A.N: All right! I've finally got the last chapter of La Batalla de la Torre finished. This chapter is mainly a buildup chapter that will serve as a bridge between the fourth part, this story, and the final part, the next story.

Also, to all of my faithful readers of the Infinito Espada Series, if you're all looking for a change of pace from my usual Bleach stories, if you haven't already, check out my multiple-anime crossover, Five Worlds War. It's currently in the prologue part and I personally think that if I play my cards right, my most ambitious project will turn into my most successful project. It's got Bleach, it's got One Piece, it's got Naruto, it's got Fairy Tail, and the fifth world is basically the world that brings the other four together.

With that, we can finally get down to the final chapter of La Batalla de la Torre. Enjoy the chapter, everyone.

Chapter 23: Changing Eras

Desperate situations certainly cause people to do things they normally would not do. In the case of Nemu Kurotsuchi and Hiyori Sarugaki, fumbling with a device created by a dead man they greatly despised would fit this category. The two were having no such luck with reopening the Garganta to allow the others to follow Los Retazos back to the Soul Society. That fact alone was starting to get on Hiyori's nerves.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" Hiyori screamed in frustration.

Nemu wanted to calm her closest friend down, but she could not lose focus, not when they were in such a desperate situation. "Why the hell do mad scientists always make such complex machines?" Hiyori asked rhetorically.

Nemu had to reply to this. "It acts as a defense mechanism of sorts. It's so outsiders of lesser intelligence, like you and me, do not use their own work."

"That was a rhetorical question, Nemu!" Hiyori shouted.

Nemu blushed, embarrassed by this. The poor girl was still learning social skills at this point. Hiyori sighed. "Sorry about that," she said, "this whole thing has just gotten so frustrating."

Nemu nodded. "It's alright, I understand what you mean." Nemu replied. "Even I am becoming frustrated by the complexity of Mayuri's designs."

Nemu looked over the panel once more. "However," Nemu continued, "I worked under Mayuri for years to the point where I know his tendencies."

Nemu narrowed her eyes. "If I could just find one tendency of Mayuri's, I can figure this machine out."

Nemu continued scanning the machine. She soon caught something that was familiar to her. Her eyes widened when she saw this. "That's it!" She shouted.

"What's it?" Hiyori asked.

Nemu ignored Hiyori and continued working. "Calibrate to this point, and set the coordinates here," Nemu muttered, "of course! Of course Mayuri would design it like this! I can't believe I didn't notice this before!"

"Hey, what's going on?" Hiyori asked.

"Designing a complex machine with a complex approach couldn't possibly work," Nemu continued, "therefore, Mayuri had to keep it simple."

"HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON?" Hiyori shouted.

Nemu grinned. "I think I've figured out Mayuri's machine."

Ivan Azgiaro laughed at the downed form of Captain Soifon. "To think that that's all the Commander of the Stealth Force has to offer, how laughable! If people like you had been in charge all those years ago, who knows, perhaps the war ended differently!"

Ivan aimed his cannons at Soifon's body. "While I'll admit that it was admirable of you to sacrifice yourself for your comrade, it was still a foolish thing to do. In times of war you've got to make sacrifices. I learned that the hard way when I gained my Hollowfication."

"You had a chance to finish me off but you chose to save that weakling instead!" Ivan continued. "You guys have really softened up since the war with the Quincies. Just how weak was Aizen's army that people like you managed to win?"

Ivan then raised an eyebrow at another sight. Izuru Kira was struggling to his feet. He crawled in front of Soifon and held himself up with Wabisuke. "And just what the hell are you doing, Soul Reaper?"

Izuru glared at Ivan. "In case you didn't know, a lieutenant also acts as a captain's shield." He replied. "Captain Soifon may not be my captain, but as a lieutenant, it is my duty to protect her with my life if she can no longer fight!"

Ivan was momentarily surprised by Izuru's resolve. However, he quickly got over his surprise and grinned. "Admirable, but foolish."

Cackling, Ivan fired the cannons. "Now perish, Soul Reapers!"

