A/N: Thank you for the reviews Full Hollow! I apologize for missing answering your question in the last chapter, I think there was a technical error for which document I used. But Mitsunari will likely be staying with Harribel just because I have a plot planned ahead and that is a key aspect.

As for character involvement, don't worry about that. There will be plenty of members of the cast being added on in! In fact, in this chapter will be a change-up of sorts! So read on and find out if you'd be so kind!

Oh also, this one will change PoV's at a few points just to really get a feel for every character in the scenario and help flesh out the chapter I suppose.

Chapter IV: Valor

I stood in front of Ggio, separating him from the looming tyrant that glared down at me with something akin to hatred but not quite. I didn't dare move to unsheathe my zanpakuto, I wasn't looking to duel the one-eyed beast. He would have my blood covering this room in less than a dozen minutes if I was lucky. I was acting as a shield and nothing more.

My justification being that something in my mind could not allow this to happen. Ggio had done nothing to deserve the punishment of death. A beating was one level, not one I approved of but something I would grit my teeth and watch if push came to shove. But this, I could simply not allow it. I may not have known Ggio well at all and moments ago, we may have been at each other's throat, but this was just not right.

I knew what it was like to lead men, and the care required to do so and the diligence demanded to ensure minimal casualties. And despite the best diligence I knew what it was like to lose men, to lament their passing but carry on for the greater good. I knew what it was like to suffer defeat and victory with your allies, the bitterness and the glory. On the defeat aspect, I knew what it was like to have your men fail you when it mattered. And I knew the way to handle that wasn't immediately sentencing them to death and deeming them worthless.

If you did just that, you weren't a leader. You were a tyrant.

"Move you desert mutt!" Baraggan roared, his zanpakuto now fully exposed as I tensed. I was a huge axe, with a red orb gleaming in the center. Getting cleaved into half by that was not exactly something I'd enjoy either Ggio or myself going through.

Did I trust my speed? Was I quick enough for the audacious plan I had schemed of? There was only one way to find out.

I frowned faintly and began to move aside, turning towards Ggio as if to express sympathy. I was faking obviously; I needed some opening to use. And to get that I needed to move without Baraggan thinking I was going to try anything.

In Ggio's eyes I saw a flicker of shame and…fear. He knew he had shamed his master and looked regretful of it, but looked absolutely petrified of the consequences for doing so. Which was fair, given how the man you served was now condemning you to death for something that's only result was a wounded ego. This made me know that the action I was about to do was right, despite the defiance it had and even possible repercussions I may suffer.

My body faced Ggio, but was at an angle due to me feigning to move away. It was less than a second before I used my sonido and dashed right into Ggio, my arms coiling around his kneeled form and creating as big of a gap between us and Baraggan as we could. I had saved him from the executioner's blade, for now.

Ggio let out a yell of surprise and probably pain from the sudden collision that sent him going back with me. Baraggan also yet out a yell, but not one of pain or really much of surprise. It was more so pure fury. Before I could even comprehend where we had gone back to, we were surrounded on all sides by his fraccion, each holding their zanpakuto steady and ready to face me.

Now there were other shouts from Espada and fraccion alike. I moved to unsheathe my zanpakuto, letting it hiss out against the scabbard. I whirled to face whoever was around me, standing right in front of Ggio and continuing to act as a shield still. My head craned and looking to each of the fraccion who were looking uncertain of how to advance. Ggio was shouting behind me and looking about, trying to reason with what were now his former allies as pointless as it was.

Things continued to escalate as the three females from earlier (I am assuming they are a part of Harribel's fraccion along with myself) had come up with me and stood by my side, their own weapons drawn. This was looking like it was about to go into a full on melee. This wasn't what I had planned, but I was resolved to make sure Ggio lived through this.

Harribel herself had moved in between us and Baraggan's fraccion, her presence deterring them easily as she glared to Baraggan. Baraggan with his one good eye was glaring back as he approached until a sudden force came over the room, rolling over us like a tidal wave. It forced the fraccion to their knees, and while I resisted a moment I ultimately fell from what I could only assume was spiritual pressure. Harribel and Baraggan stood tall, but I could see that the spiritual pressure bore heavily on them as well.

I looked to the only possible source for such a thing, Aizen. He stood with a less than pleased expression, to put it mildly. I may just find out what kind of terror he was capable of when he was enraged.

"I will NOT allow my throne room to turn into some warzone for personal vendettas. NOR will I allow it to be turned into an execution ground." Aizen spoke loudly, but wasn't yelling. No, he was too composed for that. He knew all he had to do was speak above his indoor voice and people would listen to whatever he had to say despite temperas flaring.

