Disclaimer: Bleach and Ben 10 do not belong to me

Thanks goes to Pyromania101 and the Incredible Muffin.

I reworded the last part a bit. It was voiced that Aizen sounded too overconfident and that he was always cautious before fusing with the Hogyoku. Aizen was always a Smug Snake even before then, but, considering that Ben is unlike anything he's ever encountered before, I could see why even Aizen would want to be a little cautious. At least until he got a better scope of Ben's powers, then he'd be back to the cocky jerk we all know and hate.

Aizen

Ben couldn't fight his apprehension as he took in his surroundings. He was the center of attention to everyone in the room. Some eyed him with curiosity, others with contempt, and some with eagerness. It took everything he could to fight back a shiver. But what he really couldn't help but notice was that a lot of the people had holes in their body, including places that they shouldn't have been able to live with, such as in the chest where a person's heart was. How did they have those holes and how they were still alive? Ben didn't know, but he had a strong feeling he wasn't going to like the answer.

"Now," Aizen said, drawing Ben's attention back to him. "There is a lot we could learn from each other. May I ask you some questions first?"

While Ben was grateful that Aizen was willing to just talk things out, he wasn't going to immediately trust this guy. Still, he was in an unknown place and currently outnumbered. He decided to go along for now. "Sure. That sounds fair."

Aizen smiled. "Tell me about your transformations. I'm quite intrigued by them."

Ben wasn't surprised there. He pulled back his sleeve and held his arm up, displaying the Ultimatrix in full view. Everyone in the room gazed at it. "This is the Ultimatrix. It contains the DNA of different aliens." Ben decided he would be just open enough to earn Aizen's trust, but not tell him everything.

There was a collective gasp from the peanut gallery and even Aizen's eyes widened, albeit by a fraction. "Aliens you say?"

"Bullshit!" Nnoitra bellowed angrily, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Aliens aren't real! This guy's gotta be lying!"

"Nnoitra," Aizen spoke his name softly, but the Espada still flinched at being addressed by his master. "Please allow our guest to finish. I don't see any reason why he would lie to us. Besides, just because the existence of aliens hasn't been proven doesn't mean that they don't."

Nnoitra looked nervous. "Yes. Forgive me, Lord Aizen."

So aliens either didn't exist in this universe or their existence just hadn't been discovered. If that was the case…then who were these guys?

Aizen looked back at Ben now. "So this Ultimatrix allows you to transform into aliens through their DNA. Quite the impressive weapon."

"Well, it's not really a weapon," Ben said. "It's a device meant for peace."

Nnoitra looked like he was about to give another outburst but one look from Aizen quickly shut up. Nonetheless, everyone else present were murmuring amongst themselves and some were giving Ben looks of strong skepticism.

"Forgive me, Ben," Aizen said, as if voicing everyone's thoughts. "But considering the potential of such a device, I find it hard to believe that it is a tool for peace."

"Well, it can be used as a weapon," Ben admitted. "But the creator originally intended it to be used as a means of understanding others. It makes the 'walk a mile in someone else's shoes' very literal."

Several of the others now looked disinterested and disappointed, as if they were hoping the Ultimatrix was a genuine weapon. Others, like Szayelaporro and Starrk, looked at the Ultimatrix with awe and curiosity respectively.

"Really?" Aizen said. "I assume that, since you are in possession of it, you are some sort of peace-keeper where you come from."

"I do peace-keeping," Ben said. "But for the most part…I'm basically a superhero."

This earned him several guffaws and some more scoffs from the peanut gallery. Ben frowned but otherwise did nothing. He was used to this reaction by now.

"And where exactly are you from?" Aizen questioned.

Now came the dicey part. "I come from a town called Bellwood. It's on Earth…in another universe."

Aizen's eyes widened considerably more while the room erupted with talk. Everyone was yelling at the same time so their voices mingled together, but Ben could make out disbelief, shock, flat out refusal of his claim, and quite a lot of profanity.

"Everyone," Aizen's calm voice brought everyone to a halt. Once the room filled with Aizen eyed Ben. "So you claim to be from another universe? Do you have any proof of this? And if you are, then why are you here?"

