Eight years ago on the outskirts of Karakura town.

'Yo Wonderweies!' Kaien called out to the Arrancar boy who was leaning on a broken wall and looked up at the shinigami who was carrying two massive plastic bags.

'So you come out of this way to meet me again Shinigami?' Marla said somewhat dismissively yet softly. While Kaien just snorted.

'Oh come off it, if you didn't want to be here, you wouldn't be here at our usual spot' He retorted dismissively, before opening up one of the bags, which was filled with snakes, a few handheld counsels, and video games. 'And besides, I rather hold out my end of the bargain for you escorting me to my town'

Wonderweiss then remains silent for a bit before smiling and looking through the bag himself. 'Well at least some of the stuff you give me is somewhat entertaining' he said before pulling out a console and game that he liked and then staring at Kaien. 'Are you afraid that someone might find out about you hanging out with an enemy?'

The young man just laughed. 'Oh I wouldn't worry about it, Shinigami like me are treated as second-class citizens, that are only good for either extra help, or as living cure packets for the Quincies. So me hanging out with some Arrancar, isn't going to be their top priority

Wonderweiss then gave the Kaien a doubtful look and then let out a deep breath. 'Even when my king could order me and my squadron to attack your town?' He seriously question but the man just shrugged.

'Hey it's not like you have a choice in that and besides, you can always overlook me and my friends and family if you can help it' Kaien reasoned while ripping open a packet of chips and began eating them.

'Of course...' The blonde hollow said with a slight laugh and then looked down to the ground in sadness. Which made Kaien stop eating his chips and looked at his friend in concern.

'What's wrong?' The shinigami asked and Wonderweiss let out a dejected sigh.

'Its...I have been trying to evolve myself to a Vasto Lorde for a long time by devouring hollows and even as my power increases with each one I have eaten. I seemed no closer to reaching that state and becoming powerful enough to end this forty-year long war...and gain back my freedom'

Kaien then stared at the boy for a few minutes and then rubbed the back of his head. 'Well...I am not exactly the type of person who should be giving this advice to you but...do you want to be a Vasto Lorde?'

Wonderweiss then looked at the man in confusion. 'Of course I do!' he spoke up loudly. It's the only way I can become powerful enough to fight against the most elite of the Quincy and Fullbringers and get one step closer to freedom' He then gave himself an uneasy gaze. 'I mean...if that is not enough of a reason what is?'

Kaien then remains silent to the boy for one long moment before closing his eyes letting out a deep breath and then looking back at the Arrancar. 'It's not so much a matter of reason, but rather of want or need

The boy then narrowed his eyes. 'What do you mean by that?'

'To put it simply...' Kaien tried to explain while pulling out a game case. 'Wanting something is far more potent as a motivator, than simply needing it. For if one only does things because they need to then they are going to do a minimal amount of effort to get and thus not going to get much in return he then raised the video game case. 'Just in the same way a game developer only doing the bare minimum is likely going to create a pretty boring game' Kaien then look back to Wonderweiss. 'Which is why I am asking...do you want to be a Vasto Lorde?'

Wonderweiss then thought long and hard at what Kaien and upon looking back at everything...no he didn't. He was only motivated to do the action because he thought he needed to help Barragan's army to win the war and bring one step closer to getting back his freedom...but the truth was that there was an even more depressing reason why he was so unmotivated.

...He didn't believe that would be able to win it back. Even if he did become a Vasto Lorde and win the war for the hollows with the strength that came with it. Yet he pushed that thought way down at the back of his mind and continued onwards, otherwise, everything he did and fought for would is for nothing.

But then again with a friend like Kaien beside him...maybe never getting his freedom back wouldn't be so bad.

With a warm smile, Wonderweiss decided to take up his two bags. 'Well...you gave me something to think about Kurosaki Kaien, but I best get going, Dorodeni is about to take his squadron out of the world of the living soon, and I want to be there when he calls me

At hearing that Kaien then chuckled which made Wonderweiss knot his brow. 'Is there something funny?'

