Outsider Chronicles: Hollow Hero
I knew that getting reborn into a world like Worm could be dangerous, but I wasn't expecting to get kidnapped by a crazy cult dedicated to the Endbringers to be used as a sacrifice. True, I'm now strong enough that no one will ever be able to permanently hurt me again, but I still could have done without the oversized needle to the heart.
Since the Nel version of this story got such a good reception, I've decided to continue with it. Oh, and before I forget, I may be shifting a few events in the timeline. Enjoy!
Chapter 3
I barely had time to react before a pair of arms closed around my neck and dragged me into a tight hug that made my bones creak worryingly, Brute rating or not, as the possibly-Nel rubbed her cheek against my mask and babbled something about missing me (or rather Ichigo) and how it felt like a lifetime. I was to busy trying to reboot my brain from the sudden switch from trying to kill me with a sword to trying to smother me to death and the outburst indicating that this wasn't just a case of interdimensional fuckery. Oh no, the woman squeezing the life out of me really was Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck...or she knew someone called Ichigo who happened to look exactly like me in my Breaker State. Not sure which is more unlikely. Plus, I was living proof reincarnation was a thing.
After a few moments, I got my brain back in gear and tried to push Nel off me. It didn't work. Holy shit, she was stronger than me! I haven't got any concrete data on my strength level, but I had spotted my file on Glenns desk which said that I was stronger than Glory Girl. Considering that during my power tests, I had idly lifted over a ton with one hand, I had no problem believing that. Hell, I didn't even realize how heavy the weights were until I saw the numbers on them! Suddenly, I was very glad that Nel hadn't come at me at full power.
Still, that wasn't really relevant now and I really didn't fancy getting choked to death by an Anime character.
"Hey, whats the big idea!?" I yelped, "I'm not 'Istygo'!"
"Huh?"
WHUMP!
"Your not?" asked Nel as she eyed me where she'd just dropped me.
"No, I'm not," I said, "My names...Hollow I guess."
"Uh hu," said Nell, fixing me with a look that said she thought I was full of shit, "If your not Istygo, why do you have his Tensa Zangetsu?"
Welp, that about proved that she was definitely Nel.
"I have no idea," I grumbled, "All I know is that it came with my Breaker State."
Nel blinked.
"Wait, so your a Cape?"
I fixed her with a look.
"Aren't you?"
Nel opened her mouth to respond, but before she could a massive explosion of fire from a few blocks away, followed by a roar of rage that was in no way Human cut her off. Before I could react, Nel took off, shooting in the direction of the blast, snatching up her Zanpakuto as she went. I cursed, grabbed my own sword and took off after her. Looks like I might end up fighting Lung after all.
We arrived to discover that, yes, Lung was the one responsible for the blast and he was apparently fighting the Undersiders. Grue was busy doing his best to distract him with his Darkness, Tattletale was desperately trying to shoot him with a pistol that might as well have been firing peas for all the damage it did, Bitchs dogs were trying to chew through Lungs scales and Regent was nowhere to be seen.
As we landed on a roof near the fighting, Lung decided that he was bored of being used as a chew toy and released another blast of fire with a roar, sending the mutated dogs flying. Whether it was through luck or planning, one of the mutated mutts collided with Tattletale, trapping the Thinker underneath its bulk, and another hit the wall above Grue, knocking a few bricks lose. One of the bricks collided with his helmet, knocking him to the ground. Apparently it also disrupted his concentration (not that I blame him. Taking a brick to the head would do that to anyone who wasn't a Brute) because Lung was finally able to disperse the darkness around his head with a roar of triumph. He looked around and sneered as his burning gaze fell on the still trapped Tattletale. He swung his arm and unleashed a blast of fire at the much younger Villain.
By this point, I was ready to step in. They may be Villains, but the Undersiders were still kids and I really didn't want to see them get incinerated by a rage-dragon. Before I could even think about moving however, Nel had already vanished and reappeared in front of Tattletale...where she dispersed the fire attack with a simple backhand.