Ben took a deep breath. Aizen was hearing him out but he had to make sure he could really convince them. "I'm really popular in my universe. Everybody knows who I am, but you've never heard of me. Plus," he activated his Ultimatrix and started turning the dial, showing the holographic images of his aliens. "You've never seen any of these guys before, because they don't exist here."

"Your reasoning is fair," Aizen acknowledged. "But there are other possible explanations for your Ultimatrix, your transformations, who you are, and where you are from."

Ben cringed. True, his proof was flimsy at best but it was all he had.

"However," Aizen continued. "I have witnessed many things in my life. The existence of alternate universes isn't impossible and if you were trying to lie to me, you would told me something far more convincing. I will give you the benefit of a doubt for the time being."

Ben was relieved.

"But, if you are indeed from another universe," Aizen went on. "How did you come here?"

Ben sighed and scratched his head. "It wasn't by choice. Things were really peaceful in my universe and I didn't have anything to do. Then some guy claiming he knew a…friend of mine showed up. Said he knew a way to kill my boredom and suggested I go to another universe. All I said was that maybe going to a different universe would be cool, so he opens a portal and sends me flying into it! Next thing I know, I land in some kind of desert and well…here I am."

There was nothing but silence as Aizen took everything in. Everyone else was silent, waiting to see what would happen next.

"Well," Aizen said finally. "It sounds like you've had quite the experience."

Ben shrugged. "That's one way of putting it."

"Indeed," Aizen said with a nod. "Ben? Could you please wait outside for a moment?"

Well this was it. Knowing that he had very little choice in the matter, Ben turned around and headed out the door. Figuring they probably wanted the door closed, Ben proceeded to do just that. Once the doors were close, Aizen went straight to business.

"Well, my dear Espada," He said to his warriors. "What do you think of this?"

"The boy has to be lying!" Baraggan said firmly. "Alternate universes? Aliens? Rubbish."

Aizen just smirked. "Are you truly one to say such things, Baraggan? After all, you were once convinced Hueco Mundo was the only realm in existence."

Baraggan narrowed his eye at Aizen but said nothing else.

"If what the boy says is true then he is a scientist's greatest dream!" Szayelaporro gushed. "Proof of alternate universes? Extraterrestrials?!" He moaned in ecstasy, deeply disturbing those closest to him.

"That device of his is of great interest," Ulquiorra commented. "From what I saw, he was able to hold his own against Cirucci Sanderwicci, even though he was merely defending himself. Furthermore, there is much we don't know about this Ben Tennyson, particularly how many transformations he has and what they are each capable of."

"Hard to believe something like that was created for something like understanding others," Starrk commented. This took everyone by surprise. Starrk hardly spoke his mind, being content to just stay quiet and let everyone else do the talking.

Aizen smiled. The fact that this Ben Tennyson managed to get Starrk to participate was impressive.

"Agreed," Baraggan spoke up. "A device that grants the wielder multiple transformations and it was intended as a means for peace? Hmph. Surely whoever made that thing should've known others would try to use it as a weapon. In fact, if the device has enough forms, it could grant anyone the power to conquer all."

If only Baraggan knew.

"All that potential power at his disposal and he cares more about being a hero," grumbled Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez, the Sexta Espada. He was a wild looking man with electric blue hair, an open shirt showing a muscular chest, a jawbone on the right side of his face, and a hole in his torso. "How pathetic."

"The fact that he uses his powers for justice is admirable," argued Tosen firmly, turning his head towards Grimmjow.

"But now that he's here," Gin threw in. "What do we do with him?"

"An excellent question," Aizen said. "And while the boy himself is fascinating, I am curious about whoever sent him here and why. Did this person send Ben here to disrupt my plans? Or is he trying to aid me by sending me a potential ally? Either scenario is possible but Ben himself knows nothing of Hollows or Soul Reapers. Surely if Ben had been deliberately sent here, his sender would have told him about where he was being sent to."

Nobody said a word as they took Aizen's words in. Even though they knew a little bit more about Ben Tennyson, there was still a lot of questions left unanswered.

"Still," Aizen continued. "I cannot overlook the prospect of a new ally. If Ben truly knows nothing of Soul Society or Soul Reapers, that works to my advantage."

