Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Bleach save this story, which is AU from the end of Chapter 290 and onward. I will be deviating from what ever Kubo does for the Manga (With possible exceptions, it all depends on the particulars.)

For now sit back and enjoy the show.

Defying Fate
By David Knight

Chapter Four: The Origins of Evolution

"Okay... this is the gate to Heaven?" Tatsuki asked looking at the World Piercing Gate.

"Soul Society, not Heaven," Yoruichi corrected, her arms folded across her chest in a nonchalant manner.

"Yeah, but people that die and were good while they were alive go to this place, don't they?" Tatsuki inquired hesitantly, trying to ignore the major headache she was suffering due to informational overload. "I mean..."

"Don't try to understand or compare this to your own personal religious beliefs," the former Special Corps Commander advised. "Things will be a lot simpler for you."

"You're probably right," Tatsuki admitted. "So, what now? We just jump in?"

Yoruichi looked over to Urahara one more time. "For your own sake Kisuke, don't pull any mischief in regards to her gigai."

Urahara simply had a smile on his face. "Of course I won't do anything," Urahara said with an airy wave of his fan.

Yoruichi simply nodded. "Good," She said before turning to Tatsuki. "Let's get going, brat." She grabbed a dumbfounded Tatsuki by her shirt collar, jumping towards the gate. The teenager barely managed a strangled yell before being dragged through.

Urahara chuckled before walking over to Tessai. "Oi. Have you uploaded her brainwave scan into the gigai?"

"Yes, sir," Tessai announced.

"Good," Urahara replied as he pulled a pink colored sphere out of his robe. He then placed it into the gigai's mouth, making sure it went down the throat. One minute later, the previously dull eyes of the gigai suddenly had life in them.

"If this is another small animal or child I have been stuffed into now..." 'Tatsuki' snapped, her voice showing her agitation. However, it was not Tatsuki's voice that emerged from the faux body. Instead, it was higher in pitch and more feminine sounding. The fake Tatsuki looked as if it was about to say more when she caught sight of Urahara, a perplexed look on her face.

"Wait a minute. I'm actually at eyelevel with you for once." Immediately she looked down, staring at herself. Her body shook with a quiver before she put her hands on her chest to feel.

In a very non-Tatsuki reaction, a broad smile broke out on her face. "FINALLY!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down, unable to contain the joy she felt at this revelation. "I'm finally in a gigai of a girl whose age is at least fifteen or sixteen years old! Yes!"

Tessai wore a worried expression on his face. This, to him, was exactly what Yoruichi-sama had warned Urahara not to do. "Sir, are you sure about this?"

"Don't worry," Urahara said, waving his fan. "If anything, the promotion will help her disposition." He paused for a moment before looking serious. "Also, I trust her to do her best to stay in character so I don't have Yoruichi upset." His jaw was still smarting from her punch an hour ago.

He turned his attention back to the mod soul currently inhabiting the gigai. She was testing out the flexibility of the gigai, performing moves that would have made gymnasts green with envy.

"Well, well, I hope you are going to be able to get used to that body Lyra. You're going to be in there for a while."

Lyra let out a slight sigh. "And here I was hoping that you finally made a gigai for me to live a normal life in the real world."

She turned to look at her creator with a sullen, pouting expression on her face. "So, let me guess. This is another assignment. You put me in this body so I can act as bait for a Hollow you want to kill?"

She was taken aback by the smirk on his face. After so many assignments, she had learned to tell which smirk meant she was right and which one meant she was wrong.

This was one of the rare times that she had guessed incorrectly.

"Actually, you are going to be going to high school. Your assignment will be to take the place of the girl whose identity you are currently in the possession of," Urahara stated. "Not just at school, but in every aspect of her life."

Lyra blinked several times before speaking. "This is another one of your sick jokes, isn't it?"

Urahara bowed his hat. "Why is it that everyone thinks my humor is in such bad taste? No, this is not a joke. Check the memory box for the data I have provided. It will help you make people believe you are Tatsuki."

Lyra closed her eyes, accessing what would be the brain of the body. In this case however, the brain was more like a hard drive to be read. It took her five minutes to assimilate all of the knowledge that she had been given.

