A/N: GORE ALERT! There are some things that pertain to eye mutilation near the end of the chapter! Just so you're aware.


As they made their way to Aizen's private office, Amelia felt as if Gin were dragging her through corn syrup. She didn't expect to feel as scared as she was, a tight knot in her stomach. She wanted to melt into the floor and escape. Gin's grip wasn't tight on her shoulders, but it was heavy enough to deter her from a surprise escape. "Yer so tense!" Gin said, grinning at her. "It's gonna be fine! Aizen doesn't bite… per se." He laughed, patting her shoulder. Amelia looked away from him, focusing on the darkness before them. She couldn't be quite sure, but she felt that the place kept getting darker as they moved forward.

"How far is his office, exactly?" Amelia asked, looking around. Her voice was tiny, hiding in her lungs, afraid.

Gin looked to his left casually, pointing to a dark door. "Ah look, it's right there," he said. "Sometimes, ya never know where or when it's gonna show up."

Amelia stared at him, confused. "What the fuck?" she said. "Does it move around or something?"

Laughing, Gin pulled her closer. "It's a good security measure, if ya ask me," he replied. "Ya don't want random people wanderin' in yer office when yer plannin' world domination, ya know?"

Under normal circumstances, Amelia would have laughed at such a ridiculous statement, but the thought of being in Aizen's presence closed her throat. The door opened, revealing a dark room illuminated by the light of a large window. It was a larger office than Amelia had anticipated, but very empty. It looked like an isolation chamber, with the background scenery of the Hueco Mundo desert disrupting the darkness.

In front of the window stood Sōsuke Aizen, his back to them. "Welcome, Amelia," Aizen said, his voice reaching every corner of the room. "Please, come in."

Even if Amelia had wanted to run, she couldn't. Gin basically dragged her inside, since she had frozen in place. All the thoughts she'd have of standing up to him had drained from her and all she could remember was the pain she'd experienced the last time she'd seen him. Her sudden tunnel vision focused on his figure and she knew that trying to fight would be fruitless. She heard Gin close the door and walk off, presumably to stand near Tosen.

Silence prevailed for an unknown amount of time and Amelia remained absolutely still. This time, it wasn't because Aizen was holding her in place. It felt like a million years before Aizen turned to her, his face hidden in the darkness. "What's wrong?" he asked. His jaw barely moved as he spoke, the outline of his face moving slighly. "You look as if you've seen a ghost." Amelia could tell that he had a small, smug grin on his face, relishing in her fear. She felt her anger rise, but remained still and silent.

"You're surprisingly quiet," Aizen said, walking towards her. "That's rather unusual for a loud, brazen girl like you. Don't tell me you're afraid of me?"

His condescending voice snapped Amelia out of her fear-induced paralysis, anger winning over. Her eyes narrowed, arms crossing. "What do you want?" she snapped, glaring up at him.

Aizen stood about two feet away from her. His taller stature loomed over her, attempting to intimidate her. "Oh, would you look at that," he said. "It seems you've found your voice."

Gin's laughter could be heard in the background followed by a groan of pain. Amelia knew that Tosen had probably elbowed in the ribs, which she was slightly grateful for. She never took her eyes of Aizen, waiting for him to get to his point. "It seems you've been stirring up some trouble in Las Noches," Aizen said at last. "We've had a few… complaints."

Amelia's eyebrow rose, smirking a little. "Oh?" she remarked. "I'm not surprised." She laughed gruffly, shaking her head in disbelief. "Let me guess," she said, "it was your little guard dog, Ulquiorra?" She knew it was a pointless question to ask, but if this was the game they were going to play, she might as well humor Aizen.

The lord let loose a small, unenthused laugh. "Among others," he replied. "You've really ruffled Nnoitra and Szayelaporro's feathers in the past week or so. They're out for your blood." His head moved slightly, the only form of expression Amelia could see in the darkness. "I would suppose subtlety is not your talent."

