Wow… First of all, I'm sorry. Sorry for making you wait so long, for one. I'm also sorry for giving you such an insubstantial chapter. I'm at a weird point in the story where I don't have the narrative explicitly mapped out. I know how every individual character's plot is going to play out, as well as the end of the story; I just don't have many events in mind that can propel the story towards those ends.

The reason I didn't complete the chapter earlier is mainly apathy. I didn't have a busy summer. I haven't really been swamped with college work at all, either.

Here's to hoping that I'll start publishing these on a regular basis once more.

This chapter's title comes from the BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger OST. This is v-13's theme.

EDIT: No update this week, maybe not even next week. I have midterms this week and more bollocks the next. But, I have started working on chapter 17 and have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing next, so don't think I'm going to take 4 months again.

Chapter 16: Awakening the Chaos

A couple of days have passed since the integration of the espada into the Gotei 13. Preparations are being made in the twelfth squad's research center for a team of shinigami to investigate Hueco Mundo and survey the situation there. In the main computer room, Captain Kurotsuchi is discussing the finalizations of this operation to his subordinates.

"On the surface, the purpose of this investigation is to find out any motives, reasons, or connections with Hueco Mundo's current state with the attack on Inuzuri a month before. However, as I have said before, Hueco Mundo is a treasure trove, and with these new developments, there's no telling what kinds of new secrets there are to be unlocked," Mayuri explained with a twisted grin.

He continued, "There's almost… an admirable quality to the chaos that is the land of the hollows. It's beautiful, really, the amount of turmoil there guarantees constant mutations and evolutions. I thought I had seen it all with the arrancar invasion, but there seem to be implications that the hollows are organizing more than ever before. I must get a hold of more specimens before this whole incident is over. That, my friends, is our true goal. Now, who wants to deliver this message to Genryuusai? I can't be bothered, because I'm making preparations for the lab equipment that is going out into the field there."

A new member of the twelfth chimed in: "I'll take it, seeing as I probably won't go on this mission."

"Excellent! Your volunteering is appreciated," said Mayuri, handing the scroll to the scrawny man who was the new member. "Now, run along, I'm almost getting too anxious, so you'd best hurry."

The twelfth squad's messenger hobbled over to the doors of the Captain Commander's office and knocked feebly.

"I have a message for the Captain Commander, on behalf of the twelfth squad captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri."

The interior guards opened the doors. It was midday, and Yamamoto had a rather quiet day until the messenger showed up. He perused the scroll intently, but also confused.

"I can see why Mayuri wishes to investigate Hueco Mundo, but why is he so insistent to have the espada attend?" Genryuusai inquired.

"Sir, I am only the messenger and am not aware of my captain's full intent. However, consider two things: one, the espada are natives to Hueco Mundo and therefore can serve as guides, and two, they are powerful and can serve as escorts for the expedition."

"Very well. I shall send for their assembly and brief them on their assignment. You are dismissed."

Back at the Eighth Division barracks, Starrk is lounging in a hammock, asleep with a copy of Brave New World open on his face. His arm is hanging by his side as a Hell butterfly lands on his fingertip. His slumber is interrupted by a message being cycled through his thoughts:

'Report to the First Division barracks as soon as possible. Further briefing will be provided on arrival.'

Starrk yawned and stretched as the butterfly awoke him. 'What could they want now?' he thought. He grabbed Lilynette who was leaning up against a tree and holstered her on his sash.

'Alright, let's get this over with.'

On Sokyoku Hill, Baraggan was in the middle of his third combat drill with his squad. They were certainly becoming fearsome warriors quickly, despite (although perhaps due to) Baraggan's unorthodox methods. The Hell butterfly landed on his shoulder, transmitting the message.

'Hmph. As if further tedium wasn't expected. Fine, I shall indulge him.'

A Hell butterfly flew through the window of the Tenth Division's dining hall as Matsumoto and Halibel were enjoying afternoon tea. It landed on the back of Halibel's hand as she was about to have another sip.

"Ooh, what does it say?" asked Matsumoto.

"Nothing, now if you'll excuse me," Halibel replied.

Ulquiorra encounters Denkihime once more in the Sixth Division barracks. He doesn't acknowledge her presence until she approaches him and asks: "How's your investigative work going?"

"Not very well. His subordinates seem to have been kept in the dark, and most people refuse to talk to me around the other districts. It's almost as if I hit a tripwire that silenced everyone. Killing Tsuzuru has certainly complicated things."

"I'm sorry. I really should have been more careful," she said timidly.

"Please, you didn't shove a tanto through his gut. Don't try to bear any responsibility for his death. My recklessness caused that and nothing more. Now I'm paying the price."

The Hell butterfly landed on his shoulder as he finished his explanation. He silently nodded and began walking out of the barracks.

"Wait! What was the message?"

"The Captain Commander has requested my, as well as my former comrade's, presence in the First Division barracks, though I am unsure of the reason."

"Oh… Well, whatever it is, be careful!"

'Careful?' he thought, 'Now why is she choosing such odd words? Never mind, it's best not bothered.'

In the Fourth Division's infirmary, Nnoitra and Grimmjow had recently woken up from their comatose state. Luckily, all their injuries were able to be healed before they awoke.

"How long were we out?" asked Grimmjow.

