Soul Chess

Aizen. You may have defeated Urahara-san, but now you face an opponent who will trip you up at every turn, stop you at every juncture and counter your every move. You now face an opponent who can play by your rules and settings. From now on you face me.
—Lelouch Lamperouge

Soul Chess Is a Bleach/Code Geass fanfiction about what happens to Lelouch after the Zero Requiem. It starts with Lelouch waking up in the rukongai, and follows him during his rise through the ranks.

The story is noted for staying very true to character, even considering how many the source material brings. Lelouch, Aizen, Yoruichi, Urahara, and everyone else are all completely in character.

Also important is something extremely rare in any crossover: things don't change right away. The story starts sometime a little before the turn back the pendulum arc, and major changes don't happen for several chapters. This is partially because the overall spread of events was designed to allow for inconsistencies, and partially because Lelouch starts out at a fairly low rank, and stays that way for a while. His rise through the ranks is steady and believable.

Tropes used in Soul Chess include:

Tropes A to G

  • Absurdly Sharp Blade: Hisana's Bankai's ultimate form can cut through Starrk's cero and also through Hallibel and Grimmjow's hierro enough to hack off their arms.
  • Achilles' Heel: The Togabito that attack the world of the living have their masks as this. Lelouch is quick to abuse this.
  • Actor Allusion: Multiple people have commented that Lelouch and Ichigo sound very similar, including themselves.
  • All Just a Dream: Eien Tamashi tried to pull this on Lelouch.
    • the omake of chapter 82 is this.
  • All There in the Manual: The author has a lot of extra information offscreen, and, as of chapter 33, has offered to send alternate endings to his poll about Lelouch's love life when people ask for them.
    • The Newsletters contain this sort of information.
  • Alternate Universe Sasakibe Chojiro is Awesome: There is an omake with this title that turns the Flat Character Sasakibe Chojiro into a complete badass that borderlines Gary Stu territory. Of course it's all just Kenpachi's dream. Unless, considering Lelouch explains, while drunk, that the omake is how he things Baraggan's fraccion died and why there is a bust of Sasakibe in the 11th Division
  • And Knowing Is Half the Battle: Played with in Lelouch's fight with Maki. After Maki figures out Lelouch's fighting style, Lelouch reminds him that knowing is only half the battle.
  • Anyone Can Die: Let's see: Mari, Nnoitora, Miyako, AIZEN, Szayel, Zommari, Baraggan and all his Fraccion, and that is BEFORE the Battle of Karakura Town arc. Mia and Yuna used to be on this list but the former is now officially revived with Cirucci's Fusion Dance sacrifice and the latter via Reincarnation. Even the Plot Armor of OFFICIAL Characters would not protect them.
    • Word of God has explicitly stated that this trope is applicable to the Battle of Karakura Town Arc in large contrast to canon. So far, Ikkaku, Nanao and now Shuhei are among the Soul Society casualties. The First Half is over but expect it to rise in the Second Half.
    • The Second Half just finished with the final tally adding up to be: Komamura, Hiyori, Love, Hachi, Spargga, Kira, Mia, Ulquiorra, Ciela, and Talbumosuke. It's subverted for Yammy who is actually killed, but he is now haunting Grimmjow as Ghost Yammy. Which may have been the point.
    • The ONLY Soul Society casualty in the Reapers and Heralds arc? Yamamoto's Vice-Captain Chojiro Sasakibe. It wasn't even by battle, he was Mercy Killed due to a devastating fever.
    • As of Aizen's Revenge so far: Captain-Commander Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryusai, Ryou, Sentaro, and Yosei are dead.
      • Before most of the actual fighting begins Mayuri snuffs it as well.
  • Apologetic Attacker: Hisana and Byakuya do this when fighting each other, of course.
    • Lelouch and Byakuya both use this trope in chapter 99 while attacking Susanna and Hisana respectively
  • Applied Phlebotinum: The anti-hellfire
  • Arc Words: If I don't try, there's no chance, but if I try, even if the odds are stacked against me, there's still a chance.
  • Armor-Piercing Slap: Hisana gives one to Lelouch over his attitude about Rukia's execution.
    • Rangiku gives him one when he tries to become the fall guy for the rest of the phantoms.
  • Artistic License: Invoked whenever Kubo hasn't provided enough information.
  • Ascended Meme: The author decided to use the line that Jikan Kami Talbumosuke's Zanpakuto makes Kyoka Suigetsu look like a parlor trick as part of the in-universe dialogue.
  • Assassin Outclassin': Happens to Yosei and Yolanda.
  • Asshole Victim: Talbumosuke wants revenge for the death of his family and servants and Aizen also bites the dust, but no one sheds a tear for them and quite frankly, no one will miss them.
    • Anyone in hell is basically this whenever they suffer.
  • Asskicking Equals Authority: The ranking system in Hell. #2 and #3 are Aizen and Talbumosuke respectively, Orin is ranked #20 and he wiped the floor with ICHIGO, and Kasumi? She is NUMBER ONE!
  • Ass Shove: Rangiku does this to Haineko with a stick. The idea was to make Haineko orgasm so she would lose her strength and return to Rangiku.
  • Attack of the 50-Foot Whatever: Kasumi and Ichigo come across this monster with three tentacles for a body. It turns out that those are just the eyelashes. Then the room starts shaking and the whole monster emerges. Ichigo feels like he wants to ball up and cry because what do you do when something that big wants to kill you?
  • Attempted Rape: On Orihime by Needles and his group. Ichigo arrives just in time
  • Author Appeal: There is a lot of Les Yay implications, plus a confirmed relationship.
    • Also, zanpakuto have a much greater tendency to change the clothing and outward appearance of soul reapers than in bleach.
    • Have you also noticed that a lot of characters get wings when they power up?
    • Or that a lot of characters have red eyes?
  • Authority Equals Asskicking: With the exception of Lelouch, Hisana is the highest rank Soul Reaper of the reinforcements sent to Karakura Town on the field of battle against the assault to kidnap Orihime. Her Bankai's ultimate ability has her wipe out all of the fraccion on the battlefield with a single attack from her final Bankai mode.
    • Hell functions in this fashion. The lower your ID# the stronger you are considered.
  • Awesomeness By Analysis: Lelouch not only has a habit figuring out hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons for someone doing something, he also figured out Metastacia's capabilities before it ever appeared. In fact, this trope is the very basis of Lelouch's Sorting Algorithm Of Hollows.
    • Aided by his knowledge of Isshin, Stefan is able to figure out most of Ichigo's bankai abilities and specializations just by looking at it.
    • Both Uryu and Talbumosuke can use this quite easily.
    • Lelouch was able to analyze and learn the technique for opening a garganta, meaning he can now freely enter Hueco Mundo.
  • A Worldwide Punomenon / Incredibly Lame Pun: In the beginning of the chapter 66 author's notes he mentions that Because Nel is in the Espada and therefore unable to travel with Ichigo he calls the new ending to Ichigo's fight with Grimmjow For Want of a Nel
  • Badass Boast: The page quote, which comes from the end of the Prelude arc.
    • How about this one near the end of Eye Of The Storm:

