Chapter 3: The Hunt

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its relating material. All rights go to Tite Kubo and other official holders.

In a dark corner of the cosmos where no hollow dares to venture to, a massive tree stood out among a sea of dead branches. It embodied the decayed environment surrounding it, appearing to the epitome of withered anatomy. No complex life could be seen for miles on end around the base, yet a lone being rested at the apex of this haunting structure. It was silent, observing nothing yet everything like an alpha predator would at its own kingdom.

At last, he was finally the master of it own existence. It was contempt with life, finding peace in this war-torn arena. It has amassed so much power that little can stand in it way. And no matter what it takes, it will fight to preserve this new status quo. That it ambition.

Pzzz!

Hearing a static boom sound, the entity turned it head to see three beings on a nearby branch. It was surprising to the entity, quickly rising to its feet.

"It appears we have found the Vasto Lorde Commander Tosen." Stated Zommari, folding his arms behind his back.

"Yes, we indeed have." Stated Tosen, remaining motionless before the evolved hollow. It was a lithe entity comparable to the stature of a human child. It was surprisingly muscular, being of mostly white coloration though the chest was blue. Its mask covered everything besides the eyes, and a small hole was in the back to allow small tufts of blonde hair to penetrate through. Overall, it contained considerable power that would serve Lord Aizen wonderfully.

"…Fiends."

"Oh. So, it can talk." Said Gantenbainne, sensing the hostility from it. Slowly a pinkish-blue aura surrounded it, creating a small vacuum breeze around the branches. The Vasto Lorde felt threatened and wasn't going to allow these creatures to get in its way.

"Zommari, handle this." Said Tosen, folding his arms while silently measuring the beast's power before him. So far after studying it initial level, perhaps only one arrancar would suffice. No need to display any extra power if it won't be necessary.

"As you wish."

Quickly using sonido, Zommari appeared before the Vasto Lorde, arms still folded behind his back. Staring straight in its eyes, Zommari cleared his throat before getting into a battle stance.

"Fear not young one, your pain will be brief. This won't take long."

Using a quick burst of sonido, Zommari threw a mighty punch aiming straight to its right temple. Quickly lifting a forearm, it blocked the strike that caused a large explosion. The power behind the strike was unbelievable, a perfect showcase to the raw strength the Septima Espada wielded.

As the entire branch fell from its original position, Tosen and Gantenbainne simply manipulated the reishi molecules to remain airborne. They were largely unaffected by the level of power that raced to them. And from the look of things, the Vasto Lorde was no where close from being bested from that attack. That good since Aizen looks for toughness beyond all else among his soldiers.

Coming out from the smoke cloud, the Vasto Lorde soared back as Zommari raced towards it. Getting in striking range, Zommari threw several punches at frightening speeds. Yet thanks to being more in tuned with instinct, the Vasto Lorde managed to evade or parry them with its own strikes. Seeing an opening, the Vasto Lorde twisted it body to Zommari's right before launching a kick to his face. Making a cross block, Zommari blocked it as he flew back a few distances. The arrancar lowered his arms, impressed with the power behind that kick.

"Tch, not bad."

Seeing the Vasto Lorde coming towards him, Zommari intercepted it punch by grabbing it wrists. Quickly spinning in place, Zommari released him that made the Vasto Lorde implant against the tree's massive trunk. Quickly flying down to deliver a devastating flying kick, to Zommari's shock the mouth guard on the Vasto Lorde opened like it was a Yautja from a predator film. Revealing a sinister frown, it instantly created a pinkish ball of energy before releasing it.

Boom!

Exploding in a violent manner, the entire tree crumbled in a heated pile of smoke since the midsection was utterly obliterated. Panting, the Vasto Lorde closed it mask while surveying the damage. But to its dismay a figure could be seen in the smoke.

"Impressive. A cero of that much power would do our forces justice if you joined."

Emerging, Zommari was completely shirtless with small patches of burns and blood marks on his body. But thanks to hierro, the damage was moderate at best. He could easily tank dozens of those and not be in any real danger. And to most natural level menos, a cero was it most powerful attack. No need to use Brujeria to snatch a win.

Hissing in frustration, the Vasto Lorde released a mighty aura, accessing the total zenith of it power. It refused to lose, not after going through years of combat to become top dog. And out from it back, eight arms materialized that was covered in its own blood.

"Oh man, this little guy is impressive. You think Sir Zommari could handle this?" Asked Gantenbainne to Commander Tosen. If he was fighting, he was confident he would be in far worse shape than the Septima Espada would be in.

"Yes. Zommari is in fact stronger than the Vasto Lorde in his current form. However, he will need to be vigilant or he could still lose. We will continue to observe in the meantime."

"Yes sir."

Commander Tosen, for whatever reason felt connected to the beast fighting against Zommari. It like he could read it emotions. He knew that it was scared and angered to be challenged in this manner. It was almost perplexing yet humbling to the ex-captain of the ninth division.

Cracking his neck, Zommari got into a martial arts stance and waited on the Vasto Lorde to approach him. His muscles bulged from the tension, veins throbbed across his well-conditioned chest. And with his yellow eyes staring into the purple veils of the Vasto Lorde, both disappeared simultaneously in a burst of high-speed. Appearing many feet in the air, they collided that created seismic vibrations in the sky of the underground forest. Using all twelve limbs, the Vasto Lorde threw everything it could to gain a decisive victory on the arrancar. Yet Zommari was slightly faster, being able to duck, dodge, parry, jump, and repel any strike thrown at him. Every attack that missed released a small vacuum slice that cut through the air several feet away from it, a testament to the amount of power the Vasto Lorde was releasing. But it was undisciplined, losing energy faster than what it was recovering. Each minute that passed made it get slower, something Zommari was picking up as time went on. Dodging a nasty right hook, Zommari dive bombed underneath the Vasto Lorde before coming up and delivering a mean uppercut. It connected, sending the creature soaring above. Using his left hands middle and index finger, he swiped some blood from his person before spreading said hand out. Quickly a pink ball was generated before turning into a massive yellow sphere. Bio-electricity raced out as the sky became a bit darker from it sheer power. It was an Espada's ultimate technique that is granted upon joining the elites.