"Heilig Wand!"

A blue wall with a cross insignia on the front appeared in between Soifon and Izuru and the blasts from Ivan's cannons. Ivan gasped in surprise at this. A Quincy Spell? He thought in shock. Who? Who could cast such a powerful defense spell?

"You know something," a familiar voice began, "Soul Reapers may be my enemies."

Ivan gasped again at the familiarity of the voice. "However, there are a few things you're doing that you are doing that really go against my policy."

The dust and smoke cleared, revealing Uryū Ishida standing behind Soifon and Izuru. He was holding his right hand out. A cross was inscribed on the palm. "First off, it is against my nature to leave a defenseless woman hanging."

"Second," Uryū continued, "I don't like it when people attack those who can no longer fight back."

Ivan growled at his fellow Quincy. "Ishida…"

Izuru looked at Uryū in surprise. "I know you," said Izuru, "you're Captain Kurosaki's friend, right?"

Uryū took out his Quincy Bow. "I prefer acquaintance." He replied.

With that, Uryū took aim at Ivan. "You just rest, Lieutenant, I'll take it from here."

Sitting on the roof of the building he was on, Luders Friegen chuckled at the new situation Ivan found himself in. "Things just get more interesting by the second." He noted.

Sighing dramatically, he got to his feet. "I suppose I should help, with the skill that kid clearly has, even Ivan might have trouble against him."

A shadow enveloped Luders. Luders' eyes widened in surprise when he realized this. He turned around, only to be met with a fist to the face that sent him flying from one roof to another. Luders groaned in pain as he quickly got to his feet. He glared at his attacker.

"Who the hell are you?" Luders furiously asked.

The tall man with the strange arms stared impassively at Luders. "The name's Yasutora Sadō, but everyone calls me Chad."

Luders was surprised. "A human?"

His surprise then turned to anger. "I don't like that confident look on your face, Human." Luders said angrily.

"What, you think that just because you punched me once that you can defeat me?" Luders continued. "Don't be so arrogant!"

"Considering the way you're acting right now, I think that's the pot calling the kettle black." Chad noted.

Luders narrowed his eyes at this. He then brought his hand to his face and manifested his Hollow Mask. It's design was like the head of a dinosaur's. Or in this particular case, a very demonic looking velociraptor.

"Since you seem to enjoy making me angry, I'm going to make your death as painful as possible, Human brat!" Luders shouted in a more demonic voice.

Kenpachi Zaraki was a straightforward man. He fought when he felt like it, he killed when he felt like it, and he was rarely surprised by anything. In fact, the only thing that ever genuinely surprised him was during his and Ichigo Kurosaki's fight. He had been genuinely surprised when a guy who had disappointed him at first kept getting up and eventually beat him.

What Kenpachi saw in the throne room of Los Retazos came as the second time he has ever been shocked by something. He was genuinely surprised when he saw his two top subordinates, Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa, lying on the floor, grievously injured by the mysterious Raoul Arcano.

"What the hell?" Kenpachi muttered. "How the hell did that guy manage to take down Ikkaku and Yumichika."

Raoul smiled and answered Kenpachi's rhetorical question. "It wasn't hard," Raoul admitted, "after all, people are much easier to defeat when they broken on the inside rather than the outside."

Tōshirō Hitsugaya glared at Raoul. We should've expected this, he thought, these Generals are on a completely different level from the people we've fought in the past. They're either captain-class or higher than that. No matter how strong Ikkaku and Yumichika are, there was no way they could've defeated this guy alone.

Akio kept a calculating gaze on Raoul. At first glance this guy doesn't seem like much of a threat, he analyzed, he's probably the least threatening of the Generals to an untrained eye.

However, Akio continued, this guy radiates power. No, just saying that doesn't do it justice. He radiates just as much power as Halibel does, and as the queen, she is definitely the second strongest member of Los Retazos. Then there's that look in his eyes. He's got a glint in them that's pure evil.

