(With Aizen)
"Segunda Etapa." Aizen mused, tapping a finger on the arm of his chair as he watched the battle between Ichigo and Grimmjow with his attack force. "A second stage release for Arrancar." He turned his gaze to the 4th Espada standing off to the side of the throne room. "I assume you knew about this since you trained him. Am I right?" Ulquiorra turned to face his master and bowed his head.
"I attained that state when I fully embraced my aspect of death a long time ago." The Arrancar said as the two clashed. "I abandoned everything about myself," 'Or so I think,' "and became empty. A vessel to serve you lord Aizen. I kept quiet about it should I ever need an ace against my opponent. Or to completely crush their will to fight." He turned back to watch the fight between Ichigo and Grimmjow. "Unfortunately, that no longer seems like an option."
"You should've shared this information sooner." Baraggan grumbled as Stark and Lilynette entered the room. "The stronger we are, the better our chances in the coming fights."
"It would've been useful," Harribel said, "though if Ulquiorra is truly right about how to attain it, then it would make it nearly impossible to be allies. Or to even fight in some cases." She thought of her own aspect of 'sacrifice' and Baraggan's aspect of 'aging'. Some seemed impossible to actually achieve or should be achieved simply for power.
"It makes little difference now." Aizen said, rising from his throne. "Ulquiorra, you know what you must do. Everyone else, let us be off." When he finished, Tousen opened a Garganta with Karakura Town as their destination. Ulquiorra watched as the battalion of 17, 14 Arrancar and 3 Soul Reapers, left through the dimensional portal and leaving him alone. He turned back to watch Ichigo, feeling an uncomfortable tightness in his chest.
'Ichigo.'
(With the rest of the Team)
Uryu flexed his hand before rising from his where he laid, grunting in pain as his body screamed in protest for the action. He turned to see Chad and Tatsuki in the healing field with him as Candice flew them around the concentration of destruction that was Ichigo's fight. Just because the damage was being reversed did not mean they didn't ache. Orihime continued to heal while the Sternritters focused on proceeding toward the building where they felt the twins' Reiatsu.
"How much longer before they're good to fight?" Bazz-B asked, watching the healing in progress. "I feel three more Espada in this place."
"And a whole lot of them disappearing," Bambietta remarked as they felt many Reiatsu disappearing, "what the hell is happening?"
"Please stop, I need to focus!" Orihime all but shouted as she returned to her task. "This requires emotional stability and focus!" She thought she was getting better at this, but seeing her friends in such conditions served as a reminder that she's in a war and her friends aren't invincible. Kind of rattled her a bit, but her friends did regain consciousness and Uryu was the only one still healing.
"Heads up!" Candice called out, directing their focus to a massive skeletal mangrove tree with an army of human skull masked figures coming from its branches. "What the hell is that thing?"
"I am Rudborn Chelute." A voice called out, bringing their attention to the center of the top of the tree. In it was a man with a bull shaped skull with branches wrapped around his body and a lightning bolt shaped stick in his hand. "Like Runuganga protects the outside, I am tasked with protecting the inside. Killing rebellious elements and intruders." He said as the army prepared to fight. Gantenbainne and Cirucci jumped off the platform and readied their weapons.
"Go on, we got this." The Afro Arrancar said, moving his mask over his eyes.
"I already betrayed lord Aizen by joining you, might as well go all the way." Cirucci admitted, spinning her disc blade. "I'd rather die fighting anyway."
"Any idea what his power is?" Bazz-B asked, refusing to sit out and deciding to stand by his allies. Any of them.
"I spawn an endless army." Rudborn said as another ten figures came from his branches.
"Do they have souls?" Candice asked as she and Bambi joined Bazz-B. Orihime created a shielded platform with Santen Kesshun while maintaining the healing process.
"No... why?" The Quincy grinned as they manifested their spirit weapons.
"No reason." Bazz-B said as the Quincy and Arrancar then began walking toward the army.
"Orihime!" Gantenbainne called out. "That central pillar over there is where they have the girls you're here for." He pointed at the tower that they were heading towards.
