Rukia closed her eyes in concentration and then suddenly shot them open. The wind picked up around her feet blowing sand behind her. Rukia launched into the air and then accelerated toward Captain Mayuri and crew. The sand exploded in the air as she increased her speed.
Captain Mayuri grinned as he stared at the statue-looking Szayel. Nemu had already been revived. "What do we do now, captain?" Renji asked.
"We find Rukia Kuchiki, of course," Captain Mayuri answered.
"I am going to have to object," Ishida said although he was too exhausted to do anything about it.
Mayuri chuckled. "Don't worry. It appears she's coming towards us."
"What?" Renji wondered.
A disturbance in the distance could be seen. Rukia created a sonic boom as she approached Mayuri. The captain licked his lips in anticipation as Rukia came closer. Suddenly, Rukia sailed high into the air and landed abruptly on the ground. Ishida and Renji were nearly buried in sand from the impact.
Rukia steadied herself and stared at Mayuri. The captain grinned and inspected her staff weapon. "Is that your Bankai? Awfully small, isn't it," Mayuri commented.
"Though size can be deceiving," Mayuri allowed.
"Bankai?" Renji gasped.
Rukia eyed Renji; a spark of humanity briefly showed itself and then she returned to her icy stare. "It is sufficient to kill you, Captain Mayuri," Rukia replied coldly.
Mayuri grinned. "How dangerous!"
"Rukia! What happened to you? Are you okay?" Renji asked, trying to get her attention.
Rukia turned to Renji. "We're fine," Rukia said simply.
"Have you seen any of the others: Orihime, Chad, or Ichigo?" Ishida asked.
Rukia considered the question thoughtfully. "We have not seen Orihime or Ichigo," Rukia said. "Chad is dead," she reported.
Ishida and Renji gave shocked expressions. "Where did you place the body? He can still provide valuable samples for my research," Mayuri asked.
Rukia ignored Mayuri and concentrated on Renji. "You're hurt," Rukia realized.
"I'll be all right," Renji said although he was not completely sure that was true.
Rukia held Renji's hands affectionately. They had been made raw from constantly swinging his Shikai. "A moment ago, I couldn't sense your reiatsu. I thought you had died," Renji said somberly.
Rukia met Renji's eyes. "You won't have to worry about us ever again. We promise," Rukia smiled.
Renji knew something was different about Rukia. Her dress and appearance was different. Her tone and her use of the plural were also a little different but none of this mattered. Rukia was alive and well. Renji smiled relieved and then kissed her on the lips.
Rukia felt a rush as Renji kissed her for the first time. It was something that was building for decades between them. She kissed him back and held him close. Ishida blushed and adjusted his glasses.
Flashes of Renji went through Rukia's mind. She saw all the good times they had together: their friendship on the streets, their academy days, and finally their graduation in the Gotie 13. But then other flashes went through her mind: the time when Renji swung his Shikai slicing into the shoulder of her gigai in a dark corner, Ishida on the ground severely injured, her brother coldly looked on. Ichigo clashed with Renji on her behalf as he tried desperately to keep her safe.
Rukia's pupils became slits as she recalled that event. Renji released himself as something was terribly wrong. Rukia looked on coldly as Renji began coughing. Ishida and Mayuri stared as Renji struggled to breathe.
"What's wrong with me?" Renji wondered. He felt like his lungs were freezing.
Renji gave Rukia a confused look. "I have one love and you're not him," Rukia told him.
"Rukia," Renji gasped.
Within seconds, what was happening to Renji on the inside appeared on the outside. Renji gave Rukia a resigned look as his body slowly began to freeze in place. "I'm sorry," he said and then froze solid.
Ishida watched in horror as the frozen statue of Renji cracked and fell to pieces. Rukia then glared at Mayuri, her next target.
"How delightful! What a power!" Mayuri said excitably.
"Rukia, what have you done?" Ishida gasped.
"One less Shinigami," Rukia silenced him.
"Nemu, bring her to me," Mayuri ordered.
"Yes, Mayuri," Nemu said respectfully.
Nemu sped toward Rukia and then kicked the staff out of her hands. Rukia slammed her shoulder into Nemu knocking her back. Mayuri suddenly rushed Rukia with his Shikai and lightly sliced Rukia's shoulder.