Akio got into a fighting stance. I don't know what kind of powers this guy possesses, Akio thought, but it's clear that this guy is on a completely different level from the other Generals I've fought in the past. We need to tread carefully. Even though we outnumber him we have no idea what he's truly capable of.

"So tell me," said Raoul, "are you going to stick to your pride and fight me one on one, or are you going to attack me all at once?"

Raoul chuckled. "Do whatever you think feels best. It's not going to make a difference in the end."

Renji Abarai spoke up. "That's some big talk. Do you even realize how much we outnumber you by?"

Raoul chuckled again. "I have eyes, Captain Abarai. But it's just as I said before, it's not going to make a difference."

"So, why don't I now ask you a question, eh?"

Everyone remained in place. "Do you realize who it is you are fighting at the moment?" Raoul asked.

Nobody responded. Raoul chortled at this. "My name is Raoul Arcano, I am the strongest of Los Retazos' Generals."

"His Majesty himself trusted me to guard this place from all of you," Raoul continued, "that itself proves that I am on a completely different level compared to the trash you've all gone up against in the past."

"While I'll admit that it was surprising that you managed to defeat three of the Generals in one-on-one fights, the sad truth of the matter is that good fortune must end at some point."

Raoul's smile turned evil and vicious at this. "And I'm afraid your good fortune ended the minute you all entered this room and took me as your opponent."

Raoul drew his Zanpakutō. "And now, in place of your good fortune, your nightmares begin. Let's see what horrors await you as you face off against me!"

Akio turned to everyone behind him. "Everyone, listen!" He ordered. "I know it's against our nature but we have to fight him all at once!"

Everyone was surprised by this. They all wanted to refuse until Akio explained why he was ordering this. "We have no idea what it is this guy can do," Akio explained, "but he radiates power. Whatever he does, he's good at it. That's why we need to force his hand with numbers so we can counter whatever his power is."

Nobody could argue with Akio's logic. Nobody except Kenpachi. "Screw that, I'm fighting this guy!"

Kenpachi charged Raoul. "Kenpachi, don't!" Akio shouted, but to no avail.

Gritting his teeth angrily, Akio raised Kaminari. "Bankai, Tengoku no Kaminari."

Lightning broke through the ceiling and enveloped Akio as Kaminari vanished into the sky. "I'll lead the assault and assist Kenpachi," Akio told them, "the rest of you, back me up."

"Hanatarō," Akio continued, "take Ikkaku and Yumichika out of here and heal them."

Hanatarō frantically nodded. "Understood, Sir." He said.

As Hanatarō made a beeline for Ikkaku and Yumichika, the Captains, Lieutenants, and Neliel began their assault on Los Retazos strongest General. Kenpachi struck first as he swung downwards, hoping to cleave Raoul in two in one decisive blow. Calmly, keeping that mocking smirk on his face, Raoul blocked the strike with ease. Kenpachi gritted his teeth at this. This scrawny bastard was deceptively strong.

Renji and Rukia came in from the side. "Roar, Zabimaru!" Renji shouted.

"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!" Rukia shouted.

Renji launched Zabimaru at Raoul. Raoul took notice of this and vanished. Kenpachi almost stumbled as Zabimaru shot past him towards Rukia. Rukia quickly blocked the attack, but it knocked her off balance. Raoul appeared behind her and prepared an attack.

"Reign over the frosted heavens, Hyōrinmaru!" Tōshirō shouted.

Raoul gasped as he was frozen by an attack from the Squad 10 Captain. Neliel charged in, hoping to put an end to Raoul before things got worse. Before Neliel could swing her blade, Raoul suddenly broke free from the ice by exerting a high amount of Spiritual Pressure. The former Espada 3 froze at how powerful it was. He's stronger than me, Neliel realized.

Raoul swung his Zanpakutō. Neliel barely blocked it in time with her own blade as she snapped out of the trance Raoul's power had placed her in. Her eyes widened when she realized he would overpower her quickly.

