Harribel and Starrk watched as Baraggan's body disappeared. Their faces were pretty stoic but Starrk was the first one to say something.

Starrk: Number Two is dead and no one says anything. How sad. I'm usually not the type to avenge others, but...

Starrk was interrupted by Love, who assisted Kyoraku in his fight against him, by hitting him with his Shikai. Love took Starrk's surprise to his advantage and wailed on him.

(Y/N) watched the fight go down and he felt bad for Starrk. He knew hollows weren't immune to emotions. Sure, Baraggan was a horrible person. He treated everyone poorly and wanted power to rule over everyone for selfish purposes, but he knew that was true about every species. Humans and Shinigamis aren't immune to it. Politics in the human world and people like Aizen were proof of that.

Arrancars like Wiz, Nel and even Harribel (despite being enemies) showed that arrancars care about their fellow comrades and friends.

(Y/N): I feel pretty sorry for him...

Soi-Fon: Don't. He's the enemy.

(Y/N): Looks like he never wanted to fight in the first place...

Soi-Fon: It doesn't matter if he doesn't want to fight or not. We're on the battlefield. If he doesn't want to fight, then he should just die.

(Y/N): I understand your sentiment. But...

(Y/N) looked at the crown he held in his hand.

(Y/N): *thinking* I did say I'd be the King... even if it is temporary. At the very least I can try to convince him.

Soi-Fon saw the change in (Y/N)'s expression.

Soi-Fon: What are you planning?

(Y/N): My first job as King.

Soi-Fon: And what do you mean by that? You still haven't explained what you and Baraggan were discussing before the fight.

(Y/N): You met my father. But you never met my mother.

Soi-Fon: Yeah?

(Y/N): The person we were discussing earlier. (M/N) La Parca. She was an arrancar who fought Baraggan multiple times for the throne of Hueco Mundo.

Soi-Fon was able to connect the dots together.

Soi-Fon: So you fought Baraggan with the intention of taking his throne the entire time? Was that why you became a Shinigami?

(Y/N): Goodness no. I've only just discovered my mom was an arrancar recently. I grew up thinking she was human the entire time. But when I found out how much my mom went through because of Baraggan, I felt as though I should've done something, you know?

Soi-Fon: So what are you intending to do with this new title of "King"?

(Y/N): I personally don't care for it. But while I do have it, I'll take advantage of it. And my first order of business is to recruit another Arrancar to our side. The strongest arrancar at that.

Soi-Fon: So that's what you're planning? He doesn't know who you are. How are you planning to convince him?

(Y/N): I don't know. I'll figure it out.

Soi-Fon was dumbfounded.

Soi-Fon: You usually always have a plan. What happened all of a sudden.

(Y/N): I never made friends with someone by planning it out. I just went with the flow.

Soi-Fon: *signs* Whatever. I trust you... So go on ahead.

(Y/N): Alright! Hopefully I'll be back quickly! Don't miss me too quickly!

Soi-Fon blushed as (Y/N) took off in Starrk's direction.

Soi-Fon: L-Like hell I will!

Starrk's POV

Starrk, while in his resurreccion, was getting tossed around. He hasn't fought back since Baraggan's death. Currently he had just got sent flying, landing into the concrete streets from Love's attack.

Starrk: Ouch...

Lilynette, Starrk's only fraccion member, fused with Starrk in order to activate his resurreccion. She was currently talking to Starrk while they were fused.

Lilynette: Starrk! Starrk! Why are you zoning out?! I thought you were going to avenge Barragan's death?! You're pathetic!

Starrk: I told you, it's not my thing. I've had enough. And it looks like Lord Aizen has no intention of helping us either. They're strong... I get that. I've had enough. If we continue to fight, someone's going to die. Let's go home and go back to sleep.

Lilynette: Starrk! What are you, stupid?! You're Number One! You need to realize that! All you've been doing is trying to act cool. You haven't been fighting them seriously at all! Did you forget why Lord Aizen appointed you as Number One?! It's because he believes in your power! If you don't want your comrades to die off, you've got to fight!

???: All Aizen's been doing is using you all.

Starrk looked over and saw (Y/N) landing next to him.

Lilynette: You're the jerk that took out Baraggan. Don't think for a second we'll listen to you!

(Y/N): I'm not expecting you to like me, but at the very least listen to what I have to say.

Starrk: You're the boy from Hueco Mundo. The Witch seems to believe in you greatly.