This news shocked a decent amount of the room's occupants.

"You wish to recruit him?" Baraggan asked, not particularly thrilled.

"There is no reason why I shouldn't," Aizen said. "While I don't know the intentions, if any, of the one who sent him here, I cannot overlook such a promising addition to our army."

Some, like Szayelaporro, were thrilled. Others were shocked and some wanted to speak out against this, but Aizen looked at the naysayers and they immediately fell silent.

"But first," Aizen said, a smirk on his face. "Let us see if the boy will lend us his power willingly."

This took everyone, even Ulquiorra, by surprise. Aizen wasn't going to use his usual method? This was a first. But could he really get the boy to join them by choice?

Ben found himself sitting against wall again as he waited for news. Obviously there was a debate about what to do with him. Ben sighed as he looked at the ceiling. So far Aizen was at least willing to give him the benefit of a doubt and he seemed helpful enough. Still, Ben was on guard. Sure the guy seemed friendly but that didn't mean he was completely trustworthy. Ben had dealt with enough backstabbers to know that he needed to take whatever anyone said with a grain of salt.

Ben's thoughts drifted to other things. There was no guarantee this Aizen guy knew a way to get him home. Was there any way in this universe that could get him back to his at all?

Ben was snapped out of his thoughts when the doors opened.

"Come back inside," Ulquiorra, the one who opened the doors, said.

A bit irked at Ulquiorra's demand, Ben still picked himself and walked back into the room.

"Ben Tennyson," Aizen said. "I do not know how to send you back to your original universe."

Ben hadn't really expected Aizen to know a way but disappointment filled him all the same.

"However," Aizen said. "It would be cruel of me to not at least find a way to send you back home."

Ben raised a brow. "What? You think you can actually find a way to send me back to my universe?"

"I believe so," Aizen said. "But it will take time and effort to do so."

"Not surprised," Ben said. "These things usually are."

"In the meantime," Aizen went on. "Since you are here, I would to ask something of you."

Uh oh, here it comes. Ben had a feeling this wasn't going to be free.

"A war is coming," Aizen said. "And I could really use your help."

A war? Oh great. Ben just wanted a way to kill his boredom and instead he got dropped right into a war?! Some vacation.

"But first," Aizen said quickly. "There are some things you need to understand. Earlier I noticed the glances you gave my troops. No doubt you are curious over the holes in their bodies and the bones they wear."

Ben cringed as he looked down at his feet at being caught. "Sorry," he apologized.

"There is no need to apologize," Aizen assured him. "Your curiosity is perfectly understandable. But Ben, you must prepare yourself for what I am about to tell you. We…are spirits."

Ben's head shot up as he stared at Aizen. "What? You're…you're ghosts?!"

"We are," Aizen confirmed.

Ben's jaw dropped and he found himself at a loss for words. Ghosts? Actual ghosts? The dear departed? Sure he was used to dealing with a lot strange things, including aliens that were ghost-like in nature, but he had never encountered actual ghosts.

"I, along with Gin and Tosen," Gin waved and Tosen nodded as Aizen addressed them. "Are Soul Reapers."

"Soul Reapers?" Ben asked, repeated. "Is that like the Grim Reaper?"

Aizen chuckled, familiar with the livings' image of what a reaper looks like. "In a sense. The purpose of Soul Reapers is to guide souls to the afterlife, known in this universe as Soul Society."

"Soul Society," Ben said to himself before looking back at Aizen. "What about Hollows?"

"That requires a bit more to explain," Aizen said with a chuckle. " So I will give you the basic explanation. You see, when people die in this universe, their spirits have a chain that attaches them to their physical bodies. These chains, known as Chains of Fate, will keep them bound to their living bodies but they are capable of being broken. When the chains are broken, they start to corrode through a process known as Encroachment. The more a spirit lingers in the Land of the Living, the more the chain will corrode. When the chain has fully corroded, the soul will transform into a Hollow. Hollows are masked, bestial creatures who are guided by instinct to devour souls."

Ben felt his blood run cold. "E-eat souls?" He asked. Then he noticed that several of the occupants in the room were giving him dirty looks.

