Things weren't looking good. While making their way to Ichigo, (Y/N) felt a large amount of spiritual energy returned to him as he also felt Chad's spiritual energy plummet similar to Ichigo. That pretty much meant that Panzer was unable to help Chad and returned to him to prevent himself from being completely killed. As Wiz and (Y/N) got to Ichigo's location they were met face to face with an Espada. In the corner, Nel was crying as looked over at Ichigo's near dead body. In front of Ichigo was Orihime, healing him.

(Y/N): Orihime!

Orihime: (Y/N)? You're here?

(Y/N): Are you okay? What happened to Ichigo?

???: Stop yapping and get to healing! You! What's your deal?

(Y/N): You're an Espada, am I right?

???: Yeah, what about it? If you wanna fight you'll have to get in line.

Wiz: Be careful, (Y/N). That's Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Espada #6. He's no joke.

(Y/N): Huh? So you're the guy Luppi replaced?

Grimmjow: Luppi? Ha! He's nowhere near my power! He held on to the title for a bit but it always belonged to me! Since you know him by name I assume you're the one that killed him.

(Y/N): Yeah...

Grimmjow: So you may be a decent prey after all...

Grimmjow took a seat on some debris.

(Y/N): What are you doing?

Grimmjow: Like I said, wait your turn. We can fight it out after I'm done with Kurosaki. It wouldn't be fun to kill a prey if they aren't at their peak.

(Y/N) decided not to attack Grimmjow, for now. At the very least he should use this time to plot a way to escape with Orihime and Ichigo once he was healed. As Orihime healed Ichigo's wound, Wiz noticed something odd.

Wiz: *thinking* Ichigo is dead... But she's bringing him back to life? This can't be normal healing... Either her healing allows her to bring the dead back to life... or she's reversing time in a way. If the second is true then there's a possibility that I can be returned to my original form.

Nel made her way towards (Y/N).

Nel: (Y/N), will Ichigo be okay?

(Y/N): Yeah... Orihime is one of the best healers I know. She'll have Ichigo on his feet in no time.

Orihime: Who did this?

Grimmjow: Ulquiorra... This is how he does things. I'm not sure whether he's aware of it or not. He always punches a hole into prey he becomes fond of in the same location as his own. I'll teach him the punishment for attacking someone else's prey.

(Y/N): And what rank is this guy?

Grimmjow: Fourth.

(Y/N): He's that strong?

At that moment, Ichigo's eyes opened up.

Nel and Orihime? A-And (Y/N) and Wiz?

Orihime: Ichigo!

Grimmjow: Shut up! If you have time to make a fuss, then heal him already!

Ichigo: You're Grimmjow! Why are you with Orihime?!

Grimmjow: You shut up, too, and get healed! I came here to settle things with you when you're fully healed!

Orihime: Grimmjow, is that why you're making me heal him?

Grimmjow: I told you to shut up! He's dying, but I'm letting you heal him! Don't complain! Hurry! Ulquiorra will catch on sooner or later and come back! Before he does-



Grimmjow couldn't finish his sentence as an arrancar showed up. (Y/N) could only assume this was the person that Grimmjow was referring to. (Y/N) could feel the intensity in his spiritual pressure.

Grimmjow: Ulquiorra...

Ulquiorra: What are you doing, Grimmjow?

*Silence*

Ulquiorra: What's wrong? I'm asking you, what do you think you're doing? Healing the wounds of the enemy I defeated? And not only that, you're interacting with the enemy.

*Silence*

Ulquiorra: You're not going to answer? Fine. Anyway, Lord Aizen has entrusted that girl to me. Hand her over.

Grimmjow: I refuse.

Ulquiorra: What?

Grimmjow: What's wrong? You're sure talkative today, Ulquiorra!

Grimmjow dashed towards Ulquiorra to attack him, but Ulquiorra blocked the attack with his arm, hardening it with Hierro. However, Grimmjow fired a cero point blank at Ulquiorra, pushing him out of the vicinity of the group. (Y/N) used this opportunity to rush over to Orihime and assist her in healing Ichigo.

(Y/N): Listen up, we've got Orihime with us. We need to find Chad and then regroup with the rest of the gang and get out of here. There's no reason for us to stay here any longer.

Ichigo: No, (Y/N) take Orihime with you and leave. I need to settle things with Grimmjow.

(Y/N): Ichigo, this is not the time to start this whole "warrior's pride" shtick. We came here for a reason and as of right now, we achieved it. We came here to find our friend and that's it. Staying here any longer will only cost more problems for us!

Ichigo: Listen, (Y/N). I get it-

Ichigo was interrupted by another explosion followed up by Grimmjow using an item of some sort to trap Ulquiorra.







Orihime: Wh-What was that just now?

