Back in the game

It was a regular day in the White Sand Desert. Dreary mostly. It gave of a nice feeling to some of the new residents of the desert, but to the ones that have lived their for over a hundred years, it was sickening. Though, Daichi did like the good life there with the Shinigami not daring to attack and they merely continued doing their lame job killing small fry hollows. If they were really strong, they would do a gutsy yet rather stupid move like attack Hueco Mundo. Unfortunately, attacks like that never went as planned. It always failed or something like that. A small bumpy line appeared in the middle of air. Soon, it appeared as teeth and it opened with an awful noise. Jumping out of it and landed on the soft sand as Dude sank into the sand until it went to his ankles. Jumping again and landing on a boulder, he felt hot. After being used to the climate of Antarctica, it was so hot here. He felt like he was burning.

Ripping off his shirt, it reminded him of the coffee burn on his awesome tongue. Sighing, he started walking gracefully on the hard parts of the sand and didn't sink totally. He really needed to do something else. Making a mental note to have some of the lowly Arrancars install an air conditioning system, he continued his handsome stride through the desert sweating so much that he left a wet trail behind him as he walked awesomely. Maybe visit the Menos Forest? In the old days, that place was fun. Filled with lost Shinigami which lurked through out the den of hollows in which Daichi toyed with. It wasn't like him to have so much free time, I mean... He only has two days off, and it wasn't like when he was a Fraccion. That was true. He wasn't treated like shit, but was feared. Only Shinigami were foolish or ignorant enough to treat him like that.

He enjoyed the good days trying to fight a lot of them shinigami in the realm of the living, but they never sent any Lieutenants or Captains anymore. That was truly boring. Raising the reiatsu which he restrained and causing the sand to form a whole around him for a couple of seconds until he reverted it back to its normal restrained way. Whistling like a jackass since he recently learned the technique to whistle.

As a strong reiatsu approached, Daichi immediately drew his blade from the sheath on the left side of his waist as the being suddenly came into view. Wearing Espada clothing yet not being an Espada. What was he? His reiatsu was strong and plausible, but still... As a being of power, the Espada must have him. At least, that was what Hunter learned through his days leading the Espada. Of course, he had strong people already, but he needed all the man-power or demon-power he could muster up if he were to go into battle against the other races. A sound was made and it was Sonido. Dude easily followed it with his eyes and knew he was going from behind and just reacted by raising his blade and made it as if it was normal. It started above the right side of his head, but it was a little bit behind as it continued straight behind his head, and it was only five inches apart. The blades clashed as the person disappeared again.

A successful block, but nevertheless tiresome. Sometimes, he really just wished to get cut up, but he had this thing take over him to block since it seems some part in his body didn't want to succumb to the laziness. As one of the laziest people ever to enter the higher ranks, he was awesome. Shaking his head, he said in a low, but loud voice " Tsk, why must everyone attack me when they first see me? Well, after reviewing what you said... You are correct. I am one of 'them' and I'm actually their leader. You're probably that reiatsu I've been feeling in the back of my head for sometime now, aren't you? The name is Daichi, friend." scratching his black handsome hair, he still grasped the hilt of his blade tightly. Taking his left hand and grabbing his sheath and putting his sword back inside, he didn't put it back in its place. He simply laid it on the right side of his shoulder, sheathed.

He didn't feel that he was in any immediate danger, but he knew he should watch out for these types. Attacking him like that, he wanted to make some sand blow up in this person's face, but that probably wasn't what this man wanted. It seems he wished to talk about something. Reviewing the events which occurred, he remembered some things, but flat out forgot the entire thing soon enough. Suddenly having the urge to drink coffee again, why?

Stradat stood there on the soft, yet elegantly placed sand of the desert. He didn't question, nor dare to wonder, if it was natural as in the world the humans could see. He wasn't a very mythical kind of guy either, so he wouldn't believe in "Gods," or any fruit-loop kind of theory. Somebody made it appear; they just don't know who, or what this person was. It could've been a Vizard, or some nonsense; he didn't care what. It just intrigued him of all the things he didn't, and probably would never, know. He looked out, seeing figures out there; he could feel the reiatsu. Both were pretty decent; though, one of them was probably the strongest he's ever felt.

"What the yebut is going on?" He asked himself. He moved closer, attempting to duck into the sand if he had to. They'd sense his spiritual energy anyways; it wouldn't matter if he fought back. They have more than enough to kick his butt alone, without teamwork even required. With barely any work, they could have sand shoved down his throat, or their Zanpakuto-form cutting through his neck. He wasn't that strong yet; as he got closer, he could see they were Arrancars, obviously. They were no rare, strong plain-old hollows. They were Arrancar; he perceived at least one to be an Espada, but wasn't too sure. If he had more time, he could've clarified both their status', as far as being an Espada or not.