Thinking about the two Espadas' glances during the meeting, Amelia scoffed. Nnoitra had grinned at her lecherously and Granz made several side-eyed glances her way. She'd tried her best to ignore them, but it was also hard when she noticed Ulquiorra's prolonged stares. At least she'd had Starrk to sit next to the whole time.

"Surprisingly, those are the only Espada you've had contact with," Aizen said. "I'm surprised, really. You chose to spend your time with washed up Privaron and banished Arrancar. Your allies are unimpressive, even if you have Starrk on your side."

She glared at him. He really had been watching her fairly closely. She knew it was possible, but she was now curious how he'd been able to see her every move. Had Ulquiorra been on her tail that much?

"I'm pretty sure a majority of the Espada don't give a shit about me," Amelia retorted. "Just more of the… mentally unstable ones seem to want to mess with me." Aizen didn't argue with the statement, all but confirming the theory. Perhaps the other Espada were too busy tending to their own affairs, or she just hadn't noticed them watching her.

"Speaking of the mentally unstable," Aizen said, "you allowed Commander Ichimaru to frequent your residence, despite you understanding that he might be keeping an eye on you for my own purposes." He paused, turning away from her. A white outline formed on the side of his face. "Why exactly would you allow that?" He knew exactly why she would allow Gin to enter her wing of Las Noches. This was a power play.

Amelia looked at Gin, tilting her head in his direction. "Of the three of you," she said, "Gin has more of a… personality, I'd say." She shrugged a little, closing her eyes briefly. "Not necessarily a great one, but he at least doesn't have a stick up his ass."

"Hey, thanks!" Gin called out, only to get hit in the ribs again by Tosen. His groans of pain echoed off the walls.

"Is that so?" Aizen mused, walking away from Amelia now. "Interesting assessment, despite your apparent lack of judgement." Amelia flinched, biting her tongue after the verbal slap to the face. "Compared to Gin," he said, "I'd say I have a vast area of knowledge and topics that might interest you." He returned to his spot by the window.

Following him, Amelia taunted him, asking, "Oh, really? Like what, exactly?" Her green eyes glimmered in the harsh moonlight. "It wouldn't exactly have anything to do with turning me back into a normal human, would it?" she asked, leaning forward. "Now that would be very interesting."

Aizen turned his head slightly towards her, an amused smile on his face. "Oh, Amelia," he said. "You and I both know that you are anything but a normal human. Do not attempt to insult my intelligence any further."

Amelia's face drained of color instantly, eyes going dark. "In fact, that's why I brought you here after our meeting," Aizen said. "We have something important to discuss." A tense silence formed between them, filling the room with apprehension. Even Gin and Tosen were virtually on the edge of their seats, eager to know what exactly was going on.

"Do you understand why I specifically chose you, rather than a normal Arrancar, to take the place of Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez?" Aizen asked at last. "Have you devoted any of your time to uncover that little mystery, or were you too busy fraternizing with filth to even question such a thing?"

Flinching at the degradation, Amelia tilted her head. What exactly was he expecting her to say? Had he expected her go into detective mode? Was this just a sick game to him? She knew it probably was, but the depths of which Aizen was willing to go with it was lost on her. "I've wondered about it, sure," Amelia replied. "But, not gonna lie, getting out of this hell hole has been higher up on my itinerary."

Glancing back at her, Aizen oozed disapproval. "I can assure you, Amelia, that Hell is a far more painful, terrifying place than Las Noches," he said, "and quite uncivilized. You should be grateful no one there snatched you up before I did." He paused for a moment, turning his face away. "Tell me," he asked, "have you met it yet?"

Confused, Amelia's eyes narrowed slightly. "It?" she asked. She didn't understand the question.

Reaching for her face, Aizen cupped her chin with his fingers and lifting her head slightly. "I believe you've had to the opportunity to meet it a while ago. Back when you first met Ichigo Kurosaki."

