Chapter 2
A/N: I thought I'd just mention super quick that at no point in this story will there be Führer Ywach or any of his Sternritter. Almost everything in that arc was poorly thought out and it was just a huge damn mess. If it were up to me the series would've ended on the page where Ichigo used 'Mugetsu'.
Alright. Got that squared away.
Senzaikyū Prison Tower, Central Seireitei
Yoruichi raced across the rooftops; her legs blurring from the speed at which she moved. At the edge of the final building she bent her knees at the last possible moment and leapt towards a low hanging window on the prison tower.
She grasped onto the sill of the opening and with practiced perfection did a reverse flip through the gap and into the structure.
Right into a pack of four guards.
'Perfect.'
"Hey you!" One of them called as his hand reached for his weapon. "No one's allowed in-URGH" The man was silenced as Yoruichi closed the distance in an instant and buried her fist into his gut. Before any of the others could process what had happened she spun around and kicked a second man in the side of the head and then delivered an upwards palm strike to the chin of a third.
The only guard still conscious opened his mouth to speak but his words died in his throat when he was picked up and slammed painfully against the stone wall. Yoruichi produced a short blade from inside her sleeve and held it a mere half inch away from one of the mans eyes.
"Your two newest prisoners. The ryokas who invaded seireitei a few days ago. What cell are they in?" she asked with steel in her voice.
"F-fifth floor! Cell n-number s-seven!" The man stammered fearfully.
"Thanks." Yoruichi said with a genuine smile before giving the man a swift chop to the neck and rendering him unconscious.
The final guard hadn't even finished crumbling to the floor in the short time it took for Yoruichi to flash to the end of the hallway and start ascending the stairs to the next floor.
'Third floor...fourth floor…dodge another patrol of guards...fifth floor. This is it!'
Yoruichi burst onto the fifth floor and her eyes immediately widened in alarm. Every guard on the floor was dead. Some lying face down in pools of blood whereas others were slumped against the once pristine white walls.
"Ichigo! Chad!" Yoruichi screamed as she ran to the door labeled 'Cell Seven'. She kicked the door open and caught the quickest glimpse of a garganta portal snapping shut. Leaving behind an empty cell and a few broken restraints.
"Oh...shit."
Seireitei, 13th Division Captains Barracks
Captains Kyōraku and Ukitake sat in somber silence staring at cups of tea in their hands. The only sounds were the occasion clank of a sōzu in the small garden pond outside and the distant shuffling of other shinigami going about their business.
"It's not your fault Jūshirō. There are some things in this world we just can't control." Kyōraku said quietly as he stirred his cup around lightly.
"How am I supposed to accept that Shunsui?" Ukitake replied with sadness in his voice. "One minute and three seconds. That's how late I arrived with the shihōin shield. If I had undone the seals just a little bit faster, If I had gotten up just a little bit earlier in the morning, If I had just one less coughing fit on the way to the execution grounds, If any of those occurred then I would have gotten there before Kuchiki died and we could have destroyed the Sōkyoku together. Then Rukia would still be alive..."
"You can't be sure of that." Kyōraku replied. "Let's say we succeeded in taking out that oversized spear. What then? Kuchiki would still have a death sentence hanging over her head."
"That ryoka boy might have gotten her out..." Ukitake protested weakly.
"Gotten her away from old man Yama?" Kyōraku questioned lightly but skeptically. "You saw how quickly the commander slapped him down after he showed up."
Ukitake shook his head. "You know as well as I Shunsui that had our plan succeeded then Yamamoto's attention would have been entirely on us. That ryoka would have barely factored into his peripheral vision at that point."
"There were still captains Suì-Fēng and Kuchiki present. Do you really think the boy could have fought both of them?"
Ukitake sighed. "Probably not. But the ryoka did have a bankai. Anything is possible."
"Not just probably not. It'd be impossible. There's no way he could win against both. Suì-Fēng would only need him distracted for a moment before she killed him with that scary power of hers." Kyōraku reached out gently and laid his hand on his best friends shoulder. "You have to accept it Jūshirō. Your subordinate still would have died."
"She wasn't just a subordinate!" Ukitake nearly shouted. "She was the last connection I had to my previous lieutenant Kaien! I wanted her to take his place someday!" The captain of the 13th protested loudly before turning to the side for a small fit of coughing.