Lelouch: "It's a perfect plan, but you made one mistake. And that mistake was that you crossed paths with me. From the very moment you sent Urahara Kisuke to be banished I have worked to trip you at every turn, stop you at every juncture and counter your every move. I played by your rules and settings, simply because I had no problem in doing so. You always wanted a rival Aizen. Well here I am!"

    • Uryu vs Shawlong. "I will kill you before you land a single blow on me." Bonus points for actually doing it.
    • Shinji: I won't need more than five minutes.
  • Batman Gambit: Uryu trys one against Kyoraku during their drinking game, based off of his personal knowledge of Chad. Too bad Kyoraku was immune to the poison Uryu used and thus the gambit fails.
  • Berserk Button: Don't even THINK on raping Orihime especially when ICHIGO IS NEARBY Needles. It won't end well.
  • Betty and Veronica: Yuna and Rangiku, respectively.
    • With Yuna dead, NOT ANYMORE, Susanna and Nemu have taken over as the Betty.
    • In chapter 107 Kendra becomes the Veronica to Orihime's Betty with regards to Ichigo. It’s subverted at the end of the chapter where Ichigo pulls the Just Friends line on Kendra, seemingly not knowing that she thought of him in that way, and tells Orihime that she’s his girl
  • Big Damn Heroes: Happens so often that counting would be meaningless. It's not always predictable, though.
  • Big Damn Kiss: Lots of them, mostly involving Lelouch, although there is one between Yoruichi and Soi Fon.
    • The Almost Kiss between Ichigo and Orihime in canon is turned into this in chapter 60
  • Big Eater: Susanna normally isn't one of these, which is why Rangiku is confused when she eats so much of Orihime's cooking.
    • The reason for this is because she's pregnant
  • Big Sister Instinct: Hisana. Who would've guessed?
  • Big "What?": Ichigo and Keigo’s reaction to the fact that Mizuiro managed to have a lengthy phone conversation with Vera.
  • Blatant Lies: Lelouch does not have a sister complex!
    • He also planned for Unohana to be his "secret weapon". It's obvious from the way he's saying it he just doesn't want to invoke her wrath.
  • Boobs of Steel: Talbumosuke noticed that among the Espada, a female arrancar is bustier the more powerful she is.
  • Brass Balls: Lampshaded in the narration about Needles having to have some kind of balls to show his face anywhere near Ichigo after what happened last time
  • Breaking the Fourth Wall: Kukaku and her Zanpakuto spirit have a go at this in regards to Symbol Swearing
  • Break the Cutie: Mia wants to do this to Orihime, but is stopped before she can.
  • Brick Joke: In chapter 73, Renji says he hasn’t forgiven Kaien for the card game incident, and then at the end of the chapter there’s the omake.
    • In chapter 18, Lelouch mentions he has a safe to which using the combo lock or the keypad initiates the alarm sequence. Eighty chapters later both Susanna and Yuna try opening said safe and both are chased out of his office.
    • An example that crosses over from out of universe to the inside. At the start of ch 104 the author suggests to the readers to have the 1812 overture handy. As one can expect, towards the end of the chapter, there is stuff blowing up like fireworks on the 4th of July.
    • A meta-example. The Memetic Mutation of people pretending to be Tite Kubo start their statements with “So there I was being Kubo” often ending with “I love my life”. In chapter 120, during a flashback, Kukaku drops the line “So there I was being me” only for Kendra, at the end of the flashback, to throw in “I love my job”.
  • Bridal Carry: Ichigo on Orihime in chapter 74.
    • Lelouch on Susanna in chapter 99.
  • Bullying a Dragon: With a little bit of Do Not Taunt Cthulhu thrown in for good measure. Kaibun, Shuren and Kokuto are all guilty of doing this to poor Ichigo who, because of his hollow becomes strong enough to wipe the floor with all of them.
  • Bunny Ears Lawyer: One must question the Soul King on allowing Lelouch's proposal to revolutionize the Soul Society using Orihime as a judge
  • Call Back: In chapter 6 Isshin states "This here ladies man is staying single". Lelouch mentions this again in chapter 34 where upon Isshin gets banished and says that he'll open up a med clinic and settle down. Isshin hangs a lampshade on Lelouch's memory considering this is more than a century in-universe after the comment was made.
    • In one of the earlier chapters one of the captains say that Unohana with her braid thrown back and undone is a sign that she's serious. She does exactly this while fighting Ichigo's out of control hollow form.
    • Ichigo mentions Kukaku’s driving skills to his father when Isshin gives Ichigo the keys to the family car and tells him not to wreck it.
      • Later that same chapter Karin seems to be infatuated with Lelouch. His Zanpakuto comments that she already made a Lolicon joke, which she did all the way back in chapter 14
  • Captain Obvious: Yammy to Ulquiorra about his hierro.
  • Cassandra Truth: Lelouch flat out told Yoruichi what Aizen was planning to do. She'll probably believe him next time.
    • Everyone is now completely aware of Aizen's objectives. Not that it matters anymore because Lelouch geassed him into suicide.
  • Catapult Nightmare: Lelouch is subject to this every time he has a really bad dream.
    • Talbumosuke too, but only in an omake.
  • Cerebus Rollercoaster: Was lighthearted then it got dark, then it got less dark with the Winter War, and then it got really dark with the Reapers and Heralds arc and now it seems to be back to being light for a little while. Then it got REALLY DARK!
  • Chekhov's Boomerang: In chapter 72 Chizuru throws a fake rock onto an ice rink to force Ichigo and Orihime apart and fails miserbly to do so. The second half of the now broken rock is tripped over later in the chapter by Susanna and she stumbles into Lelouch’s arms.
  • Chekhov's Gun: That flying device that Yoruichi had? Yeah, Lelouch uses it to kill Aizen.
    • The author's notes of chapter 58 reveal that besides Cornelia, one of another of Lelouch's siblings is spiritually aware. In the same author's notes, there are supposedly several more instances of this trope within the chapter itself.
    • An example of a double subversion. In chapter 71 Talbumosuke is given a warning about the danger of giving Gantenbainne Segunda Etapa. During the battle we’re given no answer as to why that warning is given, but when we cut back to Hueco Mundo, Talbumosuke remembers the warning and lampshades the fact that he didn’t see anything resembling its use.
    • Remember that hollow mask Lelouch finds in Yuna’s wall safe all the way back in chapter 20. In chapter 89 It turns out this was a prototype Visored mask similar to what Talbumosuke uses. However, it was designed for a one-time effect use, but in exchange for a lot more power. Lelouch uses this special mask against Talbumosuke.
    • In chapter 107 there’s a mention of Keigo’s prized guitar. In 116 It becomes his fullbring
  • Chekhov's Gunman: Natsumi Taka, a character only briefly seen in the series back in chapter 16, is reused as the character who gives Ginjo his Soul Reaper powers, but is dead by the time this is mentioned
  • Chess Motifs: It's a Code Geass fanfic. Duh.
  • Christmas Episode: The aptly named ch 72 Lelouch's White Chirstmas
  • Circles of Hell
  • Color-Coded for Your Convenience: Zero and the Phantoms of Justice.
  • Combat Pragmatist: According to Mia, most arrancar have a similar philosophy.
  • Comically Missing the Point: Rukia says that she'll replace Byakuya's flowers when her rabbit eats them, before Hisana calls her on this.

