"It's been awhile boys, missed me?" resplendent in a shimmering ruby dress that hugged a fantasy hourglass figure, ocean-blue eyes glinting playfully and long golden hair trailing, Mary Sue approached them, smiling.
"B-but, w-we killed you" Zone stuttered, uncharacteristically shaken by the newcomer's sudden appearance.
"This realm is like a mirror, showing our darkest memories" Reiko, the deus ex verbum numerus, explained.
Mary summoned an elegant sword, crimson, gold and ruby-encrusted. "Ready to play?" she asked sinisterly.
The three friends exchanged looks. It was just them against their immortal nemesis. "Yeah... If you're ready to lose again" Arson responded on behalf of them all.
With that, the final vestiges of humour left her expression. "Story time's over, little original characters, and your lives with it" she promised, and charged the trio.
Arson lunged forwards and scissored his blades together. Mary caught one with hers and twisted it into the second, pushing them to the side as she ducked under Reiko's staff, spinning and kicking Arson in the jaw, sending him flying. She stood and brought her weapon up behind her, flinging the leaping Zone away, then pulled it over her head and down against Reiko's staff. Zone changed directions midair as the vampire was forced to his knees then booted skidding across the ground. The rodent flew high over her and fired a huge blast of energy downwards in a thick crimson pillar, but Mary had already forwards-flipped out of its path.
Arson lunged again with righteously furious swings. "You're only a figment of our imagination!" he cried as their swords collided again and again, matched blow for blow, the floor catching fire under the hybrid's feet.
Mary Sue gave under his next strike, unbalancing Arson as she rolled back, grabbing him and using her foot to launch him over her into one of the towers upside down. "No" Mary Sue replied as she drove her weapon through his stomach and into the pillar behind, "you are the figments of imagination, I am part of everyone".
She continued pushing it deeper, Arson coughing up blood, until a laser burst made her back away, yanking her sword free and unpinning Arson, who collapsed in a bloody heap. "One day, I'll have my own fandom" Zone said, firing at her continuously, "and you'll get paired with me". His aim was good, but Mary dodged every blast, and taking a risk, he launched himself at her, "On that day, you can literally blow me, bitch!".
Mary Sue slashed out, but Zone used a burst of laser to dodge it, then another to redirect himself at her face, lightsabre raised. He almost landed a hit, but she cartwheeled backwards out of his reach, weapon rising and passing right through him. "Wrong. One day, you'll be forgotten, forsaken, nothing" Mary Sue replied. Zone landed in two pieces, gasping in voiceless agony, until sapphire energies wove between the halves, reuniting him. He was fully healed, but still felt the trauma of something no being was meant to survive to experience.
Seeing he was still alive, she went to finish him. Her sword descended, and was intercepted by Reiko's staff. She turned on him, the vampire facing a murderous onslaught. Reiko defended with excellent technique, but his endurance had limits, whereas Mary's did not, and she wore him down, then hacked him viciously away.
Reiko rolled across the ground, a brutal slash across his chest. Despite this he had succeeded in buying time, as Arson, badly wounded but still standing, came to his side. Zone did too, having overcome his near-death ordeal. Mary Sue laughed at the rabble meant to oppose her as Arson helped Reiko to stand. The vampire's bloody lips wore a smile though. "Arson, Zone, we've already won. This is just a memory" he said calmly.
Mary Sue's mocking laughter interrupted them. "You've won nothing. No matter how many temporary little victories you claim, I am eternal, thus sooner or later... Your fall is inevitable" she explained patronisingly.
Reiko brushed off Arson, standing up under his own strength. "Regardless of eternity, nothing is beyond our reach now. Not even you" he promised, then looked to the others, "united we can conquer this. Remember".
"Memories won't help when you're forgotten" Mary chuckled, raising her sword, which grew and changed, taking on the likeness of an angel's wing, each feather a diamond, with a leading edge of razor-sharp pearl.
"Endless oblivion awaits" she whispered, and exploded forth, intending to slay them all in one mighty blow.
Reiko stood at the front, weapon raised, eyes closed, tranquil and focused. He waited, the wingblade tearing towards him with stone-splitting force. At the exact instant of collision he acted, channelling all the kinetic energy he could muster through the point of contact. The angelic sword recoiled, Mary Sue put off-balance by the impact. The exchange of force went both ways though, and Reiko was flung away with a sonic boom.
In the same moment Zone had launched himself from the ground with a burst of laser, the vampire hurtling beneath him. Taking aim, he unleashed every last ounce of energy in his weapon, the crimson beam striking the wingblade directly over the edge, being split in two but also sending it spinning out of Mary Sue's hand.
