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@Nyahahameha So the strings on the zanpakuto will just be improvised for now. We had agreed they'll be more realized once she has obtained her Shikai.

Otherwise all details look good. If possible though for backstory I'd like it if you could form that into a proper multi-paragraph passage. If you can do this for some other sections too that'd be nice.

You are allowed to add it to character section in the current state with just an adjustment to the current zanpakuto description, so don't worry about that aspect.
@Nyahahameha Yeah I didn't notice, I'll review this soon but that sounds like a good idea. We're at the point where everyone will be obtaining their Shikai at sporadic points of the ongoing arc. Maybe even not release it until Soul Society. I'll also send you the Shikai sheet in DM too, and we'll continue that there.
@Nyahahameha Kido without incantations is just weaker, not more difficult.

I think in your character's case, they'll probably use Kido without incantations at first, but then develop a string instrument to replace incantations with something to get them more oomph. I just suggested that since that sort of gimmick sounds like a release already, but I suppose it's not too different from having ointment stored inside of the handle of your zanpakuto.

Given where we are in the story, this is a ripe opportunity for your character to develop this sort of gimmick.

We haven't been suuuuper consistent with that rule too, but it will probably start mattering soon enough.
@Nyahahameha it's not too late to join. Kido can be cast without incantations too.

You can drop it here or send a DM when you've got a draft and we'll talk some more.
Sagamiyama - Komori Sweets Shop

Saturday Night




The inside of the sweets shop was, well, pretty normal. Of course, first entry there was the shop front, two narrow aisles filled and crammed with actual sweets and candy. There was a counter in the back too, and then a door that led into the living area behind, which in turn also had an upstairs. It was a lot more spacious back there, and even extended to the side of the store. It was a rather homely classic live-in shop kind of building.

Everyone would be seated on tatami mats in the living area, the table that usually was at the center of it was moved to the side for this meeting. Ouga and Shouko were already here, and so was just about everyone else had arrived too. Sitting at the end of the room was Emi, the candy shop owner.

"Ah right, first thing's first... Who to pick", everyone would be confused for a moment, but everyone did show up in their physical bodies too. She pulled out what appeared to be a medallion, and picked someone at random... Or at least, almost. The girl in the corner, she had a feeling she would feel bad about that, and so the... Young guy with white hair would find himself being nailed square in the forehead. "You"

As Bakuto was struck, he would find himself suddenly flying back and crashing into the wall behind him. However once he looked up, he would see that he was... Still sitting where he was before, and would realize instantly he was in his spirit form. Albeit, his living body was now limp.

"Say hello the Substitute Shinigami medallions... That's too long, why don't they just let me call it the Tap and Reap... Hahh, anyway, these are all yours now", she threw out a bunch of them, one for everyone. They were roughly palm sized, and even had a little ring so that they could be attached to keyrings. "Tap' em to your head or chest and you'll exit your body. This only works if you're a Shinigami by the way, so don't try usin' it on anyone else", once everyone had the medallions in hand, it had a skull design on it with red flames.

"Ok, that out of the way, name's Emi Komorisaka, I make stuff for shinigami here in the human world, also there's candy out front if you want any. Gotta pay though", she took a drag of her pipe, before turning over to Ouga and Shouko.

"So, what's so important everyone needs to be here at my place?"

Ouga get a sigh, "as blunt as always Emi... Right everyone, gonna cut to the chase, it's time to do some more intense trainin'. All I showed you guys before was the basics, just the minimum of what you needed to operate here, enough for some small fry hollow, but the ones you all saw last night ain't that, so we're gonna have you all learn what it means to fight most of all", the look in his eyes was serious, almost scary.

"Emi, ya still got that place downstairs?"

"Ahhh, the testing ground?", testing ground...?

"Yeah it's still there, kinda hard to dispose of it. Been looking for a use ever since they stopped letting me test new weapons down there", ... New... Weapons?

"Well whatever, ignore all the craters and rubble, I'll just let you guys head down there. Go to the stairs over there and tap on the left wall four times, then push for two seconds and a false door will open up, have fun", the candy shop lady with such a whirlwind of personality would get up and leave the group to their own devices...




Komori Sweets Shop - Weapons Testing Ground


The room was quite large, massive even. It resembled a city area to some degree, what with the road-looking infrastructure and ruined buildings. There were also as Emi mentioned, craters and rubble all over the place, but otherwise it looked like they had a lot of free space to work with for training.

Everyone was asked to enter their shinigami forms, and also to lay their bodies in the safety room which was suspiciously like a bunker. The kind one would hide in to watch a bomb go off. Well, that aside... The group was moved out somewhere further.