"This is some serious shit you've stepped into, Boss," she stated flatly.

Urahara raised an eyebrow. "You are using her voice."

Lyra grinned exactly like Tatsuki did. "Along with some of her more colorful mannerisms. I think I am going to enjoy being Tatsuki for a while. We need to talk about me keeping this body when the job is done, though. Maybe you could just make a few cosmetic alterations so I don't look like her twin."

"We'll talk about that after she gets back," Urahara replied, waving his fan quickly.

Lyra dropped her grin, looking seriously at her creator. "You've erased a part of her mind."

Urahara let out a sigh. He was glad Tessai had already gone off to check up on the little ones. "So you noticed."

"I can feel it between the files. There's this blank spot underneath this fake memory you layered on top of it. It's from the time when that hollow attacked her high school and nearly killed her. What's so important about that incident that made you personally erase her memory of it?"

Urahara let out a sigh once more. He could have used any mod soul to do this, but he had picked Lyra for a variety of reasons. It was not just for the amusement he'd experience getting to see her running Tatsuki's body, but also because she was his most loyal creation. She could be trusted to keep any and all secrets she was told. Lyra would rather die than divulge anything to anyone. He didn't have that level of trust or faith in his other mod souls.

"I've known about Tatsuki having spiritual powers for as long as I have known about Orihime having powers herself."

"And yet you didn't do anything till now and even then you are passing her off to Yoruichi-sama," Lyra examined. "Why? Is it because she has such a low level of power?"

"No. It's because I hoped not to involve her into this."

Lyra looked at her creator with a confused expression on 'her' face. "Why?"

"Unlike Sado-kun and Orihime-chan, Tatsuki hasn't until very recently reached the point where her spiritual powers developed to the point where they can be brought out through training," Urahara explained. "To have gotten her involved back then would have ensured her death, and regardless of what Yoruichi thinks of me at times, I don't send people to their deaths. At least not stupidly."

"Well, that much is true," Lyra said, speaking with her real voice instead of Tatsuki's. "Well, if there's nothing else, I'll get going to Tatsuki's… oh um…" She cleared her throat before giving a decidedly Tatsuki smirk. "I mean, my house. My parents will be freaking out if I am not home soon. And I got school tomorrow." She put her hands together. "School! I am soooo looking forward to that!"

"Have fun, but don't forget who you're supposed to be," Urahara said with a smile on his face as he watched his creation walk away.

"Hai hai," he heard her voice as she disappeared up the steps. Alone once more, Urahara thought about what he hadn't told Yoruichi. It wasn't just a feeling he knew that Ichigo would be coming back. He was almost completely positive regarding the orange-haired teen's return.

The only problem was, even with what Urahara had done, he wasn't positive when it came to the others besides Ichigo.

He suddenly stood upright, as if he felt a shiver go down his spine. Well... that was unexpected.

Something had happened. Something big. Something even he couldn't have planned for.

Just what was happening in Hueco Mundo?

-----

Unbelievable.

It was the only thing running through Halibel's Fracción minds. "Why? Why did he…?" Mira Rose stuttered. She was normally more composed than this, but seeing what had just happened... it changed everything.

An Espada killing another Espada was not uncommon. It had happened before.

What was unusual was that Ulquiorra, known in some circles as 'Aizen-sama's dog' had just executed Tesla and Nnoitra.

"Has Ulquiorra-san snapped?" Sun Sun asked.

"No. He has regained himself."

All three Arrancar turned to see their mistress, whose eyes were wide. "Halibel-sama?" Apache asked with concern, confused by her words.

"That is the real Ulquiorra Schiffer," Halibel said, her voice barely even a whisper.

"The real Ulquiorra?" Apache asked confused. "How is he any less real now than he was before?"

"The Espada you have known was nothing more than an emotionless puppet," Halibel said in as even a tone as she could, yet it was clear she was shaken still by this revelation. "The person you see down there before you with the intruders is the true Vasto Lorde," She looked over all three of her Fracción, "and you would be wise to consider him as much an enemy as the ryoka boy is to us."

The Fracción stared at Halibel, speechless, looking on as the lone female Espada had turned her gaze down to the battlefield where the subject of their conversation stood.

"We observe," she announced to them. "And when I decide to I will go down there alone."