The battlefield went utterly silent and still as everyone stared at the newcomer as she glared at Lung. I couldn't help but shiver, even if the glare wasn't directed my direction. It was the same glare she'd fixed Nnoitra with after he beat up Ichigo. Yeah, theres no way she'd be holding back in this fight.
"Disgraceful," she said in a voice so cold it would probably freeze the balls of a penguin, "Although I supposed I shouldn't be surprised."
Lung and the Undersiders looked rather taken aback, although I couldn't really blame them. To see such a young woman staring down someone like LUNG with nothing but a sword probably wasn't something that was normal, even for Brockton Bay. Then again, I suspect they also couldn't feel the sheer amount of power that was now buzzing just beneath the surface of Nel's body. Right now, she was in full on Espada mode and Lung was going to get his ass kicked.
"Who the fuck are you?" growled Lung, his voice slightly distorted by his transformation, although not quite to the point where it stopped being Human, "Actually, I don't care. DIE!"
He swung his claw, aiming to crush Nel. The green haired woman didn't flinch as she raised an arm...and caught the blow. The sheer force of the collision kicked up a blast of wind that blew Tattletale and the dog back and would have squashed the Thinker between a brick wall and a massive mutt had I not dropped down to catch them. I shoved the dog off with a grunt. It wasn't heavy (not to me at least) but it stunk.
"Are you OK?" I asked as I set Tattletale down against the wall.
The Thinker looked up and immediately recoiled at the sight of my horned mask looming over her.
"Hnn, guess I should get used to that," I muttered as I sat back on my heels.
CRACK!
A loud sound of cracking bones and rending metal drew attention back to the 'fight', just in time to see that Nel had crushed Lungs hand.
"All this power and you waste it on causing suffering and death," said Nel quitely, her voice holding contempt and...pity.
Hoo boy, this won't end well. I was proven correct as Lung, apparently hearing the pity in Nel's tone, let out a roar and unleashed a wave of fire that covered Nel and probably did F all to her. I was proven right in that assumption when her sword flashed and Lungs arm went flying, followed by a kick that sent the Dragonman hertling down the street with a caved in rib cage. He hit the wall of the warehouse at the far end of the street, smashing through it and bringing the whole thing down on top of him.
"H-holy shit!" muttered Tattletale, eyes wide in complete and utter shock.
I wasn't much better. I mean, I knew intellectually that Nel would be incredibly strong, but to see her take down someone like Lung so easily…
Nel took a deep breath and flicked her sword to clean the blood off, before sheathing it in the sheath that had just appeared in her hand. Handy trick. With that done, she vanished, only to reappear next to us a moment later with an unconscious Grue and Bitch in hand. I'm not sure when the latter had been knocked out, but I had been more interested in keeping an eye on the giant Rage-dragon. Tattletale gasped and stumbled to her feet, staggering over as Nel lay the two other Undersiders down gently.
"Don't worry, they're not hurt," she said, smiling at the worried Thinker, "Although I suspect they'll have a raging headache when they wake up."
Tattletale gave a sigh of relief.
"Thank god," she muttered, "But what about…"
She was cut off by an explosion and a roar of fury as Lung erupted from his stone prison. Apparently he was now really mad and pretty far along with his transformation. I could see the beginnings of a tail and wings starting to form and his face had fully transformed as he fixed his burning glare on us.
"Ooor ed!" he snarled and launched himself forwards.
Tattletale looked ready to panic, but Nel just stood and walked forwards as if to meet him.
"Hollow, keep them safe," she said as she drew her sword.
"W-wait, you don't actually...no, you do," said Tattletale as her eyes went wide, "But how do…"
Then, the wind kicked up by the heat generated by Lung blew Nel's hair away from her back, revealing the three tattooed there. Tattletales eyes went even wider and her mouth dropped open, forming soundless words. However, I was much more interested in the fact I now couldn't move as a massive weight dropped down on my shoulders as Nel brought up her sword horizontally in front of her and put her hand on the blade. Oh...oh shit. This is going to be extremely loud.
