A.N: I present to you, the second to last chapter in La Batalla de la Torre. With Ivan and Luders attacking the Fake Karakura Town, Benito's plan is going into motion. Can Soifon and the others put a stop to it? Find out now!

Chapter 22: Soifon's Resolve

Luders Friegen looked at Ivan Azigaro and saw him shaking with excitement. Luders shook his head and tapped his shoulder. Ivan glared at him.

"Calm down, Ivan," said Luders, "I'm eager to kill them all too, but we need to follow the plan. We send the Hollows first."

Ivan's glare intensified, but he nodded just the same. "Fine," he muttered.

Ivan raised his hand and motioned for the Hollows to charge. Roaring in excitement, the Hollows leapt out of their respective Garganta towards the four pillars that separated the Fake Karakura from the real one. Soifon watched this happen and sighed. All I can do, Soifon thought, is have faith that Lt. Kira and his men can defend those pillars.

Soifon then found herself surrounded by four other Hollows. She narrowed her eyes at this. "Four, huh?" She inquired. "Against a captain like myself? Honestly, I'm starting to think your leader is underestimating us."

Ivan watched as Soifon took on the Hollows with ease. He noticed her Haori and smirked. "Luders," he said to his longtime rival, "go and take out the fodder that are still alive. I'll handle the captain."

Luders glared at Ivan. "Don't think you can just order me around, Ivan."

Ivan matched Luders' glare with similar intensity. "Don't forget who's stronger, Luders." Ivan growled at him.

Izuru Kira decapitated his third Hollow with Wabisuke. He looked to see five more coming. "This is bad," Izuru muttered to himself, "what the hell happened in Hueco Mundo?"

Izuru looked at the two men who were apparently leading the assault. "Furthermore," Izuru continued, "why are their just two of them? Neither of them look like the type to lead an entire army."

Izuru cut down yet another Hollow. "I hope everyone in Hueco Mundo is alright. I don't think I can deal with the loss of more of my comrades."

Marechiyo Ōmaeda may have been panicking, but he was still effective in his fight. He slammed Gegetsuburi into the face of a Hollow. He started running again. What the hell is going on? Ōmaeda thought. Did the invasion force fail? Oh man, that means Captain Soifon is going to be even more upset than usual. Especially if Yamamoto is hurt!

Ōmaeda swung Gegetsuburi once more, striking another Hollow in its midsection. I hope everyone is alright! Ōmaeda thought.

The battle raged on in the Fake Karakura. Soifon ducked, dodged and slashed as she took down Hollow after Hollow. Izuru decapitated another Hollow and killed yet another with Kidō. Ōmaeda kept swinging Gegetsuburi at Hollows as he continued making his way to everyone else. Rikū Togakushi, Taketsuna Gori, and Asuka Katakura fought tooth and nail to protect their respective pillars from the enemy.

Izuru eventually took down the last of the Hollows and looked to the spot where Ivan and Luders were and narrowed his eyes at this. I need to get over there, Izuru decided, those two are leading this assault so we need to overwhelm them and end this before it gets worse!

With that, Izuru Kira abandoned his pillar and started speeding towards that area.

At the same time, Soifon had just finished slaying her final Hollow and gazed up at Ivan and Luders. She glared at them both and called out. "Come down here you cowards!" She screamed at them. "You should know that sending fodder like this isn't going to take me down!"

Luders Friegen laughed at this. "She's a loud one isn't she. I think we should oblige her, Ivan."

Ivan did not listen. Ivan had already started flying down towards Soifon. Luders sighed at this. "That damned idiot is always too eager."

With that, Luders started flying down to Soifon and to rejoin Ivan.

Soifon's glare remained as Ivan and Luders stood 30 feet from her. "Only the two of you, huh? What did the invasion cripple your forces?"

Luders cackled at this. "Not at all, Captain. In fact, everything is going according to plan." He said.

Ivan smirked. "I've been waiting years for this, Soul Reaper," he said, "I've waited years to get my revenge on your kind. And now I finally have that opportunity. You are going to be a stepping stone for the justice of the Quincy."

Soifon's eyes widened at this. "Excuse me?"

With that, Ivan and Luders pulled out their crosses. As this happened, Izuru and Ōmaeda joined Soifon.

"Captain Soifon!" Ōmaeda called to his captain.

Izuru looked at the crosses in shock. "Captain, are those…"

Soifon nodded grimly. She glared at them both. "So, your king recruited Quincies, huh?" She inquired.

Ivan nodded. "We have a common enemy. He seeks vengeance on your kind just like we do."

