Sand and dust swept across the vast desert of Hueco Mundo. The moon shown over the shattered remains of the once-great castle, Las Noches. Every wall had crumbled to dust, every tower had fallen. Everything had been reduced to a pile of rubble that stretched as far as the eye could see.

   Hollows of all shapes, sizes, and power had gathered around the bottom of this pile. The great king of Hueco Mundo had fallen in battle months ago, but the Hollows were not mourning. There was no sorrow in their hearts, and maybe it was because they possessed none of the sort. Rather, they were without purpose, just aimlessly sauntering among the rubble.

   Gillian, Adjuchas, Vasto Lorde, even small Hollow that scuttled in the sand, all gathered around the remains of Las Noches. One of the Vasto Lorde scrambled on top of a large chunk of stone. He stood at about seven feet tall and had a mask similar to that of a wolf. He had large sickle-shaped claws that protruded from each of his fingers and toes. He had a long tail that swept across the ground when he walked. A mane of silky grey hair flowed from the back of his mask and trailed down to the small of his back.

   Dust and grit rained down on several of the Hollow below as he scrambled to the top of the stone. The Hollow paid no mind and continued in their incoherent rambling. His tail lashed furiously and he snarled. The sound echoed across Hueco Mundo, a deep and threatening noise, and the Hollow craned their heads to look up at him, even the small Hollow stopped scuttling. No sound could be heard other than the whistling of the wind across the dunes and the crystal trees.

   "We need a new king, there is none to keep the balance. Hueco Mundo will fall into ruin if we continue like this," the wolf-Hollow said. A few of the Hollow snorted and sneered, but others nodded in agreement (only the Hollow that possessed intelligence; lower Hollow, such as low-class Gillian, do not have intelligent thoughts since they are subject to conformity). One of the towing Gillians took a step forward.

   "You speak truly," the Gillian said in a low, rumbling voice," But this is a concept that even some Gillian can comprehend. And we did so long ago, in fact." A few of the less-intelligent Hollow roared in agreement. Another Vasto Lorde emerged from the crowd and strode up to the rock where the wolf-Hollow stood.

   "You heard 'em, Kuroto Shiro. Even them Gillian know that. What in the heck were you thinkin' when you clambered up on that there rock? Do you have any authority to be speakin' over us like we are your subordinates?" the Vasto Lorde said in a mocking voice. He had the mask of a lion and a golden mane flowed from his head. His build was strong and he had a thick layer of golden fur covering his hierro. Long canines protruded from his mask and sharp incisors sat between them.  Kuroto stood calmly, even as a few Hollow muttered in agreement with the lion-Hollow.

   "I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood, Hokari. I was not trying to force you to follow me or my beliefs, but I was trying to bring you back to your senses, if possible. It is like the story of the two frogs, what you see or think isn't always reality. I'm not your ally nor your enemy, but that will not stop me from speaking the truth," Kuroto said passively with a shrug of his shoulders. A roar of protest broke from some of the Hollow when they sensed the tension between the two Vasto Lordes. Hokari growled menacingly at Kuroto. The wolf-Hollow did not even flinch as Hokari hurled insults and curses at him from the ground.

   "You are like the dog that barks at the star, yet he does not have the courage to jump up and grab it," Kuroto said in a condescending tone as if he were shunning a young child. Anger began to build up inside of the lion-Hollow, and he finally achieved the courage to climb to the top of the rock. Then, he stood face to face with Kuroto.

   "I'm not gonna let you talk to me like that," the lion-Hollow snarled with clenched fists. Hokari's muscles rippled as he took a fighting stance. Kuroto stood, unmoved. The atmosphere was thick with their steadily-increasing spiritual energy. Without warning, Hokari swung a hard fist at Kuroto's chest.

   Kuroto swiftly dodged and flung his fist, delight surging through him when it connected with Hokari's mask. The force of the hit sent him over the edge of the thirty foot tall chunk of rubble. He landed in the sand with a soft thud. Kuroto looked down at him blankly. The lion-Hollow coughed up a mouthful of blood onto the sand, and he wiped his mouth with back of his hand. A small crack had formed from his right eye to the upper right corner of his mask.

   "I do not believe in conflict. You have fallen because of your pride, causing you to lose it as well. Your ignorance will be the death of you, Hokari. The ignorance to acknowledge someone with greater power than your own," Kuroto murmured bluntly. All of the Hollows stood in shock until an uproar began in the crowd. A cloaked figure began to make its way through the crowd, and each creature cleared the path when they sensed its odd aura.

   "What confidence you have," the cloaked figure said," If what you say is true, then you should acknowledge me, for my level is far greater than any level you could reach in a thousand lifetimes, Kuroto" The figure took both hands and pulled the hood of the cloak from his head. He stood at six feet tall and had tanned skin that stretched tightly over his skull, revealing the indention at his temples and casting a shadow under his cheekbones. Short black hair covered the top of his head. A partial Hollow mask covered his face from the nose down. Sharp fangs hung from the top jaw and smaller teeth filled the bottom jaw. The scariest thing about him was his eyes which were sunken deep into his skull and were the color of moonlight.