It was Shunsui's turn to sigh. "...you're right. I'm sorry. But it doesn't change the fact that she's gone. The only thing we can do now is avenge her. We know from the revelations brought forth by captain Unohana that Aizen was manipulating everything by pretending to be the Central 46. What we don't know is the why. Why did Aizen arrange for Rukia's death in such a way? What happened to her in the living world that made her so important? And where have he, Ichimaru, and Tōsen disappeared to?"
Ukitake's eyes hardened. "I don't know. But those are all things I intend to find out."
Inside The Garganta, In between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo
"So...why are your allies waiting in Hueco Mundo? Isn't it dangerous with all the hollows running around?" Ichigo asked in a bored tone as the group of three walked at a comfortable pace.
"Tell me Ichigo Kurosaki what do you-"
"NO! Stop that! Stop using peoples full names every time you say them. It's weird, uncomfortable and gives me the creeps." Ichigo exclaimed in annoyance.
Aizen chuckled briefly to himself. "My apologies Ichigo. It is merely an old habit of mine. But as I was saying. What do you know about Arrancar?"
"Never heard of them." Ichigo replied bluntly. "Chad?" Ichigo asked, looking to his friend.
The silent giant simply shook his head in the negative.
"I see. I expected as much. Before I explain to you both what an Arrancar is, I should preface it with an explanation of the various types of menos grande that exist within Hueco Mundo." Aizen said.
"Menos grande? You mean those black and white hollows that are as tall as skyscrapers?" Ichigo asked. "I fought one of those before. That cero thing it used was pretty serious."
Aizen nodded. "Indeed. That brand of menos is known as a Gillian. Shinigami ranked below that of 7th seat in their respective divisions are forbidden from fighting them alone. Even if you are a high ranking officer and have clearance to engage them in combat it is probably wiser to call for backup. Such is their terrifying power. However, of the three classes of menos grande that exist...Gillian are by far the weakest."
"What!" Ichigo yelped in surprise. "But that thing nearly killed me! And it's the weakest?"
"Do not sell yourself so short Ichigo. You are a captain class shinigami now. You could likely slay them by the dozens and not even tire with the power you now possess. Although at his current strength Sado should be a tad more cautious if he sees one."
Chad reflexively clenched his fist at the mention. 'For the moment' he thought.
"Almost all Gillians are identical. Mindless beasts that are too sluggish to properly wield the power at their disposal." Aizen continued. "But on occasion one will be born that is unique. One that has retained its intelligence and sense of individualism. In these cases the unique Gillian will have an uncontrollable urge to feed on its brethren. It will continue to consume its mindless siblings until an internal change is triggered. It is here when the Gillian evolves into the second type of menos grande. The Adjuchas."
"What are they like?" Chad asked with the tiniest hint of nervousness in his voice.
"It varies." Aizen answered with a small shake of his hand. "Adjuchas have as much diversity among them as that of regular hollows. Unlike the Gillian who's power is fairly uniform, the Adjuchas have strengths all over the place. The only thing you can be sure of is that it will be 'stronger than a Gillian'. Perhaps by only a little and perhaps by a massive amount. All Adjuchas have the capability to speak, to think, to feel complex emotions, and even contemplate their own existence. Although many choose to ignore these things because of the cursed life all Adjuchas are forced to live."
"A cursed life?" Ichigo questioned with a slight frown.
"Yes. A horrible existence. As I said before, Adjuchas have the ability to think and to feel. In a land full of mindless bloodthirsty hollows one might think that the Adjuchas would have a sense of kinship with each other. However this is rarely the case. The uncontrollable hunger from when they were unique Gillians carries over into their new stage of evolution. The Adjuchas are forced to compete and hunt eat other over the vast emptiness of Hueco Mundo or they will regress. Go too long without eating and they will revert back into a mindless Gillian. Know this Ichigo. Once an Adjuchas regresses into a Gillian there is absolutely zero chance of ever evolving again. Can you imagine such a life Ichigo? To be forced to constantly hunt those that could potentially be your companions or you will lose your sense of self forever?"
"I...I..." Ichigo failed to find the words.
"It truly does sound like a curse." Chad commented.
"There are only two ways for an Adjuchas to end the cycle and still manage to retain their sense of self. The first is to reach the final stage of evolution. The third type of menos grande. The Vasto Lorde. The pinnacle of hollow evolution and a being that could fight a weaker shinigami captain with one hand tied behind its back. Not all Adjuchas have the ability to reach this final stage. In fact, I speculate that very very few of them do. Similar to how not all shinigami have the ability to become a captain no matter how much they push themselves. Sometimes destiny is just not on your side."