"They'll likely have another Espada guarding them, so get ready for a fight." Cirucci said before swinging her weapon and smashing it into the crowd. "You better keep your promise!" She yelled before Orihime started flying them toward the tower.
(Ichigo vs Grimmjow)
The battle was fierce, Grimmjow was operating almost completely on instinct and its call of primal destruction with Ichigo defending against every strike. The panther slammed his claws into the hybrid, Ichigo blocking with his dual blades, and sending him flying into the air. The impact smashed Ichigo through buildings and pillars, creating shockwaves that sent the loose sand flying across the desert and turning the shifting grounds into a deep pit as a result.
"Desgarron!" The Espada roared as he unleashed a frenzy of swipes, each one creating a set of Reishi blades that flew at Ichigo. Some dodged, some blocked, few that cut through his clothes and his skin. Ten blades pushed him back several meters before he broke them and locked eyes with Grimmjow, just as the Espada bit into his lip. He gathered Reishi in front of his mouth, forming a blue sphere of power before unleashing it in a mighty roar. The enhanced Cero crossed the distance in an instant and in that same instant, Ichigo's body moved for him. The smaller Zangetsu blade was generating an aura similar to a Seele Schnieder that rose and cut through the Cero. When the blast ended, the cut off Reishi was absorbed into both Zangetsu blades, making them glow red and blue as Hollow and Quincy blades pulsated with power.
'Guess I won't reach the point where you don't need to watch my back.' Ichigo thought, knowing that his Zanpakuto moved him on instinct, with the blades humming in response. 'I'm okay with the that.' He brought his Khyber blade to one of his cuts and gathered some blood onto it, charging it with power. At the same time he did that, Grimmjow appeared with another Gran Rey Cero at the ready. "Gran Rey Getsuga Tensho." Ichigo said, swinging his blade as Grimmjow fired his blast. The resulting explosion cracked the walls of Las Noches, blew a massive hole in the domed roof, and shook Hueco Mundo for miles.
(With Ichigo's friends)
Orihime flew them toward the palace at high speeds, panting from the mental exhaustion of maintaining her transport barrier and healing her friends. Uryu was now physically recovered, same with everyone else, but he still felt the aftereffects of his Vollstandig. He doubted he could fight another Espada in that condition, but a part of him didn't feel too concerned. Chad seemed to get stronger and whatever Ichigo was doing seemed to be pacifying most of the Hollows. They kept riding in silence, heading for the main tower, until they noticed something ahead of them.
"Of course, it can't be easy." Uryu groaned as most of the teens recognized Yammy Llargo. He was just standing in front of the building, tall and rigid as he waited for his opponents. When he recognized that they saw him, he grinned maliciously and began to charge toward them. Chad rose to his feet as Orihime kept them moving, planning to dodge the charging Arrancar.
"Go on ahead, I'll take care of this." The Fullbringer said, jumping off the transport before anyone could say anything. The second his feet touched the ground, he activated his Fullbring and used Bringer Light to run past his friends and straight to the Espada. The two met midway and threw a punch at the other, Chad using La Muerte to match the sheer power of the giant Arrancar, creating a shockwave of force and buying the rest of the teens enough time to fly past them and into the tower.
"Pretty gutsy of you human," Yammy said with a cocky grin, "but I've been waiting for another crack at you." Chad looked up to the Arrancar and noted something off.
"You seem bigger than last time." The Fullbringer said, trying to remember their last fight.
"Yeah, I had to hold back when we last met. But now I've been given permission to go all out!" He said, placing a hand on his Zanpakuto and releasing his Reiatsu. "On top of that, I've been eating and napping, conserving my power for this. Though you'll do as an appetizer for that hybrid bastard. I haven't forgotten how he humiliated me the first time we met." Chad's eyes widened as Yammy continued to grow. "But you still piss me off! Enrage, Ira!" He roared, pulling out his Zanpakuto and began to transform. He grew bigger and bigger, the jacket on his back flying off and revealing his ten tattoo with a disintegrating one.
'What the!?' Chad gaped as Yammy went from a really big humanoid to a gargantuan behemoth, eight massive elephant like legs with a giant tail with large club, and massive cylinders on his forearms and back. When he finished, Chad felt like an ant facing a mountain.