Gantenbainne braced for impact as Tosen maintained his posture, not once fearing for his safety. The battle will be decided in the upcoming moments.

Stopping it ascent, the Vasto Lorde cried in fury before flying down to hack the arrancar in pieces. It was tired of this charade and it was time to end it.

Zommari never blinked, collecting enough power to do his job.

"Gran Rey Cero."

Firing a supreme golden sphere of terrifying might, it roared as it chased after it prey. On a collision course to it death, the Vasto Lorde gritted it teeth before doing the unthinkable. All eight of it created arms released a cero, firing behind to fly down even faster like a supercharged jet. Dodging the Gran Rey Cero at an absolute nano inch by swerving in time, it was upon the shocked Septima Espada.

Boom!

When the blast exploded that created unnatural phenomenon's like dust devils to race across the ground, the Vasto Lorde began to wail on the arrancar like it was a sandbag. Seeing blood flying out, he thrusted four fingers in Zommari's throat before swiping his hand to the left like it was a sword. Eyes rolling back, Zommari fell to his death as the Vasto Lorde roared in triumph. It has bested the greatest foe to ever challenge it. It was once again back on the top, and its dominance couldn't be challenged.

Laughing softly now, the Vasto lorde noticed two beings below it. How could it forget, the humanoid had friends he brought along? It will kill them too to make sure that it couldn't be challenged by their peon abilities.

But before it could even think another thought, a sword penetrated through his collar bone. Coughing blood through its mask, the Vasto Lorde was barely able to turn its head around. And to it shock, it was the very same person he had just killed, alive and well.

Violently yanking his blade down, half of the Vasto Lorde body was gone. Falling from the greater Heavens, it crashed in a slumped crater, barely conscious at this point. Zommari landed at the top of the crater, sheathing Brujeria before folding his arms. He was looking down on the Vasto Lorde and proud of his achievement.

"Well done Septima Espada, Zommari Rureaux. I knew you were perfect for the job." Said Tosen, materializing next to his subordinate. Since he never unfolded his arms since the onset of this fight, he and Zommari had the same posture.

"Thank you, Commander."

"Man, that was incredible. How did you pull that death reversal card?" Asked Gantenbainne, flying down slowly and amazed at how Zommari came back from the dead. He was killed right before his eyes and is now good as new.

"I used one of my original techniques. It called Gemelos Sonido, and it produces a quasi-clone born from hyper speed that it can even give the impression of it bleeding. The Vasto Lorde only attacked that, not knowing I was long gone from that spot. That was created the opening to make this occasion."

"Unreal."

"WAAAAAAAHHHHHAAA!"

Hearing a pained cry, all three arrancars saw the Vasto Lorde trying to climb out from it coffin. Regeneration was trying to restore it broken body, but it was so drained that the effects were painfully slow. And unbecoming of it, but tears stung the corners of it eyes. It wanted to live, not die like all the other hollows that exist in this dimension.

"Poor thing. It in so much pain that it trying to do anything to live. I cannot blame it. The aspect of death is terrifying to those that are alive." Stated Zommari, almost wishing to put it out of its misery to spare him from its painful wails.

"Leve it to me." Said Tosen, unfolding his arms while walking down the crater. Hand going to his zanpakuto, he unsheathed Suzumushi in one fluid motion. Sensing an adversary preparing to take it life, the Vasto Lorde turned around and got into the best defensive position it could muster. It could see his reflection from Suzumushi, scared that it can die at any moment.

Feelings that was reciprocated in Tosen's heart.

"You fought well, young Vasto Lorde. But starting today, your autonomy will be stripped in favor of serving the true lord of this dimension. Rest assure, your pain will end momentarily."

Before the Vasto Lorde out of fright opened it mouth to release one final cero that might potentially kill itself, Tosen quickly chanted "Cry" before saying Suzumushi's name.

An indescribable high-pitch frequency was emitted that made the victim see the caster in a negative filter format. When the sound hit him, all his senses were overloaded before his head leaned back, unconscious to the entire world.

"Mission accomplished."

Sheathing his zanpakuto, a lone tear rolled down Tosen's face before wiping it away. The Vasto Lorde now appeared to be at peace, falling into a coma-like sleep.

"Gantenbainne, pick him up gently. I will prepare the signal to have us return to the fortress."

"Yes sire."

Walking out of the crater as Gantenbainne did what he was told, Tosen walked pass Zommari to make space between them all. Taking one deep breath, Tosen concentrated before releasing a massive veil of power that skyrocketed to the Heavens. It penetrated the immense soil that consisted the uppermost sky of the Menos Forest before breaking through the true top of Hueco Mundo terrestrial grounds. Arrancars on standby saw and sensed Commander Tosen power, preparing the domesticated Gillians to retrieve them.

Knowing the signal was retrieved, Tosen powered down before looking at his team. Zommari still looked like a boss as the Vasto lorde was peacefully in Gantenbainne's arms. Smiling briefly at their accomplishment, three golden pillars hit each member. It was Negacion, the same power that got them inside the Forest to begin with. Rolling his head back, Tosen unconsciously spread his arms out before all of them risen to the sky.

Their work was done for today.