    Eien Tamashi: Pick one, or, if you prefer, make a harem. Just make it so I'm not sweltering because a girl you like set off your reproductive organs.
    Lelouch: I didn't think Zanpakuto could be affected by temperature.
    Eien Tamashi: You're missing the point!

    Yoruichi (to Lelouch): What's thins? Like what you see? Well at least you're not acting like Byakuya-bo. When I first revealed this to him the first thing out of his mouth was--
    Ichigo: GAH WOULD YOU Please Put Some Clothes On?!
    Yoruichi: Wow that was exactly it and you weren't even there, Ichigo.
    Lelouch: I think you're kind of missing the point there Yoruichi.

    • Complete Monster: The Inked Alliance is not only responsible for the Soul Chess version of 9/11, but also responsible for Ginjo's Start of Darkness by pointlessly breaking into his house and killed his mother and girlfriend Natsumi.
    • Composite Character: Word of God states that this was the intention for Eien Tamashi, although she comes across as more of a red-haired CC.
    • Continuity Nod: Just like in Bleach, Kenpachi defeats a bankai Kiganjo in a single hit, and Izuru's haiku are an instant hit.
      • In chapter 73’s omake Kaien and Renji go indoors to watch Gurren Lagann, which is apparently popular in-universe
      • In chapter 53, Hisana tells Lelouch that if the Head Captain wanted his input he'd ask for it directly. In chapter 70, Yamamoto asks Lelouch to Lead the battle against Talbumosuke as the tactician.
    • Creator Cameo: Both the omake writer and the author appear in the 100th chapter omake. Sort of
    • Creator In-Joke: The 100th chapter omake has Revy and Rock in the beginning complaining about being forgotten about in homage to a collaboration between the omake writer and the author: Lagoon of the dead.
    • Curb Stomp Battle: Happens every now and then. Some are done well others...not so much
    • Darkest Hour: Chapter 123. Aizen WON, Seireitei is conquered, Captain-Commander Yamamoto is DEAD, and Unohana is captured by the enemy. To put it simply, HOLY SHIT!!!
    • Defeat Means Friendship: Like in Bleach, there are elements of it in the story, but it's rarely played completely straight.
    • Department of Redundancy Department: In chapter 33, while two characters are getting it on, the author says that one would possessively possess the other.
    • Deus Ex Machina: Kukaku suddenly has a Capsule Corp style car when the group needs transportation.
    • Does This Remind You of Anything?: Lelouch thinks that he's invincible because he saw himself as a captain. Word of God says that it's a parallel to teenagers who think that they're bullet-proof, and completely immune to addiction of any kind.
      • In chapter 53, Hisana lampshades the following conversation

    Rangiku: Are you sure it's a good idea to stick it in bare like that?
    Renji: Only if you don't have a glove

    Kaien: Wh-what is this that I'm feeling? I have nothing, but contempt for this woman...but...my body...it's reacting to her. She's…she sucking me dry.

      • On September 11, 2001 atb, A pair of hijacked planes hit a pair of towers in Britannian Yorkshire, a plane is shot down by anti-air cannons about to hit Pendragon (The plane that hit the pentagon) and one crashed in the middle of the Jamison Province (Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania).
    • Doorstopper: At over one million words at the time of writing, this definitely qualifies.
    • Driven to Suicide: Several Togabito because Lelouch and the others mention Rita and she’s supposed to be a myth. And they’re the good guys.

    Shinji: We are bastards.