"Three hours short of three days. Both of you were covered in lacerations and bruises that went as deep as the bones. Solely do I encounter cases in which my full healing power is needed," answered Captain Unohana.

"Best fight I've seen in years, but I can't afford for you two to go at it again like that," added Kenpachi.

Two Hell butterflies slipped through the hallways and into Grimmjow's and Nnoitra's beds. Each of them landed on the recovering combatant's noses.

"Wh-What the hell is this?" yelled Nnoitra.

Kenpachi replied, "It's a Hell butterfly, they-"

"I know what it is, dumbass. I meant why are there orders for us to assemble in the First Division barracks?"

"Us?"

"He means us former espada, Kenpachi," said Grimmjow.

Nnoitra hopped out of his bed and holstered his zanpakutou. "Well, we'd best get going. My ass was getting sore from lying down so long."

"You should rest more, or at least take it easy for a while," chimed Isane.

"Oh, but that's not my style. Besides, it's looking like I don't have much of a choice in the matter."

The former espada arrived and congregated outside of the First Division barracks at approximately the same time. Nnoitra kicked open the doors and yelled, "We're here!"

'I thought dealing with street urchins was annoying. This reminds me why I should enjoy my job,' thought Ulquiorra.

"I'm glad to see you're cheerful and willing to serve, but calm it with the theatrics, Nnoitra-san," replied Yamamoto. "As you know, the strange occurrence with the massive hollow invasion, as well as the isolated cases with Grimmjow's encounter and the results of Kurotsuchi's subsequent research, has caused some turbulence and trepidation among our ranks. A special team has been assembled from the ranks of the 12th division to go on an expedition into Hueco Mundo and investigate Las Noches. An anonymous member of the team handed me a letter that requested the assistance of the six of you explicitly."

"That makes enough sense. The six of us are quite capable of fending of multitudes of hollows and we know the landscape well enough after years of living there," added Starrk.

"Glorified bodyguards, huh? Tch, beats sitting on our asses all day," mumbled Grimmjow.

"One question, Genryuusai-dono: while the research team's courage is rather admirable for embarking to such a dangerous locale as Hueco Mundo, is it really necessary that a research team specifically has to be the one to investigate such a case? Isn't it possibly more reasonable for us or another, stronger squad to journey across the landscape and record our findings?" asked Halibel.

"I am afraid it is just the ambition and will of Kurotsuchi's men. He and his squad just happened to be the ones to volunteer for this job first. Whatever they do is for the sake of Soul Society. They understand that going into such a situation," answered Yamamoto. "Either way, your orders are to report to the 12th division barracks, go to the 2nd basement floor, and follow orders given to you by Kurotsuchi."

"Why did the message tell us to come here first if Kurotsuchi's the one that needs us?" Nnoitra snidely remarked.

"Summoning any group of shinigami that contains a captain requires my authority. You'd best remember that, Nnoitra-san."

"Fine, fine, we're leaving. Catch you later, Ojii-sama," Nnoitra said as he winked.

As the doors to Yamamoto's office closed, Yamamoto yelled, "Know your place, boy! Don't think you can get away with that kind of attitude!"

"Heheh, I'll never get tired of fuckin' with the whole 'rank and file' mindset here."

The footsteps of the six espada echoed throughout the dim-lit halls of the 12th division barracks. Fastidious researcher shinigami shuffled through the halls with them, ignoring the espada's presence. They arrived at a cargo elevator that direly needed maintenance and took it to the 2nd basement floor. A garganta had already been opened, the research team on the verge of departing.

"You're not thinking of going without us are you?" asked Baraggan.

"We're not really in a position to object, are we? It matters not; just remember not to get in our way," said Akon.

Baraggan flinched. 'Such insolence,' he thought.

The team consisted of Akon, Hiyosu, Rin, and the messenger. The team and the espada wasted no time in diving into the garganta. The researchers insisted on walking, however.

"Going through a garganta without being a hollow takes a while, you know that, right?" reminded Starrk.

"It would take a while, if we didn't already have a portal opened up at the terminus. While both doors are active, the bridge is much narrower," Rin noted.

"Who is holding the other end open?" Starrk asked.

"Take a wild guess," said Akon.

Kurotsuchi stared into the terminus garganta, remarking "finally, you all decided to start your pleasant little stroll into the field."

The terminus opened up to a collapsed structure close to Las Noches. As the research team and espada exited the garganta, Kurotsuchi gave the espada a bewildered stare. "And what do you six think you're doing here?" he asked.

"Kurotsuchi-taichou, we were given orders by the Captain-Commander on your behalf to assist your team," Ulquiorra replied.

"Hmph, Nonsense. I gave no such order."

The six espada widened their eyes in shock. "Strange," Baraggan remarked, "then that means…"

"Already a step ahead of you, espada. There is treachery afoot. There's no telling if the traitor is in our midst as we speak, or if he is back in soul society causing havoc. One thing is for certain, though. This research expedition is much more perilous than originally intended, which means the fighting prowess of you espada is actually needed now. Nevertheless, we cannot leave without investigating Las Noches," Kurotsuchi orated. He suddenly became much more enthusiastic, to the point of mania "So, all of you make haste! We must not waste any time dithering about!"

CHAPTER 16: END