Chapter 2: Meet the Espada…
After my ordeal with Yammy, and agreeing to help Aizen and his plan, he introduced me to his Espada. They are Aizen's top 10 most powerful soldiers, and his usual meeting group buddies, along with Gin and Tosen. They are given their numbers by how strong they are. 10 is weakest, 1 is strongest. The lower the number is, the more powerful the person in the seat. They introduced themselves to me, one by one.
Number 10, the one I fought, and beat to a pulp, was Yammy Ridalgo. Of course, I wondered, 'What? Yammy's the weakest? He's the biggest one! And I had to use Ultimate Humongousaur to beat him? Just how crazy are the rest of these guys?' He was still sneering at me for beating his butt down into the ground. Quite literally near the end of it. I only said "Hi, Yammy" to him, and kept moving along.
Espada no. 9 introduced himself to me next. Brainiac man said, "We are Espada no. us Aaroniero. It'll be good to work with you. We hope we will become best friends, Kyle 10." 'We?' Does he have split-personality disorder? His high-pitched voice made me want to laugh, but considering his deeper voice, I decided not to.
"I am the eighth Espada, Szayel Aporro Granz." Szayel was the pink haired man. He put his hand out for a handshake. "Pardon me for not being nice to you earlier, it's just, I never knew a human could be so interesting!" He was grinning from ear to ear as he said this. I just shook his hand, even though I wanted to shut him up right then and there.
The Mohawk dude walked up to me next, only stating his name. "Zommari Leroux. The seventh Espada. Be happy that Aizen-sama has found a use for you, Kyle 10." I stared him down for a few seconds after. He walked back to his seat.
Blue hair walked up, and said, "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Sixth Espada. Hope you got some stronger forms, kid, because anyone can beat Yammy." I was about to yell at him, but he just walked away from me, while Twiggy came up to me, grinning like earlier.
"Nnoitra Jiruga. Fifth Espada." He said. Then he asked me, "So, Kyle, any forms on that watch that are a challenge?" I looked up at him, then said, "Every single one, dude. Come challenge me anytime you want." He said, "Good. We're going to become best friends, you and I." He was snickering to himself as he walked back to his chair. Then ash-face walked up to me.
He said, "I am Ulquiorra Cifer, the Fourth Espada." I smiled to him, and tried to raise out my hand, but he moved away from me too fast to shake it. Then, the girl walked up to me. I couldn't help but blush at her and try to look at anything but her when she walked up. But she used her finger at the bottom of my chin to turn my face to her, and she was crouched down slightly. I guess she knew I couldn't see her past her chest.
"I am Tia Harribel, the third Espada. You, Kyle 10, are the first good-mannered boy I've ever seen in my life amongst us Arrancar." I blushed again. I wanted to hug her for some strange reason. I only said, "Thank you, Miss Harribel." Nnoitra started snickering, and so was Grimmjow. Harribel walked back, just sitting back down. Then the old man with the crown stood up, calling me to attention.
"Baraggan Luisenbarn." He said. "Second Espada." He then sat back down, and looked at me as if I was garbage. Ooh, I will SO go Rath on him when this meeting is over! Finally, Johnny Depp stepped up.
"Coyote Starrk. Primera Espada. Sorry, kid, but I'm just too tired right now." He then sat back down. How was this guy Espada numero uno? He falls asleep all of the time. Aizen then spoke up.
"Kyle," he said, "Now it is your turn." I said, "What? You guys already know who I am. Unless, you want my origin story and everything."
"That will not be necessary." He said. "I want you to show us all of your transformations. Introduce them. Besides, I'm sure you can turn into more creatures besides Humongousaur and Ultimate Humongousaur, correct?" I nodded. "Because he alone could not have taken down both Runuganga and Dordonii." I nodded to him, just to agree, but I was worried. What if they tried to kill me after they found their weaknesses? Like that robot that was sent after me.
"You still do not fully trust us. I understand, Kyle. But no one else will harm you today. You have my word." I cocked my head off to one side. Szayel yelled out of nowhere, "I agree with Kyle." I smiled to him for a second. "Besides, merely showing us his forms will be no fun. Maybe he wants to show us these forms in action!" I immediately frowned. "That's not what I was-" Aizen said to me, "Szayel brings up a good point, Kyle. If you're going to be a part of my team, perhaps I should let you battle other types of opponents, to get you ready for what we're up against." I thought about that for a second, then knew Aizen had a point. There's going to be many more types of foes here. Not all of them will be like Runuganga, Dordonii, or Yammy. I'd need to understand everything that would come my way.
