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"Hope is a double-edged sword. Use it and you'll suffer until you reach your goal. Don't use it you'll fall into despair." Maxime Lagacé

"Seismic activity has increased in the Jūreichi by twenty five percent!" squeaked Rin, his blood shot eyes wide. He bit his awfully chapped lips as he gawked at the screen before him. Yellow lights faded from the screen becoming white. Red lights glimmered dangerously as they burst into life. "The soldiers we sent have died due to Hollows that have arrived. This is really bad…"

"Damn it," Akon hissed, his eyes roving from the screen Rin had been observing to the other multitude of screens in the room. "We can't let those Souls be devoured…They're the key to holding this world intact." His jaw tightened as he observed the screens for a few moments.

"Looks like we have no choice. Contact all available Shinigami to head towards the Jūreichi. And contact the Kidō Corps and tell them to pull back from Rukongai. We're going to need their assistance with slowing down the destruction of the worlds.''

Rin looked startled for a moment.

"Hurry up and do it!" Akon barked.

"Y-Yes, sir!" Rin said, as he scrambled to enact his orders.

It's too bad Kurotsuchi-taichō was unable to stop Aizen. We have no choice but to divert all available resources to preserving the balance for as long as we can…if there's a chance we can survive….

The Soul Society had already experienced a mild shaking, the initial sign, its foothold over its existence was crumbling. Kurotsuchi-taichō had entrusted him with the responsibility to find a way to slow down the eventual shakedown that would tear the Soul Society apart and unite it with the World of the Living. The tremors rattling the Jūreichi were providing them with the Souls they needed to help stabilize the balance.

He could only hope the Kidō Corps could potentially enact a stasis hold over the areas surrounding the Jūreichi as well as the barriers maintaining the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo apart from the World of the Living in order to give them some time... It had been risky to allow the Tenkai Kecchu to remain in the World of the Living for days, but they had done it to so that they could easily transport it in case Aizen attacked within the days that followed. This would be another risky move in the history of the universe's survival.

There was no other option.

"Third Seat Akon, sir, Hollows have been captured near Sōkyoku Hill by…a Quincy!"

"I see. It must be the Quincy Urahara warned me about. Please locate the nearest Shinigami to have them purify those Hollows. Tell them to not harm the Quincy. He's an ally."

Darkness blanketed the Seireitei for a moment as the glittering Senkaimon vanished from the atmosphere.

Tōshirō gazed at the darkened sky in dismay and alarm. "Aizen's gone…Urahara Kisuke failed to stop him…"

He couldn't believe it. He had hoped Kisuke Urahara would be the savior they desperately needed to end Aizen's horrific siege over the Soul Society. He had felt a surge of hope when he had sensed his presence…

He had believed he would be the answer to stopping Aizen and the Hōgyoku.

Urahara had invented it after all.

If anyone had an inkling about how to stop it, it should have been him….

Urahara had already thwarted so many of Aizen's schemes. It had made sense that he had somehow found the way to stop him now.

"Oh, no. Now he's going to kill the Soul King and become king," murmured Momo.

Tōshirō furrowed his brow as his gaze dropped down to Momo, who was healing the wound Aizen had inflicted upon her. She had rolled away from him and had turned on her side to face him.

"Not if the Royal Guard can help it," he pointed out.

"Oh, that's right."

Tōshirō could see the worry in her eyes hadn't deflated. The soft, green glow of her healing Kidō highlighted it.

She knew as well as he did that they were living on borrowed time. Aizen had only left them alive because he was so confident that he would become the new king and he wanted them to witness it. Or rather, rub it in.

His offer for them to join him made him wary. He knew malicious intent lurked behind it. Aizen likely wanted them to torture them in ways worse than death…

At this rate, it seemed like he was poised to become the new sovereign of the Soul Society…

Had something affected the future? He hoped that wasn't the case…Aizen needed to be stopped.

"I-It can't be!" Renji gaped at the sky, blinking incomprehensibly. "Aizen is…gone?" He grimaced as he shifted his head upwards, irritating his torn right shoulder. "Urahara was…defeated? Damn…We're doomed…"

"It's all up to the Royal Guard now," Byakuya said quietly.

Renji stared at his taichō. He could only hope they could stop him, but he wasn't really so sure anyone could. The sōtaichō and Zaraki-taichō and others like Ichigo had been killed while the rest of the Gotei 13 had been left a bloody mess.

The Hōgyoku had swallowed Zaraki-taichō like nothing. How could even Ichigo, who had displayed immense power, a few minutes ago even stand a chance? No one could stand a chance if they couldn't even attack…

The future just didn't seem like a possibility at all….

Izuru tensed, his cobalt eyes wide as he witnessed the departure of his former taichō along with Aizen.

"W-We're too late," he murmured, his face pale.

His hands trembled around Wabisuke's hilt.

It felt unreal, like a terrifying nightmare.

Izuru wished he could wake and discover this was somehow a cruel joke played by Ichimaru Gin. He had always had a knack for putting people off with his unusual jokes. However, Izuru knew this was merely the culmination of his deceptive pranks.

Ichimaru Gin was heading towards the Royal Dimension to finish off annihilating the Soul Society.

He thought he had felt him fighting Matsumoto-san earlier…thought he had sensed an abrupt vanishing of Matsumoto-san's Reiatsu. He prayed his senses had misled him. He didn't want to admit his taichō hadn't cared for her…She had been his only friend….

"Damn it…I can't believe Aizen's escaped again…the Soul Society is gonna be destroyed," Tetsuzaemon growled loudly, drawing him away from his thoughts.

He turned his head to the side and noticed that Ashido and Shūhei had come to Tetsuzaemon's side. He made his way towards them.

"This…cannot be …happening…The Gotei 13 defeated…" Ashido murmured, his eyes glimmering with disbelief.

"It shouldn't be happening," Shūhei said. "Aizen is supposed to lose this war…"

Izuru glanced at Shūhei for a moment, reflecting on his words.

Perhaps, Kurosaki Masaki's appearance in this time has changed things, he thought solemnly.

By fighting that powerful Arrancar, she had given him the chance to heal Shūhei, Tetsuzaemon, and Ashido to the point they were stable enough. He along with them would have likely been killed if she hadn't fought the Arrancar, but did Kurosaki Ichigo's intervention to save her from death prevent him from stopping Aizen in time?

As much as he hated the thought of anyone losing their life, perhaps, she had been meant to die to prevent the future from being changed…Kurosaki Isshin could have taken care of that Hollow if Kurosaki Ichigo had rushed towards Aizen…

If Aizen won, then it would amount to the same thing, she would be dead.

"All fukutaichō please head to Karakura to help pass the Souls so that the balance is stabilized.This is Tsubokura Rin from the Twelfth Division on behalf of Third Seat Akon."

Kira was startled to hear a voice flood his mind.

The message wasn't something he had wanted to hear.

He glanced at his colleagues who were not fighting fit. They needed rest. They had been forced to fight once more a few minutes ago when a fresh horde of Hollows threatened Kurosaki Isshin's efforts to nurse his future granddaughter. It seemed they really weren't out of the woods yet.

He could only pray they would survive and that he was wrong about the future being changed.

"What the…Urahara-san has been defeated?" Ichigo stared incredulously in the direction of Sōkyoku Hill.

It had been his father who had pointed out Urahara's appearance shortly after they had felt Yoruichi's Reiatsu falter. He'd almost left to go help her when he had detected Urahara and Tessai's spiritual presences upon the hill. He had suddenly felt calm, thinking that Urahara would be able to handle things.

Urahara Kisuke's appearance had always meant salvation.

He had a knack for showing up when things looked bad and making sure everything turned out fine.

Ichigo knew he'd only glimpsed a fraction of Urahara Kisuke's strength under his tutelage. He knew the man was incredibly strong and intelligent as well as Tessai.

He believed they both would be able to bring Aizen down without letting him release his Shikai.

His head couldn't quite wrap around the idea that within minutes both men were down. How was that even possible?

"There goes that Aizen bastard," Ganju said, narrowing his eyes and clenching his jaw, as he noticed the silhouette of the man floating towards the massive Senkaimon gate covering the sky alongside another lanky figure.

The gate disappeared within seconds, leaving nothing but darkness behind.

"Aizen's gone," Ichigo gasped. "Damn it, it can't be!" He clenched his right hand around the hilt of Tensa Zangetsu. "He's going to win…This can't be happening…" His gaze flicked over to Masaki's unconscious form.

"Aizen hasn't won yet, Son. He has to get through the Royal Guard to get to the Soul King," Isshin said, as he continued healing Rukia.

"The Royal Guard?" Ichigo echoed.

"Yes, you know, royal bodyguards. Every king has 'em."

"I see. But if everyone else has failed to stop him, will they even stand a chance? We should be up there."

"The Royal Guard are supposed to be exceptionally strong," Rukia piped up. "They are tasked with the slaying of Menos Grande."

"Rukia-chan, that's not actually true," Isshin said. "That was just thrown in recent textbooks to shed some light on the Royal Guard. Their role has always been kept pretty secret up until recently. The sole task of the Royal Guard is to protect the Soul King. They are former taichō, so they should be strong."

"Strong or not, Ichigo's right, we better get up there just to make sure Aizen and his pal bite the dust," Ganju said. "Urahara-san thought of a backup plan just in case that bastard managed to get to the Royal Dimension. It's why I brought this baby here." He jabbed a finger in the direction of the cannon attached to Bonnie's back.

"What's that?" Ichigo glanced at the cannon in interest.

"It's a miniature Kūkaku Flower Crane Cannon. It's the only cannon in Soul Society capable of launching you into the Royal Dimension besides the one we got back home."

"Seriously? I thought a key was needed."

"That's one way to get there. The Shiba Clan has this way."

"Well, hurry up and get it ready."

Ganju nodded and bounded over to Bonnie, who eyed him boorishly. "Easy girl, I'm gonna take this load off ya."

He reached up for the ropes that held the device in place on the boar's back.

"I'll help you," Ichigo said, stabbing his sword into the ground and hurrying over.

"Wait a minute, is that Nel?" Ichigo stared disbelievingly at the teal haired Arrancar girl, who was strapped around the end of the cannon, unconscious. He could see Kidō bound her underneath the rope holding her in place.

Her mask was cracked again, and red patches stained her torn uniform.

"It's her. I decided to keep as a prisoner. I couldn't kill her while she's in that form," Rukia explained.

"I see," he said, gazing at Rukia for a moment.

Ichigo had believed Rukia's survival had meant Nel had been killed. He wasn't sure what to think of this situation. A part of him felt relieved yet the other wasn't…He knew underneath this infantine guise was a truly dangerous being.

"Grab her will ya," Ganju ordered, as he loosened the ropes.