'No it's just...' his eyes then became soft. 'It's just...that is the first time since you called me by my full name

The boy then raised and shook his head. 'It an't that sentimental weirdo, I just figured it would be more appropriate to call you by your actual name instead of just Shinigmai'

Kaien then chuckled once more. 'Of course...' The man then began to walk away. 'See you soon Maraglea' He waved goodbye and Wonderweiss with his back turn gave the man a small smile.

'You too...'

That was how it was for the Arrancar and the Shinigami, for the past three years since their last visit, With Kaien giving Wonderweiss snacks and video games for him to play and entertain himself with and Wonderweiss hanging out with Kain to relieve stress from his job as solider. With it being one of the few bright spots in his life.

However, as the boy warned their friendship did indeed proves to be dangerous.

A few hours later

Wonderweiss didn't know how long he was knocked out, only that he remembered was ambushed by a squadron Quincy and then as he was fighting them off he heard a deafening shriek that tore his body apart before rendering him unconscious, and when his eyes adjusted from the bright light of the bulb shining down on his head. He noticed that tight Spiritual cuffs bound to his hands and feet. Then upon looking through the darkness that surrounded him. The boy saw three figures before him and upon sensing the spiritual power of the third one in the middle his blood immediately went cold in fright at the sheer amount of it.

But he nearly had a heart attack when he recognized the man in the middle.

Hubert Lehmann, Sternritter of the S, The Siren.

He was a fair-skinned man with a femain-like face, with combed black hair and thin eyebrows, yet his expression bore a twisted meaningful smile. Revealing the boy's fear of him.

'So this is the Arrancar, that has been wandering the outskirts of Kakakura...' he pondered while gently raising Wonderweiss's chin. 'He looks much younger than what the reports described'

One of the Quinces steps forward. 'I assure you he is both the same Arrancar that has escorted that Shiba to that sector and has been meeting with for the past three years, Sir'

Hubert then tightens his lips. 'So it would seem...' the Sternritter then walked away from the boy and then unsheathed her sword. 'Alright hollow, here is the deal: you are going to tell me everything you know and you will do it willingly' He then slides his fingers across the edge of his blade. 'And while I am sure you were threatened with death and or torture by your masters if you talked...' Hurbert then focused his eyes and spiritual pressure on Wonderweiss to the point it made the latter choke and gasped for air. 'I can assure you that I will make it a thousand times worse' The knight then pressed the edge of his blade at the Arrancar's neck. 'So talk...'

Not wanting to challenge the man's bluff Wonderweiss quickly conceded.

'Alright, I am part of a squadron, led by the Privavon Espada Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio and we usually are assigned to attacking small settlements like shielded towns and villages before retreating to Hueco Mundo. The reason why I rescue that shinigami was because he promised me to be my servant and since then we have been hanging out an-AAACK!?'

Wonderweiss screamed in pain as Hurbet stabbed his sword into his leg. While looking down at him in impatience and disgust.

'Perhaps I wasn't being clear...' He said while digging his sword deeper into the boy's thigh and making him squirm even louder. 'What I want is information that I don't already know. 'So don't you dare try to play games with me!'

Wonderweiss gasped in disbelief and confusion. 'Well...Barragan makes his Arrancar army by-AAAAAAHHHH!' He screeched again in pain to the point that tears began falling down his cheek.

'Did you just forget what I have just said!?" Lehmann snapped as he grabbed Maragala by the jaw and forced the latter to stare directly at him. 'Give me something I don't already know!'

'BUT THAT IS ALL THAT I KNOW!' Wonderweiss screamed desperation and panic. 'I am just a numerous, foot soldier, the higher-ups don't tell me classified stuff like upcoming grand invasions, spy networks, or anything else that vital, hell I doubt even know if my leader Dordoni knows anything like that!'

Hurbert then stared at the boy for a few moments in silence...before bursting out laughing much to the Arrancar's bafflement.

'Oh...' his voice then darkens. 'You must have taken me for a better man...' He said menacingly. 'Surly you don't expect me to believe that an Arrancar and a Shiba would just somehow become the best of friends and hang out just right next to the Concentrated Spirit Zone?'

