Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

Chapter 286: Fire and Flesh

The throne of Las Noches had changed hands from the self-proclaimed God-King Barragan Louisenbairn to Aizen Sōsuke, but to Szayelaporro Granz, it made no difference. The demotion from Primera to Octava hardly bothered him—in fact, he preferred it. Under Barragan’s reign, power was everything, and it festered an environment that was all about strength. But knowledge had a place under Aizen’s reign.

Aizen himself was a mass of knowledge.

Watching Aizen miraculously create Arrancars was always a sight for Szayel. What’s more, Aizen never concealed his vast knowledge on Hollows and Shinigami, teaching Szayel something new with every conversation. Aizen also gave Szayel full freedom and numerous resources for his research. He could hole himself up in his laboratory and pave the path to the perfection he so craved as long as he also worked on creating/finding a specific type of Hollow/Arrancar.

A Hollow who could absorb fire regardless of its intensity.

Finding a Hollow with this specific condition was easier said than done, at least for most people. Szayelaporro had many methods. First, every Hollow in Las Noches was subjected to what Szayelaporro called "standard aptitude protocol"—a polite term for testing one’s affinity with flames. Unfortunately, none were found to have any fire resistance.

When the local supply ran dry, he expanded his search. Orders filtered down through the ranks of the Espada, having their Fracción spread across Hueco Mundo. They brought him specimens from the endless desert’s every dark corner.

As the numbers soared, Szayelaporro worked up a more efficient method for testing. A new chamber, where flame pillars rose from every corner, intense enough to gravely injure but not enough to kill. None of the Hollow wanted any part of this torture but they had no right to disobey the Espada.

Some emerged with faces charred beyond recognition. The weak never emerged at all. A select few demonstrated natural resistance—a feat that earned them more tortures in Szayelaporro’s lab.

“Utterly useless,” he would mutter, making notes as one test subject after another died in his lab. The deaths mounted with every day, each failure pushing him closer to that dangerous edge where work began to blur with obsession.

Szayelaporro was losing patience when one day a Hollow among the test subjects caught his attention. A tall lanky Hollow with twigs for limbs and four symmetrical holes on his body, two each on his abdomen and thighs. Szayelaporro had seen many Hollows but none ever came close to this level of imperfect proportions.

“Fascinating,” Szayelaporro whispered, adjusting his glasses as he studied the vents. “Do they have some purpose?”

Intrigued, Szayelaporro sent the Hollow through the first check. Where others had thrashed and screamed, Wonderweiss walked into the flames. The vents on his body dilated like a hungry mouth, drawing every pillar of flame to it.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Szayelaporro nearly jumped in excitement. “Finally! A competent subject.”

Without waiting for another moment, he sent the newly found Hollow to the second test — enclosing him in a small pod with a ridiculous amount of Reiatsu-enhanced flames spewing into it. To his surprise, the Hollow emerged with only minor burns, its body showing an unnatural resistance to fire.

Szayelaporro couldn’t stop himself from laughing maniacally. “He isn’t perfect but I’ll make him perfect for Aizen.”

The next few days were hell for the Hollow named Wonderweiss Margela. Szayelaporro worked tirelessly, pushing boundaries, breaking limits, reshaping flesh and spirit.

And today, as he observed his newest in the list of messed-up creations, he couldn’t help but imagine Aizen’s approving smile. His creation floated in a pod, completely wrapped in bandages to hide severe burn marks and the tortures he had endured. But these bandages couldn’t hide the power radiating from Wonderweiss. He was one of the greatest non-Arrancarized Hollows even though he was no longer in control of himself. His ego, his memories — everything that made him Wonderweiss were erased. In exchange, his abilities were enhanced. Even though Wonderweiss was barely an Adjuchas, he could contend with a Vasto Lorde in raw power. The rest of his abilities also grew massively, especially his ability to absorb flames.

Now, the only task left was informing Aizen. Once Aizen evolves the test subject into an Arrancar, he’d gain an even greater boost to his flame absorption.

Szayel was curious, excited even. He had to witness the full potential of his creation, and how perfect it would become after going through the process of Arrancarization.

The wait for Aizen felt like an eternity.

