Chapter 14: The Ancient Stronghold

Go ahead. Look who it was. That's the answer you want to know.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or Bleach. Shame, it would be great if I did.

Protector Of The Fairies

The Ancient Stronghold

Gildarts sat opposite the source of his anger. Ichigo was lying on the ground nearby, his body placed carefully on the ground as to not cause him any more harm. Levy lay next to him, asleep from whatever Spell had been cast on her.

Laxus and Erza had taken their charges to their respective places and were keeping them company for the time being. The next task wasn't till dawn anyway so everyone had some time to rest.

He didn't want to rest right now though. Opposite him was the small form of his Master. And he was sitting there like he had done nothing wrong.

"Why?" He found himself asking that same question over and over again. "This was my test. Mine. Not yours. You had no right to interfere Master."

The Master returned his glare. "I have every right to. I am the Master of this guild."

"Oh really? Then did you interfere with Cana's? What about Mirajane's?" The silence was all the answer he needed. "What were you thinking?"

Makarov glared at him. "Did you not see your test? He had already failed. You should have ended it already."

"He passed," Gildarts said quietly. "He passed and had the right to continue on. AND YOU INTERFERED!"

Makarov took his Ace's anger without flinching. "It was a test and a lesson. To see how he would react under extreme conditions and to teach him the cost of facing opponents he isn't ready for."

Gildarts clenched his fists. "Extreme conditions?"

Makarov nodded. "The death of a teammate and the realisation it was your own foolishness that killed them. To learn that you can't always fight and sometimes, the best thing is to run."

"You wanted him to run." Gildarts couldn't believe his ears. "You really expected Ichigo to do such a thing? Do you not understand him ever a little bit? I've had few interacts with the teen and even I know he would never retreat if he believes he can or needs to win."

"But-"

"You made him think Levy died and that it was all his fault," interrupted Gildarts. "And you expected him to let me, the supposed killer, survive afterwards? Are you really that naive when it comes to him?"

Makarov stood up taller as he faced the man. "Now listen here. Killing is never the answer. And did you see what he did? He charged at you like a maniac, no regard for his own life. It was lucky you held bac-"

"I didn't." Makarov looked at him strangely. "I didn't hold back much."

"Then…"

"I shattered his bones and organs but they grew back. You saw that arm of his that I broke earlier? Healed within seconds. Broken ribs? Give him a moment and he's as good as new. Against someone like that, I couldn't afford to hold back. If I did, I would have died."

Makarov scoffed. "I don't deny the boy has power, but surely you exaggerate."

Gildarts grabbed his cape and threw it off, showing the Master the wounds from the battle. "See this?" He pointed at the scar on his chest. "I got this from his Kidou attack. The last one he fired before I broke his arm." Gildarts moved his hand to reveal the one by his shoulder on his arm. "This was by him at the end. A step closer and my arm would have been torn off."

Makarov made to speak but Gildarts cut him off.

"Also, I don't believe those were all his actions near the end. It was practically confirmed by whatever was controlling him. That person wasn't afraid to charge at me recklessly, just as long as I died."

Gildarts turned his head towards Levy. "That girl over there. Her supposed death that you created could easily have broken him and left him wanting only revenge. In that state, and from seeing how outmatched he was, why would he resist someone taking over if they promised that revenge he couldn't grab?"

Makarov scowled. "This is why I warned him about those missions from the Council."

"No you didn't," said Gildarts with a shake of his head. "You never warned him. You expected him to listen to what you tried to imply and to understand why you glared at him. How do you think Ichigo would have felt? Do you even ask yourself why he takes these missions?"

"For power."

The answer was so sudden that Gildarts couldn't speak for a moment.

"Haven't you heard the talks that Ichigo and Laxus share? The guild should have passed it on when that team was away. Even Levy joins in with those two every so often. Talks about gaining power so they can change things."

Makarov's expression hardened. "Now I may support people trying to get stronger but Ichigo and Laxus only seemed to believe that it will solve all their problems. That if they gain power, they can do what they want. I refuse to believe that way of thinking."

"And you believe that he is taking these Council missions in exchange for power, am I right?"

