Note: Re-uploaded with new scene headers. Doesn't matter for this chapter, but I like to be thorough.

Recommended Music = Run This Town-Posthumus Zone (Jay-Z & Rihanna)

The Gargantas opened with the sound of rending static. In the skies high above Karakura Town, the gaping maws widened, allowing their passengers to enter the human world. Grim and white-clad, the heralds of death strode forth, anxious for the slaughter to begin.

"Well, at least it's a nice day out," Gin Ichimaru, formerly a captain of the Gotei 13 said in a pleasant, matter-of-fact tone. His perpetual fox-grin cut his face like a knife's edge.

"Be serious, for once," his immediate subordinate, Kaname Tosen tersely replied, not deigning to turn and face Gin. Of course his being blind may have dictated this.

"Well it is, Tosen m'boy!" Gin folded his arms into his expansive cloak, "I mean, I'd certainly hope to die on a day as nice as this one: not too hot, some lovely clouds out. Seriously, just look at it!"

Tosen tensed up at the last remark, yet said nothing. He awaited his master's wish, secretly hoping he'd be allowed to deal with Gin as he once did with the Sexto Espada, Grimmjow. Even if the punishment didn't stick, it certainly quieted the rowdy Arrancar.

Sosuke Aizen didn't turn around. "It is a nice day, isn't it?"

Tosen resigned himself at that, beginning a cursory sweep of Karakura Town with his available senses. The city lay sprawling below the Arrancar Army, spreading out from the winding artificial riverbanks like an expanding spider's web. As he scanned, he realized something about the web:

"Lord Aizen!" he cried, "It's a trap! The humans are gone!"

As if on cue, a wave of Kido barriers disintegrated across the sky before the Arrancar. Where once were the open heavens now drifted all the Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 not trapped in Hueco Mundo. At the head of the Shinigami, Captain-Commander Yamamoto stood resolute, his long braided beard lightly moving in the wind.

"Well," he said in a deep, gravely voice, "It looks like we made it here in time."

Aizen sighed wearily, "Of course it's a trap. Though I must say the thoroughness surprises me," he gestured towards the town, "I can't believe the Gotei 13 would go to the trouble of evacuating all the humans from Karakura."

"That's a lot of memory-wiping," Gin added. "I almost pity whoever comes out on top today. The paper work'll be a nightmare. Maybe they're trying to intimidate us into losing…clever…"

Tosen bit down a remark and instead said, "Lord Aizen, if there are no humans here, then fighting would be pointless. We should head for Soul Society immediately and…"

"In due time, Tosen. First, we need to look at all of our options. Old Man!" Aizen suddenly cried, "A word! Parley!"

Yamamoto acknowledged Aizen's call and came close enough to speak with the traitorous Shinigami. "There is only one way this can end Aizen, with your death or capture."

Aizen smiled, almost wistfully, "Old Man, after all we've been through, you won't even hear me out? Is your opinion of me really so low?"

Yamamoto watched Aizen, Gin and Tosen for a long moment. "I will hear terms. I cannot promise to grant mercy though."

At this, Aizen nodded, seemingly touched for the first time. "Very well. If you surrender, I will not kill a single Shinigami…"

The Old Man glowered as he spoke, and only allowed Aizen a few more seconds before bringing his sword around in a swift arc. With a cry of "Jokaku Enjo" he hurled sheets of flame across the sky that swarmed about Aizen and his lieutenants, swiftly forming burning barriers around them.

As the fire settled into place, Gin asked, "You don't think he thought we were surrendering, do you Tosen?"

"I think," Tosen said, "that we should break free as soon as possible before Captain-Commander burns the Espada to cinders."

Aizen nodded, as if confirming something with himself. "You're not giving my Espada enough credit. I have every confidence in them. I've prepared them for this day. They will not fail," said Aizen with all the finality of a hanging judge. With his declaration, the matter was all but settled for Tosen, who resigned himself to the position of a spectator in this war.

Gin however felt restless. "Hey Tosen, let's play a game."

""What…?"

"I spy," Gin leapt right into his game, "with my little eye, something that's black!"

"…Is it me?" asked Tosen wearily.

"You're good at this."