The Clumsy Stalker

As I'd suspected, my Arrancar state did have some semblance to my previous abilities as a hollow, allowing me access to a diluted version of them without the release of my Zanpakutō.

Effectively, each of my physical and reiatsu-based attacks and abilities were now infused by a type of lightning-reiatsu. My Cero was enhanced, its speed and destructive capabilities had increased tenfold, easily flattening chunks of the ruins left within Las Noches.

'That might cause some continuity problems…'

Las Noches was, despite its ruinous state, still an important piece of the story. The chances of the story of Hueco Mundo shifting because of my little test were likely relatively low, at least that's what I was telling myself. Something about destroying important monuments did seem a little excessive.

But, even with my concerns, I still found it rather dull. A grey, boring castle like Las Noches held zero value in my eyes, even if it was an important piece of the story.

I never held much appreciation for objects. Finding love from something inanimate always seemed so pointless to me, but as fate would have it, part of myself now resided within an object, something I now naturally had to love and protect.

'Wait… Do I have to love myself? I could just not, right? Hmm… Maybe my resurrección wouldn't work then…'

I had wanted to test my released state, but utilizing it alone, without an enemy to test it on seemed like a waste. I'd likely never find full use of its abilities unless I was in a battle to the death.

That said, it wasn't much of an issue. My immense amount of spiritual pressure was likely enough to scare someone on Grimmjow's level if I really needed to. My skills as an Arrancar—Cero, Sonido, Hierro, and now pesquisa, had all been improved due to my evolution. I was now somewhat confident in my powers.

"That reminds me… I've been meaning to test this…"

With my katana unsheathed, I slid my index finger along its lilac-edge and made a long cut, blood trickling out as I prepared myself.

A bright burst of reiatsu soon formed at the palm of my hand, its appearance flickering as it morphed around, its state unstable.

"Gran Rey Cero."

The cero shot out from my palm, engulfing my peripheral vision like a flashbang as it shot into the distance. It soon flatlined and formed an actual ray of sorts, now trailing off towards a tall mountain, its form twisting around its center like a twisting dragon.

Upon impact, it released an enormous wave of spiritual pressure, the explosion dwarfing the remains of Las Noches, easily climbing the black-sky of Hueco Mundo like a beacon of light.

"That was something…." I said under my breath.

As I sheathed my Zanpakutō, someone with strong spiritual pressure entered the range of my Pesquisa, slowly walking towards me. Though I couldn't see them, I could still detect their immense reiryoku through my senses.

'Is that Grimmjow?'

"Who's there?!" I hissed, quickly turning on my heel as I felt a change in the environment.

But, to my surprise, it was nothing. A rock had fallen from a cliff overhanging the area. Subsequently, another rock fell, along with another. Soon, the cliff came tumbling down, my stalker with it.

"Agh?!" A shriek cried out from above, their cry echoing through the mountainous area.

'Whose voice was that?'

It was undoubtedly a woman, but her voice wasn't one I recognized. Soon, the dust and sand that'd kicked up from the collapsing cliff cleared, revealing a shadowy figure.

"Who are you?"

The woman standing before me was a beauty, her curvy legs and well-endowed chest stood out like a sore thumb, emphasized by her green-hair and crimson line that ran across her face.

She was dressed in an odd outfit, reminiscent of the bunny-outfits from earth, though naturally lacking the bunny ears, replaced by a fractured-skull sitting on her head like a crown. Her clothing was white, with green-fur adornments matching her hair.

"You are…"

"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck… However, I don't believe I know your name, mysterious Arrancar."

She stood tall, confidence radiating off her as if it was mixed in with her pink-reiatsu that hung over her like a shadow, acting as a warning for anyone foolish enough to challenge her.

"I'm Lance," I said to her, wiping the blood trickling down my sword away with my jacket before sheathing it.

"Lance… I don't believe we've. Were you perhaps a números… One on the latter end of the list, maybe?"

"No, no… I only recently became an Arrancar."

She seemed genuinely surprised, her face contorting into an odd smile, "ah! That's certainly impressive… Were you previously a Vasto Lorde?"

"Yeah, I was."

Now walking over towards me, she weirdly still had the same cheerful smile plastered across her face, "was it Mr. Urahara that helped you evolve into an Arrancar?"

"Ah… Not quite," I sighed, unsure as to break the news.

I knew from the series about Nelliel and Grimmjow's relationship. They both argued like children, both opposing each other as Espada trying to prove their strength. Whether or not one or the other was stronger was beyond me, but technically speaking, it was Nel, who held the rank of Tres, as opposed to Grimmjow's Sexta.

"'Not quite'? Do you perhaps have amnesia?" She asked, leaning in close to speak to me. "I'm quite knowledgeable in that department myself. I may be of help."

"No, no… Nothing like that… It was actually Grimmjow that tore my mask off…" I said, my voice trailing away as she leaned in closer to listen.

"Grimmjow tore your mask off, you say?" She asked, her tone stern.

"Well, it wasn't unwanted or anything. I had planned on becoming an Arrancar regardless, so it doesn't make much of a difference to me now."

Her previous smile had been replaced by a more serious expression. She had an atmosphere to her, as if she wasn't sure what to make of my words. Whether or not I was telling the truth likely wasn't the issue to her, but more so how to treat something like that and my calmness about the whole thing.

"That idiot… I will be having words with him… In the meantime, let us duel. I wish to test your strength… You have a certain atmosphere to you. Your spiritual pressure… It's odd."

As she said that, she drew her sword, readying herself in a stance.

'I guess a little test wouldn't hurt…'