"What's the second way?" Ichigo inquired.
"A method very obscure and even more painful. At least it used to be. Unlike becoming a Vasto Lorde this method is not something that is instinctively known to hollows. This is a path that they must stumble upon on their own by dumb luck or by encountering another hollow that has already made the change. The second way is for a hollow to rip away their own mask and obtain shinigami powers. This is what is known...as an Arrancar."
"And these hybrid beings are who we're going to meet now?" Chad said as he mentally connected the dots.
"Correct. Over many years I have been secretly putting together an army of unique Gillian and Adjuchas class hollows, helping them escape the cycle of death and unending hunger by transforming them into Arrancar. As I said before this process was quite painful originally but I have found a way to circumvent that."
"How?" Ichigo asked with rapt attention.
Aizen smiled at how enraptured Ichigo was becoming with the lecture. A few carefully selected words and Aizen could tell the boy was already sympathetic to the plight of the Adjuchas. Which leads to sympathy with most Arrancar for trying to escape their fate. Which will in turn lead to sympathy towards Aizen himself for liberating them.
"With my own version of the Hōgyoku." Aizen answered. "Originally, rather than try and obtain Urahara's Hōgyoku from him, I endeavored to create my own. However, despite constant attempts and decades of research, I was only partially successful. I created an incomplete version that can easily transform hollows into Arrancar but it is unable to help with greater tasks. I am hoping that by combining Urahara's Hōgyoku with my own that I will get an artifact more powerful than either one is individually."
"What are you hoping it will do?" Chad asked.
Aizen refrained from smirking. "A man must keep a few secrets mustn't he?" he replied lightheartedly. "Perhaps I will tell you later. Ah. It seems we've arrived."
The three men reached a light at the end of the dimensional tunnel and hopped out into what could only be called a throne room. It was immaculately clean and incredibly tall. The sides were lined with cylindrical pillars and a single chair sat in the center of the room elevated by a gigantic stone slab.
"Welcome. To Las Noches." Aizen said with a smile.
"Woah...are we really in Hueco Mundo? This isn't what I imagined at all." Ichigo said as he glanced around.
"Oh my. Is that the ryoka boy I met at the gate in Seireitei?" An uncomfortably familiar voice rang out.
Ichigo and Chad turned around to the sight of two more shinigami captains. The white haired fox-like man who expelled Ichigo from his initial attempt at invading Seireitei and a purple haired dark skinned man who appeared to be blind.
"I certainly wasn't expecting this when you said you 'had a little detour to make' captain Aizen." The white haired man commented as he leered creepily at Ichigo and Chad.
"It seems that fortune has decided to gift us with two more allies. And I no longer hold the rank of captain Gin." Aizen replied.
"Nonsense." Gin dismissed as he waved the comment away with one hand. "You'll always be captain Aizen to me."
"Hmm. Well suit yourself." Aizen relented in amusement. "Ichigo, Sado. Allow me to introduce the two shinigami who have chosen to revolt alongside me. Former captains of the 3rd and 9th divisions Ichimaru Gin and Kaname Tōsen."
"Hiya! I'm betting we'll get along reeeally well don't you think? We'll be the best of friends in no time." Ichimaru said with a wave and an exceedingly wide snake-like grin.
"Uh..yeah..sure..." Ichigo answered nervously as both he and Chad started to sweat uncomfortably.
Tōsen approached the two with a blank expression. "Kurosaki. Sado. I am sorry for what happened to your friends. Together we will ensure that justice is done for them. If there is anything I can help you with please feel free to ask."
Ichigo's expression sunk slightly, suddenly remembering the events that led them here while Chad managed to get out a polite "Thank you Kaname."
Tōsen gave a simple nod of acknowledgment and then turned to his leader. "Lord Aizen. I have gathered the Espada in the meeting room as you requested before we separated."
"Excellent Kaname. Let us be off then."
As the five men started to walk Ichigo leaned over to Chad and whispered "Did that guy really just call him 'Lord Aizen'?"
"Think nothing of it Ichigo." Aizen said, overhearing the comment. "A few of the Arrancar started referring to me like that at some point. I merely never corrected them. It seems now that our defection is official, Kaname has chosen to adopt the moniker as well."
"May I ask something somewhat unrelated?" Chad spoke up in a perplexed tone.
