SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 12 out, this is Chapter 13 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 13: The Shocking Truth...The Mysterious Power Within Ichigo!

"Well, guess Yama-jii certainly doesn't waste time." Guardian Frost joked, seeing the pillar of flames literally incinerate Wonderweiss before he could activate his Resurrección and turning the Arrancar into ashes.

"Getsuga Tenshō!" a Hollowified Ichigo wasted no time in blasting Aizen with his charged-up attack head on, the energy slice wounding Aizen on the shoulder and the two fighters took the battle further away.

"Captain Aizen!" Hinamori cried out, about to rush over to her beloved Aizen when Guardian Frost stepped in her path. "Get out of my way!" she screamed, only to be slapped across the face by the Ice Senshi.

"You are a disgrace to all Shinigami." the Ice Guardian declared coldly. Grabbing the petite female by the wrist, she tugged the Phoenix Heart bracelet from Hinamori. "This does not belong to you. This is my final decree in regards to you, former Shinigami Hinamori Momo: from this day forth, your Shinigami status is stripped from your being. Any further punishment will be rendered once this is over."

"You can't do this!" Hinamori screeched.

"I just did." Guardian Frost stated. "Captain Suì-Fēng." she cast a look at the Onmitsukidō Commander. "Take former Shinigami Hinamori Momo into custody."

"At once." Suì-Fēng placed a hand on Hinamori's shoulder and Shunpo-ed off.

"Instant Regeneration." Ichigo gasped, seeing Aizen's wound immediately close up.

"This isn't Instant Regeneration." Aizen corrected. "Do you really think I'd undergo a Hollowification? This is just its compulsion to protect its master. It's the Hōgyoku." he revealed the jewel embedded in his chest. So this is your Reiatsu?" he mused, the streaks of Hollow Reiatsu drifting away from his fingers. "How wonderful. You've matured splendidly; just the way I wanted you to. You met Kuchiki Rukia and following your battle with Ishida Uryū, you awakened your own Shinigami power. During your battle with Abarai Renji, you learned the power of your Zanpakutō. During your battle with Zaraki Kenpachi, you got a clue about your Bankai. During your battle with Kuchiki Byakuya, you began your Hollowification. During your battle with Grimmjow, you mastered your Hollowification. And during your battle with Ulquiorra, it seems you've gained an even greater power. Kurosaki Ichigo, all the battles you've fought were part of my plan." he declared.

"All the battles... I fought..." Ichigo breathed, his Hollow mask melting away. "Were according to your plan? What do you mean by that?"

"Your voice." Aizen lifted a finger. "There is nothing to be surprised about. I simply believed that you would be a great research subject so I assisted your development. That's all I'm saying. You never thought it was strange? You had never met a Hollow in your life before you met Kuchiki Rukia, but shortly after doing so, you were attacked by one. How a Menos Grande was drawn to bait that Quincys used to attract and exterminate minor Hollows. When you began to get used to fighting as a Shinigami, Kuchiki Rukia's previously undetected Reiatsu was suddenly detected and reported to Soul Society. You fought Abarai Renji, Zaraki Kenpachi, Kuchiki Byakuya when your powers are comparable to theirs. You never once thought it was strange? Did you think you met by fate? Did you think that attack happened by chance? Did you think your victories were the result of your hard work? Don't disappoint me." he stopped Ichigo's enraged strike with a hand. "Your power should be greater than this. Don't you believe what I've said?"

"Of course not." Ichigo hissed.

"But it's the truth." Aizen assured.

"You're lying!" Ichigo snapped. "All of my battles were your doing? You planned all of it? Who'd believe that? You said before that you discovered Rukia after she had gone missing the Real World. And yet you say that you knew about me since the time I met her? That doesn't make sense."

