My dear readers, we have finally arrived to the next phase of the conflict with the Soul Society, and Aizen's Arrancar. I'm aware that it's been a long wait, but here we are at long last. For those of you concerned that this will just be a repeat of how this went in cannon minus the Orihime Kidnapping, have no worry. None of the fights that happened in Huecco Mundo in cannon will be repeated here. Everything your about to read will be original and unique.

Ahead's up however, GreatKingrat88 has decided to pursue a higher level education, and i couldnt be happier for him. However, due to this, it will most likly take much longer for us to get out a chapter than usual. You'll still probabaly get atleast 1 a month, but the odds of us being able to have 2 anymore are unlikley.

However, I think I've delayed you all long enough, let's get right onto the chapter!

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo and Shounen jump. Fairy tail is owned by Hiro Mashima and weekly shounen magazine. I own NOTHING. This is all just for fun!

Fourth seat Daiji Itou readjusted his sash for what had to be the seventeenth time since he had lined up in the square early this morning. It had been three days since the captain-commander had proclaimed his intent to invade Las Noches, and the time since had been spent in hectic preparation. Now, in the morning light, the time had finally come.

Around him, nearly three hundred warriors stood assembled, most of third division's able-bodied military personnel standing in row upon row, eyes fixed forward as their captain inspected the muster. It felt unreal. After Captain Aizen- no, Aizen- had announced his betrayal, most of the Gotei had been in shock. Since then, a general sense of constant preoccupation had characterized the entire military body. Gruelling drills, constant training, a manic preparation for a war the likes of which most of the soldiers had never known.

Itou knew. He was old enough that he had fought in the last quincy war. He had been a young man then, but the horrors of it stayed with him. Even now, his face marked by the lines of a man well past his best years- which, by shinigami terms, made him fairly old- he remembered it like yesterday. He remembered what it had been like to run his blade through the gut of another young man, what it had been like to watch the light in his eyes fade…

He had tried to console himself with the fact that their enemies now were soulless monsters, not people, but there was not much consolation to be found. The men and women beside him were as well-trained as could be expected. Captain Abarai had led by example, participating in almost every exercise personally, often instructing his soldiers directly, whether they were veterans like Itou or unskilled greenhorns. In the short time they had had to prepare, Third Division had adapted well. It would not, he suspected, be enough. Nobody could understand the horror of a war unless they had lived it, and now… now, they were expected to charge straight into the belly of the beast.

"Stop fidgeting," hissed third seat Kouma, who stood next to him. He was a younger man, and it irked Itou to be ordered around by a brat- but he would not lose face by challenging him.

"I'm alright," Itou muttered.

"Don't let the men sense how scared you are," said Kouma. "You'll be leading several platoons. If they lose faith in you-"

"I know!" Itou snapped. "But, if you're not afraid, then you're a fool."

"Relax, old man," said Kouma under his breath. "The captains are going in first. They'll clear a path. Our job is just to support them. Clear away any hollows left in their wake."

"Sounds real simple, don't it?" muttered Itou. "Can't remember a single time when things went to plan when I went to war."

"There we go again," said Kouma, rolling his eyes, "as if you're the only one who ever fought in a war."

"The fighters around us are kids," said Itou frankly. "Sure, they know how to hold the sword, but the most they ever saw was a pack of hollows. Ever seen a whole swarm of them? I have, and let me tell you-"

"It's good that they'll have officers like the two of you to guide them, then."

Itou and Kouma both straightened up, immediately standing fully to attention. The firm, austere voice had come from Captain Abarai himself. Both of the senior officers had failed to notice him coming within earshot.

"Sir, yes, sir!" Itou said loudly. "Fit for battle, sir!"

"Sir, we meant no offence-" started Kouma, but the captain interrupted him.

"I know you're all hesitating," he said, raising his voice so that all present could hear- in fact, judging by the way his voice spread, he probably had some form of kidou cast that let him make himself heard as far as he needed. "I know you're all a little afraid. No matter how brave a face you put on, all of you fear what is coming. Admit it, at least to yourselves. It is up to you all to master that fear, to use it to your advantage- never letting it control you, but turning it into a tool for your survival. By twelve hundred hours today, all of you will be deep in enemy territory, risking life and limb. That is your duty. It may not be what you signed up for, or expected when you joined this organization, but that is reality.

"We go today to fight. To fight not just for what's right, but for our lives, for our loved ones, for our homes. That is what is at stake: our way of life, our very lives, and the lives of those who matter to us. What each of you must know is: We can do it. No matter how hard it may seem, we can. For a thousand years, we have endured. We will endure a thousand more after Aizen is gone. So, when you go through that portal, you will know this: Master your fear, or lose it all. Master your fear, and you will win."

He paused, and a fair few of the younger division members cheered, inspired by their captain's words.

"Is that all?" Renji said brusquely. "You are soldiers of Third. I expect more spirit than that. I can't hear you!"

This time, the cheer was deafening. Itou and Kouma joined in. It was impossible not to, impossible not to be swept up by the sheer, irresistible emotion of it. As their voices joined hundreds more, they suddenly felt their fears vanishing.

"For the Gotei!" roared Captain Abarai as the cheers died down a little, and the crowd roared its assent.

