Step 2

Time Passed quickly as it was now time to carry out the next phase in Aizen plans. In the meeting room Aizen sat down at the head of the table flanked by Gin and Kaname while the Espada were seated as well. Looking around the room at the Espada that each have varying degrees of interest on their faces, Aizen's eyes locked on to the one at the opposite end of the table. Her hair was braided into box braids that hung freely down onto her face, her Arrancar uniform was tight-fitting around her body yet relatively exposing. Slowly she placed a cookie in her mouth as she looked back into Aizen's eyes.

"Everyone seems to be present so let us move on to the task at hand. Your goal today is to capture Orihime Inoue who has been sent to the Soul Society to undergo training. We will send two Espada to the world of the Living along to create a distraction. Forcing Orihime to return to the world of the living through the dangai, from there Ulquiorra will capture her, after giving her a series of instructions she will return with us to Hueco Mundo." After Aizen finished speaking he looked around the room and no one had any objections nor comments.

Looking over at the Dark-haired Arrancar that sat at the end of the table Nel Spoke "Aaroniero Arruruerie and Luppi Antenor, you two will head to the world of the Living. You can bring along any Arrancar under the rank of Espada."

Unlike in the Original Aaroniero didn't have two heads nor was he wearing a mask, his face was that of Kaien Shiba with a small number 9 tattooed under his right eye, His Arrancar mask remnant was a small bone necklace around his neck. He nodded his head in understanding while Luppi just showed a face of slight displeasure.

"Good now that we have that settled we can begin our plans, slowly we will weaken the 13 Court Guard squads before we attack. Orihime is nothing more than the bait that will bring far larger fish to Hueco Mundo. Once they arrive I will leave it to the Espada to deal with them." Standing up, Aizen turned his back and walked away followed by Kaname.

Staying behind Gin dropped the smile that was on his face and opened his eyes. "So it begins like you said, Ms.Zero. Tell me, how did you know that things would go exactly as they did."

Taking a sip of her milk tea to wash down her cookies Layla looked at Gin and smiled but didn't say anything as she stood up and used Sonido to leave the room. Looking at the now-empty seat Gin was curious about the mysterious Espada Cero that seemed to have all the answers.

"Ughhhhhhhhh the world of the living, the soul reapers are soooo boring. Why do I have to go? Why don't you go Grimmjow?" Luppi sided eye'd Grimmjow as the Espada seemed to be deep in thought.

"Why would I need to go? It's not like there is anyone there worth my time. Even that kid Ichigo- ahhh I see why you want me to go." Smiling evilly he agreed. "But you're still coming with me, show Aaroniero how we do things."

Luppi pouted but didn't say anything as the Three Espada stood up and opened a Garganta. The remaining Espada left in pairs, returning to their Palaces to continue their training for the upcoming battles.

In the Soul Society alarms started to ring loudly as a technician looked at the screen "3 Incoming spiritual Pressures! It's Magenta! They're Espadas!" His words sent the soul society in motion as the Aforementioned Espada just looked at the sunny afternoon of the world of the living with an analytical gaze.

"I remember this place due to the memories of this Soul reaper, but it seems that it was many years ago because this place looks extremely different."

"I forgot that you devoured hollows and Soul reapers and gained their abilities, I bet you were a pretty odd Gillian with all those memories and personalities meandering around in your mind. Lucky you're an Arrancar now or you might have just regressed due to lack of control." Grimmjow said as he focused on the approaching Spiritual Pressures.

"Luppi, this is the perfect opportunity for you to test your new resurreccion. I heard you reached new heights with it recently which is why Lady Nel sent you to the world of the Living. We need more powerful Arrancar and you're the closest one to breaking through that hasn't already. If you need help I can bail you out pretty easily, the pipsqueak I'm up against needs another 1000 years of training to beat me." Grimmjow said this as he headed off in the direction of Ichigo's spiritual pressure leaving behind Luppi and Aaroniero to deal with the rest of the incoming Soul Reapers.

"Well, I guess he has a point, I have made a few strides with Trepadora. So let's see what happens" Smiling slightly Espada Number 6 waited for his opponents to arrive.

Appearing in the sky in front of Ichigo, Grimmjow Smiled. "Well, would you look at that a mouse that gained a bit of courage to stand before a Lion. How pitiful, it seems you haven't learned much since the past beat down."

"*Bankai!*" Grimmjow looked on in interest as the Orange haired child attempted to stand his ground.

"Your Bankai huh? I remember that the best thing that could do to me last time was to remove a few calluses off of my hand. HAHAHAHAHAHA." Grimmjow's laugh brought a small amount of dread to Ichigo as he remembered the beat down that he received in vivid detail.

Taking his left hand and putting it on his face, Ichigo stood tall. "It won't be the same as last time." When he finished speaking he swiped his hand downward and a Hollow like mask appeared on his face.

"Hollowfication." With narrowed eyes, Grimmjow spoke but the tone and certainty in his words made Ichigo wide-eyed. "How Pitiful, I thought you learned a new ability or technique from your Zanpakuto spirit."

Turning his hands into a similar form as his post-release state Grimmjow looked at Ichigo with eyes of sadness. "Don't Die."

Grimmjow didn't move from his position as he looked at Ichigo's hollowfied form, his Blue eyes calm yet contained an intensity that made Ichigo hesitate. Mustering up his courage with a yell, Ichigo attacked.

He moved forward with great speed yet in Grimmjow's eyes it was slow like a toddler just learning how to walk, challenging an Olympic track gold medalist. The Black Zanpakuto cut through the air headed straight for Grimmjow's neck.

"Hmph." Grimmjow snorted as he used his index finger to stop the blade.

*Ting!* The metallic sound of the Zanpakuto hitting Grimmjow's armored skin resounded throughout the area. Ichigo's eyes went wide as the image of Aizen was superimposed over Grimmjow's in his head. 'The Gap can't be that wide! He's only Ranked 5th! That means there are four more, far more powerful than this monster before me!'

"I was expecting much more from you after you put on that stupid mask But, You're still weak." Shaking his head back and forth Grimmjow sighed deeply. "I still don't see it."

Grabbing the Zanpakuto blade, Grimmjow pulled Ichigo closer to him. His Blue eyes looked into the black and yellow Eyes that Ichigo now had. "You're gonna need to put in far more effort than that, to walk with your head tall." Making a fist Grimmjow punching Ichigo in the face shattering the Mask, the force behind the punch was so intense that Ichigo was launched back into the pavement.

"A Light tap is all it takes for you to end up on your knees, groveling and spitting out blood. Absolute trash." Grimmjow dropped slowly out of the sky and walked towards where Ichigo was, His eyes cold as he looked at the Substitute soul reaper.

"Even now someone is coming to save your ass," Grimmjow said that he turned his head to see Shinji sitting in the Sky.