A split-second later Arson lunged at the disarmed Mary Sue, driving both of his swords through her middle. He channelled the strength left in him through them, getting thrown back as a fiery explosion consumed her.
"I, am... IMMORTAL!!!" these were Mary Sue's final words as she staggered away, vanishing in a blinding nova. The wingblade landed upright a moment later where she had stood, stuck in the ground, and shattered.
"Immortality is worthless, if you waste the moment" Reiko whispered where he lay, then lost consciousness.
----
Dante's breath condensed in the air as Nightmare gathered energy, intending to freeze the devil hunter with a chilling beam forged of the cries of the dead, half-devil and machine having waged a mutually-exhausting fight. The icy vortex swelled, and was about to erupt forth when Nightmare convulsed, a brilliant explosion deforming the demon-machine as its armour lost cohesion. Several shapes remained as it degenerated into a chaotic mess, most important among them its last remaining core, suspended in the hair. Seizing his chance, Dante Devil Triggered, unleashing a colossal fireball.
Nightmare spasmed wildly as its final core was destroyed, going completely out of control. Scathing beams of light burst from its evaporating mass, ripping across the room as Arson grabbed Zone, who was mired in the machine's gooey matter, and with an unconscious Reiko over his shoulder he leapt clear of the carnage.
When it was over, Dante approached the others. Arson had rested Reiko against some fallen rubble; he was unconscious, but as alive as a vampire ever was. Just then, the ground shook violently. Dante looked to the exit leading further into the Underworld, then at Arson. A silent understanding was shared, and Dante left.
"Wait" Zone said, getting up to follow. He got two steps before losing his balance and falling onto all-fours.
Arson gently picked up the exhausted, headstrong rodent. "We've done our part, Zone" he said, holding him and stroking his back comfortingly, "this is Dante's fandom, and his fight. It's his place to face it, not ours".
----
Brilliant white light poured in from either side between rows of tall, majestic stone pillars that reached up to the high, vaulted ceiling of the vast cathedral. The opposing lines of columns flanked the long approach to a mighty throne of stone, easily ten times a man's height. Everything was wrought of elegant whites and greys.
That throne now was vacant. Dante walked towards it from the huge arched doors at the opposite end of the cathedral. He had just come to a small rise of steps that led up to the area before the throne when there was a flash of light. A kaleidoscopic montage of arcane symbols appeared in the air, increasing in intensity and pace until with a thunderous clap a figure emerged. It landed on the floor, and finally Dante saw his enemy.
He wore a long, majestic purple coat with matching stately trousers, a rich red top visible through the open front. silky white gloves adorned his hands, matching his immaculately combed back white hair. A monocle covered his left eye, in his hand he carried the Force Edge, and around his neck wore the completed Amulet.
Yes, Gary Stu stole the Legendary Dark Knight outfit.
"About time you showed up" Dante said, Alastor over his shoulders as he joined Gary Stu before the throne.
"I could say the same thing" Gary replied. Having been facing the throne until now, he turned, "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it".
"Whatever" Dante pointed Alastor at him, "now you're here, I believe you have something of mine, and I intend to take it back".
Gary laughed, caressing the Amulet over his chest. "By any means, come get it" he said, raising Force Edge.
"Well then, let's start the show..." was Dante's response, and he charged forwards, demonic swords meeting.
The clash of steel echoed through the cathedral and around the two opponents as they traded blows, Alastor and Force Edge colliding a dozen times each second. The fight moved all around the area before the throne, the struggle of unparalleled intensity. But no matter how hard he tried, Dante couldn't overcome his enemy, and Gary Stu batted aside Alastor, then slashed the devil hunter away with a bloody wound across his chest.
"You cannot prevail without the power of your father, which I possess" Gary taunted his kneeling opponent.
Dante simply smirked as he stood. "I'm just warming up" he promised, and drawing Alastor back, he hurled it like an electrified buzzsaw. Gary just laughed, knocking the feeble attack aside with a flick of Force Edge. A split-second later, Dante was right in front of him, Ifrit exploding to life. Raising his fist up, Dante missed as Gary Stu stepped back, but he was then consumed by a pillar of flames that erupted from the floor. Dante leapt up, his body giving off flames, further staggering Gary Stu, and drove down at him with a flaming kick that knocked Force Edge back. He off the impact, Alastor attaching itself to his back as he did so, and Devil Triggering, rocketed down fist-first into Gary, driving him into the floor as an inferno exploded around him.
