Chapter 15 :::Valor & Disgrace:::

As the portal opened, the ragtag troop of Shinigami misfits stepped out onto the pale white steps in front of the palace. Although the buildings were still undergoing renovation, it seemed trivial compared to the ragged structural damage before them...the shattered windows, the cracked plaster, and walls ravaged by war. To think, this structure had once been Aizen's crowning achievement and a testament to his prowess and utter invincibility...but now?

Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi, Ichigo, Rukia, and Uryu Ishida surveyed the ruins with dismay and uncertainty. This was the first that any of them had witnessed the aftermath of the Soul Society's most recent attempt to wipe out the "hollow threat."

"I can't believe those fools did this...like local bullies at a playground. Is this what the Soul Society has been reduced to?" Yoruichi said vehemently.

"This is just the beginning. Now that all the major decisions go through First captain, Yamamoto, it will not be long before the eventual extermination of life on Hueco Mundo is complete. Hollows are part of the cycle of life and death… He does not realize that this will be the beginning of the end…for all of us. Not to mention the fact that Yamamoto is leaving Soul Society and Earth vulnerable to attack, having only depleted forces to defend them." Kisuke said sadly.

"No, this cannot continue. We have to stop this! What the hell did any of these poor creatures ever do to anyone? Even predators have a place in the universe. To destroy them is to destroy ourselves," Rukia said determinedly while eyeing an abused weaker hollow with a cracked mask, who quickly scurried away, having caught site of the strange interlopers.

"I know what you mean, still, this place gives me the creeps…and it always will," Ichigo said with disdain.

"This is pointless. Why are we all just standing here? Where is our guide? Weren't we promised one upon arrival?" Uryu Ishida stated impatiently.

"…Forgive my late arrival. Welcome, dear friends, to Los Noches…"

They heard the voice of the female Arrancar long before she made her appearance. Her use of Sonido had improved considerably since the last time she met any of them…then again, she was still in child form back then…

Within the blink of an eye a robust woman all in white had stepped out from a small cloud of sand and bowed neatly before them. Her uniform was a crisp white skirted-jumpsuit, which covered her from head to toe. Her middle was belted with a stately looking black sash which adorned her tiny waist. Her unruly teal hair blew out and obscured most of her face as it wisped outward, billowing out around her like the sea. Despite the natural camouflage, she displayed a rather somber expression…it seemed the Soul Society's flagrant disregard for lost life had affected her normally-sunny disposition as well.

"N-Nel? Is that you?" Ichigo said with wide eyes as he took in the imposing horned mask, now repaired and in pristine condition, sitting atop her regal head.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute Soul Reaper, it has been a long time," Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck stated formally as she closed her right fist just over her left shoulder. A black scrolled number "3" appeared briefly on her chest…but then disappeared just as quickly. Ichigo knew this to be a show of respect, while allowing her audience to acknowledge her status and rank.

"You're an Espada?" Rukia remarked with surprise.

It was a lot for her to wrap her head around as she thought back to Nel's prior form…a snot-nosed toddler with a jealous streak and a penchant for making nasty faces…(not to mention the possessive behavior she had displayed regarding Ichigo.)

"I have been reinstated as Third Espada. Once again, my thanks to you, Ichigo." Nel said bowing…(Rukia bristled impatiently at the gesture.)

"Well…," Ichigo said blushing, "I don't know about all that. …WHAT Rukia?"

Rukia eyed the buxom teal-haired beauty with something akin to envy…and then she narrowed her eyes slightly at Ichigo.

"Men (she mumbled)…*sigh* …Oh nothing," Rukia said while rolling her eyes dramatically.

" *ahem*, You look like you've just returned from a long journey…," Yoruichi said to Nel noting the travel dust and scuff marks along Nel's uniform, white shoes, and gloves.