Ichigo leapt up, pulled Nel loose, and grabbed her. He set her gently beside his father and Rukia.

Isshin stared at Nel.

"I'm afraid we can't keep her as a prisoner," he said grimly, closing his eyes briefly. "I can't say I'm fond of disposing of a little kid even if she is an Arrancar, but we have no choice. The balance is damaged. It needs to be maintained."

"You're right, Kurosaki-san. I-I shouldn't have hesitated," Rukia said quietly, glancing at Ichigo. His eyes reflected a grim acceptance.

"Don't worry about it, Rukia. She was after me. I'll do it," Ichigo said solemnly.

He bent down and moved Nel further away from his father and Rukia, and then retrieved his sword from the ground where he had left it.

Stirrings of unease tugged at his heart, but he disregarded them. Child form or not, Nel's fate had already been determined the moment she came to the Soul Society on Aizen's behalf. He knew it. He'd just been unwilling to admit it.

Whether she had been good or not had never mattered. He had let himself forget her true nature because she had been an ally, a friend….

He was certain Aizen had used her to divert his attention for this reason. He didn't care about whether Nel had tricked him or not back in Hueco Mundo. He was disgusted with Aizen for enlisting her in this war.

Nel didn't deserve to be a mere tool for him.

She needed to be free.

He could not be afraid to help her, even if she was in child form.

Perhaps, Aizen gave her the ability to switch between a child and an adult form to give him pause, but he wouldn't. He had to for her sake and the Soul Society's.

I'm sorry, Nel, Ichigo thought as he swung his sword, his eyes closing as he felt it connect it with its target. He could feel Reishi pulsing in the air. He could only hope her next life would be better.

"Oi, Ichigo, hurry up!" He heard Ganju impatiently calling him.

He opened his eyes and headed towards Ganju.

A sinking feeling gripped Orihime's stomach. Its heaviness nearly made her tremble slightly. She simply could not believe that Urahara Kisuke and the others had failed to stop Aizen.

That wretched man was on his way to destroying the world…

It seemed surreal…This wasn't supposed to happen…,

They had just made it to the top of the hill with the use of the Reishi platform technique Uryū had discovered in Hueco Mundo, trying to bypass the familiar zigzagging stairs they had used all those months ago when they had wanted to help rescue Kuchiki-san. The result had been the same. They couldn't arrive on time.

Pesche had beaten them with his Sonído. He stood several feet away from the staircase, eyes fixed upon the sky.

Ten feet away from him, Ikkaku and Yumichika suddenly appeared, breathless with harried expressions. Ikkaku's kosode and shitagi were missing. Scrapes and cuts lined his bare skin. He carried Hōzukimaru in its Shikai form. Yumichika's orange neck cowl was partly torn. The rest of his uniform also sported rips and tears.

Ikkaku's face hardened as he noticed Pesche. "Damn, another Arrancar bastard is here. Don't tell me you're trying to get to the taichō now that your boss has left." He raised his spear.

The bald man sprang into action and just as his blade plummeted toward Pesche, an orange shield arose.

"What the—"

"Orihime-chan, what are you doing?" demanded Yumichika, looking baffled.

"He's a friend," Orihime explained. "He's been helping us. He wants to stop Aizen."

"A friend?" sneered Ikkaku, as he landed back on the ground next to Yumichika, his hand twitching around his weapon. "An Arrancar ain't a friend, he's the enemy. Don't tell me you decided to trade sides, Orihime-chan, after all the trouble Ichigo and…the taichō"—his voice hitched slightly— "went through to get you." His eyes narrowed.

"Madarame, Inoue-san hasn't changed sides, it's Pesche that has. He has been helping us."

Ikkaku scoffed. "Give me a break. I thought you were smarter than that, Ishida. An Arrancar wouldn't switch sides."

"I freed him from Aizen's hypnosis with my powers," Orihime said, eliciting flickers of surprise in Ikkaku and Yumichika. "He's been helping us out of his own free will because Aizen-san forced him and his friends into this war. He's been really helpful, he even protected me…"

Orihime watched as Tsubaki speared through five Hollows. She could hear Uryū's arrows tear through the air to keep the countless Hollows standing in their way from advancing towards them. She hurriedly directed Tsubaki towards another one and little did she realize a Hollow lurked behind her.

She barely caught the movement of his tongue out of the corner of her eye.

She whirled around.

She recoiled as the Hollow's large tongue lashed out at her.

She tripped and fell backwards.

She couldn't help but shriek as she felt the rough texture of the Hollow's tongue graze her skin.

It felt like gritty sandpaper.

Her cheek stung, feeling as though it had been roughly scraped.

She brought up her shield quickly as the creature's tongue whipped towards her yet again, sounding like a vicious whip.

The Hollow retreated, roaring as a flash of red struck his broad shoulders.

Pesche appeared before Orihime, quickly lending her a hand. "Careful, Inoue-san."

She nodded, calling Tsubaki to her.

Pesche battled the Hollow until Orihime finished him off.

"Orihime-chan, perhaps he might be serious about turning against Aizen, but it doesn't change what he is. We Shinigami have been tasked to restoring the balance and we must purify all Hollows to do so. We have no choice. I'm sorry but we must purify him for the sake of the balance," Yumichika said.

Orihime gazed at him, looking conflicted. "B-But…"

"We don't have time to argue. We have to take care of the Hollows down below that have been captured by one of yours, Ishida, and then save the damn Souls in your damn town before the world collapses."

Uryū's eyes widened slightly.

"We've just been contacted via Tenteikura that we have to head out to the World of the Living after we take care of those Hollows," Yumichika asserted.

"I understand," Pesche said grimly. "Go ahead and do your duty, Shinigami." He stored his sword away.

Orihime stared at him, surprised. "W-What?"

"Inoue-san, he is right." Pesche turned around to regard Orihime. "I must be purified by him. It's the way the world works. I may have failed to stop Aizen, but I won't allow his plans to continue. I'm certain Nel-sama would have felt the same way. She never truly enjoyed fighting, which is why Dondochakka and I were happy to keep her away from it when she transformed into a child. She was the Espada of sacrifice. She understood what it meant to sacrifice yourself for others as do I."

"Pesche-san," Orihime murmured, still looking agitated.

"Do not fear, Inoue-san. Perhaps, we shall meet again someday." His lips upturned into a half smile. "This is but a transitory stage in life. Nel-sama often told us that we were lucky to regain our reason as Arrancars. Nonetheless, we knew our fate would be decided by a Shinigami."

"You are extraordinary for a Human, Inoue-san. I'm grateful to you for allowing me a chance to fight beside you." His gaze shifted to Uryū. "You're not that bad for a Quincy, Uryū."

"Likewise," Uryū said coolly. "Never thought I would be saying this to a Hollow, but thank you for everything, Pesche. I hope you are reunited with Nel-chan."

Orihime stared at Uryū a moment, noting that he seemed composed, that he likely had expected this scenario.

Pesche nodded and turned around. "I'm ready."

"Don't worry, I won't make it hurt much," Ikkaku said, grinning.

"W-Wait, I'll do it!" Orihime blurted out.

"Orihime-chan, you can't, you aren't a Shinigami," Yumichika said.

"I know, but my powers are Shinigami based. I can reject his existence as a Hollow and let him pass on as a Plus."

Ikkaku and Yumichika exchanged a look, seeming unconvinced.

"You should hurry up and leave," Orihime said, touching her hairpins and summoning Tsubaki.

"Are you sure about this, Inoue-san?" Uryū asked quietly.

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She could already feel her eyes prickling.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to focus on the fact that she wouldn't be killing Pesche, she would merely be helping him pass on.

She thought of her brother Sora and how thanks to Ichigo he had passed on.

She had been glad that he had finally found peace.

She wanted the same for Pesche.

Though it was hard for her to not think of him as merely a person, she knew he really wasn't. He was only capable of reason because he had been changed to an Arrancar. He needed to become a normal Soul again for a chance at an actual life.

Channeling her willpower with this thought and that his sacrifice would help prolong the universe, she unleashed Tsubaki upon Pesche.

He was gone within a flash of orange.

She couldn't help the tears that surfaced.

She knew she had done the right thing, but it still pained her. She didn't like death. She preferred to heal.

Her heart lurched as she suddenly remembered the death of Ulquiorra. He had turned to ashes. He hadn't died at the hands of a Zanpakutō. Had she known about the true nature of her abilities, she could have allowed him to pass…Maybe…

"Inoue-san, Pesche will be fine," Uryū said gently, cutting into her thoughts. "The Shinigami they need your help."

"R-Right," she agreed, blinking away her tears.

She could sense so many familiar presences scattered upon the hill. Aizen had hurt them. She couldn't let them die.

A heavy rumbling noise permeated Aizen and Gin's ears as a massive door creaked open before them. They wordlessly went through the opening.

Pure, radiant light struck their eyes, rendering them temporarily blind.

"This place feels heavenly alright. Guess we didn't miss our exit after all," Gin quipped, as he closed his barely visible eyes and reopened them a moment later, glancing down at the impeccably white flooring.

"There is no doubt we have reached the Royal Dimension," agreed Aizen, as he, too, lowered his gaze. He deposited the ancient key he carried onto the pristine floor. The sound echoed loudly.

The two former Shinigami taichō ambled forward after another moment once their eyes adjusted to their bright surroundings. White columns lined the wide expanse of flooring stretching out before them. They carried on for a few minutes, noticing that some steps leading to a large wooden door of a temple building loomed in front of them.

"Aizen Sōsuke," said a sharp female voice. "How dare you set foot upon this consecrated plane!"

"Hikifune Kirio, it has been a while," Aizen said pleasantly, taking in the stern faced purple haired woman glaring at him.

Her long hair curled past her shoulders. A white haori covered her slender frame. Underneath it, she wore the traditional Shinigami Shihakushō, and in her right hand she held a lilac hilted Zanpakutō, which was pointed in Aizen's direction.

"You look the same as I last saw you."

"I can't say the same about you," Kirio said, eyes glinting with anger and disgust. "You don't look like the Aizen I knew. In fact, you don't even resemble a Shinigami in the slightest, and neither does the scum you brought along with you."

"Oi, that ain't nice lady," Gin objected with a frown.

"As if you have feelings." She gave him a disdainful glare.

Gin raised a hand to his chest, as though pained. "So cruel…"

"You're one to talk. Yamamoto-sōtaichō kept the Royal Guard well informed of all the countless slaughters you have committed. I know you murdered Hiyori-chan!"

"Hear my call…Shōmei."

Kirio brandished a Naginata weapon at him. Ornate markings covered the long wooden pole leading up to an elegant rounded cross-guard that surrounded a sharp, curved blade.

The air hissed as the sharp blade swooped towards Gin.

