Lost Souls

Story by RenoSkunk on SoFurry

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#1 of Lost Souls


Completely random, Bleach universe based, story. Don't ask where any of these ideas came from, but since it happens a lot to me, any similarities to anyone or anything out there is probably coincidental. I've lost too much sleep lately so there's probably tons of errors and I apologize for those, I'll be proofreading and editing as needed. Send your opinions and hold the hate, I deal with enough drunk people as it is, so if you don't like don't read.

Without further ado this story is based in the Bleach universe, so there will be a lot of appearances from characters of the series, hope you like it, and all that stuff. Read comment, and thanks to all those that do.

Lost Souls

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Emptiness, darkness, loneliness, these are the only things I feel, 'Who am I?', 'What am I?' I don't know these things, only one thought is clear to me, 'Destroy', it echoes within my mind, like a broken record. As I try to grasp and gather what little thoughts I have I hear voices, they sound a bit distant, but I can hear them. "Is it ready?" says one, it sounds rather unusual.

"Not yet Gin-san, it still needs a few touches before it can be tested." says a second one, snobby and rather narcissist . "I don't see what's so important about this thing, looks like a regular, run-o-the-mill arrancar." this third voice... it was somehow familiar to me, it demanded respect, it carried power. A fourth voice was there, but I couldn't hear what it said before my darkness became darker. ________________________________________________________________________________

"warning, stasis pod damaged, warning stasis pod damaged" a mechanical voice said, I wondered what it meant, but I was still unable to move. A loud screech emanated from somewhere, I tried to locate the location, but I couldn't. I tried to move but agin, found it impossible.

"eliminate the target, do not harm experiment 1-0-0."

Experiment 1-0-0? Was that me? Is that what I am?

Some loud noises could be heard all around me, crashing, booming, screeching, then... silence, and darkness once again. ________________________________________________________________________________

A flash of light illuminated my dark world, I felt weak and clumsy. A tall figure stood in front of me. "arise my creation, the time to show the world has come." My eyes were still adjusting, and I didn't see the figure clearly before it left. As I stood and steadied myself another figure entered, this one brought a feeling of peace to me. It handed me some clothes before speaking. "Put these on, then follow me. We'll begin your training immediately." I did as told, but one question kept nagging at me. "Who am I?" I asked while putting on the last of the clothing. "You don't know? Don't you remember?" I shook my head no, a relieved look seemed to wash over the figure for a brief moment. "Your name is Gerhyun Jaggerjaques. You may call me Tia." As my eyes finally adjusted the figure in front of me became clearer, she was a medium height, I guessed around 5'7", with blond hair. She wore armor, tho kinda skimpy, and a large blade on her arm. "Tia... auntie?" I asked, slightly confused. "You could say that, but please, don't call me that infront of others." She said, before leading me out. ________________________________________________________________________________

Time passed as I began training, it wasn't very hard, but it was awkward, since I was the only one learning. After some time I was called to Tia's chamber. I knocked on the door, letting her know I was there. "come in Gerhyun, there's something I need to talk to you about." She said and I entered. "What's the problem auntie? You sound a bit stranger than usual." I said noticing the unease in her voice. I didn't get a chance to react, before I could let out another word I was captured, bound and gagged. "I'm sorry dear, I really am. I'm doing this for your own good." She said opening a garganta and throwing me in. I tumbled and spiraled through the portal, trying to escape my binds, but to no avail. Soon I found myself exiting the garganta and into a different location. As I did I could see the sky, but there was something off, it was warm. Las noches' was never warm like this... Where am I? was my last thought before crashing into the ground. It took a while, but I managed to loosen my restraints, and as I worked to release myself further some people dressed in black appeared, their outfit was similar to my training haori but black instead of white. I tried to say something, but the gag impeded my speech. Soon I was surrounded, and nobody even dared to get close, All the time I was wiggling, trying to escape my binds.

