BOOM HERE IT IS GUYS! I've been getting a lot of good vide form you guys on Asta's story lately and I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR IT. PROP! Go out to my good buddy HydeYmir for helping organize my thoughts while writing. This chapter is a little longer than most of the ones I do for Asta and it would be longer if I could have put my other forgotten ideas that came to me during its conception but, alas, I need sleep in order to work, and more importantly write. I hope you all enjoy this one and don't be afraid to voice what you think. I must also give a big shot to Deltorix and once more to HydeYmir as if it wasn't for these guys more story wouldn't have reached to this point. Thanks to these two awesome writers I was able to take a path in this story that I've been striving for since day one. Thanks, guys you're awesome and I gladly count you amongst my friend.

ENJOY THIS CHAPTER MY READERS AND FOLLOWERS!

ALVASA OUT!

"How did you leave you body and why do you not have a chain of fate attached to you?" Byakuya pointed sword at Asta. "And how do you have a zanpakuto?"

"That's because I don't have a chain," Asta pointed his zanpakuto. "I'll tell you what. IF you can beat me then I'll go with you to the Soul Society no fuse. But if when I win, you leave." He looked over his shoulder to his group and then said in a stern commanding tone, "No pony is to interfere, understood." They all nervously nodded. "Good," Asta turned his attention back to Byakuya.

"Such arrogance," Byakuya scoffed as he vanished before everyone's eyes.

"Caption is taking you a little serious," Renji commented with a slight chuckle.

Byakuya suddenly came back into view behind Asta and brought his sword down only for sparks to fly and his blade clashed with Asta's sword. Asta without even turning around, had blocked the strike by swiftly threw his arm up so his zanpakuto went behind his back. Byakuya was stunned, his eyes widened, and then he quickly tried to pull the same stunt from Asta's right side but was met with a similar action front before.

Byakuya simply stepped back and looked at Asta who wore a serious face, 'How? I know I used Flash Step, to keep out of his line of sight. Yet he still blocked my attacks.'

"Well, if your turn is up then I'll take mine," Asta firmly gripped his sword with both hands. He lunged forward and wasted no time in fighting with Byakuya. Right slash, blocked. Thrust, dodged to the right, returned downward slash. Asta thought quickly and buried the but of his sword in Byakuya's gut before he could move his sword and put some distance between them.

Byakuya coughed from having the winded knocked out of him, while he was forced to kneel. He scowled at Asta who'd already turned to face the Shinigami.

Renji's eyes were transfixed on the two fighters in shock and awe. 'He's able to block the captain so easily, how? He's not moving nearly at the same speed and yet he's still blocking. Then he actually lands a blow in his gut and brought him ti his knees.

Byakuya shakily got to his feet having recovered his breath. He looked at Asta with a stern cold glare, "I had merely been taking this fight joke at first seeing as your a living pony but I now see that this was a mistake and you pose a small threat if not taken seriously." He threw his sword out and then took a stance readying himself and steeling his resolve. "I will now take it more seriously."

"Fine, then I guess I'll do the same," Asta said in a serious tone that threw Renji for a loop. Asta took in a deep breath controlled his blood flow.

In the next second, both fighters vanished appear all over in random places with their sword clanging and clashing with sparks flying as the images were brief. It looked as if someone had taken a very blurry photo with an extremely cheap camera.

There was another loud *SHING* and both combatants were thrown apart from each other as they landed at the sides of their companions. Asta, his clothes severally shredded all over, let out his breath, and breathed normally as he kept his eyes on the Shinigami.

Byakuya was breathing heavily as he looked worn down, 'How can he be this fast? He's just a mortal.'

"How?" He said abruptly. "How can you keep up with my flash step without using any reishi?" Byakuya demand as he pointed his blade at the knight captain. "During that entire battle not once did I sense any reishi fluctuation from you at all. That's impossible!"

"It's simple Shinigami," Asta looked at his opponent while his hair cast a slight shadow over his eyes. "It was my pure physical skill and power. I'm not really adept at using reishi in fight so I mainly use the skills I picked from my time train in martial arts."

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" Renji countered. "No one has the kind of pure physical power or ability in the world of the living!"

Asta grabbed hold of his upper body's coverings and proceed to rip them off. Both Byakuya and Renji stared in shock from the sight of the many scars that adorned Asta's body. They then noticed the long black dragon mark that wrapped itself around Asta's left and most notably, large dark crimson clover five-leaf clover the was in the dead center of his chest.

"I do," Asta said sternly.

"I believe I've held out long enough. Now Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya said as he held his sword in front of his face and then it turned into soft pink flower petals.

Asta knew he was serious now and knew he'd need to avoid those petals as much as possible but he hasn't had enough practice with multiple attacking objects. His lack of accuracy was a big disadvantage here but he noticed how the petals move ever so slightly in the wind and that's when he knew what he had to do.

"Well you showed me the courtesy of releasing your Shiki," Asta smirked as he adjusted his grip on his sword. "Now I should do the same. Shred, Hikari to Chōwa Zefāu~inzu no henkan(Light Spirit of Harmony Rending Zephyr Winds)." Asta's sword pulsed as a green aura surrounded and then its blade's colors shifted stating from the hilt going up to the tip of the blade. It edge resembled green upward swirls the curled inward down the blade headed towards the hilt while the hamon pf the back was the reverse but the color was black. The entire sword continued to glow and be surrounded with a green aura that swirled around it while whistling every now and then like the wind.