"Do not blame them, Ben," Aizen said softly. "Hollows are consumed by a void which forms when their transformation is complete. They wish to fill that void, symbolized by holes in their bodies, and will go to extreme lengths to have it filled."

It then registered in Ben's mind on why so many people in the room had holes in their bodies.

"As you may have guessed by now," Aizen said. "Those you see before you were Hollows."

Well that explained why they all looked really angry at him. But then Ben noticed something in Aizen's words. "Were?" He couldn't help but ask.

"They are now Arrancar," Aizen elaborated. "Hollows who have torn off their masks and regained humanoid appearances."

Well that explained what Arrancars were at least.

Ben opened his mouth to ask about what this had to do with a war, when Aizen raised a finger to stop him.

"You're wondering what this has to do with the war I mentioned," Aizen stated, shocking Ben. Okay was this Aizen guy a mind-reader or something? "Well, Ben. It is the job of Soul Reapers to guide souls to Soul Society so that they do not become Hollows and harm other spirits in the first place. But Soul Society has become corrupted over time. Numerous souls are ignored instead of guided, forcing them to transform into Hollows, who are then callously hunted down by the Soul Reapers instead of being helped."

Ben's eyes widened at this shocking revelation.

"Soul Society has also become corrupted within its own walls," Aizen said. "Despite being spirits, there are rich and there are poor. There are powerful and there are weak. The rich and the powerful bully the poor and the weak, forcing the latter to live in pathetic conditions while the former living in luxury, doing whatever they please and trotting on any who cross them."

Ben clenched his fists. He hated bullies and the corrupted.

"I couldn't stand by and allow this to continue," Aizen said firmly. "So Tosen, Gin, and I defected from Soul Society and made our way to Hueco Mundo, the land of the Hollows. Someone needed to help these souls and I was the only one willing to lift a finger to do so. I helped the Hollows become Arrancar and together we built the fortress of Las Noches. But Soul Society has not taken my betrayal kindly. They will do whatever it takes to destroy me and my forces while I intend on overthrowing them and making the world a better place." Aizen looked at Ben, almost imploringly. "Ben, I know this is not your universe and therefore not your fight, but I could really use your help in putting an end to Soul Society's corrupting ways and setting things straight."

Ben crossed his arms. He hated whenever he got dragged into a war. Usually he was asked to serve as peace-maker (with minimal success if any). Taking sides in one didn't really sound like a good idea.

"Have you tried talking with them?" He suggested, though he had a feeling he knew the answer.

"Soul Society's government and leaders are narrow minded fools, stuck in their centuries old traditions," Aizen said and there seemed to be a hint of disgust in his voice. "And they will go to extreme lengths to uphold these laws regardless of practicality or morality. Why, just recently, a Soul Reaper gave some of her power to a human boy in order for him to save his family, but because it is forbidden to give one's power to a human, she was to be executed."

"What?!" Ben exploded in shock and outrage.

"In the end, Soul Society's leaders do not care about saving souls," Aizen said, looking sad as he did. "They care more about establishing their authority by any means necessary."

Ben exhaled through his nose angrily. Soul Society reminded him of the governments back in his own universe, both on Earth and on other planets. But at the same time, if a Soul Reaper broke the law in order to save people, they couldn't be all bad.

"There are other Soul Reapers who don't agree with the state of things," Aizen said, once again apparently reading Ben's mind. "But trying to change the government from within is futile. Only by tearing down the old ways and starting anew will make a difference."

Ben frowned. He could relate to wanting to overthrow corrupted leaders and tyrants, but the question was…how far was Aizen willing to go to achieve his goal?

"You call yourself a hero, don't you?" Aizen added. "This may not be your universe but would you truly turn your back on people in need?"

And there Aizen went, striking Ben where it would hit him the most. Still, Ben judged his situation in his mind. He needed a way home, Soul Society's corrupted ways disgusted him, and he felt bad for all these Arrancar. Their experiences were no doubt horrible ones. And as Aizen said, he was a hero, he couldn't just turn his back on people who needed his help.

Buuuuut, what if this was all a ploy to get Ben on his side? Aizen was a very charming and charismatic person, Ben could tell. But at the same time, that reminded him a little too much of Michael Morningstar. Yet if Aizen was telling the truth, then Soul Society needed to be stopped or at least shown the error of their ways. This was the place people went to after they died for crying out loud!

