A/N To be honest I didn't plan for what happens in this chapter but it just seemed right for the plot in the long term.

Episode: Despair III

Nel grabs my blade before it penetrates Nnoitra the traitor's temple.

"What did you do that for?" I yell agitated.

"That's my line!" She retorts. "We cannot allow one of our kind to die needlessly."

"But you said he murdered all these hollow." I protest but she remains composed.

"You must understand Banzai that if we allow one of the Espada to perish we lose ten percent of our strength."

"But he abandoned us when we were fighting Zommari, I still fail to see the logic in preserving his worthless life. Besides he may one day turn against us – he may even try to kill one of us."

"I will not allow him to harm you or any other Arrancar...Now please calm down, your acting as savage as he does."

"What the hell...why did you save my life?" Nnoitra begins to wake up. I begin to walk away. I refuse to associate with brutes such as himself.

"Where are you going Banzai.?" Shrieker pursues me. "As my Fraccion I order you to return this instant."

"What happened to you Shrieker...You've changed." I shake my head before retreating into the darkness. However he Sonidoes in front of my path.

"Please don't make me use force Banzai..." He grits his teeth and speaks in a deep tone. "Now rejoin our group or else..."

"So you're gonna kill me eh? If I didn't offer you that Vasto Lorde you wouldn't even be in the Espada." I shove him aside and continue to walk away.

CLING. He dares draw blades against me? So he has betrayed us as well.

"I should have known not to trust you Shrieker, after all you sent Grand Fisher to kill me when you became a Gillian. In should have eliminated you when I had the chance." I throw him back with my sword but he has superior strength.

"Grr...I should have stopped you when I had the chance too." He slides off my blade and I knee his gut. He doesn't flinch and trips me over with a sweeping kick. His sword stabs the ground as I roll to the side. I throw some dirt in his eyes and run back to perform a cero. He swats the blast away with his hand. His hierro must be strong so I'll need to be more cunning.

"HAH!" Shrieker cannot block an array of razorwires. As they wrap and curl around his body they generate brilliant sparks. He has mastered his hierro. I straighten the wires into barbs but this time he blacks with his sword.

"So you're blocking now as a precaution. I can cut you now!" I rake my blade across his lower body but it only scratches the surface. He ducks out of the way of another attack then comes in close quarters, barging at my side. The hierro body makes it feel like I'm hit by a warriors hammer. I'm back on the defensive as I block his sword from coming down on my throat. I wrap the razorwire around his sword and try to throw it aside. I find some space and kick him back so I can stand up and recover my stance. He returns for another strike but I weave out of the way. With his arm stretched I can take the opening.

"GRAAAGGGHHH MY ARM!" He curses at his missing limb as blood spurts out furiously. "You will pay for that. He places the flat of his blade between his teeth and bites down on the sword calling out the command "SWARM...GRILLO"

I fall back as he is surrounded by a strong whirlwind. Large insect wings grow across his back and spiked barbs run along his arms and legs. His mask changes to form a pair of mandibles along his mouth. Thick black hide grows along his back and across his chest.

"SEEK...JUSTO CASTIGO." I try to resurrect but my body doesn't change.

Shit I used up all of my energy fighting Ashido.

"Oh my this will be easier than crushing an insect." He cackles. I'm drawn to his taunt and charge blindly with my sword raised. He strides to the right and throws a strangle little critter on my shoulderblade. Shrieker then clicks his tongue against the side of his mandibles which triggers an explosion – the leach-like creature detonates on my shoulder obliterating most of my left arm.

"UWAHHH!" I yelp in tremendous pain as my arm is ripped away from it's few remaining threads. He throws another leech bomb at my right leg. The leech blows off a portion of my leg below the knee.

"Why aren't you regenerating?" He says in a demonic tone. He has definitely changed. To think his group of hollow rescued me and now to betray me a second time. "I see so you've expelled your reiatsu in your fight with Ashido."

He throws a third leech on my left thigh. I am defenceless now. "Please just kill me and end the humiliation."

"That would not be like me though would it..." He states. "Did I ever tell you I was a serial killer in my past life?"

"What...?" I say weakly.

"That's right, torturing my victims was my favourite pastime. I can't believe have tried to hide my true nature for so long...You will fulfil my desires." Shrieker has rapidly transformed into a complete psychopath. I should have known he was only gaining my trust so he could one day kill me to satisfy his sick pleasures. This man is calculating and deceitful, If only I could hand down his punishment, however it seems my evil deed will now be judged.

The final leech crawls to my neck wrapping it's arms around me. "I will report to Aizen that we tragically lost Banzai in a battle with the Vasto Lorde. I will gladly send back your head as proof of your demise."

"You bastard...how can you betray us like this?"

"And when I kill those other two Aizen will promote me to Primera Espada."

"You're crazy...Aizen would never allow you to kill them."

"If I convince him they're a legitimate threat then he will grant their execution at my hands."

I want to stop his plans but I am in no position to dictate what happens next. "Of course it doesn't make a difference whether I tell you all of this as you are about to die...goodbye Banzai Benendes."

As he rolls his tongue to trigger the detonation he pauses. A thick white hand protrudes from his open mouth. The hand squeezes his tongue and rips it off, blood spews from his mouth as he dies a painful (and somewhat ironic) death.

"Thank you so much for saving me..." I am almost grateful until I recognise the creature that saved me. As the Vasto Lorde begins devouring Shrieker's head I cower in fear. "K-K-Kurosaki Ichigo..."

Saved by the Substitute - or so it seems...Am I next on the menu? Don't miss the next thrilling chapter!