Chapter 49:

Birth

(Realizations)

The room was dark and cold. The only light in the room came from the glass box that contained a hollow. Aizen and most of the other Espada were present. Emily clung to Szayel; he was starting to not mind her presence as much. The doors to the room swung open to reveal Ulquiorra and Yammy. "Welcome, Ulquiorra and Yammy." Aizen greeted the two, "It won't be long now." The Cuatro and Diez Espada walked down the stairs to join the group. "What's the status of the Hōgyoku?" Ulquiorra inquired. "It's at fifty percent." Aizen stated as he removed the Hōgyoku from a box, "It will awaken exactly when the Soul Society expects it too. But there's a secret that only those who've actually touched the Hōgyoku know. I doubt that even Kisuke Urahara, who developed it and sealed it away so abruptly and never removed the seal, would know it. When the Hōgyoku is in a dormant state with its seal removed is joined with someone who possesses twice the spirit energy of a captain…for a short time its full power is released."

Aizen placed the Hōgyoku on the glass box that contained the hollow and the glass shattered around the hollow. "Can you tell me your name, new comrade?" Aizen questioned the achieved Arrancar. "Wonderweiss," stated the Arrancar, "Wonderweiss…Margela." Everyone stared at Wonderweiss for a while before the silence was broken. "Do you remember the order I gave you a month ago, Ulquiorra?" Aizen asked the Espada. Ulquiorra replied simply, "Yes." "Carry it out." Aizen ordered, "The choice is yours. Take whomever you like." "Yes, sir." Ulquiorra responded. "Oh, and would you like to go to, Grimmjow?" Aizen asked politely. Emily stared at Wonderweiss, knowing his fate. She felt somewhat guilty, as if perhaps she could prevent it. However, the woman stayed silent.

Aizen left the room where Wonderweiss was to attend other matters. Szayel and Emily followed. "Lord Aizen, may I be so bold as to request a word with you?" the Espada inquired trailing behind his lord. Emily slinked behind timidly and respectfully. Aizen answered simply, "You may." "I have been finding some strange happenings in my lab and my pet has been acting rather odd." Szayel paused and continued, "I can't seem to pinpoint the reason for all this and I was wondering if you noticed anything different in Las Noches?" "Actually…one of my Espada has been acting rather peculiar." Aizen replied with a tone as if he knew the conversation that was taking place was eventually going to happen. "May I ask whom?" the pink-haired man asked carefully. "Why don't you ask Emily?" his lord responded simply yet again and stopped in his tracks. They averted their gaze to the woman. Szayel looked confused but furious, ultimately scaring Emily terribly. She was so terrified that she could not speak. Aizen approached her, causing her legs to collapse, forcing her into a sitting position. The brown-haired man knelt beside her and whispered, "Now be a dear and tell Szayel which of his brethren have been visiting you." Emily stuttered fearfully, "N-n-Nnoitra…Gilga…" "Good girl." Aizen smirked, patting her on the head as if she were a child.