Ben decided he would go along for now. But he could keep his eye on Aizen and prepare himself in case the Soul Reaper proved to be another backstabber.

"Alright," Ben said finally. "I'll help you. But I want to make one thing clear."

"Yes?" Aizen asked curiously.

"I'll help you but I'll do it my own way," Ben said, giving Aizen a stern glare. "I won't kill anyone in cold blood, I will try to reason with the Soul Reapers if I can, and I will not let innocent lives be endangered."

Aizen nodded with a smile. "Those are are perfectly acceptable, Ben."

Ben sighed. "Aside from that, I'll help you in any way I can."

Aizen's smile grew. "Thank you, Ben. I truly do appreciate this." He got off his throne. "Since you will be staying with us, I need to introduce you to my forces." He looked back over at Gin and Tosen. "This is Gin Ichimaru and Tosen Kaname. As I already mentioned they are fellow Soul Reapers who defected with me after seeing how corrupted Soul Society is."

"Nice to meet'cha, Ben," Gin said, giving Ben a look that made him feel like a snake was eyeing him. "You're really gonna liven up this place, I can tell."

"Greetings, Ben Tennyson," Tosen said with a nod of his head. "I am honored to meet another who fights in the name of justice. I look forward to fighting alongside you."

Ben just smiled awkwardly. At least he was making a good impression so far.

"The Arrancar you see before you are known as the Espada and their Fraccion," Aizen said, indicating all the Arrancar who were in the room. "Ranked from ten to one, they are the most powerful Arrancar in Las Noches. My…generals if you will. All of you, introduce yourselves to our new friend."

Yammy was the first to step forward and Ben was tempted to take a step back. The guy was huge! As big as several of Ben's best brawlers. Yammy smirked down at him. "Yammy Llargo, Espada No. 10, just like you."

Ben tilted his head before he realized that Yammy was probably referring to the 10 on his jacket. He briefly wondered what Yammy would say if he learned one of Ben's nicknames was Ben 10.

The next one to step forward had a rather…unique appearance. This person wore a dress-like robe that covered their entire body alongside a frilly jacket, and a glove over their left hand. The person's face was covered by a long mask with eight holes, though the holes were too small for Ben to see any detail of their face.

"I am Espada No. 9, Aaroniero Arruerie," the figure said in a deep masculine voice before it spoke in a high pitched, feminine voice. "Pleased to meet you, Ben Tennyson."

Ben stood there, blinking rapidly as Aaroniero moved out of the way and Szayelaporro stepped forward, bowing dramatically.

"I am Espada No. 8, Szayelaporro Granz," He gave Ben an intense look and seemed to smile lewdly. "I am truly happy to meet you."

"Um…" an unnerved Ben said. "Thanks?"

Szayelaporro moved out of the way for the next Espada but that gaze, almost a smoldering one, never left his face. Ben suppressed a shiver when the next Arrancar faced him. This one was a tall, muscular, and dark skinned man who wore an outfit reminiscent of a martial arts outfit. He had lines running down his bald head to his eyes, three triangles under his chin, what appeared to be a mowhawk made out of bones, a necklace made out of teeth, and skull shaped earrings.

"I am Espada No. 7, Zommari Rureaux," The man informed Ben in a deep voice. "Be honored, Ben Tennyson, to work alongside Lord Aizen."

Grimmjow was next and Ben felt warning alarms in his head ringing. Like the sinister, predatory grin Grimmjow was flashing wasn't bad enough.

"Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez, Espada No. 6," Grimmjow said, his grin growing. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what you can do with that gauntlet of yours."

Ben could already tell that this Grimmjow guy was going to be a handful in the future.

Nnoitra was up next. "Nnoitra Gilga," He stuck out his tongue to reveal a big black number 5 tattooed on it. "The Fifth Espada. Grimmjow's not the only one who's anxious to see what you can do."

Oh great. There were two of them.

Ulquiorra stepped forward next. "You already know who I am. Ulquiorra Cifer, Espada No. 4." And that was all he said before moving on.