Makarov nodded. "Why else would he return to them? I have seen enough to know he doesn't do it out of a desire to kill but he still must do it regularly. He gets missions from them far more frequently than before now, meaning he is getting greedier and greedier for power. And now he was even willing to give up control of his body for the sake of it."

Gildarts took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I refuse to believe that."

"What-"

"I fought Ichigo. When you fight someone who is strong enough, you begin to understand that person. Don't you agree with that statement Master? You allow all the fights in the guild because you understand it helps forge bonds between one another."

"Yes but-"

"I saw enough Master. He isn't that kind of person. I refuse to believe that is the reason, and I doubt it is the whole reason you distrust him too. Is it because of Ivan?"

A shake of the head was his response. "No. Ivan always wanted more and more power, but he was willing to attack even his friends if it meant achieving it. I acknowledge Ichigo enough to recognise that difference between the two."

"Then what is it?"

Makarov sighed. "An S Class Mage needs to be trusted. He had the power for years now. He could have taken it a year after Laxus if I had let him but I chose not to let him. I didn't trust him then, and I still don't now."

"But why?"

"Do you want to know who trained him Gildarts? The style of Kidou usage should be familiar enough."

Gildarts froze. "You mean Kisuke?"

Makarov nodded. "He joined about your time didn't he? Smart kid, and had great talent. But I could never completely trust him. Still, I made him S Class. He, like you, was one of our guild's golden boys. He was powerful and well liked."

"But then everything changed." Makarov rested his head on his hands. "Do you remember? One day, he just had enough and vanished. Said he was unsatisfied here and went in search of more power. Not for himself mind you, but he was always too smart. He wanted to know everything about Magic."

"Then one day, I heard a rumour. I disregarded it but then I heard more of them. News about the Council's new poster boy. A scientist who was revolutionising the Magical World with his inventions and rediscovering Magic people believed to be lost for good."

Makarov stared back at Gildarts, anger in his eyes. "But we both know what kinds of atrocities exist in this world, some of which were created by the Council in their search for peace. To the Council, lives lost mean nothing as long as the majority can live safely. And I can bet you that Kisuke was in the heart of it. He is simply too smart to not be."

"I don't know when he disappeared from the Council but I heard Laxus and Ichigo talking about him. He taught Ichigo at some point and that makes me worried about the teen. His mentor proved that he was hunger for more, and Ichigo is the same, I'm sure of it."

"You…" Gildarts couldn't find the words to express his anger. You don't judge someone by their teacher. You judge them on themselves.

"You understand don't you Gildarts?"

"Hell no." The Master's eyes widen as they took in Gildarts's anger. "I don't believe that. Ichigo isn't that kind of person."

"I see." The Master shook his head. "I am sorry you feel that way but it won't change anything. Normally, I allow my S Class Wizards to decide themselves on who passes but I cannot let Ichigo pass. I had hoped to convince you but as I haven't, I will need to pull rank here."

"Don't you-"

"Ichigo will not be passing, now or later." Makarov shook his head. "I knew it was too early to allow him into these trials. Maybe in a few years when he grows up some more."

"Do you understand how much you are going to alienate this kid? How much you must have already done?"

Makarov turned away. "I am sorry."

"No you aren't. Don't try and pretend you are. It's insulting."

"If it is any consolation, I do care for the kid." He turned towards Ichigo. "Everyone in the guild is my family. Even the ones who rebel against me."

With that, the Master left, leaving in the direction of where Laxus and Erza would be with the others. Gildarts stood there for a moment before he slammed his fist into a tree nearby, obliterating the entire thing in one blow.

Why? This wasn't right. Unfortunately, he wasn't the Guild Master here. He had to listen to the Master, no matter how wrong it was.

He settled down onto the ground, preparing to watch over the other two kids until they woke up. Then he would be forced to deliver the words he really didn't want to say.

He didn't notice the slight movement from the blue haired girl by Ichigo. Because of that, he had no way to know that she had heard every word of their conversation.

