Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Final Fantasy or Devil May Cry

Warning: May contain spoilers for FF AC, FF VII, and DMC3

Hey guys sorry for the long wait. Been busy busy lately. I thought I'd have more time but I was wrong, school's been so annoying lately and a certain lady has most of my attention as of late XD Heres the next chapter, hope you guys enjoy it!!


Dual Of The Fates

"Where the hell you going!?" Yuffie yelled in vain after the long gone demon hunter. She struggled to restrain a reckless Lady, frantically trying to break free and pursue someone she had just found out was ok and now was off to get himself killed again.

"Let me go!" Lady protested as she failed to shake off the little ninja that had her in a bear hug. Something was wrong, seriously wrong. Dante was in trouble and although she had yet to straighten out her feelings for him she was still compelled to go after him and stand by his side.

"You'd only be getting in his way," interjected Vincent putting his human hand on Lady's shoulder somehow calming the crazed huntress. Vincent remembered all to well Vergil's prowess in battle: his deadly and precise form, power beyond that which humans should have, and most vividly, his cold and remorseless attitude.

Everyone's attention suddenly turned to the battle at hand as Cloud landed in the middle of the group, First Ken emanating with material infused power, and Bahamut SIN rocketed into the sky, mouth agape and blue fire spilling forth.

"Lady," Tifa said empathetically towards her newfound sister, "I know you want to help him out, I really do. But you would be a lot more help here at the moment. I promise after we settle this we'll all help you look for him."

Lady looked at her a little unsure if she could really trust these people. Tifa didn't seem like the kind of person to back out of a deal and everyone else had proved themselves in battle. "You promise?"

"I promise."

xXx

Elsewhere, Dante vigorously hounded his brother, flying through the streets of Edge, sights locked on the blue blur only meters ahead of him. He would settle things here and now, with blood and cold steel: One shall stand, and one shall fall.

Stop running you bastard! Dante screamed in his mind, showing no signs of his wrath and vehemence of his brother on his exterior. But inside his emotions had gotten the better of the usually cool headed demon hunter and had brewed a storm so powerful it was on the brink of driving Dante insane.

Vergil on the other hand steeled his nerves, controlling himself. Just the fact that he had self control where his brother did not brought him immeasurable pleasure. Come brother, follow me blindly to your inevitable doom.

He would lead Dante somewhere where their feud could not be interrupted and there he would confront the only person who could stop him now and smite him finally; everything was going according to his plan.

The Sons of Sparda eventually made their way out of Edge and into the barren wastelands of the desert. There, in the middle of nowhere where no one could interrupt them. This was their battleground; their ring of blood.

xXx

The Highwind maintained a steady altitude over the deserted ruins of Midgar staying within a relatively safe distance away from the intense fighting going on below. After Dante's sudden departure Lady and the others focused on vanquishing Bahamut SIN. They succeeded in defeating the monstrous dragon only to have Kadaj and his gang escape Edge with their goal: Jenova...

Cloud had instinctively pursued Kadaj and his brothers on Fenrir while the others rushed to the Highwind. The chase ended at the crumbling shadow of what was once Midgar as Cloud and Kadaj engaged each other in their climactic battle.

One sided at first, Cloud lost his clear advantage as Kadaj finally opened a black box and fused with Jenova cells...thus another Sephiroth was born, as the black box plummeted to the ground forgotten, containing the last drops of Jenova cells...

"Sephiroth!" Yuffie exclaimed as Cloud clashed blades with the evolved Remnant. Cait Sith, Barret, and Cid shared her reaction to this twist but were subsequently hushed by Vincent.

"Cloud can handle this on his own," the gunslinger said coolly not even bothering to look up from where he was leaning, "He doesn't need our help."

Red XIII and Tifa both nodded in agreement. The three stayed remained silent as the others barraged them with questions and such complaints; all the while Lady focused on the battle below reminded of something by how the two skilled warriors fought fiercely.

Vincent kept a close eye on Lady. Her reaction to Dante was enough to distinguish that she was not from this world and that her line of work was something alike to Dante's. But did she know what he was capable of? Of his twin brother? Those cold hard icy blue eyes kept coming back to Vincent's mind.

You thinking what I'm thinking?

No shit I'm thinking what your thinking! I'm in YOUR friggen head Valentine, jeez. Though I agree getting involved between those two will be a pain in the neck. And that Vergil guy...gah I'm not even gonna say it...

Ditto

The demonic gunslinger was brought back to reality when a very distinct and familiar glow came from below, Cloud's Omnislash... thought Vincent.

"Yea! Go Cloud!"

"That's me boy!"