When Kaname Tōsen finally appeared, the news wasn’t what Szayelaporro had hoped for. Instead, he found himself in Las Noches’ assembly chamber to socialize with his ‘colleagues.’

After the Karakura Town incident, only six Espada were left, and all of them were sitting around a long table, except for two. Szayelaporro was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed on his chest. Another Arrancar stood in the opposite corner, showing the same disinterest in the conversation as Szayelaporro. Unlike Szayelaporro, this Arrancar looked like a normal Hollow rather than an evolved Arrancar. Most of his crow-like mask was intact on his face, he had no legs beneath his Espada outfit, and he also had numerous giant bone-like spikes protruding in the backside of his body.

Espada #10, Aisslinger Wernarr, was the most imperfect Arrancar in Szayelaporro’s eyes as he possessed the least power out of all.

‘Once Aizen finds a proper Décima, you’ll make a fascinating test subject.’

Most of the current Espada were placeholders — everyone was aware of that fact.

Ulquiorra sat on one side of the table, and Yammy stood behind him like an unmoving boulder. The duo tagged along everywhere—only two Arrancars worthy of their Espada rank.

Ulquiorra looked at the blind Shinigami with a look of apathy. “Tosen, everybody knows you’re blind. But are you mute too?”

Yammy simply laughed with his hand on his chest.

“Heh.” Smirked the youthful Arrancar sitting in front of Ulquiorra. He had unevenly cut curly black hair framing his small face. Luppi Antenor, Espada #6, had a face that could easily be passed for a girl. The three pink stars above his left eyebrow only added to his feminine image. “Tosen, me personally, I wouldn’t take that insult.”

“Hahaha, it’s a pity Tosen can’t bear witness to this Princess’ pinnacle beauty. The ultimate beauty!”

The Espada proclaiming to be a Princess was a large, bulky, and muscular Arrancar, the remnants of his Hollow mask resembled a small tiara with thorns. He had long, wavy black hair, large glossy lips, icy blue eyes, and curly long eyelashes. Espada #9 Charlotte Chuhlhourne’s overt attempt to appear feminine with his ridiculously masculine build could terrify many.

Tosen shook his head, unbothered by the taunts. “I have orders from Lord Aizen. Soon, two Shinigami will enter Hueco Mundo. Ulquiorra, you are to intercept them for a battle. Don’t kill them.”

Ulquiorra looked away. “I can’t kill them? Then why would I bother with some pathetic Shinigami?”

“Oh, you will.” Tosen flicked the tiny box in his palm, which cast a blue light across everyone’s face. The projection showed a silver-haired young man in a Shinigami uniform. “This is the Shinigami you have to battle. Kazuya.”

“Ahhh, let me!” Charlotte screamed as he leapt from his seat. He clenched his fist with determination. “He is beautiful, almost as stunning as me. This must be fate. As the ultimate being of beauty, it must be my destiny to overcome him.”

Making flamboyant poses in the middle of the room, Charlotte threw one justification after another to face Kazuya.

Luppi scowled. “Go ahead. It’s not like anybody else wants to—”

The room suddenly froze as Ulquiorra’s cold, ancient Reiatsu filled every corner.

“He is mine.”

It was all Ulquiorra said before leaving the room. Yammy shrugged and followed Ulquiorra out of the room.

“Do not kill them,” Tosen repeated Aizen’s order.

“Tosen, when will our king be here?” Szayel asked. “The task he gave me—it's complete.”

Tosen turned his attention to the mad scientist, the clear goggles hiding any emotion behind his pupiless gaze. “I’ll inform him… As of right now, he has no plans to return any time soon.”

“Oh.” Luppi smirked, intrigued. “The throne feels empty without the king.”

“I’ll be the king,” growled a voice. Smashing open the door, Grimmjow walked in, his hands tucked in his pocket. “One day.”

Charlotte pressed a finger against his lips. “My, if it isn’t the most confident Arrancar. You might become a king, but Charlotte will always be the most beautiful Princess~.”

Grimmjow clenched his jaw. “Tosen, what’s the punishment for murdering an Espada?”

“Oh my!” Charlotte laughed. “I better leave, or this brute will violate me.”

“...”