Unstoppable force, immovable object (CTP, Cierro)

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Fucking hell.... why didn't the Espada run into each other more often. Rio had been trying to deliver his message of a challenge to one Cuatro Espada. Shinda... Rio coveted that rank. Well. Technically he coveted the rank of Primera Espada. But Rio was fully aware he was nowhere near powerful enough to claim such a rank as he was. Adalo was much too powerful for him. He'd have to consolidate his strength for a time. But he did want to defeat Shinda soon. He had already fought Magnus and Miho. They were few opponents, but Rio did not want his powers becoming well known so early. At least not before he fought Shinda. The man did have some skill, Rio was reluctant to confess. He knew that the element of surprise, while not a crucial element, would be a valuable one.

Rio had been searching for Shinda within the fortress for awhile, but with his limited skill at sensing energy, the Cuatro had managed to evade Rio-- intentional or not, it really didn't matter. In a place as big as Los Noches it wasn't hard. Even Rio's natural senses weren't enough.... which was a shame because those were actually pretty good. Even with Shinda's scent, which he had picked up at the Espada meeting it wasn't enough.

How annoying. Truly. How irritating. All Rio could do was stalk the corridors of Los Noches hoping to run across the Cuatro. Rio cracked his knuckles out of habit as he walked. It was so.... BORING around here. I mean, hell, even Kouhai didn't go out of his way to make the place interesting. Black, white and gray. That was about as interesting as things got here. Hell, with Rio's violet (yes violet, not violent) eyes, he managed to somehow stick out a lot more than he should have in this place.

As he walked, Rio lightly ran his fingers over his scarf and cloak. He liked those. Sure, some might see it as vain, but Rio didn't think so himself. People needed to have an attachment to something, and for Rio it was these. The cloak was wonderful-- it partially masked his reiatsu, making Rio appear as weak as any other arrancar at first. Of course then he could always discard it and show them how screwed they really are.

The scarf though.... yeah, that was pure just... liking. Rio did, admittedly like the color black, and the scarf felt comfortable around his neck. It was cold in Hueco Mundo, and although Rio really didn't care, not having to be AS cold was nice. Speaking of which, he glanced at his gloved hands. Hmph. A little scratch there, in the fabric. Probably courtesy of the last arrancar he punched. Rio's punches were pretty hard afterall. The offender was splattered across one of the walls in Los Noches, and yet here Rio was, more upset about a tear in his gloves.

At that moment, Rio's stride slowed to a stop. He heard something. Naturally, he did, his senses were equivalent to those of an animal. Rio looked around slowly. And he smelled something. It was a familiar scent. He'd noticed it at the Espada meeting. The corner of his lips twisted into a grin. Well. Maybe things were looking up afterall! Only one way to find out though, that was for certain.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 400 (700) Points

Speed - 300 Points (150) Points

Spiritual Pressure - 300 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 300 Points

Light Aura - 0 Points

Dark Aura - 100 Points

Instinct - 200 Points

Senses 150 Points

Energy sensory - 50 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points


Total SP: 1700 Points

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro rummaged through Asuka’s wardrobe with a sly, perverted grin across his face. The octavo was lucky that the noveno was out. He had been waiting for this moment for weeks. He could only enact this plan while Asuka was out of her quarters. The espada had taken the form of none other then the ninth espada as he went on a panty raid through her drawers. This was in case any of her fraccion happened to walk in while he was preforming his mission. “Bingo!” thought the espada as he lifted up a pair of lacy pink panties. Still in the form of the noveno, Cierro began loading his arms with Asuka’s underwear. These would make wonderful trophies to hang on the walls of his own quarters. If Asuka wanted them back, then she’d have to come inside his bedroom, and if she did that, then he was already halfway to his ultimate goal.

“Wait a second...” thought the espada with his arms full of used women’s undergarments, “Asuka-chan has a cute fraccion too. Li Mei was it?” Surely the fraccion’s quarters wouldn’t be too far away from the espada’s. It turned out that Cierro was right. As the octavo turned he came face-to-face with a boy, around five feet, ten inches with shaggy brown hair. His eyes were a stunning shade of blue and almost seemed to shine with an innocent glow. His sharp, pointed teeth were clearly visible as the stranger wore a wide grin that Cierro could only describe as, “Rape face.” The boy wore loose clothing and had a small triangular bit of hollow mask underneath his left eye that reminded the eighth of primitive warpaint.