Gin scarcely danced out of the way.

Metal clanged as he parried another blow.

They traded blows, sparks glimmering in their wake.

Gin found an opening for an instant in between her rapid thrusts.

The air rang as Shinsō's blade was blocked.

With a twirl, Kirio resumed the offensive.

Gin twisted his body over hers to avoid her slash.

She ducked to avoid a sudden attack and thrust her spear forward to sweep Gin off his feet, but he evaded it.

Aizen strolled towards the door.

A large, broad shouldered Shinigami man materialized. Not a single speck of hair grew on his head, but bushy eyebrows shadowed his red eyes and a dense beard drooped from his chin. Large prayer beads the size of Christmas ornaments looped around his neck giving him the appearance of a monk. He grasped a huge calligraphy brush in his right hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" the man queried, his eyes glinting with mirth.

"Ah, so you must be the other Royal Guard," Aizen said. "The Royal Guard's existence is so secretive that I couldn't even find your name."

"The only name you need to know is Oshō," the man responded, grinning jovially.

"Oshō? Monk? I see." Aizen smiled. "I suppose that is a fitting title for someone who has given up their life to dedicate themselves to preserving the Soul King's existence. I've come to relieve you of your post."

The man chuckled. "You insolent brat. You have no authority here."

"You're one to talk. You're a mere glorified sentry. You have no authority of this plane or of yourself. I would think you would welcome a chance to be free. It is certainly more than your precious king has done for you."

"You're no liberator, Aizen Sōsuke. You're a filthy traitor. Clearly, you have no comprehension or respect for a Shinigami's duty."

"I've never cared for a Shinigami's duty, which is why I'm here to end it."

"Such audacious words, Aizen Sōsuke. I'll be happy to make you regret them." The man grinned broadly.

A massive hand suddenly appeared above Aizen, slamming into him almost instantly.

Concrete and dust pelted the air.

The robust Royal Guard eyed the smashed ground, perceiving not a single trace of blood or gore.

"I suppose you thought you could defeat me with one attack, but I didn't come unprepared to face you." Aizen now behind him, brandished the Hōgyoku. "Behold a power beyond yours…Oshō."

A radiant light engulfed the man as the Hōgyoku shone.

His arms and brush began to melt away.

"The name's Hyōsube Ichibē," the man retorted.

"Your name is meaningless to me. You are just another worthless Shinigami that attempted to stand in my way."

Aizen watched as the remaining outline of the monk faded away into the Hōgyoku.

Satisfied, Aizen Shunpoed towards Gin and Kirio.

As Gin nimbly avoided the lightning fast thrusts, he extended Shinsō only to find it stopped and then he instinctively raised his free hand in front of his face. He grunted as metal ripped through his palm and blood flowed. The tip of the blade hovered a mere inch away from his icy blue left eye.

He groaned as he felt a sharp kick in his ribs and felt the blade leave his palm.

He gasped, feeling his lungs protesting at the sudden loss of air.

Azure eyes stared at Kirio who was about to dig her blade into his chest.

"Sayonara, you filthy snake." She smirked.

Gin braced himself to feel the final strike.

Blood erupted from his chest and he sank to his knees, breathing heavily.

Krio yanked her spear away.

He heard her gasp and he looked up to see her shocked face as her shoulders sagged and began to decompose.

"You have fought well, Gin." Aizen stood before him, gathering Kirio's Reishi into the Hōgyoku.

Gin's lips twitched into a grin. "Thank ya, Aizen-taichō."

"It is I who must thank you, Gin. Having you by side has been invaluable. You realized your potential beyond my expectations. I'm proud of you, Gin."

"Yer makin' me blush, Aizen-taichō."

"You truly have outclassed all Shinigami. Your commitment to changing things has been boundless. As a token of my gratitude, I will grant you grant you the chance to end the existence of the Soul King."

The Hōgyoku's rays enclosed Gin.

Gin's smile twisted into a grimace within moments.

His eyes widened, revealing his icy azure gaze.

His feet were dissolving into Reishi.

"Aizen-taichō, whacha doin'?" he demanded, narrowing his eyes, his lips frowning.

"Forgive me, Gin, but this is the final service I require of you. Your death will further weaken the Soul King."

"Ya mean you don't want me 'round in yer kingdom."

Gin's legs had now completely disappeared.

"Gin, I have welcomed you into my kingdom." He raised a hand, gesturing to their surroundings. "I never lied that I wouldn't take you to it, but now the time has come for you to do your greatest act of all. I won't forget it." Aizen smiled.

"Suppose I can't say I'm surprised. Ya never did like to do the dirty work yerself."

"I was hoping the Royal Guard would dispose of you," Aizen admitted. "You would have done the same given the chance. You've said it yourself, you're a snake. I knew it since I met you. You would have struck me down if I hadn't convinced you to join me. I knew you were merely biding your time to strike if you thought I wasn't being genuine. Fortunately, I did not have to do it then. Now, though, it is unavoidable. Your body is at its limit and I won't let your death be for naught."

Gin's body finished crumbling into Reishi and flowing into the Hōgyoku.

Aizen turned and went over to the steps leading up to the temple. He reached the door, pushed it aside, and entered. A royal curtain hung in the center of the room. A radiant glow shone behind it.

"Ah, so this is the fabled Soul King, the deity that ties the universe together," Aizen declared, as he pulled back the curtain roughly, revealing a large stone throne upon which sat a large transparent humanoid shape. Within it, a myriad of lights twinkled like stars in outer space. Many of the lights twinkled around the being below its chest were flickering out, leaving behind darkness. The body shuddered and convulsed as the luminous dots kept fading.

"Or at least it did. Now that the balance has been shattered, the Soul King has been weakened and is on its death bed."

Aizen reached for the Hōgyoku. He closed his eyes for a moment and a glow suffused his being.

He reopened his eyes, his lips quirking into a smirk.

He lifted the chain holding the Hōgyoku over his neck and then extended it towards the being that seemed to house a galaxy within its confines. Its coloring resembled that of the Hōgyoku.

Light burst from the Hōgyoku, surrounding the Soul King.

The air hummed as energy discharges streaked the air.

The ground trembled.

Aizen simply regarded the Hōgyoku, as it broke down the particles of the Soul King and absorbed them.

Bit by bit, the Soul King vanished, and the trembling became more violent, causing cracks to appear on the walls.

Aizen took a step forward and yanked the chain from the pulsing Hōgyoku. He settled it carefully on the throne that had housed the Soul King. He placed his hand over it and light flashed in the room. The shaking ceased at once.

The Hōgyoku pulsed.

Smiling, Aizen reached again for the Hōgyoku. His fingers hovered above its luminous surface when there a shout behind him.

"Aizen!"

Aizen turned around nonchalantly, his lips upturning into an amused smile, his eyes mirroring this sentiment.

"What are you doing here, Kurosaki Ichigo?" He stared at the panting young man that was glaring at him, hands gripping a black blade.

"I've come here to stop you, Aizen."

"Stop me? I'm afraid you're too late. The Soul King is no more. I am the new ruler."

"That can't be…"

"It is," Aizen assured him. "The Soul King, the lynchpin of the Soul Society, is no more. The Hōgyoku has taken its place. Otherwise, the realms outside this plane of existence would have crumbled away. Though I must change things, so that there's no need for balance."

"I won't let you." Amber eyes gleamed with determination.

Aizen chuckled softly.

"What's so funny?"

"Your resistance is futile. The dawning of a new era has already begun."

"No, it hasn't."

Dark energy blossomed around Ichigo as he said, "Tensa Zangetsu, Colmillo Lunar."

"Ah, so this is the power you used against Grimmjow," Aizen noted, as he studied the Hollow being before him. Ichigo's Hollow hole was visible due to his torn kosode and shitagi. "It is impressive. I see you have made progress in mastering your Hollow. Fascinating how you have obtained a Resurrección, yet you carry a Zanpakutō…"

Aizen blinked as Ichigo vanished. Within moments, he found himself being jerked forward. He could just hear the faintest snap from his uniform neckline tearing as air whooshed in his ears.

And then Aizen found himself being dropped down onto the floor near where he had originally appeared in the Royal Dimension. Hollowfied Ichigo stood a few feet away.

Wisps of obsidian energy pulsed around his blade as he held it before him.

"I won't let you change things," Ichigo said firmly, as more energy seeped out of his blade.

"Getsuga Tenshō!"

The ground trembled as the black wave obliterated everything within its path.

Smoke billowed.

Ichigo whirled around, intercepting Aizen's blade.

"This power is not enough to change anything," Aizen assured him, as he clearly seemed to have escaped the brunt of the attack.

Golden orbs glared at him.

God, how Ichigo hated the smugness radiating from Aizen's gaze.

Those arrogant orbs seemed to be filled with even more smugness than he had seen thus far.

He was clearly reveling in his success at bringing down the Soul Society to its knees, but he would make sure to erase it.

He had to.

The fate of three worlds depended on this fight.

He would not let everyone down.

Aizen will be defeated, so that the future happens, Ichigo thought confidently, as he shoved aside Aizen's Zanpakutō.

Aizen flew back several feet. He barely stabilized himself when he was forced to parry away Ichigo's stroke. He stumbled back as crimson stained his abdomen.

"I've finally cut you."

"And?" Aizen looked amused, as he steadied himself to continue fighting. "Finally cutting me doesn't guarantee you a victory."

Aizen blocked another blow.

Ichigo frowned underneath his mask, glowering at him over their crossed blades. "You're right, but it's just a taste of what's to come."

He roughly disentangled their blades and charged forward.

Clang. Clang.

Their blades clashed again and again.

Rips began to appear on Aizen's shabby uniform.

Though Aizen's face remained composed, Ichigo felt encouraged by the fact he was landing hits on the man.

No doubt the sneaky bastard wanted to hypnotize him, but there was no way he would give him the chance.

He would end this battle soon and prove to Aizen he wasn't as invincible as he thought he was.

His speed was certainly not as good as his own in his Resurrección.

Blood oozed from Aizen's forearm as Tensa Zangetsu skimmed its surface.

Aizen immediately distanced himself from him.

He could feel the Hollow within him hungering for Aizen's blood. His Reiryoku.

Being in this form granted him access to the Hollow's instincts though he kept them at bay. He had struggled to get a handle on them during his training. He wasn't sure if was because it was Aizen, but the Hollow's instincts seemed to be testing him. Maybe they subconsciously reflected his own desire to defeat Aizen….

Aizen Shunpoed to evade Ichigo's downward slash.

Ichigo was at his back almost instantly.

Aizen stiffened as metal dug into his back.

Blood splayed.

He collapsed onto the ground. He twisted around and stared at the ebony blade mere inches from his face. Flecks of his own blood dripped down onto his face.

