A.N: Well, this is the final chapter of the brief Flashback Mini-Arc. Sorry I took so long...again. But hey, you know, High School. Am I right? Anyways enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 6: A New Plan
Benito and Alondra's new group, named Armonía, had been on the move for three months. They've gained supporters in that time period, but a lot of that support has come due to their respect for Benito's power (and there were also a few who joined out of fear of the politely mannered Raoul Arcano).
The former Espada was just finishing up a speech to a settlement of Hollows. Some of whom were natural Arrancar. One of which was a slender woman with her black hair in a small ponytail and a revealing outfit that showed off her curvaceous body. She kept staring at Benito throughout his speech, much to the annoyance of Palmira Halibel, who had stuck to her new master like glue out of loyalty and affection (and for the sake of the relationship he had with her sister). "...Brothers and sisters," Benito was nearing the end of his speech. "This is a world stained in blood, I shall not deny that. But Hueco Mundo can become a world without blood."
Everyone was listening intently. Most of them had been drawn in by Benito's immense charisma, others genuinely believed in the message he was trying to spread and wanted to help him. There was one that was only listening because she found him to be quite attractive. "But it can't be done alone," Benito continued. "Join us, join us in seeking a better world."
Everyone applauded at this. The woman who had been staring at Benito throughout the entire speech immediately latched onto his arm. "You can count me in your little crusade, handsome." She said in a sultry tone.
"I see, and you are?" Benito asked.
"Claudia, Claudia Tentadora."
"Well, Claudia, we're happy to have you join us." Said Benito.
"Although, keep in mind, he has a girlfriend waiting for him. And we'd like him brought back to her disease free." Said Palmira Halibel.
Fielhombre Guardia face-palmed at Palmira's words while Pastor Olegario instantly broke down in laughter. Claudia raised an eyebrow at the other female Arrancar. "Forgive my new subordinate, she can be quite defensive of me." Said Benito.
"You should reign her in and fast. Maybe punish her? And while you're at it, punish me as well. I'm a bad girl." Said Claudia.
Fielhombre turned red at Claudia's words while Benito remained stoic. As Benito's two other Fracciónes tried to hold back Palmira, Pastor grumbled in annoyance. "How the hell is the boss so lucky?" He muttered, looking Claudia up and down. "I ought to act all serious but charming and charismatic if that's how it's done."
Several other Arrancar also pledged their allegiance to the cause of Armonía. Benito couldn't help but feel proud at the numbers he ended up with today. The 29 pledges brought their total to 500 exactly. They weren't numbers to sneeze at, but Arrancar had plenty of skill to offer. Most Arrancar in existence are at the level of seated officers. Granted, there are the even weaker Arrancar that aren't even at that level, but 500 loyal Arrancar can do much together.
After much effort, Benito's subordinates managed to pull Claudia away from Benito and Palmira as far away from Claudia as possible. Palmira still wanted to fight the girl, but Fielhombre interfered. Fielhombre managed to stop her from fighting with two simple facts. One: He could sense how strong she was and he knew that Palmira would lose if she tried to fight her. Two: If she didn't back down, he would have to stop her personally. The latter fact managed to get Palmira to back down and cease her hostile intent towards Claudia. As fast as Pastor was and as skilled with a trident as she was, Fielhombre was easily the strongest out of all of Benito's Fracciónes. The man's physical strength, which was unbelievable even by an Arrancar's standards, and tactical skills made him the clear cut choice for the de facto leader of Benito's Fracciónes. He was strong and respectable, both were qualities that their species admired.
With that, the new recruits followed Benito and his subordinates back to what has become the home of Armonía: An old abandoned Hollow colony.
Alondra smiled as she looked over the current members of Armonía, all working together in spite of their differences. So much progress has been made in the past few months. She thought. It's amazing, Hermano is bringing in new recruits nearly every day. Sometimes they're a small amount, sometimes they're a great amount. Either way, we've made so much progress. I'm so happy.
"Lady Alondra."
Alondra turned to see an older Arrancar with completely white hair. "Andres, what is it?"
Andres Dionisio bowed to one of the two leaders of Armonía. "There are outsiders who wish to join Armonía." Said Andres.
"We've been over this, Andres, if there are those who wish to join us, then they may join us. If they weren't interested in our goals, they wouldn't be interested in joining us." Said Alondra.
"Yes, M'Lady." Said Andres.
Andres ran off to welcome the outsiders into Armonía, leaving Alondra alone once more. She then heard another voice. This time from one of the lookouts. "Lady Alondra, Lord Benito has returned."
"Hermanito." Alondra smiled.
Alondra ran to meet her beloved younger brother half way. When Benito came into view, she saw that he was smiling, something he always did around her. Knowing Benito was always happy around her made her happy. She had practically raised Benito herself after their...creation. The two had formed a close bond. One that was filled with their sibling-like affection for each other.
"Hermana!" Benito shouted at her gleefully. "I hope we have enough room for 29 new comrades."
"We'll make room!" Alondra shouted back to her brother.
