The Finale

Chapter 14: Changing Sides

A/N: As always, I do not own Bleach. All rights and reserves belong to Tite Kubo.

The Royal Palace

"Ishida!" Screamed Ichigo. 'I can't believe he's standing there with the enemy; even more, I can't believe he just shot Urahara in the back. I thought he had let go of all the "I -am-a-Quincy-and-you-are my-enemy" thing.' Ichigo said to himself.

"What's wrong?" Ganju asked, "You're so much of a sniffling yellow-belly coward that you have to resort to shooting someone in their back?"

Uryu remained silent with steel eyes fixated on the group. He quickly eyed a smaller version of Yoruichi hiding behind Ganju's back. 'Who would bring a child into the mist of a way' Uryu asked himself. He was suddenly torn from his fleeing thoughts by Urahara's shouting.

"Dam, the Soul King!" Urahara yelled. Suddenly a blast was heard throughout the palace. "Shit!"

"Dammit Ishida! What in the hell you think you're doing?" Yelled Ichigo. "Wait…!" Ichigo felt himself being pushed back by Yhwach.

Yhwach managed to grab the upper severed half of the Soul King when Urahara threw several while circular orbs at him. "How's that for you? Once the first one hit, the second one will turn you into dust." Urahara boasted.

"Parnkgjas." Yhwach summoned. A miniature cloaked figure in white; with two protruding holes of light, that could be assumed to be eyes-suddenly appeared behind Urahara. Urahara was surprised by the move as he suddenly felt his left turning and twisting; and shattering into bones. 'What is this power?' Urahara asked himself as Yhwach managed to push Urahara from the Soul King's palace.

"Kisuke-kun!" Orihime shouted; as Ichigo came up behind Yhwach to attack him. Uryu released an arrow and shot at Ichigo; which Ichigo deflected it with Zangetsu causing Yhwach to rush past Ichigo.

"You've done well, Uryu…" Yhwach commended while ripping apart Mimihagi-sama. While the others were looking on, Uryu made a direct statement to Ichigo as to not to get in His Majesty's way.

Ichigo looking furious retorted, "I'm asking you; what in the hell do you think you're doing, Ishida?" Ichigo asked, not want to believe that he was now confronting his friend and said friend was threatening all of them.

Ichigo still didn't understand why Uryu had joined the Wandenreich. "Because I'm a Quincy", resonated in Ichigo's mind. He was sick of that stupid, because I'm a Quincy bullshit.

The buildings started to crumble and collapse from all the damage sustain from the fights. Ishida landed before his former friends with bow intact.

"Uryu." Ichigo spoke.

"Don't move…all of you; if either of you move an inch-I will shoot." Uryu threatened.

"How could you Ishida-kun?" Orihime worriedly asked. Uryu again remained silent. This was the second time that he had remained silent when Orihime had said something to him. Ichigo ignored Uryu's threat and moved his foot. He moved to attack Uryu, when an arrow came rushing towards him-though he was able to block it.

"I said I would shoot." Uryu calmly responded; narrowing his eyes at Ichigo.

"Just because you said that, am I supposed to just quiver and shake in fear? Don't you freaking mess with me Uryu!" Ichigo yelled. "Do you have any idea why all of us are here?"

Still pointing his arrow at the group, Uryu sarcastically replied, "Oh, I heard…you're here to stop His Highness, was it? And I am telling you now, I won't let you."

"Don't you understand in that thick skull of yours; if we don't stop him, The Soul Society, the world of the living, Hueco Mundo-everything will disappear?"

"Do you really think…I would be here if I didn't know that already?" Uryu answered; shifting his eyes downward.

"Then, why in the hell are you still standing over there?" Shouted Ichigo; hoping his words would somehow open up Uryu's eyes to understanding. "Why would you stand there on his side, knowing this is the man responsible for your mother's death?"

