Hostile Takeover (Approved)

Part One: Genesis

BleachStone. A Bleak place, to say the least. A place where tough, adventurous creatures and the more “civilized” types of Hollows exist in close proximity to one another. A bleak place indeed, but an excellent place for anyone looking to run from the law. In such a land of shady dealings and occasional vigilante justice, a lawman would have no place. “No, Officer, nobody here’s doing anything wrong, and don’t nobody know anything about nobody else. Run along back to your bright lights and big city.” Keep justice between you and the person you have conflict with, don’t cause a scene…and you can do whatever you want without a second glance from anyone in this God-forsaken hellhole.
Faust loved it.

Faust DarkHeart, Vasto Lorde class Arrancar. La Segunda Espada. One of the oldest Hollows, if not the oldest. Already in the Afterlife when the Human race was young. A rare specimen indeed. As He strode silently down the main road, He did what He spent most of His time doing: inhabiting His mind.
What a delightful place. Simple yet Intricate. Savage yet Cultural. One simple Law: the Weak serve the Strong and the Strong serve themselves. Not ‘Righteous’, but Fair. How things used to be. What has happened to the rest of the world?
As He had been musing, Faust’s feet had carried Him to the seedy town’s bar. He was soon nursing a strong drink as He watched the solemn bartender clean a dirty glass with an even dirtier rag. His view was slightly limited by the Mask on His face, a replica of the one he’d worn as a Hollow. Here, no one knew He was an Arrancar.

Living among His brethren had taught Him one important thing: You can’t count on anyone but you.
Hollows that did not learn that lesson early, and well, were beaten-down and devoured. Hollows who learned that lesson oh-too-well became Death’s Envoys, carrying Destruction everywhere they went. Eventually, most went insane. They were locked away, doomed to eternal imprisonment. The lucky ones were devoured. The unlucky ones are in those cages, in that cavern, at this very moment; releasing guttural shrieks and howls of rage and sanity lost.
Even if the “Weak” were not destroyed by the “Strong”, they were destroyed by an Outsider; they could not expect help from their brethren.

And so Faust had decided that He was no longer a part of the self-mutilating animal that was the Hollow race. He had heard rumors of something new, something a Hollow could, with very great skill, become. He had heard rumors; rumors that His instincts told him could not be false. And then He had seen the proof, a visitation. Rabia Violentia. A demonstration of the strength of those who moved onto this new plateau.
This was what He sought to become, something apart from the beastly, savage Hollows. And what had these been called?
Say it…
Adrenaline began to flow through Faust’s body.
Say it…
The thought of so much power, so much potential, to change so much!
SAY IT!
“Arrancar.” He whispered, breathlessly.
“Arrancar…”
Faust knew that He had the potential, but He also recognized that it was essential to maximize that potential. He had already been at incredible strength for a Vasto Lorde. And it was said that they made the most powerful Arrancar! Oh, but He would get stronger! So much stronger, in the months before His transformation!
So He trained until His body became steel, His eyes fire, and He could finally break the barrier holding Him back, the barrier that bound Him so tightly to His current form: His Mask!
And now…well, then the world had better do its worst, for He would do His.

Part Two: All The Same

Still musing, Faust didn’t immediately notice when He had finished his drink. He got up, threw a few coins on the dilapidated old bar, and left the saloon. The old western saloon style double doors continued swinging behind Him. He had not made it more than a few steps outside the nearly empty saloon when a shadowy form detached from the side of the building behind Him. Faust stopped in His tracks as He felt a knife’s point press against the small of His lower back. Hot, fetid breath hit the back of His neck. It smelled of rotten meat and another strange odor, one that Faust, as a Hollow, was used to: Souls. Faust could always smell it on the breath of a Hollow who had just fed.

