Ulquiorra readied his spike for another attack, while Ichigo tensed up for a move. Aizen eyed both warriors knowing full well, his hypnosis would not work on either of them. He had never shown his Shikai to Rukia either, as she was never a seated officer in the Gotei 13.
Ichigo recharged his mask on his face, and sprung on Aizen. Ulquiorra shot forward with his spike at the same time. Aizen prepared himself for the attack, but suddenly felt his legs and right hand frozen in ice. "Rukia?" he realized.
Ichigo slammed his sword on Aizen's shoulder shedding his skin down his chest. Ulquiorra violently plunged his spike into Aizen's gut. Aizen immediately broke free of the ice, and clashed with Ulquiorra. The Espada suddenly grabbed a hold of Aizen, and with his tail kept them firmly together.
"What is this?" Aizen demanded, as he struggled against Ulquiorra's hold.
"I have found my heart," he said.
Rukia fired an ice stream, so as to keep the two together. Ichigo sped forward, and rammed his sword into the two of them. The ice shattered from the impact; black flames flowed around all three of them. Ulquiorra stared into Aizen's eyes, and then fell off Ichigo's sword. Ichigo went for another swipe, but Aizen simply deflected. The two slowly landed on a skyscraper roof. Rukia suddenly phased next to Ichigo.
"At least I wounded you," Ichigo said fiercely.
"You call this a wound?" Aizen asked, as his injuries seemed to heal within seconds. Ichigo could see Aizen's skin crack, and then come back together. The flames of his Bankai were disappearing.
"This is instinctive defense of its master," Aizen said, and then revealed the Hogyoku implanted in his chest.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo questioned.
"The Hogyoku will protect me from any threat. That is why you will never be able to defeat me," Aizen explained. "This reiatsu," Aizen observed. "It's wonderful. You have come a long way. Just as expected."
"Did you think meeting Rukia was a coincidence? I was in charge of the Council of 46 remember? I was the one that sent her. Of all the Shinigami, Rukia was the most likely to break the Shinigami code forbidding the use of transferring powers to humans. I never imagined she would become pregnant in the process. But the Hogyoku's will is a curious one," Aizen said.
"So, you met Rukia who gave you your Shinigami powers. Then you confronted a Menos Grande awakening your powers further. In the battle against Renji, you came to understand your Zanpakuto's power. In your battle with Kenpachi, you came to understand your Bankai. And then in your battle with Byakuya, you began to Hollowify. In your battle with Grimjow, you finally mastered your Hollow form. And it seems you have became even more powerful," Aizen mused.
Ichigo and Rukia simply stared, as they tried to comprehend what Aizen was saying. "The Hollow that killed Kaien was created by me all those years ago. It was a prototype for the Arrancar. While it is true that Byakuya shaped your destiny by denying you a seat, I was the one that formed your emotional sensibilities," Aizen continued.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia, every battle you have ever fought has played into my hands," Aizen revealed.
"What do you mean by that!" Ichigo shouted in disbelief.
"It shouldn't come as a surprise. It's just that once I realized that you were the very thing I'd been searching for, I decided to help you grow. That's all I am saying. Did you think it strange how you were able to survive against much stronger foes? Or how you were able to improve so radically these few months?" Aizen said.
"That can't be possible," Ichigo argued.
"Is it so unbelievable? I have known you before you were even born. You are the son of Isshin Kurosaki, the 3rd Division Captain who married a human. Did you ever wonder why you sensed ghosts, or why you were so different from that of your peers?" Aizen asked.
"Captain…my father…," Ichigo muttered.
"So, you never knew that your father was a high ranking Shinigami? Did you think your victories were a result of your own efforts? You have the same strength and talent of your father. You have proven to be even stronger than him, and no doubt your child will be even stronger than you," Aizen smiled.
"Did you know?" Ichigo asked Rukia.
"No, we heard the 3rd Division Captain abandoned his post, but I never knew about your father," Rukia said, with a stunned expression.
"She wouldn't have known him. Your father left Soul Society before Rukia joined the Gotei 13, but I know who did know. Urahara Kisuke, who you thought was just a shop owner, knew Isshin Kurosaki. Yoruichi knew as well. And so did the Commander," Aizen said.
