Training For Bankai

The green leaves on the massive, 10-story tall trees swayed in the breeze. The blue jays chirped and the ravens squawked. Squirrels rand through the trees, chasing each other and looking for food. The grass moved and swayed, as the gentle breeze swam over the ground, like a running river. In a small clearing surrounded by trees, a man sat alone, meditating, with his sword lying in his lap. His robe swaying to and fro, he sat without moving with his eyes closed.

Though the only noise were the animals around in the forest, his thoughts could n0t be louder to him. He had been meditating for almost 5 hours, yet his Zanpakutos Spirit wasnt saying anything. He had become acquainted to him a few times, going so far as to have frequent conversations, either asking for advice, or seeking more power. Though now, he was still silent.

After sitting in that quiet, secluded area for 3 hours more, he was getting furious. Right when he was about to give up, he thought about a recent battle with an Arrancar he had. He thought about the way he fought, what he could do with Vague Katti, his Zanpakuto. How it was like Vague was an extension of his arm, how he could fight with all of his power, as long as he had his Sword Spirit in his hand-SSSSWWWWWSSSSSSSSHHHHHH, out of nowhere, he was whirling through the air like he was in some kind of vortex, it stopped as fast as it had started.

The swirling, spinning, stopped and he was in his Spirit World for the fifth time. He felt the familiar heat that resonated from this fake sun that loomed in the sky, painting the land in a warm glow. This Savannah resonated reitsu, like the ground itself was living and had power. The plants stood still, as there was no breeze whatsoever. It was silent, eerily so.

A shadow loomed next to a nearby tree. As Stefan neared it, he noticed the familiar face of Vagur Katti, his Zanpakuto. "As huge as ever, I see. How goes it Vague?"
"Learn manners young one! I thought I told you not to address me as such when you are in my domain! Hahaha, but I am glad to see you. I know what you want. You want to me to grant you your Spirit Powers, your 'Bankai'."

"As clever as always. For a big brute. Now grant me the powers, O Mighty Beast! For I am your master! Hahaha!"
"Surely you jest young one! You must EARN the powers! If I granted you the powers without a test, you would not fully understand them! You wouldnt have learned anything! Fight me and if, by chance, you emerge victorious, I will give you the powers you seek. Though, I doubt you can beat me! Come, and duel me!"

The giant, hairy man in a huge cape, lunged at Stefan with a fiery passion that matched his red hair. He slammed his katana, which had just appeared, dont on Stefans with a mighty blow. In a whirl of speed, Stefan countered and escaped the next attack, which crashed into the ground, creating a miniature crater. He spun around and sprinted towards the closest tree, ran up the side, jumped off, and brought his blade down on his sword spirits. Air whirled around from the powerful impact.

After a series of earth-shaking blows, they separated, both panting. "You are stronger than ever! However, that was just the warm-up! Prepare for the main event!"

"Main event? Ha! This is a 6-course meal of ass-whooping that you have never seen! Lets start with the first course! I am the desert, and I brook no intrusion. Mak peace with your goddess!"

Stefans coat disappeared, and was replaced by his jacket. It turned black, and elongated. Hair, boots, belt, and everything else he was wearing changed too. The final transformation was his sword, which separated and formed two short daggers.

"Oh? Youre gonna turn my own powers against me? Ha! That is not enough either!" He lunged at Stefan, who easily dodged the attack. He struck back with a flurry of blows, rocking his giant opponent. He flew back, and used his ability Maelstrom and launched 3 gusts of air against Vague. When they hit him, he fell back, but caught himself with his left leg. Vague jumped forward, crashing into the ground at Stefans feet, but he dodged and jumped into the air. Being one step ahead of him, Vague was already flying up at him. They clashed in the air, 4, 5, 6 times. Every time they hit each others weapon, the clash created a gust of air strong enough to blow over a house.