"Let me properly introduce myself." Yammy said, his voice echoing due to the distance. "I am Yammy Llargo, Espada number Zero." The Espada raised his fist and brought it down. "Now DIE!"
(Ichigo vs Grimmjow)
He laid there, panting in exhaustion, having used up the last of his Reishi in an effort to best his opponent. The land around them was scorched black, burning hot from the aftermath of the blasts of energy while the space above them was still distorted. A figure stood above him, dark in his vision from blurry eyes and the figure's shadow. All of his power, all the effort to get stronger, and he still lost. A former version would be furious, but now he was calm. Almost happy about getting trounced so thoroughly.
"Good enough for you, Grimmjow?" Ichigo asked, only breathing a little heavier as a result of their fight. The fallen panther started chuckling, growing into a barking laughter.
"I really can't beat you, can I?" The Arrancar finally said, still laughing. "Can anyone really? What the hell are you?" He finally calmed down, pushing himself up to a seated position and coming face to face with Ichigo's outstretched hand. He took it, reverted back to his normal state, and knelt before his new king. "My hand is yours. You command, and I will obey."
"Is it going to be like this with every Arrancar I turn to my side?" Ichigo asked as Grimmjow rose to his feet. Then he sensed an incoming attack and sidestepped, dodging a Bala that came down at him. Ichigo looked up to see a massive gash in the canopy of Hueco Mundo, with a familiar face staring down at him. "Ulquiorra." He said, some measure of regret coloring his tone.
"You might have to kill him Ichigo." The former Espada told his new leader. "Out of all the Arrancar, he's probably the most loyal to Aizen."
'Let's test that.' Ichigo thought as he shot up towards the bat.
(With Uryu, Tatsuki, and Orihime)
The trio ran through the halls of the palace, searching for the twins' Reiatsu, and ready to fight whichever Arrancar had them. They felt the fight between Ichigo and his opponent end with a climatic explosion while Chad seemed to get outmatched when Yammy transformed. Even now, as they ran toward their destination, they were debating whether to run back and help their friend. That came to an end when two more female Arrancar barred their way. One was slender with black hair in pigtails and her mask covering her left eye, dressed in a sleeveless shirt that exposed her cleavage and stomach with a frilly skirt and thigh high boots. The other was more tomboyish with blonde hair and her right eye covered by her mask, wearing a short sleeved shirt and hakama pants.
"This is the end of the road for you." The black haired girl said, smirking menacingly at the trio.
"Lord Aizen made it clear that he's keeping the girls." Said the tomboy as both girls drew their blades. The three friends shared a quick glance, holding a silent conversation on how the fight would go, except Orihime walked ahead of them and stood before the Arrancar.
"Go on ahead. I'll handle this." She said, pulling out Masamune. Tatsuki was about to protest, but Uryu held up his hand, pointing ahead. Tatsuki reluctantly nodded as the two disappeared on the other side of the Arrancar and continued running.
"Hey!" The black haired Arrancar yelled out before a barrier blocked her way. She turned to glare at Orihime, who was lowering her arm. "You bitch." She hissed as she got into a combat stance, holding her dagger at the ready.
"Pretty gutsy to fight us 2 on 1." The blonde said, holding out her katana. "I'm Menoly Mallia, Arrancar #34 and she's #33, Loly Aivirrne." Menoly greeted as Orihime got into the stance that Unohana taught her.
"Squad 15 sixth seat, Orihime Inoue." The Exorcist returned. "And it's not 2 on 1." She said as the six spirits of her Shun Shun Rikka formed behind her, along with the androgynous forms of the four elemental spirits. "It's 12 on 2."
(With Ichigo)
He was back in the eternal night of Hueco Mundo, standing on the top of the domed palace, standing across from him. His old friend, his current enemy, the last barrier between him and his sisters. He felt everything that was going on beneath him, but his friends trained to get strong and they could handle themselves. His teacher's words echoed in his mind, that a leader must have as much faith in his allies as they do him. They followed him because they believed he could conquer Hueco Mundo, and they separated because he believed they could survive.
