Chapter 21: Ichigo Falls! Ulquiorra's Judgment and Orihime's Wish!

"Why won't you let go of your sword?" Ulquiorra asked, looking Ichigo's hand that is still holding on to his sword. "You've experienced the vast difference in our powers and yet you actually still think you can defeat me.

"D…Difference…in power?" Ichigo said. "That…doesn't matter…at all. You think I'll give up…just because…you're more powerful than me? From our first battle, I knew that you were stronger. At this point no matter how many I see powerful you are, it won't make a difference to me. I'm determined to see this through to the end. I refuse to give up. You should've realized that by now." Ichigo slowly tried to lift his sword up. "I…will find…a way…to beat you!" A small smirk appeared on Ichigo's face. "U…Ul…quiorra!"

Ulquiorra widen his eyes from Ichigo's words. Then he threw Ichigo back on the ground. "That's nonsense." He said. "Ichigo Kurosaki, those are the words of a man who doesn't know the true despair of defeat." Ichigo managed to get back to his knees. Then his eyes widen as green aura surrounds Ulquiorra and the ground started to shake. "Since you don't understand, I'll teach you. This is what true despair looks like."

Inside the palace, Uryu, Orihime, and Luffy floating up to the hole in Las Noches' ceiling, takes to a technique Uryu learned from his father.

"Whoa, this is awesome!" Luffy said excited.

"How incredible." Orihime said, looking down at the ground so far below her.

"I've learned this when I went through the garganta." Uryu explained. "I realized on the way here that I can use this in Hueco Mundo as well. I've wished I could've figured this out sooner. I could've used this in some of my earlier battles."

"Uryu…" Orhime said. Then all three felt a large amount of spiritual pressure.

"What the hell was that?" Uryu said with widen eyes. "It came from up above." A black orb made of spirit energy came from the hole in the ceiling and engulfed Luffy, Uryu, and Orihime. "What's that force? Spirit energy?"

'This is too different.' Uryu thought as they got closer to the hole. 'It's unlike spirit energy I've experienced before. It's not just powerful…it feel thick and heavy. It is as if there's an ocean spread above the sky. It's something other than spirit energy. I can it could crush us.'

"What is this stuff?!" Luffy asked.

"I've never…" Orihime said, worried.

"I know." Uryu said. "Let's hurry!"

On the canopy, the spiritual pressure disappeared from around Ulquiorra and his appearance changed again. He still had his black wings but his long coat is gone. His hollow hole appeared to have a black liquid dripping out of it. He now has black fur covering his waist, arms, and legs. His fingers grew into claws and his feet into talons. His eyes became yellow with a green sclera and the tear marks increase, turning a full black. His hollow mask was gone, leaving the horns and he has two large bat ears.

"Resurreccion: Seguanda Etapa!" Ulquiorra said. Ichigo looked at Ulquiorra's new form with widen eyes. "Among the espadas, I alone have found a way to achieve this second stage release. I have not even shown this form to the great Lord Aizen."

Ichigo tightened the grip on his sword and with some difficulty, got back to his feet.

"So you've seen my imposing form and you still have the will to fight." Ulquiorra said to Ichigo.

'He's so confused.' He thought. 'He can feel fear. And yet those are not the eyes that are giving up. Does this mean he actually believes he can win?'

Ulquiorra took a step and said, "Very well then, I'll show the true depth of my power. Even if I have to grind your body into dust." Ulquiorra took a stance. "You will understand!"

Ichigo quickly got into a defensive stance only to feel Ulquiorra's claw-like hand grabbed the side of his head and forcefully pushed him to the side. Ichigo was send flying and crashed into another pillar, destroying the top of it. Ulquiorra widen his eyes when he saw Ichigo trying to use his sword to stand up. Ulquiorra rushed towards Ichigo, trying to grab his head again. Ichigo saw the espada coming and his sword to block the attack. Then Ulquiorra sonidoed in front of Ichigo and grabbed his sword by the blade. Ulquiorra's tail, in a fast motion, slapped Ichigo and sending him flying. Ichigo put his hand over his face and revealed his hollow mask.

"You are a fool, Ichigo Kurosaki!" Ulquiorra said, pushing Ichigo back. "Why would you challenge an enemy you can't possibly defeat? Most beings want preserve their life. I can't comprehend this." Ulquiorra grabbed Ichigo by the head, destroying his mask and sending crashing through two pillars. "You must be doing this through what you people called heart. If so, it seems to be more of a liability than strength. What stupidity. Because of this antiquated concept of 'heart,' you have chosen to lose your life."

The smoke of the destroyed started to clear and Ichigo was revealed still standing but showing damage from Ulquiorra's attacks. "I didn't decide to fight you because I see myself winning this battle." Ichigo said. "The only reason I continue to fight is I have to win!"

Ulquiorra looked at Ichigo with narrowed eyes. "Have it your way." He said as everything turned black.

Uryu, Orihime, and Luffy continued to float as they reached the canopy of Las Noches. They landed on the floor as the platform they were disappeared.

"I don't sense Ichigo's spiritual pressure." Uryu said looking around. "Where is he?"

Orihime started running, looking for Ichigo. She stopped when he saw a frightening sight, Ulquiorra standing in front of a beaten Ichigo with his tail wrapped around Ichigo's neck.

Ulquiorra looked down and saw Orihime. "So you've come, how nice." Ulquiorra said coldly.

"I…Ichigo…" Orihime said worried.

"You've came just in time. Now watch closely." Ulquiorra pointed his finger at Ichigo's chest and a black ball started to form. Orihime's eyes widen in horror. "Here is the man who you have entrusted with all your hope…bare witness as his life comes to an end."

Tears began to flow down from Orihime's eyes. "NO!" she screamed as the black cero was fired and went straight through Ichigo's chest.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: Orihime in Grief! Luffy Lands a Furious Blow!