Xiaolin Showdown [Iriko, Request to Join.]

The skies were raining, or were the heavens crying? Who knew. To some the passing rain could be nothing more than a menace, to others the downpour of rain were but a symbolic release of sorrow. With that state of the world being so edge, perhaps the latter was more true than the former. That is what the Captain Commander of the Thirteen Court Squads seemed to preach, anyway.

There had been some talk throughout the country of the speech he made. Most did not consider its message, others thought he was nuts, some could appreciate the value and many outright just chose to ignore it. In China, for the most part, the native people of this country always seemed to mend and go with the flow of whoever had the most power That was just the way the world worked here.

With that being the case, however, the "owner" of this country, Kin Iramasha, has taken the steps required to improve it from its last order. Those within the protection of The Kokuryuteshi are given free housing, nourishment, top of the line healthcare limitless power to do with what they please and ultimately sanctuary from the world.

But alas, with every system, there is always those who oppose it. When full control of the country of China came earlier within the year, most who opposed this regime were often cast away into the shadows and repressed. If they grew violent? Then they were terminated and reduced to ash. Those within The Kokuryuteshi seemed to tolerate questioning of their rule in a civil and controlled environment, but they certainly weren't going to endure radicals on their land.

Nevertheless, to those casted to the outlands, they were always given a hand by those within this organization to join their civilization. Those who end up in those ruins only have themselves to blame, according to The Kokuryuteshi, due to the fact they have almost zero tolerance for those threatening the order of their claimed regions.

And much like them, other territories of The Globe were beginning to follow suit. Areas controlled by Shadow Fall? They appeared to be closing their borders and deporting those who attempted to overthrow them. For nations controlled by The Yayjuu, Yuudeshi, Vizard Corps and the whole trinity these factions have bestowed with The Vanguard? Nothing but dome nations seem to have popped up overnight as they began their own efforts of mending, repairing and improving the world through restoration missions occurring throughout the globe. Even the likes of Eldrazi was heard to have been an isolated nation; much like Russia was since World War Three.

Yes. Isolation. That seemed to be the key to achieving this lowering of tensions on the globe. It wasn't gone overnight, but the critical urgency of the planet, throughout the past month or so, seemed to have been easing to an extent. These factions, groupings and people were becoming more inward and focusing more on what they could enforce and protect. They were going tired of battle, certainly, and war was not something most militaries and organizations desired anymore.

So it is along these lines that Kin himself ordered that most of his allies, comrades and family simply stand down. There was no need for anything or anyone else with the power he had. The assurance in himself was not of arrogance, but of pure self-reliance and understanding. He had the power of a demi-god, did he not? The problems of the world can be handled by him and him alone. If he can't do it, then the foundations of his sanctity will simply crumble. Nothing more, nothing less.

There had been many sacrifices to reach this point, that was something he informed his followers all too often. If they were willing to endure those, place their trust in him and allow his vision to take place: then his objective was to grant their wishes and see how far his AND their desired path would take him.

Thus, today, this road seems to have crossed paths with that of The Slug Poet. Like an unstoppable train collisions, the wills of these two males were sent on a crash course with one another. Descending from the heavens with a silver, amber and faint black glow; the man who was the leader of China and founder of The Kokuryuteshi made his presence all but known to Iriko.

Flowing silver hair, oiled bronze skin, piercing orange eyes, toned physique, tall stature. These were all key words to describe the males physical appearance as he touched the ground ten feet away from The Lone Shinigami. A tight fitting robe that was black, gold and white in color would be the first of the males attire to be made observable to the commander before Kin Iramashsa. The shackling of jewelry from the males golden necklace were then made audible as he slowly made his way to his position.

"So you've made a fuss, delivered a message and got my attention. So pray tell me, what exactly DO you want from me?" Those were the first words to utter out of The Iramasha's mouth with a dull and uninterested gaze in his eyes, while a stern and unmoving tone hardened his voice. The energy oozing from this male dimmed in terms of aesthetics, but the damning volume and explosion of energy within him felt like an unending cosmic explosion. At any second, at any moment, on Kin's whim, he'd be ready to unleash a strength capable of changing the landscape for generations to come.