One of them got close enough to me, I managed to wiggle close enough to allow access to the gag, once off I did what anyone in my situation would've done. "HELP!!!!! HELP ME AUNTIE!!!!!!!!" Most of them recoiled in pain at my loudness, others kept close watch making sure I did nothing to harm them. As I screamed for help, a tall man with a mask approached, he emitted an aura around him, causing me to shut up for fear of angering him. It neared me, looked me up and down, then addressed me. "Who are you, and where did you come from?" Having been taught to answer politeness with politeness I said "My name is Gerhyun Jaggerjaques, I come from Las Noches in Hueco Mundo, May I ask who you are and where am I?" I hadn't even finished talking and I had about a dozen blades at my neck. "um..... Did I say something bad?" Another man came forward, he had spiky hair with bells, took me a second to realize the aura I felt came from him and not the masked man. Without a word the spiky haired man added his sword to the bunch, as he did I swear I saw a flash of pink behind him. "Hueco mundo? Are you a Hollow?" "Hollow? What's that?" "They're the heartless form of souls, usually possessing a hole on their body" I thought hard about that, Auntie had a hole in her chest, so did her followers, Las tres bestias... Was I like that? Curiosity took hold over fear and I removed the top of my gear, checking for a hole. "I don't see one..." came a perky and childish voice, before being tackled and poked by the flash of pink from earlier. "See? No hole." I got a good look at my 'attacker' it was a small girl, with bright pink hair and wearing clothes similar to the others.

"Yachiru, stay away from it, until we know if it's friend or foe... or should I say, if we can kill it or not." Came the voice of the spiky haired man. "for now let's take him into custody, and see what the head captain has to say." Said the masked man, before I was being dragged across the ground. "ow, o wow... I can walk you know." The words came before I could stop them, and was answered by more swords being drawn. I looked around, fear in their eyes. "what? Never had a captive that talks before?" I said standing up and waiting, no response came, so I addressed the masked man. "mind leading the way? Seems your subordinates saw a ghost" without another word I was led by the masked man, the spiky hair and little girl following behind. As we walked, I tried to get some information, namely where I was and who they were. I didn't get much other than I was in the soul society, any attempt to ask questions was countered by the little girl asking me a question. I didn't know if answering them was a good thing, but I did as best I could, telling them my name and what had happened that led to me arriving there, I did try to keep the identities of my auntie and her followers a secret. Before long we were entering an area with large white towers. "This is where you'll await for head captain Yamamoto, we're not sure who or what you are so we need extreme measures, don't want you escaping now, do we." Said the spiky hair. "I apologize for this, but he's right, these walls will limit your reiatsu so you can't escape." I nodded. "I understand, just please, don't take too long... I don't like being alone..." They left without a word and I was locked in. I let out a sigh, wondering about my future, if I even had one. ________________________________________________________________________________