"What an interesting thing to say." Aizen droned. "You just called me a liar and said that you would never believe me. You claim that I'm lying right now, so why do you think I was telling the truth back then? I suppose it can't be helped. I sympathize with you. This world is never about truth or lies. There are only hard facts. Despite that, everyone who exists in this world mistakenly believes that only facts that are favorable to them are truths. They have no other way to live. But for the powerless who make up most of the world, facts that act against them are the only truths. Do you know all the facts? Who stationed Kuchiki Rukia in the Real World? Who gave Abarai Renji's equipment the ability to detect Reiatsu? Who added information on your whereabouts sent to the Lieutenants? Was I really unable to figure our where the Hōgyoku was for over a hundred years?"

"There's one thing I want to ask you." Ichigo voiced. "You said that you believed that I would be a great research subject. Why? What did you base that belief on? If you saw me when I met Rukia, tell me. When did you believe that?"

"Since the beginning." Aizen answered. "Don't you understand? I'm telling you it was from the beginning. I knew about you since you were born. You were special from the moment you were born, and I don't mean it was due to Genbu. That's because you're a human and..." he was cut off when Isshin forced him back with his sword, the former 10th Squad Captain appearing in front of his son in his Shinigami garb.

"You talk too much." Isshin chided, the Byakko talisman, now in the shape of a curved pitcher, was dangling from his belt. "Aizen."

"Captain Shiba..." Hitsugaya recognized the familiar Reiatsu that had entered the fight.

"Dad..." Ichigo breathed in shock. "Say something." he gawked as Isshin turned and walked towards him. "Ow!" he whined when Isshin headbutted him. "You bastard!" he wailed when Isshin kicked him to the ground.

"Keeping his distance, I see." Aizen noted when Isshin Shunpo-ed off with Ichigo in tow. "A wise decision."

"Shut up!" Isshin rebuked, muffling his struggling son under his hand. "I know what you want to ask. Be quiet for now."

"I know I have to be quiet." Ichigo retorted, kicking Isshin in the face to free himself. "I was telling you I couldn't breathe."

"No matter how much you stare, you're not imaging things." Isshin fixed his face.

"So it seems." Ichigo concurred.

"I'll talk about it later." Isshin looked away. "There are probably tons of things you want to ask me, but all of it..."

"No, there's not." Ichigo cut him off. "There's nothing I want to ask you." he reclaimed Tensa Zangetsu. "You probably had your reasons for not telling me about it. That's your problem. I don't know how to ask you about that. I don't know a good way of asking you about that without trampling on your feelings. So I'll wait, until you feel like telling me." he stood up. "Until you feel the time is right. Until then, you don't need to tell me."

"It seems you've learnt some tact." Isshin smiled.

"I picked it up form Hasu." Ichigo replied. "Thanks for hitting me, Dad." shooting up into the air, he attacked Ichimaru from behind, the shockwave forcing Aizen to move into the air.

In response, Isshin took off after Aizen, locking his blade with his, and flicking his finger at the traitor and sending him flying towards the assorted Shinigami.

"Welcome back, Captain Shiba." Hitsugaya greeted his former superior.

"Well, that's a face we haven't seen in a while." Kyoraku grinned at his old drinking buddy.

Omake: Quincy Encyclopedia

Ryūken is working on paperwork.

Ryūken: Kurosaki, if you have the time to be lazing around, then help me with my work. Hey. Are you listening? (Turns and spots a piece of paper on the consultation bed that reads 'I've got some business to attend to. Sorry. From Isshin.')

Ryūken: (Crumbles the note in his hand and manifests 'Heilig Bogen', aiming for a photo of Isshin and Ichigo tacked on the wall and fires a salvo of Quincy arrows at the photo)

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, as the battle between Aizen and the Shinigami still rages on, the former reveals that he has reached the limit of his Shinigami self. Subsequently, the Hōgyoku begins to reconstruct his soul. In shock, the gathered Shinigami discover through Aizen's statements the true power of the Hōgyoku, which is to 'manifest' the desires of all the people within its vicinity. As Aizen's transformation intensifies, Urahara arrives to participate in the battle.

Now that's done, read and review.