By this point, Lung was nearly on us as Nel opened her mouth.
"Declare…"
Her blade turned pink and started releasing wispy smoke as the weight increased. I reached for my own power and pushed back, lessening the weight enough so I could move in front of the Undersiders and prepared to try and keep them from being completely crushed.
"...Gamuza."
BOOM!
I barely had time to crank up my power and summon my sword before the massive blast of pink Spirit Energy erupted and a wave of pure force slammed into me at the same time as a massive wave of Spiritual Pressure. I vaguely heard a thump behind me, but I was much more interested in preventing myself from being thrown backwards to look. I dug my claws and sword into the ground and gritted my teeth as I flared my own power, pushing back against Nel's.
Lung wasn't as lucky as to have someone who knew what was coming to help mitigate the force, but he was still strong and tough enough to keep from being blasted back. That said, it still stopped his charge.
Fortunately, the barrage of Spiritual Pressure didn't last long, although it certainly felt like it, and after a few seconds, the pink energy dissipated, leaving only a cloud of smoke and dust. Then, it was swept aside and Nelliel in her true form stepped forwards, fixing a shocked looking Lung with a glare that could have melted stone.
"I was hoping to not have to use this on my first night out," she said, "Especially not against an opponent like you. However, needs must and I cannot afford to waste anymore time on you."
She glanced back at us and her eyes widened.
"Especially not when I might accidentally kill one of the people I'm protecting," she said.
I raised an eyebrow and glanced back. Apparently, Tattletale had been the person I'd heard collapsing and...she really didn't look well. She was shaking, her eyes wide and staring with her pupils dilated and she was foaming at the mouth. I touched her forehead and found that she was sweating excessively, enough that my hand came away wet. I quickly checked on the other two Undersiders as best I could without unmasking them, but they seemed to be fine, other than their previous injuries.
"Hollow!"
"YES MA'AM!" I yelped.
"Take those three onto a rooftop and shelter the girl as best you can," said Nelliel, "This won't take long."
I quickly did as I was told. Lung didn't look like he'd be willing to wait around for much longer and he looked even bigger than he had been. I had barely dropped the Undersiders on the roof when Lung's patience ran out and he charged with a roar. Nelliel simply met the charge and thrust out with her lance. The tip slammed into Lung's shoulder, splintering scales and parting flesh like they weren't even there. There was a spurt of boiling blood and Lungs arm went flying (again) as Nelliel skidded to a stop at the far end of the street, her hooves carving furrows into the melting pavement. Lung spun around, breathing heavily as his arm started growing back and glaring at Nelliel, who just stared back impassively.
"Please don't try again," said Nelliel, "You can't beat me and I don't want to accidentally kill you."
That was the wrong thing to say as Lung let out a roar, sprouted a pair of wings and charged again. Nelliel sighed and lifted her lance.
"Well, I did warn you," she said, "Lanzador Verde."
She threw the weapon, sending it spinning towards Lung at incredible speed, gathering Spirit Energy around it as it flew. It caught Lung full in the chest and drilled straight through him, releasing all the energy it had gathered in one massive explosion. My eyes widened and I moved to try and deflect the blast wave, but I was way to late. However, before the impact could strike, something appeared in front of me, blocking my view with the tails of a black coat with diamonds around the hem.
The newcomer did something, just in time for the blast wave to hit, causing it to split around us. I still had to cover my face to protect my eyes from the wind and dust thrown up, but at least I wasn't turned into pate alongside the Undersiders, so that was something. After a few seconds, the wind died down and I was able to look up at the newcomer. The moment I did, my jaw dropped and I was suddenly very glad for my full face mask.
He was tall and thin, with messy, light blond hair, gray eyes and a slight stubble. He was wearing a dark long coat, the hem of which was what I'd seen with his arrival, a dark green shirt and pants underneath, wooden Geta that looked rather out of place considering he was visibly caucasian and a green and white striped bucket hat. In his hand was an elegant sword that was projecting the blood red shield that had blocked the explosion.
