[Dunan] Week 250: An End to All

[Rob]

Being the first to arrive near the pods, Nana didn’t really hesitate whatsoever to help whoever needed to still get out of their pods - whether they actually liked it or not. She had had enough of this place, and staying for any longer than she really, really needed to just wasn’t going to happen.

Still, it was nice seeing some of these faces again, both still in their pod and slowly crawling out of them alike. Some faces she had rather she hadn’t seen were there as well, of course... but really, she wasn’t in any position to complain.

Not that it would’ve gotten her anywhere to begin with anyway.

“Okay!” she said with a commanding voice, loud enough to fill the majority of the room they were in - which meant she was actually nearly screaming, but it was the thought that counted, “anyone who just got out, help us get the rest out first... and I’ll be there for you to answer your questions later.

“Now get moving!”

[170]

This is for those still in the pods, and dying to get out.
Also, Q and A session commence!

This is the last PM thread, and will end Saturday the Tenth!

 

[mitsuhito]

The spheres of energy hit Ronsha, creating a big dusty cloud when suddenly everything went black.

Only a few seconds later, Mitsuhito looked at a pane directly in front of him. He did not know if he defeated Ronsha or not, he did not even know where he was right now. It took him a few seconds to realize what was actually going on. Looks like they managed to get us out of there, or is this just another illusion?

Opening the tube with a heave, he slowly crawled out of it before standing up. Still a little weak-kneed, Mitsuhito looked around to see other people crawling out of their tubes as well. In the middle of the room stood a person, he saw more and more frequently shouting out some orders.

“Amaterasu-fukutaichou, is this real, or just another illusion?”

Even though he asked, he slowly walked to the next tube and opened it. Maybe this was an illusion, maybe not, but he would not stand around without doing anything, not anymore. After the time he had spent in this strange maze, he did not want to be a mindless pawn anymore. He wanted to change.

[196/196]

 

[IshinOnigami]

"It's very real, kid. Get your shit, we need to move."

Ishin strode into the room, crossing over to the bank of tubes on the far wall. Starting with the last one in the line, he started to rip the doors off of them. Normally he would be a little bit more cautious about it, but he had done the same thing to his pod and he was fine. He went along the line, continuing his work, not even pausing after each one long enough to check the inhabitants. If they were in the pods, they deserved to be released, enemy or not. As he reached the last one, he turned to Nana.

"So, once we are done here, what's next? We need to get these people out of here, but also should probably recover any sort of equipment and salvage that we can."

 

[Stephen Tetsu]

Wearing a face. Can you crack me open and spill me out? Fizz fizz fizz. Like water heated to a boil. Contents twisting, contorting. Upside down, downside up. Inside out, outside in. Just like dying, only less pleasurable.

Cool subterranean air, so incredibly different from the stale, dead air of the murdered universe, greeted the figure that rose out of the shadows. Clad head to toe in black robes, the thin, grey figure of Kono Tsuneo, acting leader of the Twelfth Division, rubbed his forehead and groaned.

“One hell of a hangover.” The voice came through a parched throat, a hissed whisper, alien, strange, like an echo from a faraway place. The gaunt murderer surveyed the scene. People were moving amongst machines. A Dream Engine. One step into topsy-turny disremembrance. “Salvaging stuff can wait. Send a crew back for things later. For now, we need to get everyone out and alive.”

[152/152]

 

[Wayne]

The sensation was inexplicable... for him, at least. Kyuketsu wasn’t the only one who realized the falsity behind the previous events, and yet somehow he still wished, in a sense, that their conflict held at least a little bit of truth to it. He did, after all, accomplish things that would have been otherwise impossible in real life. Like beating Diega for instance. And even then, he bore a strange, rather twisted satisfaction in knowing that he was able to murder some of his peers in the ‘dream world.’ Kyuketsu noticed right away the victims of his little escapade, particularly with Kono Tsuneo whom, amusingly enough, was situated just a few meters away from him. The Acting Captain held back a grin, forcing whatever decency and professionalism he had left to remain on the surface. Who knew what kind of awkward encounters he had to deal with once he saw everyone he met. Ilsa, Picca, even Ryoujin... there was bound to be some explaining to do, and probably some apologies as well.