Thankfully, the malice in his gaze didn't fall to Harribel or I. It instead went to Baraggan who begrudgingly turned to face Aizen, a scowl peeled across his lips. "You said it yourself, it is an Espada's choice what they do with their fraccion. Who they choose to accept," He spared a withering look at me before glancing to Ggio, "and who they chose to remove."

"While that's true, its lunacy to take their life when the only consequence is a wounded sense of pride. Exile is one option, but to put a fraccion to the blade for such a minor offense speaks volumes to your ability to lead." Harribel commented, her arms folded across her exposed midriff.

"Bitch!" Baraggan seethed, his own spiritual pressure roaring as he turned to Harribel who did not dare back down from his look. I forced my body up despite the spiritual pressure and took a step forward, ready to move at any instant in case this turned into a full blown conflict. I didn't wish to face him, but my loyalty lied with her. The three females beside me did the same, apparently feeling just the same.

"STOP!" A voice shouted, a voice that came from behind me. I looked back to see Ggio having finally arisen and regained his senses, despite the immense spiritual pressure bearing down on him. His fierce yellow eyes staring on ahead as he began to walk forward. I could see there was hesitancy in the strides he took as a path cleared for him, but he tried to look resolved on his following words.

"If I am to die, then let me die. I have failed in my duty serve my lord with the utmost efficiency. This is my punishment, and my lord has every right to take my life if I am deemed worthless. There is no need for you all to start a riot in my name, this is my fate." Ggio stated, his words loud and resounding as he moved past Harribel who made no move to stop him.

He moved towards Baraggan who kept an expression of indifference, though before he could make it any closer Aizen interjected.

"You will not die, today, Ggio Vega." He stated, the calmness restored to his tone though the irritation in his eyes had not lightened in the slightest bit. Thankfully, it remained right at Baraggan. Ggio froze midstride and I could have sworn I saw relief on his face for just a moment.

"While Espada have free reign over their fraccion, and their choices in recruitment and banishment, I as the Supreme Commander have the right to override any decisions I believe to be harmful or non-beneficial to Las Noches and our cause. While Ggio dying wouldn't be harmful, it would not be beneficial to us in any conceivable way. It would only allow you to emphasize a point perhaps. If I had to guess then I would say this is just some pathetic attempt to retain control." Baraggan began to angrily protest but Aizen silenced him with a wave of his hand.

"Regardless, I don't much care. You will not execute Ggio Vega, nor will he serve as your fraccion any longer. That choice is final. However, what will happen with Ggio is yet undecided." Aizen spared a glance around the room at the Esapada in attendance. "If there is an Espada who wishes to take Ggio as their fraccion, then they may voice their desire. If not, then Ggio shall join the ranks of the Arrancar."

~ Change in PoV ~

I watched from my throne, observing the pure chaos going on before me. The new comer, Mitsunari I think it was, had certainly been causing a lot of commotion. Though he hadn't done much aside from…well, exist. Barggan was the one instigated this whole ordeal, and was ultimately to blame. He decided to test the mettle of the newcomer when he had no business in doing so, and was currently on some power trip attempting to kill his fraccion for really nothing of importance.

I had no desire to draw myself into whatever dispute this was. It was just easier not to, that way I wouldn't have to deal with the politics of Las Noches. I had enough people on my back as it was, I didn't need more.

However, I had paid a bit of attention to the melee between the two fraccion. Mitsunari was superior this round, but Ggio wasn't to be dully noted.

His speed, while eclipsed by the newcomer was still nothing to take lightly. I'm sure he could move on par or faster than some Espada and was more than likely faster than most fraccion. On top of that his swordsmanship was interesting, it was composed of swift and lethally aimed strikes, as well as reverse grip swings that if taught better could become effective. He was quick-minded as well, able to improvise off the top of his head. He had a good base to build on, and it already pained me to see him bend his knee to that sack of bones.

So when Aizen had relinquished Baraggan's hold upon the smaller fraccion a realization rolled over me. To see him serve Baraggan was painfully as it was. But to see him go and join the ranks of the Arrancar would be worse, not by much but worse nonetheless. As for the other Espada, I could Syzayel already eyeing him like a new test experiment. Nnoitra looked ready to pounce, and I had already seen the bruises on Tesla.

"I'll take him in." I cut in before anyone else could, rising from my throne. I wasn't sure what compelled such a sudden response for me. It was sure to bring more controversy and I'd likely have more drama to deal with, but I knew he had potential. Potential I wanted to extrapolate on and attempt to actually bring out. Not abuse it as Baraggan had. Mutate it like Syzatel would. Or just destroy it like Nnoitra would.

"Starrk, how interesting. Of all those who I imagined would speak up, you were not among them. You wish to take Ggio Vega under your wing? And here I had assumed you were content with Lilynette."