Cierro stood, surprised, staring at Aimo for what felt like a minute, afraid to move. Aimo simply stared up at Cierro’s face which had taken the appearance of his master’s and breathed loudly through his teeth. The fraccion’s twisted smile was etched on his face like a statue and his loud breathing was the only thing that broke the silence. Little did he know that he had caught Cierro red handed. This was the exact reason that Cierro had changed into this form before invading her room. “H-hello...” said the octavo, uneasy about the intentions of the boy. “Wake me up before I change again!” said the fraccion grabbing the octavo by his shoulders. Cierro became worried, for physical touch would allow someone to sense his real reiatsu. However, it seemed that Aimo possessed no ability for sensing reiatsu. “Remind me of the story so I won’t go insane! Tell me why it’s always the same! Explain to me the reason why I’m always in pain!” continued the fraccion.

Cierro had, before now, never met Aimo and knew nothing of his mental condition and of his relation to Asuka. Cierro simply stood with his eyes open wide at the sight of the mentally unstable fraccion. He needed to get out of here. He’d been caught, but not by someone who was going to get him in trouble. He’d been caught by someone who actually thought him to be Asuka. That was a lot worse. If he wasted too much time here, then the real Asuka would show up. “Um... Here!” said Cierro, handing Aimo his entire bounty of Asuka’s underwear save a single pair of panties, “Hold these until I come back!” With that, the espada sped off, out of the noveno’s quarters and down the hall leaving Aimo to be caught by the real Asuka holding all of her underwear.

Cierro sped down the hallway, leaving the noveno’s room in his dust as he morphed back into his typical form. Cierro’s squinty eyes and sly, trademark smile returned as he reached into his pants and pulled out a pair of Asuka’s pink, lacy panties. Pressing it to his nose, the eighth took a big whiff. “Ahhhhh...” he said as he exhaled, “Leave it to an espada to deliver such a quality musk. Cierro felt the wind through his hair as he ran through the halls at full speed. He was practically uncatchable now, however, it behooved one to watch where they were running instead of stuffing panties in their face. Cierro was about to learn this lesson the hard way as he collided with Rio. the eighth espada would be sent sprawling across the ground. Even if Rio noticed the speeding espada, he wouldn’t be able to avoid such a fast dash. “Owwwww...” said the eighth, grabbing his head in pain, “What did I hit?”

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - 100 (/2) = 50 Points

Speed - 300 (x3) = 900 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 250 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 200 Points

Light Aura - 60 Points

Dark Aura - 40 Points

Instinct - 300 Points

Senses - 200 Points

Energy sensory - 50 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1400 Points

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Because of Cierro's speed, only Rio's high senses allowed him to catch anything of his movement. Even then it wasn't much. Rio could see the movement, but not Cierro himself and indeed, there was little he could do but brace himself for the collision as Cierro collided with the Quinta Espada. The collision caused Rio to fall back a step, but little else, as he looked down at Cierro angrily. "I thought I picked up a familiar scent." He told him, looking down at Cierro, his eyes hiding his murderous intent behind less than a paper thin veil.

He looked over the Octava, noticing Asuka's undergarments and then back at Cierro. "Pathetic." Rio growled. Rio wasn't the most patient of Espada, and when he became irritated he turned to violence very, VERY quickly. He lifted a hand, and a green Cero began to form in his hand. He didn't fire it just yet, however. "You're a disgrace to the Espada." Rio hissed, but then seemed to pause.