Yet -- he chose not to. That wasn't why he was here, nor did he believe that Iriko desired that sort of weapon to be unleashed from either of their sides. If he did, than perhaps he was as foolish as those who came before him. Nevertheless, it was a safety measure and nothing more. If things turned violent, if his country was harmed in anyway, shape or form; then the male would do what he need to and deal with the problem with his own two hands. No need for an army, no requirement for external forces; just the pure and total reach of his being.

Hence, with these precautions made, The Leader of The Kokuryuteshi scowled and stared further at the sorry mess of The Captain Commander. Demons had not doubt plundered, ravaged and made his body their own. Hearing the tales from his encounter in the Soul Society, it seemed that The Demon God took a liking to this individual. For what reason? Kin could barely fathom at this point. The roadblock on his path now just seemed -- underwhelming.

"You've come all this way to do what? Provoke an attack from us on the Soul Society? Explain once again our motives for Antarctica? Spew more sentimental garbage about how we run our country? Pick a story, define it and convey to me what angle you are coming at, Shinigami."

And with that, he'd await to see his response before making any further movements, judgements or actions. This had better be worth his time, and he'd better have a damn justifiable reason for these ridiculous pop-ups in his home. They've managed fine without interference from the globe with Iori out of the picture, so just what did this male hope to accomplish anyway?

Sigh.

Ironic? That was a questionable statement that came out of the Shinigami's mouth. To which Kin could only bat a doubtful eyebrow towards. "Irony? Perhaps, but things change overtime. Who was once the villain today becomes the hero tomorrow when the war concludes and they are victorious."

Speaking without missing a single beat, the words and tone of the males voice were hard, to the point and unmoving as he maintained a hardened stare into the eyes of The Captain Commander. Supposedly, his primary enemy in the flesh.

Mowing through his pleasantries, the sentences that soon came after were nothing of importance to him. Nothing more than filler to stuff the void in the conversation. However, the first two questions he asked managed to peak a mild interest for him. "Bored? Those are crude words to use for this situation. What I came here to do requires a rigid outlook on the world and this impromptu meeting you've yelped for."

Unfolding his arms during his brief pause, the clapping of thunder and the flashing of light seemed to captivate the Iramashsa for a brief moment. Something about that strike -- resonated within him. It was as if it represented the violent vortex of instability ripe in the air from these two standing face to face. These thoughts served to further the frown across the male's face; as there was no time for emotion for a place, time or event like this.

"So you are incorrect in saying I have no emotion, but you know as well as I do this isn't the moment for it. We've come here to settle affairs, have we not? Let us stick to that and that alone." In that space of hard-line speaking, a faint white aura emitted from Kin and, soon, many pellets of rain were all but bouncing away from him. It gave the male his own dry zone as he absolved himself from this worlds remedial problems.

"I cannot confirm nor deny that."

Those words were brief and to the point without a single ounce of hesitation or doubt behind them. To Kin? Order and Chaos of this world were but tools to achieve that which would bring his vision to reality one day. So it was a moot point for him to maul whoever represented either element.

"If you stand my way of our vision, then you are my enemy. Be it friend, ally, bystander or foe; those who place themselves in my path will be dealt with in one way or another."

Still staring with his intent gaze, the stance of his position seemed to be that of stone and brick. These words, they oozed in a low-pitch tone, but carried with them a much louder and heavier weight as the understanding behind them were absolute in Kin's mind.

"So until that action is made, you are not my enemy before said choice comes to fruition."

Resolve? Non-sense. Hearing those words that questioned what he took to take his goal were nothing but shallow things. In the eyes of the man who wielded The Burning Star? This flame was more than just his own resolve, but the willpower and desires of all those whom he had led until this point. The waiting, the planning and fighting that had been endured for so long would ensure that much. Even if he himself could not carry out this will as the being he is now, Kin Iramasha's desire had transcended the barriers of his mind and would be followed by his successors if it came down to it.