Rukia fired a kido blast at Mayuri sending him to the ground. Her shoulder wound quickly disappeared. Rukia outstretched her arm and retrieved her staff. Nemu attempted a second time to disarm her, but Rukia sent a wind storm at her tossing her aside.
Mayuri laughed as he got back to his feet. Rukia aimed her staff at Mayuri and fired an intense beam of light. Mayuri dodged the shot but it blasted his left shoulder spraying blood on the sand.
"Bankai!" Mayuri summoned as he became panicked.
The Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō suddenly appeared completely healed from its last battle with the Espada. It glared at Rukia and breathed a purple poisonous gas on her. "Devour her!" Mayuri ordered.
The Jizo rushed Rukia hungrily. Rukia whirled her staff and then aimed the end at the Jizo. Mayuri watched in wonderment as a cold beam hit the monster freezing it in place. The wind picked up as a white fire aura flowed around her frame. Rukia fired a second shot causing the Jizo to explode into millions of ice shards.
Mayuri gave an irritated look as his Bankai exploded. He worked to regress it back to his Shikai. Rukia suddenly fell to her knees as the poison was now finally affecting her.
"About time. When I sliced your shoulder, I gave you a poisonous agent and the Jizo also gave you a heavy dose. It's impressive that you were still able to fight," Mayuri observed.
"Don't worry. The poison won't kill you. You're much more valuable alive. I will be able to do what I wanted to do in the beginning. I will remove the growth inside you and find out its secrets," Mayuri smiled.
Rukia's body weakened as the poison took its toll. She could no longer stand. Ishida watched cautiously. Mayuri gleefully whirled his Shikai and walked over to Rukia.
"Finding the right poison was easy enough. I already had a good sample of your DNA," Mayuri said.
Rukia couldn't recall when Mayuri had taken a DNA sample from her. "When?" she choked out.
Mayuri grinned. "Oh, not your DNA sample specifically. Your sister was able to give me all the information I could need," Mayuri revealed.
Rukia stared at Mayuri with confusion. "I see you're still confused. I hope the poison is not affecting your brain," Mayuri said insultingly.
"No one in Soul Society just gets sick," he told her. "The nobles of the Kuchiki Clan were very angry that your brother married a commoner. They pled their case to Commander Yamamoto to force a divorce but the commander refused for appearance's sake. He suggested that they get rid of her in a discreet fashion," Mayuri explained.
Rukia listened intently as Mayuri continued. "The old man sent me to make a poison no one would detect as foul play. Hisana Kuchiki did get sick but the medicine I gave her only furthered the disease," Mayuri said.
Rukia gave Mayuri a look of shock. "What a surprise it was for the nobles when your brother adopted you!" Mayuri laughed.
"Think of the calamity, the shame. Did you ever wonder why the commander was so eager to execute you?" Mayuri smirked.
Rukia glared at Mayuri but could no longer speak. Ishida gave Mayuri a horrified look but was in no condition to stop the captain and his vice-captain. Inside Rukia's body, the poison began affecting all of her organs through her bloodstream.
Suddenly, the poisonous organisms in her body began to freeze and break apart. Rukia's sub-zero temperature began killing the poisonous agent. Ishida noticed the slight increase in reiatsu from Rukia but felt no need to tell the captain.
Rukia clenched her fists in anger and got back to her feet. Mayuri looked her over in wonder. Rukia screamed in rage. A blinding light hit all three of them. The sand exploded around her; her staff glowed a bright white. Mayuri watched in fascination as her white aura took on the form of a white dove.
The energy emitted from Rukia shook Hueco Mundo like an earthquake. Ichigo lost his footing as the ground shook. Kenpachi kept his footing and looked in the direction of the force.
"What's happening?" Ichigo asked stunned.
"A strong reiatsu," Kenpachi said.
A strong wind blew past them making it difficult for the two of them to keep standing. Kenpachi smiled. "It seems Captain Mayuri gets all the fun."
"Whose power is it? An Espada?" Ichigo wondered.
"It's Rukia," Kenpachi told him. "I can feel the hate from all the way over here. I pity Mayuri," Kenpachi thought to himself.
Halibel and her Fraccion sensed the disturbance in the distance. "What power," one of her Fraccion members observed.
Halibel kept her calm. "It is not Shinigami nor is it Espada. What is this?" she wondered.
"Stay calm. It will pass," she told her group.
Rukia gave an expression of rage, as her power continued to spike. Mayuri gave a wide-eyed look as Rukia's power continued to increase. "She must have a limit," Mayuri told himself.