"Why don't you know; it's because I'm a Quincy." Replied Uryu; returning his narrow gaze at his once friend. 'What a stupid reply! I do not know how much more I can take of this charade. I can't stand to see the pain on Orihime's face, though she's probably in a heavenly bliss at the moment being with Ichigo. I hope this ends soon.' Uryu thought to himself.

Inside the Flower Crane Cannon

Ukitake's seemingly lifeless body laid on the ground; as Mimihagi-sama had soared to the heavens towards the Royal Realm. Rukia's only hope was the sacrifice of her captain was not in vain.

Unfortunately, Shunsui didn't have time to grieve over his long-time friend; as Kukaku suddenly appeared with her two body guards. "Let's get this show on the road."

Suddenly, the sky turned dark and darkness shrouded the Seireitei. "What's going on?" Renji yelled.

"I'm not sure." The Captain Commander responded while eyeing the situation; when suddenly without warning black Chibis with eyes started raining down from the Royal Realm-with "chi" sounds spewing from its mouth.

"It's so dark, almost like midnight…what's this all about?" Shunhei questioned. Shinji stood looking at Shunhei as if he had asked a stupid question. The black Chibis started attacking the Shinigami with their overbearing chi sounds.

"What do you mean, what this is all about?" Soi Fong annoyingly asked. "It must be those dam Quincies that what it is…look at that, part of the Shakoumake is missing and that is probably because of the Seireitei's wall falling on it. And just a minute ago the Soul King's right hand escaped through the hole and soared to the Soul King's palace. As things are, the enemy will target that hole and that'll be bad for us."

Panicking as he faced his captain, Omaeda asked his captain where she was going. "Where you ask? Are you planning to sit on your asses and do nothing? I don't know about you, but I plan on destroying that ugly net around me." Soi Fong continued while readying her Bankai. "Jyakuhou." Soi Fong commanded as she attempted to release her Bankai, "What, what's all this? Go away…ugh, go away!"

The black Chibis kept chanting chi, chi. "Well, this sure puts a damper on things." Shunsui said, "Anyone have any other bright ideas?"

"Captain, captain…you're okay?" Omaeda yelled.

"Quiet, what took you so long?" Soi Fong asked while punching Omaeda in the face.

"We can't let them come any further; or else we won't be able to fire the canon." Kukaku injected.

"Let's wipe them out." Shunhei stated

"I don't need you to tell me twice." Both Ikkaku and Yumichika stated. "Hozukimaru!" "Fujikujaku!" Ikkaku and Yumichika both attacked the black chibis , but made no headway in defeating them.

"Senbonzakura" Byakuya called out.

"Shunko." Yoruichi yelled. "Thank you, Byakuya.

"You should be more careful; you just got healed."

"I know; and I am sorry about earlier."

"No problem."

Everyone noticed that no matter how many times they attacked the black entities, they were getting nowhere in defeating them-like fighting a losing battle. "This is hilarious." Aizen serenely stated. "Why are you lot waving your swords around like that? Just use your reiatsu…and squash them all in one sweep…easy."

Shunhei was already in a panic state and kept on speaking about the black Chibis. "Why are you so afraid?" Asked Aizen. Without warning, Aizen started to increase his spiritual pressure. "Everyone move back!" Shouted Shunsui.

"Kurohitsugi" Aizen said without the incantation. "Well, once again we have blue skies.

"What power! There's not one aspect of those monster left, even the debris is all gone." Shunhei commented.

"Kurohitsugi performed through Eisho Haki, and yet, it's this powerful…he may be stronger than when he fought Ichigo..." Yoruichi added. "I for one think we should be going."

Renji was surprised at Yoruichi's assessment of Aizen's power. 'So, he got stronger even while he was detained in Muken Prison…what a freakin' monster…" Renji thought to himself.

"Oh boy…still intact despite being struck by my Kurohitsugi…I guess it wasn't built the same way as the cross in Muken for nothing…it's quite a chair."

"He purposely aimed it at himself?!" a shocked Renji stated.