"Once your father left the Gotei 13, I made my move to replace him with Gin. It was I who sent the Grand Fisher against you, as a test to see if you had any Shinigami powers when you were young. Your mother prevented your death fortunately, but I was able to detect something from you," Aizen revealed.
"You were the one that sent the Grand Fisher…," Ichigo repeated.
Aizen nodded, and then smiled at Ichigo. "I'll kill you!" Ichigo sprung at Aizen. The two clashed with their swords on the skyscraper roof. Ichigo was filled with rage, and was swiping without discipline. Aizen easily blocked all of his attacks, but he could sense a rise in Ichigo's power.
"That's it Ichigo," Aizen taunted.
"Shut up!" Ichigo said, as he let loose his power on Aizen. Black energy exploded on the skyscraper roof forcing Rukia to retreat away.
Ichigo was suddenly pulled back from his frenzy. "Aizen….you talk too much," Isshin said from behind.
Ichigo stared at his father in a Shinigami uniform. "Is that really you?" Ichigo wondered.
Isshin suddenly head butted Ichigo sending him a distance away from Aizen and himself. Isshin then phased away taking Ichigo with him. Isshin phased next to Rukia dropping Ichigo off. Rukia stared at Isshin with wide eyes. "I suppose an explanation is in order," he said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ichigo demanded.
"I didn't think you would ever get involved in this stuff. I thought I could keep you safe from all of this," Isshin said.
"But after I became a Shinigami, didn't you know?" Ichigo asked.
"I had lost my Shinigami powers. I didn't know about you until that modified soul took over your body. Did you think you could fool your own father with a modified soul? And don't forget, you didn't tell me anything about what you were doing," Isshin explained.
"That's because I didn't think you would believe it," Ichigo argued.
"Well, I didn't think you would believe my past either," Isshin argued back.
"Aizen," Rukia interrupted.
"I'll handle him. Recover your reiatsu," Isshin ordered.
"Can you handle him? He's strong," Ichigo doubted.
"I got friends," Isshin said, upon the arrival of Urahara and Yoruichi.
Urahara and Yoruichi appeared on the opposite side of Aizen. "It's been a long time Aizen," Urahara said.
"So, you've finally come," Aizen smirked amused.
"You've fused with the Hogyoku, I see," Urahara observed.
"Fusion is the wrong word. It's subdue. Something you could never do yourself," Aizen said.
"This is true. I was never able to master it," Urahara admitted.
"So, you're going to admit defeat? No, that's not the right word," Aizen said, and then suddenly sliced through Urahara's body. "You'll never have the chance to master the Hogyoku."
Urahara's body suddenly exploded, as it was a duplicate form of himself. Ichigo and Rukia watched intently, as the three took positions around Aizen. As Urahara unleashed incredible amounts of kidu damage, Aizen began to morph. Finally Aizen's face and his entire body was covered in white. Within moments, Aizen had exhausted, and completely defeated all three fighters.
Ichigo stared at the hopelessness of the situation. Aizen's shell broke apart revealing a newly transformed Aizen. His eyes were purplish, and his skin was pale white. He no looked human, and his expression was that of malice. Suddenly Tousen phased next to Aizen, and bowed before him.
"You have transcended, Aizen," Tousen observed.
"Yes, I have achieved the pinnacle of Shinigami power. Now, let us create the key, and kill the King. Then I will come back to eat these Shinigami. Upon the birth of Rukia's child, I will eat it, as well," Aizen smiled.
Aizen opened a gateway, and walked into the real Karakura Town. Ichigo could only stare in shock, as the doors of the dimension closed on him. Isshin grunted, and finally got to his feet. "We have to go after him," he said.
"He's just so strong," Ichigo muttered.
"Look, if we don't stop him, everyone will die in Karakura Town," Isshin stressed.
"Where are Karin and Yuzu. Did you leave them there?" Ichigo asked.
"No, I took them somewhere safe," Isshin replied.
Ichigo looked back at Rukia, and then back at his father. "I can't do this," Ichigo said.
"What do you mean?" Isshin demanded outraged.
"I have a child on the way, and if I fight Aizen I'll be killed. I can't do it," Ichigo said.
