Episode 11: Substitute III

The human has become a Shinigami instantaneously. I had no idea how these species were to be created until today. Or perhaps what I see now is a rare phenomenon. All that matter now is...How will I return to the realm of hollows?

Fishbone D knew how to manipulate the portals through Garganta; however I am yet to learn these techniques. Now that my comrade has been slain I am trapped in this strange town...caged in an arena against two potentially fatal foes.

But wait! The Shinigami woman has used up too much of her energy performing the ritual...And the boy's only a rookie Shinigami – no I don't think I can even call him that...What happened here was an oddity. He does not deserve the title of Shinigami...I should teach him a lesson.

I decide to strike while the irons hot and descend onto the urban battlefield. "Good evening..." I greet my opponent. "It seems you have somehow attained the powers of a Shinigami...I have been observing your battle and would like to pit my claws against your enlarged blade."

"Don't Ichigo..." The Shinigami woman pleads. "You can't handle two in one night.

The fiery haired boy stares daggers at me. "If you are a threat to me then I will cut you down faster than that fish stick over there." He points with his sword.

I notice my comrade's two halves are disintegrating as his body rapidly dissolves. Should I quench my thirst for souls? Or quench my thirst for battle?

If I defeat this boy I may still gain significant power. At his current level I cannot lose.

I curl my claws. "Then I am a threat to you and your family...What will you do Shinigami...substitute..." I'm really not sure how I came up with the name but he doesn't appear to be a true Shinigami to me. Firstly his sword is much larger than the typical katana they wield; and secondly...his reatsu tells me he is not quite as he seems.

"You filthy hollow...HYAH!" His swing is heavy and I easily block. "He grunts when he notices my strength and pulls back ready for another strike. This time he goes vertical but it's too shallow and I easily dodge his grossly large steel. He grits his teeth and charges for a third time...Now going for a lancing attack. I trap the blade with my claws.

"Now it's my turn..." I utter. Twisting his sword, I throw him to the ground but he manages to recover before I reach him with my fist. He leaps through the dust and comes down with his blade in both hands. He is going for my mask now. "So you think you've found my weak spot eh?" I comment as I grab him then slam his body to the ground. He spews blood as he impacts the heavy earth. Feeling confident, I laugh maniacally into the night. "MWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

He wipes the edge of his mouth. "Damn you." He resorts to erratic swings now. I weave with each violent swing with little effort as I read his every move. I'm beginning to laugh at my earlier concerns about this boy. He is pathetic...I was worried about the strength of the Shinigami's, however this boy has demonstrated that they are really just human souls with bits of steel.

"Ichigo!" I hear the girl cry out to her friend. She can do nothing but sit and watch as her friend faces defeat.

"Let's end this..." I stop his sword mid-motion and impale him with my other claw. The boy's face shows complete shock and turns pale like the full moon. I haven't used my claw extension yet but I bring them out now, I will use my hand as an organic pike, putting this poor ignorant child out of his misery.

"ICHIGO!"

"MWAHAHAHAHAHA! I was disappointed in you Kurosaki, how on earth you managed to defeat Fishbone astounds me...However I Banzai Benendes, am of a far greater power level than even a young boy like you can ever imagine..." My claws make the sound of an unsheathed sword one I manipulate them into my desired shape. "I hope you enjoyed your brief time as a Shingami Kurosaki, I'll never be granted the opportunity." I pull back my claws in the final act of this battle...if you could have called it that.

Something makes my hand feel numb...It's very numb...almost like it's been lost...In my moment of bloodlust I had misread the situation and let another person go completely undetected here. I stare at the shadowy figure which holds my piked hand.

"Damn you..." I curse to the shadow. The fiery haired Shinigami falls to the ground but he has survived this battle. Now the shadow summons a blade of his own which seemed to be sealed in a cane-like object. With the situation going against my favour I decide now's the time to retreat.

"GRAAOOWW..." I howl into the night as I leap away into the darkness.

Now that I've found refuge I study the stump that was once my left hand. Thankfully the blood has clotted around it but I will be at a disadvantage in battles from now on. To regain my strength, I must resort to petty human souls for while longer until I am capable of facing the Shinigami boy again. But who was that third man? How many of these Gods of Death must roam here? Perhaps Grand Fisher sent the two of us here for a reason.

Curse that bastard of a hollow...he knew I was a potential threat so he thought he could eliminate me by sending me here into a Shinigami concentrated area. I vow that his head will one day be mine. All of those so called 'intelligent hollows' are manipulators. They may all suffer and only I will prevail. I vow on this Earth that I will continue to survive and evolve to become a Menos.

The light of Solaris is intense. I wake up to face this damned world once more. This world I was once acquainted with is now alien to me. I feel homesick...I wish to return to my den in the forests of hollows. For now though I must seek breakfast.

Souls are less prevalent in the day. They seem to be nocturnal. I am hypothesising that souls are intertwined with ghosts. Western culture has portrayed these often insubstantial figures as ghouls with white sheets covering there body. However I now them to be my food and source of power.

I spot my morning dish, a young boy sitting on a children's playground. I remain as stealthy as possible as not to trigger a pursuit. Although I am virtually invincible in comparison, I would prefer to conserve my energy for today.

Almost there...I can't wait to eat him...

However another hollow has entered the kitchen and startled the meal. I recognise him as one of the so-called 'intelligent hollows.'

"Damn you Hexapodus!" The boy is now fleeing from Hexapodus instead of salivating in y mouth. How disappointing.

Maybe I should just go for the hollow while he is distracted. I begin pursuit of the hollow. I am keen for a nutritional meal of hollow.

I snatch two of his rear legs, digesting them in a matter of seconds. He is unfazed by my rear attack and seems intent on eating the child.

Alas it seems another of the Shinigami has intervened. I can only assume it was one of them who have cut down this hollow before me.

Hollow blood shields the Shinigami from view but slowly his image is revealed.

"Not you again..." I curse to the fiery-haired substitute. "...Kurosaki..."

It's time for round two...Shingami substitute...The last battle was mine for the taking, you will not get away from this one...Who do you think will emerge alive? Find out in the next chapter!