Ben's eyes widened as his jaw dropped as the next person came. She was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. And he had seen a lot during his adventures. She was tall, with dark skin, yellow blonde hair, aqua eyes, and thick eyebrows. Her 'shirt' had a high collar that covered the lower half of her face (sadly), while the bottom was short enough that the lower half of her very large breasts were exposed, with a zipper than ran from the bottom of the jack upward. The shirt's sleeves completely covered her arms, which were currently crossed underneath her chest, with black glove-like extensions at her fingers. There was also slits in her upper part of her pants, showing a fair amount of her shapely looking thighs. Was this woman some sort of exhibitionist? Realizing that she was looking right at him, Ben quickly snapped his jaw shut.

"Greetings, Ben Tennyson," the woman said in a surprisingly formal tone that really didn't match her lack of modesty. "I am Espada No. 3, Tia Harribel."

Feeling a bit awkward, Ben smiled at her. "Nice to meet you." With a nod, Harribel moved one. Ben couldn't help watching her as she did. Then he suddenly felt someone watching him. He turned his head and saw three female Arrancar giving him looks that screamed bloody murder. Ben didn't know who they were but he guessed they were close to Harribel and didn't like the way he had been eyeing her. Uh oh.

Next came Baraggan, who was eyeing Ben up and down though looking very unimpressed. "Baraggan Louisenbarn." And then he went back to the biggest group of non-Espada Arrancar. He hadn't said what his rank was but it was obvious he was Espada No. 2. He must not have been fond of his rank.

And last was Starrk. "Yo," he said tiredly. "Espada No. 1, Coyote Starrk." And then he walked back to a little girl Arrancar with green hair, a horned helmet, and an outfit not really suited for one of her age.

"Now you are familiar with the Espada," Aizen said. "I would like for you to work alongside one of them so that they can fill you in on the more elaborate details of this universe."

The Espada had various reactions to this. Szayelaporro looked thrilled, Grimmjow and Nnoitra had sadistic smirks on their faces, Baraggan looked like he was ready to explode if Ben was assigned to him, Aaroniero's expression was uncertain due to his mask, Yammy looked like he really didn't care while Starrk, Harribel, and Ulquiorra all had neutral expressions.

Aizen weighed his options carefully. While there were many ways he could easily force Ben to join him, he found it much more amusing to have the boy choose to join him. Szayelaporro, Grimmjow, and Nnoitra were out of the question, for obvious reasons. Baraggan: absolutely not. In all honesty, Aizen figured the best ones to partner Ben up with would be Ulquiorra, Harribel, and Starrk. Out of those three, Harribel and Starrk had the most tragic of pasts, which would increase their chances of making Ben sympathetic to their cause. At the moment though, it looked like Harribel's fraccion wanted to tear Ben apart so this left him with only one logical option.

"Starrk," Aizen said. "Ben will be under your supervision."

Starrk sighed and scratched his head. "Sure thing."

Szayelaporro deflated in disappointment while Nnoitra and Grimmjow scowled. Ben was a bit surprised. He was gonna be spending time with the most powerful Espada. Even though he didn't know much about the guy, the fact that he was the most powerful Arrancar in Las Noches was pretty cool.

"Now," Aizen said. "Everyone, please return to your chambers." He smiled. "I believe that's enough excitement for today."

And with that, the Espada dispersed, though many sent passing glances at Ben as they left, such as Szayelaporro, Grimmjow, Nnoitra, and those three girls who were with Harribel to name a few.

Soon, the only people left were Ben, Aizen, Tosen, Gin, Starrk, and the little girl Arrancar. She was wearing white briefs with a black line in the middle, arm warmers, fur-lined, knee high boots, an open vest with a high collar, and a hole in the center of her stomach. On her light-green haired head was a horned helmet with the left horn either broken or cut off. The left side of her helmet covered her left eye, with a flame design above the left eye hole while her pink right eye was still visible.

"Nice to meet ya," the girl said with a big grin. "The name's Lilynette Gingerbuck and it looks like you're gonna be sticking with us for awhile."

Ben chuckled. "I guess so."

Starrk sighed as he rubbed his head.

"What's with that attitude?!" Lilynetta snapped, suddenly kicking Starrk in the rear and shocking Ben. "Lord Aizen has given you a task! Show some motivation, you lazy ass!"