The young man noticed a small reiatsu close-by. He could easily crush this reiatsu with a tiny bit of his own, but it seems this person was interested. Seeing cards in his hands, the Espada known as Daichi said " It's funny that you like cards, mate. I myself like them as well." a card appeared on the palm of his open left hand as it glowed with a purple reiatsu. It seems this person wanted Dude to prove himself. Of course, he could, but that would be troublesome. Then back to the point of the leader thing. The man opened his mouth and said " It is true. I am not the leader type. In fact, I dislike having to have anyone under my rule whom do not totally trust me. As Arrancars, we do not trust each other entirely. However, I am the strongest of them and as such, I must be the leader. It may be convenient for myself, but life's tough. That was decided many years ago when the world began, my Jackal friend." it had been awhile since he talked like that.

As a person who disliked having to associate with his subordinates, he didn't have the need to talk much. All he needed to say could be summed up in two words. Attack and Defend. It was understandable, but yes. The Jackal was correct that Daichi wasn't the leadership type. All he was was just an unfortunate person that was dragged into this because of his want to destroy a certain person. It should've stopped there, but he continued rising through the ranks of the Espada. His strength seemed unlimited, but he knew there would always be someone stronger. Someone smarter or someone wiser. It was the cycle of life. Everyone loses.

The weak reiatsu spoke as he said something like yebut. Sounded Russian by Hunter's calculations. How did he know? Simple, he liked Russia since it was cold as well. Though it had been a couple of decades or so since he had spent his time there. A man called something Stalin was ruling over it at the time. Dwelling on the past all of the sudden, he snapped back into reality and said to the arrancar " Ey, young friend. What brings you 'round this place? Didn't you hear? There are rapists lurking around." nodding at that, he put his resurreccion on his back where it belonged and used the cloth to keep it there. Looking like all awesome-like, he forgot that he ripped his last sleeveless shirt. The Sexta Espada who was in charge of his dry cleaning and supply of clothes was still cleaning them. Dammit all to hell.

Stradat looked onwards as he slowly walked forwards, hearing the words of Hunter, grinning; he responded smartly as their eyes met: "Yes, Comrade-I'm staring right at one." He sighed, beginning to ignore the rest of the conversation, but decided to answer it. "One - you yebut-face, I can hear everything you're saying about me, you know that, doncha'? And two, I don't want to talk about it. Very... Grave things in life comrade; mother can be a cruel mistress. What's all this than?" He questioned. He crossed his arms, staying in his spot; he watched over them.

"Sad to say comrade, but I don't follow just anyone," he said with a cocked-eye. He was no sell out, nor weak bufoon. He needed someone he knew was strong enough to teach, and train him well. He wouldn't take a poser, which he was starting to believe "The Jackal" was.

Let's get ready to rumble. As of now, their surroundings was a battle ground. Was it just a friendly spar? Or a real battle? It seemed this person was a bit crazy, but he really had some scary reiatsu. As the Cero Espada, it shouldn't phase him, but he always paid close attention to all kinds of reiatsu. Scratching the back of his head with his left hand, he said " Huh, no chance for you to just join the ranks eh? Then so be it." his voice sounded grim as he spoke the last sentence and his reiatsu went through the charts. The sand seemed to stir as he appeared about three feet away from the man standing on air it seemed. Daichi quickly forwarded reiatsu to his left hand as a card appeared in mid-air as he grabbed it with his left hand, pulling his left arm back, and releasing it quickly toward the man who's reiatsu started raising.

You could say he was a gambling man indeed. Heck, it was a big gamble using his innate ability only. Reiatsu swirled around his left hand as he held the hilt of his blade even tighter and swung it down from his right shoulder to point at the man known as Jackal so strongly that the sheath of the blade went flying towards him. Daichi had released five cards in all since the beginning of this battle, but reiatsu was still gathering at his hands. A mid-air battle would be inconvenient for him. Seeing as how he only had cards as his weapon, but if they were fighting on the sand, everything would be his weapon.

Raising his reiatsu even more enough to make the weak person go down on his knees, but this game of threatening reiatsu was a bit boring. The man already knew that The Jackal wasn't one for boring games, he was one for gambling games with lives on the line instead of money. Even if his life was on the line as well. A true addicted gambler indeed. Smirking deviously, he said " It's been a while since I've had a good battle." chuckling a little at the end. He waited for the actions of his opponent.

