A.N: Yeah, I know I said I wouldn't keep everyone waiting in between updates. But college applications have kept me busy for God knows how long. I'm now dealing with scholarship essays. Hopefully that won't take too long. Until that's taken care of, enjoy this chapter. I'll try to get another one out as soon as I can. Enjoy...

Chapter 4: Espada Infinity

And with that the pendulum swings forward ten years, as we draw closer to the defining moment that has shaped the events occurring today.

"Nnoitra!" Benito screamed with fury.

The tall spoon of an Espada looked at Benito with a malicious grin. "And what the hell do you want, Ten." He hissed, emphasizing the ten.

Benito stormed down the hallway toward his supposed superior. Killing intent was all that could be seen in his eyes. "What did you do to her?" Benito asked.

"Who the hell are you talking about?" Nnoitra asked.

"Don't you dare try to lie to me!" Benito shouted. "What did you do to Neliel? Why can't I feel her spiritual pressure anymore?"

Nnoitra grinned. "Now, that isn't very fair." He said. "I mean, I hate the bitch in every way, but don't just assume that whatever's happened to her is my fault."

Benito's rage increased at hearing his callousness and his denial. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. Nnoitra saw this and his eyes narrowed. "What, you're going to fight me now?" He asked.

"What happened to Neliel?" Benito asked slowly, dangerously.

Nnoitra chuckled. "You've always been persistent." He said. "Okay yeah, I put the bitch in her place, so what."

Benito's eyes widened in pure fury. Nnoitra's grin widened. "That anger of yours may allow you to fight on par with me for awhile, but I'm still Number 8, and you're just Number 10. You'd just be throwing your life away."

Nnoitra readied his Santa Teresa. "Although, I don't mind killing you," he said. "After all, Las Noches would be a much nicer place without trash like you and your sister."

With that Benito was pushed over the edge. That man hurt Neliel, his closest friend, and insulted his beloved older sister. Screaming in anger, Benito drew his blade and prepared to charge Nnoitra, only to be stopped by a tan hand. Benito then saw who had stopped him. "Tia..."

Tia Halibel looked at Benito. "Enough, Benito." She said. "Do you think Lady Neliel would want you to lose yourself to rage and kill Nnoitra? You know she'd call you a beast, just like him."

Halibel turned to Nnoitra. "And you," she said. "The only reason I'm not killing you right here and now is because the search for a new Espada that could match your current level would be tedious. Keep that in mind and try not to cross me, Nnoitra."

Nnoitra glared at Halibel. "Tch, and just when things were getting good." He said, disappearing with Sonido.

Halibel turned to Benito, who was already walking away. Halibel's expression instantly softened upon seeing this. She quickly fell into step with him. She saw the anger in his eyes. "What's wrong, Love?" She asked.

Benito smiled slightly. "You saw that whole thing go down and you ask me what's wrong? Tsk, tsk, Tia." He said sarcastically.

The two had been a couple for the past ten years (long time, you would think one of them would've proposed earlier). It had been a somewhat rocky start due to the idea of love being somewhat foreign in Hueco Mundo, but it eventually blossomed into a genuine, lasting relationship. During that time, Halibel had also become a strong supporter for peace in Hueco Mundo.

Benito's eyes saddened again. "Whatever happened to Neliel...he did it to her. I swear if I had just enough evidence to prove it I would rip him limb from limb."

"Lady Alondra has taught you better than that, Love." Halibel reminded him. "And do you think Neliel would want you to attack Nnoitra for her?"

Benito calmed down. "I...I suppose your right."

It had been like this for awhile. While Benito had still been a strong supporter of peace, his belief in his older sister's methods have lately started to wane. He still believed in it, but he had become a bit more...violent in the past ten years.

Halibel surmised that it had to be because of Adolfo and Baraggan, and indirectly because of her. After Halibel started openly supporting the peace-seekers, the two most influential men in Hueco Mundo took steps to remove their influence. They started with Gantenbainne Mosqueda, he was mysteriously removed in favor of a man named Zommari Rureaux. While the man viewed Aizen as a God and therefore didn't support Baraggan or Adolfo, he wasn't a supporter of the peace-seekers either, which meant that Halibel, Neliel, and Benito had lost some of their influence. The frustration of Alondra's methods failing must've finally started getting to Benito, causing him to sometimes act a bit more extreme in their methods. Of course, he still said he believed in Alondra and he did, but he had definitely changed in the past 10 years

When Alondra, Neliel, Halibel, and Benito met to discuss recent events, mainly Mosqueda's removal, Alondra theorized that the reason it hadn't been Benito who was targeted because of his low rank and low influence. He was, as they saw it, no threat to them. That meant, according to Alondra, that they would target Halibel and Neliel next.

And she was right, Halibel thought. I don't know what Nnoitra's relationship with Baraggan and Adolfo is, but regardless, we've lost another ally. And what's worse, those two have already replaced her.