"With that said... you ARE an Espada. So you'll have a chance most don't. I'll actually let you have a chance to explain what you're doing here, why you rammed into me and see if you can convince me not to blow off your head." He hissed at Cierro. The Octava had gone and pissed off the wrong Espada. Shinda might have just given you a dirty look. Asuka... hell, Asuka might have even apologized right then and there. Kuroi may have beaten you up, but he probably wouldn't have killed you over it. Even Adalo was insane enough that he might let it slide. Rio? Oh no. You could get Rio to kill you over one wrong word. Outright colliding with him, and while apparently on a panty raid to another Espada? Not only were you offending him, but in Rio's eyes, an Espada doing such a deplorable act was offending the entire arrancar race!

Rio had made a promise that he would weed out those unworthy of being Espada. He'd done it with his former master, the late-Sexta Espada (now replaced twice over, so he hadn't been exactly a valued member anyways). He had liked to have believed the others were worthy of holding their ranks. But Cierro, clearly did not appreciate his rank. Rio would have to show him what it meant to be an Espada. And why it was a bad idea to anger the Quinta.

[Cierro Muerte]

“I thought I picked up a familiar scent,” said the Quinta. Cierro looked up and gave a childish grin at his espada comrade as Asuka’s panties hung from his ponytail. “What’s up Rio?” said the Octavo in a tone one would use with a close, personal friend. “Pathetic,” growled the fifth at the sight before him, “You’re a disgrace to the Espada.” Cierro propped himself up and sat cross-legged on the ground, unworried that the fifth was aiming a cero in his direction. Instead, Cierro fished the Noveno’s underwear out of his hair and put it over his head like a hat. His attention wasn’t on Rio at all as he spoke. “With that said... You ARE an Espada. So you’ll have a chance most don’t. I’ll actually let you have a chance to explain what you’re doing here, why you rammed into me and see if you can convince me not to blow off your head,” hissed Rio at the carefree Cierro.

“Huh?” said the espada as if he was finally noticing that Rio had been speaking. Cierro remained cross-legged on the ground with panties over his head like a beanie as he replied to the fifth’s questions. “Oh, I was on a secret mission assigned to me by none other than Kouhai-sama himself. I was to acquire the holy grail of Las Noches and, well... I don’t like to brag but...” Cierro smirked and pointed to the pair of panties on his head, “Mission complete... Booya...” With a huge grin the eighth gave Rio a friendly thumbs up. Maybe The fifth was a pretty chill dude. Maybe Rio would help him in his mission to raid the third Espada’s, Yuki Ayumu’s, underwear drawer. She was a fox too.

Cierro stood up and put his hands in his pockets. A wide grin remained on his face as he looked over the Quinta. The Octavo waited for a response, highly doubting the possibility that Rio would outright attack him. Cierro never expected a fight, but was always prepared for one. He liked to think that his comrades weren’t a bunch of mindless, bloodthirsty monsters who only cared about fighting. Cierro often gave them the benefit of the doubt and treated anyone like a buddy regardless of their reputation. This is what made the espada come across as a screw off or a jokester. He was as peace-loving as anyone with any sense and preferred to make love, not war.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Hmph. No shame for his actions at all. Just give him an excuse.... Rio really wanted an excuse right then and there to blow Cierro apart. “Oh, I was on a secret mission assigned to me by none other than Kouhai-sama himself. I was to acquire the holy grail of Las Noches and, well... I don’t like to brag but...” Oh. There was one. "Really. Kouhai has an interest in the Noveno's undergarments?" Rio stated boredly. He had an animals sense of smell and could pick Asuka's strong scent from the panties quite easily. But a smirk curled around his jaw. He was amused!

But unfortunately for Cierro, he'd also given Rio exactly the opening he needed. As his face curled into an amused smirk, Cierro may have thought himself in the clear. Unfortunately, he wasn't. But he'd at least given himself a pass. Rio would probably spare him. Probably. Just as the Espada's smirk began to turn into a grin, his Cero suddenly ignited, filling the corridor with an emerald green light of destructive reiatsu. Could Cierro hop to his feet and get past Rio in time to avoid it? One would hope so, because that's what would be needed to get out of the way. The corridor worked to the Cero's advantage as it left no room to dodge around it. If you weren't past the shooter by the time it launched, you'd be hit. Simple as that. There was also no charge time. Didn't need to be. Rio had been charging it while Cierro was replying to his comment. So he'd have to move fast to dodge a Cero at point blank range now.

