The Soul Reaper of Alrest

Ichigo wakes up in his inner world.

Ichigo: [Mind] Why do I keep waking up here?

Ichigo looks around for Zangetsu.

Ichigo: Zangetsu! Why do you keep bringing me back here?!

???: I only brought you here for a chat. Is that so wrong?

Ichigo turns around to see a familiar face.

Ichigo: It's been almost a decade since we last met, and you still sound like a jackass.

H Ichigo: Aww, is that any way to talk to an old friend?

Ichigo: We're not friends. Now leave me alone!

H Ichigo: What am I supposed to do, just move out?

Ichigo: Ideally, yes!

H Ichigo: Where would I even go?

Ichigo: I don't care where you go. As long as you get out of my head!

H Ichigo: So you don't wanna hear what I have to say?

Ichigo: What could you possibly say that would make me listen to you?

H Ichigo: I know how to get your Soul Reaper powers back.

Ichigo reluctantly complies.

Ichigo:... How can I get my powers back...?

H Ichigo: It's not something you can do by forcing it to come out. You have to get rid of the thing you gained when you came to this new world. Then you can once again use the power you once wielded.

Ichigo: What is it with you and these riddles? What exactly do I need to get rid of?

H Ichigo: The thing that's holding you back.

Ichigo: What is holding me back?! How do I get my powers back?!

H Ichigo: Clueless as always, king. Can't you figure it out on your own? Or do you need your girlfriend to help you out?

Ichigo's anger rises and he quickly gets defensive.

Ichigo: Don't you dare bring up Pyra!

H Ichigo: There it is. I'll admit, I've missed that feistiness. And yet you still can't figure out what's wrong with you? After all this time, I thought you would be smarter by now.

Ichigo thinks back to his last conversation with Vandham.

Ichigo: I'm afraid of living again.

H Ichigo: Good job, Ichigo. You solved half of the problem.

Ichigo: Only half?

H Ichigo: Your fear is the first part of the problem.

Ichigo: What's the other?

H Ichigo: I already gave you a hint. You'll have to figure out the rest on your own.

Ichigo: Don't make me beat the answer out of you!

H Ichigo: That would sound threatening, if you had the power to back up those words. We both know that you can use a VERY small amount of your power. If you were to fight me here and now, well... let me put it in a way you'll understand. It would be like an ant trying to fight the sun. And if you still don't understand, you're the ant in this metaphor.

Ichigo: I know I'm not as strong as I used to be, but I can still try!

H Ichigo: Optimism won't help you. But I admire the effort.

Ichigo: I don't get you. You're "helping" me, but at the same time you're not helping me.

H Ichigo: Once you figure that out, and you will. You're going to be surprised and feel very stupid.