Hollow of myth (Raikou but now solo)

There were many rumors of a hollow beyond measure. A creature of myth. The beast that roamed the eternal desert, Ruler of the white sands. His name was spoken in whispers, as if uttering it would bring forth his wrath. It's name was Raikou. But who was this proverbial Boogie man? What matter of creature could strike fear in so many? That was the true mystery. For all the rumors, not a single hollow had seen him. And that itself added to the mystique.
"All that see him die" screeched the small hollow Stratus was slowly crushing underfoot. "No one knows where he is." It clawed frantically at the foot, but could not move the gray hollow from his uncomfortable perch. It was the same as many others had said. But it all raised a single quesion; If all that see him die? Why does anyone know his name? None could answer that question and it was irritating him to no end. He pushed his foot down with full force the small creature's head was shattered. And with that he continued his journey.

He remember the fear, the overwhelming pressure of the arrancar in Las Noches. It made him furious to know they sat above all others. When he heard of one so strong he was curious. But as he searched his anger grew. This creature was elevated to a seat of power below those monsters and yet none had tested his strength. Not one person could claim witness to power that instills fear in all that know of him. It all sounded like a scam. A hollow using reputation to keep attackers at bay. Apparently the other hollows saw fit to not mention this to those in white fortress. Otherwise they would have dealt with the matter personally no doubt. When he found this bastard he would show him true power.

The day wore on as he chased the shadow. It was an endless maze without an exit a fool's folly. Still he hunted. His frustration only fueling him to go on. The latest word from a skinny bug he had found miles west. The pathetic creature pointed the direction that the mythical beast was to lurk. Stratus let the hollow live with the promise that should the information be false, he would come back end it's existence. Although he moved across the sands at an incredible speed the horizon didn't change. That was the illusion of Hueco Mundo. Logical beings would be driven mad by the endless wasteland. What you was see didn't matter, it was what was felt. The sense is what guided his feet, he could feel the signal of something monstrous close by. The question was had it sensed him yet. He suppressed his power, pushing all traces of his own energy deep down within himself. It hurt his head. He was close, if he could get the catch his target by surprise victory might be his.

That was not to be. The sands erupted beneath him. As the whiteness showered down he saw the shape lurch forth. He moved back as something zoomed by him. The dust settled quickly and the large shape more defined. It was the size of a house, the creature's body was frog like, but it's neck was like an ostrich. An impossibly long neck It's mask completely round giving it the appearance like a morning-star. A purple energy engulfed the head and it swung at Stratus. The head impacted and the glow discharged into an small explosion of sand. He pointed his claws at the location the head should be and fired his slime. Stratus hated fighting in such open places, but there was little choice. The head rose again and he ran forward to attack the body. It would seem the head and neck were it's primary means of attack. Getting close was the best action. Or so he thought. Suddenly a large hole opened beneath where the neck met the body. A hole filled with a tongue. It's mouth! He hadn't gotten a good look at the masked head, so he couldn't have guessed if it had a mouth on it. True to it's bullfrog likeness the tongue shot out and grabbed Stratus. The sticky thing snaked it's way around him binding his arms. "Crap." The mouth opened wider into a smile. There was a tug as the tongue started to retract. Stratus tried to resist the pull, but the sands gave him no grip. Slowly he was being drawn in. With a growl of defiance tried to grasp the tongue and cut into it with his claws. The skin was tough, but he managed to dig his sharp talons into it. The mouth roared in pain, but didn't let go. Something hit him from behind it burned him and tossed him forward. Probably the head and it's strange attack.
As Stratus flew he summoned his slime and crystallized the gooey substance. Then everything went dark.

There was the sound thousands of times worst than nails on a chalkboard as it's teeth tried to pierce the emerald prison he had made around himself. Some of the teeth broke, but it didn't relent in it's efforts. It tried too hard, it missed and the sharp edges cut through it's mouth and out the other side. The scream was much louder from within it's mouth. It's tongue half encased by the same crystal, it couldn't remove it from it's mouth properly. All attempts caused the edge to cut further. Finally in desperation it jerked it's head violently. With a sickening sound the shard cut it's mouth completely in half and the large emerald came free. Blood flowed in great volume from the wound. It's mouth so ruined it couldn't even make a proper scream. Solving one problem had created another. Free from the damnable crystal, but now heavily injured and missing many teeth. The next problem quickly presented itself. The tongue was still trapped in the crystal. It's fight or flight mechanism acted first. Energy encircled the round head and came crashing down on it's own tongue. The explosion knocked the crystal backwards and tore through it's own flesh. It stifled the scream as it's hands tried to keep the mouth wound from bleeding more. There was one more explosion as the creature dove back into the stained sands. Seconds later Stratus freed himself from his shell. He took a long gulp of air. Great protection, but no air. It wasn't a technique he could do for long. He groaned and stood. The signal was already moving away. The gray hollow dusted himself off and headed in the opposite direction; he had to pay a certain bug a return visit.