"So, you're going to act like a coward?" Isshin accused.
"This isn't about me. What about you? You left Soul Society, so you could have a family. You left all those humans to be eaten by Hollows, because you weren't there," Ichigo shot back.
"That was different. I was replaced, and there is more at stake here," Isshin argued.
Rukia looked at each of them, as they ranted. "I have decided," she said.
"What?" both of them said.
Rukia aimed her staff at Isshin, and froze him on the spot. "He will thaw out in a few hours," she said upon seeing his alarmed facial expression.
"I'm tired of war, and I am tired of having to fight for other people. I have never had anything for myself. Let's go far away from here," Rukia said.
Ichigo turned to see the fallen bodies of Urahara and Yoruichi. "Yeah, let's go," Ichigo relented.
Aizen half expected Ichigo to run after him. When this did not materialize, Aizen prepared himself for the creation of the Key. Aizen and Tousen rose above the city, so that they could see everything. Aizen pointed his hand at the city, and fired a powerful burst at it. There was an explosion similar to a nuclear bomb, as the city turned into a crater. All of the buildings and structures, along with every living thing were killed in an instant. The souls of the humans rose into the air, and formed a golden key. Aizen stared at the key with excitement.
Taking the key into his hands, he opened a doorway to another dimension. The dimension doors demanded a lock to open. Aizen carefully placed the key inside the lock, and opened it. The doors moved aside displaying a large stairway. Aizen and Tousen walked up the stairway towards the Throne of the Soul Society King.
As the two walked up the stairway, they saw clouds below them. In the distance were large golden cities, and in the air were fast moving spiritual beings. However, Aizen could not sense the reitasu of any of these beings. They were either on a level beyond himself, or too weak to be detected. Aizen frowned, as he considered the possibility that he might become outmatched.
The Hogyoku burned inside him fueling his power further. He was evolving even, as he confronted the King. The King stood on a giant Throne that seemed to overlook everything. The King appeared as a young man similar in age to Aizen. His eyes were closed, as if he were meditating. Aizen took out his sword, and walked up to the King.
"My King, I have come to take your Throne," Aizen said.
The King slowly opened his eyes, and stared curiously at Aizen. "And by what authority do you do so?" he asked.
"What authority do you have? My authority is my strength and knowledge," Aizen said arrogantly.
"Yes, but do you have the wisdom to govern the universe, and bring all souls to perfection?" the King asked.
"As far as I can tell, you do not involve yourself in the affairs of the physical or spiritual world," Aizen refuted.
"I existed before you were even born, before the thought of you existed. I designed you, and created you, as well as Soul Society," he said.
"Then you are a poor leader, and I have come to replace you. Under my rule, the war between Hollows and Shinigami will end. I will stop suffering and death," Aizen declared.
"There is no death here. All those who follow my Law shall have everlasting life," the King said.
"You lie!" Tousen hissed.
The King turned to Tousen. "You want righteousness, for the sake of your friend? She is here, and lives in peace. The only thing that unsettles her is your revenge. She prays for you unceasingly," the King said.
"Don't listen to him. He's lying," Aizen said.
An image of Tousen's friend appeared in front of the King. "I am here Karame," she said sweetly.
Tousen knelt down before her. "How can you be alive? You died."
"Soul Society is for those who are not ready for Heaven. When souls die in Soul Society, if they are ready they come here. If they are not ready, they become reincarnated. But when you come here, you will remember every life you have ever had," she said.
"What must I do to be with you?" Tousen asked.
"You must repent Tousen. You must rid yourself of your revenge. And then you can be with me for eternity," she said.
"I can understand the King's judgment. Everything I did as a Shinigami was a test all this time. But I have failed," Tousen said.
"Tousen: focus!" Aizen ordered.
"You will have more power than you can imagine in this place. The power to bring about your righteousness," she said.
"She's lying," Aizen spat.
"No, I can sense it in my heart. I have become blind to the truth all of these years," Tousen realized, and then stood before his friend.
Aizen sneered at Tousen, and then sliced him through the back with his sword. Tousen tensed up, and reached out for his friend at the last moment. The King stood up, as Tousen fell to the ground dead. "Now, Your Majesty, you will give your Throne over to me."