Amelia froze under his touch, eyes filled with fear. She instantly understood what he was referring to, the black creature that had torn a hole in her on her first day in Hueco Mundo. Its large, white eyes haunted her, remembering its long fingers that had caressed her much, like Aizen's cold gesture. "How…?" she managed, pulling away from him. His small smirk terrified her. "How did you know about that?" she asked, despite knowing better.

"Amelia, my dear," Aizen said, "you should be aware by now that I know everything that occurs here in Hueco Mundo." He could feel her muscles tensing under her fingertips. "Even your own thoughts are not safe from my gaze." He loved to gaze into her eyes, relishing in the fear and anger that pooled there. She was a very entertaining toy, and her usefulness made her a great pawn to keep around. "I know that you spoke with Kurosaki, that you gave him your only hope of leaving this place so that your sister could come and save you." His words were dripping in venom and honey. "Your hope, despite your best efforts, is wasted. Do you really think that your sister can take you from this place under my nose?"

Amelia nails dug into her palms. She fought back against the despair rising in her, her green eyes watering. She was so angry and scared she felt she would explode. "Is that why you brought me here?" she asked, her voice shaking. "To break me?" She stared at him, fighting back a mixture of sobs and screams. "Because you haven't succeeded." She wasn't quite sure she believed her own words, but she was fighting the voices in her mind. She believed in Ash, so much so that she made sure that she would be able to see spirits at last. She wasn't sure if that would be of any advantage, but she was desperate at this point.

"You're adorable," Aizen said, his voice still oozing. "Thinking your sister will be able to save you. Delusional, but adorable." His grin made Amelia feel dirty and gross and she desperately wanted to leave. "But, I must thank you, Amelia," he said. He let go of her chin, pulling the small, dark orb out of his sleeves. "You've been incredibly useful in my efforts to invade the World of the Living." The dark orb reflected the eerie light of the moon, but quickly absorbed it, returning to darkness once more.

"How so?" Amelia managed, looking from the orb to Aizen, confused. "You haven't even spoken to me since the day I got here." She didn't like where this was going, and her gut clenched. She had a feeling that it had to do with the creature he was referencing, and it terrified her. Aizen faced the desert once more, eyes lost in the distance. "When you met the Hogyoku, did you feel like you'd known it all your life?" he asked. "Did it seem… familiar to you?"

Amelia remembered its face once more, its long, black hair spilling over its thin, agile frame. It looked very similar to Amelia in frame and stature, but that was all that she could think of in terms of familiarity. Amelia looked down at the dark orb, wondering if it was watching her from its small prison, relishing in her discomfort. And that's when it hit Amelia, her green eyes rounded. "No… no way," she stammered. "Y-y-you've gotta be kidding me."

Aizen, for the first time, laughed a little, his eyes dark and empty. "Now you understand," he said. "I needed you to advance its growth, and in order to do that, I had to break you down and turn you into an Espada. And I must say, you turned out exceptionally well." He looked her up and down, making her feel violated. Her breath was shaky again. "Of course, it needed to model its manifestation after a creature," Aizen went on, his smile growing. "And it thought to model itself after you. You should be flattered." Amelia wanted to vomit immediately, but she couldn't stop staring at Aizen. "You should also be thanking me," he continued, "Especially since your powers have started manifesting, as well as a few that are merely side effects of your transformation."

"So, you just used me so you could speed up your invasion?" Amelia asked at last, taking a few steps back. "And since you got what you wanted, why did you keep me around?" She dreaded the answer, but perhaps it would explain a few things.

"Simple," he replied casually. "The amount of energy that continuously leaks from you is fueling the Hogyoku as we speak. Other than that, I could care less what happens to you." Aizen looked at her for one last time. "And I care far less for the fate of your friends back in your little hide out."

Amelia's blood ran cold. "What?" she asked. She looked to the closed door and back, prepared to dash out of the room at a moment's notice.

"It would seem that your enemies have chosen this moment to strike," was all Aizen said.