    • Dungeon Bypass: The second circle of hell is a fighting arena where, those who want to test their skill, or explore the lower regions, must fight for their lives. Upon the reveal that Kokuto is the 187th strongest, the other fighters give up before the match starts.
    • Early-Bird Cameo: Ikumi Unagiya appears in chapter 72 while the Arrancar dilemma is still the main plot line.
    • Earn Your Happy Ending: Chapter 50, although the story isn't quite over yet. Word of God states that at that point it isn't even a THIRD done.
    • Enemy Mine: Zero becomes this after Aizen fakes his death, before the big reveal.
    • Enforced Method Acting: Ichigo and Shinji used ACTUAL weapons during their reenactment of the Kamina/Viral showdown in chapter 59.
    • Equivalent Exchange: A meta example. Bringing Tatsuki into the action was, according to Word of God, at Uryus expense, and can be seen in that many of his fights have gone to her.
      • Kaien also seems to be taking a lot of Renji's fights. And of course, multiple zanpakuto will take away from one attribute in favor of another.
    • Even Evil Has Standards: See Lets Fight Like Gentleman below
    • Executive Meddling: A meta-example. The author and the writer of the omakes are not the same person and sometimes the author edits the omake to suit his fancy, much to the omake writer's chagrin.
    • Explain, Explain, Oh Crap: When prompted by Hisana, Gin starts to state what Muramasa’s next move is. The use of this trope comes when he realizes that it’s the liberation of Kenpachi’s Zanpakuto.
      • Tsukishima’s reaction when asked whose dumb idea it was to have all of his brainwashed victims stand outside where Lelouch could geass them. The responsibility falls on Urahara which makes Tsukishima realize Urahara is a Fake Defector.
    • Expy: Chapter 124 gives us one of Albert Wesker.
    • Family-Unfriendly Death: Seen a few times most notably with the Fullbringers.
    • Fan Service: Taken Up to Eleven in Mia's case, seen throughout the series in the form of Lemons and heavily lampshaded and mocked in the Halloween Omake
    • Fan Disservice: Going straight from Lelouch and Nemu getting it on to a flashback of Mayuri having a hollow rape Nemu.
    • Fan Dumb: The author has noted several people still think that Tosen is on Aizen's side despite the fact that Lelouch revealed to Tosen that Aizen deceived him.
    • Fetish: Apparently, Lelouch likes having a sex slave, although that really shouldn't be a surprise, considering how he acts on a regular basis.
      • Apparently Rangiku and Haineko go both have an anal fetish. Go figure.
    • Five-Bad Band: As of the Reapers and Heralds arc:
    • Five-Man Band: Outlined by the author in chapter 51. Ichigo is The Hero, Tatsuki is The Lancer, Uryu is The Smart Guy, Chad is The Big Guy and Orihime is The Chick.
    • Fix Fic: Lelouch sets out to turn this into one.
    • Flat What: Ichigo's reaction to Kaien kidnapping Rukia.
    • Foe Yay: Eien Tamashi thinks it's a possibility between Lelouch and Aizen.
    • Foreshadowing: In chapter 3 Lelouch says that some squad three memebers are known for being cold hearted and cruel. In chapter 9 it's revealed that their captain, Hoshima Treva, is Evil All Along
      • All throughout the first 16 chapters Lelouch has a recurring nightmare about him being a hollow and attacking Kallen this leads up to the revelation in chapter 17 that Lelouch was once a hollow of Vasto Lordes level. See Temporal Paradox below for more details
      • In chapter 23 Lelouch mentions that he can almost see his zanpakuto's smile. At the end of the chapter she actually materializes.
        • In that same chapter it's mentioned early on that Kiganjo's predecessor's Vice-captain battled Kiganjo because he didn't like the way Kiganjo ran things. Later Maki takes up arms in Kiganjo's honor to fight Zaraki, though Lelouch gets in his way.
      • In chapter 28 Lelouch gives Vera a wristband. This is explained in chapter 29.
      • Chapter 31, Lelouch mentions that he might need a stand in for extended missions. Guess what happens soon after?
      • Chapter 39 has Kaien telling Hisana that she wouldn't be so calm if it were her family in danger. To be fair, though, more or less everyone who watches Bleach saw what happens next coming a mile off.
        • Hisana also tells Kaien that his pride and honor will get him killed. Come time for the rematch with Ichigo, they almost do.
      • Kaien and Byakuya talk about how Hisana would be furious if she found out that Byakuya wasn't doing anything to help Rukia, and Byakuya says that she wouldn't do anything rash. Come the end of the chapter, she releases her bankai.
      • When Susanna gets sick after battle, Rangiku writes it off. When she eats Orihime's cooking, she teases her about it. Then we find out that Susanna is pregnant. Oh, yeah.
      • In chapter 76 Momo says it will take teamwork pragmatic tactics and lots and lots of explosions to defeat Hallibel’s fraccion. Cue the fireworks in ch 78.
      • Tatsuki losing control of her powers and going mental on friends and foe alike foreshadowed Ichigo doing the same thing.
      • In chapter 22 Lelouch mentions, offhandedly, that he believes that a clean slate for a reincarnated soul has fragments that can never truly be lost. Skip ahead to chapter 85 when this becomes a plot point.
      • Not only does Unohana throw out her hair behind her to show her signs of being serious in combat, but in chapter 94 it’s explained why she does it. Unohana used to have her hair cascade down all the time. This was when she was an Ax Crazy Blood Knight. By throwing her hair back she is reliving those moments.
      • In chapter 74 it's narrated that Shisato and Ikkaku's supposed hookup would stay where it occurred for now. Cue The Reveal in chapter 94 that Shisato is pregnant with Ikkaku's child.
      • In chapter 73 it's mentioned that Lelouch might respond to the call of vigilantism again and at the during the Lelouch and the Law arc he tells Byakuya he'd always help him out in anyway he could if he needed it. in chapter 99 it's revealed that Lelouch and Byakuya are working together against Muramasa, while pretending to betray the Soul Society.
      • Ichigo's comment in chapter 106 when Isshin is going to an overseas trip for a medical conference for a week pretty much said it all.

    Ichigo: "Dad, nothing's going to happen relax. You're acting like Britannia's going to invade the country or creatures from the depths of hell are going to rise up and attack us."