About 30 minutes later the door opened again, an elderly man walked in, carrying a cane in his hands. My first reaction was to try and help him, but something told me that would be a bad idea. "So you're the one that has my subordinates so riled?" I apologized and Began to tell him what happened, he cut me off. "that's not necessary young man. I already received a report, you came from Hueco Mundo, The home of the hollows, yet you don't have any sign connecting you to them. You also show no interest in fighting us, raising the question, are you friend or foe?" I thought about it I held no ill intentions towards these people, but on the other hand, I was raised by what they called hollows, and from what I saw they hate hollows, on top of that I was abandoned by auntie and thrown here... "I dunno..." was all I could say, looking at the old man and his face of confusion I tried to elaborate. "I hold no ill intentions towards this place or it's people, but... I come from Hueco Mundo, and I'm not sure, but I think that means I was raised amongst Hollows... I don't know if I can be either Friend or Foe..." "raised by Hollows you say?" He turned towards the door, and motioned me to follow. "If what you just said is true, then that means you have the potential to be either one. A friend that helps us in the fight against the hollows, or A hollow that fights us. It seems the choice is yours young man." My choice? That's a big thing to think about tho, if I join them they won't kill me, but I'd have to fight those that raised me. But if I don't I'll be killed on the spot... "I'm not sure which option I prefer... I'll help for now, but if at any point I disagree with your cause I'm free to leave. Is that agreeable?" I didn't look at the old man, simply looked on at the sky. "very well, You can join the academy starting tomorrow morning, If you decide to leave you'll have 24 hours to do so. Once that time is up you'll be considered an enemy and eliminated as such." I nodded, not looking at him, Then began to walk back into the cell. "where are you going?" "I was not told I was free to go, merely that I was to report to academy tomorrow, I'm returning to the cell." "that will not be necessary, follow me" I did, he led me around, pointing out locations of importance, finally arriving at the academy. "this is where you'll be training, along with many others. Normally it takes 10-15 years to graduate. It should give you plenty of time to make your decision." He led me inside, helping me with enrolment, and giving me his recommendation. "don't disappoint me young man, I sense great power within you" the paperwork was finished and I was shown to my room, after everything that has happened, I fell asleep quickly. ________________________________________________________________________________

Almost a year into training and I've gotten Pretty good at this, Today's the zampakuto presentation where new trainees are presented with their zampakuto. I'm genuinely excited, and a little scared. I got up and got ready, my uniform was ready and all that was left was get my hair to behave. I sat in front of the mirror and tied my hair back, for all the good that would do, but at least it kept most of it out of my face. My eyes looked back at me with happiness, two pools of pink and green, I always though I was an oddball in Hueco Mundo, but here I'm like everyone else, Except for my eyes and those are easy to hide thanks to my waist length black hair. Getting everything in order I got up and headed to class.

I made it, barely but made it, the teacher was about to close the door, when I arrived. "good to see you made it in time Mr. Jaggerjaques. Please take a seat, while I take attendance." I went to my seat, getting a scolding glare from 2 people next to it. "you're late man, you promised you'd be on time" said one male to my left. "I am on time, barely, true, but on time." "excuses, excuses" said the female to my right. "you both know it takes forever to do my hair" "why don't you cut it then?" "never, I made a promise, and I plan to keep it" The teacher finished his roll call rather quick and began explaining how things were gonna happen. Basically, we'd be presented with a blank, a zampakuto with no master, and we'd be tasked with making it our own. I'd spent weeks practicing and studying. But Practice and the real deal were two entirely different beasts. "just like we promised, right guys? We make it here and the rest is cake." The two nodded. The teacher led the way, everyone followed in alphabetical order, with me at the very end, punishment for being late. We arrived at the central HQ of the 13 court guards, where all the captains and vice captains awaited. One by one a zampakuto was presented, each was identical until it reached the student's hands, at that moment the hilt and guard changed. My two companions however produced no reaction from the zampakuto, Meaning they weren't ready yet. "good luck next year guys, we'll reassign you so you can focus on this task" A cold sweat overtook me, what if the same happened to me? No, I've come too far and lost too much. I WILL succeed. The test continued, out of the 42 in the class only 9 made it, finally it was my turn. I was presented with the zampakuto, I took it in my hands and concentrated, trying to communicate with it.

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I stood in total blackness, looking up I saw a black starless sky, down a bluish white sand, around I saw white trees. I was home, back in Hueco Mundo... but how? "hello there" came a voice, young and cheerful by the sound of it. "Have you come to play with us?" came another voice, similar to the first, but somehow it was different, couldn't put my finger on it. "um...Hi, who are you?" I asked from behind one of the trees came two young girls they looked similar in age to yachiru, the pink haired girl from a year ago. One was dressed completely in white, while the other in red, they wore kimonos, identical except for color, their hair was light green, their eyes a light blue. "I'm Flair" said the one in white. "I'm Hikaru" said the one in red. "we'll be your partners from today forward, let's get along." They said in unison. "we'll talk more later, for now it seems you're being called, please visit us soon." Said Flair before I was plunged into light. ________________________________________________________________________________