Reverting to his human state, Dante smirked victoriously, until laughter cut him short. The flames dissipated to reveal Gary intact, one hand holding the devil hunter's gauntleted fist. Before Dante could say a word, the Force Edge was driven through his middle, and he was then flung aside. "Foolishness, Dante" Gary Stu said as he stood, "no matter how powerful or popular you are now you will eventually fade, but I can never die".
Dante tried to stand, but he was still recovering. "Why do you want this fandom if you're so great?" he spat.
Gary Stu approached him, twirling Force Edge. "Once there is no one else left to lead the series, all the fans will have no choice but to worship me, in your father's image" Gary taunted mockingly, lifting Force Edge over his head, intending to split Dante in two down the middle. "This shall be the domain of my immortal reign. I've dealt with your brother and Mundus. Now it's your turn" he said, and Force Edge descended.
There was a sharp sound of impact, and Dante looked up to see his father's sword turned aside at the last moment. Gary Stu looked around in agitation. "What now?" he demanded. Then he looked to the throne.
"I've come to retrieve my fangirls" rising from his kneeling posture on the seat of the throne, Vergil pointed Yamato at Gary, "you can't handle them". Seeing Gary was distracted, Dante delivered a flaming kick to his chest, knocking him away. Vergil leapt from the throne of the Underworld, landing besides his twin brother.
"Well look who decided to show up. I thought you were defeated" Dante observed with casual nonchalance.
Vergil glanced sideways at him. "A temporary setback. One I believe you experienced as well" he reminded his younger brother. Turning his attention back to Gary Stu he added "I think it's time we settled the score".
"Stubborn cockroaches. Very well, I'll exterminate you both at once" Gary Stu promised, his face betraying aggravation, and the three combatants charged together. A furious battle of blades was fought, moving to the area between the pillars; alone the sons of Sparda had been beaten, but combined they were a force to be reckoned with, even for Gary Stu. With an enraged yell Gary lashed out, Force Edge striking Alastor and forcing Dante to kneel. A moment later Vergil leapt; Yamato knocked Force Edge aside, then slashed again.
There was a glassy tinkle as two halves of a perfectly bisected monocle hit the floor. Gary Stu's eyes, now both fully visible, burned with rage. "Don't think this is over, you haven't seen anything yet" he promised.
With that, amethyst energy exploded from his body, forming a solid, swirling pillar of light around him. The column vanished a second later, and both Dante and Vergil were taken aback. Standing before them was the daunting image of their father in his true demonic form. Force Edge had changed too, becoming the Sparda.
"Now you meet your maker" Gary said, voice bestial.
The sons of Sparda exchanged looks, and they both Devil Triggered as well. Dante jumped up while Vergil rushed forwards. He drew Yamato in an upwards arc that deflected the Sparda, then reversed its direction, the katana soaring down directly onto Gary Stu's head, which didn't budge an inch. A giant claw wrapped around Vergil's face, picking him up, and a sphere of energy engulfed his head as Gary launched him flying into one of the pillars on a sphere of destruction, Vergil hitting it so hard he stayed embedded in the stone.
A bolt of lightning seared Gary's chest, making him flinch slightly. He turned as more struck, seeing Dante hovering in the air with demonic wings, hurling electricity at him. He leapt, spinning through the air like a drill, the bolts deflecting harmlessly off of him now. His giant, horned head crashed into Dante's hardened torso, winding him, and Gary grabbed the half-devil and threw him crashing into the pillar opposite Vergil.
Landing between them, Gary drew the Sparda from his back. The blade transformed into a giant scythe, and he hurled it like a boomerang, the weapon flying round the room and smashing through the pillar Dante was stuck in, then Vergil's one, leaving them both lying in the debris as it returned to Gary Stu's hand. "Now I'll end this" Gary Stu spoke in his inhuman voice, gathering energy in his hands, preparing to finish them both.
Multiple blasts erupted around Gary. He paused, irritated, looking for their source. He found it by the doors.
The newcomer released the smoking, empty multi-cylinder RPG launcher from his shoulder. He was darkly-dressed, with a black leather jacket over a dark top with two sling-straps over it, dark leather trousers with a gunslinger's belt and black boots. A calm but serious face was visible on pale skin between chin-length hair.
"Hade, how did you get here?" Dante asked as attempted to rise from the rubble, recognising the mercenary.
"Reiko called begging for my help" Hade replied with a slight grin. "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was murder" he wasn't joking, having crossed the island to get there. He tossed a glowing object to Vergil, "Brought a gift".
As Vergil caught it Gary snarled. "Very well, you are next to die" he declared, and rushed at the mercenary.
