruichi: Scattered around the Precipice World are areas of various sizes known as the Valley of Screams where lost souls exist. Garganta exists to fill up the empty space in between these areas. Spiritual Pressure becomes unstable while inside Garganta. One can barely stand without constantly releasing their Spiritual Pressure to create a foothold. But the Valley of Screams seems to be an exception. It can somehow exist inside as a Reishi space due to its different Reishi structure. Kisuke decided to use that to our advantage. That's why we found and brought these two back.



Riruka: Still can't believe they found us.

Yukio: That's to be expected from the best detective in Japan.

Yoruichi continued her explanation.

Yoruichi: Riruka's ability to move a target in and out of her favorite objects and Yukio ability to create his own dimension using electricity...

Yukio: That's not really how it works. But whatever...

Yoruichi: ...We used Riruka's ability to carry a small Valley of Screams in a box, then modified it into a room with rails using Yukio's ability. We were finally able to complete it just now. However, we're only able to move the short distance from here to the stake I placed as a marker in the Royal Palace. Still, the benefits of entering enemy territory without using Spiritual Pressure are huge! We can mount a surprise attack now. We'll take them down in one shot!

(Y/N): I like the sound of the plan.

Yoruichi: We'll ascend to the Royal Palace and mount a surprise attack. While attempting to seal the Soul King, I drove in a stake near him just like the one below. If they haven't moved, we should be able to arrive right in front of them. Use that split moment to strike Yhwach. Ichigo with his most powerful Getsgua and (Y/N) with that new form of his.

Wiz: New form?

(Y/N): That's right, I didn't tell you when you got here... I learned Segunda Etapa.

Ichigo and the rest of the arrancars looked in shock at the information (Y/N) revealed. Wiz looked (Y/N) dead in the eye.

Wiz: Are you positive?

(Y/N): Yeah. I don't doubt for a second that I was able to pull it off. That form I took was much more powerful than resurreccion. I even had a different form.

Wiz shed a single tear of joy.

Wiz: To think you'd surpass me as a hollow. This is truly a joyous occasion.

Grimmjow simply scoffed.

Grimmjow: You won't be that far for long, (L/N). I'll be the next one to achieve Segunda Etapa and then I'll be the one to take you out. I'll be the one to kill the next King of Hueco Mundo.

(Y/N): Good luck with that.

Ichigo: Now that I think about it... Why are you on our side, Grimmjow?

Grimmjow: Huh? Who said I'm on your side? What an idiot... If we let that Yhwach have his way, Hueco Mundo will be gone. If Hueco Mundo is gone, where am I supposed to kill you?

Ichigo then smiled.

Ichigo: You have a point.

Yoruichi: Ichigo. (Y/N).

Both: Hm?

Yoruichi: We'll clear the path of anyone who gets in your way.

Ganju: Leave the minions to us!

Calavera: We'll win next time! Especially with Asterius by our side!

Ichigo: Right, We're counting on you.

Wiz: Speaking of Asterius, do you still have him with you, Calavera?

Calavera: Oh right! CJ, cough him up.

Calavera Jr. increased in size before spitting out the coffin that held Asterius' bones.

Calavera: Sorry about Asterius by the way...

Wiz: No worries. Knowing that you fought against members that served Yhwach directly meant that battle was hard fought.

Roka: We outnumber them by a large margin now.

Wiz opened the coffin that held Asterius' bones and counted them all.

Wiz: Seems like they're all here.

Wiz absorbed the bones back into her body.

Calavera: Asterius, buddy!

Wiz: Worry not. You won't be needing Asterius now that I'm here. Besides, Asterius was created from my own body. Taking him back into myself returns my power to its original state.

(Y/N) could feel the immense difference between Wiz's strength prior to absorbing Asterius and now.

(Y/N): It's still scary how strong you seem to be.

Wiz simply giggled.

Chad: We found out some of the Royal Guards' powers, but what exactly are Yhwach's?

(Y/N): At the very least, we know he can see into the future, but we don't know the limits of that ability.

Orihime: I wish we had asked Osho more about it.

Orihime had a sad look on her face.

Riruka: So annoying! I don't know what happened, but stop moping about the past! I hate that you're making us feel gloomy, too!

After hearing Riruka's words of encouragement, Orihime did her best to keep a smile on her face.

Orihime: You're right. Thank you, Riruka!

Riruka: Why are you thanking me for that?! You're such a weirdo!

Riruka used the ears on her hoodie to repeatedly hit Orihime.



(Y/N): Why can't you guys accept appreciation like normal people?

(Y/N) then stood up before calling out to Wiz.

(Y/N): Alright Wiz... Let's get Azoth out here.

Wiz: Right.

To be continued.

I'm happy with the updated Matchups I have for the Wahrwelt fights.