Protector Of The Fairies

Ichigo stormed along the ground ahead of him alone. When he had heard the news from Gildarts that he had failed, he had demanded to know why. What had he lacked? Was it because he failed to protect Levy?

It was right then that he noticed her, both alive and awake, and hadn't hesitated to hug the life out of her. But what happened? He thought she had died.

Gildarts couldn't give him any answers though. He just sat there and said sorry, anger in his eyes that wasn't directed at him. From the man's tone, he didn't want to fail Ichigo either. So why was he stopped from continuing?

They had met up with the others shortly afterwards where the Master had announced that the last task was unneeded since they only had one person who had the requirements this year. That had hurt. Mira had looked just as shocked and confused as he had, her eyes glancing at him constantly as she tried to work out why he had failed.

Even Erza and the others looked shocked but they knew there would be no point arguing. Laxus already tried that when he heard he had failed.

He left Levy with Laxus while he disappeared for a while, intent on finding some peace and quiet to think in. It led him to where he was now, one of the large gates of the Seireitei ahead of him. The high walls and gate did nothing to stop him as a single Shunpo got him to the top of them in moments. While from a distance the place had looked okay, closer up he could see the damage done to it. While a lot of buildings were standing, they weren't all whole. Walls were missing from sections while other houses had been completely collapsed.

This was the Seireitei? This was what he had assumed to be the old home of the Shinigami? It looked more like a graveyard.

As he wondered the streets, that impression hardened. There were swords all over the place, littering the ground with their blades. Bones were scattered around and he could see the remains of many Shihakushou along the ground. What happened?

He reached towards one of the swords before flinching and pulling away. For a moment, he could swear he had had heard a scream. It was almost like he was hearing the last moment of that Shinigami.

He reached towards another sword only to flinch again. Another scream. Only they seemed to be increasing now that he was aware of the residue Magic around him. It was like a hundred voices in his head all screaming in pain.

So he ran. He ran as far as he could, desperate in his attempts to escape the cries of the fallen Shinigami. They only seemed to increase as he ran, his path unintentionally leading him further and further into the Seireitei

As he got further in, pieces of white material joined the swords along with a mix of crosses and other kinds of items, including a large mix of weaponry. And the damage and the scale of things only got greater as he got closer and closer to the centre of the great city. He had no idea where he was going but his feet did. He continued his path, trying to block out some of the worst areas where there were hundreds of blades scattered in such concentrated areas. Some were by the remains of white cloaks which had to mean something.

There were even a few strange medallions along the ground at these areas. Something seemed to be telling him to avoid it, and he didn't bother arguing with that instinct. Finally, he got to what looked like the main complex, a single Zanpaktou guarding the entrance in the form of a rapier.

That was something else he had noticed. As he got further in, some of these Zanpaktou had remained in a Shikai state while others hadn't. Why? Did the sword perhaps stay in that form when the user died? He had been under the impression that it would have returned to its sealed form but perhaps that was only for exhaustion. Or maybe it was a sign of something else.

These swords seemed like the only sign that these Shinigami had lived. And this sword made it seem like its wielder was doing something of great importance. The last thought of the Shinigami in his Magic seemed to indicate he was trying to protect something. But what? What was behind this door? He slowly reached out to it and entered past it.

It led to a long corridor, a few doors and passageways leading off. He followed his instincts, heading up a flight of stairs and further up till he reached the top of the complex, an opening out into the air above. As he exited the building, he could see two figures near the edge of the roof.

He recognised one of them and that person raised his green and white striped hat in greetings.

"Ichigo. What a surprise to meet you here."

He knew it wasn't a surprise. Kisuke didn't get caught in surprises. He created them.

He took his attention off the man and focused on the other figure. He was very old and he could see the remains of a long beard on the man's chin. Scars filled his upper body and it was completely exposed to the elements. A severely scorched blade was held in the man's right hand, half the blade missing. The blade looked like it was barely usable with the end of it shattered.

The man's other arm was missing and it didn't look recent. He had two long scars along his forehead, both perpendicular to the other. Who was this man? And why was he just standing there, his body faced towards the rest of the battlefield. He hadn't said anything or acknowledged his presence yet.

