Part of Ichigo's mask is shattered as it falls to the floor. He is shocked that Ulquiorra's speed has vastly increased in his release form, and berates himself for not being able to react.
Ulquiorra notes that Ichigo's mask duration is able to last much longer than their last encounter; however, it still breaks easily.
Ulquiorra proceeds to throw his javelin at his opponent. Ichigo tries to observe carefully and is able to dodge the first javelin. However, he is hit on his upper right shoulder by a subsequent attack and is knocked back by its great force.
Meanwhile, Uryu Ishida comes to the conclusion that the sky of Las Noches really was fake and takes note that Orihime Inoue is all right, but he cannot be sure until Ichigo defeats Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra tries to bait Ichigo into testing his Getsuga against him to show the difference in their strengths.
Ichigo angrily responds that he does not need Ulquiorra to tell him how to use his own attack and fires a Getsuga at him.
Ulquiorra easily withstands the attack without a scratch and comments that Ichigo is still at a Human level.
Ulquiorra compares Ichigo's Getsuga with his black Cero, the Cero Oscuras, with Ichigo angrily responding not to associate him with that trash.
Ulquiorra takes note that Ichigo has not yet seen it, and proceeds to show him and explains that it is a Cero that Espada can use in their released form.
The blast of the attack engulfs Ichigo in darkness and easily shatters his mask, as well as critically injuring him in the process. The power behind the attack was so powerful that Uryu and Orihime could feel it from within Las Noches.
Orihime asks Uryu to take her up to the top of Las Noches. Knowing she would ask, Uryu hesitantly agrees.
Ulquiorra knocks Ichigo into a pillar with a flap of his wing and tells Ichigo that even though he may possess powers similar to an Arrancar, their strengths are worlds apart.
Ulquiorra explains that when a Human or Shinigami is strong enough, it is reasonable for them to seek Hollow powers, but they can never be equal to Hollows.
Ichigo persists to continue fighting, which pushes Ulquiorra's patience to its limit. Ulquiorra angrily shouts that it is useless, and continues to bash Ichigo into multiple towers.
Ulquiorra picks up Ichigo by the neck and asks him why he won't drop his sword and whether or not he still thinks he can win despite the difference in their power.
Ichigo replies by saying it doesn't matter who is stronger and asks Ulquiorra if he thinks he should give up because of that, since Ichigo already knew Ulquiorra was stronger from the start and that showing off his strength will not change a thing.
Ichigo continues to believe he can still win, which wears down Ulquiorra's last bit of patience. He throws Ichigo to the ground and says that those are words of someone who does not know the meaning of true despair and is prepared to teach him. With that said, he proceeds to use his second release: Segunda Etapa.
As Uryu and Orihime approach the top of Las Noches, they feel an enormous amount of Reiatsu and witness the area around them becoming black, to which Uryu comments, saying that it is nothing he had ever felt before, and describes the feeling as if there is an ocean above the sky.
Back on the top of the dome Ulquiorra boasts that he is the only Espada to develop a second release, one that Aizen has not even witnessed yet. Ichigo continues to stand and prepares to continue their fight, even after seeing Ulquiorra in his second release which annoys Ulquiorra even further.
Ulquiorra positions himself and lunges at Ichigo, grabbing him by the head and throwing him into a pillar and whipping him with his tail, which causes Ichigo to don his Hollow mask once again.
Ulquiorra effortlessly shatters his mask again by grabbing his face and throwing him into another tower.
Ulquiorra questions Ichigo if it is because he has a soul that he continues to fight and comes to the conclusion that souls do nothing but injure humans and he is prepared to demonstrate that Ichigo's soul will be the death of him.
Ichigo responds that he is not fighting because he wants to win, but rather because he needs to win. Ulquiorra merely responds with "Nonsense." and moves in for the kill.
Just as Uryu and Orihime arrive at the top, they see Ichigo hung up by Ulquiorra's tail.
Ulquiorra glanced at Orihime and spoke,
"You have arrived; watch closely; the man you put hopes in is about to die."
Orihime's eyes widened, and she started speaking with a pleading expression, "Please stop, release him."
Ulquiorra ignored her pleading and charged up another Cero Oscuras and blasted a hole in Ichigo's chest.
Orihime Inoue is horrified as she witnesses Ulquiorra blasting a Cero Oscuras through Ichigo's chest, throwing him off the tower, while
Orihime frantically rushes to save him.
However, she is stopped by Ulquiorra, who, trying to make himself clear, tells her it is useless to try to save him.
Uryu Ishida uses Licht Regen appearing behind him to attack, which Ulquiorra easily blocks, which has no effect on him.
When Ulquiorra tells the Quincy he is surprised, as he thought Uryu was one of Ichigo's calmer friends, Uryu states he is calm, which is why he will be able to handle Ulquiorra in a fight.
Reaching the area where Ichigo's body landed, Orihime is truly horrified by what she sees.
As Uryu continues to attack Ulquiorra multiple times at different angles in an attempt to buy Orihime some time to heal Ichigo's injuries, Ulquiorra effortlessly blocks all the attacks with his wings.
Sending Uryu flying into a tower with a flap of his wings, Ulquiorra, asking Uryu if he is done yet, compliments him on his speed, saying it is impressive for a human. When Uryu, stating he is not done, uses a Seele Schneider, Ulquiorra catches and injures his wrist.
As Orihime attempts to heal Ichigo, she is distraught about what she should do, as she had always thought Ichigo would always win and be alright.
Continuing to fight Ulquiorra, Uryu is easily countered at each attempt. Watching in horror as Uryu is whipped by Ulquiorra's tail repeatedly, Orihime desperately begs Ichigo for help.
...