Nemu went into a fighting position as Rukia readied her staff. Rukia walked slowly towards Mayuri, her aura continued to blind anyone near her. Nemu punched forward but her arm froze and then shattered before it could get to Rukia's face. Rukia swung her scythe blade shattering her lower extremities. Nemu's torso briefly stayed together before it exploded into frozen shards.
Mayuri grimaced at losing his vice-captain. "I will have to make a new one in the lab. What a pain," he said to himself.
Ishida got out of the way as Rukia advanced on Mayuri. "Her temperature must have killed my poisonous agent," he realized.
"How could someone survive at this temperature?" Mayuri wondered.
Mayuri pointed his sword at Rukia and hit her with a high-intensity beam of red light. The red beam hit Rukia's aura and disappeared. Mayuri backed away as he realized he was going to be overwhelmed. Mayuri created a pinkish fireball in his left hand and threw it at Rukia. The fireball exploded before impacting Rukia. Mayuri tried again but none of his shots had any effect.
Rukia sped toward Mayuri with her scythe blade. She sliced open Mayuri's chest splattering his robes with blood. Mayuri tried to slice down on Rukia, but she blocked the attack with her staff. Rukia pulled away and sliced at Mayuri again, but he suddenly exploded into the sand.
Rukia looked around confused as she could no longer see Mayuri. Mayuri appeared to her side and tried to swipe at her. Rukia sliced him in half with her scythe blade, but he instantly turned to sand. Rukia looked around in all directions as she tried to adapt to Mayuri's chameleon abilities.
Suddenly, two white hands grabbed her ankles and pulled her underneath the sand. Rukia suddenly sank into the sand. The sand was threatening to bury her. Ishida sped toward Rukia and grasped her hand before she fell in. Ishida winced as Rukia's cold temperature affected his hand even though it was gloved.
"Back off boy!" Mayuri kicked Ishida away.
Rukia blasted the sand off her and clashed with Mayuri's sword. Mayuri released a purple gas from his Shikai, but Rukia used the wind to push the poison into Mayuri's face. Mayuri coughed from the gas and suddenly his throat was slit from Rukia's scythe.
"You forget…that I can liquefy myself. You can't hurt me when I am in a liquid state," Mayuri chocked out.
Rukia gave Mayuri a confused look as he took his sword and sliced open his throat. Suddenly, Mayuri turned into green liquid leaving his clothes behind. Mayuri laughed hysterically as the liquid flowed away.
Rukia shot up into the air and aimed her staff at the ground. "It's useless," Mayuri continued to laugh.
Rukia sent a high-intensity beam down onto the ground. The beam sliced the sand creating a large hole. Ishida watched in amazement, as Rukia created a deep pit. Rukia continued her stream of energy until she could no longer see the bottom.
"What are you doing?" Mayuri wondered as the ground shook around him.
Rukia watched as Mayuri's liquid self fell into the pit. He screamed as his liquid body fell to the bottom. Rukia aimed and blasted the sand around the pit four times. The sand exploded into the air and fell into pit. The pit immediately collapsed as sand flowed into the pit. Mayuri's liquid body became crushed by several tons of sand.
Ishida peered into the collapsed pit. "Even if he could bring himself back together, it would be difficult to get to the surface," he considered.
Rukia descended to the ground near Ishida. Ishida powered down his bow. If Rukia wanted to kill him, he wouldn't be able to stop her. Rukia looked down at the pit from Ishida's angle.
"He won't be coming back any time soon," Ishida smiled.
Rukia smiled back and then rested her head on his shoulder. Ishida wondered what she was doing but then he saw tears flow from her eyes. Ishida gave a sympathetic look and held Rukia tightly as she sobbed. No words could console her. Ishida simply held her as she cried her eyes out on his Quincy uniform.
Rukia and Ishida walked slowly on the sand and found Szayel's laboratory. "It looks like a storage center of some kind," Ishida figured.
There was a thick door preventing them from entering. Rukia aimed her staff and blasted the doors open. The two went inside. Ishida looked around and saw rows of jars filled with liquid and various items.
Rukia looked around but gave no expression. Ishida was thoroughly disgusted by the pieces of flesh and skulls that had been collected. "And he called himself a scientist," Ishida said aghast.
"Science can tell you how but not why," Rukia said softly.