Benito and Alondra embraced when they reached one another. "29 is an impressive number, Hermanito." Said Alondra.
"Indeed," said Benito. "We found a few strong ones while we were out as well. One in particular is very strong. Her name is Claudia."
"Is she the one Palmira is staring daggers at?" Alondra asked.
Benito looked at Palmira, who was indeed glaring at Claudia, and blinked in surprise. "How did you..."
"Women's intuition, Hermanito." Said Alondra. "You'll need to understand it before you return to Tia."
"Women's intuition aside, we need to give Ms. Tentadora a place as far away from Palmira as possible." Said Fielhombre.
"He's right," said Pastor. "Those two are going to kill each other before the week is through."
"Not my fault the new girl is a whore." Said Palmira.
"Palmira..." Began Fielhombre.
"Palmira," Alondra interrupted Fielhombre. "Sometimes we must deal with those we don't like to work towards a greater good. It's a simple fact in life. Will you work with Ms. Tentadora for me? For Benito?"
Palmira looked at her master, who smiled at her and nodded. Palmira smiled and nodded at Alondra. "Okay, Lady Alondra, I'll...try to get along with her. But don't expect me to like that bitch."
Alondra smiled. "I don't expect you to."
"You don't?" Benito was surprised.
"Palmira wouldn't dislike her unless she started flirting with you. You know how protective she is of you, being her sister's boyfriend." Alondra explained sagely.
Benito shook his head. "Hermana...you're skills in perception never cease to amaze me." He said in awe.
"No duh, I couldn't have figured that out if it had been me in her place." Said Pastor.
"Well, you're not exactly smart to begin with, Pastor." Said Palmira.
"Oh shut up you over-tanned bitch!" Pastor shouted at his new teammate.
"Quiet you two." Said Fielhombre.
"Sorry Fielhombre." They said in unison.
Alondra walked past Benito and looked over the new members of Armonía. "Now then, welcome to Armonía. I'm sorry I took so long to personally welcome you all, but as you could see, we were in the middle of what is honestly a day in the life of the members of Armonía."
Alondra gestured to the colony. "We offer food and shelter, all we ask in return is that you support our cause for peace in Hueco Mundo and pull your weight around here."
Alondra smiled at everyone. "Does that sound fair."
All 29 Arrancar voiced their agreements. "Can I get a house near your hunk of a younger brother?" Claudia Tentadora asked.
Pastor and Fielhombre quickly stood between Claudia and Palmira, who was restraining herself from attacking the new member of the group. "I'm afraid not," said Alondra. "I'm sure Palmira has told you this, but I will reiterate it. Benito has a girlfriend. They're just currently on hiatus due to the fact that we left Las Noches without her."
"If they're on hiatus does that mean I have a shot?" Claudia asked.
"No." Everyone minus the new members said in unison.
Claudia pouted in annoyance. "Fielhombre and Pastor will show you all to your respective homes and will assign you certain jobs. Welcome to Armonía, my friends."
The next day, Benito woke to find his sister preparing to journey into the desert. "Hermana, what are you doing?" Benito asked.
"You've been working so hard, Hermanito, why don't you take the day off. Supervise the people here." Said Alondra.
"Are you sure? You're not going alone, are you?" Benito asked.
"Of course not, I'm taking Aitor and Balduino with me, they'll be more than enough."
Aitor and Balduino were among the first Arrancar they had recruited. Both were young and eager to prove themselves, and their youth and inexperience could interfere at times. But they could hold their own in a fight. "All right, but be careful." Said Benito.
Alondra smiled. "I'll be back before you know it." She said.
With that, Alondra, Aitor, and Balduino went on their journey to find another group of Hollows to recruit to their cause. As usual, Aitor and Balduino argued about who would do a better job at a task. This time, they were arguing about who would do a better job at protecting the kind, smart, and beautiful Alondra Muerta. Alondra paid no attention to the two and actually found their squabbling quite entertaining.
"We both know I'm stronger, Aitor, so why don't you just stand back and let me protect Lady Alondra!" Balduino shouted.
"What a load of crap!" Aitor shouted back. "I've kicked your ass plenty of times! Did the beatings I gave you cause amnesia or something?"
Alondra turned to them. "It's good to see that you two are as lively as ever." She said, smiling like always.
Aitor and Balduino instantly stood at attention and bowed to her respectfully. "Of course, Lady Alondra." They said in unison.
They glared at each other again. "Don't steal what I said!" They shouted.
"Me?" They continued. "You stole what I said!"
Alondra giggled. She then felt a new presence. A very foreign yet familiar presence. Her eyes widened. Soul Reapers, here? She thought in surprise. Is it Aizen? No, none of them are strong enough to be Aizen. It's a large group of them. About twenty or thirty of them.
"Aitor, Balduino, do you two sense those presences?" Alondra asked.
Aitor and Balduino nodded. "Yes M'Lady." Balduino replied for both of them.
Thirty Soul Reapers appeared in front Alondra, Aitor, and Balduino. "What is your business here?" Alondra asked.