Rio's Cero was also launched at full power. So if Cierro got hit, it wouldn't be pretty. He'd amused Rio into sparing him. For bumping into him. But the charge of disgracing the Espada was still on the table, and in Rio's eyes there was only one way someone could clear that particular taint. And what better method than combat itself? If this Cero killed Cierro then he clearly wasn't Espada material. Blown apart by your opponent's first blow? While sitting on your ass? That was not a death worthy of an Espada, that was the method one might use to execute a Fraccion that had failed you!

Reiatsu Remaining: 2800

[Cierro Muerte]

In an instant the entire hallway lit up with a green glow as Rio unleashed his cero on the standing Octavo. However, even if he hadn’t expected the Quinta to release his cero didn’t mean the espada hadn’t planned for this outcome. The eighth had higher senses and instincts then the fifth, plus the needed speed to avoid such an attack. Just as the cero rocketed forwards, Cierro used a sonido to transport himself behind Rio. The ceiling was rather high, allowing for some room to get by the cero plus Cierro had been standing when the other espada launched his cero. Still keeping the sly smile across his face, Cierro placed his arm on the fifth’s shoulder from behind. “That almost hit me! You should be more careful or you’ll hurt somebody...” he said with a grin that would make Gin Ichimaru proud.

Of course he was aware that Rio had tried to hit him, but rubbing it in his face like this would greatly entertain the humorous espada. The eighth kept his eyes peeled for any other movements that the Quinta would make as he stood only a foot or two behind him. Naturally the espada was fully expecting a follow-up attack. In fact, Cierro refused to fight unless Rio insisted to. Fighting was boring, pointless, and a waste of energy in the espada’s humble opinion. Why so many of his comrades stooped to such a level so quickly was beyond him.

So with a smile, Cierro further provoked the fifth, enticing him to attack again. “Man, looks like my plan to pin up these panties on the wall are going to be postponed...” thought the eighth, “But maybe, just maybe he’ll stop after one cero. Maybe he’ll apologize and let me go and everything will be fine and dandy.” Subconsciously the Octavo’s other hand drifted to his zanpakutou’s hilt and took hold of it just in case the battle escalated further.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2,400

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Rio grinned to see that Cierro had managed to avoid his Cero. "Good. If that had killed you, I would have been very disappointed." Rio stated, and as he felt Cierro's hand fall onto his shoulder he turned. Not especially fast or slow. He just turned to face Cierro, using an arm to forcefully brush the Octava's hand off of his shoulder. However, even as he was turning, that casual brush transformed as he went to grab the Octava's forearm.

Now, normally there would be countless possible escapes Cierro could use. However, the gap in their strength was seemingly infinite, and unfortunately, this is one of the rare instances where brute force would be a problem. This was a subtle movement, and a fast transition from the arm brush. If Cierro wasn't watching out for it, he'd miss it!

Rio attempted to use his grip to yank Cierro towards him. At the same instant, he brought his fist crashing towards the Octava's torso in a lower punch, similar to a low uppercut. Unfortunately for Cierro, this punch wasn't an ordinary uppercut. If it hit, it would probably not even send him flying. Rio's fist would likely just rip a hole clear through Cierro's torso, passing through his body like it wasn't even there. An unpleasant experience to be sure. Following that, Rio would hurl Cierro with one arm into the wall beside him with considerable force. Enough to send the Octava smashing through it, at any rate, and with his low strength that could likely cause some more serious injury.

Reiatsu Remaining: 2800

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro watched as Rio went to brush off his hand and instead wrapped his hand around his wrist. “Aw hell... Why are all my comrades such butt-sores?” thought Cierro as he realized there was no getting out of this without fighting. In an instant Rio yanked Cierro towards him. There was nothing the Octavo could do as he stumbled towards the Quinta. However, Cierro noticed what Rio had planned immediately and spun to the side with an exaggerated motion that almost appeared comical. “Whoops...” he said as the espada’s fist flew past his chest. Cierro was anchored by his hand close to the Quinta, but his body was free to pivot around his arm to a degree.