"I agree. Let's destroy this place," Ishida suggested.
Rukia eyed Ishida, as he powered up his bow from his cross necklace. Ishida aimed and fired hundreds of shots at once. Blue beams destroyed every jar and every piece of equipment. After a few seconds, Ishida had destroyed the entire laboratory.
Ishida and Rukia walked away from the burning lab. Rukia had a subdued tone. "I guess we should join up with the others," Ishida said helpfully.
"Yes," Rukia sighed.
"At the risk of leaving something better unsaid…why did you spare me?" Ishida asked.
Rukia gave Ishida an odd look. "I mean…Quincy are the enemies of Shinigami," Ishida added cautiously.
"No Quincy ever harmed us," Rukia said simply.
"But Renji?" Ishida asked her.
Rukia looked down depressed. "He desired our affections, but he hurt us too many times," Rukia said.
Rukia turned to face Ishida. "You neither hate us nor love us," Rukia stated.
Ishida considered her words thoughtfully. "How can you be so sure," Ishida tested.
Rukia smirked. It was the first smile in a while. "You love another," she said simply.
Ishida blushed and tried to hide any confirmation of her statement. He didn't dare to question her more on the subject.
As they walked on the sand, Rukia eyed Ishida's cross necklace hanging from his right arm. "You are a Christian," Rukia realized.
Ishida smiled. "Is it that obvious?" he smiled.
"I sent quite a few to Soul Society in my duties," Rukia said conversationally.
"You going to tell me it's wrong?" Ishida assumed.
Rukia shook her head. "No," she replied.
"Soul Society isn't the end, is it?" Ishida asked. "For all souls," he added for clarification.
Rukia eyed Ishida curiously. "Why do you say that?"
"It just seems that there is too much suffering in Soul Society. There are the poor, people with diseases and a lot of injustices," Ishida judged.
Rukia nodded thoughtfully. "Some say that when a soul in Soul Society dies, they reincarnate into another living body. Others say there is a life beyond Soul Society…but we believe that there is no end," Rukia said.
"Is there a God?" Ishida asked finally.
"We know so," Rukia replied.
Rukia and Ishida made their way to Ichigo and Kenpachi. Ichigo looked up and saw Rukia on top of a sandhill.
"Rukia!" he said excitedly.
Ichigo ran up the hill to meet her and Ishida. "Ichigo, you're safe," Rukia said pleased.
"There was no need for you to run up the hill. We intended to come down eventually," Ishida scolded.
"Shut up, Ishida," Ichigo said annoyed.
Ichigo turned to Rukia. "How are you? That was an incredible reiatsu," Ichigo said worriedly.
"We're fine," Rukia said, and then held his chin.
Ichigo gave an uncomfortable look as Rukia turned to see each side of his face as if to examine him. "You seem alright," Rukia commented.
"I could have told you that," Ichigo said peeved.
Rukia looked down as she remembered something important. "Ichigo….Chad is dead," she said softly.
Ichigo stared at Rukia as if he hadn't heard her. "What?" he doubted.
"We're sorry," Rukia said sadly.
"No…no, it can't be," Ichigo said becoming frustrated.
"Sorry," Rukia muttered.
"No, Orihime can bring him back. She can revert space….time, and stuff," Ichigo stuttered.
"Orihime's powers have never brought someone back from the dead before," Ishida doubted.
"We have to try. It can work," Ichigo said becoming excited.
"Ichigo, let it go," Ishida advised.
Ichigo grabbed Ishida's jacket. "No, it's my fault this happened. I brought you all here," Ichigo shouted.
"Don't be stupid. We each volunteered to come here," Ishida pushed Ichigo away.
"Ichigo, he's not gone. We will see him again. Trust me," Rukia said.
Ichigo felt a warm feeling wash over him. "You're right. Let's go find Orihime," Ichigo suggested.
"First, let me heal you," Rukia insisted.
Ichigo watched in amazement as Rukia put two hands on his chest. White spiritual energy pulsed into Ichigo healing all of his wounds.
"I recall you not offering to heal me," Ishida noted.
"It doesn't work that way. Part of Ichigo is in me which allows me to heal him," Rukia explained.
"That sounds gross," Ichigo said immaturely.
"I'm done," Rukia said letting go.
Ichigo felt brand new as he checked himself all over. Rukia turned to Captain Kenpachi. "That was an impressive reiatsu," he said.