"There's no time to talk!" Soi Fong interrupted. "We have to destroy the canopy while those eyeball monsters are gone!" Soi Fong aimed her zanpakuto towards the canopy but stopped upon hearing Aizen's words.

"The gravity of Kurohitsugi has created a fissure in the canopy. It's a highly dense mass of reishi. Your Bankai won't be necessary. Strike it once more with my spiritual pressure and it will destroy itself." Aizen calmly said.

"Stop Aizen! The gate…the spiritual pressure we collected for the gate will be scattered!" Rukia yelled.

"The gate? That won't be necessary either. There's now a hole in the wall around The Royal Realm, isn't there? If you have business at the Royal Palace…I will shoot it down for you."

"Shoot down the Royal Realm?" A bewildered Renji asked.

"Is that even possible?" Shunhei also questioned. Rukia was about to stop Aizen herself but was stopped by Shunsui. Aizen again used Kurohitsugi with shocked onlookers.

"It's impossible. You said it yourself, that restraint doesn't eliminate your spiritual pressure-it only keeps it near you. But that power to keep it close is immensely powerful. It's a culmination of Soul Society's technology. Do not take it lightly. Isn't that right Captain Kurotsuchi?"

"Hmph…a Soul Reaper's spiritual pressure springs eternally as long as their heart continues beating. All those in Muken Prison are sinners that cannot be killed for one reason or another. There is no executioner in Soul Society that can stop their hearts. That is why…that restraint expends no power whatsoever to try and eliminate spiritual pressure. All our efforts were spent on restraining spiritual pressure along with the body; and to what degree is entirely left up to me. Did you think because your power was beyond my technological expertise that you could use your power however you wanted…Sosuke Aizen? Not so…regardless of whether or not you can shoot down the Royal Realm. If you even tried that while in my custody, that would be a slap in my face."

Aizen raising himself up said, "I see…so you are controlling the level of my restraint from that gadget? I don't care about it being a slap in your face. I cannot believe the lot of you. Here I am humbly helping you all with your pest problem and I am being treated this way. Kurotsuchi Myauri, since when, you of all people, think that you are superior to me? You, who have gone and done more notorious things that I have to fill that egotistical mind of yours, think that you have a sense of nobility about yourself. Kurotsuchi Myauri, who have killed countless innocents, for the sake of Soul Society. Kurotsuchi Myauri who have conducted a vast amount unethical research on Hollows and Quincies. Behold, you stand there as if you are some type of God or something. But, if you and the others think that I am going to sit here quietly while you all try to control me and my power-then you are sadly mistaken. Go ahead, turn it up all the way and let's see who will prevail" Aizen taunted.

Myauri turned around when he sensed an unknown power heading towards Aizen. "Whoa…I thoroughly observed your spiritual pressure." The unknown assailant said.

"Dam, I thought Captain Kuchiki killed you!" Renji blurted out.

"Miracles never ceases. Anyway, I don't know if it's that black suit…but your spiritual pressure's full of holes. As long as I can accurately assess the pattern of your spiritual pressure, I can poke the holes and strip you naked. Especially on someone who can't move. It's easier than ripping the legs off a chicken." Sternritter U boasted.

Sternritter U managed to create a net across Aizen's chest and continued to attack Aizen through the open holes in his spiritual pressure. This caused Aizen to be temporarily paralyzed from the attack.

"Gah…" a moan slipped through Aizen's mouth.

"He didn't even pass out…he's seriously a beast. Whatever, your spiritual pressure's going numb. You will be immobile for a while. I can't have you bringing down the Royal Realm down. Shut up and watch for a little while."

Shunsui was beginning to feel agitated. 'Before it was between Aizen and Myauri; now the enemy had made their presence known. Not good, not good at all.' Shunsui said to himself before speaking to Nanao. "Not the best time for the enemy to show up. How's the gate?"

"It's no good! The spiritual pressure has been completely scattered. We need to start again from scratch."