"For Captain-commander Yamamoto, and for Third Division!"

The crowd of soldiers cheered loudly now, the nervousness that had hung in the air like an oppressive fog now gone. In that moment, Itou almost forgot the horror of the quincy war. Almost.

"And, that is why," said Renji, his voice going quiet as the cheers eventually died down, "I need my senior officers at their very best. When I fight at the frontlines, I will need soldiers capable of running this division even if I die. So look sharp, both of you. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" Kouma and Itou said as one, saluting. Captain Abarai had come into his own. He was nothing like the intimidating, always slightly wrong Ichimaru Gin. He had raised Third into something that could be proud of itself, something it had desperately needed. Even now, even knowing what they were headed into, Itou was ready to follow him.

The atmosphere around the breakfast table was heavy and joyless that morning. For the last few weeks it had been Erza's point of focus, a reminder that her life hadn't changed too much, that she hadn't let go of the things that mattered. To sit down with Orihime and Momo, to eat and talk for a little while, to just be for a small amount of time with the challenges of the day still ahead of her… it had meant more to Erza than she had realized.

She had known, of course. She had known it wouldn't last. War was always coming, sooner rather than later, and they were probably lucky it had lasted as long as it had done.

She didn't feel very lucky.

"You're going to need to make new toast," said Momo quietly. Erza looked down. The roasted slice of bread had gotten soggy with butter, past being lukewarm and nearing cold.

"I'm not hungry," Erza muttered. She looked around. Orihime had left already, and Erza felt grateful. The girl had insisted on taking part, and Erza, knowing she didn't have the energy to argue about it, had managed a compromise- Orihime would serve a secondary role as a combat medic, never advancing into Las Noches itself.

"You still need to eat," Momo said meekly.

In an instant, on an impulse, Erza made a fist, slamming it into the table. The wooden sheet cracked under the force of the blow, the table rocking on the spot, nearly splitting. Momo jumped, letting out a yelp.

"Er-Erza?" said Momo. Erza shook her head.

"I'm… sorry," she said with a sigh. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"I know how you feel about this whole thing," Momo said cautiously, as if choosing her words carefully, "and I understand that it's hard for you. But-"

"Momo, no," Erza said, sighing again. "I've said all I care to say about it. I don't need another discussion about it. It… it is what it is."

And, what a thing it was. Erza was not the type to give up hope, even in the direst of circumstances, but it was hard to describe the frustration she felt in the face of old Yamamoto's stubborn insistence on a plan she knew was foolish, dangerous, and potentially disastrous. It was the helplessness, most of all. She had bent the knee and sworn her fealty, and although that was conditional, although she would not stand by the Gotei if it was not righteous, Soifon had been right. Come hell or high water, her place was beside her friends, even in the face of certain death. There was no choice in this. Not long ago, she had plunged herself into a foolish, desperate mission, she reminded herself, along with only a handful of inexperienced teenagers. She had prevailed, against all odds. This was not impossible.

But, it felt different. She had made that choice for herself, and, as ignorant as they were, so had the kids who had followed her. This time, the choice had been made for her, for her and the thousands of people who followed the Gotei. She made a fist, straining against the broken table.

"Erza," said Momo pleadingly, "please, at least talk to me."

"What is there to say?" said Erza exasperatedly. "We're going in. It'll be incredibly dangerous. I might die. You… you might…"

"I won't."

The thought of it was crushing to Erza. She had seen Momo die once already, and if not for Orihime, Momo would have been gone. The memory of her still on the ground, unresponsive, bleeding all over the dirty ground…

"Would you stay behind?" Erza said, on impulse. "If I asked you, would you stay? I… I would like to be able to fight knowing you are safe. No offense, but I am much stronger, and…"

"Would you do the same for me?" said Momo quietly.

"I… can't."

"Then, neither can I."

Momo reached out a hand, and Erza took it, squeezing it tightly.

"We're partners, Erza," Momo continued, her voice like a soothing balsam, "equals. I won't say I can't go for your sake. You may be much stronger than me, but that means you will be fighting much stronger enemies. We're both as much at risk, and we both have our duties. Not just to the Gotei, but to our own people. If Aizen wins… if Aizen wins, I won't say I was sitting on the sidelines, and neither should you."

"I know," Erza said with a nod. "I'm- I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking…"

"It's okay," said Momo, squeezing back. "You just want me to be safe, just like I want you to be safe."

"Please," said Erza, looking her lover in the eye, "don't die. I… I don't know what I'd do."

"I won't die," Momo promised. "It's you I'm worried about. Promise you won't do anything reckless."

"I swear it," Erza said passionately.

"You know, I still have a feeling you might do something crazy anyway," said Momo, a small smile on her face. "It's in your nature, isn't it?"

Erza smiled back.

"I'll try, okay? No craziness. Unless… it's, like, absolutely necessary. And, only then if I have to. And, I mean really have to."

"I'll see you again tonight," said Momo, "and we're both going to be okay, you hear? We're going to have stormed Las Noches, defeated the espada, and taken Aizen's head."

"That's the spirit," said Erza. They both smiled at each other, both knowing that it was very nearly a lie, very nearly a falsehood, that it was the most hopeful version of reality anyone could expect. Because sometimes one had to pretend, and if one acknowledged the full truth, one might just break and lose the hope one clung to.