"But, Halibel-sama..." Sun Sun started to protest, knowing she shouldn't go alone. She was cut off by the heated glare that the Espada gave her, making her cower in fear at once. Even Mira Rose and Apache felt the effects, even if it wasn't directed at them.

"Do you not see the situation for what it is? How much power is there in one spot?" She hissed. "You three, regardless of how much I have pushed you to go beyond your limits to reach your current levels of power, would be killed easily by even Neliel who cannot even release her blade at the moment, for some strange reason."

Halibel waited until she was certain she had their attention before speaking again. "For now, we watch and only watch."

Her Fracción said nothing for which she was grateful. How has this happened Ulquiorra? How are you once more the Vasto Lorde that I remember all too well?

Her eyes narrowed as she focused on his form. And what does that mean for the rest of us?

-----

"Heal him."

Two words. That was all that came out of Ulquiorra's mouth. Orihime had to run that back through her head twice to make sure not only that she heard correctly but that he was actually speaking to her. In the end she still could not help questioning the order.

"Heal Kurosaki Ichigo," Ulquiorra said, stopping for a moment before adding, "please."

The fact that he said please was surprising to her but she took the request for what it was and activated her powers.

Ichigo was still trying to get used to the 'new' Ulquiorra. He was so different from the Fourth Espada that he had crossed swords with on several occasions.

And yet, looking to Grimmjow, it was clear that the Sixth Espada was as much in the dark about this transformation as he and Orihime were. Hell, he had had no idea that Nel had been an Espada.

Speaking of Neliel, he could not find her. He hadn't seen her since he gave her that dead Fracción's uniform to wear so she wouldn't be naked. And I had to have Grimmjow of all people see my reaction to that, he groaned. Still, it was so hard to believe that Nel had actually once been...

"Ulquiorra-sama!" cried out Neliel, her voice full of joy and exuberance. Ichigo turned in the direction of the sound, his eyes growing to comic proportions as he saw something happen that almost made his mind shut down.

Nel was glomping Ulquiorra.

"Ulquiorra-sama! I am so happy to see you have returned to us! You are once again the Vasto Lorde I pledged my life to! You truly are your old self again!" Neliel squealed with joy, hugging the Espada as tightly as she could. "I didn't think it would ever happen but it has! I am so happy!"

Orihime let out a gasp and for a moment looked shocked before Ichigo could almost see large red hearts form in her eyes. "That is so cute!" Ichigo smacked his forehead in disbelief. "Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked, concerned.

"Inoue, please don't say that again," Ichigo muttered. He found it the whole thing very... disturbing to say the very least. Though considering her cooking, I guess I can see why Inoue would find it... cute. He let out a shiver after thinking that word.

Grimmjow looked as if he was about to retch at the sight before him. Though for some reason, seeing the former emotionless Fourth Espada looking embarrassed was incredibly satisfying.

Finally, Ulquiorra turned his head, his eyes staring in disbelief at the green-haired ex-Espada. "Neliel. What are you doing?"

Almost instantly, Neliel had gone from glomping Ulquiorra to her knees, bowed before him. "I'm so sorry Ulquiorra-sama! I didn't mean to be so forward! It's just that after everything that has been done to us..." she stopped as she felt a hand cover her lips. Looking up, she saw her Lorde, who was kneeling himself so that he was at eye level with her. His lips curved into an honest smile.

"I have missed you too, Neliel."

Tears leaked from Neliel's eyes. "Ulquiorra-sama..."

Ulquiorra got up to his feet and held his hand out, helping her rise. There was nothing but silence for a few moments before Ichigo spoke.

"So, now that Nel isn't… well..." he stumbled for the right words without reminding him of what just happened.

"Now that Nel-chan isn't glomping Ulquiorra-san?" Inoue offered. There was a stare from Ichigo and Grimmjow, making her wonder if she had just said something wrong

Grimmjow simply shook his head, trying to clear that sick image from his mind. The whole situation was so messed up, it wasn't even funny.

"Could we please just get on with you explaining what the hell kind of drug you've decided to go on?" he snapped. "Cause you have to be on something to have gone from being Aizen's number one ass kisser and b---" he shut up when saw the stare that Ulquiorra was giving him. It was as if Aizen was bearing down him as he had done back in the meeting with the full Espada ranks. What the hell! He never could make me feel like this before!