"It's over, Aizen," Ichigo declared in a low voice.

Aizen vanished.

"Is this the best you can do, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Aizen taunted, as he reappeared a few feet away. His wounds sealing up much to Ichigo's chagrin.

Was that high-speed regeneration? Damn it…

Beneath his mask, Ichigo scowled. He didn't have time for this unexpected ability. He really needed to finish him before his Resurrección wore off. He had a five-minute time limit on it. He had felt confident it would suffice though he hadn't expected to use his Resurrección against Grimmjow. It had left his body weary.

He really had no choice, but to use his most powerful technique.

"Double Crescente Cero!" he roared.

The powerful Cero swirled from his horns, scorching and consuming everything within its path as it soared towards Aizen.

An explosion rent the air, leaving Ichigo's ears ringing. Golden eyes attentively peered through the haze, looking for signs of Aizen.

He strode forward, his hands gripping his sword. His enhanced olfactory senses caught the overwhelming coppery tang tinging the air. The Hollow within him relished it while he felt revulsion.

He stopped a foot away from Aizen's bloodied form.

His ears could detect the pulsing of breath.

The bastard was still alive.

He readied himself to deliver the final blow.

"What incredible power," Aizen mused, as he lifted his head up to look at him. Blood cascaded down his forehead from a nasty gash. Various cuts marred his countenance.

Ichigo spotted the awkward position of his left hand and deduced it was broken.

"But, it's not good enough."

The injuries afflicting Aizen faded away, as though they had never been there, the taint of his blood the only proof he had been wounded.

"Damn it," Ichigo growled.

He spotted Aizen pointing two fingers at him and he blinked as a bright light assailed his eyes. Almost immediately he felt his arms stiffen and he felt his knees slam onto the ground. His fingers felt glued to his hilt. No matter how much he willed them to move, they remained frozen.

"Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi," Aizen said.

Black Reiryoku enveloped Ichigo.

Aizen looked pleased as the energy melted away, revealing a battered Ichigo. The remnants of his kosode and shitagi had been fully shredded into nothing and his hakama exhibited tears. His Hollow mask lay in pieces along with the exoskeleton that had covered his body. Grimacing, Ichigo glared at Aizen, as he breathed heavily.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, I once told you that Shinigami acquiring Hollow powers pushed them beyond their innate limitations, but I have acquired a power beyond that thanks to the Hōgyoku. Your Resurrección could never hope to overcome it."

"So, you didn't Hollowfy?"

"No, I wouldn't stoop so low as to attempt Hollowfication."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes.

"I've always sought to attain greater power than that, that is why I am the Soul King now," Aizen said smugly. "You're a remarkable specimen for a Shinigami-Hollow. I would daresay you're a much better specimen than the perfect hybrid I created in Tōsen. The speed at which you have arrived at this level is nothing short of extraordinary. I must give Urahara Kisuke credit where it's due. He made a prudent choice in having you undergo Hollowfication. Otherwise you would have died during your rescue operation."

"What are you talking about? He didn't do this to me. He isn't like you."

Aizen's lips broadened. "Is that what you think? You are so naïve, Kurosaki Ichigo. Didn't Hirako Shinji tell you that Hollowfication isn't something that just happens? Did you think you were special for having Hollow powers? Whether you realized it or not, Urahara Kisuke used you as a test subject for his latest research. I must say it has come a long way since he created the Hōgyoku. It must be because of your unique nature, which that in itself is Urahara's own doing. Your very existence is an impossibility yet thanks to his technology here you are."

"And because of you," Ichigo pointed out, glaring at him fiercely.

"I suppose I can take some of the credit. Without me, your father never would have gone to the World of the Living. I was beginning to wonder if you would ever be told the truth. You said nothing during our last meeting. Are you here to avenge your fallen clan?"

"You've hurt too many people with this war. I came to put an end to it. That's all there is to it."

"How noble. You wish to end the war enacted by Urahara Kisuke."

"What the hell are you talking about? You're the one who started it!"

"I didn't begin this war, he did. He's the one who gave me what I needed to finally set my plans in motion. I was waiting for the Hōgyoku's seal to expire. I knew based on Urahara's research notes that he estimated that a Kidō seal on the Hōgyoku could only last about a century due to its natural potency.

"He knew I would be on the lookout for signs of the Hōgyoku's presence because I was interested in Hollowfication. Let me ask you this, didn't you ever wonder why Urahara Kisuke hadn't resorted to turning any other Soul into a Human if he had been serious about wanting to hide the existence of the Hōgyoku? Why did he choose the Shinigami Kuchiki Rukia instead of any other Soul?

"It's because he wanted me to act and take the Hōgyoku. He knew I would know what the lack of a Shinigami's presence meant. Only he had ever managed to create an untraceable Gigai. Urahara Kisuke never wanted to allow Kuchiki Rukia to become Human. He allowed me to figure out her location.

"Didn't you find it strange that a large Hollow such as the Menos Grande appeared in the World of the Living? A Menos Grande wouldn't have appeared for ordinary bait. Urahara Kisuke lured it to alert the Soul Society of your presence and to draw your innate power out. He was grooming you for his war.

"Knowing I would be victorious, I took Urahara's bait. I'm here because Urahara Kisuke thought he could defeat me. His own arrogance and need for revenge started this war."

Ichigo stared at him, stunned.

"It seems to me you've failed to realize you've been nothing but a pawn for Urahara Kisuke. Why do you think he chose to send you instead of Hirako Shinji and the others?" He paused for a moment. "It's because he wanted to show off his latest specimen as well as to show me that I hadn't succeeding in killing Kurosaki Isshin. He wanted to force me to show my true face to the Gotei 13. He never expected you to stop me; he expected the Gotei 13 to do so, but they failed."

"I was surprised that Urahara Kisuke hadn't bothered to tell you the truth about why you were sent to the Soul Society. I was further surprised that he hadn't told you the truth about your heritage even after he had manipulated you. I would have thought that it would have been his best defense for the way he used you."

"It wasn't his story to tell," Ichigo said. "Urahara-san may have used Rukia and me, but he never intended to destroy the Soul Society. You've been planning this for a while. He just wanted to stop you."

Aizen chuckled. "How amusing. You defend the man who used you and Kuchiki Rukia without regard for your lives. Why? It is because he gave you the means to save Kuchiki Rukia? How foolish. Urahara Kisuke isn't the man you think he is."

Aizen proceeded to stride towards Ichigo.

"He's always acted like a simple, unassuming man, but he's much more than that. I've observed Urahara Kisuke since before he joined the Gotei 13. Born to the House of Urahara under the Shihōin Clan, he was considered the Shihōin Clan's greatest scientist. He had a natural inclination to improve things. He was, in short, a scientist and didn't care much for the noble lifestyle. He was unafraid to test the limits despite his attempt at living up to the expectations required of him.

"He and Shihōin Yoruichi had no problems befriending people of lesser status such as the Shibas. And he certainly was unafraid to test the limits within the Gotei 13. He had no qualms allowing a criminal such as Kurotsuchi Mayuri to be his deputy in the Research and Development Institute he founded. He was willing to vouch for him all for the sake of his own interest. His own desire to strengthen a Shinigami's soul didn't make him have misgivings about studying Hollowfication. He went as far as creating the Hōgyoku to make it possible. Do you have any idea how he achieved such a thing?"

There was a pause.

"I'll give you a hint. Urahara Kisuke studied Souls very intimately in order to become so apt at creating advanced Gigai and implanting and removing objects deep within a Soul."

Ichigo tensed, as a flash of silver suddenly obscured his vision. A soft clink reached his ears as the tip of the blade touched the ground a foot away from him. His gaze traveled up the blade until it landed on Aizen, who was looking down at him, his hands casually gripping the green hilt of Kyōka Suigetsu like a walking stick.

"Do you know how he studied these souls so intimately?" His voice, soft like a feather, belied a much shaper edge.

"He used dead Souls." Aizen's lips curved into a dark smile.

Amber eyes widened.

"D-Dead souls?"

"That's right. He murdered countless Souls to unlock a power beyond Reiryoku."

A rumbling noise permeated the air.

Ichigo felt the brush of cold air as ice rattled past his nose.

He stared blankly at the ice formation holding Aizen in place.

Could Aizen be telling the truth? Could Urahara Kisuke have murdered Souls so he could create that damn crystal? He wanted to believe it couldn't be true, but he had no reservations killing him or using Rukia as bait.

He knew he was an underhanded bastard, but he hadn't allowed himself to think too much about his questionable actions. He had just focused on the positives. He had wanted to believe Urahara Kisuke ultimately wanted to do the right thing, but now he wasn't so sure. The Hōgyoku may have been forged in death and now it was death that was tearing the universe apart because Urahara Kisuke hadn't kept it hidden.

"Ichigo!" he heard Rukia's familiar voice, as she hurried toward him. "Are you all right?" she asked, as she reached him and bent down, peering over his wounds.

"I-I'll be fine," he muttered, shaking himself out of his thoughts.

Rukia's brows were furrowed. "Ichigo, you're a bloody mess."

"I'll be okay…"

The ice encasing Aizen started shaking.

"Damn it. We need to get out of here," Rukia muttered.

She reached for Ichigo and slung his left arm around her neck and Shunpoed away as ice shards stabbed the air as the ice formation shattered.

"Kuchiki Rukia, it's been a while since we last met," Aizen drawled, as he stared at the petite Shinigami, who stood next to a bloodied, kneeling Ichigo.

Rukia gazed at him with narrowed eyes, as she moved in front of Ichigo and adjusted her stance so that both of her hands gripped Sode no Shirayuki.

"The location is different, but the circumstances are rather familiar, aren't they? Kurosaki Ichigo won't be able to protect you."

Rukia frowned. "I didn't come here to be protected."

Aizen chuckled. "You didn't. You came to die along with your comrade. How touching. You came to fulfill the fate that I intended to enact the last time we saw each other."

"I didn't come here to die here either. I came to help put an end to your reign of terror.".

Rukia's words were filled with absolute certainty. Her Reiatsu was taut and strong, unlike many months ago, when she was barely able to stand beside Aizen. Perhaps, it had even grown, Ichigo wasn't entirely sure. Rukia knew she wasn't strong enough to battle Aizen, yet she was willing to put herself on the line to protect him, because she thought he could no longer battle. Ichigo felt a swell of pride at her resolve as well as gratefulness. He knew she probably intended to keep Aizen busy until Ganju arrived, but there was no need for that. He would fight with her.

He drew out his mask over his face and his eyes flashed. His wounds suddenly healed. His Hollow had taught him how to harness high-speed regeneration even when he wasn't a full-fledged Hollow.