"Come on," said Momo, "one piece of toast. You have just enough time before the rest of the captains arrive."

"Alright. Alright," said Erza, shrugging. "If you insist…"

"I do. It's the most important meal of the day, you know."

"Fine…" Erza said with a chuckle.

Just one last time, they were having breakfast together, almost like it was normal. These last few minutes, at least, Erza would treasure- because she might never have this again.

Urahara Kisuke's basement had never been so crowded. As spacious as it was, it felt filled to the brim. Every captain of the Gotei stood lined up in two neat rows, captain-commander Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryuusai standing at the head of the formation. Erza's group had been last to fall in line, the others having arrived directly through a senkaimon. It was early in the morning still, but nobody looked less than fully alert and focused. Erza looked them over, one by one, her new colleagues. Near Yamamoto, his veterans:

Unohana Retsu, as calm and collected as ever.

Kyouraku Shunsui, looking strangely sober, an impressive figure now that he had foregone his usual lackadaisical posture and smile.

Ukitake Jushirou, lending his usual air of approachable integrity to the group.

Zaraki Kenpachi, as eager for the fight as ever, in as good a mood as she had seen him since they'd last fought.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri, that stain on Gotei history, seeming impassive behind his black-and-white face paint, but no doubt eager to plunder Hueco Mundo's data riches.

Komamura Sajin, loyal and distant.

Hitsugaya Toushirou, looking as cold as his fabled zanpakutou.

Abarai Renji, putting on a brave face- how hard was he trying, Erza wondered, to be the next Kuchiki Byakuya?

Lisanna Strauss. Her old friend, wearing her toughest face, so far removed from the innocent girl from Fairy Tail. Much like Erza, herself.

Byakuya, as stoic as ever- yet, Erza knew by now, burning with desire to prove himself, to throw himself into the fray.

Soifon, a small but stern figure, resolute in the face of madness.

They were her colleagues. Some of them she liked. Most, she at least respected. A couple, she despised. All of them, her included, they might die today. Erza had never been afraid to die- she had done so once already. Dying was the easy part. It was just giving it her all, fighting until she couldn't anymore, and then letting the darkness take her. But, dying in the face of uncertainty, committed to a course of action she had no faith in? That was a bad way to go.

It was not set in stone, she reminded herself. It might still work. Yamamoto was, after all, an accomplished tactician in his own right. They could do this. She had to believe that.

The captains weren't the only ones present, of course. In the background, Urahara was making preparations for the gateway, in deep conversation with Grimmjow. The arrancar looked deeply puzzled, no doubt being quizzed about the nature of the garganta one last time, something he no doubt understood more instinctively than intellectually. Yoruichi was not far off, having shown up earlier. Orihime, Ichigo, Chad and Tatsuki were all present, and Erza reminded herself that they were all auxiliaries, all meant to keep to the backlines. Only Uryu was missing, and Erza was not about to chase him down- he had no moral obligation to take part in this foolish war, and that was one fewer life she had to worry about, at least in the short term.

"Urahara Kisuke," said Yamamoto gruffly, "are the preparations complete?"

"Just a minute, commander," said Urahara distractedly, "I am still doing some double checks. I'll be able to stabilize the portals indefinitely, in theory, but I'm sure you want me to get this right the first time around-"

"I will address you all, then," said Yamamoto, ignoring Urahara's words the moment he started to get long-winded, which Erza suspected had been the scientist's intention. "Today, the mission to Karakura ends. Captain Erza Scarlet, you are relieved of the title as expeditionary commander. Your service has been exemplary in the defense, monitoring, and preparation for war in this city, but the time is come to initiate the next phase of this conflict."

Erza bowed. "You honour me with your words, captain-commander," she said in her most formal voice. "I have done my duty, and gladly relinquish command to you once more."

Yamamoto nodded to her, but gave no further response. "The plan has been sent to all of you in preparation," he continued, "but I shall go through it once more, to assure there is no confusion. Using our best intelligence, we have determined a point of entry leading directly to Aizen Sousuke's quarters, along with his most powerful servants- the section of his palace where his espada will reside. Our primary objectives will be the capture or elimination of: Espadas Coyote Starrk, Barragan Luisenbarn, Tier Halibel, Ulquiorra Cifer, and Neliel Tu Oderschvank. Furthermore, and most importantly of all, we seek also to capture or eliminate the traitors Aizen Sousuke, Ichimaru Gin, and Tousen Kaname. All available details were in your briefing reports- I expect you will all be familiar with them at this time."

Erza had studied the reports religiously, intent on doing what preparation she could, but they hadn't told her much she didn't already know.

"As much is unknown regarding the full extent of their abilities, proceed with caution. Our secondary objectives will be the capture of any relevant information contained in the palace, whether scientific or otherwise, along with the elimination of any lower tier of espada or arrancar. We will divide into three battle groups, each to be led by a spearhead of fighters clearing a path for our soldiers. Each group will head into a different direction, in order to pinpoint the location of our enemies. In the event that the advance leads nowhere, any battle group will fall back to the portal and reassign to a route that needs support. The vanguard's task will be to locate our priority targets- if the force you meet is overwhelming, fall back and request support. If you do face Aizen Sousuke, do not engage. It is my duty alone to defeat that man.