Byakuya knew that Asta would have to get in close to deliver any real type and of damage and his Senbonzakura excels at all forms of ranged combat from close to long-range. He was confident that he could easily win this fight. He lightly held his hand up and a whirlwind of flower petals rushed towards Asta.

Asta took in a deep breath and then vanished to Byakuya's shock. Asta bounded around Byakuya in a zigzag pattern keeping the Shinigami from being able to pin the mage king down. Suddenly, Asta bound downward and then curved back upwards getting above the Shinigami. Asta shot a Byakuya and brought his sword downward in a slash upon the Shinigami only to be countered with a flow of petals, still, there was no denying the shock on Byakuya's face from how close the mage had actually come to him.

Asta smirked then bounded backward as a stream of petals came for him from the right. That's when Byakuya hard a slight *thump* from his opponent's foot and realized what Asta was doing.

"You're actually jumping and kicking off the air." His brow line furrowed slightly. "That's why I can sense your reishi while you're moving around. because you're not even using it!"

"What?!" Renji gasped. "How?!"

"True," Asta smirked as he stood on a cloud.

"Pure physical strength," Byakuya said with a slight scowl. "It seems that your powers weren't exaggerated at all from the rumors. If anything the rumors greatly downplay your abilities, though you can't access them all while in your current state," He waved his hand and sent several streams of flower petals forward, and they were moving much faster than the other last times. "If I had to guess you can't even really use reishi that will and that will be your downfall."

Asta katana pulsed as he raised it and the aura around it glowed even more. "Fourth Form: Shōjō Sajinran(Rising Dust Storm)!" He swung his blade downwards from several directions creating several outward slashes of wind that collided with the flower petals an hindered them but they were still coming for the mage king. 'Didn't think that one would be enough on its own,' Asta thought as he put his arms out to his side letting his hairline hide his eyes.

"So you've accepted your fate," Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "I will be merciful and only injure to were you are unconscious."

Asta then got a sudden smirk as the sword's aura traveled up its wielder's arms, "Third Form: Seiran Fūju(Clean Storm Wind Tree)!" He rapidly moved his arms around his body to create a whirlwind around him that slices up everything in its path.

Byakuya's eyes widened,'The way he did that, it's his zanpakuto. I see, for someone of unparalleled physical strength like him, he uses it to defend others but yet has no defense himself thus the sword imbues him with that defense and also wants to protect its wielder.'

He soon regained his composure and looked forward. "Creating a whirled for defense. If you could do more with it I would say you could beat me if your attacks could reach me but with the wind, you generate you can only attack at a distance. Perhaps if you had years to train then you could evolve your power but you are still just a living pony and don't have such a luxury, especially with you coming with us."

A wall of petals came at Asta. The magic swordsman merely smirked with an evil look then placing both hands on his sword holding it head level to his right and ran forward, "First Form: Jin Senpū・Sogi(Dust Whirlwind Cutter)! " He dashed forward in a cyclone of slashes.

He dove straight into the petals to everyone's chock. Renji smirked knowing he was a fool and would die one for such a much from being shredded by the thousands of petal-like blades. Suddenly the tornado emerged on the other side of the wave and then faded. To Renji and Byakuya's utter surprise there stood Asta =, cuts all over his body bleeding and breathing heavily with a smirk on his face, his skin had a dark grey translucent scaly texture to it.

"If I hadn't hardened my skin at the last second I would've been dead for sure," He chuckled as he readied himself again. "I'm far from done though," He snarked as he gripped his sword and it pulsed enveloping him in its bright green aura. Byakuya didn't hesitate and sent a stream of flower petals at the mage.

Asta shot forward and then dove and placing the sword parallel with the top of his head. "Tenth From: Geiru Kazaguruma(Gale Pinwheel)!" He was spinning vertically like a wheel cutting down the stream of petals straight fro Byakuya.

Byakuya sent more streams of razor-sharp petals at the mage but he simply hopped from one to another traveling on them as a wheel travels on a road. Asta was soon following the flow of the petals and soon jumped off above Byakuya.

"One shot," he gritted his teeth as he threw his sword straight out in front of him and spun it to create a cyclone the developed to cover his blade, "Eleventh Form: Zefā Ransu(Zephyr Lance)!" Asta yelled as he launched his cyclone spear at Byakuya, his sword still in it.

Byakuya quickly summons his sakura petals to him and formed a massive wall above him. As soon as the lance made contact with the flowers it expanded in it a massive tornado with shredding winds the tore apart Senbonsakura's petals. Byakuya shot through the eye of the storm up to Asta who was huffing and starting to weaken from blood loss.

"Can't fight if your weapons torn to pieces," Asta chuckled.

Byakuya was seriously annoyed. "Quite, but if that's the case then all I need to do is make more," he held up his right arm and it was bleeding from several gashes the spiraled up it. "The last attack was a last-ditch attempt to take me down and ir would have worked on someone who didn't know that during a storm the safest time and place to travel is the eye." he threw his left arm out splattering blood into the wind and is quickly turned into sakura petals. "And as you said, without a weapon, you can't fight, not in that state at least."

"Normally I'd just let you pass out from blood lose or surrender, but not this time," Byakuya held his right arm up and the petals reformed into his zanpakuto. " I will put you to sleep and in restraints to keep you docile." He lunged forward.

'Looks like I lost,' Asta thought with a soft smile.

'DON'T YOU GIVE ME THAT CRAP!' The demon's voice rang out in his head. 'You've had another sword this whole time so hurry up and draw it!' he laughed

Quickly drawing out his second zapakuto Asta used it block Byakuya's strike."The shinigami's eyes went wide with shock at the shock before him. The sudden appearance of a new zanpakuto and it looked totally different from the sword Asta had earlier.

