23 Take Over

With a flash, Aizen reappeared near Gin and Kaname, a smile of satisfaction dawned on his face.

" Oh, I know that look. What happened, Captain Aizen?" Gin asked the man.

" I've simply just procured a very interesting new comrade for us, Gin." 

Gin was surprised. " Oh, a new comrade? That's strange..."

" What's strange about it?" Kaname asked.

" I didn't think Aizen had any comrades." Gin said jokingly. 

Aizen looked at Gin and smirked. " Of course, I do, Gin."

Gin's smile grew wider, as if he was amused by what he heard. " Just checking." Gin stated.

Aizen smirked and continued on. Whether or not he could actually sense the venom in Gin's words didn't matter. 

" Let's go." Aizen told the two men. He then started moving towards his next destination. His goal to finally settle in and make a base within the vast world of Hueco Mundo.

Gin and Kaname followed Aizen closely, staying by his side every step of the way.

.....

Las Noches, Hueco Mundo.

Barragan was merely sitting on his throne.

" I'm bored...." He muttered.

Some time had passed since his last fight with Bikou. Years in fact, and in that time span, Barragan had once again come to know the boredom of having no active challengers. 

His attendant approached with a picture, intent on pouring the king a drink. But he simply waved her off instead, choosing to sit and think for a little longer.

" Once again, I am left without a single enemy to conquer. I'm beginning to grow tired of this." Barragan muttered.

It was at that moment, a bright flash of light erupted in the distance. 

" What happened?"

" Gagamaels been killed."

One of Barragan's Hollows explained.

Three distinct figures suddenly dropped down in front of Barragan's throne. Each of them wearing a black Shihakusho with a distinct white Haori. 

" What the hell?"

Barragan's forces began moving to surround the three men, however...

" Stand down. This is just the thing I need to pass the time." Barragan spoke.

With two words his army backed away from the three men, allowing Barragan to get a good look at the faces of the intruders, brave enough to stand before him.

" Why have you come here, strangers?" Barragan asked the men.

It was at this point the man in charge stepped forward.

" Very pleased to meet you. My name is Aizen. Sosuke Aizen." Aizen spoke. " You must be Barragan, King of Hueco Mundo."

" Indeed." Barragan replied. " And what exactly are you? Since none of you are wearing masks, I have to presume you are not Hollows. Are you humans? Or are you, Soul Reapers?" Barragan asked. " Well, it doesn't matter what you are. Truthfully, I am growing weary. If you had not shown up, I would have had to improvise some entertainment. I would have split my army up and forced them to kill each other. Be that as it may, I suppose I should greet you. Welcome to my castle, Las Noches." 

Kaname Tousen smirked. " How amusing. This place with no roof or walls is a castle?" Kaname asked the man. Amusing.

" I have no need for a roof. As king, all of Hueco Mundo's skies form the roof of my castle." Barragan explained.

" I see. Well, I suppose that is one way of looking at it.' Kaname replied.

" That's quite enough, Kaname. There's no point in baiting him." Aizen told the man. 

" Right."

Aizen stepped forward and grabbed the hilt of his blade. " Your majesty, I was hoping we might have a bit of a chat. But first, would you mind taking a look at my sword?" Aizen drew his sword and showed it to Barragan. " It's called Kyouka Suigetsu."

" And why should I care?" Barragan asked.

" I wish to ask you a simple question."

" And what is it?" 

" Tell me... Are you satisfied with your existence as it stands in this moment?" Aizen asked.

" What?"

" Have you ever looked around and found your world is not the way it should be? Have you ever asked yourself if you could achieve an even higher greatness?"

" Hm?"

" I can help you." Aizen stated. He quickly flipped his sword upright. " You just have to obey me."

" Hm?"

" If you were to do so, I could give you greater power." Aizen explained. 

" Greater power you say?"

" That's right. My research is nearly complete. I'm perfecting a way to turn Soul Reapers into Hollows. And Hollows into Soul Reapers. By removing the boundaries between these two opposing states of being, you could achieve even higher greatness." Aizen explained. " You could truly lead the way into a new world."

Barragan was silent for a moment, he then erupted into a fit of laughter.