      • In chapter 123 Rita brings out a soul that has been unwilling to be reincarnated and uses it to some degree. In 124 that soul appears and Shinji recognizes her. This is all leading up to The Reveal that the soul in question is the consciousness of Mari who has been brought Back from the Dead temporarily in order to kick some butt.
    • For Want of a Nail: Inverted. The series basically inserts Lelouch into Bleach 126 years ago. Major changes have happened to The Stations of the Canon of Bleach as a result. Of course...
    • Fourth Wall Mail Slot: The "Ask Eien Tamashi" segments of the Newsletters.
    • Freudian Slip: "Six, SIX!"
    • Fusion Dance: Mia and Cirucci were fused together to revive Mia
    • Genre Savvy: While heavily outclassed in this department by people like Lelouch, Kaien does realise and suspect that an enemy building could be booby-trapped.
    • Genre Shift: The series turns into a Courtroom Drama for an entire arc.
    • Girl-On-Girl Is Hot: Lelouch certainly seems to think so.
    • Gory Discretion Shot: In a Take Out Word For It fashion with Hisana's comical No-Holds-Barred Beatdown of Her Zanpakuto
      • A less than humorous example is the beating Yachiru received from her Zanpakuto. Considering she's just a child it's probably better that way.
    • Graceful Loser: Talbumosuke
      • Hisoka Umezawa one of the Central Forty Six judges accepts his defeat at Lelouch's hands gracefully saying that Konda Takeno who earlier wound up having a Villainous Breakdown that caused his death after Lelouch tore the Central Forty Six's case to shreds either doomed Soul Society by letting Lelouch win or perhaps gave it their greatest chance to prosper.
    • Gratuitous Japanese: The author, in addition to using some general honorifics, will throw in a small phrase here and there. He also uses a translator for Zanpakuto names (which can have the unfortunate side effect of phonetic japanese, i.e. english words with a japanese accent.)
    • Gratuitous Spanish


    Tropes H to M

    • Heroic Second Wind: Whenever this happens to your opponent, just start praying.
    • Homage: Word of God continuously says that Hollow Ichigo’s rampage and Yamamoto’s subsequent fight with him is in direct correlation to Doomsday Vs the Justice League followed by Superman’s brutal battle with him.
    • Hoist by His Own Petard: Tatsuki does this to a togabito in chapter 124.
    • How We Got Here: Chapter 120 starts with Rangiku cornered as she’s prosecuting a trial and then flashbacks to show the incident that happened to bring her to this point.
    • I Have Your Wife: Though Yuna isn't Lelouch's wife and actually his captain it's the same effect played by Hoshima.
      • A few chapters later Lelouch pulls this on Gin by taking Rangiku. Once again no marriage, but the effect is still the same.
    • I Knew It!: Many fans speculated that Lelouch's bankai would look like his Zero suit They were right.
      • Others speculated that Kasumi was The Number One Togabito. They were also right.
    • In Spite of a Nail: A Code Geass historical example. In spite of the changes in history 9/11 still happens
    • Irony: Rukia openly trashes Lelouches fashion sense when he reveals the uniforms for their group, despite the fact that her... "artistic abilities" are a bit of a Running Gag.
      • Tatsuki takes time in the middle of battle to mock her opponent and point out that talking is not a free action.
      • Aizen mocks Shinji for not watching him more closely... and then makes the exact same mistake with Lelouch.
      • When Byakuya sides with her against Hisana, Rukia is taken by surprise.
    • * Immortality Begins At Twenty: Kendra states that this is usually the case for most Soul Reapers, though there are some cases where it hits earlier or later.
    • Innocent Innuendo: In omake chapter 7.76 Lelouch is listening in on what he thinks is Yuna and Mari having sex, but Mari is just giving Yuna a massage.
      • Ironically, right after this they actually do start making love
    • Innocently Insensitive: Yoruichi’s quip about Lelouch keeping his geass from being permanently active because he doesn’t want it going off by mistake was rather inappropriate given Code Geass Canon. In her defense though, it’s not like she knows the truth.
    • It Got Worse: If you think that it would get easier AFTER the Battle of Karakura Town arcs, THINK AGAIN! The author seems to be enjoying telling the readers that this trope is in effect during the Reapers and Heralds arc. Ever since chapter 95 hit things went to hell fast and haven’t gotten better since. To clarify:
      • Zangetsu is Muramasa’s dragon as Ichigo failed to recover him
      • Byakuya and Lelouch two of the most brilliant minds in the Soul Society went missing.
      • Yamamoto’s whereabouts are unknown
      • Kenpachi’s Zanpakuto was set loose and then Kenpachi LOST the battle.
      • Lelouch reveals that he’s in perfectly good health and then reveals that he’s working for Muramasa, as a Fake Defector but still...
      • Unohana's Zanpakuto is set loose.
      • Ichigo is taken under Eien Tamashi's control and Ryujin Jakka is set loose
      • A lot of readers have already begun crying Doomy Dooms of Doom because of this. As has Gin in-universe. It’s really becoming a case of Only the Author Can Save Them Now
      • See Darkest Hour above.
    • I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: In chapter 61, Gin states that if he doesn't make it, he wants Lelouch to take care of Rangiku.
      • Tatsuki almost states this word for word to Ichigo when she finds out that he and Orihime are a couple
    • Leaning on the Fourth Wall: When they encounter Zaraki, Kukaku says that Ichigo will die in less than six minutes. In that episode of bleach, the episode ends six minutes later.
    • Les Yay: As of chapter 30 Yoruichi and Soifon are officially a couple.
    • Let's Fight Like Gentlemen: Because Ichigo is Isshin's son, Kaien invokes this when fighting him.
    • Let Us Never Speak of This Again: The women shinigami’s association’s reaction to finding most of the men watching My Little Pony
    • Loophole Abuse: Played with. Ordinarily, Lelouch would have been executed by the Central 46 for his actions, but since they're dead, Old Man Genocide has the desicion-making power, and he decided to reinstate Lelouch.
      • Ichigo is allowed to speak his mind during the trial because he is neither a Gotei member or a Rukongai civilian. it also helps that his girlfriend is the judge.
    • Love Dodecahedron: As if it wasn't bad enough with Lelouch, now it seems that Tatsuki might be entering the competition for Ichigo.
      • Seems to be more like a triangle in Ichigo's case since Rukia is engaged to Kaien
    • Make Sure He's Dead: Yamamoto in regards to Aizen.
    • Male Gaze: Yoruichi's role as the Shameless Fanservice Girl has Lelouch unabashedely staring at her, as well as telling Ichigo to lighten up.
      • Kaien gets distracted by Mia's breasts when they fight for the 3rd time.
    • Marry Them All: Lelouch starts a clan and marries Nemu, Susanna, Isane, and Yuna.
      • Subverted as of chapter 105
    • Mass "Oh Crap": The reaction of the Espada in the omake where it’s revealed in a dream that Kenpachi obtained Bankai.
    • Mind Screw: Mia. Considering who she really is, though, it's to be expected.
    • Missed Moment of Awesome: Kendra, Stefan, Yosei, Naomi and Yolanda all handing the Bounts their asses in between the events of chapters 110 and 111.
    • Mood Whiplash: Chapter 49 keeps switching from drama to comedy and back again. Justified in that most of the chapter takes place in Lelouch's jail cell.
    • More Deadly Than the Male: Loly and Menoly's two hybrid pets fall under this category. It's the female version that is stronger according to Loly.
    • Murder Is the Best Solution: Lelouch's thoughts on the Atrumier family. Turns out not so much. This was the main reason for Talbumosuke's Start of Darkness, Lelouch later has regrets for this incident and also summed up that they were in the crossfire on taking down Aizen.
    • Mythology Gag: Hoshima mocks the size of Yunas Bankai, saying that it's far too small. Ironically the iconic scene this is taken from does not happen in this fic and instead Ichigo fights Stefan as Byakuya makes his Heel Face Turn to the rescue side earlier after battling Hisana as she fights him instead of Renji
      • Yolanda dual wields two research department made pistols that were modeled off of the weapons Soul Reapers used to use to purify hollows, but were scrapped in favor of the Zanpakuto. It’s a reference to the fact that Kubo originally intended to have the Soul Reapers use guns in the series, but switched them for the Zanpakuto.
      • A pretty dark one in chapter 114. Hollow Ichigo forces Unohana down and fires a cero upon her at point blank. Unohana gives him the same line Ulquiorra gave to him “How very hollow-like”.
      • Yoruichi says to Ichigo that her bosom is his pillow when he begins to break down and cry because Tsukishima brainwashed his friends