Essentially Rio took away his ability to escape, but not to dodge. Cierro’s free hand began to charge a cero as he was whipped around by his limb like a rag doll. Then, before the attack was completely charged, Rio pivoted and flung Cierro towards the wall beside him. Unfortunately for the 5th, the eighth espada was a master of evading attacks. Even a hopeless situation such as this was cleverly avoided as Cierro transformed himself into a tiny baby and wrapped his other arm and legs around the Quinta’s arm. This all happened in an instant and took away the extra mass that Rio was flinging into the wall. Essentially, Cierro had made himself one with the the other espada’s arm, passing inches away from the wall he would have hit if he was hanging out more.

“Damn! You trying to kill me?!” squeaked the eighth in a high pitched voice. His tiny arm was still trapped in the fifth’s powerful grip. Cierro’s baby butt was facing the Quinta’s shoulder as he latched on to Rio’s arm. Finally, his cero was finished charging. Reaching back, Cierro, who was still a little baby, fired a massive, red cero directly down the espada’s arm at his face. He only wished for the espada to let him go. This was his own fault. Cierro reassured himself that he hadn’t just done anything that would merit complete and utter annihilation and they could just be friends now.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2,200

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Huh. Shapeshifting into a child to avoid impact? An interesting idea, but it wouldn't help Cierro. Hiding the Cero he was charging was virtually impossible due to his size. So Rio started charging his own Cero in his free hand. His was a dark green in color, in sharp contrast to Cierro's. Still maintaining his grip so Cierro wouldn't escape, Rio shot his hand forwards as Cierro tried to launch his own Cero. Rio unleashed his attack right into Cierro's at point blank range. And unfortunately, in this case, Rio had a much greater reiatsu, which would mean his Cero would overpower Cierro's.

Normally, firing at something latched onto his arm would be extremely risky, but since Rio was using it defensively, his accuracy was greatly improved, and the Cero would miss his arm, but still catch most of Cierro. At this range, it would be hard to miss. And since Rio was gripping Cierro's arm it would be hard for Cierro to shift around to the other side of Rio's arm without breaking his own. The Espada could certainly shapeshift back, granted. In fact it would probably save his life if he did that. Even so, Rio's Cero was likely to take his arm. Which may or may not be an advantage, depending on your point of view, as it was the arm that Rio was holding onto. Still. Wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

Granted, under most people's eyes Cierro hadn't done anything to warrant annihilation. But then, this is why it was dangerous to piss off Rio even slightly. "I hope that "Holy Grail" of Los Noches is worth your life, because you're gonna lose it." Rio commented savagely with a grin. He saw that Cierro was fast. That would be a big problem in a fight. But he could feel that physically, Cierro was weak. Ironic, since someone would normally need powerful muscles to move at high speeds, but whatever. This could turn out to be an interesting battle of strength and speed if Cierro lived through his Cero.

Remaining reiatsu: 2600

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro released his cero only to meet the Quinta’s own. However, instead of overpowering his own, as Rio’s cero would have normally done, the two attacks canceled each other and created quite an explosion between the two arrancar. The reason for this being that Cierro began charging first and fired it as soon as he was finished. No matter what, since Rio began charging second he would not get as much charge time into his cero so he would be forced to release it before it was 100% complete. However, the Quinta’s cero was certainly powerful enough to cancel out Cierro’s completely charged one.

“Well fuck me sideways and call me a pornstar...” said Cierro after things had calmed down in the voice of an adorable baby, “You really ARE trying to kill me!” Cierro still remained in Rio’s grip, but not for long. He could overcome the difference in strength with his own latent abilities, his quick wit, and his enormous fear of getting hit. (Getting hit sucks!) Before the Quinta’s eyes the espada began to transform into one of the many humans he’d seen in the human world. The human was around 6 feet tall with gray hair and a gray beard. He seemed to be around his mid-50’s and had a round belly. But the most notable feature about the espada’s new form was that the human was missing his entire right arm.