From behind Him, the Hollow spoke. “The fancy outfit: get it off. That nice shiny sword, too.” Slowly, Faust undid the brooch of His black overcoat….and was behind the assailant before said overcoat hit the ground.
Now that this would-be assailant stood before Him, Faust could quite easily see that this Hollow was clearly inferior in strength. It had hidden so easily within the heart of the shadows because it was shadowy; its form was not quite defined. It was clearly a very new Hollow. Just as the Hollow turned to face Him, Faust flared his spiritual pressure, forcing the ill-equipped foe to his knees. Sliding His blade smoothly from its sheath, he placed the sharp edge under the Hollow’s jugular.
The foe whimpered.
“Mercy…please, Mercy!”
Faust closed His eyes for a moment, opened them, and then nodded.
The would-be attacker smiled. Then the sword ripped upwards through his jugular and his spine, beheading him. Death was instantaneous. “I promised you mercy.” Faust said calmly. “And you did get it. A quick Death. I will also spare your body the dishonor of rotting and your soul the dishonor of disintegrating.” Putting out His left hand, palm facing the corpse, Faust focused his power. The soul of the recently deceased was absorbed through His palm. Some like to “Eat” it, but Faust simply absorbed it. He then pointed His left index finger at the rest. “Cero.” He intoned. The blast destroyed everything left of the weaker Hollow.
Once again donning His overcoat, Faust continued down the main road. His next stop: the BleachStone Corral, den of shady dealings and hostiles of all kinds.
And as He walked, He noticed that His breath smelled of Soul.

Part Three: Conquerer

As He entered the flat open ring, a strange, though not very surprising, sight met His eyes. A crowd of Hollows had formed a thick ring, concentric to the Corral’s perimeter. Inside the fairly large space formed by the ring, a massive Hollow was just finishing off an equally massive opponent. The victor was about seven feet tall, though Humanoid; probably a Vasto Lorde. Faust raised an eyebrow as the winning Hollow obliterated the loser with a massive Cero. A slow smile spread across His face. Definitely a fellow Vasto Lorde. The aforementioned beastie threw back his head, raised his arms into the air and bellowed ”WHO DARES TO CHALLENGE ME NEXT?!”
His supporters howled in excitement, though no one was immediately forthcoming. Finally, a muscle-bound rhinoceros-like Hollow charged forward. As the Vasto Lorde began to easily outmaneuver the opponent, Faust analyzed his fighting. Our tournament champion was certainly very, very strong. However, his speed was average at best and his technique was lacking. He was no doubt a new Vasto Lorde who understood little about his new powers, especially the extent and limits thereof. This was going to be a cavalcade of fun.
Faust leaped into the air, landing inside the ring of bodies. Directly between the two combatants. Without a second thought, He dispatched of the challenger via a Bala.
Turning to the Champion, He said “My turn.”
The enormous Hollow roared with mirth. “SUCH A LITTLE ONE! YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY BE SERIOUS!”
Faust remained silent, causing the large Hollow’s smile to crack and its wearer to shift uncomfortably.
“FINE, STAY SILENT! YOU NEEDN’T TALK TO DIE! COME AND END YOUR LIFE!”
Faust decided to give this hatchling a show that he – as well as the crowd – would not very soon forget. Mustering and condensing all of His Spiritual Pressure, Faust seemed to disappear. Of course, no one was looking behind the “Champ”, which was exactly where Faust had…er, disappeared to. He had condensed all of His Spiritual Pressure and Reiryoku and focused it into His feet, while simultaneously activating Sonido. This had allowed Him to produce speed so precise, He had seemed to just disappear in less time than it took to blink an eye. The move took a lot of concentration and time, which was why it was highly unconvenient in a ‘real’ battle. However, when you are facing a less skilled opponent who even gives you plenty of time by boasting, it has value. From directly behind the massive Hollow, Faust quickly charged a Cero. He lined it up with the base of His opponent’s spine, at waist-level, and blew a nice hole. Just as Faust had suspected, it did not bring down the massive Hollow. Good.
His opponent quickly spun to face Him, but not quickly enough. For as he spun, Faust sped off again…once again appearing behind His would-be opponent. This time, He charged a Cero and blew off His would-be attacker’s head. Bye-bye, Champ.
Even as the steaming body fell, Faust was approached by a sneaky-looking Adjuchas. “Say there, Champ, how’d you like to be my new Fighter, yeah? You gain respect and an all-you-can-eat Hollow buffet, yeah?”
“Hmm…I think not.”
”Look, just one fight, yeah? You can decide afterward, yeah? I have your opponent already lined up.”
Stepping aside, the Adjuchas revealed a cage with a man inside. However, this man wore the robes of a Shinigami. To Faust’s trained eye, the badge on his arm proclaimed him to be a Squad Member of the Fifth Squad, the Third Seat. A Zanpakuto sat on top of the cage.
Faust’s resistance died right there.