Instantly, Amelia turned, racing to the door and ripping it open, tearing down the hall. She didn't need to hear anything more, all she could do now was hope that Nnoitra and Granz hadn't made it to her residence before she did.

In the office, Tosen and Gin looked to each other and then to Aizen, unsure of what to do. "This should be fascinating," Aizen said. "I am sure you are curious to know what is about to happen, Gin. It will be a fight to remember, surely."

Gin's grin was wide. "Guess I'll be on my way, then," he said, following Amelia's footsteps. "I'll give ya the highlights when I get back."

Moments after Gin's departure, Aizen turned, saying, "Tosen, it seems we have some unwanted guests down in the Forest of Menos. Would you mind giving them a warm welcome?" His face was shrouded in shadow, but his intent was not lost on his subordinate. Tosen bowed, saying, "Of course, Lord Aizen. I will make sure that they don't make it past the entrance. You have my word."

Aizen nodded, returning his gaze to the moonlit desert. "Very good," he said. "I look forward to the spilled blood." His lips curled a little. "It might add color to the place."

Without another word, Tosen left the office, closing the door behind him, leaving Aizen alone to his thoughts in the darkness. Silence was once again his companion. Lifting the Hogyoku to eye level, he caught sight of his reflection, distorted in the curved glass. Two small eyes stared back at him, waiting. "Don't worry," Aizen said reassuringly. "Our time draws close. Until then, be patient. Amelia will be vanquished soon, and it will only be you and I."

Swiftly, he placed the Hogyoku back in the safety of his sleeves, returning his gaze to his empty kingdom of crushed, bleached bones.


Amelia nearly fell when she reached the doorway to her residence, regaining her balance before entering. She saw the living area that they had all so carefully set up, hoping to see the heads of her friends poking up over the sides of the sofa and chairs. But they were empty, the white furniture sticking out like a sore thumb in the darkness.

Coming to a stop at the edge of the circle of light, Amelia looked around, her eyes wide in fear. "GUYS?!" she shouted, her voice echoing. "WHERE ARE YOU?! DORDONI? CIRUCCI? NEL?!" A million terrible thoughts swarmed in her mind, ringing in her ears like sirens. She didn't want to picture them hanging from the ceiling of Granz's lab, their bodies slowly rotting away. A scream erupted from her throat, the accumulation of her fear and anger filling the air. She felt like she was losing it, her eyes brimming with tears. She felt like a failure.

"M-m-miss?"

Turning, Amelia saw Ottone walking up behind her, his hands fidgeting nervously. "Th-they aren't here a-a-anymore."

Anger flooded Amelia's eyes, green pools filled with danger. "I can see that, asshole!" she said. "The question is where the hell did they go? Who took them, and why?"

Ottone backed away in fear, scared Amelia would harm him. "I-I-I can't…" he managed, unable to look her in the eyes.

Stepping forward, Amelia grabbed him by the collar, towering over him slightly. "I guess that's a stupid question," she hissed. "I know it was your bastard of a master, and Nnoitra probably helped him, for all I know." Amelia dug her fist dug into his throat, causing Ottone to cry out in pain. "But what did they want with them, I wonder?" she said through gritted teeth. "I'm curious, who led them here? Could it possibly… be you?" A terrible expression sat on her face, one that made Ottone's blood run cold.

"W-w-well, Master Granz found out that M-m-m-miss Neliel was with you," Ottone said quickly, hoping to appease Amelia. His voice was pathetically high at this point. "A-a-and, uh, that was of great interest t-t-to both Master Granz and Master G-g-gilga-"

"What the hell do you mean?!" Amelia shouted. "HOW DID THEY FIND OUT SHE WAS HERE? WHAT DO THEY WANT WITH HER?! HOW-" A look of realization crossed her eyes and she suddenly felt a terrible calm fall over her. "It was you," she said, her voice quiet now. "You told them, didn't you? That's why you came here, to fuckin' spy on me, you little worm?!" Spittle flew from her lips, the blood lust rising in her.