Wonderweiss then looked at the Sternritter in confusion. '...what-URRRGH!?' he then screamed once more as Hurbert instantly stabbed in his shoulder and made him bleed.

'I suggest you dropped the clueless act now abomination...' he then narrowed his eyes on the hollow with pure killer intent. 'Otherwise, I might have to show my actual torture methods...'

The boy was then hyperventilating as tears and snot began to pour down his face. 'Look I don't why that man lied about his last name or what a concentrated spirit...whatever is. So you can either let me go or kill me. Because I have nothing else to give you!'

Hurbert then stared blankly at the Arrancar and then sighed. '...It would seem that my other methods are indeed needed' He said dismissively and then snapped his right finger and immediately another prisoner entered the room. Who to Wonderweiss's shock turned out to be Kaien, whose face has now bruised to the point of sporting a black eye and swollen cheeks, and when he grinned warmly he was shown to have a few broken teeth.

'Sorry, Maragala...' Kaien apologized. 'It turns out...some people did take an issue with us hanging out

Hurbert then grabbed the young man's hair and pulled his head back. 'I understand that you changed your last name, to hide your real identity, but we Quincy have records of all the members of the Five Great Noble Houses of the Shinigami, including those that fought in the last war

WonderWeiss eyes then widen. 'Great Noble House...you mean the shinigami who were responsible for Betraying the Reio and cutting up his body? he questioned which made Kaien close his eyes in shame.

'Hmph...' Hurbert huffed 'And I supposed you also want me to believe that you just figured t out?' he sarcastically stated. While Wonderweiss just let out a breath in defeat, having accepted that Quincy would just not listen to reason.

'Well, whatever...' The Sternritter then began to walk around the two men. 'So here is how this method works, one of you is going tell new and useful information otherwise I start slicing bits of your bodies off...' Suddenly two Soldats got behind both the Arrancar and the Shinigami and placed a hand on their forehead with a mechanical ophthalmic speculum that forced their eyes wide open. 'And make both of you watch'

Wonderweiss shuddered in terror at the process that was about to be inflicted on him. But then Kaien immediately spoke up.

'Alright you got us, we will tell you everything that you want to know' the Shinigami said while Hurbet smiled.

'Really?' he said with a raised eyebrow. 'Because if I detect that you are lying and I will...your friend will pay ten thousand fold then what you had suffered beforehand'

Kaien nodded slowly while Wonderweiss tried to figure out just what his friend was planning.

'Now...tell me what you know...'

Kaien then stared at Hurbert for a moment and let out a deep breath. 'There will be an invasion on this base soon, led by a Privion Espada and a squadron of twenty Arrancars'

Hurbert then widens his eyes slightly 'I see...why attack here and not Kakakura Town?

The Shingmai then paused before speaking up again. 'Karakura town is also a target, But Barragan wanted to eliminate any potential reinforcements that could aid the city or at the least stall them enough until the town was sacked'

The Sternritter then smiled in satisfaction. 'Interesting, and I can assume that you and the Arrancar were doing recognize before the invasion began?'

Kaien nodded. 'Yes, while I scan the town on the inside Wonderweiss scouted on the outside, isn't that right?'

Wonderweiss hesitated for a moment but then decided to play along and nodded quickly in agreement and the Shiba looked up to his kidnapper.

'Is there anything else you need to know?'

Hurbert then looked at the two men for a moment and slowly shook his head. 'No...it would be futile to gather any more information out if you two, sense logically that would be the only useful information a pair of mere foot soldiers would be given. The Quincy then raised her blade. 'But now that the two of you have exhausted whatever usefulness you have...' his blade then began to glow blue with spiritual energy and reshi. 'Both of you will now die together!'

However just as Wonderweiss was about to close his towards to his upcoming end. Somebody suddenly crashed through the room's rooftop with a kick, forcing Hurbert to dodge out of the way and when the dust cleared, the attacker revealed themselves to be Dorodoni in a dance-like pose.