The assertive Russian, Stradat, had been forced to his knees due to the high power of reiatsu exerted onto his weak-body. He kept his head up, giving a smirk; he wouldn't let himself be dominated that easily. Those zhopys... humph, I bow to no creature, He thought to himself; however, he couldn't help but throw up. He spit up some liquids, most likely from his stomach; he felt a sick taste in his mouth after-wards. He would attempt to grab his Resurrecion, in sword form, given the ability to move his arms. He'd have to go into his resurrecion form if this went on to kill him; if not, he could be seriously hurt. "Servitude? Define that, comrades. Where I come from, I'm sure is a much bigger defining of servitude than what you all know of. So, what... do you mean? Like a servant, butler, assistant... student, of sorts. Can you answer that, my superiors?" He said with an accent. He wanted to know the terms of what he could be getting himself into. He would say the release words to up his reiatsu if struck by an attack, or if his opponents make their beginning resurrecion activation. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to imagine the consequences of taking on such strong opponents. Wait, no? He didn't take them on; they decided to pull him into it. How a bother.

((Lolz, you both missed it, in any case, let us proceed))

IC:

The Cero(Zero) that was summoned was in fact embraced by the leader of the Espada. The Espada and the order of Las Noches was nothing more than a fancy covenant. The Zero of a spiritual nature was one of the Arrancar's most basic techniques. In this case Zero and Cero are the same thing, a red blast of energy collided with Daichi, a rather powerful blast that sent the man flying across the sand. The Cero ripped apart most of the top layer to his clothing. It shook Daichi up, roughing up the leader just to prove a point. The man suffered burns and found himself panting as the smoke began to clear from the explosion of the Cero. Daichi wasn't dead, in fact he wasn't close to being dead, luckily for him, Lucius held back a little. In most cases a Cero from the Jackal was nothing more than a one time deal. One hit and you are dead. That didn't matter at all, the one with the funny accent was also sent flying, struck down by several Balas that sunk into his chest. Causing damage, yet nothing substantial or life threatening. The man with the strange accent was now on the ground, struggling to withstand the Reiatsu of Lucius and Daichi. The leader now had a point to prove. The Jackal ignored the words of the man with the strange accent so far. Thats a question the Jackal will answer at some point but not now.

"I told ya before, you don't come across as the leader type. Hence why joining you will not come easy for me, you will need to prove your worth. The Espada in Las Noches may all know of your power, but I don't, so show it to me or perish". Daichi at this point was given an ultimatum, fight back or die. The choice was his and the leader seem to be up to the task at the moment. The Espada's spiritual pressure had increased drastically and within moments, the man was up high in the air with Lucius. The Jackal was already expecting this and so as the man made his move, the Jackal also made his. Shifting to the right a little, the cards went sailing by the Jackal., so far so good he had received no harm from them. The Jackal also made sure that these cards was of no threat to him, since they were at least a good 25 feet away from him. Daichi's left arm is one hell of a throwing arm, and much to the pleasure of the Jackal. Daichi had opted to throw cards in the direction of the Jackal, though nothing appeared to have happened at this point. Daichi didn't hold off on attacking at all. No, the man was far more invigorated and ready for battle. This made the Jackal rather excited about the whole event. Perhaps death wouldn't befall anyone of them. Merely fun, a bit of sweat and some blood will be the main factors.

The sheathe of the weapon that was sent flying towards Lucius was knocked away. Parried and was also no longer a threat, now that it wasn't even in a radius of ten feet around him.
"You are right about one thing, it has been a while since I felt like letting loose. By my reckoning, should we raise our reiatsu levels any higher, the young one my keel over and die. Thats a bet I am willing to make, though, going into Ressureccion may be the best thing for him. I think you should do the same too". The Jackal held his swords in a defensive manner, while still poised for an attack. This little meeting might just escalate into something more than what he was expecting.

Panting a little bit, Daichi was struck by a Cero. It packed a punch, but his reiatsu and hierro dampened some of the blast. The clothes on his back were torn as he smirked panting a tiny bit more. Disappearing in a blur and appearing about exactly two feet in front of Jackal, his Cero was ready. His left hand raised and he released an awesome Cero. So awesome that he was pushed back from the release and he jumped back leaving the distance between them exactly six feet.