Hade drew a pair of handguns and opened fire. Armour-piercing bullets that would punch a normal demon clean off the ground deflected ineffectually off Gary as he charged. The Sparda extended, and Hade's eyes widened as it ran through his torso. He was raised like a trophy, then discarded to one side contemptuously.
Dante ran to him, but Vergil, who was closer, caught his shoulder. "You can't help him now" he told him, a golden glow enveloping Hade's body. He'd had the sense to bring a Yellow Orb, which would preserve his life until he was healed. Vergil turned to Gary Stu, pointing at him. "You're going down" he stated, and his pointing hand, the other and both feet were covered by the light-elemental gauntlets and greaves, Beowolf.
Ifrit flared on Dante's hands as the twins rushed Gary Stu. Vergil got there first, and swung his leg up in an arc of light, catching the descending Sparda using his foot. He twisted and brought his other leg up, kicking the blade back as Dante joined in. The sons of Sparda went to war, the combined raw power of Beowolf and Ifrit enough to compete with their father's mighty sword. Gary Stu was still a lethal opponent, but now they were causing damage as well as taking it, their punches and kicks slowly wearing their powerful foe down.
Finally the chance came. Vergil leapt up, spinning end-over-end to rain a succession of kicks down against the Sparda, finally knocking it aside and hammering a foot against their foe's skull. Gary shunted him away with his head, but as he did Dante delivered a rapid series of flaming blows to his body, ending with a kick to the chin that snapped his head up, and Vergil, having recovered midair, drove his foot right into his face. Gary staggered away and Dante launched a massive fireball, smashing into his chest and driving him back.
"You will not forget this devil's power" Vergil promised, reaching for Yamato as Dante drew Alastor. The elder brother vanished and Dante flew forwards on demonic wings, spinning rapidly and drilling into Gary. Distortions appeared in the air around him, the unseen Vergil slashing at their foe as they forced him back.
Gary Stu's back pressed against the base of the throne, and a colossal explosion rocked the cathedral. Dante and Vergil were hurled back, reverting to their human forms and landing on their knees, both their coats and Dante's top destroyed, raising their fangirl rating to maximum. Dante looked up as something landed before him: his half of the Amulet. He looked over to see Vergil securing his part around his neck and did likewise.
"What have you DONE?!" Gary yelled. He was in Sparda's human form again, and bloody and roughed up.
The sons of Sparda stood, breathing heavily, badly injured themselves. "Dude, the show's over" Dante said.
"Return my power!!!" Gary screamed, raising Force Edge, and for the last time, the three warriors charged...
Dante and Gary Stu stood opposed, Alastor and Force edge in perfect equipoise, tip to tip. Legs giving way, Dante fell to his knees, and Gary smirked. "I'll never die..." he said, then stopped as blood ran from his lips.
"Don't get so cocky" Vergil spoke, stood behind Gary and facing away from him, holding Yamato extended to the side. His stance relaxed, Gary's eyes widening. Vergil gracefully resheathed Yamato. Gary collapsed.
"Sweet dreams" Dante bid him goodbye.
Gary Stu screamed incoherently, ascending into the air and disappearing in a golden-heliotrope supernova...
----
Arson helped Reiko along, Zone following behind, unable to help for obvious reasons. Having finished their part in matters, they had decided to head home, and were currently moving through the real-world cathedral.
A bubbling sound stopped them. They turned to the puddle leading to the mirror realm. Spluttering sickly, it regurgitated the broken Gary Stu, Sparda's image falling away to reveal his featureless, true form. Retching, he looked up and saw them. "What have I done wrong?" he wheezed at their accusing looks, "I wished to be a God, and for that I sacrificed one miserable female lead. That is all. Was that really so awful? Help me...".
Reiko shook his head slowly, tugging on Arson to keep walking. "You are nothing but original characters, characters the fans created!" Gary Stu's pleading turned to rage, "I was going to be the king of this world!".
Arson frowned sadly, and he turned away to help Reiko along, leaving only Zone watching. "I will return..." Gary screeched hoarsely, "and I will rule this world!".
The hamster's face split into a smirk. "Wrong answer!" he responded, and raising his laser, he ended it there.
The deed done, the trio turned to depart, but Reiko seemed pensive. "Is something wrong?" Arson enquired.
Reiko mused. Resolving the chaos Gary had caused was something Dante and Vergil would deal with. They would take care of Hade, too, but he still felt he was forgetting something. "Nothing" he gave up, shrugging.
----
Pushing a broom around the Devil May Cry offices, Keahi grumbled, "I cannot believe Reiko stood me up".