"Strike quickly, and do not let yourselves be led astray. I will remain on standby, along with Captains Kyouraku, Ukitake, and Unohana, where we will stay until the traitors have been located, or until our intervention becomes absolutely necessary. Captain Kuchiki Byakuya, you will lead one battle group alongside Captains Abarai Renji and Lisanna Strauss."

Erza's jaw clenched. She hoped they would be fine. She hoped none of them would do anything foolish. At this rate, she wasn't sure she trusted any one of them not to.

"Captain Erza Scarlet," continued the captain-commander, "you will lead one battle group alongside Captains Zaraki Kenpachi and Komamura Sajin. That will leave Captain Hitsugaya Toushirou in charge of the third battle group, alongside Captains Soifon and Kurotsuchi Mayuri. Captain Soifon, focus on reconnaissance above all else- I want our intelligence to be updated as soon as possible.

"You will all lead elite elements of your division behind you, to secure the ground taken and deal with any lesser threats. As captains, you are expected to seek out and destroy the greatest threats- do not waste your time on petty foes. I will want regular updates on your progress. A kidou network will be set up for the sake of communication. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" said the captains in unison.

"And, just in time," cheered Urahara. "I think we're about finished over here."

"Bring forward the prisoner, then," commanded Yamamoto.

Grimmjow was ushered forward, standing face-to-face with the venerable commander.

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez," said Yamamoto.

"Shit," Grimmjow muttered, "you really do look just as hard as they say, huh?"

"We are staking considerable trust in you now. Will you turn your back on us?"

"And get killed horribly for my troubles? Fuck no," said Grimmjow, shaking his head. "Fuck Aizen. I ain't going to double cross ya; I know better. It's my neck on the line here as much as yours."

Yamamoto nodded. "Then, open a portal to the designated spot. I trust you have been briefed on the exact location?"

"Don't sweat it, old man," said Grimmjow with a grin. "It's just a basic-ass garganta. I got it."

He extended a hand, and then there was a ripple in reality, a veil of darkness tearing open to reveal a large, open corridor with white walls. The portal was wide, large enough to accommodate six men marching next to each other, a necessity given the sheer amount of soldiers they intended to march through it.

"Battle group one, assault," Yamamoto ordered. "Prepare the senkaimon. I want the elites of Divisions Six, Three, and Nine to follow after as soon as possible."

Byakuya, like a dog relieved of its chain, leaped into the portal, Renji and Lisanna close behind him.

"Urahara Kisuke," said Yamamoto.

"Stabilizing portal," said Urahara, murmuring an incantation under his breath quickly. After a minute or so he paused, and there was a pulse of energy.

"There," said the scientist. "The portal should remain in place for as long as we need it."

Erza watched the scientist finish up his spell. Behind her, the imposing figures of Zaraki Kenpachi and Komamura Sajin fell in line.

"I am glad to fight beside you, Captain Scarlet," rumbled Komamura as he took up position.

"Likewise," Erza said with a nod, suppressing a knot of fear in her gut. Momo would be coming in soon, along with the contingent of soldiers. It was really happening. This was it.

"Ah, hell, why don't you two hug it out and leave the killin' to me, huh?" said Kenpachi, resting his great sword on his shoulder. "I don't mind, really."

"Stay close, or you'll end up getting lost," Erza muttered. "You're not going to have any fun wandering around alone in the dark."

"Yeah, yeah," the giant murmured.

"Battle group two, assault!" Yamamoto commanded, and Erza ran headlong through the newly opened portal, her two companions in tow. From now on, they were marching into hell.

"Lord Aizen!"

It was Kaname who burst into his study, flinging the door open. Aizen looked up. Kaname was normally quite collected, and to not even knock would normally be something he considered quite disrespectful.

"What?" Aizen asked.

"We are under attack, sir!" said Kaname.

Aizen stood up, putting a hand on his blade. "From where?" he said sharply. "Is it the quincies?"

"The quincies?" said Tousen, puzzled. "No, lord- five minutes ago, we detected three huge reiatsu signatures, shinigami in nature, followed by another three, and then another three in rapid succession, all landing near the quarters of your various espada."

"Shini… gami?" said Aizen, genuinely surprised.

"It's the Gotei, sir. They're launching a full scale attack."

The reality of it hit home with Aizen. Unbidden, a laugh came over him, a chuckle that turned into a mad cackle.

"Sir?" said Tousen, more confused than ever.

"That foolish old bastard," said Aizen, shaking his head in disbelief. "The gall. The audacity!"

"Lord, we must respond," said Tousen. "I will gather the Consejo, and-"

"No," said Aizen sharply. "Order Starrk, Barragan and Tier to fall back to my office for now. I do not want them near the battle, not yet. The same goes for you and Gin. I want to know where they are and where they're going, but we're not going to rush out and meet them."

"Lord?" said Tousen. His confusion was starting to become less than endearing.