"Alright, we're gonna begin training, right here and now. There is one important thing you all must learn first, before we can even make any progress, so the first thing we're gonna do is...", he closed his eyes, sighed, and as he looked back up, his massive pompadour moving away for his eyes to come into view, a glare that sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Come at me like you're gonna kill me!"
Sagamiyama - Komori Sweets Shop

Saturday Night




The "Candy Shop" as it was just cited, also known as the Komori Sweets shop was a tiny candy shop sitting in a quiet corner of town It was an old style building, wooden, two stories, with the first being the shop itself, various old style sweets and snacks as well as odd little toys kids can play with. They also sold trading cards. It had few customers, usually just some of the kids who lived nearby, but also sometimes it had particularly colorful customers.

At first when the group arrived it just seemed like any average store, which made sense. Shouko's flower ship and Ouga's auto shop were pretty ordinary too, so this was no different. However...

"YOU DUMBASS!"


The sound of a woman's angered yell rang out as at the very same time, a man came flying out of the front door, destroying the door itself with it's tattered remains strewn around his mangled body. As the man got up, clearly hurting all over, the woman continued.

"I need those goddamn supplies today! I requisitioned them two weeks ago and you STILL tell me they're not ready?!" She had a fierce expression, underneath all of the traditional clothing and well kept hair, though despite wearing such modest clothing her body's assets were still hard to hide.

The man however appeared to be a... Shinigami? Garbed in black, sorta young, a little meek and wore a scarf that had a symbol on it. "P-please Ms. Komorisaka! I-it's not my fault! They're restricting access to resources right now I-I can't help it!"

"Well get the Commissioner to sign off on it or something! I don't care what needs to happen I needed those already!... Hm?", she looked at the newly arrived group for a second with a stone cold look before turning back to the Shinigami.

"And I've got guests, so kindly go and DEAL with it", she gave him yet another kick that sent him hurtling down the street, before he got back up again, yelled that he'll take care of it, then left. After a good pause, she straightened back up and pulled out what appeared to be a pipe.

"Well you all must be the substitutes Ouga mentioned. Well what're you all waiting for? Come in. Don't mind the door", with that she turned and headed inside...
Sagamiyama - Sakuhana Park

Saturday Night




As Regalhorn left the field, and the presence of a Quincy was felt, all the Hollows present halted their advance. During this moment, Bakuto whose gusto rang through seeing an opportunity as he slew the dog hollow that stood before him. Hollow were powerful, tireless beings, but a moment of vulnerability was the end for most Hollow against a zanpakuto, and Bakuto first hand felt this truth.

Moments after it fell and faded away, it's soul moving to the beyond, the other Hollow took their opportunity and left, not engaging the new emboldened and ready Shinigami that they had previously been pressuring. Ordinarily they would give chase to dispatch them, that was their job after all, but the tenseness of the atmosphere dissipated instantly, and a sense of weariness washed over them.

"Good work you all, holding your ground... at the very least", Ouga had turned around to join them, his zanpakuto had changed back out of it's Shikai state. The way he looked at everyone, there was a mixture of sadness and relief, as if he was glad they were ok but they did not achieve as much as he expected.

"It appears my work tonight is done", the old man that accompanied him put his sleeve back up, covering the glowing blue tattoos that had now dimmed.

"Consider this my debt repaid...", he turned to the new Shinigami that had appeared, the lady, he gave it some thought as he looked at her, and seeing how in her element she appeared, he just sighed...

"Just like your mother... Fine, Enishi you can go play Shinigami as you wanted... As long as you only use your Shinigami abilities", he then turned around and began to walk out of the park. He did not introduce himself to them, nor did it seem like he wanted to, as if he was distancing himself from all that transpired tonight.

"Hm... Everyone head home, get some rest. We got more to discuss tomorrow, come to the candy shop. I'll drop you all the address in your phones. Spirit or physical form whatever works for ya", it seemed Ouga was tired too... Except,

"ah right... I need to go check on Mitsuaki and Sara", he waved everyone to get going before he began to sprint off into the night.



Sagamiyama - Nearby Street

Saturday Night

@LadyAnnaLee



When Sara began to cry, Shouko's elegant composure did not take long to bend, and she knelt beside her and consoled her, placing her arms around her. She sighed quietly and held her until she would stop. Back in Soul Society she was known as being quite dissociative, cold, and yet here with such an earnest girl all she could see was herself. Though such thoughts were not important to her right now and she tucked them away again.

"There there, Sara, the night is over and you have done well. The situation in the park should be under control now", things transpired, while she was back out here stuck fighting the unusual Hollow.