This one was solid black and skulls adorn the sword's hilt and scabbard. The tsuka(handle) was extremely long, a black leather braided grip with on each side of the grip are three blackened steel menuki(ornament) skulls on top of the black same(rayskin) on both side of the tsuka. On the end of the tsuka was its hammered blackened steel skull kashira(pommel). There was huge a skull tsuba(guard) also made of blackened steel that looks very ancient and seems like something you would see in a museum. The seppa(spacer) and habaki(blade collar) were both made of an ancient-looking copper. The saya(scabbard) of the weapon is constructed of blackened wood covered nearly two-thirds of it is wrapped in black braided leather with three more black steel skulls on either side of the saya.

The blade was simple in design with no hi (groove) and no hamon(edge line). The kissaki (point) appeared very sharp and the yokote (point line) was distinct. The bladed was a bright shining silver but quickly changed its color, much to Byakuya's and Renji's shock. Its spine turned solid black while it's edge growing from the black spine to a bright shining red, resembling his whit zanpakuto's blade.

Asta looked at Byakuya and then forced him back with a shove of his new weapon.

"How..." Byakuya stammered out as his eye were wide and shaking slightly. "How do you have two zanpakuto?"

Asta in the meantime held his new sword up and looked it over. "How? That's my business.," Asta's gazed shifted slightly. "Not even I know for sure but I have a pretty good idea of why. Again though... you don't need to know." He pointed his new weapon at Byakuya."Round two."

A sudden pressure was exerted over the entire area bring many to the state of unconsciousness in the city below. Everything looked as if there was a static covering of black and white on it. While souls that were strong enough to withstand the pressure and keep from fainting they were brought to there knees doing their best not to pass out.

Renji himself straining to breathe through the thick spiritual pressure. "This guy... is strong, way stronger than any of the lieutenants." He managed to gasp out as he started to sweat. "He may be stronger than Captain Kuchiki. Wait, he released his other sword earlier but there wasn't nearly this much reishi in the air then, did getting that over zanpakuto unlock more of his power, or did he just now release it."

"You a much stronger than you first let on," Byakuya said annoyed as he acted unaffected by the pressure Asta was exerting. "Now scatter Senbonzakura," the sword once more was turned into flower petals. "I should've known better than to take you so lightly."

"Yes, you should have," Asta scowled as he gripped the hilt of his blade with both hands and it began to turn solid black with reishi as it as he raised his behind hind him. "Remember I said I suck at reishi control, but I never said I couldn't do it." Byakuya's eyes widened as his attention was drawn to Asta's swords and he sent flower petals straight for Asta. "Hēisè Getsuga Tenshō(Black Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer)!"

Byakuya quickly summoned his petals back to him and tried to defend himself but with little to no luck. Asta sent a massive black crescent slash at the captain and he was consumed by it. As the attack died down there stood Byakuya huffing ad bleeding heavily. He was holding the right side of his chest as he tried to stay standing.

"You truly are worthy of the rank of Captain," Asta looked on sternly as he propped his sword against his left shoulder after sending a slash downward. Suddenly his other zanpakuto came whirling up from the ground like a saw. He easily caught it in his right hand. "I'm still new to the spirit body thing bur even I know when I should stop," he returned his white zanpakuto to its sheath.

Byakuya suddenly started to speak, "Ba-" was all he could say before Asta was on him holding Byakuya up by the k=neck with his finger. "I said the fight over asshole. I won you lost," Byakuya clawed at Asta's arm as he gasped for air trying to speak "You don't have any reishi left, while I barely have any myself so there's no point in furthering this battle."

"Captain!" Renji yelled in anger as he ready to charge in but was quickly stopped by having Asta throw Byakuya at him, knocking both shinigami to their ground, so to speak.

"Now let me tell you this," Asta scowled as he pointed his sword at them both. "I don't care if you fairy souls in this area, but don't mess with me or my people. If you do there will be more than Hell to pay," he warned in an ominous tone. He walked over to his knights and Pinkie held up his body for him to enter it. Once in it he held his hands up and used what power he had left to heal his wounds, further shocking the shinigami once more. "Tell your other captains, especially Head Captain Yamato to keep his adherent ass and rules away from me. If any of you come to force anything on me or my people, I guarantee we will retaliate in full force. I will not stand for me or my people to be under the thumbs of your filthy joke of a governing body."

"You... dare...," Byakuya wheezed.

"I dare... no," Asta rushed over and lifted them up by the collars. "I know and do. Now leave here and if your bosses want to speak with me then send a letter and I'll think about it." he tossed them a good ways away and then dusted his hands and crossed his arms.

"Ren... ji," Byakuya looked at his subordinate he grasped his throat who nodded and then open the Senkaimon.

"You haven't seen the last of the Shinigami," Renji commented as he looked at Asta. "I look forward to our next match Spike, and you," he looked back at Asta. "What's your name?"

"Asta Ferris, King of the Black Clover Kingdom," Asta answered.

"Huh... You're a decent guy and you use your power for the sake of others, things I respect in a stallion. So out of that respect, I have to let you know that we can't just leave this alone," Renji warned as he followed by Byakuya into the portal, and then the doors closed.

"That was exhausting," Asta sighed. "I need a nap now," he got wobbly and then Ymir caught him before he could fall placing him on her back.

"Lt's get him home," Fluttershy suggested. " Need to treat him and he needs a bed."