'I'm afraid the only one who would die here Hombrecito, is you' The Privon threaten the Sternritter who winded his eyes in shock and rage, before gesturing the rest of his men in the room to attack the Arrancar.

But Dorodoni blasted all their bodies apart by rapidly firing balls from his hands and in frustration, Hurbert tried to cut the annoying man in half, only for his blade to be blocked by the sole of the latter's shoe and then before the Quincy could react further. Dorondoni then immediately charged a red cero between his fingers and fired at his enemy, which pushed him back with enough force to send the knight crashing through several buildings outside the room.

With his enemy now gone. Dorodoni then rushed by Wondweiss's side and uncuffed him along with Kaien. 'It would seem that Hollow bait came in handy after all huh?' the Privon commented while Maragla looked at him suspiciously.

'Wait you mean both of you plan for this?' Wonderweiss questioned but, Kaien shook his head.

'No, it was just provocation...' The Shinigami then looked up at Dorodonri. 'Shorty after you took me to Kakara town a few years ago, your squad leader gave me a piece of hollow bait to single him if any one of us was captured by the Quincy' He then looked over to the hole in the wall. 'That whole real information spill, was just me making shit up until the cavalry arrived'

'And it is best that both of you get out of here as soon as possible' The older man warns. 'While my men can hold off most the Quincies here. There is still an entire squadron of apprentice knights running this place and that Sternritter I sent flying is far from being beaten'

Wonderweiss still trying to process everything nodded his head. "Alright...' he then looked towards his bruised friend. 'Come on Kaien lets go'

The Arrancar and the Shinigami quickly made ran out of the room and as soon as they did, Hurbet immediately appeared in front of Dorodonri, his face only suffer a few bruises from the massive cero he took point blank.

'How typical...'The Sternritter commented while drawing his sword. 'The Shinigami did say that your squadron would attack this base, but I failed to ask him when...' His spiritual pressure then began to rise. 'I will be sure to be a bit more thorough in my next investigation after I kill you all

Dorodoni then frowns menacingly at the haughty man. 'Do not make me repeat myself, Quincy...' He boasted while raising his zanpaktou. 'The only one who will die here tonight...' He then unsheathed the blade. 'Is you, Whirl Giralda!'

The Privaron 's body was then engulfed in a huge swirling tornado that pushed away the surrounding debris and then after it disperse, Dorodoni was in his resccion form. They now sported two large horns on his shoulders and armor with exhaust ports, that curled around from his feet to up his calves and jet out of his waist with two more horns, while his mask extends over his face.

'Ave Mellizos' He uttered and soon two large cyclones generated out of the exhaust ports in his armor that then caused him to hover up high into the air, while twelve bird-like extensions emerge from the swirling winds, and with a forward left kick, he commands the extensions to attack the lone Sternritter.

But Hurbert merely gave his enemy a cold smirk at the seemingly overwhelming sight before him.

'Such blissful ignorance...' He said in condescension while forming a violin of reshi under his chin and placing his sword on its strings. 'Allow me to enlighten you...with my sympathy!

Then with a single swing of his blade among the string, a sound wave struck and disintegrated, the floor, walls, and ceiling of the room itself. Along with all of Dorodoni's bird extensions. While the man could only look in shock before getting struck.

A few minutes later down the hallway...

Wonderweiss and Kaien continue to run out of the facility. The former tried in vain to open a garatana portal.

'It's no use...' Maragla huffed, there is something in this building preventing me from opening a rift to the Garganta. Well just have to keep running away from this place until we get out of its range

Kaien then nodded in agreement while keeping himself silent. Wonderweiss Quickly picks up and sighs.

'Look if your think I am blaming you for getting into this mess I don't. Because I am just as guilty as you for allowing myself to get caught and no I do not care about you being a Shiba'

Kaien then looked at Wonderweiss. 'You...don't?' He asked hesitantly while the boy surged.