Aizen gives us Espada something called a Caja de Negacion, which is used to punish subordinates. I used that. It'll trap most guys in a closed dimension forever. But it's not something that's made to work against other Espada. Taking his Spiritual Pressure Into consideration, he'll probably stay trapped for two to three hours. Now that you know,get to healing him.

Orihime: I don't want to.

Grimmjow: I'm not asking you whether you want to heal him or not! Heal him!

Orihime: No! If I heal Kurosaki, you're just going to hurt him, aren't you? I won't do it!

(Y/N): Orihime, don't worry... Ichigo will be fine... just heal him...

Ichigo: Orihime, can you heal my wounds? And his as well.

Grimmjow: Stop!

(Y/N): I agree! What are you thinking!

Grimmjow: I've done nothing to get your sympathy.

Ichigo: Me neither. But you want to fight on equal terms, don't you? Or are you going to use those wounds as an excuse when you lose?

Grimmjow: Bring it on! Let's have a fair fight to the death-

Just then more spiritual energies arrived at the group's location. (Y/N) knew that spiritual pressure all too well.

Grimmjow: Damn it! How many Espadas are gonna show up?

(Y/N): I assume she's here to take me on.

Wiz: (Y/N)? That's another Espada! That's-

(Y/N): Tier Harribel. And her fraccion. This wouldn't be the first time I've fought them.

Grimmjow: Heh. You've fought the third highest rank espada and lived? Then you better stay alive because I'm gonna make sure you're the next one on my list.

Wiz: Hold on, (Y/N)! If you take on all four of them-

(Y/N): Don't worry, Wiz. I can do this. She made a point to tell me she was going to fight me to the death the next time we met. I doubt she'll let me get away even if I wanted to escape. But still... She's number 3? That explains why she's so damn tough...

(Y/N) turned to Ichigo.

(Y/N): Ichigo.

Ichigo: Yeah?

(Y/N): Don't lose.

Ichigo: Right back at you.

(Y/N): Heh, my first real fight on this trip and it's against Espada number 3. Geez, why is my luck so terrible?

(Y/N) walked out of his hiding place and came face to face with Harribel and her fraccion.

Harribel: We meet again.

(Y/N): I wished it was under better circumstances...

Harribel: Unfortunately that isn't the case. I hope you're ready. My fraccion and I will be fighting to kill, as promised.

(Y/N): Do we really have to?

Apacci: Don't chicken out now! With Lady Harribel by our side, we won't lose!

Sung-Sun: You were an interesting one to observe, but this is where we say our farewells.

Mila Rose: Out of respect, we'll make your death swift and painless.

(Meanwhile) With Wiz, Nel, and Orihime.

Ichigo and Grimmjow had just started their battle. Wiz turned to Orihime.

Wiz: Your name is Orihime correct?

Orihime was snapped out of her panicked thoughts and turned towards Wiz.

Orihime: Um, yes...

Wiz: Greetings, My name is Waleska Inez Zulema, but you may call me Wiz for short.

Orihime: O-oh, it's nice to meet you... You came here with (Y/N) correct?

Wiz: Indeed. The Young Master is currently fighting a tough battle, and I wish to assist in battle.

Orihime: Young Master?

Wiz: Yes, I've devoted myself to being (Y/N)'s right hand after serving his mother for years!

Orihime: Huh?

Wiz: Worry not about the details! Listen, I must help (Y/N) in his fight! Ichigo has the power to defeat Grimmjow, however, (Y/N) cannot take on both Harribel and her fraccion at the same time.

Orihime: Y-You want me to help you fight? I'm not exactly good at it...

Wiz: No, not fight. You're ability, you don't really "heal". You use a technique that essentially reverses time, correct?

Orihime: Something of that nature. Aizen described it as "an ability to reverse or reject a phenomenon"

Wiz: So I was right. Listen carefully, I need you to use that ability on me.

Orihime: Huh? But you're not injured?

Wiz: In a way I am... You see, when arrancar's masks are damaged, lasting irreversible damage is dealt.

Wiz took her top hat off of her head and showed a damaged hollow mask plastered on her head that ran across her forehead in a shape that looked like a tiara. It was cracked directly in the middle.

Wiz: If you can, I need you to use your abilities on me. If my mask is healed I can probably return to my original form. That will give me enough power to take on Harribel and her fraccion alongside (Y/N).

Orihime listened intently at her explanation and nodded. (Y/N) trusted Wiz so she decided to do the same.

Orihime started healing Wiz, but as Orihime started, Wiz spoke again.

Wiz: Once you're done with me, heal Nel's mask next.

Nel: Huh? Nel's mask too?

Wiz: Of course, your mask is in the same condition as mine or even worse. You don't even remember your past life. If you get your mask healed, you can help Ichigo fight. After all, you were the original Number 3 Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.

To be continued.

The next two chapters are going to be extremely intense.