Lilynette: Huh, You're saying this jerk leads Waleska?

(Y/N): Yep. I'm (Y/N) (L/N). Son of (M/N) La Parca and the new King of Hueco Mundo. Nice to meet you.

Starrk: The son of the Rebel, (M/N), huh? No wonder Waleska follows you indiscriminately.

Lilynette: What's a guy like you doing with the Shinigamis?

(Y/N): Life just led me down this path I guess. However I hope for the short time that I'm king, I can help you guys out.

Starrk: Hm?

(Y/N): Aizen has already shown his true colors with the way he deals with his subordinates who've been proving "useless". An execution squad and self-destructing rooms created to kill those who fail their missions. No remorse for his allies' death. He's freed from Yammamoto's flames, yet here he is, watching you get thrown around.

Starrk: Basically, we're just tools to him.

(Y/N): Yep.

Starrk: We know that.

(Y/N): I would assume you all did, but Harribel seems dedicated to the cause. Why stay loyal to someone who doesn't care about you? He's literally throwing you guys to the wolves at this point. He knows by the end of this battle he'll be the last one standing. Look around you, most of the Shinigamis are still standing if not in critical condition. And he just stands there with that stupid smug grin on his face like planned it all.

Starrk: What other choice do we have? He outclasses all of us...

(Y/N): Does he, though?

Starrk: What are you trying to imply?

(Y/N): Let's work together and take down Aizen. Think about how simple your life could be right now without him. You can still have people at your side at the very least. I'm sure Waleska and Harribel would be great company.

Starrk: You plan to keep Harribel and fraccion alive?

(Y/N): If she's willing to cooperate, then yeah. I think she's the best candidate to take over Hueco Mundo once everything's settled down.

Lilynette: And what do you get out of this?

(Y/N): Peace.

Starrk and Lilynette were surprised by the answer.

(Y/N): What? You thought I wanted something lofty or grand like Baraggan? Sorry, that's not my style. I love living peacefully and quietly, with my friends and family. The quicker this war ends the better.

Starrk: ... I can relate-

Lilynette: Of course you would, you lazy bum!

Starrk: But Aizen gave us something. And we have to repay him for it.

(Y/N): Repaying a debt huh? Seems like you're in the same boat as Harribel...

Aizen's POV

Aizen watched as (Y/N) was slowly persuading Starrk to switch sides. Meanwhile, Hitsugaya, who was now assisted by Hiyori and Lisa, was taking on Harribel. Aizen grew tired of watching the battles go down and decided to move on to the next step in the war.

Aizen: That's enough. Gin. Let's end this.

Shinji, who was battling Gin, was confused.

Shinji: What?

Aizen pointed at Starrk and casted Hadō #4. Byakurai. A beam shot out of his finger, piercing Starrk. (Y/N) was caught off guard. Aizen then flash stepped towards Harribel, catching her by surprise.

Harribel: Lord... Aizen?

Aizen:I'm done with you.

Aizen cut Harribel in the stomach.



Aizen: It seems you people aren't strong enough to fight for me.

(Y/N) watched in awe how Aizen took down his own subordinates with no remorse.

Aizen: Gin, Kaname... Let's go.

Aizen turned towards Harribel one last time.

Aizen: I went through a lot of trouble to gather you Espadas. I never expected your gathered strengths to be inferior to that of mine.



Harribel felt her world turn upside down. Many things ran through her mind but the one thing that stuck out the most were the multiple warnings that (Y/N)'s given her.

~~~~

(Y/N): If you don't mind me asking, what are your reasons for helping Aizen? Aizen hasn't shown himself to be loyal to anyone but himself.

Harribel: He's given me- no. He's giving us hope.

(Y/N): Hope of what exactly? He has done nothing but manipulated and used the Shinigami of Soul Society. I don't doubt he'd do the same to the Hollows.

Harribel: You don't know the Aizen I know.

(Y/N): The feelings are mutual.

~~~~

(Y/N): I'd rather just talk this out. This whole situation is getting pretty hectic.

Harribel: You want to try persuading us that Aizen is wrong in his actions?