"Well, that was certainly excessive," said the man jovially, "Is everyone alright?"
"Yes boss," said a very deep voice from behind me, making me jump and spin around to see that a massive man with thick glasses and blue overalls had appeared out of thin air and was now checking on the Undersiders, "Mr Laborn and Miss Lindt are a bit banged up and it seems that Miss Wilborne has had a nasty reaction to all the Spiritual Pressure released, but they will all be fine by tomorrow."
"Good, take them home and have Noba collect Rachel's dogs," said the maybe-Urahara.
"Yes sir," said the possibly-Tessai as he gathered up the Undersiders and vanished into thin air.
Alright, now my confusion was reaching critical mass. I could just about buy Nel making an appearance and kicking the snot out of Lung, but Urahara and Tessai to?! And apparently they know the Undersiders and may or may not be invested in keeping them safe!? Seriously, what the FUCK IS GOING ON?!
I blinked as the perchance-Urahara waved his hand in front of my face.
"Helllo~, are you OK in there?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," I said, batting his hand away, "But who exactly are you?"
Perhaps-Urahara smiled and lifted his fan, snapping it open to reveal the words 'Urahara Shop' printed across the paper.
"Oh, I'm just a humble candy shop owner~," he said.
"BULLSHIT!"
"Oh, don't be like that not-Ichigo~," said conceivably-Urahara, making me growl, "I might be a Parahuman, but that doesn't mean I can't also be a humble shop owner!"
I growled, my fingers twitching as I tried to resist the urge to just blast him with a Getsuga. Or just try and choke the life out of him. Fortunately for the 'humble' shop owner, Nel chose that moment to appear on the roof in a Sonido with her sword freshly sealed. I glanced off the roof and saw that Lung was back in his Human form, splayed out on the floor and quite unconscious with a massive burn on his chest that didn't look like it was healing. The green haired girl glanced around, before her eyes landed on almost-certainly-Urahara and widened. He smiled behind his fan and gave a friendly wave.
"Hello Nel, its been a while," he said, "I see you've found a familiar looking friend~!"
My eye twitched. I have a feeling that being compared with Ichigo was going to get very annoying very quickly.
"Anyway, I'd like to thank you for stopping Lung from turning my employees to ash," continued feasibly-Urahara, "Finding good help around here is SO hard~."
"ALRIGHT ALRIGHT, TIMEOUT!" I yelled, "What the hell is going on?! Who the hell are you? Theres no freakin way your just a shopkeeper!"
"Well, maybe not," said perhaps-Urahara, "But I do run a shop! I also provide work for down-on-their luck teens with superpowers."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a business card.
"My card."
I slowly took it and read it, only to freeze up in complete and utter shock. According to this, he did own a shop/recrutement business, but his name wasn't Kisuke Urahara. It was Thomas Calvert.
Hehehe, I almost feel guilty for leaving it there, but oh well. Yeah, I originally planned for Coil to end up getting smacked down by Urahara and his group, but then I decided to go completely AU and turn Coil from Bond Villain to eccentric sweet shop owner who could probably solo Lung, Oni Lee and Bakuda, along with most of the E88 Capes if he so desired. Yes, this does mean that Coil won't be an antagonist, mainly because he doesn't exist.
Yes, this does mean that there will be other Bleach characters making an appearance, but I'm limiting myself to characters who either died or whos fate is left open and never confirmed. Tessai is the exception since he just used Kido to find his dead boss and joined up with him again.
I admit, I'm kinda tempted to turn Amy into Unohana, if only so I can flip the script and have her terrify the crap out of people instead of Glory Girl, but that would probably be a tad to far. I probably will have her make an appearance though. Possibly as Amy's mentor at the hospital...
I'm probably going to get some flack for this...eh, its a crossover, I can do what I like!
Right, and now I'm done. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!