Mission 1: Nero
The story opens up with a barrage of news bulletins and newspaper articles accompanied by camera flashes.
"Tonight's top story, " Universe 13 in Chaos!". A series of events in the Demon Universe has set off a chain of chaos that has spread in words to all corners of the Multiverse."
"The turmoil began in the territory of Beelzebub, the Demon King of Gluttony, where the notorious leader of the Phantom Thieves, Jack, executed a massive breakout from Grace Field House, an orphanage which is also a breeding ground for human children for their brains to be harvested. Jack stole 15 high-quality selections from Grace Field, impacting the territory immensely."
"Beelzebub was so furious with the heist executed under his nose that he dropped public enemy number 1, David Ishihara, off his watchlist, putting Jack at the top. This would lead to every demon in Beelzebub's territory searching wildly for this Phantom Thief."
"The problems escalated when a massive demonic tree burst out of the ground, hailing the arrival of a so-called new Demon King called Urizen, who started to place his dominance in Red Grave City."
"Red Grave and its surrounding cities have ceased to function as a result of the mysterious tree that apparently attacked the city approximately one month ago. In light of this incident, the government has now-"
"The chaos escalated when the demons invaded the city. But problems soon worsened as more demons unlike the ones spawned by the tree, and angels strange in appearance, began swarming the city. Beelzebub has also ordered all demons under him to search Red Grave in hopes of finding the thief who stole from him-"
"Demons! Demons and Angels everywhere!" a civilian being interviewed exclaimed in fear. "I've seen them with my own eyes! They're turning Red Grave into a warzone!"
"Let us pray to the heavens for mercy. This is a trial from the heavens above… the end-"
Simon turned off the TV as he continued to tell everyone what Rodin told him about the balance of power shifting.
"Wow...I really pissed them off, didn't I?" Jack said.
"Yeah, you did bro. By stealing from Grace Field, all of that happened." Hope said.
"I still believe what I did was right. I was not going to let them have their way." Jack said.
"Now's not the time to argue you two. Jack did what he thought was right saving those children but he ended up putting a target on his back." Simon said.
"Join the club. It's bad enough that I'm public enemy number 1 down here. Every demon… Well, almost every demon, is gonna want to rip my head off." David said.
"Hey, mine too." Jack said.
"You don't understand how serious this is. Beelzebub is not someone you want as an enemy. I've seen him like this before. He's not gonna stop until you're dead." Sheer said.
"Yeah, not to mention there's Angels involved in this now. Even Purgatorio can't hold all this chaos." Hope said.
"It just became Armageddon real quick. Now we have angels to deal with." David said. "But why did you say it also concerns me then?" he asked.
"Simple. Because you're a demon hunter, and angels are the demons' natural enemy." Leonora said.
"So, you're saying they're gonna try to sway me to their side." David said. "Geez… And I thought Galeem and Dharkon had it rough. Now they have these knuckleheads to keep on a leash."
"Well, we definitely have our work cut out for us, don't we?" Vegeta said.
"Indeed we do." Leonora said.
"Nora, can't you call the angels back at least?" Jesse asked.
"I'm afraid I can't. As I am not a Valkyrie in Valhallan terms, I lack the authority." Leonora said.
"They wouldn't listen anyway, these angels aren't the kind you wanna be friends with." Simon said.
"So we're in a three-way war. Sigh. There's only one guy who can help us out of this. The most awesome demon hunter there is." Ruby said.
"Um, I'm not sure he'll be helping us out, Ruby." Weiss said.
"No one's seen Dante for over a month now." Nami said.
"A month? What happened?" Omnimon asked.
"He fought that Demon King...and lost." Ciel said.
"Oh damn… Things went from bad to worse quickly." Jesse said.
"Let's see...hunted by angels, hunted by a demon lord, looking for a sword in a city overrun by demons...not sure how things can get any worse." Skull said.
"Seriously, Skull. You could jinx us saying stuff like that." Leopardmon said.
Suddenly the proximity alarms went off as everyone saw horrendous demonic insects on the road.
"Well, Skull. You wanted to know how things could get worse. Here's your answer." Gallantmon said.
"Well uh...things have to get worse to get better...right?" Skull said laughing nervously.
"Hmm?" Simon said as he zoomed in saw someone fighting the demon insects.
"Is that...Nero?" David asked.
"You know him?" Simon asked.
"Not personally, but I have heard that Dante has taken in a protege of sorts." David said.
"Well it looks like he could use a hand." Simon said readying Midnight Black.
"Looks like it." David said clasping his sword. "Miu, fire up the transporter. We're going in."
"Coming right up!" Miu said.
A few minutes later…
On a bridge, a couple of soldiers were trying to hold the insects back.
"Hold the line. Hold the line! Nothing gets through!" one of them said before they were overwhelmed. The heroes warped in and started helping the last one standing.
"You guys alright?" David asked the officers.