"Have Baraggan and Adolfo replaced her yet?" Benito asked as if he were reading Halibel's mind.

Halibel's fists clenched. "Yes," she said. "Adolfo manipulated another Aizen supporter into taking her position. His name's Dordoni. He seems to be an honorable man, but he's far too loyal to Aizen to make an effective ally. I can only imagine Adolfo and Baraggan have brought in Aizen supporters for the sole purpose of keeping us from gaining too much power."

Halibel paused before continuing. "Once Aizen's completed his goal, the throne will turn into a popularity contest. Aizen's loyalists will definitely fall behind Adolfo or Baraggan."

"Which means we're losing power." Benito muttered angrily.

Benito took hold of the hilt of his sword. "I can end it, Tia. I can kill both of them."

Halibel's eyes widened. "Benito..."

Benito turned to his girlfriend. "Tia, those two keep standing in our way. How are we supposed to achieve peace when those two keep getting in the way?"

Halibel looked at him. "By continuing to follow Alondra's ideals."

"And while we remain indecisive, those bastards could be plotting your downfall next!" Benito shouted. "I'll kill them both before they get close to you. Hermana's ideals be damned!"

Halibel looked worried. She then embraced Benito. "Don't lose sight of your goal, Love." She said. "I appreciate your protectiveness but I can take care of myself. At the moment I'm more worried about you. You've become even more brutal lately. Benito, if you turn your back on the ideals that've made you into the man you are now, you will erase everything you and your sister worked for."

Halibel kissed Benito before continuing. "I don't want that. You and Lady Alondra opened my eyes to the possibility of a better world. I don't want your eyes to be closed to it."

Benito took a deep breath and then smiled at Halibel. "Don't worry, Tia." He said reassuringly. "I'm fine, really."

Halibel raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Lady Alondra's been worried about you for awhile, as have I. I just want you to stay you."

Benito nodded. "I promise you Tia, no matter what happens, I'm still me." He stated in a very sure voice.

"We've been having great success lately. We must capitalize on it and fully suppress their attempts to take our power away." Adolfo De Anza said, slamming his fist onto the table.

Baraggan Louisenbarn looked upon his once hated rival. Well, not once hated, he still hates Adolfo De Anza. He only puts up with him because an alliance was necessary to retain power after Aizen succeeds in his plan. Baraggan shook his head. "Always so impatient, Adolfo." Baraggan chided. "You are to quick to act without considering the backlash."

"Bah, there will be no backlash. I'm not impatient, you have simply become too cautious in your old age." Adolfo responded.

"Oh, no backlash you say?" Baraggan raised an eyebrow. "How do you figure, boy?"

Adolfo took on a menacing grin. "We are down to two real threats: Tia Halibel and Benito Muerta."

"Two of which have become quite favored by Aizen." Baraggan reminded his cohort.

"Yes, but Aizen isn't here." Adolfo reminded him. "Removing Benito will be easy, but Halibel will be challenging. Her water powers cancel mine. You will have to take care of her."

Baraggan sighed. "Halibel never attacks unless provoked or ordered to. Even if we were to beat her mercilessly, we would only provoke self-defense, not a full out attack."

"I hardly see what the problem with that is."

Baraggan shook his head again. "Every time we remove these peace-lovers from power, we have to make a huge statement in the process. That will only happen by either killing or incapacitating her. Doing either will discourage further...insurrection."

Adolfo understood and nodded in agreement. "The only question is," he began. "How do we force her hand?"

Baraggan thought it over. He then chuckled when he came to his conclusion. "You have a plan?" Adolfo inquired.

Baraggan nodded. "If Halibel will not fight for herself, then we will force her to fight for those she cares about."

Adolfo grinned. "You intend to target her Fracciónes?"

Baraggan shook his head. "No," he said. "They will come after us after this. We'll take care of them then. I intend to kill two birds with one stone."

Adolfo quickly realized what Baraggan was talking about. His malicious grin returned. "And after that?"

"We take out Alondra."

"You are not worried about Cifer?" Adolfo inquired.

"I'm as worried about Cifer as I am about Alondra." Baraggan explained. "Alondra is a pacifist and will be despondent after the death of her beloved younger brother."

"And Cifer?"

"He may be loyal to Muerta." Baraggan explained. "But his loyalty to Aizen has also grown in the past several years. We can easily seduce him with the promise of praise from Aizen. If you play on a man's personality, his loyalty can easily be swayed."

"And if that doesn't work?"

Baraggan smiled underneath his bushy white mustache. "Well, he's only Number Six." Baraggan chuckled again. "Killing him is no different than stepping on an ant."

Benito Muerta turned to his four loyal Fracciónes. "I'm going to train boys, hold down the fort while I'm gone."

Fielhombre Guardia, the man who was easily the most loyal of the four bowed to the master he almost worshipped. "Your orders will be followed to the letter My Lord."