[ Bleach- Shadow's Masquerade]

" HAhahahahaha! What an amusing proposal! You actually believe I can achieve greater power and discover a new world? Don't make me laugh. I am the King of Hueco Mundo! The King of all I survey! No one can surpass my power, least of all you foolish mortals! No world exists other than the one I already control!" Barragan exclaimed.

Aizen looked at the man and smiled. " How unfortunate." 

" Attack my minions! Crush these arrogant ants!" 

Barragan commanded his army to move forward with attacking Aizen and his group.

" Oh my. What an unfriendly bunch." Gin muttered. Gin raised his sword and easily blocked an oncoming fist from one of the Hollows.

Another one of the Hollows extended the points of his fingers towards Kaname, who blocked them with ease as well.

Kaname and Gin began battling the minions, leaving Barragan to be dealt with by Aizen himself.

Barragan stood up from his throne and grabbed his axe. He then pointed at Aizen. " I will take you on myself! You are about to be killed by the king of Hueco Mundo. Consider it an honor!"

" It seems awfully ironic, for the king of Hueco Mundo..." Aizen muttered. " Think about it my friend. Even though you are a Hollow, the way you wield your weapon, and your giant black form.... Remind me very much of a Soul Reaper." Aizen spoke.

" SILENCE!" Barragan yelled. He rushed Aizen headfirst and cut him vertically from his shoulder down, killing him. He then turned his attention to Aizen's two aids, Gin and Kaname, cutting them both down in similar fashion. " What a fool." Barragan scoffed. " In the end you weren't even able to put up a proper fight. It was hardly worth my effort." He spoke.

Suddenly Barragan was very nearly cut in half by a sword strike. He just barely managed to avoid it at the last second, however his crown was cut in half in the process.

" Huh, what is this?" Barragan exclaimed. It took him a moment, but eventually he noticed Aizen and his aids still standing in front of him. " You?! How can you still be alive?!" 

" My Zanpakuto, Kyouka Suigetsu, has the power of complete hypnosis." Aizen explained. 

" What are you talking about?" Barragan asked.

" In other words, the people you defeated before, were nothing but illusions." Aizen explained. He pointed his sword towards the ground and smiled. " Shatter... Kyouka Suigetsu."

The world in front of Barragan shattered, revealing the truth to Barragan. 

Gin and Kaname were in the process of killing his army in front of him.

" What is happening?" Barragan asked.

" This is your world, stripped of all mirage." Aizen spoke.

" You bastard!" Barragan exclaimed. He raised his axe over his head ready to strike once more. However, the moment he did, Gin and Kaname appeared on both sides of him, with their blades pointed directly at him. 

" Don't do anything, rash. It's pointless. You won't be able to kill me." Aizen told the man.

Barragan, the King of Hueco Mundo, and the lord of all Hollows was defeated long before he could even begin to fight back. 

That is the terrifying power of Kyouka Suigetsu.

Within one glance, Aizen subjugated one of the most powerful beings in all existence. 

Aizen turned his attention to all of Barragan's subjects. And to Barragan himself.

" You have a choice. You can choose to serve me, and I will grant you all powers beyond your imagination. Or you can choose to stay out of my way. Either way, it doesn't really matter. From this day forward, Hueco Mundo is under my control." Aizen sheathed his Zanpakuto and turned his back on Barragan.

No longer deeming him a threat. 

" Come now, let us begin. Those of you who wish to follow me, step forward. But let me make one thing clear. Under no circumstances are any of you to trust anyone, not even me."

Barragan retreated from the palace, along with a small handful of Hollows still loyal to him, while the remaining Hollows all seemingly pledged an oath to Aizen by kneeling to the man.

" I see... A wise choice." Aizen muttered. He held out his hand, revealing a tiny blue orb. The orb emitted a light that engulfed the remaining Hollows. " I'll leave you all to come to terms with your new power and to spread the word of my offer to other Hollows. I've still got a lot of work to do, before I'm ready to assume things completely. I'll be back to check on your progress on spreading the word. Until the time comes when I return, I'll leave Hueco Mundo in your capable hands.... Bikou."

Bikou was walking in the sands of Hueco Mundo, when he suddenly felt large spiritual energies beginning to rise.

" Tch! Making changes already, Aizen?" 

To be Continued!