'Look I don't care what your ancestors did to Quincy's god or whatever. It has nothing to do with me and as far I am concerned it has nothing to do with you either' He then took a deep breath. 'And right now we should focus on getting as far away from this place as possible

Kaien then stared at the Arrancar for a moment his jaw-dropping for a few minutes and then smiled warmly. 'Thank you...Maragla'

Upon hearing the tone in the shinigami's voice the boy blushed slightly in embarrassment and quickly shook his head. 'You can thank me when getting out of here now let's-' he then suddenly stopped and felt the loss of Dordoni's spiritual pressure.

'What is wrong?' Kaien asked in concern.

'My Captain he is-!?' Suddenly Wonderweiss felt dozens of other Arrancar spiritual signatures being wiped out in seconds followed by a loud screech, which was the same one he heard before being knock-out and captured, and then after that, all the signatures of his comrades disappeared.

Now panicking the Arrancar upped his pace and finally found the door exit and rushed out into the courtyard of the base.

But what he saw only confirmed his fears.

For standing in front of him was Hubert and a squadron of Quincy and behind them the dead bodies of an entire squadron of Arrancars laid shredded apart among dusted debris and in Quincy's hand grabbed by their hair, was the bloody corpse of Dordoni, with his eyes rolled to the back of his head, the front of his chest ripped open, to the point that his ribbed cage and spine were laid bare, while both of his legs were torn off from the thighs.

The Sternritter then tossed fallen the privion to the ground like trash and began to unsheathed his sword once more.

'Quit cleaver...' Hurbet praised mockingly. 'Even when under threat and torture, you still managed to deceive me by having your squadron attack this base while I was interrogating you' He then smiled coldly. ' Unfortunately, you have severely underestimated the power we Knights of the Holy Kingdom wield' He then forms his violin under his chin. 'And now because of your folly, you and your accomplice will now die in vain'

Wonderweiss's heart then began to beat in fright. Because while he knew that was no guarantee that Dorodonri even as a former Espada would have been able to beat a Sternritter. It was terrifying to see him die so quickly and effortlessly, along with the rest of his squadron to this single man. This also means that the chances that both him and Kaien getting out of her alive have just been reduced to zero.

However, right before Wonderweiss could up with a plan or anything. Kaien placed his right hand on his left shoulder, much to the boy's confusion.

The soundtrack of Choice: Fallen Heroes

'It's okay Maraglara, I would take it from here' The young man said solemnly. While Wonderweiss looked at this friend in bafflement.

'ARE YOU CRAZY!' The Arrancar screamed at him. 'Unlike me, you don't have powers to defend yourself with, Heck if anything I should be the one to stay behind!' He desperately tried to argue. But Hurbert upon hearing the two's conversation and begins to play his violin.

'As If I will give either of you the chance to escape' He spoke in contempt, before playing a single note on his instrument and unleashing a huge shockwave that reduced the ground in front of the Star Knight to dust. However just as Wonderweiss tried to place himself in front of his friend and stretched out his body as much as he could to block the approaching attack.

Kaien Shibi then uttered a single incantation.

'Bakoudo 81 Danku'

Then within a split second before the sound-wave hit, it was blocked by a thin translucent rectangle barrier. Completely stunning Wonderweiss by the action itself and then as he looked back at his friend he noticed that his spiritual power rose to the same level as the Sternritter's if not more so. While black orbs of an unknown substance surrounded the Shinigami.

Yet Hurbert growled at the display in frustration. 'You really must be desperate Shiba...' He spat lowly. 'For you to risk using your powers, just to get you and your ally safe...'

Kaien then smiled sadly at him. 'I am afraid it is just one of us...'He then turns to face Wonderweiss. '...go'

The boy then winded his eyes in confusion and hurt. '...what?'