With nothing to maintain a hold of the Octavo was free. “BWAHAHA!!!” he laughed as he used his incredible speed to move around Rio and pull a small pocketknife out of his back pocket. This pocketknife was actually the espada’s zanpakutou in this form. Rio’s senses were impressive, but Cierro’s were even greater. He watched the dog-like espada with trained eyes, looking for any sign of weakness, any sign of an attack that he would have to dodge. Right now the Octavo was in survival mode. He didn’t want to take any hits or incur any damage. Maybe he’d get lucky and Rio would wear himself out. Yeah! Then he’d be able to go enjoy Asuka’s panties, which he still had fastened around his head.

Maybe he’d wear them to the next espada meeting. Taking the form of a Asuka beforehand of course. The Octavo began to formulate a plan for his next practical joke in his head. What would happen if two Asukas showed up to the next meeting? Or even better yet two Kurois! “No... wait... They’d just ask us to fight. Damn... That doesn’t work...” thought the eighth, frustrated that his comrades’ first response to anything was to fight. It was impossible to have fun. Speaking of fighting. He was in a fight! Oh yeah!

Remaining Reiatsu: 2,400

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Rio grinned savagely in response to Cierro's statement. "Of course! Consider this your re-evaluation as an Espada. If you live through it you're still qualified to bear the rank of Octava." He replied gleefully. "And if you die, then the Espada have no need of weaklings like you! His Cero may have been stopped but Rio followed it instantly, with an unfocused shockwave blasting out of his body the instant he felt Cierro's arm slip from his grip. Although Cierro might be able to see the shimmers in the air, he may not realize the threat they posed until they'd already hit him. Afterall, Rio's shockwaves moved at speeds comparable to Bala and his unfocused shockwaves were the fastest of all. So it was likely, that Cierro would be hit by a force comparable to that of being hit by a small car, mid-transformation. He needed to be running for his speed to work, and making that transition on the spot would be a tough situation. Additionally, it was a full body shockwave so it wasn't a matter of simply sidestepping it either.

Fortunately, it probably wouldn't be fatal. Unfortunately though, Rio immediately followed up the shockwave by launching a Bala at Cierro's torso. Given that the shockwave SHOULD have knocked the Espada flying, dodging the bala in midair, without any air ground would be quite difficult. "Though I'll give ya credit Octava. That's an interesting ability you have." Rio conceded, as he advanced after Cierro. Not quickly, but surely. Like a frickin' terminator. Impassive, and while slower than Cierro, if the Espada was caught he would be in serious trouble.

Rio let out a hysterical laugh as he advanced on the Octava. "What's wrong, Octava. You're not even gonna fight back against a guy trying to kill you? You're a pathetic excuse for an Espada!" He hissed. "I was thinking of sparing you if you could put up a good fight. But if you're just gonna scurry around like some common bug, then I'll squash you like one! He threatened. Despite the gleeful look on his face, there was no mistaking the threatening tone he was using.

Rio's arm suddenly thrusted forwards, shooting a focused Shockwave at Cierro. He expanded it so that it would take up the entire hallway, once again, making dodging it after it was released extremely difficult. Truly, fighting in this hallway was a tricky situation for Cierro. Despite his speed, he had to anticipate every one of Rio's moves. One misstep and he could be in for a nearly unevadeable attack. And neither his strength nor his Hierro would be sufficient to stop a direct hit from Rio.

Reiatsu remaining: 2550

[Cierro Muerte]

“Of course!” said Rio with a grin, “Consider this your re-evaluation as an Espada. If you live through it you’re still qualified to bear the rank of Octava, and if you die, then the Espada have no need of weaklings like you!” The two cero crashed together and cancelled each other out, but Rio followed it up with a shockwave that knocked the one-armed Cierro backwards. As the Octavo flew backwards Rio launched a bala directly at his torso. Cierro had no time to think of someone to transform into and instead leaned backwards allowing the bala to pass directly over him. As he preformed this mid-air maneuver he transformed back into his typical pony-tailed, squinty-eyed self. What Cierro did resembled what a certain person named Neo did during a famous scene in the movie,“The Matrix,” except that he was flying backwards as he did it.

