SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 13 out, this is Chapter 14 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 14: The Truth About the Hōgyoku

Aizen deflected Kyoraku's sword, as both Isshin and Hitsugaya sandwiched the former 5th Squad Captain from above and below respectively, both blades nicking Aizen on the arms.

"Raikōhō." Aizen calmly cast the lightning spell at the three attacking Captains, who jumped apart to dodge the attack.

"Tōshirō, go back Ichigo." Isshin instructed.

"Lieutenant Ōmaeda, Lieutenant Hisagi, the two of you as well." Guardian Frost told the two Lieutenants.

"Roger." the three Shinigami chorused and Shunpo-ed off.

"What's wrong?" Isshin questioned, he, Kyoraku, the assorted Vizards and Guardian Frost had managed to wear Aizen down with Hirako activating Sakanade as support. "You're getting slower. Are you already at your limit?"

"Yes, it seems like it." Aizen concurred. "I've reached my limit: my limit as a Shinigami, that is. My soul is going to get restructured. The Hōgyoku's will is finally beginning to understand my thoughts. Can't you tell? I'm saying that the Hōgyoku has a will on its own."

"That sounds like nonsense to me." Isshin remarked.

"I can't blame you for being unable to sense it." Aizen answered. "Even I didn't know that that Hōgyoku had its own will until becoming it's master. What do you think the Hōgyoku's power is? Is it the power to dominate two opposing forces: the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami? No, the Hōgyoku's true power is the ability to manifest the desires of those around it. Can't you tell? I'm saying that the miracles that happened around Kurosaki Ichigo, Kuchiki Rukia and Urahara Kisuke were all manifested by the Hōgyoku's will."

"What are you saying?" Hirako hissed.

"The reason why Urahara Kisuke mistakenly believed the Hōgyoku's power was the power to control the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami, is because as its creator, that is what he desired. Kuchiki Rukia passed all of her Reiryoku to Kurosaki Ichigo and lost her Shinigami powers because she was still suffering from the pain of killing Shiba Kaien. Yasutora Sado and Inoue Orihime developed special powers because deep in their hearts, they hated being considered helpless. I knew about the Hōgyoku's true power. No, I suppose it's incorrect to say I knew about it. More correctly, I knew that its power was not the power to control the boundary of Hollows and Shinigami, like Urahara Kisuke thought it was. Because, if that was really its power, Hirako Shinji and the other Vizards would never have become complete Vizards. The Hollowification of Hirako Shinji and the other Vizards was a Hollowification experiment as well as a confirmation of the Hōgyoku's powers. The experiment was a success. Urahara Kisuke's activation of the Hōgyoku's power evolved Hirako Shinji and the other Vizards into complete Vizards. And I had a hypothesis on the Hōgyoku's power. I had Kuchiki Rukia go to Kurosaki Ichigo. Naturally, there are limits to the Hōgyoku's power. The Hōgyoku has the power to manifest the desires of those around it. But if the target does not have the power to achieve it, nothing will happen. In that sense, it has the power to guide you to your desires. Living creatures are odd things. They're able to achieve their petty wishes. Honestly," he let the Hōgyoku engulf him in a white cloak. "The Hōgyoku is very aptly named. It has the power to destroy the wall that separates those who are Gods from those who aren't." his boast was cut cut by a red energy beam that shot through his shoulder. "So you've come..." he turned to see Urahara. "Urahara Kisuke."

Omake: Arrancar Encyclopedia

Ichimaru: Today, I'm going to talk about my Bankai, Kamishini no Yari. It can extend its blade up to 13 kilometers.

Ichigo: (Confused) Thirteen kilometers is difficult to comprehend.

Ichimaru: It's the size of about 13 Tokyo Towers. For Yammy... I'd say about 260 Yammys? Plus... (Extends Shinsō)

Ichigo: (Steps aside to dodge the extending blade) Whoa!

Ichimaru: If I ever forget anything, I can retrieve it as long as it's within 13 kilometers of myself. (Shinsō retracts with an umbrella dangling from the blade)

Ichigo:(Sweatdrops) How convenient.

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Urahara arrives to stop Aizen, having prepared a few tricks up his sleeve for the fight, including special armor for Yoruichi who also arrives with him. Urahara, Yoruichi, Isshin and Kyoraku all engage Aizen, but with every passing second, he becomes stronger and changes his appearance due to being infused with the Hōgyoku.

Now that's done, read and review.