    Tropes N to S

    Rita: You give a man and you feed him for a day. You teach a man to fish and you'll feed him for a lifetime. Unless of course he sucks at fishing even after he's learned.

    • Ship Sinking: Ichi Ruki fans better turn away because as of chapter 54, it officially sinks! Rukia is engaged to Kaien.

    Ichigo: Wow. That's really something. I never knew. I'm happy for you Rukia. You two are good for each other.
    Rukia: Better than you and I would do together at any rate.
    Ichigo: Yeah that's for sure.

    • Ship Tease: The author is still keeping us in suspense with Lelouch's love life. Ichigo seems to have been cemented with Orihime
      • Never seen more blatant than with Vera and Mizuiro.
      • There's also Yoshino and Uryu
      • And the Fullbringer arc gives us Keigo and Riruka
    • Shmuck Bait: Patros and his crew fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
    • Shock and Awe: Word of God confirms that Susanna's Zanpakuto works like this.
      • Confirmed by chapter 54.
    • Shoot the Bullet: Uryu and Yolanda in chapter 42. Quite Literally with Uryu.
    • Shout-Out: Now has its own page Soul Chess
    • Shown Their Work: The author does this a lot, even going so far as to explain what would have happened had Lelouch not been involved.
    • Single Tear: Despite not thinking he could, Lelouch does this when he realizes how much Susanna cares for him.
    • Something Only They Would Say: A recurring theme with Ichigo’s out of control full hollow form in getting him to recognize the person talking to him. After that the person is registered in his mind permanently.
      • Yamamoto knows that something is up with Ichigo during the demon within arc because he is referred to by his proper title rather than the less than respectful “gii-san”.
    • Sorting Algorithm of Evil: Treva Hoshina -> Aizen -> Talbumosuke -> Muramasa -> Shirosaki -> Ginjo -> AIZEN for now.
    • Spanner in the Works: Once again things blow up in Lelouch’s face as it turns out Hollow Ichigo is sentient when he goes on his rampage. Lelouch didn’t think he would be.
    • Spit Take: Soifon after watching the news about a year old, Eleventh Prince, Lelouch vi Britannia.
    • Stop Helping Me!: Lelouch fully intends get punished for his actions as Zero and goes as far to geassing Ichigo and talking down Momo to stop from trying to bust him free.
    • Story Arc: Word of God has split the story into Character arcs within arcs.
      • Lelouch's Story Arc: Chapters 1-9 are the Awakening Arc. 10-14 is the Prelude to the Chess Game. Chapters 15-20 make up the Lelouch and Yuna arc, followed by the Rise of the Black King, chapters 21-28. Most recently, we have chapters 29-34, which make up the Phantoms of Justice arc.
      • Ichigo's Story Arc: Chapters 35-39 are the Prelude to the Final Game. Chapters 40-48 is the Eye of the Storm, a call back to the authors notes in chapter 35. Chapters 49-50 are the Free Lelouch arc, 51-60 are the Visored arc, 61-67 is the Rescue Orihime arc, 68-74 is the Training arc, and 75-82 is the Battle for Karakura Town arc. Next is the Yuna Returns arc, at Chapters 83-85, Chapters 86-90 is the Fall of Talbumosuke arc (both are spoiled for good reasons), Chapters 91-93 is the Lelouch and the Law arc, and Chapters 94-105 is the Reapers and Heralds arc, Chapters 106-110 is the Different Bonds arc, Chapters 111-115 is the Demon Within arc, Chapters 116-119 is the Fullbringer arc, Chapter 120 is a Take That to the Reigai arc, and Chapter 121 begins the Aizen's Revenge arc.
      • Cornelia's Story Arc: Chapter 58 is a prelude for this arc and directly invoked during Lelouch's Flash Backs in 72 + 73, it officially begins after the Farewell Ichigo arc.
      • The second newsletter outlines all of the upcoming arcs. Word of God doesn't want them put here on the off chance things go awry
    • Strong Family Resemblance: Ichigo and Tatsuki notice how Rukia and Hisana look almost identical, and of course everyone still comments on how uncanny the resemblance is between Ichigo and Kaien.
      • Koga notes how much Byakuya looks like his father.
    • Stuff Blowing Up: In chapter 104 Eien Tamashi makes the trees in a forest explode in groups using her Epidemic Viral Bomb technique.
    • Suicidal Overconfidence: Twice in the same chapter, both against Hitsugaya. The first is by a group of thugs who think he's just a child trying to play hero and the second is a group of menos, fully aware of his status.
    • Super Mode: Stefan's, Hisana's, Unohana's, and Yamamoto's Bankai all are reported to have this.
    • Super Sentai: Lelouch's new group is even worse than the black knights in this respect.