Aside from hearing a little girl use such language, Ben was baffled as to why Starrk was letting this little kid kick him around.

"Ow! Ow! Enough! Ow! Alright, already!" Starrk snapped.

Lilynette took a step back and put her hands on her hips. "Come on. Time for us to head back!" She turned on her heels and already headed off.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Starrk mumbled, following after her. "Geez, what a pain."

Ben was too stunned to actually say anything, so he was content with following them in silence, starting to wonder if he should've been assigned to a different Espada after all.

...

Once they left, Gin turned toward Aizen. "Very well played," he complimented. "You're still a great an actor as ever."

"I hardly needed to act," Aizen said, suddenly becoming smug and aloof. "I never lied when I told Ben about the corruption of Soul Society."

"Though you did conveniently leave out our own little involvements," Gin pointed out.

"Ben won't need to know that," Aizen said confidently. "He only needs to know what will make him most useful to me."

"You're not worried of what will happen if he finds out the real truth?" Gin asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

Aizen chuckled. "Ben Tennyson is unique and I don't know the full extent of his abilities. But if he were to turn against me, then I shall deal with him."

Even though Aizen said this with confidence, he still couldn't help but wonder about Ben's full potential. For all Aizen knew, Ben was a literal one-man army. So the traitorous Soul Reaper decided he needed to learn everything he could about the boy, to be properly prepared if in the event they did face each other.

And Aizen already had an idea in mind.

End of Chapter

I hope I didn't make Ben too trusting of Aizen. I'm trying to not have Ben be so naive like I made him in the original. Also, I am going to have Aizen go more out of his way to keep Ben on his side instead of sitting on his butt and hardly doing anything. That was another glaring mistake from the original I'm annoyed with myself for.

I know there's not a lot of action but some chapters don't need action to get the story going. Rest assured there will be more later, plus some more ideas I have in mind.

Yeah, I didn't make Ben a Fraccion in this story and I had him assigned to Starrk. This story is going to focus on Ben and Starrk's friendship too.

Also, Harribel IS the main love interest (What else is new?) I was originally going to have it be her and Nelliel in a three-way relationship with Ben, but after some discussion with my pals, I saw that it was better just to use one girl. And after how badly canon screws her over even more than Nelliel, Harribel deserves some happiness. Due to my shoddy way of handling romances in the past, I do have to confirm this: Ben does not have an immediate crush on Harribel. Right now, he just thinks she's really hot. I know I've goofed up in the past but I'm really trying to take things slow and develop. Oh that reminds me, Ben's not going to be a big prude in this story, one of my BIGGEST goofs from the original. He'll be more casual, still mindful, but won't deny when he finds girls attractive.

Before I go, I've got some story challenges for anybody who is interested. I was originally going to submit these ideas to Rexfan1333 for this challenge fic where he posts adoptable Ben 10 ideas, but I couldn't think of enough minor details to make it presentable.

First, would anybody be interested in doing a Ben 10/Borderlands crossover? My brother got me into Borderlands (If it wasn't already obvious, the antagonist Handsome Jack is one of my favorite all-time characters) and I wouldn't mind seeing a crossover between it and Ben 10. How Ben gets to the world of Borderlands is up to the writer as is who he is paired up with, if he's paired at all. Though I personally see him probably hooking up with Gaige the Mecromancer, though this is mostly because Maya is apparently asexual according to the creators and all the other girls are taken.

Also, would somebody be interested in doing a Ben 10/Big Hero 6 crossover? The conditions are the same but I will admit I wouldn't mind seeing Ben/GoGo pairing. If anyone is interested, feel free to PM me.

Also, thanks to the rise of Ben 10/Monster High crossovers, I've taken an interest in Monster High. Would anyone like to do a Bleach/Monster High story where Ichigo and Chad wind up going there? I included Chad because he deserves more screen-time and less being the guy suffering the Worf Effect for Bleach's baddies.

Since I've gotten three chapters out of the way, I'm gonna go back to working on my other fics for now. Let me know what you think and, while there's nothing definite, I am curious to see if you guys have any ideas for this story and what you would like to see.

Take care, everyone.