"Um... Dash?" Gilda tugged her friend's shoulder. "What the heck just happened? I heard a fight but saw nothing and then I saw these to ponies appear out of nowhere and they wore all black and a lot of other stuff."

"Not sure myself, but I saw the whole fight from the star and man it was awesome," Rainbow squeed. "I hope Asta wakes up soon to tell us the details. I still want you guys to get to know one another. My he'll make you a Black Bull," she threw her arms up. "Wouldn't that be great?!"

"Yea... hehe... great..." Gilda scratched the back of her head as the group road Pinkie's party barge down to Asta's house

Meanwhile back in the Seireitei a tall unicorn with a somewhat emaciated appearance, black eyebrows and green eyes, white hair, and tail in a shinigami uniform with a white haori over it with a Neighponese number thirteen on the back was walking about. His focus crystal was blue at the tip and grades down to green.

He is Jūshirō Ukitakethe the captain of the thirteenth division of the Gotei Thirteen and he was feeling well enough to walk around and get some work done while his lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki and his third seat Sentarō Kotsubaki.

"Sir you really should return to bed, or at least return to your office,," Rukia commented.

Rukia Kuchiki, the lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division. She is a very beautiful short and petite unicorn mare. Rukia has light skin and purple eyes. Her hair and tail are black, with several strands of hair always hanging between her eyes. Her focus crystal is white at the base and grades up to clear. Sh e wore the standard Shinigami uniform and had a zanpakuto at her hip but and on her left arm her Division Badge.

"You really should listen to her sir," Sentarō nodded, agreeing with his commanding officer.

Sentarō Kotsubaki, the third seat of the Thirteenth Division. He is an earth pony with dark hair and tail with a short goatee. He wears a customized version of the standard Shinigami shihakushō, wearing a thin white headband and white straps around his shoulders, which are tied in a circle at his back.

"Nonsense," Jūshirō softly smiled. "It's such a lovely day and I'm feeling extremely well today. I can go for a walk and get some fresh air, do some work too."

A bell rang and caught everyone's attention. A small black butterfly flew up to Captain Jūshirō and relayed a message and hen another bell rang drawing their attention to the Senkaimon.

"We're already here so why don't we great Captain Byakuya and Lt. Abarai," Jūshirō smiled as he looked at his subordinates, Rukia in particular since it was her brother and childhood friend. "They weren't gone for very long. I hope its good news."

The Senkaimon opened and out of it fell Captain Kuchiki and Lt. Abarai. They were badly beaten wounded.

"Renji! Big Brother!" Rukia cried out as she rushed over and caught them both.

Jūshirō quickly joined her and help place them both on the ground, "Kotsubaki, quickly, go get someone from the Fourth Division over here immediately."

"Sir," Kotsubaki nodded and then quickly ran off to find help.

Jūshirō turned back to the two barely conscious on the ground. "What kind of hollow could've done this?" He looked them over.

"Renji what happened over there?" Rukia demanded as her eyes filled with tears.

"Hehe.. we got our asses handed to us that's ... what happened," Renji chuckled as he slowly sat up. "And no, it wasn't... a hollow."

"Lt. Abarai, tell me exactly what happened in the World of the Living," Jūshirō ordered as he performed some treatment on Byakuya and examined his wounds.

"Well... we were sent to investigate the sudden disappearances of a few of our... squadmates," Renji winced as Rukia treated him as well. "We had also been order to scout... the area... as it was usually a hotbed for hollow activity."

"Usually?" Jūshirō looked perplexed.

"Almost all Hollows for that area went silent as of almost the last month or two, not really sure on the details there," Renji sighed as he started to feel better. "We found the bodies of the Shinigami we'd been sent for, eaten mostly and buried in graves marked by there zanpakuto."

"How did you end up in such bad shape?" Rukia asked out of stern concern. "I've done all that I can do as far as healing goes."

Jūshirō noticed the bruises on Byakuya's neck, one on the right and four on the left. He then looked at his palm, "Could it be," very carefully he lined his right them and fingers up with the bruises. "No denying it. Whatever got hold of you definitely knew how to grasp a throat and apply enough pressure to keep you from speak but enough to hold back from suffocation."

"That would be the problem that captain ran into," Renji noted. "Am extremely powerful Shinigami by the name of Asta Ferris beat him."

"What?!" Rukia said in disbelief. "There is no way anyone could beat my brother!"

"Look Rukia, I'll be one of the first to admit that he's strong but this guy was stronger," Renji said honestly.

"You said he was a Shinigami?" Jūshirō noted. "Are you sure? I've never heard of a Shinigami that goes by the name you mentioned."

"That's his name Captain Jūshirō, he told me himself and I'm sure he's some form of shinigami," Renji confirmed again. "Though he was off."

"How so?" Rukia questioned as she finished her healing.

"Will, first off he dressed like us but the colors were backwards, he even wore a black haori that was opposite a captain's, though it had this symbol of a bull skull and some sort of flower behind it instead of a number," Renji explained. "Now that I think about it," he rubbed his chin. "Most of those ponies that could see us wore capes of some sort that had the same symbol on it, just in gold instead of white."

"You were seen by how many exactly?" Jūshirō demanded to know as he finished what treatment he could on Byakuya.

"Seven, maybe eight," Renji guessed. "And you should know I got off easy. I had to fight Asta's student, the adopted son of the solar Princess."

Jūshirō's eyes widened. "You mean to say a living being fought with you? And put you in this state?"

