The summons for the captains of the 13 Court Guard Squads had gone out as an emergency meeting for the captains.

The Head Captain sat in his customary seat in the centre of the room, with his eyes closed into slits. Some former captains had tested whether or not he was actually asleep. The key thing most captains remembered was that they were former captains, and kept their internal musings to themselves.

The captain of Squad 2, Soifon, was simply standing to attention, and glaring at the acting captain of Squad 3- its Lieutenant, Izuru Kira. The man was exhausted from doing both his paperwork and his captains due to his betrayal, and he was barely standing. Unohana was standing at ease in front of the absent place of the Squad 5 captain. Normally, Momo would be there, but due to her physical and mental condition, Unohana, who had given her the Look, forbade her to leave her bed. Every Shinigami gave it the proper respect of a capital letter when speaking about it. Next to her, Byakuya Kuchiki, the picture of noble dignity, looked impassively at the gigantic captain Sajin Komamura, anthropomorphic wolf captain of Squad Seven. Shunsui wasn’t sleeping with his eyes open, and had propped his hat out of his eyes to look at the head Captain. Shuuhei Hisagi, acting Captain of Squad 9, looked even more haggard than Kira- he’d been forced into writing about a hundred new advertisements for the Seiretei Communication, on top of his paperwork for both his captain and himself. Tōshirō Hitsugaya, the child prodigy captain of Squad 10, gave a futile glare to one of the two loosest cannons in the Seiretei- Kenpachi Zaraki, captain of Squad 11, was picking his teeth with his zanpacto, and using the sheathe as a backscratcher. Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the other loose cannon, was watching the Head Captain earnestly. The only captain not present at the meeting apart from the traitors was Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain of Squad 13, whose disease was acting up again. Instead, his two third seats were acting as witnesses for the Head Captain’s proclamation, and were for once not squabbling.

“What is the meaning of this meeting, Head Captain?” Mayuri asked the crucial question, seeing the answer as important enough to perhaps research.

“I must agree with Captain Mayuri,” stated Hitsugaya, as if the words tasted foul in his mouth, “have there been any further developments in Aizen’s invasion?” The Head Captain considered this.

“Yes. Another dimensional plane has just been opened up. I would like a small, sparable and competent investigation force to enter the area, and report any possible changes. That is all.” Mayuri started to genuinely smile at the Head Captain.

“Head Captain, I must enquire as to the nature of this new plane. Is it a spiritual plane or a physical one?”

“It is a physical plane of existence. However, I cannot tell you anything, as it is,” the Head Captain hesitated for a moment, before continuing, “unusual. The preliminary investigation will reveal whether there have been any major changes to the field, as I knew it. The plane is known as ‘Equestria.’”

The other captains mulled over the name, checking for any useless bit of trivia that seemed useful on this new world.

“I shall send my Lieutenant, Head Captain.”

All heads at the meeting turned to the normally dormant captain Byakuya Kuchiki.

“I don’t have any objections to him going out there, Old man. He’s a competent, skilled young man, who is only lacking in experience and knowledge about Kido. He’ll be fine out there. Who should be his back-up?” Shunsui’s seemingly casual drawl was nevertheless an effective jolt back to reality.

‘It’s only in case that an Espada should show up there, am I right, Old Man?” Yamamoto nodded.

“Indeed. It is better to be cautious than to risk it all. One other Captain-class Soul Reaper will be Abarai’s backup.” He looked around the assembled Soul Reaper captains. Byakuya had closed his eyes and was listening intently, a sure sign that he wasn’t going with his lieutenant. Mayuri shook his head. Soifon ignored it. Kenpachi started cleaning his fingernails with his zanpacto, apparently unconcerned with the important talk going on around him. Komamura looked uncertain. Unohana barely moved. Finally, Hitsugaya spoke.

“I’ll back up Abarai, in case of emergency.”

“Very well. Captain Kuchiki, inform Lieutenant Abarai immediately of the situation.”

Next Chapter: Visitation part 1. Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes