Pale Fire: A bleach fanfiction

Chapter thirty-one: The culmination drawing near

Ulquiorra finally released his zanpakuto. I stare with horror. I hardened my reiatsu beneath my feet and lifted myself taking me to the top of the dome. I noticed my location above. We were outside the dome, having a black empty sky behind us.

“There are two things forbidden within Las Noches. The first is using the Espada’s Gran Rey Cero and the second is any of the Espada ranked four or above releasing their Zanpakuto as either has the potential power to destroy the fortress,” Ulquiorra explained and then proceeded to release his zanpakuto. “Enclose,” he said. His zanpakuto then unleashed a black burst of spiritual energy. It fell around Ulquiorra, like green rain. He gained large black bat wings on his back, with his hair becoming longer. The remains of his Hollow mask centered on top of his head, with two large horns. The teal lines on his face became black and broader. I stared in amazement.

Ulquiorra attacked Ichigo with a spiked weapon. Ichigo reflexively defended himself with a Getsuga Tenshou.

“If you hadn’t done so, then your head would be lying at my feet,” Ulquiorra noticed.

“Your power has increased. You have abled to maintain it longer but I was still able to shatter your mask,” Ulquoirra mentioned. Ulquiorra then attacked Ichigo.

I looked to my right, averting my eyes from the fight for a few seconds. I looked around to see if Ishida and Orihime had arrived but they were nowhere to be seen. I could hear Ulquiorra’s heartbeat in my ears. He glanced at me and I caught his eye. 

“I’m going to show you the true difference in our power,” Ulquiorra promised Ichigo.

“I was going to do so anyway,” Ichigo responded. He then released his attack but Ulquiorra is completely unharmed. 

“Your Getsuga Tenshou is similar to my cero,” Ulquiorra mentioned.

“I disagree,” Ichigo said.

“You haven’t seen mine yet,” Ulquiorra replied. He then performed his fully powered Cero Oscuras. His cero was black this time and it fatally injures Ichigo, completely destroying his mask. Ulquiorra then hurled him into a nearby building.

“Give up,” he told Ichigo. “No matter how similar your appearance and techniques may be to those of an Arrancar their power is as far apart as heaven and earth. When a Shinigami or Human wishes to gain power, imitating Hollows is an appropriate course of action. However, because they are imitating, Humans will never be equal to Hollows.” Defiantly, Ichigo tried to use Getsuga. Ulquiorra lost his calm by slicing Ichigo, destroying the tower they were in.

“It’s useless for you to keep trying,” Ulquiorra told him. He strikes at Ichigo again who was falling, sending him flying into another tower. He picked him up by the throat.

“Drop your sword and give up, now that you have seen the difference in our strength,” Ulquiorra advised him.

“Do you think I should just give up because you are stronger than me? I’ve always known that you are stronger; nothing I see will change my mind. I will defeat you regardless of your strength.”

“If you do not know it, then I shall enlighten you. This is the form of true despair.” I watched, with my eyes wide. Ulquiorra released an immensely dense spiritual pressure. His white coat disappears as he reveals his musculature chest. I noticed that his Hollow hole had become bigger, and it was dripping black liquid from it. His arms, legs and waist become covered in black fur. His finger becomes something similar to claws and his feet turned into talons. His mask was completely gone now, with an appearance much like a bat. I realised that his number four tattoo ad disappeared. I clutched my chest. So this was Ulquiorra’s second release form.

“Among the Espada, only I have achieved a second release form, which even Aizen hae not witnessed,” Ulquiorra explained.

Ichigowas stunned yet he still attempted to fight, showing no fear. “I will make you understand fear, even if I have to tear your body to shreds,” Ulquiorra said. He flew at Ichigo at full force, easily overwhelming him with his speed. He sent Ichigo flying into another pillar.