"This is not going well…" Shunsui replied, heading outside to deal with the enemy. "Yoruichi, focus on building the gate in there. Captains and Lt's come with me, we'll take care of things outside.

Outside Shunsui and the others came face to face with zombified Soul Reapers; as well as Quincies. "What is this…resurrection of Quincy day?" Myauri asked. Before him stood Giselle and Liltotto. "I'm surprised you're not dead zombie girl. So, a zombie is controlling the zombies." Giselle could only make a face at Myauri.

"Hey…Quincies, like you, we also can't have the Royal Realm shot down. Did you perhaps come to assist us?" Shunsui asked while tipping his hat with his hand.

"Like hell we did. His Majesty is there. That's why we can't have the Royal Realm shot down." Sternritter U commented.

"That's what I figured." Shunsui replied. "So, I guess we have to fight then."

"You think you can fight us? You've all been observed! I'm going to numb you all with my Morphine Pattern!" declared Sternritter U. As soon as he had finished his sentence, several beams of light pierced through his chest by Bazz-b.

"I don't understand…" stated Shunsui.

"We'll give you a hand. The Wandenreich exists in the shadow of the Seireitei. If the Royal Realms falls and the Seireitei is destroyed; we'll have problems too." Bazz-b stated.

"And that's why you're helping us?" Myauri asked sarcastically. "You expect us to believe that?"

"I didn't' ask you to believe me. Nor, did I say it was without a price. I want something in return. We'll help…you guys build the gate to the Royal Realm. In return…take us to the Royal Palace with you. We are going to kill Yhwach for abandoning us!"

"I see…" Shunsui said with a narrowing of his eyes.

Aizen was trying to recover from an over dosage of Morphine. "Phew!" Aizen sighed.

"You can move already?" a surprised Shunsui asked.

"Can I move? That depends on what you mean. If you want to kill me, now's the time."

"You're kidding right? If I could, I would have already. But boy, you were struck by that attack while having your spiritual pressure suppressed…and all it did was immobilize you for five or so minutes. I feel sorry for that Quincy on the ground over there."

"That should tell you something shouldn't it? That if Kurotsuchi Myauri had took my challenge, I would have won. As far as being immobilized for five minutes, that was the first time I have been rendered immobile for that long. There's no reason for you to feel bad for him."

"Good point. Well then, if you aren't up to speed quite yet…do you mind waiting here quietly until the gate's done?"

Aizen decided that he would pacify Shunsui a little bit longer. But he would get out of this chair and he knew the perfect time when he would. Aizen observed the scene before him. "Soul Reapers and Quincies joining hands…hoping to protect the Soul Society together?" an inquisitive Aizen asked.

"No. Everybody just happened to chase after you…and ended up going after the enemy you strove to become"

"I see. But…the one who stopped me…ended up entering the Royal Realm before me. He continues to be so insufferable… that Kurosaki Ichigo."

Everyone, including the Quincy, aided with refueling the reishi balls to launch to the Royal Realm. It was now or never.

"Now, let me explain how this works. We have here these reishi balls. Maintain your reishi at an even level at all times. If it deviates too small or too big; it could be disastrous for you. Captain Commander, this is the second incantation that you will need to cite, once you all have blasted off," Kukaku said while handing the paper with the incantation to Shunsui.

Everyone acknowledged what Kukaku has said; as she begun the incantation for the launch, "Far away! Copper-colored greed desires domination of 36 degrees. Seventy-two pairs of legs-end, thirteen pairs of horns. The right hand of the monkey grabs the star. Embraced by the 25 wheels of the sun, the cradle of the sand bleeds. Flower crane cannon launch method two. Kagizaki (Bound Blossom)."

The Royal Realm

Orihime saved Ichigo and the others with her Santen Kesshun's shield. They were all pulled up by Urahara. Urahara had somehow managed to save himself from an inevitable death. After acclimating to her surroundings, Orihime immediately went to heal Urahara's hand.

Ichigo coughed while receiving a kick in the back from Urahara.

