The King and the Monkey!

Bikou has traveled far within the realm of Hueco Mundo, seeing almost all that there was to see in the empty realm of Hollows. However, one thing he had yet to witness, was the King himself.

That is, until now.

As he walked the sands of Hueco Mundo, Bikou happened upon a small colony of Hollows.

Now such colonies weren't uncommon. In fact, Bikou had witnessed many like it. Hollows of similar appearances banding together in small packs to protect themselves. 

Hollows like this were usually those who were born in Hueco Mundo as Hollows originally. Many did not know it, but Hollows were in fact, capable of reproducing among themselves. 

This particular colony, however, was composed of many different Hollows. 

Knowing his strength, Bikou began suppressing his large spirit energy as he approached to avoid crushing the life from the lower ranked Hollows.

As he approached the colony, the Hollows within began to stir. Each of them readying themselves for a potential fight. 

Galloping forward was a female Hollow, with the upper body of a woman, and the lower body of a horse. Within her hand was a large lance. 

Beside her were two very weird looking Hollows. One lanky and tall and the other robust and short with a large face.

" What do you want?!" She asked. 

Bikou could feel the woman's energy clearly, she was strong. Weaker than he was at her level, but still strong. 

Normally, Bikou would be more than happy to try and enter into a confrontation with the woman. But with so many others nearby, he decided against it for once, and instead tried using his words.

" Oh, I'm just passing through. No worries." Bikou told the woman.

Hearing this, the woman relaxed and lower her guard a little bit, but still remained somewhat cautious of Bikou's presence. " I've never seen a Hollow like you, before. What are you?" 

" Who me? Technically I'm an arrancar. Or at least, that's what I think it's called. I'm not gonna lie, I don't really know."

" An arrancar? A hollow that removed his mask to gain soul reaper like powers? But how?"

" No idea, it just happened." Bikou told the woman.

She looked at Bikou. Her eyes carefully searching for any signs of deceit. She hadn't been around very long herself, but she could tell from the way he carried himself, that at the very least he didn't seem the kind to lie. 

Not that he needed to.

She could feel how dense and powerful his spiritual energy was. Just being near him gave her the inclination that she was being strangled. And yet, she knew it was nothing more than her senses.

She lowered her weapon and stepped to the side.

" Alright, then. If you're just passing through, then go ahead."

" Hey, lady what's your name?" 

"Huh? Why do you want to know?"

" I'm just curious. That's all. You're pretty strong, you know that."

" Not like you are." She said.

" Oh, you can tell?"

" Of course, I can. I can feel my entire body shaking. Your spiritual pressure is so strong."

Bikou rubbed the side of his neck while laughing. " I'm trying to hold it back. But to be honest, I don't think I can make it go any lower than this." Bikou exclaimed.

" What?! You... What kind of monster are you?"

" Hey! I'm not a monster... Well... Technically we are classified as monsters, but I guess Hollow is more appropriate than monster? I'm Bikou. Nice ta meet ya."

She stared at him in disbelief for a moment. He was a weird Hollow. Weirder than anything she had ever seen before. But then again, there was nothing wrong with that. 

She could feel something else coming from him. An aura of heat. A radiating heat that enveloped her in a warmth unlike anything she had ever experienced in this world. 

And from the smile on his face, she knew he was being honest. 

" You're a strange man. But I feel like I can trust you." She said. " My name is Nelliel Tu Odelschwank. It's a pleasure."

Bikou's face dropped upon hearing the woman's name. " I'm sorry. WHAT?!" Bikou exclaimed. " That's a long name... I think I'll just Nel for short. How's that sound?"

Nel nodded her head in silent agreement. " If that is what you wish." 

Nel turned around and started trotting back towards the colony. But then stopped and faced, Bikou once more. " If you are going to pass through here, I suggest you be careful." 

" Why's that?" Bikou asked.

" Because Las Noches is further ahead." Nel told the man.

" I'm sorry, what now?"

" Las Noches. The home of King Barragan. He is a Hollow as old as Hueco Mundo itself. Or so, he claims. And the proclaimed king and God of Hueco Mundo. Though no one has ever been able to refute his claim. I would be careful wandering near his home." 

Bikou scratched his chin and smiled. " Ahhh! I wouldn't worry about that. Besides, I'm pretty strong myself. I think I can handle it." Bikou told the woman." Regardless, I've warned you. Be careful, now. and try not to linger too long. I don't want attention being drawn to our home."

" Yeah, yea. I got it. See ya, Nel!" Bikou waved goodbye to the woman as he continued passing on through.

' Las Noches, huh? King Barragan...'

.........

Barragan sat on his throne, staring out at the vast desert, seemingly bored. 

" I'm so bored." Barragan muttered." A drink, my lord?"

One of Barragan's many female assistants asked as she approached the man with a pitcher.

Barragan waved the woman. " I don't need it." He said. " I'm just bored."

Suddenly, the moment those words left his mouth, a large flash appeared in the distance.

A giant amber light appearing to be fire exploded at the front of Barragan's palace.

"Hng?"

" What happened?"

" Someone just blew up the entrance to lord Barragan's palace!"

Barragan sat in silence as a powerful spiritual pressure descended onto his throne room.

It was a man. Or at least looked to be a man. But the Hole in the center of his chest identified him as a Hollow. 

" Who are you?" Barragan asked softly. 

His voice was deep and unsettling. That voice carried power itself. 

" Ho? I believe you were looking for me. I guess, I finally decided to come see what you wanted." Bikou muttered. " My name is Bikou. I've been looking forward to meeting you, old man."

" A black rod, and a monkey tail? I don't recall ever calling for you." Barragan spoke.

" Yeah, I've changed a bit. I used to carry around a red staff, and well, I was a bit more Monkey. But that's changed now."

" Yes... I do remember you now. So, you went and became an arrancar. Why would you ever want to gain Soul Reaper powers?" Barragan asked the man.

" Well, I didn't take after Soul Reapers, but I get the concept. Honestly, I wanted to keep getting stronger and well, here I am now."

" That's it."

" Yeah, pretty much." Bikou joked. 

His whole carefree attitude, upset Barragan. 

" You're acting very presumptuous and arrogant to be standing in front of a king. I like it."

" Ahhhh! Well...." Bikou muttered. He rotated his head back and forth before taking a step towards Barragan. " So, what is it you wanted?"

" Is it not simple? I want you to come under me."

Bikou waited in silence for a moment and burst out into a fit of laughter. 

" HAhahahaha! I'm sorry, but that's funny. Sorry, old man. " Bikou stated. He then raised his thumb and pointed it at himself. " But the only person who rules over me, is myself. Got it! And anyone who tries to rule over me, dies."

" I see. In that case-"

Barragan disappeared from his throne.

Bikou swung his black staff upwards and blocked Barragan's axe as it came down towards him. The ground beneath the two cratered, and the shockwave that was produced knocked over Barragan's court. 

" I've been looking for something to entertain me."

" I've been looking for a good fight. Try to keep up, old man!"

Bikou and Barragan both glared at each other for a moment, trying to overpower the other as their weapons pushed against each other. 

With a strong thrust, Bikou threw Barragan off of him, before lunging towards him once again

............................