God Yet Lives

Astarte almost cringed at the sight of the humans. She knew they were going to be working with a pair of humans but she still resented it. Her instincts told her to eat them both.
It didn't help when Noctis used her abilities, or when she spoke. She didn't enjoy being startled- although she couldn't blame the girl for managing to startle her, anybody could- or her sour disposition.
She then turned her attention to Euryale and considered her, waiting for her to speak.

Noctis eyed Astarte eyein' Euryale, "You see something you like?"

"I don't know yet," Astarte shrugged and glanced at Noctis.

E"I really doubt she does, Noct."

L"Don't worry, she's just on edge. If not because of our upcoming trip to Hell, then probably because of something Senthose did."

A"What did he do?"

E"There is literally not enough time in the world to go over that story."

At Astarte's remark Noct contemplated stabbing her, but stopped when Euryale spoke up. "I'd say something a bit more subtle, and biting, but this really has to be addressed upfront. Where did you find that dress, and why did you decide to wear it instead of burning it?"

Mortal let out a small snicker, "Is this really happening?"

*Senthose puts a hand on Noctis's shoulder & looks down at her with actual tears in his eyes.*

S"I've never been more proud of you, son."

Astarte looked from her dress to Noctis and shrugged slightly, "It's what I've always had. I don't particularly like change. Do you have a problem, human?"
She could tell how much the girl hated her but chose not to show it. She added 'easily angered and insulted' to her reasons to resent her.
On the other hand, she didn't mind Euryale so much.

"I'm not a--" Noct let out a sigh, and shook her head, "And you, my name is Noctis, I'd like it if you called me that instead of human. Also, no, I don't have a problem at all."

Mortal looked at Senthose, "So, are we going to sit here, entertained by them throwing barbs at each other, or are we going to get going?"

"Then this pointless conversation is over, Noctis." Astarte's face remained neutral but she allowed venom into her voice, then relaxed as she continued. "I hope next time we speak we can be on better terms."

S"Hold on, I have to brief them so they don't kill themselves. For the past few days, we've been trying to teach Lilith Hollow techniques. Unfortunately--"

E"What kind of Hollow techniques?"

S"Uhh...things like Hierro & Garganta, but it doesn't matter, because we were unsuccessful."

E"Why didn't you just give her some of your powers?"

S"Come again?"

E"You know, like how John took some of Ulquiorra's powers & gave them to us. Of course, not many can trade spirit powers freely, but it isn't too hard to pass your own on. We don't often do it because the more you give, the more you lose, but that shouldn't be a problem for you guys."

*Senthose stares at Euryale like she's had the Theory of Everything written on her forehead this entire time & he's never noticed it. Then he looks over to Noctis.*

S"You can rip open a decent space-hole."

"If I don't say so myself."

S"Would you be so kind as to share some of your power with Lilith? I imagine she doesn't need much, just a little push in the right direction."

*He grabs Lilith by the shoulders & centers her in Noct's view. She smiles sheepishly & waves at Noctis.*

S"How can you deny someone so pure?"

*At "pure," Aroma giggles. Senthose whisperyells at her out of the side of his mouth.*

S"(Shut. Up.)"

Noct frowned, "It isn't so much that I don't want to help out Lilith. I mean, I really do... but, sharing powers isn't really something I'm comfortable with. I mean, I don't even like using my powers on people in certain ways sometimes..."

Sab let out a small sigh, "She doesn't need everything. Just a little."

Noct fidgeted, and blinked on her fullbring, "Fine... fine, but only a little..."

L"Thanks, Noct. So...how do we do this?"

S"You could stab her in the heart."

*Everyone glares at Senthose.*

S"What? It always worked for Aamon & me."

L"Maybe we should try something a little less dangerous."

*Lilith whips out her Hollow Mask & places a hand on Noct's chest, concentrating intensely.*

E"...And a lot more awkward."

Noct giggled a bit, the girl with the flattest chest she knew of was touching the girl with the second flattest chest she knew of.

"Wow, she doesn't even try to hide her enjoyment. Is there trouble in paradise between you two?" Mortal asked.

"That isn't why I'm laughing..."

E"Not at all, we actually have plans for when we get back, involving a nifty floating shadow harness. I don't think Noct or Lilith would want her to join in, though."

*Lilith withdraws her hand, recoiling at all of the wrongness Euryale just dropped right out there.*

S"Did you get it?"

L"I think so. I thought being a Hollow would make it easier for me to draw the Hollowness out of Noct. If that makes any sense at all."

S"Not really. Can I continue with the brief now?"

*Lilith dispells her mask.*

Noct sank into her own shadow and walked out of Euryale's to make sure everything functioned the way it was supposed to.

Mortal and Sab were still trying to ignore that Noctale used powers to screw each other.

S"Right, well, failing the ability to develop a significant number of new techniques, I had Urahara fashion devices based on Quincy Silver Tubes. They should be able to mix with most Kido-like abilities & alter them. Noah has them, so now that we're all together, we will be heading for the Soul Society, where we will use the Garganta Machine to enter Hell. Once there, we will use your basic Hun Strategy, trying to stay as a large group & murdering everything that we come across. I think that pretty much covers everything."

"So our plan of attack is to simply attack..." Noct shook her head, "Awesome, lets get going."

Astarte took a deep breath, trying not to seem afraid of what was to come, and followed wherever the others went.

S"Yes, well, we don't really have that many options. That is what happens when you have to plan for every contingency based on intelligence you don't have. We couldn't spy on the Underworld because of the miasma, the Hell Guards, and the chance that those things would escape through the portals."

*He snaps his fingers, opening a Garganta to the Soul Society.*

"Yes, yes, I understand," Noct said, "We're just throwing things at the wall until something sticks. Only the things we're throwing are our lives. No biggie."

"Christ, you really are a downer..." Mortal said.

"I'm really quite cheerful once you get to know me."

*Once in the Soul Society, everyone kind of edges away from them, until they've reached the Squad 12 building. Urahara is standing over the control panel.*

Urahara<Good, you're here. I take it you're ready to go?>

S"Have you made the modifications I demanded?"

*Urahara frowns.*

Urahara<Against my better judgment, yes...the Garganta will no longer open up in the middle of the sky.>

"Wait, why was it going to in the first place?" Mortal asked.

S"It's always like that with him."