"What was that for?" Ichigo asked as a scowl started to form on his face. "Is everyone okay? And why am I the only one that passed out?"

"Ichigo, I believe it was my fault also" Orihime interrupted.

"Wait, I think I remember." Ichigo said. He retraced the events that led up to this moment. "After being attacked by Uryu and grabbing his arrow; Orihime used her Santen Kesshun. I remember hitting my head on Ganju's head, but I must have passed out before then. Anyway, Urahara pulled us up and that dam Kon popped out causing me to hit my head on Orihime's head. It's all Kon's fault! I'm going to kill that bastard!" Ichigo yelled.

"Well do that later, right now we need to get going; we're already on a tight schedule. In addition, not knowing how long this place will hold together doesn't help either." Urahara stated as he peered his eyes towards the Soul King's palace.

"Yeah, but even if we're in a hurry; how the hell are we going to get all the way back up there?" Ichigo asked. "It's so far away from where we are at now. I could make some footholds with my reiatsu and Orihime can use her Santen Kesshun to take the rest; but if we're attacked midway…"

Looking straight ahead, Urahara eased Ichigo's fears. "You don't' have to worry about that." As Urahara stared forward he gave the command, "Open up." The open space between the building structures held horizontal and vertical lines causing the sky to split apart.

"The way this space is opening up…" a surprised Ichigo said. Ichigo suddenly was made aware of what he was seeing by his inner thoughts. 'I've seen this before, but where? Isn't this a Garganta? Why would one be opening up here?' "You're Grimmjow!"

Grimmjow stepped out of the Garganta and walked closer to Ichigo; while keeping his hands in his pockets. "Sorry to disappoint you, Kurosaki. How many years has it been? Looks like you've healed up nicely from our fight." Grimmjow replied sarcastically.

"You're dam right! You seemed to be doing alright yourself!" Ichigo said, keeping his composure.

"Did you think I was dead?!...hah!" Without notice, Grimmjow had drawn his weapon and was coming towards Ichigo. Ichigo grabbed Zangetsu to defend himself. "Like I would die before killing you. I've been waiting…let's settle our…score."

Grimmjow had barely said those words, when Nelliel suddenly came out from behind him and stretched her arms out to hug Ichigo, but somehow Grimmjow felt the damage. "ICHIGO!"

"Nel?!"

"Ichigo! I missed you so much!" Nel screamed while tackling Ichigo to the ground with her hug. "Urahara made me a bracelet that lets me switch between child and adult whenever I want to! I can finally help you now! Although, I might never go back to being a child as long as I have this bracelet."

Orihime stood there shocked at seeing Nel in her adult form. 'Another female vying for Ichigo's attention…why do I continued to be ignored?' Orihime was torn from her green-eye-monster thoughts by Chad.

"Inoue, you might be thinking-why would he (Urahara) make something unnecessary like that. But don't, Urahara is doing his best." Chad stoically replied.

"Oh, come on Chad…I would never think that!" Orihime replied, 'at least not out loud' she mused to herself.

"Nelliel, what are you doing?! Just stay the hell out of this!" Grimmjow screamed.

"Those are my words. If you're going to start a fight in the middle of a war, get out of here. First of all, you are number 6 and I am number 3…I am not taking orders from you."

"Whatever…Aizen is not here anymore and those numbers doesn't mean nothing. You want to find out right here, right now? Which one of us is stronger?!"

"Grimmjow wait!" Ichigo shouted.

"Hey, hey, hey. Hey! Cut that out! Shut up, what the hell you are you all doing? This place is full of idiots; I swear. This isn't the time and the reason as to why we are all here; if I can remember." The voice said. "They'll find us, so can you please get your ass in here."

"What the hell is that box for?" Ichigo asked looking upward at a black squared box.

"I'll tell you what it for is later so…"

Ichigo continued looking at the strange box, when stairs appeared. Ichigo walked up to the black squared box and enter through its opening.

"Get your ass in here quick!" The strange voice yelled.

"Riruka?"