Kaien then breathed inward. 'I can only use my abilities for a limited time, Wonderweiss, and I may not be able to defeat that man before my time runs out' He then gave Wonderweiss a sad look. 'So please...run away while you still can'

The Arrancar then looked at his friend, then at Hurbert, and then back to his. 'No...I can't with you now having powers we can both work together and-

'YOU WILL ONLY GET BOTH OF US KILLED IF YOU STAY HERE BRAT!' Kaien roared at Wonderweiss stunning him into silence as it was the first time the Shinigami yelled at him like that...or even referred to him as a child. 'You are out of your league in dealing with a Sternritter and even with my power I can only manage it for a few minutes at most...' His eyes then began to get watery. 'So, please...use whatever hollow instincts you have and run away from here and survive!'

Wonderweiss looking hurt stared at Kaien for a moment and then looked at Hurbert and then noticed that his friend wasn't just shielding himself with that spell barrier, but also from the overwhelming spiritual pressure from the powerful Quincy, who likely was trying to paralyze or slow down his movements to keep him from running.

And the boy then knew right at that moment just how outclassed he was in comparison.

With nothing else to argue or say against. Wonderweiss disappeared in a flicker of Sondio, but Hurbert huffed haughtily at the attempt and gave a hand single to his men to follow the hollow.

But Kaien would have none of it as he quickly drew symbols in the air with his hand and cast another spell.

Bakoudo 9. Geki!' He shouted and immediately all the surrounding Quincy were paralyzed to the ground unable to move. While Hurdurt remains unaffected by the spell and then huffed at his fallen subordinates dismissively.

'You are risking a lot trying to save one meager Hollow Shiba' The Quincy insulted while readying his violin again. 'Do you honestly believe it will be all worth it in the end?'

Kaien looked at the Sternrriter for a moment and smiled. 'For a friend like him...anything' He then stretched out his right hand his smile then turn into a grin and the black substance around then began to swirl around it before taking the shape and transforming into a sheathed zanpaktou. 'But the question you should be answering knight...' he then grabbed hold of the sword. 'Do you think you are ready to place your soul on the line against me!?'

He then began to utter another incantation.

'Through my word, I hereby retake my Epithet...' he then grips the sword tightly 'As The Honored Avenger' Suddenly the black orbs around the shinigami rapidly surrounded him in a vortex of energy, that was so dark and intense, that it made even Hubert sweat sweet nervously in fear and when it died down Kaien was branding a new uniform and weapon.

His modern clothes were replaced with a black and tattered sleeveless kimono, showing off his tone arms and a brown badge was tied to his right bicep. While his spiritual power increased several times over and then he began to twirl his zanpaktou into his right hand.

'Surge, Water, and Heaven, Neibana!' His Zanpaktou then glowed gold before transforming into a silver trident, with jagged pongs with sided blades and a dirty blue horse tassel, while the end of the weapon had a corkscrew-like drill. Then as Kaien swung the trident, massive waves of water surrounded the man as he prepared to attack. While Hurlburt nervously had his violin at the ready.

A few minutes later outside the wastelands.

Wonderweiss didn't know how long he had run for. As he didn't know how far the reach of the portal disabling the device was, but most importantly he didn't want to risk tempting himself in going back to help Kaien. Even as he feared that his friend might get turned apart by that Sternritter in the same way as Dorodoni and his men.

However, those fears were put to rest when he heard and then saw a gigantic torrent of water that was over several city blocks wide, raising nearly a thousand feet into the sky. With the concertation and potency of the spiritual power within it being far greater than most Espada or Sternritter. He then immediately senses Kaien's spiritual energy within it. Giving hope that he may still be alive...but when the torrent of water disappeared it vanished.

However, there is one spiritual power that he did sense...Hubert's.

Though it was now only a mere flicker, of the once monstrous force of power it once was, it was still there, struggling to stay alit and Wonderweiss knew that if he make it back to the now. He could likely kill the Sternritter to avenge the people who sacrifice their lives to save him.

But such an idea was bashed away when he sense several other knights arriving near the area and once again leaving himself hopelessly outmatched.

With nothing else to do. Wonderweiss with a heavy heart open a Garganta to Hueco Mundo and after making his report to his superiors, he went back to quarters and rested in his bed...before crying his heart out at his sheer powerlessness to save the people who sacrifice themselves to save him.