Ottone was practically crying by that point, pain rushing through him. "Y-y-y-yes," he sobbed. "Please, d-d-don't kill me!"

Amelia, even in her anger, noticed the odd dilation in his eyes. She grabbed his chin, pulling him upwards. He cried out in fear, flinching at the sudden movement. "What the hell's wrong with your eyes?" she asked. "They're bugging out like crazy." Ottone sputtered, unable to speak. He whimpered pathetically, trying to escape her grasp. He was afraid of what Amelia would do if she found out what lay in his retinas. "ANSWER ME!" she bellowed, her voice resounding in his ears.

"MASTER GRANZ PUT CAMERAS IN MY EYES!" Ottone shouted back, his voice shaking, eyes large. He seemed surprised at his own outburst, but he continued his explanation. "H-h-he pulled them out of me and put cameras in them and sent me here to spy on y-y-you and your progress for vengeance!" Ottone's hands gripped Amelia's wrist, desperate. The look on Amelia's face was terrifying, her green eyes focused on his, murderous intent prominent.

"You son of a bitch," she hissed. "And to think I was worried about you, took care of you when you showed up here, sick as a dog." She let go of his face now, almost shoving him back in disgust. "I bet you were sick from infection because that bastard didn't care enough to sanitize anything during his operation, huh?"

Ottone fell back, hiding his eyes now. "He j-j-just shoved them b-b-back in," he said, his voice hoarse. "He s-s-said that if I were sick and lost, y-y-you'd take pity on me. Something about h-h-humans being weak and e-e-emotional."

Taking a shaky breath, Amelia closed her eyes. Dread filled her soul once more, knowing she'd have to confront those two alone. Anger returning, she looked down on Ottone, saying, "You will take me there, or I'll cut your eyes out and stomp them beneath my feet."

Before Ottone could say a word, he began to shout in pain, clawing at his eyes.

Amelia took a step back, confused. "What the hell?" she said. "What's going-?"

Suddenly, Ottone's eyes began to bleed profusely, the whites of his eyes drying out and eyeballs shriveling rapidly. Ottone fell to his knees, screaming in terrible pain. "HE MUST HAVE HEARD ME!" he screamed. "HE MUST HAVE KNOWN I TOLD YOU! HELP ME! IT HURTS!" Amelia knew she couldn't help him, watching silently as he writhed in pain on the floor.

Eventually, the screams died down, the Arrancar curled up on the floor, cradling his face. He was now blind, Amelia noted, making the task of locating Granz that much harder. She at least knew where his lab was, but she had been counting on the fact that he would know where in the lab her friends were located. "Fuck," she uttered, reaching down to pick up the now-blind Ottone. "Looks like I'm gonna have to carry you now."

Ottone whimpered as Amelia hoisted him over her shoulder, with tears, blood and unknown fluids dripping from his empty eye sockets. "I-I-I can't help you now," he muttered between sobs. "Why would you bother bringing me with you?"

Sighing, Amelia began to walk out of the room, saying, "You can't see, obviously, but you can give me directions as I tell you where I'm going. Either way, you're getting me there." Her words were filled with hard apathy, but she did feel a pang of sympathy for the amount of pain he was in. "Plus," she continued, "I'm not just gonna leave you here. I don't want you pooling blood and pus on my floor."

Swiftly, Amelia walked back towards the exit, a whimpering Ottone hanging over her shoulder. Just as quickly as she came, she left, leaving the room in eerie silence once more. But it wasn't empty, for a small, slender Espada emerged from the shadows, watching as they disappeared. Ulquiorra's green eyes watched apathetically, staring off into the darkness. The girl continued to surprise him. He had expected her to show some form of pity for the Arrancar, like she had prior, but she had completely taken a 180, threatening to tear his eyes out herself and murder his master.

"This should be fascinating," he said, his quiet voice echoing in the silence.