"Fools," Soifon spat, "we had to destroy your kind. If we hadn't done that, the balance would have been thrown off and the universe would have been destroyed. Haven't you ever heard of the good of the many outweighing the good of the few?"

Ivan was furious at this. How dare that woman justify genocide! "This isn't about the war. This isn't about the extermination of the Quincy. This is about one of your Soul Reapers ruining mine and Luders lives." Ivan growled at Soifon.

"I don't care what your reason is, it is my duty to stop you!" Said Soifon.

"Now, sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi."

As Soifon released her Shikai, she took notice of the broken Hollow Masks on their faces for the first time. "Why do you have parts of Hollow Masks on your faces?" Soifon inquired.

Ivan smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Rikū and the other two Seated Officers of Squad 3 appeared behind Izuru and Ōmaeda. Soifon looked at the three men. "You three take care of the one with long hair." She told them.

Rikū nodded. "Izuru, Marechiyo," Soifon continued, "I want you two to back me up against the one with the red hair. He's got me really worried. I think he's the stronger of the two."

Ōmaeda and Izuru nodded. Ivan and Luders were both eager to start the fight.

"Lets begin Luders, shall we oblige the captain's orders to her subordinates?" Ivan asked.

"No reason for us not to," Luders replied, "they're going to be dead soon anyway."

With that, eight people scattered into groups of four in two different directions. Rikū stood in front of Taketsuna and Asuka as they stared down Luders, while Soifon stood in front of Izuru and Ōmaeda as they stared down Ivan.

Luders spread his arms wide. "Do keep me entertained, gentleman, I would hate for this to be a disappointment."

Luders Quincy Cross shined and formed a crossbow. Luders raised it at the three seated officers of Squad 3. "Okay, lets have some fun."

Ōmaeda, deciding to try his hand at demoralizing the opponent with taunts. He pointed at himself and grinned arrogantly. "You might as well give up now, Quincy!" He taunted. "You're dealing with the commander of the Stealth Division, Captain Soifon, her super strong totally awesome lieutenant, me, and Izuru!"

Izuru sweat-dropped at this. I'm just Izuru? He thought.

Ivan smirked and vanished. Soifon's eyes widened when she realized she could not follow his movements. She suddenly heard Ōmaeda grunt in pain. As Soifon turned around, Izuru gasped. She did as well when she realized what had happened. Ivan had appeared in between them all with Hirenkyaku and punched Ōmaeda square in the jaw. He had sent him flying backwards.

Izuru swung Wabisuke while Soifon stabbed at him with Suzumebachi. Ivan disappeared once more with Hirenkyaku and reappeared ten feet away from them.

"Among other things, a great benefit from those hellish experiments I was put through was the enhanced strength and speed I received." Ivan grinned.

Ivan's Quincy Cross started to shine like Luders' had. Strange artillery cannons appeared in front of Ivan. Soifon blinked in surprise at the weapon before her. Well crap, she thought, as Ivan opened fire.

Akon's eyes widened in surprise at the two foreign signatures on the monitor. "Rin," he called. "Contact the Head Captain, tell him that Captain Soifon have engaged the enemy."

What's the situation?" Rin Tsubokura asked.

"It's not bad yet." Said Akon. "They've already dealt with the majority of the weaker enemies. They just have two strong ones left."

Akon narrowed his eyes as the gears in his head started to spin. I hope Lt. Kurotsuchi and everyone else in Hueco Mundo are alright. The fact that the enemy has started their invasion is a bad sign.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had been meditating when the Hell Butterfly had flown towards his ear. Listening to the message, one of his eyes opened. Sighing, he got to his feet. Akio, he thought worriedly.

The three Seated Officers of Squad 3 had released their Shikai in hopes of gaining the upper hand against Luders. However, Luders had proven himself to be incredibly fast and acrobatic.

Rikū swung his scythe-like Shikai. Luders gracefully leapt into the air and fired his crossbow twice. Rikū's eyes widened in shock and fear when he heard Asuka and Taketsuna cry out in pain. He glanced to both sides to see Asuka and Taketsuna fall to the ground with holes in their chests.

Rikū glared at Luders furiously. "You bastard!" He screamed.

Luders landed on his feet and leapt backwards to dodge another swing from Rikū's Shikai. Luders aimed his crossbow at Rikū and grinned. Rikū had no time to dodge as three Quincy arrows went straight through his body. Coughing up blood, Rikū fell backwards and hit the ground. Luders landed and grinned at the results of his labor.