"These fools," Aizen said mirthfully, "they attacked me on my turf, in my castle. Why should we meet them on their terms? Las Noches is a vast place. Let them search, let them spread themselves out. We will strike when they have reached for more than they can take. Get in contact with Szayel. Track their movements. I want to know who is going where, and at what pace. I want a report within ten minutes. When you're done with that, contact the other espada."

"Shall I tell them to retreat, too?"

Aizen thought for a second, then shrugged.

"Let them be. They're expendable. With a multi-pronged attack like this, they might as well draw our enemies out. With any luck, they might halt the advance or even kill a captain."

"Yes, sir," said Tousen firmly. As he hurried out to execute, Aizen smiled to himself, warmly and sincerely for the first time in a long time. Yamamoto… this was a strategy bold enough that it was worthy of Aizen himself. But as Yamamoto was not him… well, there was only one way this would end. Yamamoto had shown his hand, and it was weak- much too weak. Was he just desperate?

No- his position hadn't been that weak to begin with. It was just plain hubris, the pride of an old relic about to undo him. This, Aizen thought, was the beginning of the end, and the only difference was that it had come sooner rather than later.

Renji's heart had been beating quickly, thumping hard as he charged in behind Captain Kuchiki. The three of them had wasted no time in charging forward, securing their established route before awaiting reinforcement. It had taken nearly an hour before the elite infantry of their respective divisions had marched through and begun the advance inward, by which time they had covered nearly a kilometre's worth of corridors, archways, and halls. With a small army at their back, they had pushed deeper inside, though Captain Kuchiki veered off into his own set of hallways after a little while.

There had been resistance. Hollows swarmed about the place, drawn to the sounds of combat as they engaged their first arrancar. Lisanna was locked in combat with a serpentine creature, a huge-class hollow by the looks of it. Renji, for his part, was weaving his whip-shaped shikai around, furiously driving back an arrancar. It was attempting to release its weapon, but Renji gave it no time to do so, every strike of his whip drawing blood, until finally a twist of his weapon raked across its throat, sending blood spraying across the marble floor. He let the whip become a sword, and surged forward with an enthused battle cry, shearing the head off the mortally wounded arrancar's shoulders. It collapsed, lifeless.

He looked around. There were hollows still fighting, division soldiers locked in combat, the sounds of battle all around him. There were flares of discharging kidou spells and of shikai abilities sending ripples through the air. Not twenty feet away, a shockwave ripped dozens of tiles out of place, sending shrapnel into the air as an officer cut down two hollows in a single blow. Renji readied his blade to help, only to realize there was no need. The elite force that had followed behind him and Lisanna numbered nearly a hundred, and the few dozens of hollows that had flocked here were being overwhelmed. Lisanna walked up to him, hollow blood splattered across her pretty face, and Renji realized that with the arrancar and the huge-class hollow gone, the battle had become a rout.

"Captain," said third seat Kouma, saluting as he marched up to his captain, "room secure."

"You're bloodied," said Renji, nodding at the man. "Are you hurt?"

"It's not mine, sir," said the third seat, gesturing to the blood staining his face and uniform. "I am unhurt, save for a small scratch."

"Good," said Renji. "Any casualties?"

"Three fatalities, seven wounded. We are within acceptable parameters, captain."

"I want a team to stand guard over the wounded, and a messenger sent back to check for support from Fourth," Renji commanded. "See to it, and get the men moving as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir!" said Kouma, saluting. As he hurried off, Renji couldn't help but grin a little. This was going well, all things considered.

"Easy," he said confidently, turning to his fellow captain.

"Too easy," muttered Lisanna. "I don't like it. We didn't come here to get bogged down slaughtering chaff."

"We're well on schedule," countered Renji. "I know the worst is ahead of us, but this does 'em good. A taste of victory is good for morale."

"Can't argue with that," said Lisanna with a shrug. "Still, I have a bad feeling about this. The further in we push, the more it feels like we're running into a trap."

"You heard the old man. If we go too far without finding anything, we turn back."

"I wonder why we're attacking this place without knowing more, though."

"It's a big place," said Renji with a shrug. "That Grimmjow bastard knows where his espada kin used to hang out, but that don't mean they'll be exactly there at all times. Don't worry- they'll come find us."

"That's what I'm afraid of…" Lisanna muttered apprehensively.

Kuchiki Byakuya let his blade rise and fall with the calmest of furies, his arms, his entire body working flawlessly. Weeks of frustration were finally being released, and here, sinking his blade into the throat of a lesser arrancar, he was at last in his element. His battle group had made good progress until they hit a narrow corridor. From above, dozens of hollows had assaulted them, led by half-a-dozen arrancar, throwing their formation into disarray. Sixth Division had responded well, keen to make their captain proud, but several had fallen already. Byakuya wrenched his blade free, and without pausing to watch his enemy fall he pushed his way through the melee, moving toward the next arrancar. He had slain two already, but the four remaining were wreaking havoc on his soldiers. Hollows they could handle, but an arrancar was a beast beyond most of even his best veterans. He could see his newly appointed vice-captain bravely fending off one of them, bright lights dazzling from the young man's shikai as he danced within an inch of death, avoiding one potentially fatal blow after another.