Blow after blow, they kept up with each other perfectly. They both are powerful warriors, Stefan nimble and quick, Vague strong and vicious. They contrasted each other completely, both in looks and fighting style. Despite this, they could read each others movements perfectly, countering and attacking at the right times.

For hours they fought on the same level, neither side gaining the upper hand. However, Stefan slowly started to hear a familiar voice, that he soon recognized as his Inner Hollow. The voice was quiet and wise, as it always had been. It told him to use his power to win more power.

Stefan repeatedly denied his request, saying he needed to win this battle with his own power. "But Stefan, I AM your own power. Use me, and we shall win together."

He ignored his Inner Hollow, and continued to fight. The fight continued to become more and more stressful on his body, as he wasnt gaining any ground. The idea of using his Visored powers slowly krept into his mind, blocking out more and more of his other thoughts.

Finally, after almost 3 hours of straight fighting on an equal level, Stefan came to the conclusion that the only way he could win is if he gave in to his Inner Hollow. He jumped back from the seemingly endless conflict of not landing a single hit, but not getting hit either. "Whats wrong? Have you finally given up? Dont worry, Its for the best. You arent strong enough right now."

He ignored the badgering from his opponent and stood still, finalizing on his plan. He drew his hand to his face and touched his palm to his face. After pulling away, a small white smog appeared near his head and began to take shape. A mask with pointed ears and claw marks covered his face, turning his eyes completely black.

"Well, well, well. I want you to introduce you to my Inner Hollow. I have used my Shikai and Hollow powers together quite a few times, but I didnt want to against you. However, now I realize that would just be foolish. I now FIRMLY believe this is what it will take to beat you."

With his new found powers, including pure speed and strength, he lunged at Vague. Though just moments before they had been perfect equals in combat, it was clear that Stefan now had the upper hand. "Time to show you my real powers! SHOCKWAVE!!"

A wave of incredible power emanated from his daggers, striking his foe with a power unknown to him. Vague Katti the Sword Spirit flew at a high speed away when he was hit by the attack. He crashed into the ground, making a huge impact crater that spanned almost 5o meters in every direction.

Vague jumped off the ground and launched himself at Stefan, who easily countered this with a minimally charged Cero, causing moderate damage to Vague. Every time Stefans Sword Spirit attempted to attack him, he was easily cast aside like a rag doll.

"Alright, I see how it is. Youre gonna use sneaky powers like that against me, so I might as well too. I think I am going to use Bankai against you. Now, now, calm down. Not the ACTUAL Bankai, just what would give YOU your Bankai. Basically, its our full power. Now, show me your strength!"

A red light started to radiate from Vague, cloaking his body. His body appeared to reshape, forming something new, something stronger than his previous form. When the light faded, he now closely resembled a huge, red, shaggy, lion. This was Stefans new enemy.

Even with his Shikai and Visored powers, it wasnt enough to keep up with his Sword Spirits new found strength. With the speed and power a thousand lions, Vague Katti continued to pound on Stefan unrelentingly. Stefan realized if this kept up, he would lose for sure. Taking the initiative, he removed his weakening mask and prepared to go all-out.

He looked straight up and released his Insight and Vigilance abilities. With his now superior senses, it felt as though he could see every little movement of every little thing, living or not Time seemed to slow down, but really his heightened senses just made it appear so. He lunged forward, attacking Vague with his daggers. When Vague responded by attacking back, he missed completely. Every time he attempted to land a blow on Stefan, he missed.

"Getting tired yet? My Vigilance power gives me complete control of my entire muscle system. You wont be able to hit me while I can move whatever part of me I want to. And by combining Vigilance and Insight,which heightens my sense of sight, I can dodge every hit you try to land. Sheer power may not be enough to beat you, so I guess I will just have to tire you out."

Laughing, Vague continued to assault Stefan even though he could not hit him. Stefan landed a few blows, but nothing serious. So basically, this was a hit and run game. Stefans laughter just made Vague even more upset, who was already furious about his misses in the fight.