I stood in the center of the room, holding 2 zampakuto, I held them in my hands, one was mine, It had a pink handle and a spiked guard. The other looked ominous to me, a blood red handle and no guard, with a split blade. "um.... What happened? Who's zampakuto is this?" I said motioning to the double edged blade. The teacher stared in disbelief, as did many students. "what did you do Jaggerjaques? There's no way student can manifest a zampakuto like that." I was confused, and pointed at two of the captains. "what are you talking about? Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku both possess twin zampakutos, I'm aware it's a rare occurrence but not at all impossible." I told the teacher. "That's not what I meant you impudent brat, Why are there two zampakuto isn't the problem, but why are they in shikai form?" "shikai? They're not in shikai, they're in their dormant form" I said. "Lies, that reiatsu coming from your blades is clearly that of shikai. "oh really? Then explain this 'professor'." I took a defensive stance, and caressed the pink blade. "Bloom... Futago no Hasu!" The blade of my zampakuto began to elongate, it got to about 7 feet in length and looked similar to Captain Kyoraru's shikai but with a light pink color, and the biggest difference, instead of 2 blades it was 1 with a mirror image o itself extending from the bottom. "this is my zampakuto's release, Futago no Hasu." I said before returning it to it's dormant state and sheathing it. I noticed that I had 2 scabbards, meaning the second zampakuto was mine as well... That confused the hell out of me. I excused myself from the room, leaving my zampakuto to Head captain Yamamoto, I needed to think. I ran, as fast as I could and flash stepping towards the execution grounds. Once there I stood in the execution block and began to meditate. Why did I have a second Zampakuto? Why did I get an uneasy feeling just looking at it? What AM I? As I fought myself over the answers I heard someone getting closer, I opened my eyes to see Captain Kyoraru and Captain Ukitake. "Captain? I Apologize for my behavior earlier, I was out of place." "Don't worry so much about that kid, what's important right now is, How did you manage Shikai so quickly, and about that second blade." Said Kyoraku. "They showed me, my zampakuto, they showed me to do shikai. That second blade.... I don't know, I know it's mine, but that's it. I think it's part of what Auntie told me, How I wasn't like anything before me. I remember being called a name, before being given the name of Geryun, Experiment 1-0-0. Could it be that... I'm not a normal soul?" My emotions plummeted depression was right around the corner. "you know kid, there's one thing I've learned the hard way, it's not where you come from that decides who you are. You decide who you are. So who or what you were before is irrelevant, but who you work to become and how you get there are the important things. Don't you agree?" Said Captain Ukitake. I nodded. He was right, My past has nothing to do with what I'm doing, I made the decision of my own free will. "Thank you captain Ukitake, Captain Kyoraru. I should head to the Head Captain and apologize." They both smiled at me, before producing my blades. "Old man Yami said you'd need this, and asked us to help you out." I took my zampakutos and thanked them, I was still nervous about taking the red blade, but I tied it to my waist. "We know that controlling 2 zampakuto is a bit difficult at first, so if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask." Said Captain Ukitake before I left.

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It's been a few months since the day I had that talk with Ukitake and Kyoraru, and While I'm still creeped out by the red blade, I've come to terms with it. My sessions with the academy have changed, I'm taking more advanced classes now and kido classes have been a breeze, I take my finals today and after that it's the placement test. I just hope I don't fuck up like last time. I get dressed and head to class. Making it in the gym with plenty of time to spare I hide behind the bleachers and, taking the red blade in hand, began to meditate. ________________________________________________________________________________