"Even though that is probably true," Ulquiorra allowed, his eyes narrowing even further. "NEVER mention it in that context again. Ever."

Grimmjow simply nodded and felt the pressure of that damned stare leave him. He is definitely not the same guy I remember. Not in the slightest.

"But you are correct. You are in need of an explanation. All of you," Ulquiorra stated, turning to look directly at the Shinigami representative. "Tell me Kurosaki Ichigo, do you think the entire Hollow race blindly follows Aizen?"

Ichigo was taken aback by the question. He knew Aizen had cut a deal with the Hollows, but nothing further. "Since stepping into Hueco Mundo, all I have seen are Arrancar that are devoted to him. Even the former Espada, who were thrown out by him, go to great lengths to win back his favor."

His eyes moved over to Neliel and then back to Ulquiorra. "However, Nel doesn't like him and you were 'apparently' manipulated into serving him. So I'm guessing it's not as picture perfect as we've been led to believe."

Ulquiorra closed his eyes, the look on his face a mix between shame and sorrow. "Once, I would have said many would have fought to the death rather than let a shinigami into our world, unless it was to kill him," He opened his eyes. "However, Hueco Mundo is not what it once was, and neither is my race. We have lost our pride and for a while, so did I."

"Your pride seems to be something important to you," Ichigo said, wondering where this was going. "So then, what were you before you lost your pride thanks to Aizen?"

"I was one of the Consejo."

Grimmjow's eyes widened, his fists tightened as he stared at Ulquiorra. "You? You were one of the rulers?"

"Rulers?" Ichigo asked. "Rulers of what?"

"One of the rulers of all of Hueco Mundo," Neliel announced in answer to his question.

Ichigo and Orihime looked back at Ulquiorra with surprise. Ulquiorra did not pay any mind as he began to explain.

"The structure of a world where only the strong survive will eventually lead to ruination. Base Hollows cannot understand this. It is only as they begin the path of change and go through the chain of Menos Evolution, does one begin to gain reasoning beyond the simple hunger for souls. Of all non-Arrancar Hollows, the Vasto Lordes are the ones that have the most reason among them, the ones that you would consider the closest to being 'human'."

The way he said the word human was not insulting, but still implied that he thought of them being above the species. "Once they have reached this summit, they no longer need fear the horror of falling backwards, for there is nothing higher than the status of a Vasto Lorde."

"The Vasto Lordes of the past understood and knew that there had to be a semblance of order in our world or there would be nothing left at all. To that end, they formed the Consejo. A group of the most powerful, as well as possibly all, Vasto Lordes, those who would each take a piece of the world as their own and with their power rule it."

"In time, however, the wish for there to be a King resulted in the creation of Las Noches. While the members of the Consejo had control of their territories now there was someone that controlled them. From Las Noches, one Vasto Lorde sat upon the throne, having control over all. It was a position coveted by all." Ulquiorra looked over to Grimmjow. "But then, you know about that already, do you not Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow simply had his teeth clenched. Taking the throne and becoming the King had always been his goal. Always. However, he was still only Adjuchas and being converted from Adjuchas to Arrancar, there was no way to go back up the ladder. Even so, his thoughts of taking the Throne had never left him. One day, it would be his.

"It was because of the King, that the Espada were formed. Ten of the most powerful Hollows in all of Hueco Mundo were chosen. These ten would be the King's Knights," Ulquiorra continued. "However, once again greed and the wish for even more power corrupted the system. The wish to have power that was considered heretical at first but over time, with the deaths of others, with Espada and Consejo dying and being replaced with newer members, the idea became more and more likeable until they decided to begin experimenting, trying to find out how to do it."

"How do what?" Inoue asked. She judged by Ichigo's serious expression that he knew the answer already.

"Obtain the powers of a Shinigami," Ichigo concluded.

Ulquiorra nodded. "Correct. It was from this desire that the very idea of an Arrancar came into existence."

"You sound as if don't like the idea," Ichigo said, bemused.

Ulquiorra lifted his eyes, looking at the Shinigami substitute with absolute seriousness. "I did not ask to become Arrancar. It was forced upon me."