"I shall see you home myself, cry as you must, and we shall depart... And if you no longer wish to fight, let me know. I can see what can be done for you", the offer was... Well, hard of one to keep, due to a few other factors regarding Soul Society, but she did not feel good about making her fight, if she suffered like this so much. And yet as she turned to where the Hollow once was, the fact she was able to put out so much of her reiryoku out at once showed promise.



Sagamiyama - Small Park

Saturday Night

@Morgannis



"Oh good, looks like you survived... I got worried, when I came to see this pipe shredded to all hell... Though you've definitely seen better days", Mitsuaki would look up to see a beat up looking Ouga. It was strange seeing him so battered, and yet despite that he didn't look like he was sweating at all. Yet for all he knew, Ouga was in fact pretty tired on the inside. Ouga knelt down and pulled out a little bit of ointment and just splashed it all over Mitsuaki's shoulder wound. The sting of it was immense, and he just poured it all over his open wound. Yet after a few moments, Mitsuaki would notice the bleeding had stopped completely. While the wound was still there, he wasn't going to bleed out or anything now.

"Park's taken care of tonight, go home, rest. We're all meeting again tomorrow to talk about tonight. Don't worry, only your spirit body's cut up, once you go back into your physical body you'll just feel a little number in the shoulder for a couple days. You'll get a message tomorrow where to go, just show up. Physical or spirit form, whatever's convenient. Just be there", although he will fail to mention that he should still wrap it up later.



The Night Ends


The Night Begins

Sagamiyama - Sakuhana Park

Saturday Night




The more emboldened actions of Bakuto and Tony were met with finally some reward as Tony successfully slew the bat-like Hollow, coming at it with a sweeping approach, while Bakuto's actions managed to do some damage to the dog hollow, but not quite land a direct blow. Such an over the top approach was not suitable for catching something more mobile. This however did open them up to attacks from the others, the humanoid hollows swinging their thick log-like arms right at the two, sending them flying a few or several feet. Given that they committed decently to their respective attacks, their chances of defending themselves from it were not great.

Mikazuki successfully caught the attention of the lizard hollow and entered direct combat with it, trading blows as he deflected it's approaches, the claws being bounced off his blade before landing a couple licks with his ripostes. It was unfortunately not enough to defeat it.

Try as the group might however, one glance back over to Ouga and they would realize their time was up.

----

Ouga vs Regalhorn


While the battle with the hollows and the new substitutes took place, a litany of thunder and destruction played out at the park entrance as Ouga and Regalhorn came to blows. After the initial blast of lightning from his zanpakuto, Ouga proceeded to charge right at the large hollow, and to his surprise as he swung his Douroki Douji, Regalhorn's fist made contact, what appeared to be a bone-like armor formed around it, allowing the soul devouring demon to safely strike against a lightning explosion. The initial clash was disengaged as Ouga took it in... He wasn't going to be able to just bowl his way through, and even with his Shikai, for a Hollow to be able to match it was exceptional.

"I guess doin' is believin', not even a Gillian and you can already measure up against a Shikai... I can see why you've been able to last",

"Hmph, a compliment? Or are you simply measuring? It matters not, prattle as you please, for you only delay your end",

"We'll see 'bout that".

A series of thundering clashes erupted throughout the fight, each strike from Douroki Douji was met with a solid resistance, fist against bat, lightning against bone. Each strike had different intensities and even types of lightning as Ouga tried to find the best way to pierce Regalhorn's defenses, yet he found himself gritting his teeth for the long haul as each time the bone armor seemed to be able to be broken by his strike, another of different composition would be made to match it. This wasn't good, Hollow were tireless, and though they also had limited reiryoku, they did not feel tiredness from lacking it. If this kept up, it would only end badly for him.

There was a brief pause in their clashes as Ouga took a step back, entering a stance before the entire bat glowed with lightning. "Raishougeki!" What sounded like the roar of an engine would ring out before being followed by a single straight flash of lightning and at the very end of that road was Regalhorn, the blast creating a large cloud of dust. The attack was quick, almost instant if not at least at a significantly high speed. It was not as heavy as his direct strikes, but it was fast, with immense range. He hoped it would be quick enough to strike before Regalhorn could form the bone armor.

His eyes widened as Regalhorn emerged from the smoke, bursting forward as he threw a punch, managing to catch Ouga off-guard as he managed to only partially raise his zanpakuto to defend himself, causing him to go hurtling back several feet before stopping himself to a sliding halt. It was a success, as his eyes told him, yet not a big enough one to change the tide of this battle. Regalhorn after that attack spotted a burn upon his chest, meaning he managed to hit him, yet even his raw body was strong.

