Please lock. I'm tired of this thread and want it to end.

[PrimalFear]

hayate glanced toward Sensaki, "Fine I really would have preferred Keisuke, but since he is in no condition....." Hayate looked toward Keisuke hoping he would have a change of mind and at leats try and train Hayate. "Sensaki you'll be fine I guess you'd be my second choice anyway." He waited for Sensaki to lead the way toward the training room. "I don't want you to take it easy on me, train me as hard as you can."

[Hydra of Ages]

Aski chuckled a bit. "I'm afraid you'd be worse off if she did recognize you, Taizen. I'll allow you in to be sure, though only on the condition that you agree not to manhandle the Oven using Kido. I can only say that the hostility she shows you now would be a relief compared to her fury were the poor cooking utensil subjected to much more." he said with a lopsided grin and a lance towards the still-charred Oven. "I, unfortunately, must really learn to heed my own advice and shy away from 'improving' modern technology through Spirit Arts. Perhaps it is simply my experience from Squad Twelve leaking through..."

[Andx]

"Excuse me, but since when have we just casually allowed our enemies into our base?" Keisuke said angry that Aski hadn't attacked Taizen on sight. If Keisuke was in any condition to he would've attacked Taizen the moment he saw him.

"What do you think you're doing here Taizen!? Looking for an early death or have you just lost your mind!?" Keisuke asked and half-yelled. Keisuke stopped leaning on the wall and stood on his own. It was tough, but there was no need to let Taizen know that he wasn't ready to fight, not that Taizen wouldn't have already guessed.

[PrimalFear]

Hayate startled from the noise behind him turned to see former Captain and friend Taizen standing at the door as he went to enter. Enraged that the others allowed such a traitor into the base Hayate shunpo'd right in front of Taizen as Keisuke was finishing speaking. With his sword fully drawn and to Taizens throat he said, "Answer Keisuke's question now or you will die."

[Hydra of Ages]

Aski shook his head with a weary sigh. "Because, Keisuke, with all due respect, that would be stupid. One doesn't come to their most hated enemy's base and not expect to be attacked; he would quite obviously have a method of escape ready for such an event, and then we'd have one of our enemies that apparently knows of our location back with Rachel. By inviting him in, we have the opportunity of knowing why he has yet to preemptively attack us. information that would be undoubtedly useful, and it would provide time to think of a way to prevent him from escaping once more. Indeed, it would be easier to fight him inside the house, where he is unable to use most of his potent Kido due to lack of room and he is surrounded by us on all sides, rather than outside, where he would have free reign with his attacks and we would have to attempt to flank him from every direction."

 

Aski's eyes rolled over to Hayate, and chuckled slightly. "While I am fond as the next person of threats, you'll find that they are superfluous if they are not effective. As I previously mentioned, Taizen is not stupid enough to come here and not expect that reaction. If you are going to threaten something, threaten something they aren't expecting and care about. And do it effectively."

[PrimalFear]

Hayate glared at Aski, "You fool how about I will kill you right after I kill him. Now Taizen answer Keisuke's question, What do you think you are doing here?" He raised his sword up closer as it touched Taizens throat with his left arm which was used as a distraction for most if not everyone including Taizen as he lowered his right arm to the midsection of Taizen. "Bakudo number sixty three Sajo Sabaku," Hayate said. In an instant it took to reach Taizen his arms where bound together like Bakudo # 4 but this time twice as strong.

[Andx]

"Back down Hayate. I'd like to know what Taizen means to do here. And he probably won't respond if he's bound. However, be ready to bind him again if he tries anything." Keisuke said as he stepped over to it, it being a very special and secret machine Keisuke had found and not told anyone about, hidden in the wall.

"While I understand Aski, I don't believe I like how friendly you are with him. But it seems I'll have to set that aside for the moment." Keisuke said now in position to activate this hidden device. To anyone else it would seem he was casually leaning against the wall as if he was bored.

[PrimalFear]

Hayate hesitated, he wanted to kill Taizen with every fiber of his being, after all this is one of the many captains who turned him into the thing he despised the most. "As you wish Commander," Hayate said releasing the bind and re sheathing his sword he walked back till he was about three feet to Keisuke's right hand side. "I hope you know I wont be able to do it again so easily," Hayate mentioned highly perturbed at the situation.

[Andx]

"I wouldn't worry about that. I have it covered. Or rather whoever owned this shop had it covered hundreds of years ago. You'll see what I mean if Taizen tries anything." Keisuke said only so Hayate could hear him. Keisuke could tell by Hayate's response that he was angry and Keisuke understood. He wanted Taizen dead as much as Hayate. However Taizen's activity had piqued his interest. Was he moving on his own? Keisuke wanted to know, especially if Taizen had any information on Rachel and her goals, and so he waited for Taizen's response.

 

ooc: Just saying guys, we should probably stop posting until YugiohPro gets on and responds. No need to flood him with a whole mess of responses that barely have anything to do with him. And besides, if we go on much more I'll have to end up making Taizen do stuff and I don't want to.