From then on the boy, who was once among the most apathetic of the soldiers, then became the most driven, as he rapidly devoured as many hollows as he could and killed just as many Quincy that stood in his way while growing ever stronger and ever more ruthless. All so to become powerful enough to hunt down and kill the Sternrriter that took everything from him.

And eventually within less than a year of constant training, battle, and feasting...he finally evolved to the highest stage of a menos.

A Vasto Lorde.

One that not only exceeded the power of many of the Espada at the time. But he also gains the unique ability to seal off the abilities of anyone near him. Including the schrifts of the Quincy and with that power and strength. Wonderweiss began to rapidly kill many of the Sternritter of the Holy Kingdom. All the while inflicting horrific torture upon the knights after brutally defeating them to satisfy his rage. Yet no matter how many Sternritters he killed...Hurlburt was not one of them, much to his frustration.

However, said anger then turned into despair when he heard exactly what happen to his hated foe.

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE HAS BEEN DISCHARGED AS A STERNRRITER!' Wonderweiss roared at the top of his voice as he grabbed and choked Aisslinger Wernarr my throat and pressed him against the white walls of Las Noches.

'I am sorry my lord, but what my spies said is true, The Quincy that now bares the S is James, not Hurbert, meaning that he has likely given his Schrift away and now no longer has the power of a Sternritter'

Wonderweiss then began to shake his entire being. 'So you are telling me...'He then gripped Asslinger's throat tighter. 'All these years, of gaining power, becoming a damn Vasto Lorde, and murdering that other Sternritter to draw him out was for nothing!'

'We...' The older Arrancar tried to squirm. 'Can still try to find which of the Holds he lives in the Soul Society and-' Wonderweiss then harshly tossed the man down to the floor and held his head down.

'What the fucking good would that do anyway...?' The boy muttered bitterly. 'I became an Espada to crush him at his best, to make up for my weakness...and now that bastard likely won't be challenged for me at my worst...'

Since then the boy, unable to find an outlet for his rage, guilt, and helplessness, then decided, to push down such emotions deep into crevices in his heart, making him crueler, spiteful, and apathetic to not only those around him but subconsciously to himself as well. All so that he could no longer feel the pain of caring about someone and losing them ever again.

But in the end, despite all of his efforts, he could still feel emotion...and the shame of what he has become when trying to deny them.

Present day within the hospital room of the Black City...

Wonderweiss slowly opens his eyes and noticed that he was covered in bandages, while restrain to a bed next to his side. He saw a young teenage girl with short brown hair.

'Oh, so you are awake...' she said while smiling. 'I was thinking that you would never wake up

'The boy then narrowed his eyes on the girl. 'Why am I here and alive?' He asked.

'Oh, well Mr. Cang Du insisted that you would be brought to the city as a POW to be an interrogation, while I was assigned here to look after you

Wonderweiss then raised an eyebrow. 'You were?' He questioned.

The girl puffed her cheeks and looked away in embarrassment. 'Well actually it was so that I can meet you in person' She then smiled warmly to herself. 'After all while you may have been a dreaded enemy to Quincy and some of my friends...you were also my uncle's friend too'

Wonderweiss then wided his eyes. 'You mean...Kaien Shiba?'

The girl then nodded. 'Yes on my father's side and I am his niece Yuzu Kurosaki'

The Arrancar then stared and looked away in shame. 'I see...and I guess I must have disappointed you...and him'

Yuzu then remains silent for a moment but then lets out a deep breath. 'I would be lying if I said I wasn't...but even then I still wish to get to know you, since my uncle saw you as sort of a younger brother given how much you two use to hang out together

Wonderweiss then looked at Yuzu for a moment and then smiled chuckled and smiled. 'Yeah, I guess he would have thought me like that...' He then rose himself up to his bed to get a better look at the young Kurosaki. 'Well..since I have been beaten and restrained I might as well tell you whatever you want to know

And with that the Arrancar boy, while he may have failed to gain his freedom, saved his friend, or gain his vengeance...he was still had another chance to form another bond with someone that cares about him.