"Did you know that it would come down to this?" He asked, looking the shorter Arrancar in the eye.
"I did." Ulquiorra answered, unsheathing his blade. "I think, back when we first met, I knew you would become strong. Lord Aizen gave this task to me when I revealed our past." He pointed his blade at the hybrid. "To kill you, Ichigo Kurosaki."
"And you're just going to go along with it?" Ichigo asked, not showing any anger or grief. Just meeting Ulquiorra with a similar calm. "To kill an old friend?"
"You're a Soul Reaper and I am a Hollow Ichigo. It-" He was saying before Ichigo cut him off.
"Don't try that line with me Ulquiorra. You follow a Shinigami's orders when you obey Aizen." The hybrid stated. "I've got Quincy and Hollow to me, something that should've been a death sentence in Soul Society, and they plan to make me the future leader of the Gotei forces. I'm also not lying to the Arrancar, I will kill Aizen and I will usher in a new era for them. Now, you can try your luck against me Ulquiorra, but I think we both know how this will end." The two just stared at each other, waiting for the next move.
"Enclose, Murcielago." The Espada said, gaining bat wings and a full helm. "Resurreccion: Segunda Etapa." He finished, losing his coat while his arms and lower body was covered in a black fur, with his Hollow hole looking like it was bleeding blackness. Ichigo's response was to unsheathe both of his Zangetsu.
"Bring it."
(World of the Living)
It was a normal sunny day in Karakura Town. The town was peaceful and quiet, resting comfortably behind multiple barriers that kept it concealed in the furthest edges of Soul Society. In the world of the Living was a perfect copy of the city, where every captain of the Gotei stood ready with their most able fighters. The veteran warriors only reacted when the Gargantas appeared, signaling the arrival of Aizen and his army. Four holes appeared to let out the army of 17, ready to do battle against the defense force of over twice their number at 35.
"Is this it Aizen?" Yamamoto asked, looking down on the upstart that began this war. "Is this all you bring to battle? Surely this is not what you planned." The smug look on Aizen's face was only marred with a measure of irritation.
"True, this is not ideal for me." The king of Hueco Mundo admitted. "I'd much rather have several captains trapped in Hueco Mundo as well. But Ichigo Kurosaki has grown stronger than I had planned for. Are you sure you can beat me without him?" He said as he, Gin, and Tousen unsheathed their Zanpakuto. "Almost everyone here is affected by my shikai, and I'm sure you know how strong I am."
"I give that boy five minutes at least before he shows up and kicks your ass Aizen." Isshin said with a grin.
"Then I'll just have to kill you in that time frame." Aizen said his army charged forward. The Winter War had begun.
(With Uryu and Tatsuki)
The rest of the run was silent, cursing themselves for leaving their friends behind, raging at their current weaknesses, but they persevered. Focused on the task of recovering Ichigo's little sisters and the final traces of Aizen's army left in the castle. There was one Espada left that was ahead of them, curiously much weaker than before. They doubled their efforts and found an open door that had several bodies, similar to the soldiers of Rudborn Chelute. They got ready to fight and entered the room to find it filled with more bodies, covered in scorch marks, scratches, holes, and blood. The sole exception was a single door, guarded by an exhausted Neliel and her Fraccion. The Espada met the humans' gaze.
"I was told to take care of the girls." She told them, before falling down.
(Illustrated guide to Soul Reapers)
Where's Rukia?
Zommari dug the stumps of his arms in the desert sands, ignoring the screaming pain of sand and his body weight pressing into his cauterized wounds and leaving a trail of blood in his wake. He had to reach the medical center and find that damned medic, wondering why there was only ever one doctor in Hueco Mundo. To make matters worse, she was a favorite toy of Szayelaporro and who knows what that psycho did to her. He felt elation when he finally saw someone heading toward him. It was the last feeling he knew before he was flash frozen, Rukia standing behind the now dead Arrancar.
'Was I forgotten till the last minute?!' She thought, feeling very annoyed with a certain author, who now felt the need for a new pair of pants.