Whatever the case, the first instinct that wrapped the Templar’s senses was the need to feel his neck. Kyuketsu sighed, reaching upwards as he caressed the base of his head. From what he dreaded the most, a loud scoff managed to wisp itself from his lips as he whispered, “Son of a bitch.”

The collar was still there—the same damned restraint which prevented him from using his abilities at their fullest. Again, that was one of the things which enamored him to the thought of Raifuku’s sinister ploy. The maze was confusing, maddening, and yet despite such bothers, it was all somehow worth it in the end. After all, inside the fake landscapes of their illusions, Kyuketsu was able to give it his all, to go without hesitation knowing that he wasn’t bound to some curse.

He shook his head, and without saying another word, pulled himself free from the pod as he glanced at the others gathered in the room. Standing up, he heard familiar voices calling out to assist the others. With a shrug, he headed off to help.

What else is new?​

358​

 

[Beaks]

"We don't know what kind of additional sabotage Raifuku has built into this place...for now we need to focus on getting everyone out." With a quick but convincing shrug Tsubaki set to work with the others, helping the newly conscious out of the pods as gently as she was able. A slight smile crept over her lips as she watched Reijuu exit his own technology-laden coccoon, barely even struggling as he made his way from upended to upright in admirable time and fashion.

"Rise and shine, Kyu-kun!" With a quick grin of teeth she set back to the task at hand, still unwilling to lose any more lives to Raifuku's hellish labyrinth.

[112]

 

[mitsuhito]

“So, is the senkaimon already open, or do we still need to call them to open it?”</SPAN></SPAN>

Mitsuhito was curious; he wanted to know what happened out here while he was in the maze. Looking at Ishin and Nana, he saw how worn down both were, what only fueled his curiosity. However, this had to wait, first he needed to help those in the tubes.</SPAN></SPAN>

Ishin was right, even their enemies did not deserve to stay in these tubes, so whoever was in there, he would help them.</SPAN></SPAN>

Reaching out a helping hand to the person in the tube in front of him, he listened to the talk that was going on.</SPAN></SPAN>


[112/308]

For whoever wants to grab it, feel free.

 

[lilmangoseed]

Although Lilith had tried to rush to the scene, Fourth Division Captain Matsumara insisted she stay behind for a moment and let him heal her. However, the Mystic had only let him treat her for a few minutes. There was much nagging and paternalizing involved in keeping Lilith in position. However, the moment the dark-haired woman felt capable of walking on her own again, she jumped away from Makoto and limp-rushed to the numerous glass cases.

Holding her abdomen as she waddled through the line of cases, Lilith glanced into each of them, seeing various familiar faces that were still asleep or just barely waking up -- Tsuneo, Amaya, Picca, Kyuketsu. Knowing the general location of the pod she was looking for, Lilith walked to the back right of the room. Once she saw a glimpse of fiery red hair that sharply contrasted the pod carrier, Lilith balled her fingers into a tight fist and quickened her pace. The moment she arrived before it, the captain leaned on the case with her left hand for balance and support. Then, in a single strike, she punched through the case with her right hand, careful to choose a spot where minimal glass would shatter or ricochet on the woman below.

While the glass breaking did not immediately rouse the sleeping mystic, Lilith called to the redhead, “Now, Adelaide, you need to wake up so that I can reprimand you for not believing that I would get you out of that maze.”

[242]​

 

[Nutella]

"Adelaide!"

The petite woman ran, nearly smacking her head against the glass pod separating her from the sapphic spellblade. How many times had she spoken their goodbye? Twice? Thrice? Yet she was here, both of them do. She was probably going to get an earful from the captains who wanted them out so bad, but it just needed to be done. Jumping straight to the pod, she smacked Adelaide right on the face and hugged her-- for all the frustrations she had for Yuurei, and for the relief that after all the worry, she was there in one whole piece.​

 

[Time Lady Katie]

Something hurt.

