The chapter is much shorter than the other one because I keep thinking of ideas to happen later in the story. It isn't as good as some of the things I've written so could you review to leave pointersas to where I'm going wrong?

Disclaimer: I don't own devil may cry.

The next day came far too quickly in Dante's opinion. One moment he'd been trying to fall asleep amongst the screams around his cell and the next thing he knew the demons were coming to collect him for the battle. In fact, he didn't think he'd healed at all. The cell door swung open as Dante got up.

The abyss elite demon prodded him forwards along the darkened corridor and he silently told the cries on either side of him that he would release them from their agony, one way or another. They led him through the castle again but this time Dante noticed that there were no other demons on the other levels. Perhaps there was some sort of fighting going on somewhere in the demon world.

Dante's breath caught in his throat. Or perhaps they were fighting in the human world. Damn it. How long had he been in that cell? He hadn't given a thought as to what was happening in the human world as a result of his capture.

At last they reached the double doors leading to the great hall. As they entered Dante looked up at the throne and wasn't surprised to see Vergil smirking slightly. He got up and took Dante's weapons from a demon next to him. The demon gave a short bow and left along with the abyss demon behind Dante.

Dante scowled as Vergil held out his sword and guns. He made to grab them but his twin drew back still smirking.

"Decide on rules." He said.

"Fine." Dante spat. "No devil triggering since I can't and no demon power, just swords." Vergil smiled.

"Is that wise considering my skill with the blade?" He asked innocently. "Very well. We keep fighting until the other surrenders. The words you must say are 'I submit'. If your opponent refuses to give in then you can kill them. No orbs are to be used either. Understand?" Dante nodded briefly and took his weapons.

They both backed away a couple of metres. Dante slung his guns through the holster and held Rebellion ready. Vergil inclined his head and unsheathed his katana. "Begin." He hissed and they leapt forward.

Some time later…

Dante dodged under Yamato's blade and stepped back hastily. Vergil was much better than he had been the last time they'd fought. Perhaps this wasn't such a great idea. Really, it was no wonder that Mundus had lost, he was having trouble blocking his brother's attacks, let alone launch some of his own.

He bought Rebellion up to protect himself from another onslaught and fired Ebony rapidly at Vergil. It wouldn't hurt his twin and it certainly wouldn't stop him, but it could be useful as a distraction. No such luck. Vergil completely ignored the bullets sinking into his frame and Yamato began a downward sweep towards his head.

Rolling to the side Dante lashed out with Rebellion, but Vergil had already moved. The attacks kept coming, leaving no room for Dante to get his bearings. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that he was being backed towards a wall.

Thinking quickly, Dante somersaulted over Vergil's head and away from the wall, ignoring the pain as Yamato nicked his ankle. Several minutes later, Dante was covered in cuts that were barely healing. As he was forced to block the blade again and again, he was slowly being worn down.

As he got more exhausted, his reaction times slowed, giving Vergil more opportunities to slice through his brother's flesh. His blood was starting to coat the floor and Vergil didn't even look tired. Dante winced as Yamato cut into his side once again. He couldn't keep this up. It looked as if Vergil was going to win this time.

No! The voice in his head screamed at him. You mustn't think that! You can't let him beat you! If you're defeated what chance will the humans stand against the demons? NONE! You can't afford to lose this battle.

"Sheesh." Dante muttered under his breath. "No pressure or anything…"Vergil looked at him strangely.

"What was that?" He asked sweeping the katana in front of him.

"Oh nothing." Dante replied blocking the sword and tried to get his breath back. Vergil grinned.

"I thought you said that you were surrendering."

"Surrendering to you?" Dante snorted, trying to hide the fact that he was struggling. "You wish. I was just talking to the voices in my head, that's all." Something flitted across Vergil's face for a brief moment, something similar to surprise.

Before Dante could say anything else he was forced to dodge yet again as his twin's sword hissed through the air, inches away from his throat. Vergil was scowling deeply as he resumed his attack. Dante tried to concentrate but the amount of blood he had lost was making him feel faint. He was half demon! He must have lost a hell of a lot for it to be affecting him.

Dante's foot slipped and for a second he was unprotected. A second was all Vergil needed. Sensing victory he dived forward, slicing through his twin's skin faster than before. Dante was overwhelmed. He tried to lift Rebellion to block but it was just knocked away. Vergil kept attacking until Dante fell to his knees, unable to get up, sword trailing limply in his hand.

Vergil stopped and looked down at the former demon hunter's battered form. He raised Yamato to point at his neck. Feeling the deathly cold metal against his skin Dante lifted his head to meet his twin's gaze. Nothing was said for several moments.

"Well?" Vergil asked eventually. Dante didn't reply, willing himself to get back on his feet. Apparently his body was betraying him, because his legs didn't respond. He swore silently and tried to prop himself up using his sword. Vergil kicked it out of his hand and glared at him impatiently. "Give in."

Numbly Dante shook his head, struggling to stay upright. "Hell…no." He gasped. Vergil sneered and drove the blade through his twin's ribs. Dante started to choke as the edge pierced his lungs. He gripped the sword in one hand, the other dangling useless at his side where Vergil had kicked it. His brother withdrew Yamato and he fell backwards into a painful heap.

"Give it up Dante." Vergil sighed. "You can't defeat me like this. If you don't surrender then I'll have to kill you." Dante stared blankly up at the halls engraved ceiling.

"Then end it." He whispered. Vergil blinked once. Was he really hearing what he thought he was hearing?

"End it?" Vergil repeated, puzzled. "You'd rather die than submit to me?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Dante muttered between breaths laced with agony. "I'd rather be dead than anyone's fucking slave."

"And what of the humans?" Vergil asked, calmly voicing his brother's earlier thoughts. "With you gone who would protect them?" Dante didn't reply. He hadn't answered that question yet himself.

"They'll manage without me." He finally responded hesitantly. "They're a lot stronger than you think, Vergil." A stab of pain shot up through his body, making him cry out. Dante took several laboured breaths and closed his eyes. Vergil looked down contemptuously.

"You think that humans could defeat me when you couldn't? Dante, don't be stupid." Vergil watched his brother struggle to breathe through blood filled lungs. He flicked the blood off his sword and was just about to sheath it when he noticed something. Dante chest had stopped moving, he wasn't breathing.

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