"He's not really there."

Ichigo turned to Kisuke in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Kisuke gestured at the man. "This man is Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. He is the first and last Head Captain of the Seireitei. And he is already dead."

"What-" Ichigo rushed towards the man, examining him closer. He still hadn't reacted. But how could he still look like he was still alive after everyone else had turned to dust and bones.

"This man was probably one of the strongest Mages to ever exist in this world. He lived over four hundred years ago at the time of Zeref, and he was old even at that time. And while Demons did attack this stronghold, Zeref never joined them. If I had to guess, I would say he was afraid to face Yamamoto. And with good reason."

"Yamamoto is and has been the strongest Shinigami to ever exist. No one has surpassed him yet and trust me, there are a lot of strong Shinigami out there. Physical strength, Kidou usage, Zanpaktou power, he surpassed everyone. He is one of the Shinigami that gave them their reputation."

"He one day decided to create the Seireitei and even set up the Magic Council's foundations at one point. It's a bit tricky working out when he did with no one there to tell us and not many records about him."

Kisuke touched the man's skin and retracted his hand sharply. "And even after all these years, he still has all this lingering Magical Power. Power strong enough to hurt us if we touch him. It's why he is still preserved. His Magic is stopping the decaying process from happening."

Kisuke looked at Yamamoto's Zanpaktou. "And that there is the strongest Zanpaktou I have ever found record of. Ryuujin Jakka. A blade with unparallel control over fire. It could reduce anything to ashes if he tried hard enough. I doubt that Dragon Slayer in your guild would be able to eat flames as hot as his."

Kisuke knew of Natsu? Of course he did. He always knew more than he would let on.

"And his Bankai was even stronger. Zanka no Tachi made him almost invincible in battle if he even needed to use it."

"Bankai?"

Kisuke raised a fan that he had grabbed from his pocket it and hid a smile behind it. "Didn't I tell you about it? You didn't really believe that a Zanpaktou only had one release did you? No, Shikai is just the start. Bankai is the most powerful form a Zanpaktou can take."

"How do-"

"You learn it?" said Kisuke as he cut Ichigo off. "More meditation. Get your Zanpaktou to teach it to you. They will decide when you have finished training."

"I see." Ichigo let his gaze wonder back down to the battlefield. "What happened here?"

Kisuke let his had shielding his eyes, hiding the anger he felt from the sight of the Seireitei. "War."

"War?"

"One like no other. I once told you about the Quincy did I not? Well back then, Hollows and Quincy were just as common as all these Shinigami. Problem was that the Quincy and the Shinigami never got along well. It was an event years in the making but it eventually happened. The Quincy attacked."

Kisuke waved an arm out at the city below. "The walls of the Seireitei and the gates are undamaged yet all this destruction is inside. How? I don't know, but they found a way through. These walls and gates are more than that. They had Magic in them all those years ago that generated a barrier around the city. Anything that hit it was destroyed. So how did the Quincy get past?"

"They had surprise on their side. They were already attacking before anyone saw anything. It was hard for the Shinigami to organise a defence in that time. They withdrew everyone as far back as possible to try and make a stand."

"There was one problem. Ordinary, a Shinigami is stronger than a Quincy at the higher levels, or at least that is what this battle has shown. You saw those medallions around the city right? They were something the Quincy created specifically for the Shinigami. Our greatest weapon is our Bankai. So they invented a tool to steal that Bankai."

Kisuke looked sadly at Yamamoto. "His Bankai could have turned the tides. It was simply so powerful that only one man could steal it. Their leader."

"They fought here." Kisuke let Ichigo look around the area they were standing in. "Both leaders in the battle to decide the victor. Despite stealing his Bankai, the Quincy leader didn't use it against him. I don't know why but he instead chose to use someone else's Bankai. There was a medallion up here originally that I examined, trying to understand what had happened. And that was what doomed the Shinigami."

Kisuke shook his head. "Yamamoto must have destroyed the medallion, but the attack is done in a strange way. It can't have been held by the leader because it was crushed, not burned or slashed. It makes me think that maybe he had the choice to grab one of the medallions. I don't think the Quincy leader would have had a second medallion, and if you were fast enough, you could end it before it could be stolen again. But Yamamoto took this one, despite it not being his own."