It seemed like the Octavo gracefully avoided every blow from the attacker and he smiled as the bala passed over his head without a care. The espada looked graceful and serene as he leaned back until he opened his eyes to see the stone wall which he was so rapidly approaching. “OH FU-” said Cierro before he ran smack into the wall. His chin was the first thing that hit and he ended upside down with his stomach against the wall. “O-ow...” he said as he stuck to the wall like in some type of slapstick cartoon. “Though I’ll give ya credit Octava. That’s an interesting ability you have,” said Rio as he approached the eighth as fast as he could.

Needless to say Cierro got up quickly and evaded his attacker. He was not about to be caught again by such a powerhouse. “What’s wrong, Octava. You’re not even gonna fight back against a guy trying to kill you? You’re a pathetic excuse for an Espada!” he said in disgust, “I was thinking of sparing you if you could put up a good fight. But if you’re just gonna scurry around like some common bug, then I’ll squash you like one!”

In an instant Rio’s arm shot forwards and he shot an immense shockwave at him. However, he was still against the wall of the hallway so he had plenty of room to dodge in each direction. He already knew about the espada’s shockwave ability from his demonstration moments earlier so as soon as his arm thrusted forwards Cierro was gone with yet another sonido. The Octavo watched the effect of Rio’s shockwave on the wall he had previously stood in front of and gauged its power accordingly. “Looks like we both have interesting abilities, dude...” he said as he came out of his step technique against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway.

“Espíatú, Traidor,” said Cierro releasing his zanpakutou. The espada’s words would be loud enough for Rio to hear them, but neither his reiatsu nor his appearance would change as he entered resurreccion. Cierro maintained his shapeshifting ability even in resurreccion and preferred this appearance over the uglier one he gained in resurreccion. “Rio!” yelled Cierro with a huge grin across his face, “Let’s dance!”

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,900
Ressureccion: 1/12
Cierro’s New Speed: 500 (x3) = 1,500

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Hmph. Cierro actually seemed pretty hurt from that collision with the wall. How pathetic! Rio himself could have frickin headbutted his way through that wall without injury if he'd wanted! Cierro had traded a lot for that speed of his, to be sure. But it finally seemed that he was ready to take things seriously. Rio grinned savagely as Cierro declared his release phrase. Of course, Rio was in a bit of a bind as his own release wasn't well suited to these halls. However, Rio drew one of his Sai with his free hand. "Good. That's a proper fighting spirit." Rio hissed.

Rio shifted into a fighting stance, extending his arms. Opening himself right up for an attack. "Go ahead then, Octava. Show me the new strength that you're Ressurection gives you!" He snarled with glee. He wanted to experience Cierro's strength first hand! Let's get him moving then. Shall we? Rio opened his mouth as though to speak-- and suddenly a Bala erupted from it, streaking right at Cierro's abdominals. Ouch. Might not punch a hole through him, but a direct hit would still cause some unpleasant injuries! It'd probably be in Cierro's best interests to evade the hit!

Reiatsu: 2500

[Cierro Muerte]

Strangely Rio didn’t seem all too surprised that Cierro didn’t change appearance after he entered resurreccion. Oh well, the Octavo would show him the difference his release gave him in a moment. “Good. That’s a proper fighting spirit,” spat the other espada as he drew one of his sai and shifted his fighting stance, “Go ahead then, Octava. Show me the new strength that your Ressurection gives you!” Cierro intended to do just that. Without warning the Quinta opened his mouth and a glowing, red bala flew out at the eighth espada. If Rio looked at Cierro’s face just after he fired the attack he would notice an unwavering smile plastered across his face. There was no worry in the Octavo’s eyes. The reason for such confidence would be obvious less then a second after the bala was released.

Cierro would practically disappear as he dashed to the side with a quick pivot. But he would not stop there. Cierro dashed from side to side, not slowing down for a moment as he made his way towards the fifth espada. The espada kept his eyes peeled for more shockwaves as he instantly transported himself towards the Quinta. If Rio could use shunpo, then Cierro would be traveling as fast as that right now, without even using a step technique. THAT was how fast the Octavo was. There would be no intercepting the eighth, for not even Rio’s limbs could react fast enough to counter the eighth’s running speed. “What’s the matter?” said the Octavo with a smirk as he ran unpredictably around Rio, “Can’t keep up?” In all honesty Rio probably wouldn’t be able to keep up with the espada’s new speed. He had the senses of a dog, but not even a dog would be able to see Cierro now.