He was glad he'd learn this ability. He understood why Aizen coveted it and why he wouldn't want to be burdened by a Hollow.

"I'm afraid my reign is just beginning," Aizen proclaimed.

"Shut up, Aizen. I'm not dead yet, and I'm sure as hell not letting you rule the world," Ichigo said, as he stood and took a step forward to stand beside Rukia, who looked amazed and relieved to see Ichigo healed. "Rukia, you ready to stop him?"

Rukia gave an earnest nod.

"Getsuga Tenshō!" Ichigo yelled, as he flung a crescent shaped blast at Aizen.

Aizen raised a hand to cut through it with Kidō.

Rukia released Hakuren.

Aizen shattered it.

Ichigo attacked him from behind, forcing Aizen to spin on his heel and block.

Their swords screeched as they traded blows.

Aizen ducked out of the way of Zangetsu's discharge.

Ice smashed into Aizen.

Black energy piled into him from above, sending him into the ground.

Black and white energy swirled in the air as Aizen appeared from the residual remains of the attacks made against him.

Ichigo and Rukia stared at him, noticing he hadn't taken any damage.

"This is a rather poor attempt at stopping me," Aizen remarked, as he stepped forward.

He swayed as the ground beneath his feet began to draw his feet in.

"What's this?" He stared at the melting concrete, pulling him in like quicksand.

"It's called Seppa, you bastard."

Aizen glanced behind himself. He could see a wide shouldered figure in the remaining mist.

"Who are you?"

"Name's Shiba Ganju."

"I see. This ability of yours is a unique Shiba ability, isn't it?"

"Damn right it is. It's Earth magic."

"Indeed, it is," Aizen said, as he stared at the sand pulling him downward.

Ganju stared him down. "Bet you never imagined a Shiba would be the one to take you down. It's the end of the line for you, Aizen. You're going to pay for what you've done to the Soul Society and…my brother, Shiba Kaien!"

"You are mistaken. I have nothing to do with your brother's death. Shiba Kaien was killed by Kuchiki Rukia. It seems Urahara Kisuke conveniently forgot to mention it was her sword that ended your brother's life when he enlisted you to save her. I remember now, you put your life on the line for her when you should have killed her to avenge your brother's death."

"Don't give me that, you bastard. I know the truth. I know you were behind the Hollow that killed my brother. He was dead the moment the Hollow fused with him. If you had never created such a sneaky Hollow, my brother wouldn't have died!"

"Do not blame your brother's incompetence upon me. I would have thought Shiba Kaien would have been capable to handle such a Hollow. And, at any rate, his taichō and subordinate should have aided him if he couldn't."

"Why you…Go to hell, Aizen!" Ganju snapped, reaching for something in the pouch behind his back.

He pulled out a firework and rubbed it against the gauntlet covering his forearm, generating sparks. He quickly tossed the smoking rod onto the sand.

Flames erupted, engulfing Aizen and his sandy imprisonment.

It won't be enough, Ichigo thought as he surveyed the roaring flames. The flames crackled and popped multiple times. It seemed Ganju had brought stronger fireworks than last time.

"Get out the way, Ganju!" Ichigo warned. "Aizen's made himself stronger with the Hōgyoku! He can regenerate!"

Ganju looked astonished for a moment as he backpedaled away from the fire he had created and sprinted towards Rukia and him.

Rukia regarded Ichigo with a surprised expression. "He can regenerate?"

"I didn't think that was possible either, but that's the Hōgyoku for you," Ichigo said grimly. "I thought I had him, but he regenerated…"

"I see, so that's why are attacks were useless. So, he didn't use his Shikai on you?"

Ichigo shook his head. "He hasn't had a need to."

Rukia furrowed her brow, looking pensive. "Even if he's capable of regeneration, there has to be a limit to it. A Shinigami's life force is equal to their Reiryoku. He must've already used up quite a lot of Reiryoku to defeat the Gotei 13 taichō."

"So are you saying, we just have to wear him out?" Ganju said, panting, as he stopped near them.

"Yes," Rukia said. "We'll back you up, Ichigo."

The flames suddenly burned out, revealing Aizen amidst the resulting haze.

"Some no mai, Tsukishiro."

Ice rose beneath Aizen.

Aizen broke it with his sword and Reiatsu, spraying ice particles all over the place.

Ichigo attacked.

A large dark crescent wave collided into Aizen.

Ichigo hurriedly released another one from a different angle.

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens. Hadō #73 Soren Sōkatsui!" Rukia shouted.

"Guess, I better help you out," Ganju said. "Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! Hadō #63 Raikōhō!" Ganju said, unleashing a powerful lightning blast.

Ichigo released another Getsuga Tenshō before appearing beside Ganju. "You know Kidō? I thought you knew how to do that weird sand magic trick and the spell to launch your fireworks launcher."

"The spell I used was Kidō, you idiot. I've never really cared to use Kidō or anything Shinigami related after my brother's death, but Nee-chan made me learn."

"Wait a minute, how does she know Kidō? I forgot she used it to attack Aizen."

The three combatants tensed as Reiatsu suddenly shoved aside the grey haze encircling Aizen's location.

Ichigo charged forward.

With Reiryoku flowing around his blade, he struck. Aizen's blade resisted, but the energy thickened, raging against the metal, and striking Aizen's face and chest. He faltered as the crescent wave brushed past his defense.

Ganju hurled a firework at Aizen, setting him ablaze.

A heavy rumbling rang as Aizen emerged unscathed from the attacks.

"Is this all you have to offer?"

Ichigo rushed towards him, his blade cloaked with Reiryoku.

"Bakudō #61 Rikujōkōrō," Aizen said, materializing behind Ichigo.

Ichigo froze as yellow rods pierced his mid-section.

His mask broke as Aizen pointed a finger at it. "Hadō # 1: Shō."

Ichigo watched as Aizen popped up in front of Ganju and cut his chest.

Ganju stumbled back, feeling his chest burning. He glared at Aizen.

"Ganju!" Ichigo cried, as he began fighting against the Kidō holding him captive.

"Hadō #33 Sōkatsui!" Rukia suddenly attacked Aizen, preventing him from striking again.

Ignoring the pain, Ganju pulled out his sword from behind his back as Rukia continued releasing more Sōkatsuis that barely damaged Aizen.

I'll be damned if I don't do all I can to avenge Aniki. Nee-chan didn't train me for nothing…

His body hummed as Reiatsu surrounded him.

He lunged, slashing at Aizen's arm with his meat cleaver shaped blade.

A tiny speckle of blood formed.

Aizen chuckled as he drew back and then slashed Ganju.

Ganju managed to turn so that it was his shoulder that got cut. He rolled as he fell onto the ground.

Ice crashed into Aizen as he looked up. The ice covered him from the middle of his torso and down.

"I'm afraid you are wasting your time," Aizen said.

"That's what you think," Ganju said defiantly, as he slammed his blade into the ground. "C'mon Jinetsu. Neppa."

The ground began to shimmer as steam issued from it. The ice evaporated, dissolving into steam as a heated blast engulfed Aizen.

Ganju hit the ground again, releasing another blast from the floor.

Moments later, Aizen hovered before Ganju, unharmed. He swung his blade, and Ganju collapsed into a bloody heap.

In an instant, Aizen appeared behind Rukia and his blade ripped through her chest.

She gasped and fell forward.

"Rukia!" Ichigo yelled, rushing to her now that he had freed himself from Aizen's Kidō.

He reached down and grabbed her. Blood immediately stained his hands.

"Rukia!" he cried, his eyes gleaming with disbelief and desperation as he stared at her unmoving face.

Her eyes were closed.

"Rukia, wake up!" He tried to shake her gently, but nothing.

Her chest was unmoving.

His heart froze.

It couldn't be true. This had to be a trick, but Rukia's limp body felt genuine. Her blood felt warm though her skin felt icy. He knew the chill of her skin had to be due to her Zanpakutō.

And, yet it was a reminder of….

His mind could not even formulate the thought.

He didn't want to believe it though he knew Aizen had not released his Shikai…

This can't be real…Rukia and I…we were supposed to be…

He blanched, as he realized Masaki hadn't been saved after all.

The future was gone….

He had failed to protect again…His heart felt as though cold steel had punctured it…

"I'm so sorry, Rukia," he murmured, looking distraught. "I'm so sorry…"

Her face remained painfully stoic.

He wanted her to wake up and scream at him and hit him, but all she did was remain still.

He deserved to be berated. He had destroyed the future…

He shut his eyes and bowed his head.

He pressed Rukia against his chest.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, it is over."

Ichigo lifted his head to stare at the man responsible for Rukia's state.

"Your comrades are no more. The Gotei 13 is no more. The world you lived in is no more. You have fought valiantly. You have certainly been fascinating. It would be a shame for you suffer the same fate as everyone else. If you wish, I could allow you to be a subject in my kingdom. You are the personification of death and life intermingling. You would be at home in my new world."

Aizen casually held the upper part of his blade flat across the palm of his left hand while the other rested at its hilt.

Amber eyes bore into him like daggers.

"You think I would want to join you? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

Aizen smiled, his eyes glittering with amusement.

"It was simply an offer. If you wish me to dispose of you then I'll go ahead and do it. You can join your precious Kuchiki Rukia now, but I hope you will reconsider.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, you're in pain. Death is but a burdensome inconvenience that wreaks havoc upon people's lives. Have you ever asked yourself what's the point of it? It separates Humans from their loved ones, and it even causes pained, departed Souls to become monsters.

"The spiritual entity known as the Soul King exhausted all its energy in separating the living and the dead. It entrusted the Five Great Noble Clans with the responsibility to maintain the balance of Souls before it ceased to be a mere lynchpin that held the universe together. Perhaps, you might not be aware of this, but Shinigami have typically been born of noble blood. You, yourself, carry noble blood in your veins which explains your strength.

"The nobility has ruled the Soul Society without much regard for the Souls they bring in, letting them live in squalor and poverty. Only those fortunate to have Reiryoku have been able to escape it by becoming Shinigami. There has never been a heaven as stated by Shinigami and there has never been an actual king. It's the nobility who rule.

"I have enacted my revolution to end the rule of the nobility and their pointless cycle of life and death, which merely works to keep them in power. I will be an actual king that unites and governs the living and death. With the Hōgyoku, I will blur the lines between the living and the dead. I will unite Hueco Mundo, the World of the Living, and the Soul Society. Hollows will no longer need to be purified. By turning them all into Arrancars, I will restore their reason. Humans can interact with their fallen acquaintances, whether they are Souls or Arrancars. There will finally be peace and equality in the world."

Ichigo furrowed his brows. "At the expense of all the Shinigami and countless innocent people. You're nothing but a delusional tyrant. If you really cared about changing things, you should have tried to change things in the Soul Society by other means."