"What?" Ichigo muttered in disbelief. He didn't know which was more shocking, that he hadn't wanted to be changed into something higher than being a Vasto Lorde or the fact he had been forced into this transformation.

Grimmjow didn't seem to believe this either. "Why would you not want to be changed?"

"I had my pride," Ulquorria stated firmly.

"Ulquiorra-sama believed that becoming Arrancar would make us more like a Shinigami than we wanted to be. He believed that we would have become even more like those who had slaughtered our own kind..." Neliel said, trailing off. "However, the only ones that deserve it are the ones that can't control their urges."

Grimmjow nearly jumped Nel, but kept himself restrained knowing what Ulquiorra could do to him in a second if he attacked her. "Are you saying it's alright the shinigami killed our kind?"

"We are the sum of what we were in the lives before we became Hollow as well as now," Neliel stated. "I have never been one to enjoy fighting or devouring my own kind, even if it was the only way to evolve."

"Evolution works in mysterious ways," Ulquiorra said, cutting into their argument, hoping to end it there. "As I saw it, the purity of the Hollow Race was to be kept. I must admit, being in my right mind now, this is the final evolution once having reached this stage." His eyes darkened then. "My only regret is that I had to obtain this because of Aizen."

"How did this happen to you?" Ichigo asked.

"Because as power is acquired, for some it corrupts them. The Consejo still exist, but now they are working behind the scenes."

"What?" Grimmjow exclaimed. "But they were all..."

"Killed?" Ulquiorra scoffed. "What Aizen told you all of how he eliminated the entire Consejo and then took over Hueco Mundo was a lie. What really happened was that the Consejo entered into an agreement with Aizen. They would share power when he opened the way to the Spirit King's domain. Only the Vasto Lorde Class Espada are aware of this, and now, you all know the truth as well."

"But why the scam?" Ichigo questioned. "What could Aizen have to gain from it?"

"Our belief in him," the disgusted tone of Grimmjow could be heard. His fists were clenched so hard that blood could be seen trickling down to the ground. "Ever since he came openly to us a few months ago and took over, we have all thought of him as without fear. It united all of us in a way that not even the Consejo have ever been able to accomplish."

"And that was their intent," Neliel realized. "What makes for the best soldiers, or test subjects, then blindingly loyal fanatics ready to lay down their lives for you?"

Silence fell and Orihime allowed the warm orange glow of her healing powers to fade. Ichigo felt as good as new now, even his time limit with his mask felt reset back to zero. "Thank you Orihime."

Inoue nodded, grateful that she could help. Still puzzled, she turned to look back at the one that had saved them from Nnoitora. "Ulquiorra-san?" she asked, her voice soft and still showing some fear of the Fourth Espada, though not nearly as much as she once had. "What did happen to you? You don't like Aizen and yet your group, they..."

"Five of the ten are firmly traitors to our people," Ulquiorra said, his voice showing how much he loathed said traitors. "It was they who entered into the agreement with Aizen. They were the ones that swayed the rest of the Consejo to vote to allow Aizen to rule us."

"How?"

Ulquiorra was silent for a moment before answering. "By bring the person that you thought I was before them the day they voted whether or not to let Aizen rule us."

His fists were clenched as he remembered how it happened. "The five traitors summoned me to a private meeting. They let me in on their plans. I was outraged. It was the most sickening thing I had ever heard of in my entire existence. They said I could either join their new order or die. "

A half smirk formed on his lips. "I fought them. All five at once. I managed to maim some of them. The fact that I myself wasn't maimed or had lost a limb was... miraculous I would say would be the best word for it. In the end though, faced with five Vasto Lordes, it was odds even I could not overcome. They were ready to kill me… until Aizen appeared and ... 'spared' me." The word spared came off with utter disgust.

"How exactly did he 'spare' you?" Ichigo wanted to know, but knew that it was also tied into why the Hollows had made their choice.

"He said I was too 'valuable' to be killed. Aizen had already carried out his initial tests with the Hōgyoku on base hollows and after studying those tests had been able to move on testing the device on Gillians and Adjuchas class menos. But he had yet to test it out on the final class of Hollow."