"I think so…" The soldier said. "Wait, who the heck are…"
"Isn't that David Ishihara? The demon hunter from the news?" Another soldier asked.
"Who?" another soldier said.
"Yeah...that's not gonna be a question for long." David said.
"You did all you guys could. Right now, leave it to the professionals." Gray said.
"Yeah. Let's dance boys!" Simon said pointing Ember and Riptide at the demonic insects as they screeched.
Demonic Insect
Empusa
The group started fighting the Empusa head on as they started clearing the bridge.
"Look at this. There are thousands of them." Ramona said.
"And I think I found the source." Simon said spotting large red blobs with vines on the other end of the bridge.
"Guess that's where we're going, c'mon!" Hope said.
"Guys, wait up!" Emma said as an Empusa was ready to pounce.
"Emma, look out!" Gemini said as the empusa jumped.
"Huh? Aaaah!" Emma screamed as the Empusa was about to get her before a van ran it over in midair. As it screeched to a halt, a young man in black clothing with white hair and his right arm missing jumped out.
"You okay kid?" the man asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you." Emma said.
"Huh? A product number on the neck. So you're the reason for the news." he said.
"Easy there Nero, she's only a kid you know." A western accented voice said as stepping out was a woman with glasses, wearing a sleeveless vest and biker shorts as she had a cigarette in her hand.
"I'm not grilling her. Just saying she and those other kids had guts outsmarting demons with that thief. So...sit back. I can handle this." Nero said.
"W-Wait! You can't fight them with one arm, they'll kill you!" Emma called.
"Don't worry yourself." The woman said. "He likes to kill demon things. Let him do his thing."
"Yeah, cheer up squirt." Nero said as electricity started forming around his right arm as out popped a blue robotic arm. "You takin' notes?" he asked the girl with him as he jumped into the fray and started beating every demon in his way.
(Cue- Devil Trigger- Devil May Cry 5)
With the greatest of ease, Nero used the newly attached arm he had to pummel the Empusa coming at him. It was also able to blast a burst of electricity onto an Empusa he grabbed. "All right, time to kick some ass." he said.
He ran at the rest of the Empusa and drew a single-edged blade and turned the handle as if revving a motorcycle as flames poured out from it. Slashing with his sword and shooting with a double-barreled pistol, he hacked and shot through the Empusa in his way.
"So… awesome!" Rainbow-2 said.
"I know! That sword is amazing! And that arm, it's so cool!" Ruby said.
"I made it myself." The woman said. "Name's Nico."
"Nice to meet you." Hope said.
Nero continued to whale on the Empusa, his mechanical arm showing off one more trick as a grappling wire shot out from the arm and pulled in some of the demons as he rid another around.
"Wow…" Emma breathed in awe.
"Yeah, he's a real pro at smackin' demons around." Nico said crouching down to her level. "That's why I built him that well-functioning arm… To kick demon ass."
"He's pretty good." Hope said. "That arm's really useful."
Nero held his arm up as it was seen broken.
"Hey, Psycho! Watch the merchandise!" Nico called as she stood up.
"Hey, stop bitchin' and take cover!" Nero called back throwing the broken arm onto the ground as it shattered as he summoned another.
"Maybe we should jump in just to be safe." David said getting past the barrier.
"Three heads are always better than one." Simon said following.
Nero pushed back a few Empusas as David and Simon joined the fray.
"PIADPH!" Simon called summoning a chain and pulley as he trapped an Empusa and pulled it through the pulley.
David imbued his sword with ice as he slashed and froze a few Empusas before shattering them.
"Not bad." Nero said before revving up his sword again and slicing through a few more as they were being burned.
"I think we got em." Flamberge said.
"I'm glad Emma's okay. Nero really saved her." Jack said. "Yeah...he did."
"So, what're you guys all doing here?" Nero asked.
"We can explain everything after we've cleared this bridge of demon bugs." Indigo said.
"Fine by me, let's go." Nero said.
"I don't think we're done yet." Gray said seeing a large demonic plant further ahead.
"That's the giant plant thing Simon saw earlier. I say we get a better look at it." Sakura said.
"Might as well." Sachiko said.
The group made their way across the broken bridge while they dealt with Empusa and soon reached the demonic plant.
"What a lovely house plant." Nero said.
Blood-slicked vegetation
Qliphoth Roots
"This looks like one of that giant plant's roots." David said.
"And I don't think it likes anyone trimming it…" Akane said as one of the vines started moving. "Look out!"
Everyone dodged out of the way as the Qlipoth stuck its barb into the road. Flamberge saw another one heading her way as she slashed at it, making it retract.
"Huh?" Flamberge asked before looking at her sword. "Oh, I get it…" she said swinging her sword around as flames coated it.
"Anyone brought marshmallows? Because we're bringing the fire." Himeno said as the fire users stepped in.
"Once it's on its last legs, I'll bring the climax." Simon said.
"Copy that, Simon!" Moltar said as he ignited his gauntlets. "Time for a forest fire!" he continued as he punched some of the vines.