"But who should we use to test you?" Aizen asked himself, and his Espada at the same time. Yammy got up, shaking the ground as his foot hit the ground.
"I'll test the kid, Aizen-sama!" He sounded excited. "If you want to get beat down by Ultimate Humongousaur again, be my guest!" I got the Ultimatrix all set and ready to go, but Aizen said, "Yammy, sit back down." He stopped, then sat back down immediately while I calmed down. "It's difficult to say how Kyle ranks among you my Espada. But we do know he can hold his own well against our Privaron Espada. We know he can at least go against Yammy right now."
"So what if he beat Yammy?" Grimmjow said. "Anyone can do that." Ulquiorra spoke up.
"Grimmjow, this boy has shown some amazing potential. Even though it was Yammy he was fighting, he has shown how much damage he can cause to one of our highest ranked Arrancar." I frowned. Was Ulquiorra saying I was bad, but more than dead weight? Yammy's no. 10! I was about to say so, when Aizen spoke again. "I know! Kyle can fight our other Privaron Espada. Gin, fetch for Cirucci Sanderwicci, and Gantenbainne Mosqueada, if you would. They can test Kyle here."
Gin smiled to himself. "Sure, Aizen-sama." He said. He walked out to fetch them.
"By the way…" I asked. I got everyone else's attention. "What's the difference between Espada and Privaron Espada exactly?"
"I can answer your question," said Tosen. "Privaron Espada are Espada that have been demoted for various reasons. They are given a three digit number, then replaced by a new Arrancar."
"Speaking of," I continued. "What's an Arrancar?" Everyone's eyes widened. "What?" I asked. "Is something on my face?" No one said anything. I guess I should have known what an Arrancar was before I entered this thing… Oops. Again. Gin had just come back with two people. One was a girl, with purple hair tied into pigtails on either side. She was wearing a frilly dress with those round sleeves. Her eyes were purple. She even had knee high black boots. The other one was an African man, with a big orange afro, and in a disco outfit. He had sunglasses like Tosen had. Gin said, "Here we are, you two." They both stared at me.
The girl said, "Aizen-sama, is this some kind of a joke? He's just a kid!" I immediately got mad. Aizen said, "Cirucci, this is Kyle 10. The boy who managed to defeat Dordonii in battle. I want you to further test his abilities, if you would?" She looked at me with the coldest look I've seen from anyone before. She said, "Fine. I'll test the runt. Seems easy enough." She pulled out a yo-yo like weapon with glowing blades on it, then swung it at me. I ducked under it, and back-flipped away, scrolling to Jetray as I was landing. Why not Jetray? He was awesome against Dordonii, right? I slammed down the watch, and went Jetray in front of everyone.
"JETRAY!" I yelled while firing my eye beams at her. Once they made contact, she flew into the wall, and rubble fell all around her. The guy looked at Aizen, and asked, "Who or what is that guy?"
"Gantenbainne, that is Kyle 10's power. He has the ability to transform into many different creatures. Each with their own powers and abilities." Gantenbainne just turned to me, seeing what I was, wondering what to do. Szayel was grinning in joy at Jetray. Cirucci got out of the pile of rubble, staring at me angrily.
"Uh oh." I said. She can withstand rubble falling on her? She wasn't as fragile as I thought she looked. She pulled out a sword, then yelled, "Rip off! Golondrina!" She had black armor grow all across her body, then grew crescent feathers over her arms. They became her new wings, and I just noticed her new tail. I gulped. "I thought Dordonii's was weird enough." Cirucci screeched like a banshee, then immediately charged at me. I dodged, then shot more eye beams. She brought up her wings in front of her, absorbing my eye beams. I gulped again. "This is bad." I said. She said, "Oh yes, boy. This is very bad!" She then outspread her wings, shooting out her feathers at me. I dodged them, but noticed that they cut the pillars apart! It was a clean cut, too! Dang! I looked back at her. She smiled at me.
"Okay, Kyle. Those attacks can cut you in half! Think, how do you stop blades, and fly?" The thought immediately came to me. "That's it!" Szayel whispered, "Do it, Kyle. DO IT!" I slapped down my symbol, then transformed into a blue alien with moth wings on my back, bulbous red eyes, and a jaw that was shut tight.
"BIG CHILL!" I yelled. Cirucci didn't seem scared at all, really. She just smiled. "As if transforming into something different's gonna help you! All you can do is fly!" She shot her feathers at me again. Instead of running, I stood motionless, crossing my arms. She smiled, thinking I was good as dead, when all of a sudden, her blades flew right through me as I became completely transparent. She got really startled now, and gasped. I said, "It's called intangibility, girlfriend. Look it up." I then fazed right through her, encasing her in solid ice, and she slammed into the ground. The ice was off of her, but the impact and surprise left her breathless, while I flew down, and kicked her in the face. I then started pummeling her with punches. I stopped to deliver an icy uppercut move, sending her flying up, then falling down to the ground. She got up, and prepared to attack again, before Aizen interrupted.