Adelaide then felt the familiar sensation of something she really oughtn’t be doing. “Brooke?” she mumbled probably too softly to hear, in a state of only half-wakefulness. She swore the arms touching her felt so familiar. No, though, she saw things slowly coming into focus. That hair wasn’t lavender. She was pretty used to Brooke saving her from some stupid mess, so she wasn’t really reading in to the assumption, but as she came into wakefulness she realized how horrible it was.


“Captain Uchiharu!” Orin called out on a search for someone to take the burdens of command off the Peacekeeper’s shoulders. He had ordered, though, that those who he had place holes at the Sekaimon to place more holes throughout the cavern. Thanks to forethought, Orin had made getting out remarkably easy, provided that the Fifth’s special shovels actually did a damn thing. He also still had a good number of Founders with him, specifically some Jumpers to help with evacuation.

Now all he needed to do was find his Captain among these people and update him on the situation. If they had an easy way out, it was going to be a real advantage.


Finally stumbling out of her pod, Adelaide rubbed her cheek. “What happened to slowly rising flood of death?” she asked with a rather unceremonious stumble. She held her arm out to lean on her released scythe and fell face-first onto the ground instead, her weapon sealed and in its sheath.

I probably could’ve warned you about that, Lashiel remarked with a self-satisfied tone.

“Ita-ta-ta-ta-tai.” The tumbled mystic pushed herself off the ground, “Can I have another hug, Yuu?” She forced a grin despite feeling literally like hell.

285 Words
285 Total​

 

[mitsuhito]

Seeing Adelaide with her division comrades, he grinned. The girl talking about death all the time finally was reunited with her friends. </SPAN></SPAN>

Mitsuhito helped the person in the capsule out, before walking to another still closed tank. When he passed by Adelaide he whispered to her, “See, I told you, we will get out of there alive.”</SPAN></SPAN>

He did not know if she heard it, but he wanted to say this anyway. When he arrived at the pod he looked into it to see a familiar face. Sekka!</SPAN></SPAN>

With a little to much force, he ripped the door off creating a loud noise when it hit the ground. </SPAN></SPAN>

“Ups, sorry.”</SPAN></SPAN>

Carefully slapping Sekka on the cheeks, she slowly woke up and opened her eyes. Looking in Mitsuhito’s crimson red eyes, she said, “Ugh, it seems I am still in this nightmare, huh?”</SPAN></SPAN>

When Mitsuhito heard that he gave out a laugh. “Looks like you are right, still the same bad personality, or?”</SPAN></SPAN>

Pulling her out of the capsule, he got behind her back and carefully pushed her to her division mates, before heading to the next capsule.</SPAN></SPAN>

While Sekka stumbled to her division comrades, she just said ‘Hi’. What else should I say, I did not even win one fight and was only a burden in there.</SPAN></SPAN>

Mitsuhito however already was at the next pod and opened it, this time a little more carefully again. </SPAN></SPAN>

Thinking about Sekka, he felt a little lost. While she had a caring division she could go back to, the only person he saw from his division was Tsuneo and that person was far from being a division member he could look forward to spend time again. The only other person still around was Igasho and that man was not here right now, let alone he still was imprisoned. Again, this feeling of loneliness started to overtake him. Maybe it is time for a change? I want to see Sekai again, there are a lot of things to discuss.

[334/642]
totally forgot about sekka being in a capsule herself ^^' (thx for the orin part, i remembered my npc to get out of it too^^')
</SPAN></SPAN>ok, next one. grab my hand if you want to, or leave it, whatever fits to the next person who wants to leave the capsule.

 

[Wayne]

“Somehow I’m not surprised to see you here, Captain.” Kyuketsu smiled back, nodding at the woman. “It’s a shame we didn’t meet back... ‘there’ though.”

