"YAY! Last chapter broke 15,000 views!"

I'm going to finish Ichigo's evolution in the next chapter.

Chapter 10: The Evolution Part 2

Above Karakura Town

Nel, Ichigo & Shinji

Nel and Shinji dashed through the skies above Karakura Town, occasionally flash-stepping, or sonidoing in Nel's case.

Ichigo's changing, unconscious form was slumped gently over her shoulder. The mask (The same one as his Vasto Lorde form except the normally red coloring on his form was now black) was forming rapidly on his head and his body was starting to pale rapidly as well. His breathing was harsh and strained, and she could tell that if he was currently conscious, he'd be in some serious pain.

"Not much farther now, Kisuke and the others are prepared to set up the defenses as soon as we get there." Shinji called out from behind her.

A few moments of silence and then..

"What are his chances of getting through this as still somewhat... human?" Nel asked the blonde Vizored, her voice was tainted with fear.

"If it was anyone but Ichigo I'd say slim to none.. But since it is Ichigo, I'd say he'll come out on top.. With a little help from us of course. Kisuke has been planning out this day for a while now and we're ready."

A little relief spread through Nel as she accepted the mans words that her mate had a good chance at coming out of this as the same person.

"What does he have planned?"

Shinji smirked. "Oh, you'll see soon enough, sweetheart. I'm sure you'll be rather impressed with what he's come up with."

Nel nodded and they continued on silently until they reached Kisuke's Shop a few minutes later. The door was open and both Kisuke and Yoruichi stood in it's frame, and Nel could see the nervousness in both of their eyes. Above them on top of the shop stood the rest of the Vizored.

"Is everything ready?" Nel asked Kisuke, "And where's Ichigo's father? I'd've thought he's wish to be here for his son.."

"Yep all that's left is to restrain Ichigo's body and give you your part in this little escapade of ours," Kisuke responded before adding, "And as for Isshin.. We had an argument but I managed to convince him not to blow his cover and keep his daughters safe here."

"Oh... That does make sense.. Well then let's hurry it up then!" They all could here the fear in her voice, the desperation that was also present was overpowering as well.

"Right, come on Kisuke," Yoruichi said, "Hachi will create a several layered barrier outside the shop and then inside in the training grounds so that we may restrain the hollow and any of it's lethal energy. I'll hold off any Shinigami who come knocking. Shinji, Kensei, Love, Rose, Mashiro, Hiyori and Lisa will be the ones to help me hold the line outside. Kisuke, I'll leave Nel and the others to you."

They all nodded and began preparing as they received their orders.

Once Yoruichi and the others had gotten out of the radius of the shop, Hachi formed several golden barriers around the shop trapping Ichigo, Nel, Kisuke and himself inside and everyone got into position with Yoruichi on top of the outer layer, ready for whenever the Senkaimon opened.

Hachi retreated with Nel, who was still holding Ichigo, and Kisuke down into the training area, where Nel was instructed to lay Ichigo down in the middle and Hachi projected several barriers around him, cutting off the thick energy he was leaking.

"Now, Nelliel, I need you to come with me," Kisuke said, there was something close to excitement in his voice, and Nel had come to understand that this normally preceded an interesting experiment, "There's something only you can do for Ichigo, and his dominance over his own body and mind will depend on you pulling this off."

Nel nodded, understanding how important her role in Ichigo's survival was, and followed Kisuke over to his lab.

Ichigo's Inner World

Ichigo barely dodged another attack as the gigantic cleaver smashed into the side of the underwater skyscraper.

He was in a rough shape, his body was bleeding heavily from several deep cuts inflicted with Zangetsu. His breathing was heavy and he was sweating profusely.

Hichigo was cackling the entire time and it was starting to mess with Ichigo's mind. That evil laugh was driving him insane.

He hissed as Zangetsu cut into his arm as he tried to get to his feet.

"Hehehe... You ready to give up, Kingy?"

"Fuck you.."

Hichigo shrugged as he smirked. "Fine, have it you way."

Hichigo once again swung Zangetsu at Ichigo who desperately rolled out of the way. The massive cleaver cut through the skyscraper, causing Ichigo to fall only to be caught by Hichigo and thrown into the building across from them.

Ichigo smashed into said building with the force to cause a massive crater in its face.

"Hehehehehe! Pathetic! How can a mere human like you even hope to hold me back!?" Hichigo sneered as he appeared in front of Ichigo. "I will break you King!"

Zangetsu flew from Hichigo's hand and impaled Ichigo's right shoulder, pinning him to the building.

"I will destroy everything you love, your friends your family, EVERYTHING! I'll burn Soul Society to the ground and conquer Hueco Mundo. I'll destroy the Soul King and take my rightful place as the King of the Afterlife!"

"But most importantly..." Hichigo said with a god-awful smile on his face, "I'll take that teal-haired bitch you seem to be so fond of, and I'll break her. I'll take away her happiness and destroy the little bond you've made with her. She will make an obedient slave for me, fit for whatever her master wishes of her. Hell, I'll take those purple and orange haired schoolgirls and make them my slaves too. And when I'm finished with them, I'll dispose of all of them like the trash they are!"

"Shut up..." Ichigo's head was drooped and shadows covered his orange eyes.

"What was that?"

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Ichigo screamed at him. "If you think for one moment that I'll let you get away with any of that, you're dead wrong! I will protect the innocent from you, even if that mean that I have to protect all three worlds, YOU WON'T LAY A SINGLE. GOD. DAMN. HAND ON ANY OF THEM!"

Ichigo grasps Zangetsu and rips the cleaver out of his shoulder before tossing it aside and kicking off the building towards Hichigo, his fist cocked back, and delivering the strongest punch he could muster at the stunned hollow. As Ichigo's fist connects with Hichigo's face a deafening thunderclap boomed from the impact and the hollow was sent flying backwards, leaving Ichigo to fall through the water.

A shadow flashes across Ichigo and he finds himself standing on top of the skyscraper he was thrown into. Ichigo feels a hand on his shoulder and he turns his head to look at the cloaked man standing behind him.

"Zangetsu..." He whispers.

"Hello, Ichigo. I've missed you.."