The Soul Reapers drew their Zanpakutō. "There's no need for violence." Said Alondra.
"Oh but there is." the man at the front said.
Benito Muerta felt the spiritual pressures of the thirty Soul Reapers. "What could they be doing here?" Benito wondered out loud.
"Master Muerta!"
Benito turned to see his Fracciónes running towards him. "What are Soul Reapers doing in Hueco Mundo?" Palmira asked.
"That's what I'm trying to find out," said Benito. "I just hope it isn't an invading force. I don't want to kill them!"
Benito then felt the spiritual pressures of Aitor and Balduino fluctuate. His eyes widened. "Hermana." He said fearfully.
Benito sped away in the direction of the spiritual pressures. "Master!" Palmira shouted.
"Pastor, follow him! You're the fastest!" Fielhombre shouted.
"I'll try, but I've never seen him move so fast! I'm don't know if even I can keep up with him!" Said Pastor.
As Benito sonido'd towards his sister's location at breakneck speed, multiple thoughts were going through his head. There was one prevailing thought. Why didn't I go instead? Benito thought angrily. Hermana is a pacifist, she'd never fight back, even if it was a fight to the death.
Benito soon saw the scene up ahead, and he soon started to shake in anger. Aitor and Balduino were dead from multiple stab wounds. And sadly, he had arrived too late. He had arrived just in time to see his sister run through with a Zanpakutō. Alondra looked at him. "Hermanito," she choked. "Don't hate them..."
Life left Alondra's eyes. The leader looked at Benito. He turned to his men. "Guys, lets..."
Something flew past him. There were several cries of pain and death. He spun around to see that Benito had already killed several of his comrades. "Oh no...what power." He said.
Benito turned to him, absolute hatred was in his eyes. "Monster!" He screamed in anger.
His body seemed to go on autopilot. Slash, stab, punch, kick. And with every move, another Soul Reaper died by his hands.
How could they? He thought. She showed no hostility! Why did they kill her?
The leader was soon all that was left, he whimpered at the bloodstained sword in Benito's hands. "Mercy..." He stammered.
"What about my Hermana? Did you show her mercy?" Benito asked angrily.
Benito cleaved the man's head in two in one swipe of his sword. Saying nothing, Benito walked to the dead body of his beloved older sister. He cradled her body in his arms and let the tears fall from his eyes. "Why, Hermana?" He asked. "Why?"
Benito shook in anguish. "After everything you've taught me. Everything about how love is the key to a world without bloodshed, you still died."
"Master Muerta..."
Benito looked to see that his five Fracciónes had arrived. They all looked at Alondra's body in shock and sadness. Benito gently laid Alondra down. He looked at the carnage grimly. "I understand now," he said. "Our way...it only lead to more bloodshed. I understand now, a new direction is needed."
"Master?" Fielhombre asked calmly, trying to hide his sadness and anger.
"We are no longer Armonía," said Benito. "We are Los Retazos, for we are the remnants of a broken dream."
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as Benito let the tears fall freely. "But our goal is still peace," said Benito. "But we need a new plan to gain it."
"And that new plan," continued Benito. "Is the complete annihilation of the Soul Reapers."
The Fracciónes were silent for a moment. Fielhombre then kneeled. "I am with you until the end, Master. If the Soul Reapers are that interested in continuing the conflict between us that they would kill a pacifist like Lady Alondra, then we will destroy them."
Pastor kneeled as well. "There was no reason for them to attack Hueco Mundo, yet they did. I'm in too."
The other two Fracciónes kneeled as well, leaving Palmira standing alone. Palmira then mustered up her resolve when she saw Alondra's body. "Lady Alondra was a good woman," she said, kneeling. "We'll see them burn for stepping on her dream. If they prefer blood, we'll give it to them."
Benito nodded. "Rise," he said. "Let us take our fallen comrades back to the colony. Let the others know that the Soul Reapers aren't interested in peace."
As the group prepared to leave, Benito took one last look at his fallen sister. "I'm sorry, Hermana," he said. "I can no longer do things your way, not after this."
Benito's features took on a darker look. "Soul Society will burn."
End Flashback
No matter the war, it is started in the same way. Benito thought on his throne. An ideal is rejected, the rejecting side tries to push their own ideals, and the rejected side refuses to comply.
He sighed. I wouldn't have done anything if it hadn't been for that day. But if anything, that day opened my eyes.
A glare formed on Benito's face. Differences cannot be reconciled, no matter how hard you try to. Benito thought. Even though my sister was a pacifist that wanted peace everywhere, the difference between Soul Reapers and Arrancar simply could not be reconciled, and that was a mistake she paid for with her life.
Benito stood up and left his throne. They struck first, he thought. They started this war. They decided they want bloodshed.
His hand formed into a fist that was clenched in anger. And today, he continued. I'll give it to them.
A.N: And we're back to regular time. Thank you for bearing with the six flashback chapters. Now we're getting back to the real action that I'm sure everyone's been waiting for. This is ND2014 signing off.