"Yea," Renji nodded. "And one more thing you should know Captain. That guy Asta, he has two zapakuto."

Jūshirō looked at Renji in utterly speechless as his eyes quivered slightly. Then Kotsubaki returned with the captain of the Four Division, Retsu Unohana, walked upon them with her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, and a few of their other squad members.

"Oh dear, this is quite the sight," She placed a hand over her mouth. "Isane, please see to it that Lt. Abarai is brought to the barracks for further treatment, I will tend to Captain Kuchiki here and then have him moved to the barracks for further treatment as well."

Retsu Unohana, captain of the Fourth Division of the Gotei, a group mainly based around healing and medical practices. Thirteen. A slender and very youthful pegasus mare with blue eyes, black hair and tail. Her wings were a lab coat white. Her hair is long and is always worn as a large braid down the front of her body She wears the standard Shinigami captain uniform with the Neighponese wording for Fourth on the back and apart from using an obi, a broad sash usually worn by women with a Japanese kimono, instead of the normal sash. Unlike most Shinigami who carry their Zanpakutō in their sash, Captain Unohana has a large string attached to the sheath of her Zanpakutō and carries it over her shoulder. She is considered to be one of the scariest mares in the whole Seireitei.

"Ma'am," Isane saluted and did her job.

Isane Kotetsu, the lieutenant of the Fourth Division of the Gotei. She is a tall, young-looking unicorn mare with gray eyes and short messy silver hair with strands on the right side of her face that are shoulder-length and styled as two thin braids with a messy silver tail. Her focus crystal was a cloud clear with shimmers in it. She wears a thin dangling red earring on each ear and a standard Shinigami uniform with her lieutenant badge with the Fourth Division lettering on it on her left arm. She wears her zanpakuto on his left hip in her sash.

"I've done what I can for him Unohana," Jūshirō stated as he stood up. "Now that you're here I'll leave the rest to you. I must go and speak with the head captain immediately on what Lt. Abarai has just informed me of." Rukia reluctantly got to her feet, worried for her friend and her brother. "You should stay here with them."

Rukia quickly responded and shook her. "No sir. My brother would want me to fulfill my duties as a lieutenant first. He's out of danger thanks to you and now that Captain Unohana and Lt. Kotetsu is here I know that he and Renji are in good hands."

"Mmm...," Jūshirō looked into her eyes and saw she wouldn't be dissuaded. "Very well then, but instead of coming to the head captain's office with me I need you to go find Captain Kyōraku and tell him to meet me there."

"Sir," Rukia saluted and then ran off.

"Unohana, please send anything you find, anything at all to me immediately after you're done with his treatment," Jūshirō looked at his fellow captains.

"Sure," she said with a warm smile.

With that Jūshirō quickly walked off to the head captain's office. It didn't take him long to get to the head captain's office, now he was just waiting for his ally and best friend, Shunsui Kyōraku. It wasn't long before said captain and his lieutenant slash niece, Nanao Ise, arrived with Rukia leading the way.

"Thank you for coming my friend and thank you for finding him Rukia," Jūshirō smiled. "You're dismissed for now, this is a matter for us to discuss with the Head captain, and the fewer ears the better. Besides, Renji and you're brother need you."

Rukia bowed and then quickly departed without a word.

"So what's going on Jūshirō?" Shunsui asked.

Shunsui Sakuranosuke Jirō Kyōraku, captain of the Eighth Division of the Gotei Thirteen. He is a tall, light-skinned earth pony stallion with high cheekbones, grey eyes, and long wavy brown hair and tail. His hair is tied in a long ponytail and has long bangs that frame the left side of his face. He also has a noticeable amount of body hair on his chest, feet, and arms. He has thin facial hair around his mouth and on his cheeks. He is often seen wearing a Sugegasa straw hat and a pink, flowered lady's kimono, which he drapes across his shoulders and over his standard Shinigami captain's uniform. His haori and obi sash are relatively cheap, while his pin-wheel hairpins are very expensive. He doesn't wear the traditional tabi with his sandals. At his left hip in his bright cyan sash, he kept his two zanpakuto.

"It is and it has to do with the state of which Captain Kuchiki and Lt. Abari's returned in," Jūshirō explained. "but to save time let's see the head captain so I don't have to explain twice."

"Hmmm..." Shunsui rubbed his chin. "Does this have to with the prisoner?"

"I think it does, in some form at least," Jūshirō crossed his arms. "Which means it needs to stay between us. I'm sorry Lt. Ise but you'll have to wait out here for the time being."

"Yessir," She nodded.

Nanao Ise, the lieutenant of the Eighth Division of the Gotei Thirteen as well as the niece of Captain Shunsi Kyōraku. She is a slim and youthful pegasus mare with long black hair normally kept pinned back, with flat bangs that hang to the right side of her face and a black tail. She has slightly light blue eyes that have a deep tint of violet and wears glasses with a slight oval shape to them. Nanao wears a standard Shinigami uniform with her lieutenant's division badge on her left arm along with her zanpakuto in the sash at her left side like most shinigami.

"Will then," Shunsui said as he turned to the door. "I hope old man Yama is in a listening mood."

"He usually is, though his course of action is what I fear," Jūshirō sighed ash they opened the doors.

There in the middle of the room was an elderly stallion, the leader of the Gotei Thirteen, Head Captain Genryūsai Yamamoto.