He approached Tsubaki, though his countenance sided more with a look of uncertainty rather than that of joy. Having the former head of the Eleventh among the soul reapers, especially in the midst of other captains, didn’t sit well with the swordsman. Were they still tasked to apprehend the woman, whom, as far as everyone was concerned, still a wanted criminal? What were they to do? What was he to do?

Kyuketsu stopped in his tracks as he stood still beside the lady shinigami. He tilted his head to face hers, continuing to ask in a rather calm and controlled voice, “You sure it’s safe for you to be around us? As much as I’d like to enjoy our little reunion, I can’t vouch for what the others might do.”​

513​

 

[Albinocur]

Zak walked through the other recovering shinigami, he was happy to be out of the game but at the same time he missed it. The Templar was someone of battle, he loved it, he lived for it and while the endless pointlessness of it all was grating he enjoyed every moment his sword was in his hand. For the moment; however, he avoided those he had turned against (even if they had turned on him first) and sought only to make his way out of this mess when he saw his acting captain and his former captain standing together. "Captian Tsubaki. It is good to see you. Acting-Captain Kyuketsu, you as well of course."

What the devil are we expected to do now? Just go home and relax?"

[128]

 

[Nutella]

"You'll get one when we return to Seireitei. But I'm sure you'll get more smacks than hugs!" She chastised the fellow mystic playfully, holding her hand out help the sapphic woman stand up. "But now we have to help the others and go out before something else happens."
​

 

[Rob]

Seeing the downright spectacle play out right in front of her eyes, Nana was content with just overseeing the evacuation and reuniting of countless of shinigami and their friends and subordinates. For Nana it didn’t mean much. She had already sent her men back through the First Senkaimon and whatever obligation she still had to anyone was gone like the wind in this still cavern.

Well, it was still very, very noisy though, what with everyone talking to and from one another – but mostly through one another.

Closing her eyes for a split second she appeared right next to Tsubaki and her entourage, “I’d like to wrap this up, Mabara-san. Have you seen Inuzuri-soutaichou released yet? If not, I’d like it if someone freed him as soon as possible so we can leave the rest to him.

“I’ve had enough of this place.”

[145/315]

 

[Time Lady Katie]

Taking the hand of one of her oldest friends among the Gotei, Adelaide returned to her feet. She saw a good number of people armed with shovels – the Fifth were more or less the Gotei’s combat engineers, so it made sense that they’d have come to drive back the flood of death. Even locked in a glass coffin of meaninglessness, Haresuno Uchiharu had been massively more useful than Adelaide.

She felt groggy, weak, and really quite nauseous. She blamed it on the pod, but a decent amount of it was her own guilt. She couldn’t even die right. She was a pretty spectacular failure as a shinigami if she didn’t even die when she was supposed to.

But despair wasn’t really the tone she needed right now, so she choked down how she felt and responded to Yuurei’s great opening with a bit of crude humor. She got a good sense of her bearings and the direction the men and women with shovels came from so she was comfortable assuming the location of the exit before making her joke. After all, it would just be irresponsible not to know where she was going before being wildly inappropriate to the mood of the moment

“So rough, Yuu-chan! I’m seeing someone, remember? But if you really want to smack –“

She stopped, just expecting someone to either hit her or interrupt her.

230 Words
515 Total​

 

[Nutella]

"Later!" She told Adelaide before pointing to the capsules. "Really, I'd rather go back to Seireitei first."

With a slight nod, the petite mystic ran off to the other capsules, breaking away from wanting to chat and fight with Adelaide. There was so much the woman needed to tell, but now wasn't the time for that.

~204 || FINAL ~​

so inspired​

 

[Rob]

Growing... impatient with the crowd gathered, Nana took a somewhat central position and called, “I want everyone to get moving! Treat wounds to the point where they are able to get out of here alive and then make sure they actually do!

“We cannot afford to dawdle any more than we really have to, understood? I want everyone up and on their way to the First Senkaimon within the next five minutes or I will drag you personally alongside my shunpo...

“And let me tell you, you don’t want that, now get moving!”