Kisuke looked down the roof and easily spotted the rapier by the entrance to the building they were on top of. "That sword down there looks like it was guarding this door with everything it had. Who ever owned that sword must have been precious to Yamamoto, so it makes sense this was that Shinigami's Bankai, stolen specifically to make Yamamoto go after this medallion."

Ichigo looked at Kisuke curiously. "Isn't that a good thing?"

"No. He had the choice between his own and his friend's. If he had chosen to recover his own, he would have won. I am sure of it."

"I see." Ichigo continued to look at Kisuke curiously. "Why go into so much detail?"

Kisuke refused to look at him. "Sometimes the past can affect the future. Just remember that."

Ichigo nodded, unsure on the advice by taking it all the same.

"Now then." Kisuke gave him a smile. "I bet you are wondering how you even found this place? How did you ever know to go here of all places?"

"It did cross my mind," Ichigo admitted.

"That was Kidou." Kisuke's eyes seemed to sparkle in joy. "It is a brilliant work of art. It's coming from Yamamoto still, even in death, calling all Shinigami here. He made this place as their sanctuary and he sent out this Kidou to call them home. It was more effective when he was alive. Now it only works when you get close enough."

"A sanctuary?"

"This was the time of Dragons. Very few Shinigami could even kill a Dragon as they are extremely tough to all but those who were classified as Captains, but the barrier kept them out completely and Yamamoto was a good deterrent. Anyone in the barrier was safe from them."

Ichigo nodded. "So you have been here before?"

"Years back when I was still a Fairy Tail member. Now this place is a pilgrimage of sorts. Every Shinigami eventually visits the place at one point in their life, paying respect to the dead."

"So why are you here now?"

Kisuke's smile vanished. "You always were good at seeing the real reasoning in what I did."

Ichigo tilted his head, his foot tapping the ground as he waited.

Kisuke stepped towards him and patted him on the back as he passed. "I'm wishing you luck and giving you a warning. And an apology."

"An apology?"

"Warning first. You will eventually meet a strange man in a lab. I'm sure you will go there soon. Be careful. This man is crazy but he is almost as smart as I am. And he has fewer morals too. I know my limits. This man likes to go past his."

"And the luck is for there?"

"Yep."

"I see." Ichigo made sure to store the information he had just heard. It would be useful, he was sure of it. "And the apology?"

Kisuke didn't try and turn towards him as he spoke now. "You probably realise something is different about you, even if you try to play it off as being a Shinigami. You will learn the truth soon enough but I will ask you now to not think too badly about me because of it. I have only ever tried to help you, even if I have other reasons to do so."

"Is this about my fight with Gildarts?"

There was no response. Kisuke was already gone and Ichigo didn't bother going after him. He had an idea of what Kisuke was talking about. The man had probably been watching his fight with Gildarts and would know that he had an idea too.

But what had Kisuke done? And why did he think he would hate him because of it? And where was this lab? He had been to labs before on the Council's orders to shut them down but he hadn't heard of this crazy scientist before.

Something was coming soon. It looked like there would be a little more excitement in his life for a while before it calmed down, and he hadn't even been able to become an S Class Mage to deal with it. Still, he would take things one step at a time. As Zangetsu once said, never stop moving, and as Gildarts said, keep looking forward. He would deal with his problems the same way he had always done. By overcoming them.

Protector Of The Fairies

"HE DID WHAT?"

"Quiet," Levy snapped him. Laxus noticed half the group they were by had turned towards him in confusion.

"Sorry." The two slowly waited for everyone to turn away and to stop listening before continuing their conversation.

"Gramps really said that?"

Levy nodded. "They don't know I was awake so they talked more freely."

Laxus clenched his fists. "To blame someone because of others is wrong. Why not compare me to my father if he's doing stuff like this. Why pick on Ichigo?"

"I'm-"

"Sorry my grandfather is a bastard?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. I feel the same."

