Chapter One

"This is a dire situation," Head Captain Yamamoto said during the Captain's Meeting, "The Hollow cult known as the Oblivion Arc has risen again and is killing too many souls. And to make things worse, they are killing the living as well. We must stop them at once!"

"We can send in a group of officers to face them," Captain Ukitake suggested.

"No, we cannot send in officers blindly."

"We can send in some of the Stealth Force to investigate," Captain Hitsugaya put in.

"We have already done that," Head Captain Yamamoto said, "They were killed."

As they talked about suggestions of dealing with this situation, Soi Fon realized something. "We can send in Ichiro Masastu."

"The Maggots' Nest prisoner?" Captain Kyoraku asked.

"Yes," Soi Fon replied, "Remember? He was sent there because of that cult. He's the most experienced with it. He won't be sent in so blindly."

"Hmm," Head Captain Yamamoto considered it, "Yes. That is doable. Captain Soi Fon, send this request to Ichiro Masastu. And if he says no, make him say yes. Meeting adjourned."

The Head Captain banged his staff on the floor and everyone exited. Soi Fon found her lieutenant, Marechiyo Omaeda, walking around eating crackers and called him over to her.

"Yes, Captain?" he said.

"Find Kyoko Nakada and tell her to meet me at the bridge to the Maggots' Nest," she said.

"Yes, Captain." He Flash Stepped away.


Soi Fon stood in front of the bridge that led to the area of the forest that had the Maggots' Nest. Kyoko Flash Stepped, kneeling, a few feet in front of her. She wore the Stealth Force uniform without the mask with her Zanpakuto strapped behind her with the hilt to her right. She had shortish golden-yellow hair. She looked up at Soi Fon with equally as golden eyes. Despite of her age, she looked like a teenager, like Ichiro.

"Captain Soi Fon," she said.

"You're late," Soi Fon said.

"Sorry," Kyoko said standing, "Your request came as a surprise. I came as soon as I heard it."

"It must have been Omaeda then. Damn, he's so slow."

"So, what have you asked me here for, Captain?"

"Follow me," Soi Fon said, turning around and started walking across the bridge.

Kyoko followed a few feet behind.

"Do you remember your friend, Ichiro?" Soi Fon asked as they stepped off the bridge.

"Of course," Kyoko replied, "I visit him often."

"Do you remember why he was imprisoned in the Maggots' Nest?"

"Yes, a cult of Hollows known as the Oblivion Arc."

"Good. Well, we need his help. The cult has risen again, and because no one else knows anything about them, I suggested that Ichiro should handle it.

"Why did you call me here though?" Kyoko asked curiously. They approached the Maggots' Nest, but instead of going straight into the main part, they turned right and into the trees and bushes.

"You are his closest friend," Soi Fon pushing aside a branch, "he shouldn't be able to say no to you."

"I see."

"Plus, you're the only one that can get into his cell."

"Right."

They entered a clearing in the trees. In the center, was a small cottage; two Stealth Force officers stood guard at the door.

They knelt down saying, "Captain Soi Fon, Kyoko Nakada," as they approached.

The door was a stone slab made of a special stone developed by the Department of Research and Development that can only be opened by Kyoko's Zanpakuto's Shikai; because of her relationship with Ichiro, she was in charge of looking over him.

"Cover your eyes," Kyoko said, pulling out her Zanpakuto from her back-sheath. The other three did as she told them.

She held her Zanpakuto up to the sun letting the light reflect off of the blade.

"Shine light upon the darkness, Tioshin." Bright golden light shone from the blade. Soi Fon could feel it as it surrounded them in blinding light.

"You can look now," Kyoko said, sliding her Zanpakuto back into the sheath. Soi Fon and the guards uncovered their eyes to see the stone slab door was already gone.

"I'll be back soon." She stepped into the cottage. It was empty except for a square table to the right with a chair at each edge.

She started walking down the staircase while Soi Fon sat at the table to wait and the two guards stood in the doorway.

The stairway was almost pitch-black dark, but Kyoko's special bond with her Zanpakuto, Tioshin, she has multiple abilities related to light, like being able to see in the dark.

After a while of going down the steps, she could finally see a faint light that got brighter and bigger the more she went.

She finally reached the bottom to a corridor lit by torches. At the end she saw something. As she got closer, she could see the bars of the cell and the person inside.

She stepped up to the bars. The person inside was shackled against the wall by his wrists, ankles, and waist. His head was down, his hair hanging down over his face. His hair was white, messy, and dirty, and so long it reached the floor.

He lifted his head. Through spaces in his hair, Kyoko could see Ichiro's teal eyes. She knelt down, bowing her head like she did with the captains.

"Ichiro," Kyoko started to say before he cut her off by saying, "I know why you're here. Stand up, I'm not a captain or lieutenant."

She stood, lifting her head.

"At least… not yet."

"How do you know?" Kyoko asked.

"Why else would you visit me at an irregular time?" Ichiro said smirking, "None other than to deliver a request from the Head Captain to help deal with Oblivion Arc."

"So?"

"Of course, anything to get me out of this rat hole."