Raoul smirked at this. "You seem to place a lot of stock in your title as an Espada, Lady Neliel. Need I remind you that it's just a title? I was never an Espada yet here we are. I'm overpowering you and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

Screaming out a battle cry, Akio rushed in with a lightning-coated fist raised. Barely, turning his head around, Raoul kicked his left leg into the air, blocking Akio's punch. Akio's eyes widened at this. He is strong. He thought.

Raoul then leapt into the air and backhanded Neliel, sending her stumbling backwards. He landed and followed up with a kick to the face that sent Akio stumbling backwards as well. The other fighters charged in, hoping to get a hit in on the powerful Arrancar. Noticing this, Raoul leapt back to put some distance between them and himself.

Akio and Neliel recovered as they rejoined the others. "He's strong." Kenpachi said simply.

"Don't worry, Kenny, you can still beat him." Yachiru cheered.

"I know I can," said Kenpachi, "but I may need you to clear out so I can go all out. Just wait until I give the word, alright, Yachiru?"

Yachiru obediently nodded. "Any ideas, Akio?" Rukia asked. "This guy is toying with us right now."

"We have no choice but to stick to our original strategy," Akio said grimly, "we can't come up with a new strategy until he shows us what he's really capable of."

"That may be true, Captain," Raoul cut in, "but it really doesn't matter what strategy you use once I really start to go all out. I can take all of you out at once with little to no effort on my part."

This guy is confident, Neliel thought, cocky even. but he actually has the skills to back it up. He's beating back five captain class fighters and one lieutenant class fighter effortlessly.

Suddenly, a Garganta opened in the back of the throne room. Everyone looked at it in surprise. Even Raoul was surprised at this. Are they retreating already? What happened in the Soul Society?

"Everyone, listen!" A familiar voice shouted. "We cracked Mayuri's machine. We've opened up a Garganta for you to travel to and protect the Soul Society!"

"That's Nemu!" Rukia shouted in surprise.

"She must be using Tenteikura." Said Tōshirō.

"Travel through the Garganta and quick. We'll keep it maintained as long as we can!" Nemu's voice continued.

Raoul's eyes widened at this. He could not allow these people to get through. Renji looked at everyone. "You heard her, let's go!" He shouted.

Everyone turned towards the Garganta. A Cero stopped everyone in their tracks as it flew in front of the portal. Raoul glared at them all. "What gave you the idea that I'm going to let you enter that Garganta?" He asked.

"His Majesty gave me the responsibility to keep you all from Soul Society and I shall complete my mission!" Raoul continued as he used Sonido to appear in front of the Garganta.

"Then I'll cut you down and go through!" Kenpachi shouted.

Everyone charged once more. Raoul smirked and got into his own fighting stance. He blocked a swing from Kenpachi and knocked him back with a Bala. He then leapt into the air, dodging two blasts of ice from Rukia and Tōshirō. He then landed and swayed to the side, dodging a punch from Akio and then punched him in the chest, knocking him backwards.

"Roar!" Renji shouted, swinging Zabimaru.

Zabimaru collided with the flat side of Raoul's blade. Neliel leapt into the air and swung her Zanpakutō at Raoul's head. Grinning, Raoul caught the blade with his bare hand. Neliel gasped in shock at this. Renji retracted Zabimaru as Neliel wrenched her blade free before Raoul could swing at her.

Raoul pointed his finger at everyone. "Cero!" He shouted.

The blast did not hit anyone, but it enveloped half of the throne room with smoke when it combined with the remaining smoke from the previous blast. Everyone was starting to get frustrated at this.

"This guy is insane." Renji said.

"He certainly lives up to being the strongest General." Rukia said in agreement.

"We need to hurry!" Neliel said frantically. "If we don't hurry we're going to miss our chance to follow Benito!"

Raoul chuckled as he watched the smoke slowly clear. This is starting to get boring, Raoul thought, I've got a right mind to just end this with my Resurreción now.

As the smoke continued to clear, Raoul saw five silhouettes. Wait, five? There are five, Raoul thought in surprise, where's the sixth?