"You felt it," Rukia smiled amusedly and then turned serious. "Captain Unohana, Vice-Captain Isane, Captain Mayuri, Vice-Captain Nemu, and Vice-Captain Renji are dead," she said without emotion.
Kenpachi merely shrugged. "That sucks, but what are you going to do about it," he said simply but deep down he felt terrible.
Rukia gave Kenpachi an odd look and turned to a more horrified Ichigo. "How did they die?' he asked stunned.
"You shouldn't ask about that," Ishida advised.
"Why the hell not?" Ichigo asked annoyed.
"They were killed by the Espada," Rukia said finally.
Ichigo frowned disappointedly. "What about Byakuya?" Ichigo asked.
"I don't know," Rukia said truthfully.
Captain Byakuya was trapped inside a large ice formation. He had been trapped in the ice for some time. The ice was reinforced with Rukia's reiatsu and could not be physically shattered.
Byakuya's index finger glowed slightly and then exploded the ice around his right arm. Byakuya slowly busted up the ice around him until he was free. An annoyed Byakuya collected his sword's hilt and summoned his blades to form his sword.
Byakuya looked around at his surroundings and sensed for the others. He could no longer sense Captain Mayuri or Captain Unohana. His battles with the Espada and Rukia had weakened him and his left leg was still unusable.
Byakuya slowly made his way across the desert plains.
Rukia, Ichigo, and Ishida gathered around. "Let's find Orihime," Ichigo said confidently. He believed firmly in his heart that if they could find her, he could reverse all that had happened in Hueco Mundo. Chad, Renji, and everyone else would be alive once more.
Ichigo and Rukia flew up into the air and shot toward Las Noches' central command. Ishida jumped up and created a surfboard of pure spiritual energy.
Ichigo let loose an attack on the fortress with his Bankai blasting a hole in the structure. The four landed through the hall. The hall was dark except for a portal at the far side of the room. Ulquiorra stood at a lower level with Orihime.
"Orihime," Ichigo realized upon seeing her.
Orihime gave a frightened look as Ulquiorra stood next to her. "Rukia Kuchiki. You are quite interesting," Ulquiorra complimented.
"Where's Aizen?" Ichigo demanded.
"Aizen, the two other Shinigami, and the three highest-ranking Espada have left for the living world," Ulquiorra explained.
"He will not succeed. The old man will stop him," Ichigo said confidently.
"I doubt there is anything Aizen fears. However…he invites Kuchiki Rukia to join him," Ulquiorra invited.
Rukia walked ahead of the three. "Rukia, you can't be serious!" Ichigo shouted after her.
Rukia gave him a conflicted look and then turned to him. "He killed Rukia's sister. He tried to have Rukia executed and he wants to kill us," Rukia justified.
"I know but if he dies Aizen will get his way. Everyone in the town will die," Ichigo explained to her.
Rukia considered Ichigo's argument. "If we join him, will you let them go?" she asked Ulquiorra as she continued to face Ichigo.
"It is agreed. I only care to fulfill Aizen's wish. For their own safety, they should stay here," Ulquiorra replied.
"You can't trust him," Ichigo told her angrily.
"If you fight you will die," Rukia said. It was not speculation.
Rukia turned away from Ichigo and walked towards the portal. Ichigo suddenly phased in front of her with his Bankai out front. "I can't let you leave," he said stubbornly.
Rukia smiled at Ichigo. "We love you Ichigo, but you can be an idiot sometimes," Rukia said.
Ichigo gave her a dumbstruck look. Rukia reached out and touched his Bankai. Ichigo's Bankai was dissolved and replaced with his Shikai. Rukia then increased her reiatsu dramatically slamming Ichigo to the floor.
Ulquiorra elegantly took Rukia's hand and walked her up the stairs towards the portal. "Don't let them leave," she told him.
"I assure you they won't," Ulquiorra told her.
Rukia nodded and then went through the portal. Ichigo got back to his feet and rushed the portal. "Rukia!" he shouted after her.
Ulquiorra suddenly side punched Ichigo hard blasting him into a pillar. "Did you not understand me?" he asked. "You will be staying here for the remainder of the battle," Ulquiorra told them all.
Rukia appeared in the middle of a powerful battle between Arrancar and Shinigami. The Fraccion of Barragan and Halibel had been defeated. Rukia looked around and saw four pillars on the four corners of the city.
