A/N: Sometimes major plot bunnies get the best of you. This is what happens when they do. This is co-written with rockyroad69 (Art). Art and I have always wondered what would happen if Aizen defeated Ichigo, and his plan worked-ish on taking over the soul society, blah blah blah. An alternate ending of the Arrancar Arc. Here's our story on what would happen...but with a twist. The prologue will be familiar to you all, but it does change.

Genre: Romance, Adventure, Drama, Suspense, and some Angst.

Warning! Please read if you are new to my stories. I'm only going to say this once.

This story contains spoilers from the Arrancar arc and Quincy Blood War Arc.

I have no rules what so ever when it comes to content. What happens in this story happens (it's M rated for a reason!). Don't expect sunshine, rainbows, and all that other jazz. Includes coarse language and violent scenes.

This story will contain dark moments, that's how I and Art write. There will be moments where you will hate what happens and moments when you will be in love with this story. I do not promise characters canon-like or even pleasant.

If you can't handle stuff like this then exit out. You'll only be mad at me later. But it's Bleach so...

And to those who are continuing, please fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a long ride.

And let it begin...

My wonderful victims.

To Paint the World Red

By: Sapphire and Art

Prologue: Endings

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End"

- Revelations 22:13

As the sound of metal against metal clashed together, Ichigo couldn't help wishing he'd listened to Tensa Zangetsu.

Blood gushed out of Aizen's right shoulder like red rain. Ichigo heard a slight gasp, and saw violet filled, narrowed eyes widen with disbelief. Three pairs of white wings, as wide as Ichigo was tall, fluttered slightly. He prepared for another strike with his black Zanpakuto, one which would end Aizen out of existence. But a slight smirk from Aizen, and Ichigo knew this wasn't even close to being over. The white winged creature shattered, breaking into little pieces, and letting out a flashing white light, before reappearing above him on a cliff like a God in a throne.

Ichigo stood his ground; face stoic, not showing any signs of weakness to Aizen. Rocks fell around like heavy snow, but Ichigo paid no heed to the danger. The only thing is eyes were on was Aizen, still standing as if mocking Ichigo, and grading him to a cockroach. Ichigo narrowed his eyes slightly, watching the disfigured creature place a hand on its wounded shoulder.

"What a surprise," Ichigo commented, calmly. "You asked me moments ago why I backed away, so let me ask you the same question. Aizen, why did you back away?"

"I get it now. You are pleased aren't you, Ichigo Kurosaki. You are pleased you were able to stop my sword and overcome my kido." Aizen's voice rose. "You are a fool! Don't think because you did those things, I would be easily killed! It's going to take much more than that to kill me, human!"

A force of energy shot at Ichigo, but he remained unmoved. Dust swirled around Aizen like a small tornado, and a bright column of light flashed above as blood splattered, pouring over the cliff like a waterfall, painting the Earth red. The white, butterflied creature stood tall, his face now pure black. White teeth smiled back at Ichigo, wingspan increased, and three hollow holes ran down the middle of his chest like a carved circle. The Hogyoku glowed violently with his master, and Aizen spoke, his voice echoing deep, sending even Ichigo chills down his spine.

I will not show weakness.

A bright, purple sun evolved from one of the winged mouths, firing a cero like a rocket towards Ichigo. The blast and heat was overwhelming. Ichigo was able to block most of his with his left forearm, but suffered badly for it. His arm was now useless. A large patch of skin was burnt away, leaving behind a red layer of exposed flesh.

I will not show fear.

A large proportion of the ground was missing as the dust and smoke cleared from the fierce animosity of the explosion. Fire below burned violently, heating Ichigo like an oven. He floated in the middle of the missing circle, watching Aizen closely in front. Unfortunately, he blinked, missing a quarter of a second of Aizen dashing towards him. Already he was in Aizen's trap, a black hand around his neck, cutting off air supply. Stinking smell of rotting flesh burned Ichigo's nose from being close to the disfigured creature, but he hung on, still holding onto the hilt of his sword tightly. Mumbled words entered Ichigo's ears, but were not computing right with his brain. Everything was fuzzy. Ichigo's entire body felt like it was going to fall apart. His muscles burned, head pounded like a loud bass, lungs contracted, and his heart increased, sending warning signals. But he wasn't going to give up.