Byakuya launched himself into the air, bouncing against the wall as he surged forward. An arrancar who sat in an alcove above had foregone his blade to charge a massive cero with both hands, cackling with glee as he aimed it at the crowded hall. He saw Byakuya coming much too late. The energy in his hands died out as he scrambled to draw his blade, but he was too slow; Byakuya had already closed the distance, and with perfect precision the nobleman let the tip of his blade slide in just under the arrancar's chin, severing through the top of his vertebrae with ease. The modified hollow went limp, glassy-eyed, and collapsed. Byakuya was already on the move, launching himself into the air again, wordlessly triggering his shikai. With one hand, he directed the pink blades over the battlefield, the thousand little swords shearing through three hollows in a moment, buying precious time for the beleaguered soldiers below. With his other hand, he took aim at an arrancar, its blade fresh with the blood of an officer.

"Bakudo sixty-one: Rikujokourou!" he called, and the arrancar was frozen in place. The officers around it wasted no time; their enemy immobilized, they raised their blades to skewer the helpless monster. Byakuya was already moving on the next, sailing toward it with speed, the blades of his shikai tearing through another mob of hollows before reshaping into its sealed form. This one seemed to be their leader; it had skill and sense enough to see him coming, and deflect his first blow. It evaded the next two strikes, and attempted a clumsy counter-attack. Byakuya moved outside of its reach with ease, and gave the arrancar a contemptuous glare.

"Hadou one: shou." He said, and the surprised arrancar was sent reeling back, nearly losing its footing. It struggled to regain its balance, and to its credit, it nearly did so, but Byakuya had no intention of letting it recover. With one swift blow, he cut off its sword arm at the wrist, and before the limb had landed on the floor his next stroke had run the hollow through. Gargling, it stumbled and fell. Almost like an afterthought, Byakuya sent a Sokatsui to envelop it, to burn what was left of the beast to death. That left only the last of them, a brazen creature pressing his vice-captain hard.

Byakuya advanced, cutting down meagre hollows left and right, moving to relieve his subordinate. They seemed evenly matched at the moment, but Byakuya knew it wouldn't last. The lad was a master swordsman, and if he could not overcome this foe, he was hardly fit to be vice-captain. Seeing his captain approach, the vice-captain redoubled his efforts, a dazzling blast of light from his zanpakutou blinding the arrancar temporarily. Finding his opening, he thrust his blade, taking the creature through the neck. As it dropped to the floor, dead, the few remaining hollows turned and fled, their morale broken. Most of them were cut down as they fled, and a hearty cheer rose through the ranks of sixth division soldiers as the chaos of battle died down, and they formed up once more.

"Ryuin," said Byakuya, addressing his vice-captain. Ryuin Itsuki had been his third seat prior to Renji's promotion, and he was still uneasy in his newfound position of responsibility. A young man of a lesser noble family, he was eager to please- a little too eager, perhaps. The vice-captain wiped his blade clean of blood, sheathed it, and pushed a strand of his long, brown hair aside, tying it up in a ponytail.

"My apologies, captain," he said, short of breath. "I should have finished him faster."

"Do better next time," said Byakuya dispassionately. "This is nothing next to what awaits us further down."

"Yes, sir!" said Ryuin firmly.

"Listen, all of you," said Byakuya, raising his voice enough so that his soldiers could hear him. "Anyone not too wounded to fight, make ready. We press on. Our quarry is not yet found."

There was a chorus of affirmatives, and although he did not show it, Byakuya appreciated it. It was good to see his soldiers in action, to see them do what they had trained for without fail. Even with some of their comrades dead or dying beside them, their spirit remained unbroken, unshaken. In a swift stride, Byakuya led them out of the corridor, into the hall approaching them.

It did not take long for danger to find them. Byakuya's group had pushed further than anybody else thus far, far enough that it was time. Far enough that an old enemy had been sent to take his head, at last. As they approached a set of stairs leading upward, Byakuya saw him. Staring down at him, cold as ice, looking like something dead on the inside, there was Ulquiorra Cifer. A handful of arrancar stood near him, although keeping their distance, and Byakuya could sense more than a few hollows lurking in the dark. Ulquiorra paid them no attention, and neither did Byakuya. The time had come. Now, he would avenge himself. Now, he would settle the score.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. He would not let himself be carried away. He would not let anger cloud his judgment. He would not let emotion get the better of him. The espada was formidable, as strong an opponent as he had ever faced, but this was what he had come here to do. To kill their strongest enemies.

"Captain," said the espada, his voice devoid of any sentiment, "you are intruding on Lord Aizen's domain."

"Sixth Division," Byakuya called loudly, "make ready to charge, on my command, but stay away from the espada. I alone can defeat him."

"Our last bout says otherwise," said Ulquiorra.

Byakuya would not take the bait. He raised his blade, and taking the first step forward, he cried,

"Charge!"

He was already sprinting forward by the time his officers obeyed the order, blade raised to strike at his opponent. Their swords met, and Byakuya threw himself into the conflict with a cold, calculated passion. Win or lose, live or die, this was where he was meant to be.

Komamura ran forward behind Captain Scarlet, deep in thought. There had been resistance, but what Zaraki Kenpachi hadn't turned into minced meat, the two of them had crushed with ease. The brutish champion had already veered off, heedless of Battle-leader Scarlet's calls, charging after a fleeing arrancar on his own. Komamura had not been surprised. Discipline was to Kenpachi what mercy was to a hollow; incompatible and alien. Hopefully, he would at least cause some havoc.