[Phantom Roxas]

Gerard held out his tightened fist in gratitude. He ignored the impatient complaints from his "leader" and took out his sword. "Bankai. Koukyoukyoku Kunshuginsei (Symphony of the Silver Monarch)." Taking out his dual swords, he flash stepped behind Akuma and parried with his blazing sword. His wounds had not fully healed, and it was obvious that it hurt for him to move.

[T. Sankara]

"Off too such a rush then? Allow me to join you," he said drawing his blade, and twirling it in a hypnotizing, clockwise motion. "Bankai. Denkiteki Banteki Ryuu za Ookisa (Legendary Savage Dragon of Dimensions)." Slowly the world around Gerard and everyone in the room was frozen, with a deafening cold, and total darkness. It would drive even the most composed of men into madness. Now Akuma had changed drastically, lengthy seven foot tail amongst his now thick blue hide, and dragonic like claws.

 

"You do recall the power of my Bankai Gerard? To wield time itself, is so interesting," he said slowly, grinding his sword against Gerard's. Then, with a wave of his hand, Gerard could move again, and his perception of light was once again restored. "Come now. Show me your strength."

[Phantom Roxas]

Gerard snarled. Akuma's Zanpakuto was unbelievably powerful. He had witnessed his Bankai several times before, and he dreaded when Akuma would use that power to slaughter him. He leapt back, trying to distance himself from Akuma. With a swing of his twin blades, he fired silver stars all around him. The stars that were shot from his flame sword were ablaze and heading towards Akuma. To be prepared, Gerard had the stars fired from his frost sword, which were of course shooting through the air with an immeasurably cold breeze, fire from behind. As always, the silver dust was left floating in the air, and Gerard willed it all to draw near him. His Bankai was a great defense as much as it was an offense, but he had to be especially careful, even if this was just a training session.

 

Unfortunately, he had already overexerted himself enough. His wounds began to open as blood shot out. He clutched his chest with the side of his arm. Fortunately, his swords couldn't harm him with the elements that surrounded him, but still he had to keep up his guard.

[T. Sankara]

A gasp escaped him. Such intertwined power mixed with grace, the power of heat and cold. For a split second, Akuma was stunned, until he realized what he was up against. In just the nick of time, he had frozen the space around him in time, and just barely escaped the path of the fire's blast. Yet still, Gerard managed to strike his backside and had frozen his shoulder solid.

 

He was prepared to strike again, until he saw Gerard's wounds open, gushing blood over the floor. "I shall concede. I refuse to do battle with you until you are capable of battling me at full power. I want to witness the full glory of your Zanpaktou, Gerard," he said smirking. He released the rest of his time seal about the area and lowered himself to the floor below.

[Tempest Dahlia]

"Pathetic..."

Rachel was clearly unimpressed with the training. She gave a huge, fake yawn, signaling she was still bored.

However, she didn't feel right... Her intuition was trying to tell her something...

She ignored and suppressed the feeling. Whatever it was, she'd deal with it later. But for now...

"Captain Gerard. Come here." She beckoned. She stood up and waited for him. What was she planning to do? She already gave him a severe punishment...

[◊ Hᵃᵏᵃˢᵉ ◊]

Taizen was amazed by the reaction of everyone, especially after he had been so calm upon entering. He stood in the room, surrounded by basically every Captain he had, and still hopefully was, friends with. "Hayate, such an attack wasn't necessary, as I prefer to be here for a simple visit. Keisuke, thank you for pulling him away. I can see you still have some trust in me." He said, nodding, smiling as he sat on the couch nearby him. He put his head down, looking at the ground as he then closed his eyes. "While it is true I have betrayed all of you, sadly taking part in Rachel's hideous games, I do not wish for battle, nor to betray you once again. I am simply here for an important conversation over very strong matters. If you could get all the Captains here, that would be greatly appreciated." He said, putting his head up to show them all he was serious. He normally would have had a debilitating, yet humiliating grin on his face, yet, this time it was different, he, himself, was more serious than he had ever been in his life. "Aski, I am glad that even after what I performed not to long ago, you still have trust for me. I felt as if that act I had performed would ruin our lifelong partnership that we once attained. If it makes all of you feel better, I never told Rachel, nor any of the other Captains about your special 'Transformation.'" He said, looking around now with a smile. "I may be a pawn in Rachel's Chess Game, but I am still a faithful Captain of the Soul Society, but more importantly, I am the Soul Society Gardener, and with all the flowers she destroys, It stirs up a rage most immense inside of me. My friends, partners, those who once had hope and light in my presence, I apologize. I never meant for something so hideously grotesque like this to happen. As we speak, the Oligarchy in which I perform is growing stronger, and there seems to be a growing energy residing within all of them. I'm not permitted to tell all the details, nor is this a mission from Rachel for something stupid. I came here because I feel wrong for my betrayals." He said, looking down, his long hair flipping over his eyes to show shame in himself. He truly was sad, and it could be seen in his voice.