"Take this...Eruption!" Stahn called causing a small volcano to erupt underneath the Qliphoth Roots.
"Himeno, let's go!" Dynasmon said.
"Roger!" Himeno said. Dynasmon unleashed his Breath of Wyvern attack while Himeno summoned a fire dragon as both attacks spiraled towards the roots.
"Whoa… What kind of combination attack was that?" David asked. "Both of their attacks spiraled with each other and hit that thing."
"We'd better look into that for later, for right now, this guy's just about roasted!" Flamberge said bringing out her Molten Salamander Shooter. "Salamander Shower!" she called blasting multiple fireballs at the Qliphoth Root as it screeched in pain.
"Guess that's your cue, Simon!" Hope said.
(Cue- Infernal Demon Summoning- Bayonetta)
"AVAVOGO!" Simon called as he danced and summoned Gomorrah as he chomped down on the Qliphoth Roots before letting out an Elephant roar and disappearing as all that was left was a piece of the roots. It dissolved into white particles before fading away. Then musical notes started gathering as a Golden Record Disk appeared as two twin blades were shown.
"Oooh, that looks important!" Nana said picking it up.
"That's a Golden LP." Simon said.
"Hey Eddy, check this thing out. It's all shiny and gold. It's pretty." Nana said showing it to Eddy.
"...If no one else wants it, it's mine. 3...2...MINE!" Eddy said, before David drop kicked him to the ground. "...not mine…"
"Nana, don't bait him with stuff like that. We don't even know what this thing is even for." David said.
"Rodin can use it to make weapons from demons that reside in Inferno." Simon said.
"Well, good for you." Jack said.
After the rest of the Qliphoth roots were faded, Nico drove up in the van.
"Hey, you guys. That'll keep em, but not for long." Nico said.
"We kind of figured." David said. "Anyways, I'm sure you and Nero here have a lot of questions."
"Yeah, first of all, what brings ya'll to a city that's goin' to hell and back?" Nico asked.
"Should we tell them?" Skull asked.
"They seem trustworthy enough, and David knows Nero well. I'd say we can." Fox said.
"We've been hearing that there's a peculiar sword somewhere in this city." David said.
"You must have a lot of guts to come down here then. Especially a demon hunter with a reputation as infamous as yours." Nico said.
"A risk I figured would be worth taking." David said.
"So, what kinda blade you looking for? The Yamato?" Nero asked.
"The Ashura Gouenmaru." Sunset said.
"The what?" Nero asked.
"Ashura Gouenmaru. It's a sword that was wielded by the God of Wrath once." Hope said. "It's one of a very peculiar set of sacred swords."
"Never heard of it, but I can tell you this much, Yamato is pretty much responsible for what's happening here." Nero said holding his right arm.
"Yamato...that's Vergil's sword. What exactly happened?" Hope said.
"A little over a month ago before things went to hell, a hooded figure arrived at my place and attacked me. He ripped off my Devil Bringer, which had Yamato absorbed into it." Nero explained.
"Right, so then after that, this Urizen appeared and started wreaking havoc in Red Grave. Dante, being the demon hunter, was hired to take him down." Hope surmised.
"Pretty much, but when we went to take him down, I was eventually overpowered until Dante held him off giving me and V time to escape, we don't know what happened to him since, the rest you know." Nero said.
"V? Who's that?" Omnimon asked.
"Someone that knows Urizen very well, me and Dante don't even know who he really is, only his name." Nero said. "He's human I'll tell you that."
"So, where is he?" Hope asked.
"I'm supposed to meet up with him further in the city." Nero said.
"Well, looks like we're all headed to the same place." Hope said.
"In that case, would you mind if we accompanied you?" Alphamon asked.
"Why the hell not? The more the merrier. Besides it looks like you all know your way around a few demons, mostly these two." Nico said referring to Simon and David.
"You don't know the half of it." Hope said.
"We all won't be able to fit in Nico's van and drive into the city." Gemini said.
"You do know we have vehicles of our own, right?" David asked.
"And as usual...I've been working on something like this." Miles said pressing a button as something lowered from the ship. "I've built something for more long-range travel. Animech number 005: The Turtle Fortress."
"Turtle what?" Nero asked as a large turtle like vehicle was dropped behind Nico's van.
"It was something these guys asked me for. We can't take the Galaxy King everywhere on a world so a vehicle for on and off-road travel was the best to go. Air and sea-based vehicles are being developed but I completed the land one." Miles said.
"Quick question: why aren't we PAYING this guy?!" ZS asked Hope in disbelief.
"Because he's on our team, ZS. He doesn't need money. Jexi doesn't pay his family." Hope said.
"It's true. We provide the supplies and that's all." Jexi said. "Besides, there's no reason to earn money...unless we need it."
"Alright, so you guys ready to get going?" Simon asked holding the Golden LP.
"Yeah. Let's roll." Hope said.
