Aizen's Exciting New Plans
By Aoi Shinobumi
It was an ordinary day, as far as the fortress of Las Noches was concerned, but it would turn out to be far from usual in the events that would ensue. None of the Espada or the arrancar were allowed to speak with Aizen, something critical that he was researching, they were told.
Aizen sat on a large throne, one hand resting on a glass of tea, the other flipping through a book. An idea had come to him before, one that would potentially devastate the balance of the Soul Society. If this would work, then there would be another "betrayal" in there midst. Aizen turned to look at the door for a moment.
"Gin... please come in now." he requested.
The large door opened with ease and the tall, silver-haired man entered the room.
"What d'ya need, Captain?" He asked, smiling.
"Please take this to Szayel Aporro, if you would. Ask him to proceed immediately... and please refrain from leaking this to Grimmjow." He said pleasantly.
Gin accepted the text, nodding then, waving on his way out. The giant door closed as he left, walking the long halls that were so silent, any normal person might be driven insane. He followed the twists and turns briskly, finally facing the door. Being here always made his stomach do flips. Mostly because he knew the pink-haired Espada was missing more than a few screws, in other words, he was insane. Many people had been fooled by his sophisticated kind of charm, and ended up altered, or dead.
Without him knocking on the door, it swung open and the male stood there for a moment.
"Ah, Ichimaru, would you care to step in~?" he asked pleasantly.
Gin was far from stupid enough to accept the offer. "No, I just came as a favor to Aizen" He said, thrusting the book into his hands and turning to leave. "He said to have you start right away. The rest of the instructions are written on the inner cover." He finished, walking away.
Szayel pushed his glasses up then, closing the door and reading though the text. Within moments, the plan was only painfully obvious. He set the book down, sitting at his computer, quickly working on a formula for a specific enzyme. Once he unlocked this compound, the rest would be a breeze. His acid-brown eyes scanned over the screen quietly. He decided to recalculate it, seeing that there was something missing from the equation. Szayel called in one of his fraccion, pointing to a shelf and then down to a series of cabinets.
"Grab the purple one, and bring out what's left of Number 6." He instructed, skillfully working his way through the formula. His white gloved hand skimmed across the book page, reading for the next set of directions. It didn't seem to come out and say exactly what was needed, and he was left to figure it all out. Grinning, he closed the book, standing by a set of tubes and jars. He carefully added a number of strange liquids and gels and a pinch of a clear as it ran through the tubes, depositing into a large glass beaker. Szayel set it to the side, going to the table. Laid on it was the headless body of the former sixth Espada, and a jar of ashes, the remains of his head, left after Grimmjow had blasted him with a cero shot. Szayel carefully spread the ashes, strapping the body to the table. Grabbing the purple liquid from the table, he spread it over the body. The ashes came together slowly, forming the face of the lovely Espada, who looked surprised, yet as unmarred and perfect as before. He stared at Szayel in confusion.
"What happened? How is it I'm alive again?" He asled, his body rigid with slight fear.
"It's very simple. Aizen-sama has a mission, and it requires your services now." He told him, not telling him much. Szayel went to grab the beaker off his counter, bringing it back and filling a syringe with it.
The violet-eyed Espada looked at him for a moment, wondering what he was planning. Szayel flicked the needle once, injecting it into his neck, listening to his groan of agony. He was slow to remove the needle out as well, enjoying the momentary torture session.
"That is a special enzyme. I'm not allowed to tell you just yet why it's important, but Aizen-sama has chosen you to be the key in his latest plan." He said.
Luppi stared at the ceiling, thinking for a bit. Aizen needed him for something crucial enough to bring him back from the dead. That thought was exciting enough. He knew then that it would get interesting from there.
Back at Aizen's lair, he was examining a spiritual energy monitor, established in both Soul Society and Karakura Town. He needed the perfect vessel for his plans, and he had to plan carefully. Snapping his fingers then, the doors opened once more. Gin strolled in, eyes closed and a pleasant smile on his face.
"What is it~?" he asked eagerly.
Aizen smiled and pointed to the screen. "As soon as I find a decent source, I'll be sending you to fetch our new friend. Szayel should have his part finished by now, so we can proceed very soon." He instructed.
Gin nodded slightly, fully prepared to do whatever it took. Knowing Aizen, he would wait for a chance to get the victim when they were in neutral territory.
"Also, send Ulquiorra ahead for surveillance. I've found several spiritual sources that seem promising. I want to see what, if any will work." Aizen said.
As if on cue, Ulquiorra emerged from the shadows, flicking a very slight wave, as he then set off for Karakura once again. Aizen turned to the monitors then, to check on Szayel's progress.
"Szayel Aporro, how are things coming along?" He questioned.
The pink-haired male glances up, raising a gloved hand.
"He's been revived and injected. I'd say that by the time the chosen vessel arrives, it will have been settled into his bloodstream, it's had some time to circulate already." He informed.
"Excellent, we've sent surveillance to look for a good candidate. When we bring him here, I'd like for you to prepare his body for the process, and then put him in isolation until Luppi can manage his part of things." Aizen said, smiling serenely, as though this was completely routine.
Back in Karakura, Ulquiorra silently moved along, looking for the source of all the strong spiritual prescences. He masked his energy, to be able to remain relatively unnoticed. He didn't want to alarm the shinigami. He paused, coming across what seemed to be a training session. There was a small group of young shinigami training in an isolated section of the woods. Ulquiorra's expressionless green eyes watched like a stalker. The overall group was unimpressive, but one shinigami stood out from the rest. In appearance, the male seemed young, his hair was long, black, and held back in a ponytail with a white-green ribbon that matched his obi. In his hair were a pair of cherry blossom hair clips. The male's eyes were amethyst, and his uniform was basic in design, except for the top, which had detached flaring sleeves, that buckled. The only other outfit change was that he wore zori instead of waraji. From what he could tell of his abilities, his speed and kido were on an average level, but he bore more weapons than just his zanpakuto, and his skill with them had a frightening accuracy. The amount of energy Ulquiorra could sense from him was incredible, but untapped. He was sure that this would be a perfect candidate.
He turned then, silently reopening his portal gate, making his way back. A short while after would see him in the presence of Aizen and Gin. He knelt obediently, waiting for the command.
"Stand, Ulquiorra, and show me what you've seen." He spoke.
The Espada silently rose, removing an eye and crushing it in his palm. They watched in silence, noticing the group of subpar shinigami. It was obvious that Aizen's interest was in the very same shinigami that Ulquiorra had predicted. After Ulquiorra's eye reformed, he placed it back in.
Aizen nodded to Gin then. "I want you to depart immediately. Please feel free to use any means necessary to bring him back here."