"I'm aware of what it takes for my ambition. I'd not make it this far in my quest if I failed to comprehend it." With an affirmed nod of his head, his eyes seemed to spark up and ignite into flames. For in a flash, and in a hurry, they were as bright as the light of an exploding star. "And I consider myself not a King like my associate seems to believe he is, but a Leader and Commander of my people. I have no desire to be of royalty, only to do what is needed to meet the needs of those under my wing and to obtain our desires."

Once again, the motion of Kin's body or meanings did not budge. He was as a great wall was to a fierce storm: unmoving. No matter how the world picked at this wall, it would not so easily falter and break down on itself. The support in which founded this wall was too great for its own creator to even destroy; yet alone outsiders. So as The Captain Commander gave him his questionable gaze -- Kin remained unphased and these feelings could be seen in that harsh stare of his.

"There is no time for regret. The actions of the past are done. To look back is pointless if it is not to learn and move on from mistakes of days gone by. It fills the mind with doubt, places anxiety on the heart and lingers with it a sense of weakness that has no place in my vision." All of the other bits of content and derision towards the society he build were filler noise. Those words were filtered out and he only focused on what was important from the male from this point forward.

So, a heavy sigh came to pass from his lips once the inevitable question came. The Soul Society -- his place of origins. What a bothersome thing indeed. "I've given my decision on the question of rather or not you are my enemy, so I will explain my stance well enough." Staring up at the blackened skies above, Kin closed his eyes and held the falling raindrops from the heavens in his hands; absolving a hole in his oh-so-protected barrier to feel the sorrow of the world outside it. A sorrow he had felt for so many years before he had found a way to at least break it for himself.

"What I wish to become...is the new Soul King."

There was silence. Then he continued.

"Why, you may ask? Simple: inaction. You yourself should understand quite well. After all, I've fought against the hollow shell of that creature once before when I was weaker and can sense that which is his scent festering within you."

Once those words were uttered out into existence, flames roared into the world behind Kin and they took shape of amber eyes that stared down Iriko grow. In them? The image of the Soul King was reflected in the left eye, while the display that was the remains of the Soul Society's Creator that lay within Iriko was shown in the right.

"And while this may go against my desire to become a King, I'll soon enough morph the title itself if I take reign. I'll become that which is The Leader of Souls. This is because his indifference has led to a world consumed by far too inadequacy."

As the rain fell harder, the heaviness inside of his chest grew thicker. To feel, taste, smell and experience the reality of it all was a sombering thing to transpire within Kin's body. It reminded him, with his shields down, that there was still much work to do if he ever wanted to make his ideal civilization.

"I do not believe in perfection, nor do I believe in an absolute utopia, but I do believe I can achieve something better than what is currently offered by The Soul King. I've amassed the power, the numbers, the leadership, experience and resources needed to transform the world from his rule since my defeat from that numb being so many centuries ago." Closing his eyes and taking a hard sigh, he'd remember how naive his youth was and how -- unexperianced -- his power was to oppose even his diluted rule then.

"I'm well affirmed in the fact that life will always have a challenge and adversities, but that does not mean tragedies have to be needlessly amplified because of that fact. For, as much as the demons are wicked, I can at least say their creator have found them a form of chaotic peace. Perhaps it is because I share similar Demonic blood within myself, being that I am a Devil Iramashsa, but it appears that their divine leader has at least, in its own imperfect way, attempted to better the standard of living for its people."

When those words were uttered, more of his point would be made clear through his energy. For numerous holograms of the improvements Shadow Fall had made to their territories came to be. Entire sub-dimensions filled to a persons desire, the utopia that was Nirvana found in death, the dramatic wealth for nations they control, the abundance of power for the average follower of their rule and the acceptance and belonging of their religion filled the need of the heart to the point where he could not deny The Demon Gods rule. He, she or it was indeed -- an ally. But an ally that needed to be kept in check when the time comes.