"Tch... Not enough huh. Just what kind of diet have you had?"

"Impressive speed, with an ability boasting power, even I was surprised by that, yet it appears it was not enough", he stood up straight, before walking towards Ouga. "However, our playtime is over, you have shown me enough for me to be satisfied. Goodbye Shinigami with the interesting hair". Regalhorn's hand raised with each step, spiked bones forming as he prepared to deliver a fatal blow, and just as it appeared he might do it...

"Bindungslicht"

An array of blue light wrapped itself around Regalhorn, halting his movement completely. Even with his barbaric strength, he could not break free from it. Ouga's eyes did not deceive him, he was saved in this moment. So this was the favor Shouko was talking about.

"It is quite rude to bring an old man out so late at night, only to be met with a ruffian... Or two", the old man's eyes rested upon Ouga as he cited the second. He wore a gray coat, had a well-groomed beard and mustache and slick back hair, eyes a deep almost glowing blue. This man was Hilmar Schuttmann. He pulled back the sleeve of his coat to reveal a few glowing tattoos as he held what appeared to be a silver cross enclosed in a circle. It was most certainly a religious symbol yet unclear exactly what it was.

"Well you know the drill already, I can only provide support. The killing blow must be yours", Ouga appeared to psych himself as he stood up, his bat glowing as he was not about to waste this chance.

"I'll ignore the last comment. Get ready for the big one", he bolted, exerting his body to the fullest extent as he lunged right at Regalhorn, pouring all of his reiatsu into this strike. Regalhorn however was not sitting idly by while bound, creating bone blades around his bound areas to cut himself free... But not every binding, no, he concentrated it around his right arm. He only had time to cut himself free, not take on and defend himself from the incoming blow and so he did not try to, instead... He grabbed a nearby hollow that squealed in terror realizing what he was doing as he used it as a shield. That hollow was vaporized almost immediately by the powerful blow, and the ensuing shockwave would break all the bindings too, setting Regalhorn free, yet he knew his chances were now slim now that one of those were present.

"Hmph, I see now the tides have turned, yet this is but a delay... The power I feel from this town will become mine. Mark my words", he swiped his cape, causing his form to disappear as Ouga attempted to follow-up, only to swing into nothingness.

----
@Megatron

At the same time as the old man Hilmar had arrived, so too did another substitute Shinigami, Enishi Rei. With the element of surprise on her side she was bound to take out maybe one or two of the hollow present, and everyone else could clean the rest up. It had been awhile, but due to certain circumstances she had been forbidden from doing shinigami duties, though it was not hers or the two Shinigami recruiters' request. It was Hilmar's. Perhaps there was some excitement to her appearance today, at the very least that may be what she felt as she was able to wield this power yet again. The reasons to her restriction were not known to her, and so like a child unleashed upon a playground in months she was filled with vim and vigor.



Sagamiyama - Nearby Street

Saturday Night

@LadyAnnaLee



Sara's last ditch effort to strike at the Hollow was founded, resulting in minor success as the writhing Hollow lurched back yelling in pain before sitting right back up. A chip, near the eye was visible, it was not quite the result that Sara would have desired, maybe with better control her Kido would've had the sufficient penetration to be lethal to this Hollow if not threaten it sufficiently. Still, with her stores of reiryoku depleted, she could only be slump back.

ding

"Dry are the tears of the crestfallen"

ding

"Long have they endured, the night speaks to them in darkness"

ding

"Yet wherefore does one seek truth and salvation... One must clutch it for themselves, or take the hand that offers it"

ding

"And so I offer my hand... Weep, Mugetsu Higanbana"

Erupting around Sara was a black and red flame, it's embers and arches resembling that of the flower petals of a lycoris lily, or the spider lily. She had never seen it before, yet the voice that rang out around was familiar, it was Shouko's. Very different to the voice she was hearing much, much earlier, and as the flames engulfed the area around her, she could see the sky and buildings flicker and fade, before she found herself in a much more recognizable street... They were not too far from the park, after recognizing a couple landmarks like a store or a specific lamp crossing or lamp post. Regardless, Shouko appeared standing behind her, her parasol zanpakuto having sprouted blades, and changed into a much larger shape, and no blade present whatsoever.

In turn, the hollow that Sara was fighting howled in pain, the feminine voice it had was distorted as it writhed, before slinking away into the shadows almost immediately. The flames of Shouko's zanpakuto attempted to give chase, yet the night favored this one especially well as the darkness became its ally.

"Hm, so it escapes yet again... Perhaps I am ill suited to slay it", she mused to herself.