A closer examination of the city revealed it to be a fake. Rukia didn't quite understand what had happened, but she was relieved. As she thought, Commander Yamamoto was in the center of the fight among five other Captains.
Rukia looked to her right and saw a fiery trap hovering in mid-air. "Aizen must be inside that," she said to herself.
Captain Ukitake turned his view from Lilinette, a Fraccion of Espada Stark, and looked upon Rukia as she entered the living world.
"Rukia?" he wondered as she appeared differently.
The Three Espada and the Shinigami captains gave her a confused look. Neither side knew what side she was on or what she was doing there. Rukia took out her sword and held it up to eye level.
"I think we have more trouble," Captain Shunsui said as he blocked a lazy attack by Stark.
"How can you tell?" Stark wondered.
"She seems serious," Captain Hitsugaya noticed.
"Assume Rukia is the enemy," Commander Yamamoto ordered.
Rukia watched, as her sword glowed a bright white. "Bankai," she said softly.
There was an explosion of energy as Rukia's Bankai took shape. Her sword slowly morphed into her staff. Rukia pointed her staff at the firewall trapping Aizen and the two other traitor captains.
A beam of intense cold hit the fiery wall causing the fire to fall away little by little. Rukia put all of her strength in pushing the fire away and freeing the three. Yamamoto watched in stunned silence as the fiery barrier was lifted.
Aizen turned to Rukia. "Thank you," Aizen said pleased.
"We are here only for Commander Yamamoto," she told him.
"Of course," Aizen said understandingly.
The captains and vice-captains backed away as Aizen became free. "Why did she do that?" Rangiku asked confused.
"Rukia," Captain Ukitake gasped in shock.
Suddenly, a new presence appeared in front of the four. "Long time no see…Aizen," Shinji smiled with his Vizard squad behind him.
The Vizard squad phased away to assist the Shinigami Captains while Shinji made small talk with the commander. Rukia eyed Shinji with hate as the two seemed to converse on friendly terms.
"Watch, Rukia, the Espada will defeat them all. There is no need to fight, just yet," Aizen told her.
Rukia held herself in check as the Vizards, Shinigami, and Espada fought. Shinji then appeared before Aizen. "So, you have sided with Aizen now? I'm sorry I saved your life," Shinji said glaringly.
"You will be fighting me, Captain Hirako," Aizen said before Rukia could make a move.
"Very well," Shinji smiled.
Rukia watched from the sidelines as Aizen and Shinji dueled. With her eyes, she had difficulty understanding their movements. It was like they were stabbing and slicing at the air.
Meanwhile, the Vizards proved useful in battle giving the Shinigami the edge. Barragan became trapped in Hachigen's kido force fields. Upon breaking free, Barragan attempted to kill Hachigen, Soi Fong, and Omaeda in a final strike. Hachigen lost an arm in the assault, but Barragan had been tricked. The arm of Hachigen was inside Barragan's gut. His own power ate away at Barragan until he was no more. As a last act of revenge, Barragan threw his ax at Aizen. The ax turned to dust before it could reach him.
Stark slowly but surely became overwhelmed by four Vizard and Shinigami captains. He was stabbed through by Captain Shunsui and fell to his death. Halibel was not faring much better as Captain Hitsugaya, Lisa, and Hiyori kept her at bay.
"Let's end this," Aizen said finally.
He suddenly appeared next to Halibel and sliced her across the midsection with his sword. "Aizen!" Halibel shouted enraged as she tried to stab him through. Aizen then disappeared before her. The real Aizen stabbed her from behind. "Don't make me go through the effort," Aizen said condescendingly to her.
Halibel then fell to the ground ending the Espada's battle with the Shinigami.
With the Espada thoroughly defeated and Wonderweise preoccupied with the Vizard Captain Kensei, Aizen was left vulnerable to attack. Tousen had gone off to settle a score with his former friend and subordinate: Captain Konamaru and Vice-Captain Hisagi. Gin had just sliced Hiyori in two but was otherwise not involved in the battle.
Aizen, Gin, and Rukia watched calmly as the Vizards and Shinigami organized themselves for a final confrontation. Shinji led the group and activated his Bankai before Aizen. A pink mist filled the air and then from Rukia's point of view, it appeared as if the two were fighting in reverse.
