Starrk, the Lone Battle

It is revealed that Kyouraku was the one who had stabbed Starrk in the back. Kyouraku then explains that his zanpakutou has four techniques in the form of children's games turned into reality. Starrk catches on quickly and learns to use Kyouraku's attacks against him. However, Lilynette sacrifices her life for Starrk by absorbing a fatal attack from Kyouraku that Starrk was unable to block in time. Showing distress at her death, Starrk nearly defeats Kyouraku at one point. Instead, Kyouraku finishes Starrk off by targeting his hollow hole, dealing a massive amount of damage to Starrk. As Starrk dies, a flashback reveals Starrk's first encounter with Lilynette in Hueco Mundo. Meanwhile, Aizen, growing tired of the battles, decides he no longer needs Halibel and slashes her.