He spoke again " You really surprise me, partner.... Bankai!!" a surge in his reiatsu increasing tenfold. His reiatsu swirled around his face as his hollow mask formed. Black and white with blue and red eyes. His voice sounded different and his breathing was muffled through the mask. After a little while, the panting stopped and his hands were different as well. Covered in the fragments of his hollow mask, it seemed like they were white claws. His hair had grown greatly and his reiatsu really was epic. Anyone would be surprised or intrigued at hearing Bankai spoken by an Arrancar.

His release phrase was odd, but it wasn't like he chose it. It wasn't like he chose his abilities and chose that release phrase to be funny and fuck with people. Who would do that? His blade was covered in black and at this point, if the weak Arrancar hadn't released his resurreccion yet, he would die from the impressive reiatsu. The man said " I behold... Sombra Muerte." chuckling at the end. Daichi added " Let's begin the schooling." laughing like a maniac, he disappeared in a blur appearing at the right of the man about two feet away pointing his black blade at him as it started to extend at great speeds. Aimed at the neck of the man.

After hearing the words of his attacker, he had spoke to himself; he pronounced his resurrecion. His reiatsu had grew in this released state; his entire body had now changed. His skin turned into scales; that of a snake to be exact. His head turned a bit larger; it was now shaped as a snakes head. He had a tail in his rear, and large claws. His resurrecion form came from a Snake, so it wasn't surprising that he took a homogeneous/Reptilian form. He stood up slowly as the transformation happened quite quick. His Russian tongue sped as it came on: "Drugu, moĭ dolzhny byt yediny. Registratsiya v ruki, i vmeste Sovet·skogo imyeet pryeimushchestvennuyu silu." As he got up, he wiped himself clean of any dust or sand from the impact of the explosion; this became quite annoying to deal with. He had a plan; he would let the men do their thing. They might come after him; though, his plan might work. He just wondered upon their reiatsu sensing abilities. However, the massive reiatsu in the area could cloud their senses due to the crap loads in this area. He simply held his hands into a fist, preparing to hold off an attacker. He could do a certain attack with little time, but waited for those two to finish.

[ I'm gonna assume that you went to the left since you didn't specify. I might be wrong, but correct me. ]

The Hunter instinctively started moving to the left at great speeds since dodging with his blade still extended he kept going until he reached around three feet away from The Jackal, and Daichi stopped causing a somewhat effect of dust at his feet as he turned swinging and extending his blade toward the right side of the neck of Jackal which he intended to use to decapitate him. The man extended it a good yard and a half meaning if he went back, he would still get cut. After finishing his attack and supposedly connecting, Daichi made his blade go back to its normal size. This was actually exciting. A smirk was on Daichi's face seeing as how this was probably a test if he would be a strong enough leader. Well, maybe he wasn't.

Dude never thought that he was truly the strongest nor that he will always be the leader, but he just wanted to get on with this and die when he dies. It's what happened when he was alive in the realm of the living though he has no clear memory of those days, he still knows that everyone will be defeated at one point and everyone will be replaced. Finally, the Jackal friend of Hunter's underwent the transformation. He was now in his resurrected state. Smiling with his eyes somehow gleaming, Daichi thought that it was a bit extravagant, but it fit this man's persona. The blades turned into guns. A mask which you could consider as his old hollow mask, but who knows?

Daichi chuckled through the mask as he eyed the man through the holes of his mask. Asking him to make the first move? He really was a gambling man. As a gentleman, Hunter just couldn't let one attack first when he clearly wanted to gamble. What a sick habit which would lead to death if he continued. Though if he was good enough, he'd last for a good hundred or so years more going by that style. The man said through his mask " Huh. You really wanna gamble, eh? That's cool." seeing now that the other person was in his resurrected form. A wise decision, and it was also wise to just standby. This battle will drag on, and maybe all in a ten mile radius will die. Ooh, exciting.

Jumping or perhaps skipping from his place toward Jackal's position, he disappeared in a blur and a sound followed, appearing at the right of the man Hunter had his blade directed at the lower body of the man. Directed at the waist to be exact, planning to cripple him not kill him since he might need him in the near future, but it was a gamble to aim for a spot like that. His hand would get cut off if he kept it near his waist as Daichi roared like a beast that he was continuing his run toward him with his blade extending towards Jackal's waist.

The Snake looked into the horizon with a smile; things were getting interested. He'd simply wait; if the attacks got real intense, he could hide one of his own into the background. Though, being Espada, they could probably detect Reiatsu good enough to pinpoint it's location. However, he didn't like stereotypes, so whom was he to argue this? An Espada could prove this; this fight could prove it. He would tap his claws against his rough-skin, beating it gently like they were human fingernails. He was bored; this fight wouldn't be good for him. He'd die in this fight; he lose easily. He still looked at both fighters; he made sure he could have both hands up to defend against a normal attack, or notice it soon enough to dodge it on his feet. Svolochi... he thought. He keened his eyes steadily on their bodies.