"And it is why I did not send my troops on that day. We could have very well trampled you and decimated your people when the demons pulled out, but...it would not mean much to me. Perhaps it is honor, maybe mercy, but something within myself would not feel right taking that action. If I'm going to revolutionise the Soul Society, it is going to be on my own merits and not off the backs of another's philosophy and path."

Those were the stone cold words that uttered the rings of truth into the world around them. Many believed he would have had the prime opportunity to take out the Soul Society on that day, but it was a moot point. Kin believed that if he was going to take down the Soul King -- it would be by his plans and his hands only. The Iramashsa had that much integrity at least.

"Thus, what can you say the Soul King has done compared to that, or even what I myself have done as mortal?" In that instance, Kin's hands clenched and the images soon shifted to the rebuilding of China. They showed infrastructure being improved, lives being improved from their dirtied existence prior, purpose being given by The Kokuryuteish's ambition for something better, strength being given to the weak and innocents being given shelter by the might of their dreams.

"And while I may have indeed had my period of remission since I have returned back to this plane of existence since 2411, it has not been one inactivity marked by endeavours that have led to zero objective gain. As my power grew from its weakened state and ascended into something much more, I led and continued my projects from behind the shadows of this organization."

More visual images sparked to life in flashes of light. Once they faded into view, these projections showed the advancements of The Kokuryuteshi in the world. Amassing nation after nation in their ranks from worlds beyond Earth or the Soul Society, improving their technology to demigod levels, gaining more numbers to their cause and ultimately -- showing Kin's own will to return to the frontlines to lead as he should.

With no more excuses, even Iriko could see he was ready to take his helm as their commander once more. In this, it would be shown in the reflection of his desire to protect, fight for and, most importantly, lead his blood and non-blood family to the light of something better where their wildest dreams could be brought forth to life. For those who took his hand, he'd stake his own life to fulfill his ambition and theirs at the same time.

As at the hand of the day, The Leader Of This Colossal Force yearned to help others to prevent the shadows of his own past from tearing apart those who lacked a purpose, failed to have another to fall back on and to save those who had no home from falling into that sense of purposelessness he too endured for so many years.

So it was why, with all the power The Soul King has, and the age of his nearly infinite existence, is a bane on this world. Why was it that he would create something with the potential the Soul Society and Earth has -- only to abandon it? It made no sense. To leave his own creation -- was cruel and unusual. So if he would not lead it to something better, the only thing left to do was to take that job himself, crush his rule and take the throne for himself. And then, obliterate even that and birth the world -- into something better.

He knew there could be the potential risk that he'd morph the world into something worse, but could it honestly be anymore chaotic then the world is already? It is why that risk was one he was willing to take due to how much the state of the universe had gone so sorely out of whack and why he has taken these lands for himself, only to give back to the nations under his rule and do, in his own destructive, yet forgiving hands can do: provide assistance and relief with his leadership.

And through this convergence of Kin's view -- The Lone Captain should at least know that.

"So why my methods may be radical, they speak louder than anything else the Soul King has dared to do. And why, if I must, I will prepare myself to slay him if he refuses to hand over his kingdom to me. Rather with my army, or if I stand alone like I am before you. It makes no difference. It does not matter if I strike on this night, or one thousand years in the future. As this resolve, this dream, this ambition and this sense of betterment runs not only in my veins, but in the world where our will thrives. Like the nature of existence: it just is."

And with that, a golden radiance would flicker from The Iramasha's sides. Not too soon after that, a bright explosion of radiant fire ignited all throughout his body following that. Spawning forth into the heavens themselves, this burst of overwhelming life screeched into the atmosphere like a phoenix bird soaring with its untamed fury to break the bleak night around them. The rain ceased, the shadows of the clouds broke and nothing but a warm amber glow filled the heavens for as far as the eye could see.

"So you can keep your way of life if you so choose, but don't hold the rest of the world back because of it. If the Soul King has served his people and this world as the leader he was meant to be, then by all means, enlighten me to that."

Thus, he'd close his statements and the screeching inferno that was Kin's heart was now staring Iriko dead in the face like a tiger with its prey in sight.