Utilizing his anger, Vague Katti the Sword Spirit rushed Stefan ferociously. He repeatedly missed, but continued to attack with a furious vengeance. His anger shown in his eyes, revealing just how upset he was. Though normally calm and collected, he did not like the fact that Stefan was basically mocking him, HIM of all people. He is Stefans POWER, without him, Stefan would be nothing.

Vagues hair whipped to and fro as he lunged again and again against Stefan., still missing. Until finally, he landed a blow from above on Stefan and sent him flying towards the ground, making a huge impact crater as he crashed on the ground. As the dark brown cloud of dust settled from the impact, Stefan stood back up, dazed, and with blood trickling from the left side of his face.

"This is where we end things.....one last clash. I am willing to give it my all if you are."

"I agree....one last attack will decide the victor. You have traveled far to become this strong little one. I am glad you are this strong, otherwise life would be rather dull, wouldnt it?"

Stefans blade took its normal appearance, not keeping the shape of daggers. His mask dissipated into nothingness, revealing his battered and bruised face. Smiling up at Vague, he put his Hollow mask back on his face. Some of his small wounds seemed to seal themselves as his Reitsu became much stronger again.

While Stefan was preparing himself, Vague was calming himself down and readying himself too. He shook his huge mane and batted the ground with his paws, assuming an offensive stance. Stefan began compressing his Reitsu to make it as powerful as it could possibly be, for he knew it would take a lot to win this fight.

Waves of energy radiated off of Stefan as he prepared himself for the strongest clash of power he had ever seen. The waves acted as a current of air, blowing grass and trees alike, making a small maelstrom o air and energy alike. Meanwhile the air around Vague seemed quite calm, matching his present demeanor.

"This.....is where.....we END THIS!"

Stefan brought his right foot back by about 2 feet and used it to launch himself forward, flying at Vague with unmatched speed. The air around him whizzed by, so fast it felt like a tornado. He brought his sword in front, and above his head, ready to strike once he reached his opponent.

Vague took off, running faster than he had so far. His adrenaline pumping, his teeth barred at his enemy, he was running with all his might, reaching speeds unknown to him.

In seconds they reached each other. At the exact second they clashed, an explosion occurred, caused by the sheer force of the collision. The rush of air actually uprooted several trees, and formed a crater around them. Their Reitsus collided too, black versus red. It looked like two spheres of energy pushing against each other, each one trying to get the upper hand.

Unrelenting, each side pushing themselves to their very limits. Waves of power and energy pouring out of them, destroying the land around them. It seemed that Vague Kattis pure power was enough to overwhelm Stefan, as he was now pushing him back. With the advantage, Vague pushed and pushed, inch by inch, until it was clear he was winning this duel of power. Their planet-rending battle was putting serious strain on their bodies, so much that if they kept it up their bodies would be destroyed in a matter of minutes.

Suddenly Vagues body began trembling,as even his lion form couldnt handle the strain. Noticing this, Stefan gave a big push and he was no longer being pushed back. They were stationary again. With another big push, Vague was now moving backwards. With one final push that required every bit of his strength, he launched Vague into the ground, ending their climatic struggle. The large Reitsu spheres disappeared, adn so did Stefans Hollow mask. His Shiaki sealed too, reverting him to his sealed state. Vagues body reformed and became his old self, still lying in a pit of defeat. He faded into nothingness, only to reappear a second later. He was standing at attention, with all marks of battle gone from his body.

"As this is MY world, you cant actually kill me. But dont worry, I dont plan on fighting you in your current state. You won fair and square, though it WAS a close match. Any who, I will grant you your Bankai, as you have rightfully earned it. I am glad you have become so strong little one. Continue to grow, and you may actually earn my respect. Hahahahaha!"

His laughter was the last thing Stefan heard as he woke up, lying on the ground from sheer exhaustion. He slept through the night, waking up the next day aware that he had slept in the woods. He had done it, he thought to himself. He had finally attained his Bankai.