Pairing: Szayel Aporro Grantz/Ishida Uryuu, Mayuri, Renji

Rating: PG-13 for this chapter

Warnings: None for this chapter.

Summary: Szayel Aporro has had a millennia to plan his revenge. In this future dominated by Aizen, he has all the time in the world to defile his newest specimens.

Risou Eien:

Chapter One

by: Ryoko (Lewd Concubine)

The boy hadn't seemed like much at first. Just another ordinary human, one of billions.

But then Szayel Aporro had not witnessed his abilities, had not figured him for a Quincy. They were quite the rare breed, and Szayel was only too pleased to see one in battle. Even better should he acquire him as a specimen.

His excitement was palpable when the Quincy showed up to defend his lackluster companion. Their battle surpassed his expectations. Even though he had fully analyzed the Quincy's abilities, he found himself nearly overcome during their skirmish. Perhaps because of this, for it was the first time in his memory he had come so close to death, he began to see the Quincy in a slightly different light. Of course Szayel would utilize the boy--Ishida, wasn't it?--to the best of his abilities, but he wanted to do something more, something to make Ishida suffer as no other specimen had before.

He had been so close to this goal. The fact he had been beaten by a Shinigami of all things, was absurd, unthinkable.

Szayel had ages upon ages to plan his revenge. It was all he thought about, all that kept him sane, during those first centuries of waiting. The only captivating things to look at were Ishida and perhaps the red-headed Shinigami, although anything was better than looking into the grinning face of the man he now recognized was his counterpart. But this grew old, as did everything. He had their features memorized within the first year. The next thousand were more than enough to make them redundant. He was worn thin. By the time the disgusting man's sword pierced his heart, Szayel was ready to die. For the second time, he almost did. Although, this time he would not have minded as much.

He had forgotten all about his secret laboratory underneath the sands of Hueco Mundo, completely separate from Las Noches. When he awoke again, his body freshly hatched from his supply of clones, he remembered everything but felt none of the despair he had in his previous incarnation. It was wonderful. All those millennia of thoughts, experiences, plans, were his to keep, but without the unnecessary emotions attached. It was one of his better ideas, and that was saying something.

Szayel Aporro generally had no problem explaining things. He loved making his enemies--and at times, his allies--feel like the inferior beings they were. However, he had always kept this place a secret. Szayel knew how important contingency plans were and that the secrecy of such should remain absolute. The fact that Aizen knew was due to his master's unquestionable superiority in all things. He had not meant for it to happen, but in the end he had been forced to divulge his secret. It was one of the things that made him respect Aizen--that he had been able to see through all of Szayel's carefully worded half-truths.

In a mysterious turn of events, Aizen had not punished him. He merely insisted Szayel produce clones of the other Espada as well. It appeared he had put some thought into the matter after Grimmjow had disobeyed his orders in such a blatant way and caused the destruction of some of his valuable resources. Naturally, Aizen agreed with Szayel about the secrecy of the operation. The other Espada, save a few, were nothing if not prone to fits of revealing rage.

It was easy to obtain tissue samples of most of his fellows. Grimmjow, Nnoitra, and Yammy always needed patching up from various skirmishes. It was child's play to deceive Zommari and Aaroniero as well. Barragan was slightly harder to outmaneuver. Ulquiorra, Halibel, and Stark proved the greatest challenge due to their reticent personalities. Despite all this, he triumphed. Aizen was most pleased, enough to grant Szayel permission to open up further cloning facilities. As a result, there were several scattered across the great plain of Hueco Mundo. Naturally, all were fully equipped and rendered invisible to prying eyes and kidou.

The new Szayel Aporro awoke in the facility closest to Las Noches. His first thought was one of smug self-satisfaction as most of the containers next to him were empty--he had not been the only one to die. Now practically everyone was in his debt. The feeling was glorious and absolutely self-serving. He loved it.

Upon his reemergence into Las Noches he discovered, to no great surprise, that Aizen had won the war. The Shinigami, Human, and Vaizard forces had been decimated when Aizen stepped into the battle. Many died, a few were spared. Aizen now ruled all from his seat as the King of Soul Society. Gin and Tousen were his emissaries to Hueco Mundo and Soul Society respectively.

He was especially pleased to find Ishida among the leftovers, even better the Shinigami captain was with him. Although Aizen had stipulated every courtesy be extended to the captives, he had said nothing about their general wellbeing. Szayel was within his rights to sample a few. As long as he returned them in relatively good working order, he was sure Aizen could not possibly mind. The prison they were being kept in was underneath Las Noches. It was a dark, dank place Szayel hardly ever visited save for happy occasions such as this. Both were in a separate room, almost as if Aizen knew Szayel would want them. Ishida did not look too surprised when Szayel walked in. If he had to hazard a guess, Szayel knew Ishida had probably seen his fellow risen Espada and had expected him to show up at some point. It was a little disappointing as he did so love to make an entrance, but Szayel was prepared to overlook this minor detail. After all, he had all the time in the world to disassemble, desecrate, and destroy his new toys. Szayel couldn't wait to get his hands on Ishida. He had big plans for the sole specimen left over who was his type.

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Dedicated to Regasssa LJ. Next chapter is where the real fun begins.