Gin and Rukia looked over at Tousen's fight with Captain Konamaru as Hisagi had already been stabbed. Tousen had transformed into a giant insect, his resurrection form, and could now physically see for the first time. But as she saw Tousen about to finish Konamaru off, Hisagi was approaching slowly from behind.
Gin grinned as if he didn't care about Tousen's fate. Rukia recalled how Tousen had gathered her up and taken her back to the execution site so that Aizen could collect the Hogyoku. Hisagi then slew Tousen with a stab through his head. Tousen returned to his Shinigami form and died in the presence of Konamaru and Hisagi.
"Show them what you can do. Archive your revenge," Aizen encouraged Rukia.
"Hakka no Togame," Rukia said softly.
The air around Rukia became colder until it reached absolute zero. The very air in the city turned to frost and fell to the ground in the form of snow. The Shinigami captains and Vizards became quickly aware of what was happening and immediately charged Aizen and Rukia.
"Kokujo Tengen Myo-oh!" Konamaru shouted as he flung his giant samurai's blade down upon them.
The samurai lost speed and became frozen completely. It then broke apart into pieces crashing down onto the ground. Konamaru likewise shattered to pieces with his Bankai. Aizen quickly dispatched Rose and Love as they charged forward. Their weapons shattered in the extreme cold before they could even get a hit on Aizen. Lisa went for a strike with her staff only to have it cut in two by Aizen's sword. Aizen then slashed her to the midsection.
Rukia then eyed Aizen as Captain Soi-Fong, Shunsui, and Hitsugaya ganged up on Aizen. Soi-Fong stabbed him twice to the chest with her stinger, Hitsugaya trapped Aizen's arm, and Shunsui stabbed Aizen through the back with the shadow he made on the ice. Although Rukia had been trapped by Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu when he had shown it to her, the unborn child had not. She could see that Aizen had replaced himself with Hinamori. The real Aizen, impersonating Hinamori, on the ground took Iba and Kira down in surprise attacks.
Enraged, Hitsugaya led Shunsui, Soi-Fong, and Shinji to attack Aizen all at once. They were quickly defeated unable to see where Aizen really was or match his spiritual pressure. The bodies of the injured, dying, or already dead shattered in the cold leaving only Commander Yamamoto left.
A powerful fire blast appeared next to Aizen. The Commander was present in the fire. Additional pillars of fire were present throughout the city. Aizen stabbed him through. The commander took hold of Aizen in a suicidal attack that would kill them both. The flames roared all around Yamamoto and Aizen as he prepared his attack.
Rukia looked over and found Wonderweis' shattered remains alongside Kensei and Mashiro. Gin had a look of concern on his face indicating to Rukia the seriousness of the situation as the atmosphere reheated. Aizen glared at the commander, as he realized he had been tricked. While the battle had been raging, the commander had been working on this attack.
Rukia saw her chance for revenge and fired. The stream of super cold air hit the Commander stunning him and extinguishing the flames around him. Aizen withdrew from the commander.
"Kuchiki Rukia," Yamamoto said glaringly.
"You had my sister killed," she accused.
Aizen gave Yamamoto a surprised look. He was not aware of this but not surprised. Then, he smiled as he realized why Rukia had been so compliant. "This is not the time to discuss such trifling matters," Yamamoto said.
"It means everything to me," Rukia said angrily as she extinguished another pillar of flames.
"You never knew your sister. Look at your comrades below who have been hurt by this man," Yamamoto said to her.
Rukia considered Captain Ukitake's fallen form and then all the others. "You weren't there to see my brother's mourning, you weren't there to see how he looked at me with grief, and you weren't there to see the elders scorn at me when I first arrived," she said to him.
"Stop this foolishness. The world is at stake," Yamamoto lectured.
"I have only one more to kill and then you are on your own. Whether you succeed or fall is no longer my concern," Rukia said to Aizen.
"Of course," he smirked.
Rukia aimed her staff and froze Yamamoto in place but the ice would not hold him for long. He cast the ice off him within seconds. Rukia whirled her staff and went for a stab. Yamamoto and Rukia clashed creating an excess of fire and ice. Yamamoto opened his eyes in surprise at Rukia's newfound strength. Aizen watched cautiously as the two fought. Yamamoto aimed his sword at Rukia's abdomen so as to puncture the child inside, but Rukia blocked him just in time. He realized that if he could kill the child, he would be able to radically reduce Rukia's power. Master and student fought in a lethal duel where any strike could kill either of them.