CHAPTER 2: The Depressing White Abyss Known as Las Noches
The inside of the castle was white. When I say white, I mean white. There was no other color anywhere. It was really depressing in every way imaginable. Needless to say, I wasn't having fun.
"So what is this place, exactly?" I asked. The two of them made it very clear earlier that asking questions wasn't welcomed, but I needed to know. There was a silence before Ulquiorra answered my question. Grimmjow hadn't said a word during the rest of our trip. I don't think that he really wanted to talk to me.
"Fine, we are in Lord Aizen's fortress known as Las Noches. The desert that we were previously in is called Hueco Mundo. Now, no more questions, girl, we are approaching Lord Aizen's throne room."
"With that said, shouldn't you set me down now?
Ulquiorra lowered his gaze to me. Without saying anything, he abruptly set me down. With that last look, I realized he was kind of hot. Well, hot in an Emo sort of way. Grimmjow also wasn't that bad looking either. I guess being here wouldn't be so bad with some eye candy.
The three of us rounded the upcoming corner. The long stretch of the white hallway continued. Several doors dotted the sides of the walls with one enormous opening towards our right. Ulquiorra turned into it and I immediately knew it was the throne room. Inside, white was everywhere, surprise, surprise. There was series of maybe a hundred steps that lead up to a white marble chair. I say chair because it wasn't an elaborate throne, quite simple, actually.
There were three people besides us and guess what? They were all wearing white. One was sitting in the throne, probably Aizen. He had his brown hair slicked back with one piece falling over his nose. I found it quite annoying. The other stood on the left side of the stairs. He had short, white hair, a creepy smile, and didn't seem to have his eyes opened. The third stood off to the right and was black. He had braids in his hair and wore silver glasses. He and "Aizen" had swords at their wastes like Grimmjow and Ulquiorra. However, the squinty guy didn't. I didn't rule out the possibility that he might be hiding a smaller one on him.
Ulquiorra stepped forward as he spoke, "We have brought you a girl upon your request, Lord Aizen."
The one who was sitting on the throne stood up. He began descending the staircase. Yep, that guy was definitely Lord Aizen.
"Thank you, Ulquiorra," he said. Good, I heard his voice. Instantly I knew that he was a classy bad guy. Those were always the scariest because they never lowered themselves to showing anger or displeasure. No one would ever know what they were thinking. Or so they thought. He was no match against my cunning perception.
"What can she do?"
Ulquiorra stared blankly at him. "Her current abilities are unknown to us. We captured her because I sensed some dormant spiritual pressure inside."
Aizen cocked his head ever so slightly. The motion may not have registered to anyone but me. "Why don't we find out?"
He reached inside his sleeve and pulled out a small object. I wasn't really sure what it was but it resembled a futuristic version of the Rubix Cube. Aizen started walking towards me.
"What is your name, girl?" he asked.
I did not let any emotion show on my face, maybe boredom, as I spoke, "My name is Ron Martin."
"Hello, Ron. My Name is Sosuke Aizen, but you will address me as Lord Aizen."
Hmm, this guy was formal and wasn't going to tolerate anything less. Something told me that if I didn't treat him with the utmost respect, I was going to learn the true meaning of the word.
"The object I hold in my hand before you," Aizen continued, "is the Hogyoku. It possesses the power to unlock your true potential." Aizen had continued walking until he was five feet away from me. He held out the Hogyoku. Now that I was closer to it, I could see that it was a purple ball, encased in a crystal.
Suddenly, it began to glow. Dust of every color swirled around me. I noticed Ulquiorra and Grimmjow back up several yards. I felt something building up pressure inside me. The dust swirled faster and faster. Then, I exploded.
The shock was so big that it knocked over everyone, except Aizen. It kind of scared me that he was strong enough to resist. A fifteen-foot crater surrounded the area where I stood. The gaping cracks in the ground ran all the way up to the center of the ceiling. It was pretty surprising that the ceiling didn't crumble.
After everything registered to me, I noticed a 20 ft ribbon lying on the ground in front of me. I wonder where it came from.
"That is quite some spiritual pressure, little missy," said the on with squinted eyes.
"Yes indeed," said the black guy. He stepped forward, around the ruble.
I picked up the ribbon in my hands. It changed color depending on which angle I was looking at it from. The ribbon was soaked in glitter and felt like silk. I knew it had to be as strong as steel, if not stronger. Something about the ribbon made me feel as if it were mine and that I was meant to have it.
I was tired of not being allowed to ask questions. "What is this? What just happened? Who are you people? Where am I?"
Aizen just smiled and said, "All you need to know is how to use that ribbon, it is yours. The man on my left is Kaname Tousen and the man on my right is Gin Ichimaru."
Ulquiorra and Grimmjow climbed out from beneath some ruble. They didn't look too badly injured,but looks could be quite deceiving. Both hesitantly made their way over to where Aizen and I were standing.
"Ulquiorra and Grimmjow," Aizen called. "You two will be in charge of taking care of Miss Martin. See to it that she gets her own room and does not leave unless accompanied by either one of you. Show her how to use her new found powers."
Grimmjow sighed but Ulquiorra said, "Yes, Lord Aizen."
Ulquiorra motioned for me to follow him. "Come, girl. Let us show you to your room."
I knew the two of them weren't to happy about this. No one more than the other because Grimmjow doesn't like me and I don't think that Ulquiorra was ever happy. Perhaps I could cheer him up and make Grimmjow hate me less. I know it would take time, but I don't think that I'll be going anywhere anytime soon.
Ulquiorra led us out through the main entrance into the dismal, white hallways. White has now officially become my least favorite color. We passed many doors and routes to other white hallways. Finally, we stopped at one with a black doorframe.
"This will be your room," Ulquiorra said, gesturing inside. The room was bigger than the one in my apartment. It was at least thirty feet wide and forty feet in length. A caged window was in the farthest wall. There was some room for me to sit on the ceil. As for furniture, I had freaking white bed pushed against the left wall. How exciting. I suppose it, could have been worse, though. I might have been stuck in a dungeon, which I suspected there were many of here. Or I could of had to room with either Grimmjow or Ulquiorra. None of those ideas sounded pleasant. Reluctantly, I stepped in.
"Your food will be ready in exactly one hour," Ulquiorra said. "I will also return with your new clothing that you are expected to wear."
Yay, uniforms. My guess is that they were going to be white. Life here was going to suck and blow at the same time.
Grimmjow and Ulquiorra closed the door behind them as they left. I heard the click of the lock. Darn it. Maybe I would have better luck with the window despite its bars. I don't think that I'll try it now because I am just too tired. Who knew that exploding would take so much out of you?
The bed was soft as I flopped onto it. I shut my eyes. When did Ulquiorra say he was going to be back? One hour? I might as well try to catch some sleep until then. With my ribbon wrapped tightly around my hand, I drifted off to the wonderful Freeland I call my dreams.