Warnings for fight scene and descriptions of a bug-like Hollow.


'So many Hollows at once! What's drawing them? They might attack innocent spirits or people at any moment!'

Scott ran through the town. It was strangely deserted but as he ran he finally found the owner of the voice that called for help. It was the kid who had died in the accident, the one he'd been defending long ago against the skateboarders, long before he met Kayo.

As the child ran up towards him it suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at the rooftops. To Scott's horror an insect-like leg appeared. And then another. Finally a face much like the Hollow he had killed appeared.

This Hollow looked like a giant bug. Six long limbs supported it. It still had a hole in its chest like Fishbone had. It roared at them.

Scott made to rush forward. He had to protect this child! But Kayo's voice held him – if only for a moment.

'Come back! You have to protect ALL people and spirits, not just him!'

'What?!'

'Reapers treat all spirits and people equally'

Scott watched as the Hollow leapt from the rooftops to land behind the boy, scuttling after him quickly.

'Before you save him you must take the Reaper's Oath.'

But the child was out of time, falling to the ground as the Hollow caught up to him.

'Screw your oath!'

And with that Scott flew into action, throwing his scabbard at Kayo.

The terrified child turned over as the Hollow towered over him, but before he could blink Scott was there, Zanpakuto drawn and ready to use. As the Hollow went to bite down he struck it squarely across the face, the blow causing the Hollow to stumble backwards.

It retaliated by swiping at Scott with a leg he narrowly missed as Kayo ran forward and pulled the child away.

A slice and that front leg was quickly withdrawn. The Hollow attempted to skewer him several times, but it kept missing, sword blows keeping it moving.

'I am not so noble that I wouldn't risk my life for a stranger, nor so low that I wouldn't come to the aid of someone in danger! We're not called International Rescue for nothing!'

He rushed the Hollow, sliding underneath it, but the monster was quick to move before he could even attempt to slash it.

Scott danced in and out of reach, the Hollow's legs never too far away from pinning him. He'd never say, but he was actually enjoying the challenge. This was far harder than Fishbone had been. Eventually the Hollow skittered backwards and Scott faced him, unable to wipe the smile off his face.

'Is that all you got?'

They charged at each other, Scott getting in another glancing blow to the face and once more dodging legs.

It was too good to last. With a lightning quick thrust one of the legs caught Scott, throwing him to the ground, and he skidded several feet away. Before he could get his breath back the Hollow was standing over him.

'Watch out!'

Kayo's cry prompted him to try to roll to one side, but before he'd even slightly turned the Hollow let out an unearthly screech and disintegrated.

As the air cleared the Soul Reaper from yesterday stood before Scott, sword in hand. Kayo started.

'Wayne!'

But Wayne ignored her, speeding over to Scott with his Zanpakuto almost touching Scott's forehead before anyone could react. He glanced at Kayo as he spoke.

'How slow you are!'

Scott didn't like the look he was giving Kayo and sprang into action, but Wayne was too fast for him, easily deflecting his sword and throwing Scott against a tree, leaving him coughing for breath and stretching for his sword which had fallen just out of reach.

Wayne walked over and stood on Scott's wrist.

'You shouldn't mess with Reapers.'

And with that the Reaper kicked Scott in the face, sending him tumbling across the ground onto his back.