It was unbecoming of him, but Komamura was distracted. Tousen was somewhere in this complex, his best and oldest friend. The man who had accepted him when he feared nobody would, the man he had thought he knew. That man was a traitor now, and Komamura knew that his old friend was fated to die. Even if he survived the war, he would be taken captive, brought to a court for sentencing, and formally executed. There was no other possible penalty for treachery as severe as this.

Komamura had often cursed himself over this. Tousen, his best friend- how could he not have known? How could the blind captain have hidden the darkness in his heart so well, and for so long?

Tousen had earned the death that was coming to him. It ate at Komamura's heart, but it was the truth. Tousen was a traitor, not only misguided but a willing accomplice. He believed in the madness Aizen called justice. He was being used, but he was still responsible for his actions. Led astray, yet still fallen.

Part of Komamura hoped he would never lay eyes on Tousen again, that he would receive news of Tousen's death after the battle was done, that he would only see Tousen's lifeless corpse one last time before it was buried in an unmarked grave. Another part of him hoped to face Tousen in battle, to try to shake some sense into him one last time, to try to reason with him. To bring him to justice. Komamura felt responsible for him, as if he might have turned Tousen onto a more righteous path if he had been a better friend, as if he might have spared the Gotei all this grief if he had seen through the deception.

It was a ridiculous notion, objectively, but still it was one Komamura could not shake. He felt that Tousen, live or die, was his responsibility; he should face Tousen in combat, try to persuade Tousen back, and when he inevitably failed, kill his oldest friend.

The thought twisted in his heart like a knife.

"Captain Komamura."

Sajin halted his run, realizing he had left Captain Scarlet behind by a fair few paces.

"Battle-leader," he said, hurrying back to her side, "forgive me. I was…"

"Distracted?"

"So I was," admitted Komamura with a little shame.

"Aren't we both?" Scarlet muttered. "We've pushed far enough, I think. The infantry should be catching up with us soon."

"Frankly, I wish these arrancar would show themselves," said Komamura. "We cannot have come this far without them noticing. Such cowardice is less than I expected from these arrancar- I was told their egos, at least, were large enough to want to take us on even if they have no honour."

"It's not cowardice," Erza muttered. "It's strategy."

"You think it is a deliberate choice?"

"Spread thinly in hostile territory we don't know too well? Oh, yes, I do," Erza growled. "We should retreat, Yamamoto's orders be damned."

Komamura hesitated. Her logic was sound, but Yamamoto's order had been clear. There was no room to retreat unless they were faced with overwhelming force. He respected Scarlet, but her antipathy to the captain-commander's plan was well known, and did not sit well with Komamura, whose loyalty to the old man was absolute. He would rather not pause this advance to debate her on the topic.

"Battle-leader," he said hesitantly, "we should-"

"Hush!" Erza said sharply, her hand going to her blade. "Do you sense it?"

Komamura paused, reaching for his blade at the same time as Scarlet did. Upon focusing just a little, he sensed it, too. In the distance, a great mass of reiatsu, slowly approaching their position.

"I think we must have found our first espada," he said, taking a stance.

"Not just any espada," Erza said severely. "That's Tier Halibel, the tercera."

"Then, we stand and fight," said Komamura, resolutely.

"No other choice," Erza agreed. "Better hope the others don't get in the way, because this could be a bloodbath."

Zaraki Kenpachi was running with a grin plastered on his face. The lesser beasts of this place had quickly learned that to approach him meant death, but a few arrancar had still been bold enough to cross his path. They had died quick, brutal deaths, Kenpachi barely taking a scratch in the process. His blade tore through muscle, sinew, and bone. A one-handed blow nearly sheared an unlucky arrancar in half except the blade became stuck in the modified hollow's midsection. Kenpachi tugged at the hilt of his weapon, hard, ignoring the panicked flailing of the dying monster's weapon, and with one fierce motion he ripped the arrancar in half with a jerk of his arm and wrenched his blade free. Blood sprayed onto his arms as the dead arrancar fell to the floor in two pieces. He took in a few breaths, looking at the chamber around him. It was wide and spacious, the multiple pillars holding up the ceiling decorated with the blood of his enemies. A dozen or so bodies lay strewn about, all of them arrancar that had attempted an ambush. Their overconfidence had been their undoing, and Kenpachi's entertainment.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" Kenpachi cried spiritedly as he flicked the blood off of his blade, marching forward. "Gimme a real challenge, ya bastards!"

These had been a decent warmup, sure, but they were small potatoes. Where were these damned espada he had heard so much about? He could only chase little fish for so long before he wanted a go at the sharks.

Two of them, he noticed, weren't quite dead. A lanky, tall fellow with blond hair lay wheezing against a pillar, incapacitated a cut from shoulder to hip. A thick, heavy-set arrancar, bleeding profusely from a cut to his side, was crawling away. Idly, Kenpachi considered finishing them off, but decided not to- he wasn't going to waste time on trash, not when there were real challenges out there.

"Pesche! Dondochakka!"

The cry rang through the spacious hall, agonized. A white-and-green streak sped past him, to the two arrancar at death's door.