    Tropes T to Z

    • Take That: One at the Captain Amagai Filler arc in chapter 85.
      • Once again the author rages against the source material. This time towards the scene in the Zanpakuto Rebellion arc (Episode 232) after Rukia blasts herself and Sode no Shirayuki. The scene makes it seem like SOS is about to make a Heel Face Turn when Muramasa intervenes. In Soul Chess because Muramasa is occupied with watching Ichigo fight, Sode no Shirayuki is able to go to Rukia’s aid and it produces one of the more Heartwarming moments in the fic.
      • A massive one to Tite Kubo during the 100th chapter omake.
      • Another one at the Bounts. All of them except for Yoshino who is spared are killed off-screen.
      • Chapter 120 is one for the Reigai arc.
    • Talking Is a Free Action: The author never misses an opportunity to subvert, justify or avert the use of this trope. This could be seen as a Take That for how often this happens in Bleach.
    • Temporal Paradox: Lelouch actually starts over a century before his death, having become a Vasto Lorde hollow after the Zero Requiem and being slain... by his Captain self. Oy.
    • The Baby Trap: Averted by Susanna, who doesn't want to do this to Lelouch. Zig-zagged, because it works anyway.
    • The Cameo: Many in the omakes including Jason, Ghost Rider, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Billy Idol, and even Mr. Popo
    • The Chessmaster /XanatosSpeedChess: The largest part of the story so far is Lelouch and Aizen trying to outwit each other. In the end, Lelouch wins.
    • The Power of Friendship: Ichigo tells Kaien that this is how he'll save Rukia.
    • The Power of Rock: Used in an omake where , Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, and Billy Idol all help Ichigo defeat Talbumosuke. The whole thing is a drunken plot of Lelouch’s.
    • There Are No Therapists: Well, not since the budget cuts.
    • There Is No Kill Like Overkill: Uryu used Licht Regen... on Shawlong.
    • The Rival: Grimmjow and Ichigo explicitly decide to become this to each other in chapter 66
    • The Starscream: Baraggan natch.
    • The Thirty-Six Stratagems: As seen thus far in the series:
      • Talbumosuke pulls #1 off rather well using the canonical kidnapping of Orihime to test the Power of Friendship of Ichigo and his nakama
      • Aizen uses #4 in the Aizen’s Revenge arc knowing that Lelouch has to bring the counterattack to him. He does send Vanguard out to meet Kenpachi and Ichigo head on though.
      • #5 is used in the Reapers and Heralds arc where Lelouch orchestrates a battle between the Soul Reapers and the Zanpakuto so that he and Byakuya can sneak off to the Kuchiki manor so Byakuya can kill his children
      • #9 was Lelouch's plan for dealing with Talbumosuke since he and Yuna let Yamamoto and Urahara do all the work.
      • Lelouch subverts #10, he isn't hostile towards Aizen during the first part of the series, but at the same time doesn't weave his way into his ranks for the sake of revenge like Gin.
        • Though he, and Byakuya, play it completely straight during the Reapers and Heralds arc
      • Lelouch is a natural master of #12
      • #13 was Talbumosuke's action in attacking the pillars. By sending in Karrthus he ensured the destruction of his opponent Ikkaku, which caused the rest of the Soul Society forces to react and give away their positions by lack of forcibly hiding their reiatsu. He also does this to Lelouch to provoke him into attacking, but Lelouch is savvy enough to know not to.
      • Rita has done #14 quite literally with the soul of Mari Akari. Rita brings the former squad captain back to fight one last time as her herald.
      • Ichigo of all people inverts #15 as he lures Grimmjow to a battlefield where he has the advantage since he's foughten in a certain Karakura district so many times.
      • #16 was Lelouch's ultimate plan to defeat Aizen. See the Troll entry on his character page entry for more details. It worked spectacularly.
      • #19 this could be why Talbumosuke is fighting Urahara, Yamamoto, Shunsui, and Ukitake (until the last one goes to help Hitsugaya) simultaneously.
        • It's also why Byakuya asks for Lelouch's help during the Reapers and Heralds arc since Lelouch is too intelligent to leave to his own devices
      • #21 is used by Byakuya and Lelouch creating the illusion that Kyo and Isao are dead.
      • Lelouch uses #25 during the Aizen’s revenge arc by surprising Aizen through the use of forbidden spatial transport Kido. The result made Aizen Not So Stoic for a few scant moments. Lelouch also goes and confronts Aizen directly putting Aizen completely on edge because the move does not make sense.
      • #26 is partly how Lelouch managed to keep himself beneath Aizen's gaze while at the same time plotting against him.
      • #31 has been stated by Word of God to have been used by Lelouch offscreen during the years the phantoms were active
      • #33 TOSEN!!
      • Talbumosuke uses #36 at the end of the Battle of Karakura arc
    • The Worf Barrage: Lelouch tries everything he can think of to take down Nnoitora. It doesn't work. Coupled with Worf Had the Flu since he had the Gentai Rein. That is until Lelouch discovered his bankai, then it became a Curb Stomp Battle.
    • The Worf Effect: Gets used regularly, though that's to be expected.
    • This Cannot Be!: Frequented in use by the villains or anyone losing a battle.
      • Mia utters this almost word for word when Kaien gets his second wind during their third battle.
      • In one battle against Baraggan Talbumosuke mocks the use of this trope

    Talbumosuke: See this is why you would never make a good leader. Uttering lines like that is just begging to be killed.

