//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: What is the heart? // by Skiddlez //------------------------------// The next day, Ulquiorra opened his eyes, and felt… something. This was indigestion, brought on by too much delicious cake. How much had he eaten last night? Last night… Did he really drink hot sauce? Did he really pin his sword on his own backside somehow? There was too much to remember, as he was currently in the tree house. “Oh, hey! You’re awake!” You are too bright for this morning. “So, uh… Ulquiorra, what is that thing you’re holding?” “This is my Zanpacto, Murciélago. It is not a toy.” “Anyway, I think you need a change of clothes. They got pretty stained last night.” Ulquiorra looked at his clothes. They’d been dyed brown by chocolate, with red splotches from the hot-sauce. “I think that would be a good idea.” “Carousel Boutique… This is where I can wash my clothes?” “You’ll get your clothes washed here, alright.” Entering the gaudy, glittery building, a white unicorn with an elegantly curled mane walked out to greet them. “Oh, hello Twili- GASP!” Ulquiorra looked on dispassionately as this ‘Rarity’ pulled a couch towards her, and collapsed on top of it. “Such a NOVEL combination of colours! Even if messes create it, it is still so chic! Oh, THANK you, Mr Ulquiorra! Now,” she gathered and composed herself, “can I help you?” By the time the… events of the measurements for new clothes were over, Ulquiorra felt unchanged. He was staring at Opalescence, Rarity’s pet cat. “…She’s been getting ever so moody, Twilight! Fighting dogs, other cats- it’s a miracle she isn’t dead.” Suddenly, Ulquiorra realized what was bothering him about the white cat. It looked at him with a certain look in its eye. One only possessed by one piece of trash. This isn’t possible. But it is… Ulquiorra walked over to Opalescence, and looked at the cat. Twilight could have sworn he was shaking. Rarity looked at him warily. ‘What are you doing?” Ulquiorra touched the cat. I’m free now, suckers! What- Opalescence was slowly floating in the air, with a cocky smirk on its face. Waves of yellow and blue magic rolled off the smirking cat, forming an orb around the pampered, aggressive cat. Opalescence slowly glowed a pure, blinding white. With a flash, the light disappeared, revealing… Opalescence, in the exact same position on the floor. “Um, big sis? I think that Opalescence magically transformed into Opalescence. That’s lame.” “AH-HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH! AH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH! I’m back! My power has returned!” Turning in the direction of the voice, they saw another creature. This one was even taller than Ulquiorra- at least a full head taller. It wore the same pants, had the same black and white hooves, and had the same sash, but everything else was different. Its jacket was much shorter, ending at halfway down its heavily muscled chest. It had long sleeves, but they were rolled up. The creature had, rather than a bone half-helmet on its head, a half-jawbone on the right side of the lower half of its face. Its mane was a wild, electric blue, and it stuck up in a very similar fashion to Opalescence’s tuft. Its bright blue eyes sparkled with sadism and a cruel laughter, and he had what looked like teal make-up around the far corners of his eyes. The most interesting feature of his body was the large hole in his stomach. It seemed to be wholly natural for him- he didn’t seem to be suffering, and it looked fully healed. “Hey, Ulquiorra! I’ve got one thing to say to your ugly face!” He launched himself at Ulquiorra, who for his part looked bored. That huge smirk on his face had barely moved. He hugged Ulquiorra in a tackle to the ground. “THANK YOU! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’VE BEEN THROUGH! THAT WAS THE MOST HORRIBLE THREE DAYS OF MY LIFE!” He was bawling now, before he punched Ulquiorra in the face. “Now I’ve got a worthy oppo- hey, what’re you looking at me like that for?” Ulquiorra was shaking. “Too scared to fight, Emo-clown?” “You have a bow in your hair.” As one, every pony, including the creature, looked up. He did indeed have the bow in his hair. “BLOODY FUCK! GET IT OUT! I’M TOO MANLY FOR THIS!” He finally saw Rarity. He exerted his spiritual pressure on her. “TAKE THIS FUCKING BOW OUT OF. MY. HAIR. NOW.” Tearily, Rarity did so. “Heh.” The creature swung around to Ulquiorra. That one small chuckle seemed to be it. “YOU FUCKING LAUGHED! YOU NEVER LAUGH!” He felt a small tug on his hakama. “Um, Mister Not Opalescence? What’s your name?” He grinned at her. ‘The name’s Grimmjow. Grimmjow Jaegerjaques. Remember the name!” Peering at the little filly a bit closer, he recognized her. ‘HEY! You’re Sweetie Belle! You used to give me that burnt applesauce stuff! That is the greatest!” Sweetie Belle blushed at the praise. “Actually… it was toast.” “I don’t give a fuck, it was delicious!” “Grimmjow, why were you a cat?” Grimmjow looked at Ulquiorra strangely. “None of your business, Emo-clown.” “It kind of is. We’re all alone here, Grimmjow. Only you and me here in this world, as far as I know. So, again, what happened to you.” “Man, what happened to you, Ulqui? You’ve changed a lot.” “I… have discovered my own heart.” Grimmjow looked at him strangely “You were always weird, but this takes the cake. If you really wanna know, fucking Princess Celery did this to me.” Thanks for reading! Please read a comment as to what you think, criticism helps!