The Octavo stayed out of the espada’s arm’s reach as he sprinted around the arrancar with speed greater than many shinigami’s shunpo. He didn’t stop either. There were no sharp turns where he lost momentum or stopping. It was all one long dash that ended in a mad sprint around Rio. Needless to say, Cierro would need to make his move soon before he got dizzy. So without warning the Octavo cut in from the arrancar’s left side and swung his sword at the espada’s side as he dashed by. The strike would be coming at the espada’s midsection at a stat speed of over 2,000. Cierro was running by him at a stat speed of 1,500 while his arm swung his blade at a stat speed of 500. There would be no dodging this and blocking was highly unlikely considering Rio’s inferior senses and instinct. A sonido wouldn’t bring him out from Cierro’s running circle either. Since there was no air-ground in Heuco Mundo he couldn’t simply escape upwards, and Sonido wasn’t a teleportation technique. He still needed to get by Cierro somehow. The cut wouldn’t be lethal. It was simply a gash across his chest that would draw blood. Cierro wasn’t interested in killing, or even harming Rio. He held no grudge against him, even after all the times he nearly killed him in the last few minutes.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,900
Ressureccion: 2/12

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Hmph. A speed increase. Rio had expected as much. Cierro's strength was his speed, so naturally his release would either mitigate his flaws or further his strengths. In this case it was clearly the latter, given that he suddenly disappeared from sight. Even before, Rio had at least been able to track his movements, but now the only way Rio could possibly pick up on Cierro's movements was via the sound his footsteps made and the feel of the air as Cierro zipped past him. The fucking fool. "Kuh. So you get a little quicker and think it makes a difference?" Rio taunted, suddenly lashing out with a jab at chest height.

Why bother? Afterall Cierro was moving WAY too fast to stop. However, in the narrow hallway, there wouldn't be room for Cierro to be making any fancy maneuvers around Rio as he ran. It'd likely be simple circles. Of course if Rio HAD connected by some incredible luck, it would naturally do tremendous damage, but the odds of that were naturally low. There was a very different intent behind it.

If Cierro was really moving that fast, then his momentum would cause it to be exceedingly difficult to quickly change directions or stop. By snapping out his fist at chest height, Rio was counting on Cierro ramming into it, mistaking it for a jab, and colliding with Rio's outstretched arm, which would stop the Octava in his tracks, and possibly leave a HELL of a bruise on his torso, if not some cracked bones. Ducking or jumping it would be equally difficult, as Cierro was likely moving too quickly to reach a high or low enough point that he could clear it. However, even if that failed, Rio wasn't out of options yet.

Rio knew, naturally, that Cierro hadn't just done this to show off. He was coming with an attack. Rio knew as well, that the instant in which Cierro attacked, he'd become vulnerable, if only for a split second, due to his speed. Rio had to wait for that instant.... And there it was!

Rio felt Cierro's blade collide with his torso. Immediately, as he felt it, Rio's hand slipped upwards, to block Cierro from pulling it back easily. He moved to close his fingers tightly around the blade, ignoring it as blood drizzled out of his fingers from grabbing Cierro's blade. His Hierro kept the injuries from being too serious, and he was in no danger of losing a finger. The instant Rio gripped the blade (or would have), he unleashed an unfocused shockwave to the side that Cierro was on, to slam him against the wall, in an attempt to disarm him of his blade.

Rio grinned. "That blow was a lot better, Octava! Maybe that rank's not so bad on you afterall!" He taunted at Cierro with a grin, before suddenly lashing his free hand forwards in an attempt to hit Cierro with a focused shockwave. Moving at Bala speed it would be difficult to evade if Cierro had been knocked over from the first unfocused shockwave, but would cause considerable damage to him, due to it being the equivalent of a blow from Rio himself!

Reiatsu remaining: 2500