Chapter 3: Preparing for the Next Move
The landscape was about as far from the Soul Society as one could get. Where as outside the Seireitei there was a mixture of forests, plains, lakes and rivers, here there was only a vast, barren desert, with the occasional withered tree, and a few forbidding mountains on the horizon. This was Hueco Mundo, the Hollow Realm, where Aizen had withdrawn to after his treachery had been laid bare for all to see. Secure in the knowledge that all was proceeding according to plan, he had taken up residence in a massive palace, with a large central dome structure surrounded by several massive towers that looked like incredibly smooth columns. The stonework was a strange grey-green hue, and looked as foreboding as the desolate wastelands around it.
Las Noches. Palace of the night. A fortress of malice and deceit, threatening to consume all who dare to enter.
In the central throne room, several people were gathered. One among them, a certain silver haired ex-captain, was kneeling before a massive marble chair. Gin Ichimaru had returned from the world of the living, and while he had failed in his primary objective, he had brought back with him some rather… interesting news.
Sitting on the throne was a brown haired man with an amused expression on his face, one that belied the cunning and deviousness within. Sousuke Aizen, former Captain of Squad Five and lord of the arrancars, was not one to be taken lightly under any circumstances. He leaned forward as Gin took out a small, emerald colored insect from his white robes. The bug disintegrated, and the particles fell to the floor, which suddenly came to life in a riot of colors before stabilizing into a picture of the park where the evening's events had taken place.
"Show me everything from the beginning," said Aizen.
Ichimaru nodded, and the events that had transpired from his attack on Rangiku Matsumoto to the intervention of the Royal Guardsman to his retreat were played out for all in the chamber to see. When it was finished, Aizen chuckled. "I figured Yammamoto would be desperate, but I never thought he'd ask for the Royal Guards' assistance. It must have frustrated him when he realized which one had taken the assignment. Those two never got along well after that incident with the captains and lieutenants a century ago." Gin nodded and replied. "Yes, especially since he was the lieutenant of Squad Three at the time, and his captain was caught up in our Hollowfication experiments. He really got under old man Yamma's skin when he kept trying to reinvestigate that mess and clear his mentor's name."
Aizen nodded. "Indeed, the Head Captain never did like to dwell upon past scandals. No wonder he wanted that incident to be forgotten by all others… as if it would be that simple. I seem to recall spending several painstaking hours erasing as many records of that encounter as possible just to cover our tracks. Yet even after his promotion to the Royal Guard, he continued to search for evidence against us. He never did trust you or I. Even Tosen wasn't above his scrutiny. It must have infuriated him when the King's realm got news of our theft of the Hogyoku and our escape to Hueco Mundo." Aizen laughed. "He was right about us all along but could never prove it. I suppose he was chomping at the bit to come to the world of the living when the replacement judges on the council relayed the Head Captain's request."
Gin chuckled as well for a moment, and then became serious. "So, what do we do about him? We anticipated the arrival of the advance squad, with an allowance for more strength that they brought with them put into the plan. This, however, could be more troublesome." Behind the throne, a dark skinned figure with pale eyes, signifying that he was blind, wearing white robes and a Zanpakuto as well, emerged. "Yes, quite so," said Kaname Tosen, former captain of Squad Nine. "That one was calm and peaceful, but also very strong… and difficult to read at times. He is a wild card, and could cause a great deal of chaos. How I hate chaos." He paused for a moment, and then continued. "Lord Aizen, let me go and deal with him. My bankai would make short work of him."
Aizen shook his head. "Your bankai is indeed strong, but in this case you overestimate it. If Zaraki of Squad Ten could defeat it after taking a few blows, then James Ralthion could counter it without a scratch, whether he would be using his shikai, bankai… or even fighting with his Zanpakuto unreleased. Don't tell me you've forgotten the Captain's Exam, where he was required to demonstrate his skills." "No Lord Aizen, but still…" "If you do recall it," replied Aizen, "then you should remember the attributes he demonstrated. His prowess in the art of the sword. The moment your blade would have brushed his clothing, he'd be able to block and counter your strike before you could reach flesh. Even with your bankai's ability to render a foe blind and deaf, so long as he could feel the ripple of his robes as a Zanpakuto came into contact with them, his reaction speed would nullify any advantage you possessed. No, we will let him be for now, and simply take his own strength into account when launching future operations."