[Lolz, lets rewind to the past then]

IC:

The previous attack that Daichi decided to carry on was avoided through the use of a Sonido. The Arrancar appeared where he now stood, in the same spot that he released his resurrection. Lucius also noticed something during the time of Daichi's attack. The Espada was able to extend his blade somehow, a neat little trick, one that Lucius will have to look out for. The Jackal was now patiently waiting for Daichi to make a move, it was only natural that they would step it up a notch. "My appearance here has been a gamble all along. Now let us carry on with this game". The Jackal simply stated as he prepared his weapons for an attack. Daichi made his move and appeared on the right hand side of the Jackal. And yet again that blade was aimed at him, instinctively the Jackal acknowledged and reacted to the attack. The man made a 180 turn, while the pistol in the right hand parried the blade. At the same time the pistol in his left rose quickly, and by squeezing the trigger, the Jackal released a concussive blast of sound based energy from his pistol.

The blast carried a rippling effect that moved rather swiftly. And considering the distance of three feet between the two. Daichi was in danger of getting overwhelmed by a blast of reasonable proportion in size. The blast was not like your regular tiny bullets. It was something of a much grander scale, at the moment about half the size of the Cero that Lucius fired off before. The Jackal was still expecting Daichi to somehow follow up by extending his blade. And so during this time, a pair of cards manifested from their case and hovered about the waistline of the Jackal. The cards were merely meant as a defensive measure against Daichi's attacks. A swift attack and a formidable defense was put into play. It was now the blade verses the gun, but they say the pen is often stronger than the knife. That was neither here nor there of course, since such a phrase can be used in a different context. The Jackal was ready for offense as he was for defense. What about the young warrior? At the moment he seems to be staying out of the fight.

He flexed his body, pressing to the sand with his hands as the superiors kept on fighting. He gave a strange finger gesture into the sand; he did a little trick, regardless of whether they saw it or not. Some Spirit Energy went under the sand, solidifying into multiple masses, materializing as a real creature. He smirked; his trap went to the King of Espada, who stood in their place, thinking about something. Comrade... enjoy it the Arrancar thought to himself. Their exact location was hidden due to the shit loads of Reiatsu in the area; they would be pretty damn lucky to see where it was. The sand almost insured it wouldn't be found easily, but he was unsure. The creatures eased in on the King of Espada's location, going to target his feet with no clue of what would happen. He hoped for the best with a dark, sinister smile. "Comrade-Gambler, do you really like shooting other men? It struck me as a surprise," Stradat stated. Now, his true fighting personality would come out. He was a charmer; no, he was a confusing man. He did what he could to make them crack, and lose all moral thoughts. He loved to see this; he was cruel like that.

Finally, the battle had ended. He didn't wish for this battle to continue any longer. The snake's attack failed since it sprung up during the second stage of his technique successfully defending against the technique before it reached him. Smirking, the young man said " Aye. I have been observing 'em for too long it seems. I got an open spot. Segunda Espada. Will ya accept that position, Jackal~?" eyeing the Jackal carefully. Of course, none of them put their defenses down, but none of them were attacking each other either.

Looking at the snake, Daichi said " Now, my snake friend, what's with the yebut?" taking a word which came from the mouth of the snake in order to mock him, it was a nice plan, but he chose the wrong time. Normally, he'd decapitate him, but it seems the soon to be Segunda Espada had an interest in him. Perhaps for him to be his Fraccion? A snake and a Jackal? Imagining it in his head he released a slight chuckle which faded away immediately.

[ Thank God it's over. ]

"Comrade, you dare insult me? You don't even know what that word means! If Reiatsu, meant nothing, I would burn eat your entire body whole." The Snake replied with crossed arms. He looked towards the Jackal with a curious stare; what did the Segunda have in store for him now? It interested him on what could happen now that he was going to be taken; it intrigued his head to the muscles inside him.

"Tsk, Tsk Comrade. You shouldn't wager, or else you'll lose it all on one gamble? But thats life, is it not, Comrade? And... you're threatening a dead man with death? Not to be rude, but I already died; threatening to kill me once more isn't too threatening. However, you amuse me, Comrade-Jackal. I'll train under you and so on, not follow." He crossed his arms, not planning on saying one more word to his new teacher. He didn't really care for the Cero's opinions, or orders; he was no follower. He led himself, and didn't like to follow the things of others; he had his dignity.