Lightning crackled in Raoul's left ear. Raoul whipped his head to the left as a lightning-coated fist punched him square in the jaw, sending him flying into the wall. The smoke fully cleared. Everyone gasped in shock at Akio. "Akio…" Rukia began.

"Get into the Garganta, go!" Akio ordered.

"What?" Renji was shocked. "No way, we're not leaving you alone with this guy!"

"The others are going to need all the help they can get against Benito's men. So get into the Garganta, that is a direct order!"

Everyone was shocked at how adamant Akio was with this. Akio growled at the fact that they still were not moving. "Dammit, get moving!" Akio shouted. "As leader of this mission it is my responsibility that you all get through this safely and back to the Soul Society no matter what, even if it means staying behind and finishing this myself! Now go!"

Everyone was frozen for a moment. Kenpachi then surprised everyone when he grinned and spoke up. "Akio, if there are no strong enemies back home, we're finally going to have that fight you oh me."

Akio nodded. "You just get out of this alive, Kenpachi, then we'll talk."

Everyone but Rukia and Renji started moving towards the Garganta. Rukia looked at Akio. "You tell Ichigo I'll be waiting for him." Said Rukia.

"Also," Rukia continued, "you come back from this alive, for Captain Soifon's sake."

Akio nodded as Raoul started to get to his feet. Rukia ran to the Garganta. "Renji," Akio said to Renji.

"Yeah?"

"Make sure everyone knows the truth about you and Ichigo being alive," Akio said to him, "for the sake of morale."

Renji nodded and ran to the Garganta as well. As everyone entered the Garganta, Raoul fully recovered from the punch Akio had given him. Raoul glared at him. "You bastard," Raoul growled, "how the hell am I going to explain to His Majesty that five Soul Reapers returned to the Soul Society on my watch."

"You won't have to," Akio said, getting back into a fighting stance, "because I'm going to end you right now."

Raoul chuckled. "I'm going to make you regret staying here, boy."

In his Inner World, Ichigo Kurosaki, his face covered in blood, panted as he blocked another strike from his Hollow. "You're never going to achieve Resurreción at this rate, Ichigo!" The Hollow shrieked. "Step it up! Otherwise, I'm going to become the king!"

Ichigo glared at the Hollow. "I'm not letting that happen!" Ichigo growled at the Hollow. "I will take that power, and I will protect everyone with it!"

It was a peaceful day in the Soul Society in spite of the fact that battles were happening both Hueco Mundo and the Fake Karakura Town. However, inevitably, the peace was interrupted. What interrupted said peace were several holes ripping in the sky.

A Soul Reaper looked at this in shock. "Look!" He shouted. "Gargantas!"

His comrade looked at him. "Don't worry, the shield will keep them out."

The first Soul Reaper's eyes widened further as he looked closer at the position of the Gargantas. "Oh no," he said, "the Gargantas…they're inside the shield!"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto watched these events unfold from his office. "Chōjirō," he said softly to his lieutenant.

"Yes sir?" Said Sasakibe.

"This day will ultimately decide the future of the universe." Yamamoto said grimly.

Yamamoto looked at him with a single eye opened. "Go out to the battlefield, protect the Seireitei." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Sasakibe said obediently.

In the middle of the sky, Benito Muerta stepped out of the Garganta and gazed down at the Seireitei. He smiled evilly in anticipation of the events to come. "This day will mark the changing of eras in the universe." Benito said.

"The era of the Soul Reapers will end," Benito continued, "and the era of the Arrancar, my era, will begin."

Benito waved a hand as several thousand Hollows and a few hundred Arrancar poured out of the Gargantas.

"Let the final battle begin." Benito said as the war entered its final stages.

A.N: And with that, La Batalla de la Torre comes to an end with many questions in mind. How will the final battle play out? Will Ichigo, Uryū, and Akio survive their battles with their respective opponents? Who will live? Who will die? Find out in part 5 as the final stages of Benito Muerta's plan are set into motion. Until that happens, stay tuned for part 5's publication. Until than, check out Five Worlds War Prologue. Keep reading and keep writing everyone, ND2014 signing off.