"We're… not dead yet, Lady Neliel," gasped the blond one. "We'll live."

Kenpachi got a good look at the new arrival, kneeling by the heavy-set arrancar that had been crawling away from him. She was a buxom beauty, with green hair and a goat's skull at the top of her head. Her looks, though, were the last thing on Kenpachi's mind.

"Hey," he said, pointing his blade at her. "You're one of them espada, ain't you?"

"Zaraki Kenpachi," said Neliel, her voice filling with hate, "the brute monster that the Gotei calls champion. Isn't that right?"

"Somethin' like that," Kenpachi said with a shrug.

"Neliel Tu Oderschvank," said Neliel, drawing out her blade, "quinta espada."

"Now, that's what I'm talkin' about," said Kenpachi, raising his blade. "Let's see what you got-"

Before he could finish the sentence, Neliel had dashed forward, an expression of rage on her face. Kenpachi anticipated her move, swung where he expected her to be, but she was faster than he had expected. She twisted out of the way of his strike, went under the blow, and stabbed her blade forward. Surging right through his guard, she nearly buried her blade in his gut. Kenpachi grunted, a jolt of pain coursing through his body.

"Die, you son of a bitch," Neliel snarled, pushing her blade in deep.

"Now, that- nnngh," Kenpachi said, with a low, rumbling chuckle. "Now, that's more like it!"

His blade in an awkward angle, he grabbed her hair with his free hand, and headbutted her. His forehead slammed into her mask fragment, skull against bone, and a fresh wave of pain surged through Kenpachi. He ignored it, as he was used to doing. Neliel reeled back, wrenching out her blade as she did so. Blood poured out from the wound, staining Kenpachi's shihakusho.

"Right, then," said Kenpachi, advancing on her. "Don't you fuckin' disappoint me, girl."

Halibel slowly descended the stairs ahead, pausing to stare into the distance. She could sense her down there, close now, almost close enough to touch. She would not back down. Under the collar of her jacket, the tercera smiled a joyless smile.

"Do you hesitate?" said Tousen, who had been walking beside her.

"We are in no rush," said Halibel dismissively. "They come to us, on our terms, correct?"

Tousen nodded. "That was Lord Aizen's command, yes."

"And, we'll fight without restraint if need be?"

"All restrictions have been lifted," Tousen confirmed. "A war-time exception to the ordinary rules has been made. Full release of your blade, gran rey cero; anything at your disposal is yours to exploit to the fullest."

"Good," said Halibel, staring into the distance.

"…I must ask again, what stopped you just now?" asked Tousen. "Old allegiances? You have a duty to Lord Aizen-"

"Be silent, you petty little lapdog," Halibel said dismissively. "I can't stand men who take themselves too seriously. Do not mistake reflection for hesitation. Circumstance- no, providence has brought Erza Scarlet within my reach sooner than I had expected. I am savouring it. She was on the path, and deliberately went astray. She had the truth, and she chose to forsake it. She betrayed us. She betrayed me. For that, she will pay a debt of blood and pain. I will take some time yet in approaching her. She will not run. It is not in her nature."

"…Of course," said Tousen, nodding. "My apologies, Halibel. I did not mean to question your loyalty."

Halibel snorted. "You and I, both our opponents taken directly from our past. Some would call our lord cruel for this choice."

"It is a deliberate strategy," said Tousen with a shrug. "Our shared past will make both of them lacking in their resolve. Where they are doubtful, we will be resolute. I know what I must do, and I will not hesitate to do it. Is that cruel?"

"It is a boon," said Halibel. "It is what I have wanted for a very long time. Truth be told, I am grateful for the opportunity. I will sever her head and bring it to our lord- let's see you challenge my determination then."

Tousen sighed, and put a hand on his blade. "You know," he said, taking a step forward, Halibel slowly following his lead, "Lord Aizen seems to have a certain regard for her. Some degree of respect, if you will. You may be better off presenting her head to him while it's still attached to her body."

"I was given no such instruction," said Halibel coldly. "If it truly mattered to him, he might have said so. I will not stay my hand based on your speculations, Tousen."

"As you wish," said the blind captain with a shrug, "although I would not underestimate her if I were you."

"Whom do you think you are talking to? I am the tercera. I have never lost a bout to her. I will crush her, and when she lies there broken, I will kill her. There will be no torment, no excess, only a quick death. It is as good a fate as she deserves."

Halibel's pace quickened a little as she descended the stairs. In the distance, she could see her now, a mane of bright red hair, framing a suit of gleaming metal…

Erza Scarlet. I'm coming for you. Defy me, fight me; I do not care. No matter what you try, I will be ready for it.

And so the invasion has at long last begun. As you can see, I've already begun to set up some of the fights that will be occurring in this invasion, though rest assured there are more than just this I intend to show. Thing's seem to be going well for our hero's at the moment, but will things remain this way for long? There's only one way to know for sure.

I'd like to know what you think of the fights that i've set up, and also what fights you might see. Feel free to let us know. Im curious to see how many of you will be correct. We already have all the fights for the arrancar conflict figured out, so feel free to take a guess.

That's all I have for now, please let us know if you enjoyed the chapter in a review.