    • Throw the Dog a Bone: After all of the abuse, Keigo finally gets to spend some time with Ichigo.
    • Title Drop: In chapter 98, Lelouch claims to be playing a game of Soul Chess.
    • Too Dumb to Live: Jirobo Ikkanzaka, natch.
    • Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth: Discussed by both Aizen and Zurik.
    • Trailers Always Spoil: Chapter 41 is titled Ichigo vs Kaien: The Rematch. This is a dead giveaway that Kaien is alive.
      • Though that PALES in comparison to the names of the recent arcs, Yuna Returns and the Fall of Talbumosuke.
      • It’s subverted in chapter 120. The new arc is called the Aizen’s Revenge arc, but it is revealed at the end of the first chapter, which has almost nothing to do with the arc, but is considered a prequel chapter by the author and ends with Togabito Aizen killing Togabito Kageroza and Aizen making the decision to fight Rita Ginunga
    • Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny: The entire fic started with a question as to who was the better Chessmaster, Aizen or Lelouch. Lelouch wins before Aizen's Return.
    • Victoria's Secret Compartment: Nemu has smuggling machines from the R&D department with hyperspace capsules in her cleavage.
      • This also seems to be where Kukaku keeps her pipe.
    • Vitriolic Best Buds: Lelouch and his Zanpakuto Eien Tamashi are easily this. The amount of times they aren’t bickering can be counted on one hand.
    • WAFF: A lot of moments are like this and some double as a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming
    • Was It All a Lie?: Yuna asks this of Lelouch after he betrays her, and the Soul Society, to Muramasa. What she doesn’t know is that Lelouch is a Fake Defector and is only acting like an asshole to keep his cover safe
    • Wham! Episode: Chapter 48, the finale to the Eye of the Storm arc. Look at the below trope.
    • Wham! Line: From chapter 14 Soifon (to Yoruichi): "I'm coming with you". At that point canon just went out the window.
      • And then of course we get this reveal from chapter 17. CC (to Lelouch): "Have we met before?". This troper stared at his computer screen for a few minutes after that one.
      • Aizen! Kill yourself! (Note that he learned from his mistake with Mao).
      • I am espada number 7, Mia Arruerie.
      • Susanna: "I'm pregnant and it's your child Lelouch-dono!"
        • "The fetus died."
      • “Shisato? Where’d you go? Are you still there?”
      • The word “Bankai” becomes this when declared by Urahara and Yamamoto.
        • and Unohana
      • “Just engraving into my mind the woman who forced me to lose my powers a second time”. Said by Isshin and followed up with a Flat What from Kaien.
      • From Kendra to Ichigo that he’s Dead All Along or rather, ever since he came back from being Brought Down to Normal back in chapter 39
      • Kasumi’s Badass Boast in chapter 110 revealing that she is The most powerful Togabito.
    • What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?: Keigo is the first person ever to beat the video game Demons and Devils. If he wasn't surrounded by awesomeness, it would have made a much bigger impresion.
    • What the Hell, Hero?: The Phantoms almost abandon Lelouch over the purge, but he talks his way out of it.
      • Hisana delivers this to Lelouch along with her Armor-Piercing Slap.
      • Ichigo chews out Lelouch for not helping him rescue Orihime
        • He does the same thing to Soifon later that same chapter.
        • Ironically for him Both of them showed up anyway during the rescue to bail him out
    • When All You Have Is a Hammer: Kukaku's plan to help her and Ichigo land safely.
    • Who's on First?: Done in the Yu-Gi-Oh! omake

    Renji: I'm just going to go ahead and summon Something.
    Kaien: Okay, what is it?.
    Renji: It's Something.
    Kaien: I get that, but what is it?
    Renji: Something.
    Kaien: Look the card has a name, right?
    Renji: Yes.
    Kaien: And the name of the card is…
    Renji: Something.
    Kaien: *frustrated* No, you know what? Forget it. Let's just play.

    • Willfully Weak: The Espada in the Battle of Karakura arc. According to Ulquiorra and Kira, Talbumosuke wants the Espada to remain in Resurreccion. If they find themselves hard pressed they should flee. Word of God has confirmed this, saying that this is part of a grand scheme of Talbumosuke’s to gather information on the enemy in battle and then go in with an actual plan with his army at full strength.
    • Woolseyism: In-universe example. Aparently Star Wars is now known, because of Britannian influence as "Galactic Conquest"
    • Worf Had the Flu: Yoruichi and Soifon would normally be able to handle Zaraki without their zanpakuto, but they had just fought Kendra and Stefan.
    • Wrong Genre Savvy: Kukaku trys to sneak past most of Seireitei, which might have worked, had she not been paired with one of the two main characters.
    • Xanatos Gambit: Either Soul Society leaves the Phantoms alone, and they handle corruption, or they take a hint and handle it themselves. While the Phantoms have officialy disbanded, their goal was already achieved, and Soul Society is now dealing with the corruption themselves.
      • Aizen pits Kaien against Ichigo, ensuring that at least one of them will be taken out of the picture in time for his plan.
      • Lelouch is trying to set one in motion that will end in Aizen's death, but considering his track record when it comes to the endgame...
        • ...went exactly as how he predicted; Aizen is dead and Lelouch is arrested for revealing himself as Zero.
      • Talbumosuke sends Gantenbinne equipped with Segunda Etapa to the world of the living. Whether Gantenbinne lives or dies Talbumosuke wins because he will obtain all of Gantenbinne’s battle data.
    • Ye Olde Butcherede Englishe: Seen in chapter 84 when Lelouch uses a machine to reawaken a memory from a past life of his in the medieval ages.
    • You Are Number Six: Hell assigns all of its denizens numbers as identification in order of strength
    • You Can't Fight Fate: The author has a literary gag where he will name several things that the characters can do to derail canon, but so far, none of them have happened.
    • You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Subverted. Talbumosuke says that Yammy will only become this once he is actually dead.
      • Subverted again for Mia. Despite the fact that Kaien killed her. Talbumosuke plans to revive her because she is near perfection in his mind.
    • You Need to Get Laid: Eien Tamashi certainly thinks so.
      • It finally happens in chapter 33.
    • Younger Than They Look: Played with. To avoid giving Karin ideas that she should get married to Isshin, Hisana says she's only 30 years old. While physically she could possibly pass for that age we know she is so much older
    • You Remind Me of X: When Keshiba asks Lelouch why Lelouch made him the orange phantom, Lelouch says that he reminds him of someone that he used to call by that name.
      • Happened again when Lelouch first meets Orihime in chapter 56 and telling her how much she reminds him of Shirley so much that it left him in sadness before asking her to act as Shirley temporarily in order for Lelouch to have temporary peace before meeting Shirley again in 17 years time.
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