As the “Manager” went to open the cage, Faust casually moved his right hand to the pommel of his Zanpakuto. The Shinigami was released, and given his sword. All Hollows stepped back as the Shinigami drew his Zanpakuto and advanced on Faust. Pointing his blade at Faust, the Shittygami exclaimed "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Shakkahô!”
As the Death God yelled this incantation, no one heard Faust mutter “Suffer, Desesperacion” or noticed as His “gloves” flowed onto His sword’s pommel.
And all attention was focused on the blast which fired from the Shittygami’s blade rather than Faust’s “Mask”, which was shattered by the slight flare of his release, and the muttered “Enkosen.”
The blast made contact. As the smoke cleared, everyone did see the barrier which had shielded Faust. It slowly disintegrated. Everyone then noticed that He no longer had a Mask. Slowly, Faust’s hand rose. His index and middle finger aimed directly at the Shittygami.
“Byakurai.”

As the white lightning flew from Faust’s fingers, the Shinigami dodged with Shunpo. After a nearly unintelligible word, his Zanpakuto transformed into a naginata. A few slashes threw bursts of electricity at Faust. He dodged, and countered with a Bala.
The Shinigami responded by slapping it away with the blade of his naginata and Shunpo’ing forward to slash at Faust’s torso. Faust easily blocked by catching the blade with His hand. His Hierro protected Him completely.
The crowd looked on in stunned silence.This “Hollow” had just lost his Mask…and used two Kido…and used Bala! What was He?

