Suddenly the Grand Fisher's tendrils crashed through the glass on both sides of the bus, just in front of Scott. It was all he could do to swing Zangetsu from side to side, hacking at them in the cramped confines of the bus.

All the while the Hollow was whispering on the wind, not that Scott could hear him or was paying him any attention.

And then Scott had to duck down from a fast overhead, and before he knew it both hands were caught tight. And the Hollow roared as it shot more tendrils in, grabbing both ankles and lifting Scott so he was now horizontal in the air.

It roared with satisfaction as again it shot more tendrils into the bus, crushing the shell slightly and lifting it into the air, turning the bus over and over as it did so.

On the ground Kayo and Conrad stared in horror. Conrad was clutching his arm where the Grand Fisher had thrown him aside.

'SCOTT!'

But Kayo's cry remained unanswered. She looked to Conrad, watching as the Quincy pulled out his bow and pulled back an arrow, wincing in pain as he did so. She ran a few steps closer to him and shouted instructions.

'Aim for its forehead!'

Conrad glanced at her once before slightly adjusting his aim. As if the Hollow knew what he was doing it moved the bus in between the Quincy and itself, but Conrad's aim was true. He shot through the bus, the arrow embedding itself into the Hollow's eye.

But neither Conrad or Kayo could see the hit, and while Conrad wondered if he had missed the Hollow began to bend the bus in half, crushing it even more.

And with a roar and an explosion of debris the bus was torn in half.

Kayo flinched back. Where was Scott? He was nowhere to be seen, and for a sickening moment she thought he must also have been torn in two.

Glancing up at the Grand Fisher, watching it roaring at the sky, a sudden movement from one of the pieces of debris caught her eye.

Riding part of the side of the bus, high up in the air, stood Scott, Zangetsu at the ready. He bent his knees and took a flying leap. As he did so he grabbed his sword in both hands, ready for a downward thrust.

With a gasp Kayo watched almost in slow motion as the scene played out.

Scott plunged downwards, Zangetsu ready, but his mind was recalling the last conversation he had had with his Mom.

'So I can protect you.' He'd failed to keep that promise, had almost failed to protect his brothers too, but no more. This time he would end it!

Zangetsu plunged deep into the Grand Fisher's forehead, right between his eyes. As the Hollow screamed Scott joined him, yelling with all his might as he twisted his sword before pulling it free and leaping for safety.

The Grand Fisher continued to roar as light and blue-black smoke escaped from the hole in its' forehead. It hung there for a moment before collapsing in a heap on the ground and disappearing.

Scott, too, landed on the ground in a heap, his back against a bus being the only thing keeping him upright. He watched Kayo run towards him, followed more slowly by Conrad. He gave them a very tired smile.

'Scott! Are you alright?'

'Thank you for your help, Conrad.'

'I didn't do it for you, I did it for myself. I need you for later.'

Scott laughed weakly.

'Are you always such an ass?'