Yamamoto looked at his two subordinates with a stern gaze as always and spoke with his gruff authoritative tone the demanded respect from all, "Captain Jūshirō Ukitake and Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, to what reason do I owe the pleasure for you both to come and see me? It must be important if you two are together."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the founder and central leader of the Gotei Thirteen, head of Division One. He is the oldest Shinigami and one of the four Shinigami captains from the original Gotei Thirteen when he first founded the Soul Society. The other three being Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku, and the last being Captain Retsu Unohana. He is an earth pony stallion and has the appearance of an old man with a very long white beard, and long eyebrows, and tail. When his attention is focused, particularly in battle, he reveals a set of red eyes. There are two prominent long scars crossing above his right eye. He has prominent wrinkles on his forehead and beneath his eyes, and shallow cheeks. He wears the standard Shinigami uniform, but its size is greatly exaggerated. He drapes his haori over his back similar to a cape instead of actually wearing it. Despite his old and frail appearance, he has a very muscular body which he only reveals when he goes to battle that is adorned with many scars on his torso and back. Yamamoto's Zanpakutō named Ryūjin Jakka usually takes the appearance of a harmless wooden staff, which can he uses like a spear from time to time. This disguise can easily be dropped revealing the cane to actually be his zanpakutō which looks like a standard Japanese katana.

"Sir," Jūshirō said as they both entered and bowed showing their respect before returning upright. "I have news from Captain Kuchiki and Lt Abari's recent trip to the world of the living. News that you'll want to here right away and that may pertain to the prisoner we captured not too long ago."

This caught Yamamoto's attention in full as he'd raised his eyebrows to reveal his red eyes, showing he was fully paying attention to what Captain Jūshirō had to say. Shunsui removed his hat noting that he to was intent on listening to his old friend. After twenty minutes or so Jūshirō finished what he had to say and to say that Yamamoto and Shunsui weren't more than shocked would be an understatement.

"This news is indeed disturbing," Yamamoto noted. "To think that a pony in the World of the Living has not one but two zanpakuto. This is very disturbing indeed. Didn't Renji Abari say anything else on this matter?"

"I didn't go into to much detail with him about it but he did mention that the Solar Princesses adopted son was the student of the pony bested Captain Kuchiki and that he was a living being," Jūshirō added.

"Hmm..." Yamamoto thought as he stroked his beard. "Go and get details from Renji Abari about the fight between him and the youth but also from what he witnessed during the class between Captain Kuchiki and this 'master'. If he can manage, then question Captain Kuchiki as well. In both your opinions, do you think this stallion has anything to do with the prisoner that was picked up some weeks ago?"

The two younger captains both nodded.

"I see. Until we know more on this matter place this area as a restricted zone for only the top members of the Gotei Thirteen and try to get some answers from our guest in the Senzaikyū," Yamamoto ordered. "He has been behaved from what I've been told. I had him placed there as he was an unknown and we couldn't risk him interacting with others. He has kept to himself but often complains about nothing to do or no one to converse with from what the guards have reported. Perhaps he'd be willing to speak with someone about this in passing if it were dropped by accident should we provide a curious janitor."

"Perhaps, or maybe we just ask the guy outright," Shunsui spoke his mind. "He's been answering the questions we've been asking so far and he's been truthful about them. I don't think anything would be gained if we try and deceive answers out of the guy."

"I have to agree with Shunsui Head Captain," Jūshirō looked at his superior dead in the eye. "I don't anything can be gained through deceptions. We should just speak with about this once we know more ourselves."

"Very well then," Yamamoto walked to his window looking out over the Soul Society. "I will place my faith in both of you. You have never given me a reason to doubt either of you in your choice. You now your orders, go." He stomped his staff, sword on the ground with an echoing bang.

Meanwhile, in the Senzaikyū a man layed on the floor in the dark, "I'M SO DAMN BORED!"

Back in the world of the living, it was now dark and many of the Black Bulls had come by to check-in. Most wondering what had happened earlier from seeing the clash in the sky and then the mass fainting incident all across the city. Asta himself had been healed help by Fluttershy and was now sleeping in their bedroom upstairs in the house. He was completely worn out and slept heavily with a snot bubble steadily rising and falling as he snored. Downstairs the other sat around not knowing of what went on and who those strange ponies in black were, though Trixie did have some idea. She explained that those two we just two of many and actually fought of monster that fed on lost souls, though she didn't know more than that as she never tried to approach them or made contact at all, until today.

"Maybe the princesses know about those guys," Aj suggested.

"I can write about them but she won't respond right away, they're busy in Prance right now," Spike said. "Something about a trade agreement."

"Maybe Prince Amore may know something," Fluttershy suggested.

"Yea, but isn't she a bit busy with the town aright now," Rainbow pointed out.

"Usually I'd say yes to the Rainbow but as soon as the sky starts to turn dusk she stops," Twilight explained, "I'm actually really surprised she hasn't come by to see Asta yet."

"She did come by but Ah told her to come back later after he'd rested a bit," Aj huffed. "We don't need her tryin to suffocate him with her big cans while he's healin up," She said as her face flushed slightly.

"What are they talking about Dash?" Gilda leaned over and whispered.

"Oh, they're talking about the Princess of The Crystal Empire. Asta helped save her and the Empire so she has a tendency to go fangirl on him when its the first time they meet up for the day." Rainbow laughed. "She.. haha... she chokes him out with her boobs every time. He ends up passed out on the ground foaming at the mouth with nose bleed haha!"

Gilda's face went bright red as did Trixie's while Twilight, Aj, and Fluttershy merely looked away with the mixed emotions of jealousy and annoyment.

"Ah say we ask Amore when she drops by, and have her stay for supper and see if she'd be willin to share what she knows if show knows anything at all that is," Aj said taking a deep breath and clearing her head.