(Y/N): Yes. Aizen may sound like an upstanding individual now, but he's only using you for his own benefit. The Soul Society went through an entire civil war because of his actions. All of these unethical experiments, disposal of people he deem useless, do you think someone like that should really be in power?

~~~~

Harribel: *thinking* He was right afterall...

Harribel looked over to (Y/N) and saw Starrk in bad shape. (Y/N) was currently trying to heal him.

Harribel steeled her resolve. Her fraccion was down for the count and she was next on the chopping block. (Y/N) was right. And for that reason, she'll put her life on the line to help him defeat him.

Harribel: AIZEN!

Harribel caught herself mid air and rushed in towards Aizen. She thrusted her sword through Aizen's chest.

However...

Aizen: How troublesome.

Harribel stabbed an illusion of Aizen. The real Aizen stabbed Harribel in the back (literally this time).

Harribel: What?!

Aizen:Don't make me go through the effort to swing my sword twice on the likes of you.



Aizen removed his sword from Harribel's back as he looked towards the Court Guard Squad and Vizards.

Aizen: Now, shall we begin? Court Guard Squads, and you failed mock Arrancars...

(Y/N) looked towards Aizen in disgust.

(Y/N): Seeing how he treats them in person is ugly.

(Y/N) took Starrk to a tall building and hid his body to prevent him from getting involved in the upcoming fight.

Starrk: What are you doing?

Starrk definitely looked weak after that hit from Aizen.

(Y/N): Making sure you don't die. Besides, I need to get Harribel and her crew. I can't bring you with me.

Lilynette: No you idiot! He means why did you save him? We're-

(Y/N): "Were" enemies. As you can see, Aizen doesn't care for any of you. I don't have a particular reason as to why I saved you. I just felt like it.

Lilynette: What does that mean-

Starrk: Then go...

Lilynette: Are you serious Starrk?

Starrk didn't say anything.

(Y/N): I'll be back in a flash.

(Y/N) moved as fast as he could as he summoned Panzer and Siegfried to pick up Apacci, Sung-sun and Mila Rose while (Y/N) picked up Harribel as carefully as he could and backed away.

(Y/N): There's no way Aizen is going to let me get away with this. He probably already knows what I'm doing and he's letting it happen because he knows he can stop us anyway.

As (Y/N) made it back to his hiding spot he rest down the 4 girls and started to heal them.

(Y/N): I really wish Captain Unohana was here right about now. After all the energy I used fighting Baraggan and healing 5 people, I'm not sure I'll have enough for the battle against Aizen...

"I'm sorry..."

(Y/N): Hm?

Harribel, who was barely holding on, started to speak.

Harribel: I-I should've heeded... your warning...

(Y/N): Save your energy. If you have time to talk then you have time to rest.

Harribel was confused as to why (Y/N) was so optimistic. Aizen was practically unstoppable.

Harribel: How... H-how do you stay in high hopes. To be fearless after everything... that's happened.

(Y/N): I won't sit here and lie. I'm honestly terrified. But someone told me something that helps me stay calm in times like this.

(Y/N) recalled his father's words.

https://youtu.be/RSI39FOrEy0

(F/N): Being brave doesn't mean you're fearless. It means being able to face your problems head on despite being in fear. Never let fear consume you. If you do, then you'll take a step back instead of a step forward.

(Y/N) quoted his father's words.

(Y/N): I tend to stay optimistic instead of being in fear. I've decided to look Aizen in the eyes and push forward. He may be strong, but he isn't unstoppable. We just have to find a weakness.

(Y/N) looked up at the skies.

(Y/N): Aizen has been messing with my family and friends for too long. It's time we end things now.

Harribel: Then allow me to help you.

Starrk: I can't say I like doing a lot of work but Aizen will quite literally kill me if I don't help out, so count me in.

(Y/N): Thanks. Let's take on Aizen together.

To be continued.

Surprise! Starrk survives!

Fun fact: My top 3 Espadas are quite literally the top 3 Espdas in the show. Starrk, Baraggan, and Harribel. When I was creating this story I wasn't sure if I would've had (Y/N) kill Starrk or help stay alive. At the very least I didn't want Kyoraku to kill him like in the original. Having (Y/N) kill Starrk would at least mean he would have the top 2 Espadas in his arsenal of Arrancars.

The think one of the things that convinced me to keep Starrk alive was just how fun Starrk's (and by extension Lilynette) interactions with the cast would be and how Starrk's inclusion will help (Y/N) in the long run.

I've also seen concerns about whether or not Harribel would've survive (you know, because of the whole arrancar army). I never had any intentions of having Harribel die, so don't worry. And because Harribel is alive, by extension, her fraccion too. I think (Y/N) with alliances switched, (Y/N)'s dynamic with Apacci, Sung-Sun and Mila Rose will change dramatically.

With that said I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.