"That took a few minutes." He said, visibly displeased at the lack of a challenge.

Luders looked off to the side and stole a glance of Ivan fighting Izuru and Soifon. "Greedy bastard," he muttered, "he gets to fight the challenging opponents while I'm stuck with the fodder."

The remaining invaders reached the top of La Torre. All of them were panting slightly. Their journey up the stairs, however, had paid dividends. All that remained now was a large door to the throne room. Akio Yamamoto, who had been in the lead of the group, narrowed his eyes. I hope we're not to late. He thought.

Akio looked behind to see the group, which consisted of Rukia Kuchiki, Renji Abarai, Kenpachi Zaraki, Yachiru Kusajishi, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Neliel Tu Odelschwank, and Hanatarō Yamada, who had rejoined them after Hachigen Ushōda took over healing Sajin Komamura with Isane Kotetsu. "Everyone stay alert," Akio told them, "we don't know what's beyond this door."

Everyone nodded in agreement. With that, Akio raised a foot and kicked open the door. "Knock, knock." He said.

His eyes widened at the sight before him. One by one, everyone gasped in shock, even Kenpachi and Yachiru. Lying unconscious at the feet of a well-mannered looking Arrancar were…

"Ikkaku, Yumichika!" Akio called out in fear for their lives.

Izuru Kira gritted his teeth in anger and frustration as Ivan disappeared with Hirenkyaku once more, dodging another attack. Soifon appeared behind Izuru's side. "He's fast, Captain Soifon." Izuru reported grimly.

Soifon nodded. "Indeed," she said, "it's so hard to stab him with Suzumebachi."

"I think I need to change up my strategy, Captain," said Izuru, "Wabisuke's ability is not going to help me much against him. I think I need to switch to Kidō to have a more effective offense against him."

Soifon nodded in agreement and in understanding. "Do what you must, Lt. Kira," she told him, "I might have to change up my strategy as well at this rate. I can't get close enough to hit him with Nigeki Kessatsu."

Ivan listened in on this. "Well, what do you intend to do?" He asked, grinning.

Soifon grinned slightly. "I've been waiting to test this out on someone. Thanks for volunteering!"

Soifon's spiritual pressure suddenly skyrocketed as she was surrounded by a strange wind. Izuru watched in amazement. "What is that?" Izuru asked in amazement.

"It is my complete Shunkō." Soifon explained. "I completed this technique after my fight with Lady Yoruichi. It is known as Mukyū Shunkō."

Ivan whistled. "That radiates power," he muttered, "I may have to use it at this rate."

"Either that," Ivan continued, "or I'll just have to shoot her down now."

Ivan fired his artillery cannons at Soifon. Soifon smirked at this. The sound of wind whistling suddenly filled the air as Soifon vanished. Ivan's eyes widened in shock. I can't follow her movements anymore! He realized.

Soifon reappeared, the two were face to face. "Fūjinken!"

The punch hit Ivan square in the jaw, sending him careening into the ground. "Lt. Kira, keep the pressure on him!"

"Right!"

Izuru raised a hand. "Hadō #31, Shakkahō!"

Red fire shot down towards where Ivan was. "I'm not going to let you recover, Hadō #32, Ōkasen!"

Yellow fire shot down next. "Next, Hadō #33, Sōkatsui!"

As the blue fire shot towards Ivan, Izuru held out his second hand. "Now for the finale, Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui!"

The larger version of Sōkatsui discharged from Izuru's hand. As the flames exploded on the ground, Izuru started to pant. "Damn," he muttered, "that was exhausting enough as it is. If I had used the incantations I would've been drained."

Soifon, still clad in her Mukyū Shunkō, appeared next to Izuru. "Do you think we got him, Captain?" Izuru asked.

Soifon looked down at the giant cloud of smoke. "I hope so," she admitted, "I don't think he's going all out. I would rather not see what he has in store for us."

"Oh really?"

Soifon and Izuru's eyes widened as Ivan appeared off to the side, charging his artillery cannons. Ivan fired several balls of spirit energy at them. Soifon still had the energy to dodge them all, but Izuru was not so lucky. Izuru was struck by three of the blasts, causing him to fall to the streets. Soifon wanted to call out to Izuru and make sure he was okay, but she had more pressing concerns at the moment. Ivan's body was charred and he was bleeding from where she had punched him. Otherwise, he was okay.

"That hurt a lot," Ivan told Soifon, "I guess I'm going to have to use it a bit sooner than I expected."

With that, Ivan brought his hand up to his face. Soifon's eyes widened as memories of the Visored' fight during the Winter War came to mind. It can't be, she thought.