Suddenly, a loud gurgling sound rang throughout the entire first floor of the house. Everypony turned their heads to the source, it being Fluttershy's stomach. The pegasus immediately heads behind her bangs as her face flushed from embarrassment.

"Oh dear," she muttered.

"Looks like it's supper time," Aj chuckled. "Ya'll stayin?" she looked at Rainbow and Gilda.

"Heck yea, I love it when you two cook," Rainbow smiled.

"I'm with Dash so not much of a choice there," Gilda shrugged. "Need help setting up."

"Sure," Aj nodded as everyone went to the kitchen when there was a knock on the door.

"Must be Amore, I'll get it," Rainbow zipped to the door and opened it to reveal the former Empress of the Crystal Empire. "Hey there?"

"Evening Rainbow Dash, can I come in?" Amore asked politely.

"Yea, we were just getting set up for food, you want in?" Rainbow motioned to everypony and gryphoness.

"I'd be delighted to join you," Amore smiled. "What's for supper?" She walked into the house.

"Stew," Aj smirked.

After everyone had washed up and grabbed a bowl they all sat down and enjoyed their meal together. Once done with supper and everyone had had their fill that's when the questions were asked.

"Amore, you wouldn't happen to know anythin about the fellas that Asta and Spike fought with would ya?" Aj asked plain and simple.

"Asta and Spike fought them," she raised an eyebrow, "does this fight coincide with the mass fainting across town?" They all nodded. "What did these ponies look like? Describe them?"

"Well, the wore clothes similar to the ones Asta has been wearing lately just reverse colors," Rainbow scratched her head.

"They also used Neighponese style swords that transformed after they said specific phrases and both sword transformation were totally different from each other," Twilight crossed her arms.

"Asta called them a specific word to," Fluttershy added.

"Shinigami," Pinkie giggled.

Aj said as she tried to remember. "No, but that's really close."

"Shinigami," Amore said.

"Yea that's it," Rainbow snapped her fingers. "Wait, isn't that the name of one of the new branches that Asta wanted to add to the Black Bulls?"

"Indeed it was," Amore nodded. "But he was still on the fence about it. Though, after this encounter, he may abandon the name for something else."

"Just who are those guys anyways?" Gilda said.

"Shinigami, or 'Death God', or 'Gods' depending on the number present, as it translates from the old tongue are hunters and ferryman," Amore explained.

"Wait, Death God, I remember reading something about that tern some time ago," Twilight said quietly as she pondered then she gently taps her palm with her fist. "Ah, now I remember. The Shinigami, or Death God, refers to the old legend of ferrymen that would shepherd the wandering and lost souls to the afterlife while also hunting down and cleansing the souls of the corrupt and evildoers that become monsters after they died. They would do both jobs, but their main task is to make sure all souls make it to the other side of Paradise."

"Very good Twilight, yes, this is their job," Amore smiled. "They have been doing this since before even I and even the founders of the alliance had been born. Most beings with physical bodies can't see them as Shinigami are spiritual beings, though they can have influence over things if the posses enough power. Few like those with enough spiritual prowess or magic can see and interact with them to. Though they mainly stay out of contact with the living world's creatures, rarely ever making themselves known. Why were they here?"

"That would be Trixie's fault," Trixie sighed stepping forward. "Trixie has always been able to see spirits and the monsters that the Shinigami called hollows. From time to time the monsters would come close to Trixie but would soon back off for some reason or another, until today. Trixie was attacked on her way here and two Shinigami mares tried to kill the hollow but were eaten instead," She grabbed her arms and shook slightly. "Then it came after Trixie. If it wasn't for Asta, Trixie would've been eaten too."

Trixie started to cry slightly and then Twilight came over and wrapped her arms around the performer comforting her. "Shh... it's okay."

"Thank you," Trixie sniffled. "After Asta buried the remains of the Shinigami that defended Trixie we came here. Trixie thinks the Shinigami from earlier tracked use here."

"I'm sure they did," Amore sighed. "As for what happens now, I don't know." "They'll definitely be back if Asta showed off his powers. I guess we're going to have to keep watch for the time being." She stood up, out of the corner of her eye Amore noticed Fluttershy looked a bit queezy. "Are you feeling alright dear? Is supper not agreeing with you?"

"Excuse me..." Fluttershy placed a hand over her mouth and rush to the nearest toilet and began to empty her stomach.

"You okay Flutters?' Rainbow asked as he entered the bathroom.

"GET OUT RAINBOW DASH!" Fluttershy actually yelled before going another round with the toilet.

"Guys, she's not right, I think those two Shinigami did something to her," Rainbow said out of worry as she zoomed back into the living room. "Shy never acts like that, especially with me!"

"She's fine Rd," Aj sighed as she shook her head. "Shy just had to much to eat at supper is all."

"What's going on with her Aj?" Twilight asked. "Fluttershy never yells like unless it's for a good reason."

"It's her hormones are acttin up," Aj rolled her eyes. "Ah can't say I'm surprised cause Ah've been expectin it to happen anytime now"

"It's morning sickness right?" Amore cut in and Aj nodded to confirm.

"She's had it for about a week now," Aj explained. "She's been able to hide it pretty well mainly by managin what and how much she eats."

"How far along is she in the pregnancy?" Amore crossed her arms. "Does Asta know?"

"Yea he knows. She's known since Asta's was last summoned, so about two and half three months now," Aj estimated. "Thanks to her experience with animals and her nature she's been able to keep it on the down-low."