"You did well hanging in there Sara, yet you became reckless near the end... The others will have gotten back up also. Please, take a moment to compose yourself and we will be off", as always she appeared somewhat cold, yet her words spoke of consideration.



Sagamiyama - Small Park

Saturday Night

@Morgannis



Mitsuaki's plan was rather ill-conceived, he would look at either side of him and notice blades beginning to every few seconds slice right through, once on the left, once on the right, and then again and again... Each one closing in on him. The attempt to go through the top would fail and a blade would manage to slice right through his shoulder. Even if he raised his blade, it would only partially block the blow. The hollow would circle around before heading inside to inspect it's prey and as it's mask was but inches from his face, it suddenly flinched, backing away and almost yelling. It's form shivered and rattled briefly, before smashing it's face against the floor of the park. It was strange what he was seeing but... To him, it appeared as if it was trying to resist something, before it would howl and leap off into the night... The experience was, strange to say the least and yet the voice that howled in that moment seemed a little familiar...
Sagamiyama - Sakuhana Park

Saturday Night




The fight against the Hollows was beginning to heat up, Darius' Tamahou Kido spell nailed the bat Hollow right along the side of it's mask as it tried to veer away from a direct hit, though this led it to being staggered in the air, causing it to lower it's altitude significantly. The attack almost killed it outright, the flier was much more fragile than it appeared, it could perhaps be dispatched rather quickly if someone made the dangerous leap through the other four to reach it.

Meanwhile on the ground, the Kido barrier was beginning to show significant cracks, the lizard and hound hollows snarling and taunting Tony and Bakuto while the other two humanoid hollows were at the front and constantly pummeling the barrier. There was no pressure on them for the last few moments, leading to them easily coming together and making a mild formation. They lost their chance for a simple counter-attack earlier, and now needed to deal with all four on full alert.

Amidst the fighting they could hear the roar of thunder towards the park entrance where Ouga was, supposedly fighting using his Shikai's ability. Unbeknownst to them, much needed help was on it's way, though not that they were aware.
Reuel Ashcroft

@Megatron



"One long black",

"Thank you", Reuel stood by the booth of a small coffee stand, the type you'd find in a quaint little Italian town just down a narrow alleyway. The morning sun was rising, what a fine day it was he thought to himself as he looked to the blue sky, scant few clouds covering it. Of course, given the cataclysmic scale of some of the players, that could change very quickly... Rather, it was probably set to change pretty soon.

"Very good, how long have you been making this brew?"

"Mmm, hard to say, was my dad's and his dad's method, maybe since I was but a wee lad I was brewing it like this alongside my old man. Haven't seen you here around before though, here on business?" The cafe owner took the cup and put it in the sink, continuing to make conversation.

"Something like that... Well, it's quite good anyhow. I do hope you'll be able to continue making this... I guess we'll see after the day is over",

"I don't know what you mean by that, but thanks...?"

"Don't mention it... Maybe close up early today too, I might be your last customer for today", and with that Reuel was on his way, giving a wave to the cafe owner as his shoes tapped along down the old cobblestone paths, the paper cup with coffee in his hand. The cafe owner was left perplexed, not knowing of the events that were about to unfold.

------

The streets of Fortuna were beautiful, suffice to say. Old, historical architecture, handcrafted fencing and metal bars, old oil street lamps and specially crafted signs. Ornate designs that at a glance were merely beautiful and carefully crafted, however those who understood the symbolism would know they referred to demons. Not every structure had these stylings, a lot of the more modern buildings lacked them entirely, but it was obvious there was some dedication to these symbols as they were rather well kept and well cleaned.

As Reuel took yet another step down the street, the sky above him seemed to crack, and the buildings beside him began to shatter like glass as the ground began to show fissures. He continued to walk rather nonchalantly as the space around him began to change, finishing the coffee and tossing it into the void that was appearing around him.

"Well, I didn't know the KKK ran a circus. You want an applause for this magic trick?", his eyes rested upon the jester that appeared before him as he pulled his hands in front to clap slowly.

"You were the one that killed my brothers and sisters from the Krusade, I'm not letting you off easily, heretic!"

Reuel mimicked a flinch, clutching his chest as if he was in pain, "ooh! Guilty as charged. So what're you gonna do about it? Make me a balloon animal? I'm really having fun this morning so I'll let you make the first move" He smiled gleefully as he threw his hands up into a shrug. The expression was dark, and a glint of bloodthirst in his eyes too, his smile widened further as he opened up his chest as if inviting. Of course, he had no intent on taking a hit, whatever the jester did he was going to react.
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