"Only the strong survive. That has always been the adage told in the World of the Living, and it is the same here. I never had power as a Human, but as a Shinigami I attained power beyond anyone. I have done what no one else has dared to do: destroy Death. There is no greater change than this. I am the true god of Death."

Aizen's words dripped with pride.

Ichigo could tell he thought was a gift to the world.

His world sounded idyllic, but it wasn't something he truly yearned for.

He had always wanted the power to prevent death rather than stop it altogether.

He had never actually considered the latter could be possible.

His gaze dropped down to Rukia.

His mind flashed with their first encounter when she had explained what a Shinigami was.

He had never known what a Hollow was before meeting her, but there had been times when the Pluses he had talked to vanished and left behind a trace of fear in the place they had haunted. Sometimes there had even been blood.

He had hoped they had simply passed on, but he hated to think he couldn't have helped them in some way.

Thanks to her he had ceased being powerless to help the Pluses he encountered, and she had also given him the power to protect the living. It was true that he hadn't really wanted to be a Shinigami, but he had come to learn what it took to be a Shinigami because of Rukia and what had happened to his mother…He understood Rukia's words now…

"Even if you save that kid here, nothing will matter if you don't become a Shinigami! Saving him because he's right in front of you!? Don't be naive. A Shinigami has to treat all spirits equally! You cannot just conveniently save those you can see, those you can reach. Don't save that kid with such half-heartedness. If you want to save him now... accept that you must save all spirits. To go anywhere for them... to even give your life to save them, make that kind of commitment!"

Aizen, on the other hand, didn't understand what a Shinigami was…He had only obtained power to destroy them…. He thought of the countless Shinigami he'd seen being consumed by Hollows. Aizen didn't want them to be reborn…

"I can't say I like the concept of death," Ichigo said, raising his gaze to meet Aizen's. "No one does. It's terrible for those that get left behind and those that pass on. It separates loved ones. But not having it doesn't mean things will be better. At least, people have a chance to live another life if a Shinigami helps them pass on. They have a chance to reunite with their loved ones someday. In your world, that isn't the case for all the people that have been killed in this war. You want them to be eliminated permanently, so they won't get in your way. You even got rid of fox face, didn't you?" A disgusted look appeared on Ichigo's face.

"I'd rather have the chance to actually meet Rukia again someday."

Ichigo released Rukia gently and laid her on the ground.

He stood and picked up his sword.

His eyes flashed golden as his mask formed around his face.

"I see," Aizen said, closing his eyes briefly. "It seems you'll require a stronger incentive to join me. Bankai, Kyokkei Kyōka Suigetsu."

Aizen let his sword fall.

It hung suspended in midair, glowing, but unchanged.

Aizen calmly settled himself on the ground as though he was going to meditate.

Aizen's Zanpakutō began to rapidly spin clockwise as he closed his eyes.

For a moment, Ichigo felt mesmerized by the revolving blade. His vision blurred slightly, and he felt dizzy. He forced himself to shut his eyes and shook his head to chase away the sensation of dizziness.

When he opened his eyes, Aizen's blade still hung there, whirling…

Ichigo raised his blade and slashed, letting out a torrent of ebony energy.

The attack faded, revealing the sword still spinning, like it was an arrow at a roulette table.

Ichigo appeared behind him, sword ready to strike him.

He grunted.

He dropped to his knees, his abdomen searing as metal grazed his innards. He heard the squelching noise as it left his body.

What the hell? How did I get attacked? Aizen was in front of me…

He felt a razor-sharp blade slit the side of his mask, felt droplets of his own blood hit his face and hair…

His mask crumbled away.

Breathing hard, Ichigo glanced up to stare at the figure that had just materialized. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"I-It can't be…" he stammered. "Masaki?!"

Violet eyes regarded him apathetically.

Not a single shred of emotion registered on her face.

Her ashen visage augmented her austere demeanor.

His blood dripped from her blade.

His father's large kosode was wrapped around her petite form.

"H-How? W-Why?" he sputtered, wrinkling his brows in confusion and agitation.

"W-Why would you do this?" he demanded, when she remained silent, her expression unchanged.

"You are a fool, Kurosaki Ichigo," Aizen said, appearing behind Masaki, who continued to be motionless. Ichigo stared at him in disbelief. "Did you honestly believe that she could actually be your future daughter?"

Ichigo felt his thudding heart lurch, skipping what felt like a hundred beats, his ears and brain whirling with the mocking words pronounced by Aizen.

"W-What?" he managed to croak out through his now dry throat.

Aizen's leer lengthened. "I have to say she is quite beyond what I'm used to creating, but it was nothing for the Hōgyoku. She is quite a remarkable specimen. A perfect combination of Kuchiki Rukia and you." His eyes left Ichigo for a moment to gaze at Masaki.

"I must commend you for doubting her authenticity despite the fact she passed Unohana-taichō's analysis. But, of course, you had no choice but to accept her as your future daughter. She served her role well.

"You couldn't help but run off to help her when she was in danger and thus you failed to stop me from reaching the Royal Dimension. Didn't you find it odd that she chose to leave just before my attack on the Soul Society? That you found her near Sōkyoku Hill instead of being away from the all the fighting like she should have done if she wanted to preserve her timeline?"

Ichigo felt his insides freeze.

"W-Why would you go to the trouble of doing this?"

"Because I wanted to give you false hope." Aizen smiled cruelly.

Ichigo looked thunderstruck.

"I could have killed you before, but I wanted to play with you some more. I wanted to see how much more you could grow if you thought you had a chance against me."

Ichigo knew it was true that Aizen could have killed him before. He had once believed Aizen had wanted to toy with him for some reason by creating Masaki, but now he found the notion ridiculous…

Masaki had known what his thoughts regarding swords were….

The flashes of her memories had been vivid….

Zangetsu, both the Hollow and Zanpakutō spirit, had asserted her heritage…

How could that have all been fake? The Hōgyoku couldn't have falsified such things…Somehow this had to be some kind of a trick…. some kind of deception from his Bankai…

"Y-You're lying," he stammered, his eyes flashing.

"You once believed her to be a fabrication of mine. Why do you not believe it now? Deep down, you've always been reluctant to fully trust her. Why do you think your subconscious refused to allow you to acknowledge her true name? Why do you think you couldn't allow her into your inner world?"

"How do you know…"

"She told me." Aizen turned to Masaki. "Isn't that right?"

"Yes," she finally spoke, her voice impassive. Her gaze remained fixed ahead.

Ichigo stared at him disbelievingly. "It can't be true…You couldn't have fabricated her memories."

"Is that what you think? You have no idea the extent of Kyōka Suigetsu's capabilities." Aizen smirked. "How do you know the memories you saw weren't created by my Zanpakutō?"

"They weren't. You didn't use your Shikai the last time we fought."

"What makes you think that I didn't? Just because I didn't use my release command doesn't mean I didn't use my Shikai when we last fought. Bankai capable users do not need to use their Shikai release command to activate their Shikai. Merely someone looking at my blade would suffice for me to render them under my hypnosis. You looked at my blade, didn't you?"

Shock rippled across Ichigo's face.

"For all you know, everything since our last battle has been nothing but an illusion. I have merely allowed you to think you had a chance to stop me, that you actually had a future in the Gotei 13 instead of being a lowly Substitute Shinigami."

Ichigo felt shellshocked.

Had he unknowingly been under the spell of an elaborate illusion? Were Aizen's abilities truly that powerful?

No, that couldn't be true…It had been days since he last saw Aizen, since he met Masaki…There was no way Aizen could have held him hostage under an illusion for that long….

Even if he had been subjected to Aizen's Shikai, how could Aizen have created false memories that would play out via Resonance when he hadn't been in the vicinity? Or was he saying he implanted those memories into Masaki, so that they weren't just mere illusions and she believed them to be real? Could he really do that?

His mind flashed to Nel. He had suspected Aizen might have done something to her mind, but for all he knew, he could have merely restored her original memories...if he had the ability to affect her mind…if she hadn't just pretended to have suffered amnesia….

But how could Masaki's memories be artificial when Masaki had known what his philosophy on swords was? He had never told anyone this. Did he say it during his battle during Aizen? He didn't remember doing so…Hell, he barely even remembered exchanging blows with him. He had been on the defensive against Aizen…Could Aizen have made him forget without him realizing it? On T.V., hypnotism always made people forget memories…

Aizen knew everything almost as if he had planned her departure. It had been to strange to find her deep within Seireitei, near Sōkyoku Hill…If Grimmjow hadn't been fighting with her, would he have fought him? It was true that he had been near Sōkyoku Hill and he might have gotten in his way anyway…Knowing Grimmjow he would have tried….

Masaki had given reason to believe that Aizen would be defeated…that Rukia wouldn't die…

He had been afraid of the possibility of Rukia dying at the hands of Nel, even if he knew she had been weakened, and despite surviving that fight, Rukia was now dead. Was it because the future hadn't been real? Was it because Masaki had been a mere tool to both motivate and distract him?

If Masaki hadn't been real, then he hadn't destroyed the future…

He felt relieved yet sick at the same time.

His mind was thrumming with so many thoughts and feelings.

He couldn't help but think of Masaki's last words to him.

"F-For-gi-ve m-me…T-T-ou-s-san."

She had been desperate to utter these words despite her state.

Had she been apologizing for her betrayal? Did Aizen find it entertaining for her to do such a thing?

He stared at Masaki's stationary form. She seemed like a lifeless soldier. He didn't understand how she had even managed to wake up to come up here. How could his father have let her leave? His instincts were telling him something wasn't right…

Wait a minute, I can't sense her…

The pain inflicted by her blade had felt genuine, and it had been so quick that he hadn't even focused on whether it had been her Reiatsu coating it.

He suddenly thought about Unohana-san's explanation about Aizen's Zanpakutō and how it affected the five senses—sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch.

Perceiving Reiryoku and Reiatsu was a sense beyond them.

It was something that Kyōka Suigetsu could not replicate.

The Masaki before him didn't feel like Masaki. It felt like…Kyōka Suigetsu…if he focused…

If this Masaki was fake, then that meant the future was real.

Could it be that Rukia's death had merely been an illusion as well?

Despite feeling her Reiatsu, he probably had been blinded to the real Rukia. Aizen could have just made him think he was holding a dead Rukia.

Hope began to burn in his chest as he realized the future was likely still into play.

"Masaki is real. You're just trying to use her against me."

"I already have." A devious smirk lit Aizen's face.

"You failed, Aizen," Ichigo said dismissively, as he stumbled onto his feet.

"I'm afraid that isn't true. She killed your father."

Ichigo's jaw tautened.