Benito sweat-dropped at Fielhombre's loyalty. "Good to know." He simply replied.

"My Lord?"

"Hmm?"

Fielhombre looked curious. "Why do you train?" He asked. "You are the strongest of the Espada. You have no need to waste your time with such trivial matters."

Benito shook his head. "There is no such thing as a pinnacle, Fielhombre." He said. "Power is...infinite, to say the least. The amount you can achieve has no end to it. That is why I still train. Whatever limits the beings of this world place on power, I intend to surpass it."

All four Fracciónes were in awe at Benito's words. In unison, all four bowed. "Your wisdom is unparalleled, Lord Muerta."

Benito sweat-dropped at their excessive loyalty once again. "Thank you." He said, genuinely.

Benito turned away from the four of them. "Who knows, Fielhombre," Benito said to his top servant. "Maybe one day you will surpass your own limits and do something you didn't believe possible."

"Whatever I do, you'll surpass it, Sir." Fielhombre said.

Benito was surprised. "After all," Fielhombre said. "You are the man who will become the God King of Hueco Mundo, you will be the second coming of Tezuma."

Benito was even more surprised by that statement. Never once had it crossed his mind that people still recognized Tezuma as a god. Especially when Baraggan had taken steps to make sure people viewed him as a god.

Once Benito reached the secluded spot he had made his own in the many years he had spent training, he immediately released his limiter, sat down, and started to perform Jinzen. So much power is coursing through me as I converse with you, Segador. Benito thought. Maybe this is the day where I surpass my limit.

Two spiritual pressures entered his field of sensing. Acting quickly, he resealed his powers and awaited the two men coming to him. Benito's eyes narrowed into a glare when he saw Baraggan and Adolfo reveal themselves. "What do you two want?" Benito asked angrily.

"Benito, I'll be blunt," Adolfo began. "You're going to die today. And we're going to bring your corpse to Halibel to force her to fight all out."

Benito got to his feet. "Why?" He asked.

"You and your little group has become too much of a threat." Baraggan picked up the slack. "You must be removed."

"Tread carefully, gentleman." Benito said slowly.

"You threaten us?" Adolfo asked. "You're the one who should tread carefully, Benito."

"Oh?"

"We're the two most powerful people in Hueco Mundo. Even our fellow Espada aren't safe from our influence." Adolfo said, trying to intimidate Benito.

Benito's eyes widened in anger. "So it was you, you're the reason Neliel is gone!"

Adolfo shook his head. "We only put the idea in Nnoitra's head," he said. "What he did to Neliel was only him, not us."

Benito was livid. "Today wasn't a good day to push me, Adolfo!" He shouted in anger.

"Ha, and what're you going to do? You, who is the weakest of the Espada."

"You presume too much." Benito said angrily.

With that, Benito's spiritual pressure shot up to heights even he didn't think he could reach. It was his anger, his anger was serving as a catalyst for his years of training. Adolfo and Baraggan's eyes widened in shock. The 1 in the number 10 started to burn off of his hand, leaving the 0. However, it didn't stop there like it usually did. The 0 burned off as well. His power surpassed even 0.

From inside Las Noches, Halibel and Ulquiorra Cifer's eyes widened. "Who is that?" Ulquiorra asked in shock.

Benito. Halibel thought, worriedly.

Halibel prepared to Sonido away. "Allow me to come with you, My Lady." Ulquiorra offered.

Halibel shook her head. "Even you aren't strong enough to fight someone this powerful Ulquiorra. You'll just be in the way."

Benito's spiritual pressure continued to rise until it couldn't be felt any longer. Baraggan and Adolfo looked at him in confusion. "What..."

"I've never felt this much power flowing through me." Benito interrupted Adolfo. "You may not be able to sense it. But I can. I've surpassed the limits of the Arrancar."

"So you have." Said a familiar voice.

The three Espada turned to see Sōsuke Aizen enter. "Aizen." Baraggan said in surprise.

"What're you doing here, Sōsuke?" Benito asked.

"I am here to oversee some work concerning my plan." Said Aizen. "I didn't expect this, however."

Aizen looked at Benito. "It appears you have surpassed the normal rankings of the Espada."

Benito looked at Aizen. What're are your next words going to be, my equal. Benito thought, the word equal sounding almost toxic in his head.

"For you, we need a new rank."

Adolfo and Baraggan's eyes widened in surprise. Aizen walked over to Benito and placed a hand on the back of Benito's hand. "From this forward," said Aizen, as a new number took shape. "You will be known as Espada Infinity. The Espada who has become a transcendent being."

Halibel had appeared when Aizen began to tell Benito about his new rank. Her eyes widened when she realized what this meant for Benito. No longer was he the weakest of the Espada, now he was the strongest of them all.

A.N: Yes, Benito's anger and hatred has led him to the power Aizen sought. Almost done with the brief mini-arc. I've got either two or three more chapters to go.