"By all means." Aizen replied.
"Why are the Arrancar following you? You've mentioned that you're rebelling against the corruption and status quo of Soul Society, but I don't see why these Arrancar would care when they live here in Hueco Mundo."
"Oh? It seems there's a mind under all that muscle." Aizen commented in good humor. "As with any army the reasons vary from soldier to soldier. A few have encountered shinigami in the past when they were normal hollows and still hold a grudge. Some have retained their bloodthirsty nature and are simply itching for a fight. Then there are those who feel they owe me for helping them escape the unending cycle of hunting their own kin. The largest group however, are those that just want to prove they have the right to exist."
"What do you mean by that?" Ichigo demanded indignantly. "Who says they can't exist?"
"Soul Society of course. One might think that the top shinigami would be glad for a hollow who has escaped the terrible fate of the Adjuchas. Be glad for the sentient hollow that can think and feel and no longer has to constantly kill to survive. But instead Soul Society considers the Arrancar an abomination. In their eyes a hollow is a hollow and a shinigami is a shinigami. There can be no mixing of their powers. In the few times throughout history that Arrancar have appeared they have always been hunted down with extreme prejudice. Soul Society has even sent hunting parties of high ranking officers into Hueco Mundo itself to dispose of them. Simply for existing."
"That's horrible!" Ichigo yelled outraged.
"I agree. If you want to know more we can discuss it later." Aizen remarked as they finally reached their destination. A set of large double doors that led to the meeting room. "In here you will meet the Espada. The 10 most powerful Arrancar in Hueco Mundo. Please hold your tongue during the meeting Ichigo. For the moment you are a stranger to them, we don't need any unnecessary outbursts."
Tōsen pushed open the door and stepped to the left to usher everyone inside.
Ichigo and Chad stepped into the room and immediately felt 10 pairs of eyes swivel onto them. Chad hid his surprise at their physical appearance well but Ichigo didn't. 'They...they look just like people. A few hollow parts here and there but that's it. I was expecting monsters... Are these really Arrancar? These are what Soul Society considers abominations?'
Aizen chuckled at Ichigo's shocked expression as he sat down in the chair at the head of the table. 'I knew I was forgetting to mention something. Although perhaps this way it works out even better.' he mused to himself.
"Hello my dear Espada. I have returned once again from Soul Society and this time I am here to stay. Before we begin the meeting let us address the 'elephant in the room' as the humans say. This is Ichigo Kurosaki and Yasutora Sado." Aizen intoned as he gestured to the two standing behind his chair. "Two prisoners of Soul Society that I chose to liberate on my way out. They will be joining us in our cause. Young Ichigo here has a good deal of power but not the experience to properly use it whereas I believe Sado's powers themselves are still under development. I would like one of you to assist them in their growth while they are my guests here in Las Noches."
Silence reigned the room for a few moments as most of the Espada looked away or simply pretended they had not heard the request.
"Do I have a volunteer?" Aizen asked with a less amused tone.
Finally a single Espada stood and stared directly at the head of the table. "Lord Aizen. I believe my fracción and I will be more than capable of doing what you ask. I can begin as soon as the meeting ends."
"Excellent. Ichigo, Sado. You should be honored to have such a high ranking Arrancar mentoring for you. Allow me to introduce your training partner for the next few weeks. Espada No.5."
Ichigo peeked around the corner of Aizens large chair to get a better look at the Arrancar in question and was forced to avert his gaze after a few seconds. He didn't want to be caught blushing in such a serious moment.
"Neliel Tu Oderschvank."
A/N 2: Yes. This story will contain a slightly different Espada line up. My changes are only twofold.
Firstly Nnoitra is out and Nel is in. I thought about bumping half the Espada down a rank in order to squeeze her in, but in the end I decided it was just cleaner to switch our her and the canonical number 5. I don't think it's too far a stretch to imagine a situation where she was forced to put down Nnoitra because of his constant threats to her in their shared backstory.
Secondly, I have decided to swap the ranks of Ulquiorra and Harribel. My reason is this. When you look at the way Ulquiorra in his first released state effortlessly dominated Ichigo in his mask-empowered form and compare it to Harribels frankly sub-par performance against Hitsugaya I just cannot understand how she is ranked 3 and Ulquiorra is 4. This is completely ignoring the fact that Ulquiorra has a second release. Some of you may disagree with this change and that is your right. Although to be quite honest it's rarely ever going to come up.