"Shut up, I know you're lying. I know that that isn't actually Masaki. You're reading my mind, aren't you? It's how you know about Masaki and my thoughts about her. This is your Bankai's power, isn't it?"

"Kurosaki Ichigo, I must commend you for your ability to come to such a conclusion. However, that isn't exactly what my Bankai is capable of."

A sinister look crossed Aizen's face. "Reading your mind is merely a basic ability. I will erase your hope."

Masaki's figure vanished.

Pain suddenly seared Ichigo's mind.

He felt as though fire ravaged his brain.

His eyes fell shut out of their own accord.

Agony like he had never known besieged him…

He couldn't understand where it was coming from.

All he knew was that he was under attack.

He felt helpless, unsure of how to lash out.

Grief and anguish rammed into him like sharp steel, piercing him and leaving him breathless.

His heart screamed as he felt it twist and writhe as he was flooded with images of his mother's death.

He could see his younger self attempting to wake up his blood drenched mother, but her body remained still.

And then he was much older standing beside her grave.

"Onii-chan, you took her away from us!" Yuzu as he knew her appeared, looking devastated and upset.

"Yeah. You ruined our childhood," Karin said, glaring at him, her arms firmly crossed over her chest.

"You've been a horrible son, Ichigo. You took away my wife, the woman who gave you life," Isshin declared, as he appeared behind Ichigo, his expression grave.

Ichigo looked stricken and then he reeled as his father swung a fist at him and clocked him. The graveyard resounded with a heavy thud.

"I despise you," Isshin said, giving him a look of utmost loathing.

"I hate you, Onii-chan!" Yuzu spat, looking menacing and hurt at the same time.

"You disgust me, Ichi-nii. I wish you had died instead."

"I-I'm sorry," Ichigo said, distraught from his position on the ground.

Rain descended upon the cemetery, pelting Ichigo with unforgiving ferocity.

The scene gripped his heart. He could imagine what that other Ichigo was feeling…He had imagined scenarios like this….

And then he was no longer observing, but inside the Ichigo who was lying on the cemetery floor. The ground and grass prickled his skin. The relentless water droplets pounded into him. Their fervor almost made it seem like he was being compelled to keep his head down. His ears roared with their raging pitter patter.

His heart laden with sorrow, felt as though it was going to explode and be washed away under the heavy rain.

This…isn't... real…This…never…happened…Ichigo told himself, trying to stave off the surge of unbearable anguish gripping him like a tight vice, squeezing and suffocating him, leaving him very little room for any coherent thought.

Ichigo couldn't understand how he now seemed to be within the fallen Ichigo's body, drowning in his emotions.

"Sorry can't bring her back, Ichigo," he heard his father say.

"I-I know," he heard the Ichigo that wasn't him mutter.

He had been so weak, so stupid. It was all his fault!

S-Stop it! This isn't real…Stop!

White hot knives seemed to be stabbing his consciousness, flooding him with a deluge of despair and self-hatred.

So much pain…

So overwhelming…

Ichigo could feel the part of him aware that this had to be an attack from Aizen weltering under the excruciating pain assaulting him.

The ardor of his feelings was so intense, so crippling…

He wanted it to stop.

His awareness kept switching from being an observer to being inside the Ichigo on the ground, making him unsure of who he was…All he knew was agony….

"It's okay, Ichigo," intoned a gentle voice. "I can make the pain go away."

A new wave of pain burned through Ichigo.

He couldn't help but thrash.

"I can help you restore what you have destroyed."

"I-It's impossible…" Ichigo heard the voice of the other Ichigo respond.

"No, it is not."

"She's gone forever…" He wasn't sure who had responded.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"How?"

"The Hōgyoku."

"W-What?"

"Normally a Soul consumed by a Hollow becomes part of its essence, but the Hōgyoku can restore the Souls the Hollow has eaten by eliminating the boundaries that bind them together."

The pain pounding Ichigo seemed to abate momentarily before it whaled on him mercilessly.

"What do you say, Ichigo? Do you wish for me to end your pain? I can help you bring your mother back to life, if you let me," the voice coaxed.

"All you have to do is join me."

Ichigo felt his heart flare slightly with hope under the terrible despair tearing into him.

He craved for it to end…. He needed to say yes….

Ichigo! Stop! Don't let this false despair consume you!

Zangetsu-san, is that you?

Who else would it be?

Come here, Ichigo. Follow my voice!

Ichigo forced himself to focus on Zangetsu's voice amidst the raging assault cutting him.

And then the next thing Ichigo knew was that the oppressive barrage of hurt and anguish assailing him was gone.

Ichigo slowly opened his eyes.

He stared at Zangetsu, who was staring at him, his expression grim.

Ichigo realized he was in his inner world. Rain fell heavily from dark, stormy clouds. The buildings around him were nearly submerged in water, mirroring the tidal wave of emotions that had been overwhelming him.

"Ossan," Ichigo greeted.

"Ichigo, the emotions you have felt are a product of Aizen's Bankai. He is trying to break down your mind, so he can manipulate you."

"I figured it was his Bankai, but how can I—we fight it?"

"There is only one way. We must take over," Zangetsu responded, his eyes flashing gold.

"What?"

"As long as you are here you are safe, but as soon as you leave your inner world, he will attack you. Your mind is under his control because his hypnosis has affected your brain. The only way he cannot attack you is if you're unconscious."

Ichigo stared at his Zanpakutō, understanding flickering in his gaze.

"There's no other option."

Ichigo gazed at his Zanpakutō intently for a moment.

"Go ahead," Ichigo agreed solemnly.

"Atta, partner." Zangetsu flashed him a grin that was very much like that of his Hollow's. "Let's do this Zangetsu-san."

Ichigo stared at the spot where his dual Zanpakutō spirit had been a second before.

Where is he? Aizen thought as he probed Ichigo's mind and found that his consciousness had unexpectedly vanished.

This is unusual. I cannot seem to sense it... It feels like it's gone, almost as though he is dead, but his mind could not have collapsed under the strain I was putting it through. He had been close to surrendering…

Aizen knitted his brow as he continued his search.

His face was a mask of concentration.

His shining sword remained suspended in midair before him.

Ichigo's fallen form lay a few feet from him.

Ichigo's hand suddenly twitched and then within less than a minute his body transformed into a full Hollow.

He leapt to his feet and let out a disgruntled roar that reverberated across the Royal Palace, but Aizen seemed unaware.

Hollowfied Ichigo tore through the air, bashed aside Kyōka Suigetsu, and sailed towards Aizen.

Aizen's eyes snapped open as he found Tensa Zangetsu embedded in his shoulder.

"I-Impossible," he murmured, as he stared at the roaring Hollowfied Ichigo.

He grimaced as his arm was abruptly lopped off, spraying him with his own blood.

He barely raised his fist to block the next attack aimed at his neck with Seki.

The spell lasted but a mere second, forcing Aizen to vanish rapidly.

His arm regrew by the time he reappeared.

"Byakurai!" He hastily released a beam of blue energy at Ichigo's shoulder as he materialized in front of him.

The wound knitted itself closed just as Ichigo zipped behind him and slashed his back.

Aizen crashed to the ground as Hollowfied Ichigo slammed his knee into the small of his back.

Blood pooled around Aizen's temple as he pulled his head up from the indented ground.

As he turned his head up, he noticed a glowing ball of red energy forming from Ichigo's horns. He felt clawed feet dig into his right leg, holding him in place.

And then the energy scorched him.

The air crackled and sizzled.

The smoke faded revealing an exhausted, charred Aizen.

With an enormous roar, Hollowfied Ichigo leapt onto Aizen's back and plunged his blade through his heart. Aizen let out a strangled gasp. Hollowfied Ichigo threw back his head, snarling victoriously as crimson splashed onto his body. He pulled out his sword and drew away from Aizen's lifeless form.

A few moments later, he closed his eyes.

His hair shrunk and his Hollow form peeled off as though he was shedding a layer. The hole within his heaving chest reformed.

Ichigo's eyes flew open. He gasped, drawing air to his burning lungs. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his body. Evidence his body had just been engaged in battle. He hated the sensation of returning to his body and feeling as though he had just woken up, without a clue as to what had happened. It seemed even with permission for his Hollow to possess him, it couldn't be helped.

All he knew was that Aizen had been dealt with.

He turned around and gaped at Aizen, who was standing with the palm of his right hand over his heart. Bloody streaks speckled the skin underneath his hand. His gaze, dark like seared hickory, drilled into his, as he breathed heavily.

"I-It can't be," Ichigo stuttered, eyes wide. "You should be dead."

His mind could not fathom how could Aizen have survived the grisly stabbing of his heart. It was supposed to impossible, even if he could regenerate…. Regeneration had its limits, and fatal injuries could not be healed by it. How the hell did Aizen manage it?

He had claimed his power was beyond Hollowfication, and it truly seemed it was the case if his Hollow was unable to kill him. If Aizen could survive lethal blows, did that mean he was unbeatable? Was he immortal?

How in the world could he defeat him if that was true?

His Hollowfication had always given him an extra edge, but that couldn't help him against an immortal being. He knew his body couldn't handle more transformations into his Resurrection state. He didn't have infinite stores of energy like Aizen seemed to have….

All he could do was die trying.

Damn it…He needed to find a way…he wasn't supposed to die…He needed to protect everyone…the future….

"As if a mere Hollow could kill me," Aizen said scathingly.

"Bakudō #99, Part 1. Kin."

Ichigo's arms swung back as black fabric bound his arms and twisted around his body. He was knocked onto the ground as iron shafts crashed into the ground, holding the extensions of the fabric that extended beyond him in place.

Aizen Shunpoed towards his sword and within seconds stood before Ichigo. "You hid behind your Hollow's instincts to escape my Bankai. That was clever. No one has ever escaped it. It is impossible…My Bankai expands the effect of Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis so that I'm granted full access to the brain of those subjected to it and not just the parts that govern the five senses. Meaning I can control their emotions and memories. I prefer not to use it unless it is necessary. It is rather taxing to use both on my mind and body. It is easier to use on minds that have already been…broken…It's a shame that I have no choice but to get rid of you. I cannot allow the future to come to pass."

"You bastard."

"It is truly fascinating how the Hollow can possess you, but, a simple creature such as that could never defeat me. I already told you your power cannot defeat mine."

Aizen raised his sword.

Ichigo struggled against his restraints, but he knew it wouldn't be able to escape before the blade descended upon him…

"How about a Quincy's power?"

Arrows pummeled into Aizen from behind.

"Ishida?" Ichigo said, startled.

"I fear Aisslinger failed to pass on my message to you, Aizen, but it's always been the Quincy's power that you should fear," Uryū said, with a slight smirk.