"Still…" Levy scratched her head in thought. "What can we do? I doubt Ichigo can take more of the Master. This has developed over his entire time here at Fairy Tail."

Laxus sighed. "I'll get him a break. I've been meaning to talk with him about this for a while now, and right now he needs it."

"A break?"

Laxus nodded. "With the increase in power for the younger members, he has to take more and more missions just to make the Council overlook the damages the guild is causing. So I'm going to get him away from the guild for a while."

"And you'll let him recover away from the situation that caused the problem in the first place," finished Levy. "I get it. You're letting him relax for a while to take his mind off things. How long do you think he will need?"

"I don't know," answered Laxus. "He could need a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years if he finds something he needs to do. I got a mission for him ready to take him away for a while and after that, it depends how long it takes for him to get back."

"So it will be our job to handle the damages while he is gone right?"

"No." Levy stumbled, turning to look at the older Mage in shock.

"No? What do you mean no? We can't let-"

"I know," said Laxus, cutting her off. "I'm waiting till Ichigo is away, and then I'm coming clean. The revelation should provide enough shock to make them think when on missions for the time being. After that, who knows."

"Do you think things will change when the Master learns the truth about Ichigo's actions?"

Laxus just shrugged his shoulders. "Honestly, I don't know anymore. I though he always would years ago but now? It could go either way. He could ignore it, pass it off as lies, or believe it. And even then, he may not do enough. Destroying two buildings instead of three may be enough for him."

Levy sighed. "Why does this guild stuff have to be so complicated? Why can't he just make the others stop?"

Laxus suppressed a laugh. He knew Levy knew the answer to her own question but the way she said it made it sound like it would be so simple to do. People like Natsu were hard to control though so telling him to do something didn't always work. He could ignore it or just forget it even. The latter was more likely with him.

They hadn't managed to learn much about other guilds on how they coped with limiting damages. Higher missions always allowed more because they were tougher but there was always an expected limit. When they had met Jura a few other times, he had commented on how while Fairy Tail had a lot of strong Mages in terms of raw power, other guilds like Lamia Scale had a more refined control over their Magic. It meant they could use either large amounts of Magic in certain areas or limit the amount they use in their attacks.

That probably was Fairy Tail's greatest weakness in his opinion. S Class Mages like Erza and Mira had a decent level of control that was needed but even they suffered from the effect of too much Magic sometimes. The more Magic you gained, the harder control over small amounts became. Still, they should all still have enough control to not do as much damage as they did.

He was going to be the Master one day. He would change things. Mages would spent time learning to manage their control and not just work on increasing their power. He would make sure only the ones who could manage that and set a good example would become S Class Mages. Ichigo was an example of what they should be like to him. Ichigo had massive amounts of Magic yet he kept a lot of it restrained when it was unnecessary. It still leaked out but at least it didn't cause huge amounts of damage.

Change was coming. He could feel it. Something was going to happen soon, and it would change things. He was sure of it. He just hoped whatever happened wouldn't cause too much destruction. And he hoped they would all come out of it okay.

Protector Of The Fairies

Chapter 14 done. Not as epic in my opinion as the previous two. The Seireitei was really more of a smaller thing though I guess you could compare it to the Sun Village that we saw recently because it is setting things up.

Now then, you all guessed very well. Was it that obvious? Really? I was almost tempted to think up something new but that would ruin what I had planned, though it was originally Gildarts that failed Ichigo, not Makarov. I guess my plan changed as I wrote because of what happened in when the two met.

So Laxus wants Ichigo to go on a holiday of sorts to recharge away from the guild. It'll be good for him, though we all know where this is going. If you don't, look at the timeline. That will help you work it out.

Next chapter is a calm one as well however if my memory is correct, it has what you have been waiting for since I started. Only one more week my loyal readers.

Anyone see the new Bleach chapter as well? I really can't wait to see what Ichigo is going to be capable of and I hope I can see more of the abilities of a certain few. It doesn't affect the story yet for a while but I need to know some things about people like Juushirou for later on. I really want to see what his Bankai is like.

Anyway, till the next time. I've been Takei. Thanks for reading.