Ivan formed a Hollow Mask over his face. It was shaped like a medieval shield with two red dots where Ivan's eyes were.

"I can't believe I had to use my Hollowfication already. Now I've only got two more times where I can use it before I need my rest." Ivan lamented.

"Now than," Ivan continued, lets see you vanish completely from my sight now, Soul Reaper."

Deciding to take the challenge, Soifon vanished and reappeared near Ivan with her fist raised. This time, Ivan caught her fist and smirked beneath his mask.

"My turn."

Ivan punched Soifon in the face. Soifon grunted in pain as she flew back several feet. His strength has increased exponentially, Soifon noted.

Ivan vanished. Soifon's eyes widened. That wasn't Hirenkyaku! She thought in shock.

Ivan kneed Soifon in the gut. Soifon gasped and coughed up blood at the impact. That was Sonido! She realized.

Ivan Sonido'd behind his opponent and karate chopped her in the back of the neck. Soifon cried out in pain as she flew into the roof. Ivan then pointed a finger at her. "Cero!" He shouted, firing a dark blue Cero at Soifon.

Soifon was able to dodge the attack in time with Flash Step and managed to reappear behind Ivan. She leapt into the air and prepared to attack Ivan. She took a swing at Ivan, who managed to block the punch with his arm. Soifon quickly followed up with a kick that actually managed to connect with Ivan's face. Ivan, not missing a beat, countered with an uppercut to the jaw and followed up with a Bala that sent Soifon into another roof.

Ivan glared down at Soifon. She's durable, I'll give her that, Ivan thought, I can't let this fight drag out any longer, otherwise I'll lose my mask.

Soifon got to her feet and looked down at Izuru Kira's still prone form. I have to end this quickly, she thought, Izuru needs medical attention. Not just Izuru, but everyone here.

Ivan noticed Soifon's glance and got a wicked idea. He then summoned his artillery cannons and aimed them at Soifon. At the exact same time, he pointed a finger at Izuru. Soifon's eyes widened when she realized what he was doing.

"Coward!" She screamed.

Ivan grinned. "Let's see just how strong the bonds of Soul Reapers are. You can either keep dodging my attacks and let me finish off your friend. Or, you can save your friend and get shot down. Keep in mind, you do have a chance to finish me with half of my attention on your comrade."

Soifon found herself frozen with her new dilemma. All her life she had believed in the way of the Stealth Force. 'If your comrade is being defeated, you should see it as an opportunity. Rather than standing in the way, you should stab the enemy in the back. And if the enemy is so far above your level that you cannot even manage that, then you should let your comrade die'. With that in mind, conventional wisdom says that she should sacrifice Izuru and take down Ivan when half of his attention is on the defeated lieutenant. Especially when I'm so exhausted, Soifon thought.

However, then she remembered something Akio once said to her. 'Family is not connected by blood. But by the bonds they have with one another. Our bonds come from the same goal to exterminate the evil in the world. For that reason, we're all connected by one heart, making us a family'.

Akio, Soifon thought, what would you do in this situation? Stupid question, you would save Izuru, even if the attack severely wounded you. That's just the kind of man you are. That's the way you are. And if I'm going to stay your lover, I'm going to have to support who you are.

Gathering her resolve, Soifon made the hardest decision of her life. And you know something? Part of supporting who you are, is doing the exact thing you would do in this situation.

"Time's up!" Ivan screamed, firing a Cero and firing the cannons.

Soifon didn't hesitate. She Flash Stepped to Izuru's location. Gathering up the last of her strength in her Mukyū Shunkō, Soifon punched the Cero, creating a giant explosion. The smoke cleared, Soifon's punching arm shook from the destruction of the bones and nerves in her arm. Her vision was still blurry from the collision. Her vision cleared in time to see spirit energy that had been fired from Ivan's cannons inches from her body. Knowing that she could not dodge, Soifon closed her eyes and smiled. Akio, she thought, thank you.

The spirit energy exploded upon colliding with her. Izuru stirred slightly. "C-Captain Soifon?" He muttered.

The new cloud of smoke cleared like the previous one. A bloodied and charred Soifon stood in place for a moment and then fell to the side.

Doing this, her stream of consciousness continued, has felt so much better than the other option would have.

A.N: Soifon has been defeated by the enemy and Ivan Azgiaro has proven himself to be an extremely strong combatant. Is this the end of Karakura Town? Nothing is stopping Los Retazos from destroying the Fake. Find out in the final chapter of La Batalla de la Torre.