I still have enough left for one more…hold on just a little bit more, body.

"Is this the best you can do?" Ichigo asked.

His brown eyes blazed with anger as he slashed his sword against Aizen's chest, sending him flying.

"Aizen, let's end this. I'm tired of hearing you speak non-sense. So prepare yourself… for my final Getsuga Tensho."

Summoning all he had, Ichigo focused on the last of his energy on Mugestu. He prayed silently, hoping whatever he tried to learn from Tensa Zangetsu would lead to Aizen's defeat. However, his body said otherwise. His brain went blank, his heart reached a limit of pressure, his muscles betrayed him, and his energy disappeared like a gust of wind.

Ichigo was stunned. He stood there until his knees buckled under him, letting gravity push him to the ground. His whole body was paralyzed, locked up like a prisoner in a jail cell, and his now widened eyes moved around, trying to find an explanation.

No…how did…this wasn't supposed to happen. My body, no…why did you fail me? I still had time… Tensa Zangetsu, what did I do wrong?

You did nothing wrong, Ichigo. His voice rang through his head like a mere whisper. You are just not ready for the technique.

But I was ready! Tell me, dammit, why did my body give out on me?!

Because you are weak…I might've shown you how to use Getsuga Tensho, but it all depends on how much your body can handle the stress and pressure of the power. This is more extreme than you will ever know.

Then you lied to me! Ichigo snapped.

I did not lie! Do not call me so, boy! You only told me to show you the technique, you discovering it and using it was at your own gain! I did nothing towards your failure! This is your own fault! I warned you of the consequences, and you did not listen!

There was a pause, Ichigo's own reflections surrounding him. He could hear Aizen's heavy footsteps coming towards him, but he only focused on Tensa Zangetsu's voice.

Then tell me…what is the risk? Ichigo's voice lowered calmly.

Pardon?

The risk, what is it? What will happen if I use the technique?

You cannot use it now, Ichigo. Your body is paralyzed from using your spirit energy. You must—

Dammit! Just tell me—

Death, Ichigo. The risk of death is inescapable if you use it.

Then I will die.

He then felt somebody lift his body up by the throat. His eyes blurred, trying to make out Aizen's figure for a moment. His mind focusing on Tensa Zangetsu's voice, but found he was already gone. Now, only Aizen's smug face fell once again in front of him.

"I am stronger than the gods now, Ichigo Kurosaki. You have lost. Now witness as the world you know falls."

Seconds later, his head pounded like never before. It was as if someone had dropped a concrete block on it. He lost a breath of air and could feel his lungs struggling to grab the oxygen around him. He opened his eyes, automatically seeing red, and suddenly started to feel the darkness swimming over him like a giant tsunami. He couldn't get the air. Was he drowning? No, this was much worse.

He had to get up, he had to keep moving, but his body didn't respond to his demands.

Get up…dammit don't let this be the end!

But the little voice at the back of head started to grow louder and louder until it screamed 'let go'. His conscious wanted die, to no longer suffer the pain, but Ichigo would not listen to it, he only screamed, Shut up!

Then he heard another voice, a female. Her tone sounded dangerous and dark, like she was high on revenge. He knew he had heard the voice before, but couldn't place it with his head pounding. She was speaking to Aizen, not screaming, but speaking. He was speaking at the same tone as she, but their words were a jumbled up mess in his mind. He could not place the puzzle pieces together. The darkness was coming quick, but he still desperately wanted to know who the voice belonged to.

With the last amount of energy left, his eyes casted over to his right, trying to find the woman. His vision blurred and the smell of smoke overwhelmed him. And at the last moment he saw her: Captain Retsu Unohana. Her hair was let loose out of the braid, and flowed in the wind. Her face seemed sinister-like—dark, narrowed eyes; devilish smirk—and her clothes were covered with blood and dirt, torn all over. She looked an absolute mess, but to Ichigo, something inside him lit up. Perhaps it was because the state he was in, but he couldn't help think how beautiful this woman really was.

He watched as she pulled out her Zanpakuto, one resembling a nodachi, and said one word so clearly even he was able to catch it.

"Bankai."

And Ichigo closed his eyes.

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