It was silent for a moment, an awkward silent even, but then the gathered men and women slowly started to move to either aid the last batch of wounded or go home, so to speak. She was done with this place, she was done with the games she had to play and she was done with being around people for the time being.

She was, hopefully, in for some rest after all of this had been said and done. Her men had already gotten out, battered and perhaps even emotionally scarred... but alive. They were alive and well, and as far as she was concerned the mission had been a success.

Yes, they had some less than favourable outcomes about... two times, but still...

It was time to go home.


[225/570]

Get your final turns in, people!

 

[mitsuhito]

Nearly all of the people where out of the capsules now and the rest slowly crawled out of them as well. Looks like it’s time to go.

Mitsuhito turned around and walked out of the room, even before Nana started her speech. He headed to the First Senkaimon, which was just around a corner guarded by some shinigami.

There was no one he could talk with inside of the room; no one he could consider a friend. Sooner or later, all his friends disappeared. First Eiji, being imprisoned together with Igasho, then Tod who left Seireitei. Okay, there was Sekka, but she was busy with her division. His division however, had nearly no members left. Is there really nothing I can do about it?

Moving to the Senkaimon, he greeted the guardians before he vanished through the gate.

On the other side, he looked at the forest in the distance on top of the Soukyoku Hill. Aah, finally home.

Looking around, the only thing he saw were the shinigami guarding the hill. Wondering where that person may have headed to, he started his way back to the Twelfth Division grounds.

In the tube room, Sekka still helped the rest of the people out of their capsules, before she left with her division mates.

Final: [213/855]

 

[Time Lady Katie]

She gave a final look back at the pod she had spent a few days it. Was it all being a madman’s dream absolution? If no one really got hurt, who had Adelaide wronged? Who had she failed? She wanted to make more sarcastic comments, but the only spirits she really needed to lift were her own.

And what of what her reflection had said? Was everything she had ever done the product of some great fear of making a difference like she had come to believe or, as the reflection argued, the result of a person so hopeless that action or inaction people were going to die, and blood was going to be on her hands. The reflection had compared Adelaide to Hamlet – torn between being and not, doing and not, taking up arms and not. Adelaide wasn’t so sure. Right now she felt a lot more like Lady Macbeth trying desperately to wash her hands of a blood-stained spot that was going to haunt her for some time.

She saw the reflection’s argument. She had killed herself in that place, that white room, to avoid taking any other pathway. She had tried to burn away her sins, and at the same time, her responsibilities. People were mad at her for giving up on life, but did they once consider that had she just had the common sense to die when it was demanded of her, their futures might be brighter?

And then there was the question of Brooke. Brooke was routinely the last thing on Adelaide’s mind when she anticipated death. Brooke was the shining star that got Adelaide through the rough times. Brooke was her rock in a maelstrom of chaos and despair. Bu the reflection thought Adelaide incapable of love. Adelaide thought herself incapable of a relationship before, but never for a lack of love only for a lack of strength of character. Yet her reflection had argued that Brooke only served Adelaide’s heart when said heart was racing with provocative intentions.

Certainly the spellsword was given room to think by the things she had seen. Mephistopheles had not given her her greatest wishes; he had given her a personal hell. What she did with it now was anyone’s guess. In a world where Adelaide had killed and died so many times, where she had grown so weary of life and given into a desire to end it all, she found herself now more alone, even among her companions, than she was ever in the machine. Who was she? Who would she become? When she became it, would anything ever be the same again? Would the world be better if she didn’t go through the Senkaimon? Would the Gotei be stronger by removing its weakest link right now?

Maybe this was why Fukushin had been so kind to her.

Maybe he knew her end was not going to be at his hand, but her own?

That was the direction she as certainly headed. Why had she survived? Why was she here now? Why had so many people tried to save someone so undeserving? She spent literally hours in charge of the Tenth Division in there, and so many had died because of it. Why had she survived? Why had fate been so cruel?

As she went through one of the strange holes the Fifth had dug to help people back to Seireitei, she thought of only one thing – the gap between the fate she had found and the fate she deserved.

585 Words
1100 FINAL​