"I do not fear inferior creatures," Aizen said, smirking, as he brushed aside a volley of arrows with his sword. "I can easily extinguish the infamous Quincy pride by exterminating you. Your presence will no longer needed to protect Humans. I will be their sole protector, their sole god."

Ichigo glanced across the area, spotting Rukia's bloodied form as well as Ganju. His heart leapt as he sensed their spiritual presences. Orihime was rushing towards them. Her fairies were already enshrouding Rukia and Ganju in their restorative barrier.

His Reiatsu flared around him, as he began to fight against his bindings. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and summoned his Hollow mask. His energy spiked. It lashed against his bindings until they finally crumbled.

Ichigo propped himself up and stumbled onto his feet. His wounds faded instantly, and he took to the air.

Uryū was trying to keep Aizen at bay with constant barrages of arrows.

Ichigo Shunpoed behind Aizen and unleashed a Getsuga Tenshō.

Arrows peppered Aizen as the dark wave crashed into him.

As the smoke cleared, Aizen emerged, unharmed.

"Nothing you can do will hurt me," Aizen said, smiling arrogantly.

"We'll see about that."

Aizen weaved and danced out of the way of the Quincy's projectiles. Ichigo hurled an energy wave, but Aizen merely Shunpoed out the way, letting the energy collide with the arrows. Ichigo rapidly appeared above Aizen and unleashed a powerful blow at close range.

"Ishida, Aizen's not kidding about our attacks being unable to hurt him. I think he might be immortal thanks to the Hōgyoku. You got any ideas how to combat that?" Ichigo said, as he swiftly Shunpoed next to Uryū.

Sapphire eyes widened. "Immortal? Are you sure?"

"He survived a heart stabbing."

"Damn, this isn't good."

"Thanks for pointing out the obvious."

Uryū frowned. "The only way to deal with immortal beings is to incapacitate them."

"But how?"

"We would need to restrain somehow. Perhaps, a seal of some sort…"

Ichigo stared at him. "You mean, use Kidō?"

"Yes, that would work," Uryū allowed, his expression thoughtful.

"We need Rukia for that. Maybe even Ganju, I guess."

Ichigo's eyes flickered over to where the others were. "Go get them when they're ready. I'll keep Aizen busy."

Uryū nodded and disappeared as Aizen arose from the diminishing remnants of Ichigo's attack.

With energy pouring from his blade, Ichigo swung his blade at Aizen. He drove him backwards. Annoyance rippled through Ichigo as Aizen evaded the sudden release of the energy from his blade. Ichigo whirled around as he felt pain in his shoulder.

Aizen dodged his slash.

Ichigo began to dance around Aizen, attacking him with Getsuga Tenshō from different angles.

Aizen held it off as yellow energy coalesced around his blade. "Raikōhō."

Ichigo fell to the ground with a cracked mask, his body covered in lacerations. "Kurosaki Ichigo, it is time for me to end this pointless battle. There is nothing you can do to protect your precious comrades. I will finish them off now."

Ichigo watched Aizen Shunpo away.

"Damn it," he muttered, scowling.

He could see that Orihime had finished healing Rukia and Ganju and that they were gathered. Probably plotting how best to attack Aizen, but Aizen would get to them before they could even defend themselves. There was no way he could get there in time at this distance…They would surely be killed….

And then it hit him that he only had one option.

He hastily let his sword drop.

He quickly began to recite the Kidō incantation Rukia had taught him as he stretched out an arm. He was glad he had a knack for memorizing poetry, which Kidō incantations were a lot like. He didn't really care about whether he was focusing properly on his Reiryoku or not. All that mattered was harming Aizen.

He could feel the energy charging through him and then he felt it leave his fingers. "Bakudō #1. Sai," he finished off the chant.

Aizen was within a few feet of his friends when his arms suddenly swung backwards violently. The air filled with a crackling noise. His knees buckled underneath him, and he fell onto the floor, eyes wide with surprise.

His bones broke, Ichigo surmised, as he heaved himself off the ground, blood dripping from his wounds. Stumbling, he grabbed his sword and headed towards Aizen.

Uryū, Orihime, Ganju, and Rukia gaped at Aizen for a moment, before Rukia with a slight smile, dropped into a crouch and said, "Ichigo's giving us the opening we need. Get ready, Inoue."

Orihime gave a determined nod.

Pouring all her energy into her attack, Rukia said, "Tsugi no mai, Hakuren."

Ice burst forth from Sode no Shirayuki and surrounded the lower half of Aizen's body as he struggled to undo Ichigo's spell.

The ground beneath him began to sink, prompting the ice to groan.

And then there was a flash of orange covering him.

Aizen stared at the Shun Shun Rikka. "Inoue Orihime, it is pointless for you to try to use your powers against me. You cannot reject my existence."

Orihime closed her eyes, wrinkling her brows in concentration.

"No matter how much you desire it, you will never be able to do it. Your power is insignificant compared to mine."

Orihime dropped to her knees, breathing hard. Her fairies returned to her.

"You see? I'm still here," Aizen gloated, as his Reiatsu began to rise, breaking the ice around him.

Orihime quickly activated her shield to protect her friends from the scattering icicles.

The air shuddered as a sudden explosion resounded a few moments later.

Aizen stood on unsteady feet, his arms dripping with blood as they hung limply to the side.

"What?" he said, glancing at his arms which remained immobile. He grimaced as he tried to move them.

"I knew I couldn't do reject your existence," Orihime admitted softly. "I returned your body to its original state." Grey eyes glared at him.

Aizen looked stunned for a moment. "It matters not…I will crush your pathetic existence…"

The ground beneath his feet issued steam and then a fiery blast erupted.

Orihime continued to protect her friends.

Uryū jumped up and shot two arrows at Aizen's midsection as the steam subsided, revealing a mildly scalded Aizen.

"I would say you're the pathetic one for losing to inferior creatures," Uryū said coolly.

Shock rippled across Aizen's face as his face lowered upon the arrows protruding from his midsection.

He tensed.

"This can't be…" Aizen said angrily, his body trembling, as he continued to stare at the arrows. "My power…"

"Getsuga Tenshō!"

Black energy struck Aizen from behind.

As the explosion cleared, a collapsed Aizen was visible. Blood dribbled from his mouth and his breathing was labored. He could barely lift his eyes to stare at the people gathered before him.

Ichigo touched down on the ground a little off to Aizen's right hand side. "I guess, you were right, Aizen. My power alone was not enough to defeat you. I needed that of my friends."

"T-This is absurd! Defeated by Urahara Kisuke's puppets…" Aizen choked out angrily, glaring at them with disgust. "I-I should have killed you…" His voice drifted away as his mouth ceased moving and his eyes dimmed.

There was silence as Ganju, Rukia, Orihime, Uryū, and Ichigo stared at Aizen's corpse.

"Good riddance," Ganju muttered after a moment.

"Not quite, Ganju-san," Kisuke said, behind him.

Ganju turned around abruptly. "Urahara-san!"

"Urahara-san!" Ichigo gaped at the sandy haired man.

Blood stains marred his chest, but he seemed healed.

"Well done, the Soul Society will forever be indebted to you for stopping Aizen Sōsuke. The Gotei 13 and I had never wanted it to come down to this, but he outmaneuvered us. You've given the Gotei 13 a chance to realign the balance disturbed by Aizen-san." He paused momentarily. "He used the Hōgyoku to replace the Soul King, didn't he?"

"That's right," Ichigo replied.

Kisuke's eyes lowered to Aizen.

"Replace the Soul King?" Uryū queried, surprised.

"The Soul King isn't an actual monarch as the residents of the Soul Society are led to believe. It is the spiritual entity that founded the Soul Society and created the Shinigami. From it all souls are linked to the cycle of life and death. Its sole purpose was to maintain the flow of Souls between worlds. Without it, the world would cease to exist. The Hōgyoku was the only thing that could replace it and could change the natural boundaries between life and death, which is the ultimately the reason Aizen coveted it, more so than simply Hollowfication."

"Boss," called out a familiar male voice.

"Ah, there you are, Tessai-san. Please pick Aizen-san up. It is necessary that we fully dispose of him."

"What are you saying?" Ichigo asked.

"Someone as dangerous as him cannot be allowed to be reborn," Kisuke said, his expression grim. "It is likely this is what Central 46 would have decreed if they have been restored."

Ichigo stared at him.

"How?"

"He will become part of the Hōgyoku. He will become the Soul King he sought to be," Kisuke said solemnly. "All the Souls gathered for the Hōgyoku were pulled out of the transmigration cycle. Once merged within it, they cannot be recalled. The Hōgyoku is currently acting as the lynchpin keeping the three worlds intact serving the role the Soul King once did. It can do so because its power stems from the Soul King itself."

"What? Aizen said it was made from dead Souls."

Kisuke froze for a moment, his gaze lowering to the ground. "That is true."

Ichigo along with the others stared at Kisuke in shock.

Glossary:

Reiryoku- Spirit energy/spiritual power

Reiatsu- Spiritual pressure

Kosode-black outer robe of the Shinigami uniform

Shitagi- white inner robe of the Shinigami uniform

Hakama- Shinigami pants

Shōmei- Divine Call

Colmillo Lunar- Spanish forLunar Fang

Doble Crescente Lunar- Spanish for Double Lunar Crescent

Jinetsu- geothermal

Neppa- heat wave

Aniki- older brother

Kyokkei Kyōka Suigetsu-Ultimate Punishment Mirror Flower, Water Moon

Onii-older brother

Osssan- old man

AN: Hope you are all well. Please do your best to stay safe amid this pandemic. Glad to be finally done with this chapter. Hope it doesn't disappoint too much.

Since I started this story, I debated a lot whether I would include the Royal Guard in an actual fight or write about it in passing. I wasn't really interested in creating characters apart from Kirio or trying to make them a big deal. My apologies if you expected more from them. It turns out Kubo ended up finishing his story before I finished mine and had actually included the Royal Guard (I wasn't expecting it anymore), and I decided I might as well include one of the characters Kubo created. Nonetheless, I always wanted them to be characters Aizen would just get out of the way.

I think something that is overlooked by fans and that is evidence that Kubo changed directions for his plans regarding Kisuke Urahara is that in chapter 45, Tessai tells Urahara the preparations are complete as the Kumon is converging. When they appear in chapter 48, Urahara tells Rukia that she needs to watch because this battle will determine Ichigo and Rukia's fate. Urahara wouldn't have said this if he were planning to let Rukia become Human. He wanted Ichigo to be found and for Rukia to be taken. He wanted to use Ichigo for his plans. The stuff Kubo wrote down the line about Aizen helping Ichigo in his development is ridiculous. Urahara was the man who developed Ichigo as a Shinigami.

Per Chapter 0 Side A-the Sand, Ichigo had sensed that something to Pluses when they vanished.