   "An Arrancar," Hokari exclaimed in awe. The Arrancar grinned a toothily and a forked tongue flicked between his needle-like teeth. His eyes searched hungrily among the large crowd of Hollow as if he were seeking out his next victim. As he strode past a group of low-class Gillians, they began to dissolve from the extreme spiritual pressure seeping from him unconsciously.

   "Sagino Hebi, the last of the Arrancar," he hissed," I happened to overhear your quarrel and heard that you needed a new king." One of the strongest Adjuchas snorted with contempt for the half-human. Sagino held out his hand and blasted a Cero at the defiant Hollow, reducing him to ashes. All of the other Hollow shrunk away from Sagino in fear.

   "Now, as for you, Kuroto," Sagino said edgily. When he turned back towards the rubble, Kuroto had vanished. Hokari still lie on the ground in shock as the Hollow around him began to drop and dissipate into thin air. Sagino muttered a curse under his breath for letting Kuroto escape.

   "What a coward," Sagino said as he continued towards the rubble pile. Hokari winced at the Arrancar's spiritual energy as he passed by. Sagino turned around and observed the seven remaining Vasto Lorde. He nodded at them and hopped from rock to rock until he arrived at the top of the pile. Sagino settled himself on the highest rock and surveyed the expanse of Hueco Mundo, stretching endlessly as it met with the sky.

   "From now on, I shall be your king! Baraggan could not compare to me, nor could any king before him. Now," Sagino hissed," Bow before me, all of Hueco Mundo!" The seven Vasto Lorde bowed before their new king, partially out of fear. Sagino cackled, and the sound rang through the still air, until all fell silent. Even the wind had ceased to blow in the presence of the last Arrancar.

   "Introduce me," the great king bellowed to Vasto Lordes. Each of the remaining Hollow flinched at the sound of his voice. Hokari stepped forward and took a deep breath before speaking.

   "I'm Hokari, this is Senbo, Okui, Yokubo, Gekido, Donyoku, and Namakemono," Hokari said nervously. The Vasto Lorde took a step forward as their name was called.

   Senbo had a fox-like mask and was thin, but muscular. She had long legs and arms, and ears that peeked from the top of her mask. Her ears swiveled back and forth and twitched with constant alertness. She had long, nimble fingers with sharp claws. After taking a stride forward, she nodded her head respectfully. Even though she stood tall, there was fear in her stance.

   Okui had the mask of a boar with tusks that protruded from the sides of a long, stub-nosed snout. His fists were large, suited for hand-to-hand combat, and he had cloven feet. A tail flicked behind him, in annoyance. The crest of black hair that ran from the top of his head to his shoulder blades rippled as he grunted, taking a heavy step forward.

   Yokubo had a mask that resembled the face of a bull and a gold ring that looped through his nostrils. His stature was similar to that of Okui, but he was leaner and more muscular. He too, had cloven feet, and large fists, now scarred from many years of conflict. Sharp teeth filled his long snout. He took as step forward towards his new king without hesitation.

   Gekido was adorned with the mask of a bear and he towered above the rest of his fellow Vasto Lordes. His claws were dull, but his enormous muscles seemed to make up for it. White teeth gleamed in the scant moonlight as he stepped forward.

   Donyoku bore a toothed mask that resembled a reptilian creature. His build was slender, and he had short legs, in contrary to his long arms which swung at his sides. He had needle like claws on his fingers and toes. Small, bony ridges ran down his spine. He took a cautious, but nimble step forward.

   Namakemono had a mask similar to that of a goat. She had ram's horns that grew from the back of her mask and two small horns that grew in between her ears. Her flowing brown hair cascaded down her back, and her small tail flicked from side to side. She took a lazy step forward.

   Sagino smiled in approval at his introduction to the seven Vasto Lordes. He tilted his head up towards the night sky of Hueco Mundo.

   "What a wonderful start to a new era. To a new reign," Sagino shouted to the sky," Now, we must hunt the orange-haired Shinigami, and his little companion, too! If you understand... Hokari! Get rid of the boy's little companion!" Hokari nodded grimly and and began to open the Garganta, and depart towards the Living World.

   "Wait," Sagino said," First, you will need a weapon. You will all need a weapon if you are to serve under me." Hokari looked over his shoulder just in time to see a sword hurtling towards him. He caught the sword by the wire-wrapped hilt before it could sink itself into his flesh. It was long and slender, and had a serrated edge on one side of the double-sided blade. It had a spikes protruding from the hilt and crossguard. It truly was a wicked weapon. "It is called a Jaakunabuki. Wield it well, Hokari," the king said as the Ganganta closed, and Hokari disappeared from sight.

   "Prepare yourself, Kurosaki," Sagino hissed, his pupils reducing to small, black slits.