"Pregnancy?" Everypony else said all at once.

"Uh oh," Aj just realized what she answered.

"Wait a minute," Rainbow cut in. "You mean that Shy... Oh, sweet Celestia..." Rainbow passed out from shock before uttering another word causing Gilda to rush over and catch her.

"This is a first," Gilda looked at her friend in her arms disbelief.

"Applejack this is great news, why didn't you tell us sooner?" Twilight narrowed her eyes at her friend.

"Ah'm in a relationship with two others Twi, it's not my place to tell unless we all agree," Aj crossed her arms. "Ah wanted to tell ya but Asta and Shy wanted to wait and get you and everypony else together for the announcement but it's been kinda hard to do that with how busy we've been. Not even Pinkie knows because they made me Pinkie Promise not to tell."

"They were that serious about," Twilight raised her brow.

They heard the flushing of the toilet again and the bathroom door finally open and out walk little disheveled but still glowing Fluttershy, "Oh I so sorry about that, supper isn't agreeing with me at all," she lightly chuckled. "Um, why is everypony staring at me?"

"Sorry Shy but they know," Aj rubbed the back of her head, pushing her hat up slightly.

Shy's eye shrank.

"We won't tell anypony Shy, Applejack already explained why you and Asta were kept it secret," Twilight ran over and hugged her friend. "I'm so happy for you."

"If you want to keep this secret then do mind if we stay here too?" Gilda asked ash she layed Dash down on the couch. "You think she'd way a ton with how any cookies she eats."

"Asta's training keeps us in pretty decent shape," Aj said as she went to a nearby closet and pulled out a few blankets. "And Ah was gonna say ya'll stay. Dash ain't gonna wake up from that shock for a while and ya don't know how to get around h the city, Plus its already dark." She looked at Trixie. "Ah have a pull out in mah room you can stay on. Though be warned, we get movin pretty earlier around here and Asta won't let ya sleep in too late either."

"If you want Trixie," Twilight interjected. "You can stay at my house. Spike is the only other pony, erh... drake that I have living with me and we have a couple of spare rooms. So you'd have something of your own space until you feet at least."

"You'd let Trixie stay with you for real," Trixie said with a crack in her voice only for Twilight to smile and nod.

"With open arms," Twilight said warmly.

"Thank you," Trixie said softly.

"Twilight," Fluttershy said softly to her friend, "can you come with Aj and me to her room for a moment, please. There's something we've been wanting to ask you about and right now seems to be the best time, given the circumstances," She turned to look at Applejack her eyes slightly squinted.

"Sure..." Twilight said lightly.

"'I'll keep everypony company here girls, you go have you chat," Amore smile as the trio left and went up stairs.

"Hold on," Aj stopped them as they came to Shy's room. "Let's check on Asta." She cracked the to peer in on a still snoring mage, the snot bubble still steadily rising and falling with his snores. They all let out a low giggle. "Come on. Let's let him sleep." She closed the door and they went down to her from and entered closing the door.

"So what do you two want to talk about?" Twilight asked as she stood across from the duo.

"Twilight, you like Asta don't you," Fluttershy said outright causing the unicorn to reel back in defense.

"Ah, *cough*... Of course, I like him he's my friend after all," Twi looked off to the said.

"Twi, you don't have to deny it," Aj chuckled. "He's a good friend and an all-around great stallion."

"Is it that obvious?" Twilight's face started to heat up slightly.

"Kinda hard to miss with how much you've been comin over the last few weeks for even the littlest of things and how ya act around him or even if somepony says he's nearby," Aj pointed out.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the others knew too, outside Rainbow of coarse," Shy chuckled. "She's always been numb to the romantic side of life." She said flatly.

"So do have feelins for him?" Aj asked wanting to be sure.

"I know I like him a little more than just a friend but I'm sure if I actually have feelings for him or if this is just some phase or a passing crush," Twilight sighed. "I'm not even sure he finds attractive. Besides, he has you two."

"Twi, have you ever tried to ask him if he thinks your pretty?" Aj crossed her arms only for Twilight to slightly shake her head from side to side.

"He's already given the herd a chance so why not ask him," Shy came over and slightly burped causing her face to flush as she put her hand over her mouth. "Excuse, I'm sorry about that."

"It's why we wanted to talk with ya Twi," Aj gave a warm smile. "If ya want in we're not against it. Why not ask him out on a date? Go to Canterlot for a while, ya have Princes Luna's transport spell. It'd be nothing for ya and him to go and spend a few hours there. I think he needs a break from all this anyways."

"I agree with you Aj, "Shy nodded. "All he's been doing lately is training or training others. He does come home a spend some time with us, but by the time we get to bed he falls right to sleep."

"He'll burn out at this rate," Aj sighed. "And now there's this Shinigami Business to add in."

"Hmm... I don't know," Twilight said apprehensively.

"You don't have to take him Twilight, but I think you should,"Fluttershy said sternly. "It would help you sort your feelings out, while giving Asta a chance to have a little fun."

"I'll think about it okay," Twilight looked at them both. "I'll let you both know in a day or two. Right now I think we should all get some rest. It's been a long day."

"Yea," Aj nodded.

"I'm sleeping in here with you tonight Aj," Shy looked at her herd sister. "Asta is taking up the whole bed and his snore would get on my nerves."

"Okay," Aj shrugged.

"I better be off, need to get Trixie settled in," Twilight walked out of the room.

"Think about it Twilight, please," Shy said as Twilight walks down the stairs.