Aizen wasn't the only one surprised, I could sense a few eyes shift to me in slight confusion. Even Lilynette who was by my side was looking up to me in confusion and curiosity. Baraggan was staring up at me from the throne room floor with absolute malice. If he didn't have a reason to hate me before, he really did now. Harribel gazed up with indifference while Mitsunari looked to be utterly relieved as he sheathed the dagger that he called a zanpakuto. Ggio himself looked baffled at the turn of events that had suddenly transpired.

"I do. It would be…wasteful to drop him in with the lower rank Arrancars." I didn't mention my thoughts on my fellow Espada, this was stirring the pot enough. "And as for being content, I am happy as I am. However, I see no harm in taking another fraccion."

The room seemed utterly still now, as if it were hanging on the head of a pin. All eyes had by now shifted in my direction and I could not hate it more. After a few long, agonizing moments Aizen finally spoke, "Very well, Ggio, do you accept the offer?"

Finally, all eyes turned away from me and turned back to the baffled male.

~ Ggio's PoV ~

Is this how that newcomer Mitsunari felt? To have your entire world spun around at a 180 degree angle and then just dropped onto the cold, hard floor. Because if so, I could now sympathize on a great level. One moment, I am sparring the Arrancar and being defeated. The male was faster than I had expected and put me into a position I wasn't used to being in. The defensive.

I knew my performance was poor, however I didn't think…I didn't think it warranted my death. Baraggan, the man who drug me out from the sands and helped me become one of the strongest, the man who I looked up to like a father-figure, was ready to cut my throat without a second thought.

I was terrified of course, but I knew there was nothing I could do. Either die loyal, on my knees, and keep my honor. Or try to stand against him and die on my feet as a traitor. I chose my honor and was coming to terms with meeting the blade of my imminent death.

But of course that wasn't it. Nope, the man who had inadvertently sent me to my death was now defending me and using himself as a shield. Why? I hadn't the slightest idea. All I knew was that he began to move away and turned to me, as if to say sorry. However I didn't get an apology.

No, I got a shoulder rammed into my chest from that asshole. He knocked the air out of me once and I guess he wanted to do it again, and when I finally got my bearings back war looked like it was on the cusp of exploding. My former comrades looked ready to skewer me with their blades. Then Mitsunari was standing between me and them along with the rest of Harribel's fraccion.

I tried to talk them down before Aizen brought it all too a close. I tried to offer an end to it all by stating my acceptance with the fate bestowed onto me by my Master. Aizen however was not going to have it, stating that my importance was greater.

I was released from Baraggan's services. I wouldn't face death or exile, I was simply let go of. I had resolved me self so heavily on death that I didn't imagine what I would even do with surviving. I was…lost. Then I was offered up to any Espada, or I'd go join the Arrancar within Las Noches. That too I resolved myself on, surely no Espada was foolish enough to try and piss off the King of Hueco Mundo. I was so confident on that.

However, my world hit the floor at that point as I watched the Primera Espada rise up and actually speak. This could not be happening. Just the sheer unlikelihood of this all was overwhelming as Aizen turned his attention to me and asked the simple question regarding my consent. I was left dumbfounded, just staring up as I felt something shift beside me. In my peripheral I could see that it was Mitsunari of all people who had shuffled back to me on his knees.

A smile was spread across his pale visage, clearly satisfied with his work. I am sure his goal was to save me, regardless of whether I wanted it or not. Why he had done so was something I wanted to find out. However, the more pressing matter was not keeping Aizen waiting.

"I accept the offer." I stated, my instincts kicking in here, if I was to survive then I would not allow myself to fall too far away. Plus, I wanted to still be close at hand here. To keep track of Baraggan and my former comrades, as well as the new comer. He had me pinned today, but when we could fight using our releases I would crush him without even the slightest bit of doubt.

I could feel Baraggan glaring holes in me, probably willing me to spontaneously combust into reishi. I had to force myself to gaze up to the Primera Espada who looked at me with cool indifference in his chilling blue irises. I didn't even notice that we were dismissed until Mitsunari had left my side and the spiritual pressure had subsided.

I slowly rose from my spot, the only beings left within the room where Starrk, his fraccion, and myself. He began to saunter towards me, coming down from his throne and never breaking eye contact with me. I stood planted to the spot, watching carefully and testing myself to ensure this was not some hallucination.

I realized it truly wasn't when his hand patted my shoulder as he passed, his voice low and composed as he spoke, "Come on, we have work to do." The touch snapped me out of my little trance as I tried to will my body to move. His fraccion had approached now, grinning up at me as she folded her arms. Lilynette was her name if I recalled correctly.

I turned off my heel and began to follow, watching his back as I followed beside Lilynette. This was going to be my life now.