Meanwhile, Faust and the Shinigami were locked together as Faust still had His hold on the Zanpakuto. ”You wore a Mask and your Reiatsu feels vaguely like that of a Hollow…yet you can use Kido, and without an Incantation! I only know a handful of people who do that, all of whom are my superiors! What are you?”
“I am Faust DarkHeart. I am an Arrancar, ranked La Segunda Espada. That means that, excluding our Leader, I am the Second strongest Arrancar in existence. Tell your friends.”
With a powerful shove, Faust separated Himself from the Shittygami. Said Shittygami seemed to realize what he was up against. Without hesitation, he lifted his naginata so that it pointed straight up and said “Ban-Kai!” Quick as a whip, Faust drew His own Zanpakuto and shot forward. The ribbon hanging on the end of His blade’s handle lengthened and wrapped around the Shittygami’s Zanpakuto, causing it to remain locked in Shikai.
“Hmm…a Third Seat who can already unleash Bankai. You would have gone far. Then again, Shinigami were stronger in My day. We had to be.”
Without giving the Shittygami any time to ponder his words, Faust remove His left hand from His pocket and stabbed it directly into the Shittygami’s chest. Slowly, He withdrew and stepped back. The Shittygami fell to his knees, his Zanpakuto returning to its sealed state. With His opponent defeated before, Faust began to chant.
“Oh Lady of Infinite Suffering, I call upon your Divine Power to abolish mine Enemies. My Arm upholds your Strength. My Lips speak of your Grace. My Mind is filled with your Serene Wisdom. The Time has come for the Final Rest of the Foe. With Water, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Spirit, I erase thee from the gilded pages of Existence! Hado #99: Tetsutouji no Gekihajiki!"
The thoroughly defeated Shinigami was pulled into the Iron Maiden by the tongues black flame. He did not scream, and it was over quickly. The only thing left behind was his naked Zanpakuto. Striding forward slowly, Faust picked it up and held it in His hands. Slowly, He slid it into his sash.
The audience seemed to recover from their shock. They began to shout belligerently and move in threateningly. The “Manager” strode from their midst.
”I don’t know what you are…but you are NO HOLLOW!”
He leaped at Faust, extending dagger-like claws. Quicker than anyone could see coming, Faust drew the fallen Shinigami’s Zanpakuto and sliced the Adjuchas’s head clean off. The blood had been “flicked” off the blade and said blade re-sheathed in Faust’s sash before the head hit the ground. The crowd was again silent, shocked at this casual display of power. Without turning around to face the crowd, Faust spoke in threateningly calm and quiet voice.
“I am…a Conquerer.”
Finally, He turned. In one fluid motion, He slid the toe of His shoe under the “Manager’s” head and flicked it up into the air. As He caught it, it sent a small splash of blood into the crowd.
Faust called out in a loud voice “Who knows where this degenerate lived?” Faust assumed that a low-life who thought he was better than everyone else probably thought enough of himself to have a dwelling. Many of the Hollows pointed to a small cluster of rocks which jutted up from the ground in a triangular formation. One brave creature spoke up. In the middle of that, there are stone steps that lead to a large underground cave. It was his.”
Faust nodded. “Alright, listen up: it’s mine now. Anyone I catch within fifty feet of that area without my express permission will end up worse than this flea-ridden, slack-jawed idiot. Have I made myself clear?” After a moment of staring down the cowed crowd, Faust continued. “One other thing: Many of you are here because you were shunned or cast out, deemed to vile to live among even the most savage of other Hollows. I am here because I have chosen to be. Get one thing straight; just one little thing: You…are locked in here with Me. If you wish to minimize the damage to yourselves, stay out of my way.” With that, He turned and strode out to the cluster of rocks. Inside the tight knot of earth, He did find stone steps, in a sheltered alcove, which led to a very large cavern. The walls were covered in crystals. They grew out of the stone everywhere. It only took a moment of inspection to discern that they were all diamonds. Faust doubted that anyone besides the former owner had known about them. Besides that, it was mostly bare. There were a few things to furnish the cavern: two Human-sized cages, a large fur rug which Faust could not readily identify as any Beast He had ever seen, a stone table with a few wooden chairs, and a throne which was made from bones – predominantly skulls. There were also a few side tunnels that led into the darkness. Overall, it would work. Faust finally had a home here in this hostile environment – though He doubted, after His performance, that it would be too terribly hostile towards Him for a while.
He hoped.
The Cero-made tattoo on Faust's back tingled.

Instinctively, Faust Turned around…
…To see a Cero headed towards His face.
Faust slapped the Cero away, and then the enemy was upon Him.

Just by his opponent’s strength and speed, Faust knew that this was an inept Vasto Lorde. No doubt the companion of the Adjuchas Faust had just beaten. They whirled and thrashed about in the cavern, exchanging blows at a rapid pace. Faust received a few cuts to his torso. The foe was not gaining ground, but he was not being driven back either.
Suddenly, Faust experienced a burst of strength. It was not as though He just received a boost in the amount of power He had; it was as though His capacity to hold strength was increased. Like He had reached a new plateau of power.
He quickly snatched up a small dagger from the table directly behind Him, impaling the enemy’s head. A kick pushed the body away, and a final Cero disintegrated it.
Wearily, Faust sank into the throne. What an eventful day…
Looking around the cavern, Faust began to plan His renovations…

Well I read some of it. I usually like when the samples are tied directly to the exact character on this site, but I see you took the "copy sample from other site" route.

However the grammar and spelling, and writing in general is pretty strong so I will stamp it

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