Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or Devil May Cry. Characters from either series' are owned by either Nickelodeon or Capcom. Some characters are my own.

Personal Demons

Chapter 4: The Start of the Scheme

"So, did you find anything out about that 'Grusunder' guy yet?" Danny typed to Tucker over a computer webcam chat, recently finishing his math homework.

"Well, I posted request information on every demon, goth, and netherworldly website I could find," Tucker answered, "and honestly, I don't wanna check on most of them. Those websites are just way too creepy. I almost wet myself at DevilDetail(dot)com. Do not go there!"

"I'll make a note of it," Danny said. "So anything?"

"Nothing yet," Tucker said. "I just finished my last post."

"Well, I guess I better check on Sam."

"Dude, why didn't you try her first? She's the expert."

Before Danny could answer, he saw something fly past his window from the corner of his eye. Although he didn't get the best view of it, he swore it was that demon again, or at least another one like it. Without giving his friend a proper good-bye, he logged off the chat and rushed down the stairs. He would've just gone ghost and phased through the wall to give chase, but he didn't want to think of the punishment he'd get if his parents checked on him to find he up and disappeared.

He ran down to the living room where Jack was watching TV and called out, "Going on a jog! Gotta stay in shape!" With that he bolted out the door.

Jack, who was too focused on the TV to notice, blankly responded to no one, "Yeah, have fun at the thing."

"Pretty spiffy place you got here, Masters," Dante said, touring around the mayoral mansion. "Wouldn't surprise me if you had a gold plated toilet in every bathroom."

"No, they're silver plated," Vlad said, "but I digress. You are aware of your mission, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, slay some demons, get rid of that ghost you're rattling on about, get paid, and be set for life," Dante listed, still looking around the house. "How hard could that be?" Looking around, Dante spotted a mirror on the wall that struck him as interesting. Observing it and checking his hair through it, he said to Vlad, "Cool mirror. How much you pay for this?"

"I'd very much rather you not touch my things!" Vlad quickly said, jumping in Dante's path, blocking the mirror from his sight.

"Hmm. A lot, I see," Dante laughed. Dante changed his tone and said, "Now down to business. Do you have any proof that these demons exist so I know you aren't pulling my leg?"

"Oh, yes," Vlad said, reaching into his suit jacket. He pulled out a photo and said, "Here's a picture one of the citizens took after the first attack."

Dante looked at the photo. "Hmm, a lackey," Dante observed. Stowing the photo in his coat, he added, "You got a big shot running around somewhere, and that'll cost extra."

"Yes, that's nice," Vlad said, mostly ignoring Dante to pull another photo out of his jacket. "And here's that ghost I've been telling you about."

Dante took the picture and observed it. From the moment he laid eyes on the photo, he was sure Vlad had to be throwing money around. It looked like some kid dressed up for Halloween. "...You're kidding, right?"

"Oh, no," Vlad said. "He's much more dangerous than he looks."

"I'll take your word for it," Dante said unenthusiastically, stowing the second photo in his coat. "So, where's the best place to start looking?"

"Well, from the first attack," Vlad pondered, "it would appear these demons are attracted to large crowds of people. I'd recommend the Nasty Burger. Surely, with the dinner hour approaching, it's a disaster waiting to happen."

"Okay, perfect!" Dante exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I got my gear, got you speed-dial, now I just need a mode of transportation."

"I thought you'd ask for that," Vlad said, reaching into his suit pocket. He pulled out a key and tossed it to Dante. Dante caught it and began to leave the room as Vlad informed, "I'm sure you know your way to the garage. And that key starts the black and red one."

Dante smirked and said to himself, "Wouldn't have it any other way," as he closed the door behind him.

Vlad was now alone in the room. At least for a moment. The mirror behind Vlad began to darken as Grusunder made his presence known. "Why do you toy with him?" Grusunder bellowed. "The son of Sparda is in your grasp, and you just let him leave!"

"Patience, Grusunder," Vlad calmly said. "I'm simply using Dante to get rid of a great thorn in my side. Surely, you know how the game of Chess works. The rook takes out a few pawns while they set the bishop up for the capture."

"Are you suggesting sacrificing my own minions to obtain your own goals?!" Grusunder angrily growled.

"You can call out more, can't you?" Vlad assumed.

"Not as long as I am in this infernal prison!"

"Just keep your head, Grusunder. Or rather, your eye. Your freedom to rule will come as soon as mine does." As Vlad finished speaking, he looked out his mansion window to see Dante ride off into the city on a black and red motorcycle. He grinned as he began to imagine his rise soon after Danny's fall.

That's chapter four. I was originally going to fuse this with what will be chapter five, but I think this makes for a better set-up. Now leave a nice review.