Grimmjow knew exactly where this was going. "Are you telling us…?"

"I was the test subject to study the results of how it affected Vasto Lordes," Ulquiorra confirmed. "He used Kyōka Suigetsu's ability on me while I was bound and restrained, all while I was undergoing the artificial Arrancar process. My mind was easier to mold. To change. To make more... obedient." He spat that last word out. Sickened by his own actions under the Shinigami's control.

"The traitor Consejo disagreed... at first. However, they came to think that the irony in it was too perfect. When the other Consejo saw me like that, they knew they had but only two options: fight and die or side with Aizen."

"This is so messed up. And I thought Soul Society was crazy," Ichigo muttered. Aizen really was one evil manipulative bastard. Still... "If Aizen really did do this to your mind, then how is it you are back to being your old self?"

"Even I don't fully understand," Ulquiorra admitted, "save for the fact that I had a very 'illuminating' experience within negación." He spared a look over towards Grimmjow before continuing. "All that matters now is that I am free."

"And what exactly are you planning to do with that freedom, Prince?"

Ichigo's eyes widened as he saw someone who had arrived almost out of nowhere. He had not even felt his approach at all. To make matters worse, he was wearing an Espada outfit.

Oh come on here! He groaned mentally. How much worse can this get!

Ulquiorra for his part simply turned around, looking at the new arrival. "You haven't changed a bit, Hermit," he said calmly.

The Esapda wore a slight smirk on his face. "Well, now I know it is you. Only the real you would know to use that name, despite how much I hate it."

"It's what you are. Staying alone in your territory, hating to come to meetings, having to be dragged out by a minion…It's only when you sense something very strong or intriguing that you wake up from your long naps."

"That or Lilinette happens to kick me in the head or choke me," the Espada said, scratching the back of his head.

Ulquiorra let a little confusion show. "Who?"

"My Fracción. She has many mood swings, not all of them good."

"I see. Well since we are reminiscing," Ulquiorra looked over to the ridge far away. "Why don't you come down and join us Halibel?"

-----

Halibel narrowed her eyes while her Fracción's faces showed surprise. She gave them a glance followed by a decree. "Unless Aizen-sama himself shows up and gives you new orders, you will not move from this spot or I will kill you myself."

They had no time to even gasp before she used sonido and left them alone, only to watch and see what would happen next.

-----

Ichigo's eyes widened as he saw yet another Espada arrive. Only this one was a woman wearing a rather revealing and loose uniform.

Still, fashion sense aside, she had arrived only a few seconds after Ulquiorra had spoken, meaning while he knew she was there, Ichigo had not. "Not good," he muttered to himself.

"Oh, you don't know the half of it, Kurosaki," Grimmjow muttered, his voice deadly calm. His whole body was tense, like an animal ready to pounce on its prey, yet he refrained from attacking, as if it was a survival instinct.

"Are they stronger than you?" Inoue asked.

"Worse," Neliel announced in a similar deadly calm voice. Her teeth were clenched. In the old days, she would have been thrilled to see these two standing together with her Lord. However these were definitely not the old days.

"Stark Armador and Halibel De la Cruz. Both former Vasto Lordes, both former members of the Consejo. Now they both hold two of the top three Espada Ranks."

"You mean you don't know which rank!?" Ichigo exclaimed.

"Aizen wanted to keep the ranks of the top three a secret, even from the rest of the Espada. I was never given that privileged information," Ulquiorra said, looking at the two Espada. "And I will feel nothing but regret if we end up fighting. You, who did not betray me."

Ichigo stared at the scene for a moment longer before hanging his head. I am so cursed.

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes: Hoped everyone liked the explanation I gave on why Ulquiorra's switched sides now. I know I said at the end of last chapter I would have stuff involving certain characters, unfortunately it took a while to get this chapter done and with where I was with it, I felt it was best to end it here.

Lyra is a character of my own creation, which came about when thinking about what Urahara was going to use to run the Tatsuki gigai. You wont see much of her but do have a small idea for her in the living world. One that I hope you'll all enjoy when we get to that point.

In the next chapter will have Rukia, Renji and Ishida searching through Szayel's lab and making an unsettling discover... along with one or two other surprises.

Until next time.