Suddenly another voice boomed out, a rough bass tone. "Bah, he doesn't look that tough. I say let's kill him now!" The speaker was Yammy, the Tenth Espada, a muscular brute with more brawn than brains.
A much softer voice followed. "You idiot, were you not paying attention to the recording? That man was holding most of his strength back. He'd kill you in a heartbeat." With his pale face and gloomy blue-green eyes, the black haired Espada that spoke up didn't really look like much, but if one saw the tattoo under his jacket they'd be forced to reconsider. Ulquiorra, Espada number Four, was exponentially more powerful than his dull witted comrade. "Hey," replied Yammy, "I'm not that much of a weakling. Not like Ichimaru, who couldn't even scratch that new guy." "You're even dumber than I thought you were, Yammy," sighed Ulquiorra. "Director-General Ichimaru was holding back most of his strength as well. Now, hold your tongue before I cut it out!" Yammy gulped, and decided that in this case his fellow Espada was serious. He made one of his few smart decisions and proceeded to shut the hell up.
"What's the matter, Number Four? You afraid of the big-bad Royal Guard?" said another Espada, a kid with bowl-cut black hair and a ridiculous pink sheath for his Zanpakuto. Luppi, the replacement Number Six for the disgraced Grimmjow, was already letting his new position go to his head, and his ego was growing by the day. If only this Royal Guard were to go up against him and slaughter him, thought Ulquiorra. Then I'd be rid of this annoying little piece of trash. Even Grimmjow was less of a bother than him… and stronger as well.
Before he could reply, a female voice rang out. "Stop this, both of you. It's a waste of our time. Besides, Ulquiorra, didn't you have news to share with us as well? Regarding our… potential allies?" The speaker was Tia Harribel, the only current female Espada. With her messy blond hair, tan skin, and green eyes, she was a real beauty, with the lower half of her face obscured by her coat collar, a bust to rival Rangiku's, and a well exposed midriff that would make lesser men drool. One of the quieter and less combative of the top arrancars, the third Espada only spoke either when spoken to or when a serious matter was in danger of being overlooked. Her quiet grace belied her awesome power.
There's one not to get on the wrong side of. Nevertheless, in this case it seems I owe her one. She at least shut Luppi up, thought Ulquiorra. Clearing his throat, he replied. "Yes, Harribel, I was coming to that. Thank you for shutting up the trash." Before Luppi could fire a shot of his own, Ulquiorra continued. "Since my last mission to the world of the living, I've been traveling Hueco Mundo in search of information on the Vasto Lordes. The lesser Hollows will only speak of them if forced into submission, so it has been a rather tedious task. However, I have learned that there are currently three, possibly four of them at large in this realm. I have yet to learn their exact location. With all due respect, Lord Aizen, I must once again protest this plan of yours. Granted, the Vasto Lordes would make excellent allies. However, with the power they posses, they could pose a threat to the unity of our group. And if they were given access to the Hogyoku… they could become virtual gods. I will follow your orders, but in this case I am compelled to point out that this is a gamble not worth making."
To his surprise, Harribel spoke up as well. "I agree with Ulquiorra. Their massive power would be as much a threat to us as to the Soul Society. Even without access to the Hogyoku, from what I've been able to sense at a great distance, the powers of even two Vasto Lordes would be at least equal to all of the Espada. Unless we plan on devoting considerable resources to keeping them in line, I can see them as nothing but a wild card with too much potential to backfire on us."
Aizen listened to his two most trusted Espada, and then held up his hand. "I appreciate your concerns, but rest assured that I have already taken this into account. All will be revealed in due time. In the meanwhile, continue the preparations for the next phase of our plans, all of you. And please try not to kill each other in the process."
The Ten Swords of Aizen's Menos army bowed. "Yes, my lord!" they all said, and then disappeared like shadows on the wind.
Author's note: I enjoy writing intrigue, but acknowledge that I'm still developing my talents in that field. Any tips you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated! By the way, sorry I didn't write in all the Espada for the dialogue, but I couldn't think of lines for all of them in that scene, so I just stuck with a few of the more well known ones.
P.S. Harribel is awesome!