"Cirucci, thanks for your help today. To me, Kyle would win if this fight went on any longer." Cirucci growled at me, changing back to her normal state. She then left in a huff, while Gantenbainne still stared at me.
Aizen asked me, "So, Kyle, on to the forms you showed us just now. Jetray was your first form, correct?" I nodded.
"He has the ability to fly and shoot energy beams out of his eyes and tail. Judging by his appearance, I assume Jetray can be used underwater?" I said, "Yep. He's good for that."
Szayel said, "And this form, Big Chill, has both intangibility and ice powers?" I nodded to him, and continued, "I can also use Big Chill underwater, too." Szayel grinned, saying, "I love it already." He creeped me out. Aizen said, "I'd like to see your skills against Gantenbainne now." I nodded, and flew down to him.
"However, I like you to use anyone aside from Humongousaur, Jetray, and Big Chill, please. I wish to see as many forms as possible." Aizen said. I groaned. The Espada immediately raised their eyebrows. They've seen people yell, beg, cry, and even curse at him, but no one ever groaned at him. I just hate losing Humongousaur. He's my overall favorite! Dang. I'll just use someone I liked almost as much. I hit my symbol, and transformed into Swampfire, a green man that looked like his head was on fire. His feet were shaped like tree stumps.
"SWAMPFIRE!" I yelled. Gantenbainne said, "You did well against Cirucci. In the name of God, let us have a good fight." I nodded, then shot a flamethrower at him. He disappeared, and I growled at him. Dordonii called this technique 'Sonido'. I hated this trick. He reappeared behind me, while I turned around. He said, "Too slow." He punched me right through my gut. But instead of yelling in pain, I smiled, then punched him across the face. He flew back a few inches, and my stomach healed itself.
"High speed regeneration?" Gantenbainne yelled. Ulquiorra's eyeballs grew wider. 'If Swampfire could regenerate himself, the boy could truly have potential after all.' He thought to himself. I grabbed some seeds off of my arms, then threw them at the ground. Vines quickly grew out, and ensnared Gantenbainne. He couldn't move a muscle, so his Sonido was useless. I said, "Sorry, Gantenbainne. No more Sonido for you!" He said, "You truly think I'm restrained? You are wrong, Kyle." He then exploded out of his restraints. All of a sudden, his fists were suddenly replaced with dragon heads, he had armor going around his shoulders, and even his upper back. He had a dragon tail.
Gantenbainne said, "This here is Dragna, boy. Let's see how you do now." He slammed his hands together, charging up an energy beam, then fired it. I ran to my left to dodge it, but he blew it off. It hit the ground. I shot out a vine to recover it, it latched on after a few seconds. Gantenbainne commented, "Pretty handy form, Kyle 10." I nodded, and shot yet another flamethrower at him. He put his hands in the way, and absorbed my attack. He uncovered himself, and said, "Your firepower is useless against me, Kyle 10." I grimaced. I nearly went Ultimate Swampfire. I stopped myself instantly. I didn't want to BURN Gantenbainne to death. But I knew what else I could try. I hit my symbol again, then shrunk down to a white alien with headphones linked to a backpack with a red 10 on the back.
I yelled, "ECHO ECHO!" Gantenbainne said, "Kyle 10, why did you change into a toy?" I replied, "It's not a toy! Haven't you heard of divide and conquer?" I split into an army of clones, and screamed at him with all of my power. I blew him into a wall, and kept the pressure. As powerful as Gantenbainne's armor was, it couldn't handle sound. He used his Sonido to run out of the corner, and he blasted my army, scattering my clones around. But that only added on to my advantage. Once he landed on the ground, he was completely surrounded by Echo Echos. Everyone of my clones and I yelled, "WALL… OF… SOUND!" He was surrounded on all sides by the sonic screams. He then kneeled to the ground, covering his head and ears. Eventually, Aizen said, "Stop Kyle. That will be enough for today." My clones and I stopped screaming, and the lead one, me, walked up to Gantenbainne. I asked, "You okay, buddy?" He got up, looking at me in wonder. He thought to himself, 'The boy is concerned about my safety? He is truly one of honor." He said aloud, "Thanks for asking, Kyle 10. That was a good match." He offered me his hand, and, I shook it. He left after changing to normal. I looked at Aizen, calling all of my clones back to me, then changing to normal.