I was taken once more to a version of Hueco Mundo, which I've become accustomed to by now. I take the Red blade in hand and ready myself, Having been in this situation before I knew what to expect, sort of. Out of nowhere a loud howl reaches my ears followed by a loud screech, before I was attacked by a large wolf like hollow. "you kept me waiting, you beast." I said trying to get it to talk, I didn't have to wait long. "you're one to talk, not a hollow, not a Plus. Who's the beast here?" I parried and pushed it away, and followed by trying to slash at it's midsection, an attempt which failed when he blocked me and countered with a claw to my face, I backed away in time to avoid, but he still managed to scratch my forehead. "first blood goes to me, Next I'll take your life" "I won't let you, and I WILL find out who you are." "I'm you, simple as that." I was shocked for a second, that second was all he needed, to slash at my chest with his claws, I fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. "sorry kid, you're too green to try and take me, I hope you last longer next time, it gets boring here on my own. Flicking me in the forehead and sending me flying. ________________________________________________________________________________

I flew from behind the bleachers and crashed onto the floor, blood dripping from my face and chest. "dammit, Still too weak" I said getting up and walking towards the teacher. "What the hell happened to you?" "I was training, failed, and got hurt." "I'll take you to the infirmary" "no, just let me go first, I'll go after and be ready for second test." "very well, go sit somewhere while I explain the rules" I did as told and sat in the bleachers. I got a few stares, but I ignored them. "alright, Your tests consist of the following, First you'll perform kido, the most advanced without an incantation and most advanced with an incantation. Part two is a combat between you and one member of the 13 court guards. You don't need to win, but I advise you give it your all. Part three is a test decided by the head captain himself, so without further ado, Gerhyun, you go first." I stood up and walked to the teacher. "does the kido have to be offensive?" "no, any kido will do." "ok, stand back, It may get messy" they set the dummy up and allowed me space. I put my hands together and concentrated. "Bakudo #99 part one kin" the target was wrapped in black spirit cloth and forced to the ground. The teacher walked to me. "impressive, can you do part two?" "not without it's incantation, but I have a better finish in mind." I concentrated again. "Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy! Boil forth and deny! Grow numb and flicker! Disrupt sleep! Crawling queen of iron! Eternally self-destructing doll of mud! Unite! Repulse! Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness! Hado #90 Kurohitsugi!" the dummy was suddenly encased in a purple black box before being impaled by hundreds of spears from every angle. The teacher was speechless as were the students, once the kido dissipated, there was no remains of the dummy, and I headed to the infirmary. It took them a bit but I was quickly healed and sent on my way to the next test, where I was met by the clashing of swords. The fighting part was already on the way, I looked up to see that my opponent was spiky hair, and that I had 5 matches before mine. I sat by the medical team, and unsheathed my blades, getting a crazy idea I concentrated and meditated.