"Yes, there is much to be done as of late. As you know, our forces were decimated after the last conflict with the Soul Society. Our leader knows we will not survive if we do not enlist more allies to our cause. …I have been assigned to locate and recruit the remaining Vasto Lorde Menos and persuade them to join us…as well as any Privaron Espada left alive, though perhaps, in hiding. So far, I have successfully uncovered three Espada. This gives us an army of four total, not including our Sovereign… Goodness, listen to me go on. Come, I must get you to the conference hall." Nelliel said as she lead them briskly through the large white cathedral doorway.

Nelliel continued to lead them through a simple courtyard adorned with one lone statue. The dilapidated pink-haired, grey-robed figure was covered with flakes of dust and sediment that had accumulated over several months time. ...Even the metal of the sword sticking out from his breast had dulled somewhat. None of the weaker hollow servants or groundskeepers had gone near it…either out of fear or superstition.

The interlopers walked by the obscured gowned figure without pause, however, Uryu stopped abruptly as soon as he saw it. Recognition set in as he scrutinized the remains of none other than, "Szayel Aporro Granz" whose form now stood on a worn pedestal…a grotesque statue, all alone within the small courtyard, for all to see.

"Dear God, that's…the Eighth Espada!"

"Yes," Nel continued, "our leader has ordered us to leave him here to serve as a cautionary tale to all remaining Hollows. It was Szayel's greed for forbidden knowledge, status, and power that lead him to ruin, after all. Personally, I hate looking at it, but orders are orders. I am loyal to my kind and our cause. I have answered my call of duty, as all Hollows must, to ensure our continued survival. Now, please follow me to the designated meeting. Our Sovereign is waiting…"

The troop entered a large room with an oval table at the center. Several unusual high-backed chairs aligned the smooth white marbled table. There were approximately eleven, each chair had a corresponding nameplate in front of it, where the respective member of the meeting was to be seated. There were refreshments of tea and biscuits placed only by the Shinigami portion of the table. The chair at the head of the table remained empty, as did another one closest to it.

Several chairs were already occupied. Three of them were taken by the other remaining Espada: an intimidating looking woman with a bald eagle mask gracing her majestic head, a tall grey masked man with tentacles instead of arms, and an androgynous blond being with only one large mirrored masked eye adorning the center of its' forehead. All of them eyed the newcomers with distaste and malice. Nelliel sat down in her designated chair and took her rightful place among them. Several minutes went by as they all remained quietly staring at each other.

There were no introductions as the staring contest between hollow and Shinigami continued with discomfort…until…a sprightly rounded, ginger-haired, woman bounded into the room breathlessly from a hidden doorway behind the empty head chair. She was dressed rather elegantly, despite her maternal condition, in a more refined regal version of her original arrancar uniform…which now accommodated her ever-expanding figure. She ran up to the newcomers and greeted them with much enthusiasm.

"Oh, thank goodness! Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida…all of you, thank you for coming! And welcome to my home, Los Noches Palace!" Orihime gushed as she hugged every single one of them.

"Oh, Orihime, you don't mean that…do you?," Rukia asked with a horrified expression.

Despite the unbridled and inelegant display of human emotion, the new Espada looked upon Orihime with a mixture of awe, reverence, and pride. She had saved and healed every one of them so that they could live to fight another day. And she vowed to continue to heal until the forces of Los Noches had won back their freedom and right to live from the oppression of Soul Society.

The reinstated Espada watched their savior hug her friends with suspicion in their eyes…they would launch themselves into battle and fight to the last man, to defend her at the slightest provocation. …The tension was palpable in the room. As Orihime sat down in the chair closest to the head of the table, the main doors flew open. He had arrived….

"Welcome to Hueco Mundo," Ulquiorra stated simply.

Despite his new status, Ulquiorra's attire had not changed in the slightest. However, his demeanor seemed more formidable somehow. He no longer felt the need to mask his reitsu, which he had done prior and habitually, under Aizen's rule. As Ulquiorra passed the chairs, one by one, the Espada cast their eyes downward as he strode up to the chair at the head of the table. As he sat down, Urahara quietly cleared his throat…

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, we are honored, Lord-." Urahara said formally.