Szayel said, "Swampfire is quite an amazing form, Kyle. With the abilities of regeneration, plant control, and flamethrower attacks, he must be quite fun to use!" I nodded to him, while giving him a stupefied look. When will Szayel shut up about my forms? I know they're awesome, but not THAT awesome, right? Then Ulquiorra spoke up.
"I agree with Szayel. A regenerating form such as Swampfire is rather, intriguing." He said. His expression never changed, but I knew he was complimenting me, at least. Starrk then spoke up.
"But Echo Echo is just too loud for my tastes. Do me a favor please, and don't use him around me." He said. I nodded. I didn't want to wake Starrk up like that all the time.
Aizen said, "I believe young Kyle will be of use to us for our war against the Shinigami." War? WAR? As if the one in the Middle East is bad enough. I've managed to avoid government contact long enough to avoid being drafted into it for my powers, but now I'm going to be involved in one? Oh no. No no no.
"Aizen," I asked him. Everyone turned their heads towards me, widening their eyes. "I don't want to be involved in a war!" Grimmjow and Nnoitra started to laugh their butts off at me. I stared at them, hoping Aizen would at least let me use Humongousaur on them to shut them up!
Aizen said, "Kyle, our cause is righteous. The Shinigami need to be taken down." I shook my head, and said, "Look, maybe we can talk to them. Get a treaty together, with conditions you both agree on-" Tosen interrupted me. "Kyle 10, your ideas are just. I can understand what you are going towards. But the Shinigami are far too corrupt to reason with. The Spirit King sits on his throne, and lets them do as they please." I got angry. Not at Tosen, but the Shinigami jerks. I am going to take one down as soon as I see them.
Tosen continued. "And to make matters worse, they were allowed to kill a friend of mine. The killer went unpunished for his acts. That is why I have joined Aizen-sama." I nodded. "I'm with you then. If there's no other way to stop the Shinigami, I'll fight them." Aizen smiled. "Good." He stated. "I believe Kyle should be allowed to become a Fraccion to one of the Espada." I moved my eyebrows to questioning mode.
Aizen said, "You see, Kyle, a Fraccion is someone who serves directly under an Espada." I nodded, in understanding. Szayel spoke up. "I would like to ask him to be one of mine! I think Kyle's powers and my intelligence would make for an amazing combination." I shook my head. I am NOT going to serve under Szayel! Uh-uh!
Aizen said, "No, Szayel. While I would normally allow you to accept him, I'll let him choose who he wants to serve." Szayel sat back down in disappointment. Aaroniero looked at me, like he really wanted me that badly. Eh, no. I looked at everyone else. No way am I going with Nnoitra or Grimmjow. That lowered my choice to six. Actually, five. If I could defeat Yammy, why should I serve under him? Um, I supposed Harribel. She's the only one that gave me an honest compliment upon meeting me. Ulquiorra also complimented me, but only once he saw me in action. Starrk confused me. He seemed like an okay guy, but… I don't know. Definitely not Baraggan. He still looks at me like he wants to squish me under his boot. Zommari was only supporting me because Aizen did. Teacher's pet! Ugh. Harribel or Starrk? Huh… I don't know.
"Aizen-sama…" I said, hoping I said 'sama' right. "Can I think it over for a little bit?" Aizen nodded. "Of course, Kyle. Tosen, please take Kyle to a spare room." Tosen said, "Yes, Aizen-sama." Tosen walked me to a spare room, and along the way asked me, "So, Kyle, how old are you?" I said, "10." He suddenly looked like he forgot something in the oven. "That's very young, Kyle. Are you sure you want to help us? Things you may see will not be fun for you to look at." I looked up at him, saying, "I've seen a lot for someone my age, Tosen. Believe me." I slammed Gwen and Kevin into the ground as Ultimate Humongousaur, I've burned down a park as Ultimate Swampfire, I've smashed people as Ultimate Spidermonkey, I've frozen so many people as Ultimate Big Chill, I've rolled over people as Ultimate Cannonbolt, AND I nearly killed Kevin as Ultimate Echo Echo. I think I've seen enough brutality while being a hero to know how to do things right. Tosen opened the door, and let me sit down.
He said, "Thank you for choosing to help us, Kyle 10. We will be in your debt." He closed the door. I sat on the bed that was provided for me, and stared up at the ceiling, thinking about whose Fraccion to be. I'm sure I'll have it solved in due time.
To be continued…
A/N: I thought about a possible love triangle situation where Lilynette starts to get attracted, and eventually fall in love with Kyle. I think I'll pursue that. But does this mean he should be Starrk's Fraccion, or Harribel's? You can vote on this.