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For the second time today I was facing the wolf hollow, only this time I had back-up, I hoped. Both Flair and Hikaru got ready to fight, I took the red blade in hand and readied myself. "I see you're a sucker for pain, and what's this? You brought some help. Are you desperate?" I looked at the twins, they knew what I was planning, and both agreed, but it seemed they knew something I didn't. I didn't have time to dwell on that thought because I was soon being attacked by the hollow. It attacked and I parried as best I could, striking him a few times. It was obvious how out matched I was, but I was determined. "what's the matter boy? Afraid?" it taunted me, I continued my assault trying to get him into a position where I could get the upper hand. I failed miserably, I was bloodied and defeated. As it stood above me the twins came closer, I saw their fear, their sadness. "we're sorry, but we are useless against him." "don't cry, it's ok, I'm just too weak. But I will become stronger, and defeat this evil beast." The hollow chuckled. "You don't get it do you? These girls, and myself, we're one in the same. You're a hollow kid, and a Soul Reaper. You were created to be both. I am your powers as an arrancar, while they are your powers as a soul reaper. Don't confuse this with those vizards those are soul reapers with hollow power. You're different, you have both powers. Not just fractions. Get it? Unless you embrace both sides, you'll never be strong enough to dominate me." He said before flicking the twins away then me. I didn't go flying this time, and I was close to the medical area to receive proper care. By the time my turn to fight came I was ready. "Ladies and Gentlemen our last test of the day, Captain Kempachi will be fighting the Student Gerhyun Jaggerjaques. Are both sides ready?" Spiky hair began to address me. "first and only chance to back away kid." "thanks for the offer, but if I run now I'll never inprove." "Nice attitude, but don't say I didn't warn you." "Looks like both sides are ready to begin, but just to remind you, anything goes, first to submit or be incapacitated will lose the match. Ready......... Begin!!" As the bell rang kempachi opened his arms in invitation "come on, I'll give you a free shot" not one to argue I didn't refuse his invitation, but I wasn't gonna go charging straight into the fight. "okk, but I'm not holding back. Limit of the thousands hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired. Hado #91 Senju Koten Taiho!" ten bright pink energy petals formed around me before firing simultaneously at kempachi. I wasn't sure if it was a hit or not, so I readied my zampakuto and took a defensive stance. Out of the smoke came a rushing kempachi, he swung and I had no time to react, the hit connected with my stomach, and out of reflex I moved back and clutched at it before looking down and seeing no injury. "the hell?" "Impressive, kid. Such a powerful kido, and quite a surprising ability." I was still looking at my chest in disbelief "what happened? I could've sworn I was cut..." I didn't have time to think as a second strike hit, with the same result. "strange, You seem like a good enough opponent, so I guess holding back would be an insult." Said Kempachi, taking off his eye patch. As he did his reiatsu spiked immensely. I took a stance and released my zanpakuto "bloom... Futago no Hasu" My zanpakuto took it's form and I readied myself to counter Kempachi but I was too slow, as he slashed my midsection once more, this time causing damage and leaving me defeated. "I lose..." "you're pretty impressive kid, you got potential." "true, but I'm still too weak" I was still with the medical team when the announcer read the results. "students with the following numbers please step forth, 14, 22, 25, 35,38, and 45. I stumbled to the lineup receiving some help from the medical team. Head Captain Yamamoto stood and addressed us. "Congratulations students, you have passed the trials set in front of you only one more lies ahead. Meet here in the arena tomorrow morning at 0700, do not be late." Once he finished talking I returned to the medical tent where they took me to squad 4 for proper treatment. There I was greeted by Captain Unohana. As the events of the day took their toll I plunged to unconsciousness.

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The next morning the vice-captain of squad 4 was helping me with my unruly hair so that I was a bit more presentable for the final test. She tied my hair in a ponytail and, on my request, left my bangs in front to cover my eyes. Once my hair was presentable she pointed me to the test site, where I headed to immediately. For once I was first to arrive, so I sat down to wait. About 20 minutes later Everyone began to arrive, and within minutes we were all ready to begin the test. "Students, we are here today to begin the final test of your academy life. Pass this test and you will have a guaranteed spot in the 13 court guards. Do we have any questions?" I had too many questions, but I knew they'd be answered soon, so I held my tongue. "since there's no questions, I will now announce what your test will consist of." The tension of the situation was so thick you could cut it with a knife. "Each of you will be assigned to a sector of the human world, along with a guardian from the 13 squads; you will be tasked with eliminating hollows, and guiding plus souls, the guardian will also be your grader, so do your best." Tapping the cane on the ground we were led to a gate that would take us to our part of the human world. We wouldn't meet our 'guardian' until we got to the other side. One by one the 4 students passed through, I had one question nagging at me "how long do we have to complete this task?" "2 months" said one of the people operating the gate. I signaled that I was ready and stepped through.

End Chapter 1

What challenges await our confused 'hero'? Where has he been sent? Who is his guardian?

I got too many ideas, so some input is appreciated.

This is only the CH1, aka prologue issue, after CH2 the story kicks off, but I dunno what to do for CH2, so input is appreciated.