[Lord JZ of the Enigma]

Zensaki heard all these things from his room, he wasn't sure whether or not to trust him, considering he tried to kill him earlier."What the hell could he be thinking." while he senses no deceit in his words, can he really be trying to atone for what he has done, considering that he may have left the Spirit particles from the Portal on purpose, he may be telling the truth, but even better, Taizen may know a way into Soul Society away from the Shinigami populace. He wonders if there is a chance for him to see Rei again trough Taizen, but it's not his decision, it would Be Hayate and Keisuke's decision in the end.

[Hydra of Ages]

Aski cracked a smirk when Hayate threatened him, chuckled a little bit, finally idly waving a hand when Taizen addressed him. "Betrayal only hurts those who do not expect it, Taizen. Despite my cordial behavior, I never make the mistake of trusting others too well; especially those I like."

Aski waited as he listened to the rest of Taizen's explanation. He chuckled then, after a moment, turned around and stretched a bit.

"Keisuke, I believe you rebuked me for my familiarity with Taizen." he smiled a little more and cocked his head. "I admit I'm slightly disappointed in you. You've lived with me for countless years, and yet you fail to realize my manners of speaking and apparent emotions are more often than not a facade of whatever happens to be most useful at the moment. My hatred of Taizen burns with the same intensity as the rest of yourselves I assure you, even moreso perhaps, but I simply refuse to allow it to affect how I interact with him."

 

He turned around, smiled, and picked up his finished plate of food, depositing it in the kitchen before returning with a mug of water and a teabag. He sat down, lazilly mumbled something while pointing at the mug (causing the water to immediately steam to a boil), before depositing the bag. He took a sip after a moment.

[The D.M.]

Shoren was watching the bout unfold with much interest. "Akuma is much more powerful than i originally thought" Shoren said his inflection never changing. "I would certainly like to see what he could do against the Visoreds." Shoren's zanpakuto quivered a bit in its sheath. "Just wait my friend soon you will taste battle once more." he said putting a hand on his sheathed blade as if to calm it down.

[Phantom Roxas]

Gerard was grateful for Akuma to allow him to seal his Zanpakuto, but was annoyed that the eternally unsatisfied Rachel had asked for him to come to her. He walked towards her and asked, "Yes, Commander? What is it?"

[Tempest Dahlia]

"Sit down," she said.

After he sat, she stood behind him. She placed her small hands on his shoulder. She breathed deeply.

Red sparks of lightning emnated from her fingertips as they spread all over his body. All recent cuts and wounds were healed, and Gerard looked as if he had never fought in his life: Good as new. However...

The lightning didn't subside. They strayed across his body, disappeared, and repeated...

"How do you feel?" Rachel asked.

[Phantom Roxas]

Gerard shook his shoulders and moved his fingers. He felt invigorated, as if he had just returned to full strength.

 

"Guess you're not going to leave this unfinished, huh?" he grinned. Resuming his bankai, he charged straight towards Akuma. Ruthlessness. That was what Rachel wanted. He wasn't going to kill Akuma, but as long as he proved that he was going to be a ruthless fighter, that could make Rachel happy.

[T. Sankara]

"I would hope not, Gerard," he said following suit. A smooth silver wave found itself before Akuma, shaped like a stop watch. The hands on it began to spin, and very rapidly. Akuma grinned devilishly as he increased his speed to meet Gerard head on. Swinging his blade down vertically, the clock divided, and began to warp.

[Tempest Dahlia]

Rachel was, indeed, impressed. She never liked healing people, as it was a sign of weakness for her, but she decided to do so.

Not to mention, her healing powers were different... They were imbued with dark energies. One could be healed, but hers caused a small bloodlust to awaken within the healed individual. Using this on her opponents would definitely make the fight more interesting...

... Of course, she didn't want Gerard to kill Akuma. But she did want to see a good training session.

[Lord JZ of the Enigma]

Back in the Vizard hideout Zensaki had left the dealing of Taizen to the "leaders", he personally didn't care for the man and was more busy with his studies and his garden. 100 years had gone ahead and deep in the training ground he had created quite a beautiful area in one of the sturdier caves, since the sun was artificial in there he supplied them with a powerful Kido spell that acted as a sun from the correct distance that allowed them to use Photosynthesis, but he still had to water them, with the exception of the Luna Flower, which he kept in the shade, it was a silver colored flower and it looked plain in the light, but when it was dark, it outshone anything else around. It was Rei's favorite Flower, and the one he cared for most, the Light in the dark.

[◊ Hᵃᵏᵃˢᵉ ◊]

Taizen stood there in silence. He seemed to be thinking just now, wondering why the other Oligarchy Captains had not noticed his absence. Surely they know I'm gone. He thought to himself as he looked around at the surrounding Captains. He showed no fear, as he could have escaped at any moment he wanted, though he wasn't planning to. He was there to talk, but it seemed no one really wanted to, but still he waited, hoping that he could convince them that everything would be fine, and that his own Oligarchy was not much of a match.