"-Do not address me as such. 'Ulquiorra Cifer' is all you need remember, I will not stand on formalities when the situation is this dire. And it seems that I had little choice in the matter of meeting with you. That is, if the information provided to me is still accurate?" the head Espada said as he eyed Orihime briefly.

"Kisuke sent a copy of the latest Ordinance ahead with Orihime. As things currently stand, it still remains the law of the land. Soul Society has fallen outside its' parameters, original purpose, and intent. This cannot be allowed to continue. This is not the way things were meant to be…," Yoruichi summarized.

"So it appears as though the balance has, once again, been compromised. And you, who are yourself an outcast, you speak for all?" Ulquiorra asked Yoruichi plainly.

"I, along with many of the soldiers who still fight for Soul Society, am worried about the balance as well," Rukia quickly began, "Aizen created a state of discord among our ranks, unlike anything we've ever seen before. He massacred the decision making branch of Central 46. And since that time, all orders now stem from the First Squad Captain, 'Yamamoto.' Many of us believe he has lost perspective. However, between the grief many suffered by Aizen's hands and Yamamoto's current example, our army has lost sight of its' original purpose to defend and protect the human population. I truly believe if an alternative path is presented to them, the remaining captains would usurp the authority of the First captain and revoke the ordinance. ...It will not be without cost…but wiping out an entire race is unjustified and I cannot be a part of it."

"I concur," Ulquiorra said succinctly, "The Soul Society has no business, here, in Hueco Mundo. I do not understand the rationale behind this ordinance of the Soul Society. There has never been a time without Hollows. We are as much a part of the natural order of things as the very air you breathe. We help maintain the balance that has always been and must always be for the continued survival of both worlds. I find it strange…Soul Reapers who slay and conquer. Though, in truth, I'm not at all surprised by it. It reminds me of another group-"

"-Yes, we all know!" Uryu brooded, "Maybe if I just come right out and say it we can all stop focusing on it and move on to more important matters. ...There was once another race of protectors which strayed from their original path in much the same manner that the Soul Society is doing now…they were the Quincy's...like me. ...This is so frustrating, the Soul Society should know better. Look at what has become of my people! We were reduced to nothing!" he finished as his fists hit the table.

"So, are you convinced the threat is real?" Urahara asked looking directly at Ulquiorra.

"Yes, I believe this threat is very real. And what is it you propose, Kisuke Urahara?"

"An alliance, a truce, …for the benefit of all."

"Agreed."

~meanwhile~

"My, my….what a mess they've left us. Tell me, why is it necessary to destroy him? He's failed us, to be sure, but you should just let him stay where he is and allow time and the elements to ravage his remains. Honestly, Aizen, who knew you were such a bleeding heart?"

"He was an opportunistic sycophant…" Aizen said eyeing Gin warily, "Still, his kind are a disgrace and no longer hold value to me any longer. In any case, those that still remain will die out performing their final task. All will go as planned…and besides, I still have this, " he stated as he held up the faceted hogyoku to his eye for closer inspection.

"So all the Espada have finally outlived their usefulness, hmm?," Gin said tracing his fingertips lightly along Szayel's shriveled black tendrils.

"Well, all but one, perhaps…time will tell. However, now, all we need do is stand aside and allow the remnants of the Soul Society to annihilate the remaining Espada. Afterwards, killing off whatever's left should be child's play…So, Gin, to answer your question: Not quite, but soon. And this one, most certainly, has outlived his usefulness to me…" Aizen said eyeing the statue, stroking his chin as a calculating smile began to form.

"Well then, If you insist," Gin said grinning maniacally, "Nothing like a souvenir to mark the occasion."

And, having said that, he carefully removed the sword embedded in Szayel's chest cavity. As the two ex-shinigami turned to leave, Gin stopped momentarily and snapped his fingers.

And just as Aizen and Gin exited the small courtyard, one of the massive dome walls came tumbling downwards, completely covering it. Within moments a mountain of rubble and sod had buried the defenseless pink-haired figure.

…And the Eighth Espada was no more…

continue to Chapter 16 -

Inspiration Song: Blow me away by Breaking Benjamin