"Way to go Spikey!"

Everyone on board was exuberant at Sephiroth's defeat, even lady who had a load on her mind smiled if not for a moment. The sky brightened and Aerith washed everything away with rain. But the happy ending wasn't going to last as a bullet zipped through the air and pierced Cloud's chest.

"Cloud!" yelled Tifa panic and fear shaking the usually composed martial artist.

Cloud roared, swerved around, and charge at his assailants: Yazoo and Loz. He fell right into their trap...

Just as Cloud reached them, First Ken at his side, the two condensed their materia into one titanic explosion that ripped apart the building. The skies darkened and continued to cry, but not for the reason everyone on the Highwind thought...

xXx

"Well met brother," Vergil said composedly, every bit of him in total control as he ended his brother's pursuit and stopped, "You do our heritage proud."

He was answered by a salvo of bullets from Ebony and Ivory, two or three evading Yamato and biting into his skin. Vergil flinched just barely ignoring the pain.

"Let's skip the banter and get to the part where I kick your ass!" roared Dante as he charged forward, the Force Edge dragging beside him.

Their blades met with a clang and sent dust into the air. It was a bitter fight, unlike any other squabbles the two had gotten into; no words were exchanged between them as they traded blows that would kill a normal human being ten times over.

One fought for uncertain love and out of duty, upholding everything he believed in

One fought for power and out of hatred, reaching for a destiny that could never be fulfilled.

Both were in for one hell of a fight.

They fought mercilessly, soaking the dry earth around them blood red, steel biting into their skin constantly. Both skilled warriors enhanced with demonic powers from their father and strengthened by passion from their mother...Both brothers, family...the Twin Sons of Sparda.

The Planet mourned for the two, clouding the skies with its laments. Even though the two came from a different dimension the Planet knew, the Lifestream sensing all of their emotions and power. The Planet cried for the two, showering the desert with rain...

xXx

Somehow, by some miracle, by some act of God, he was alive. Brought forth from a pool of water in the church Cloud was found after the cataclysmic explosion in Midgar, his life saved by Aerith and Zack's spirits in the Lifestream. With the pure water Cloud cured the last remnants of Geostigma and it was over...Or so they thought.

Even Lady who was deeply confused and troubled was momentarily content and relaxed that the fight with Sephiroth was over and Cloud was finally at peace. Yet even as they left the church to board the Highwind it continued to rain and dark clouds still floated in the sky.

"I don't get it," Yuffie said out looking up into the sky, "Sephiroth's dead, Kadaj's gang is gone, and Cloud isn't walking around with a lump of coal up his ass anymore. So how come Aerith is still making it rain?"

"The Planet is..." started Red XIII closing his eyes, "mourning...For what reason I know not."

"Whatever reason it's crying, it must be very serious, the rain has gotten heavier and the skies haven't brightened up one bit," Tifa said a little worry in her tone.

As the Highwind ascended into the sky Vincent shuddered outwardly drawing attention to himself from a certain ninja.

"Vinnie?"

"I..." the gunslinger stood up straight and composed himself, "...I know where Dante is..." His eyes were fixated upon Lady who now dreaded what was happening.

Cloud instinctively put his hand on the hilt of the First Ken and said, "Coincidence?"

"Unlikely," replied Vincent, eyes stark cold and...fearful, "He's in the desert. head East Cid." the blond nodded and turned his airship.

I don't like this...

Neither do I...Have you...ever felt anything like that before?

Not on this Planet...

xXx

Only a few miles away the battle between brothers raged on. Rock debris and mud splattered everywhere as the two Devil Triggered demons fought viscously in the pouring rain. They were moving so fast that the rain drops looked like they were suspended in the air until they were disturbed by a body or a sword.

Breaking off from their sword dance Dante leaped backwards and loosed a storm of demonic infused bullets at Vergil. The target of the bullets deflected them with ease sending the projectiles in a suspended free fall in mid air. Before the bullets could fall Vergil sent them whizzing back with the Yamato.

Dante was caught off guard and hurtled into the ground as his own bullets slammed into his chest. Vergil wasted no time and came at his brother slashing at him several times. Using Vergil's own momentum Dante retaliated with a roundhouse slash sending his brother a couple of feet. Energizing his father's sword Dante hurled it into Vergil, pinning him to the ground.

A continuous stream of bullets smashed into Vergil as he lay impaled in the mud. It seemed that this could be the checkmate but Vergil would not settle for it. With a roar the Force Edge flew out of Vergil's abdomen as he used his demonic energy.

Catching the sword in midair, Dante locked swords with his brother once again, both with eyes glowing brilliant gold.

They both reverted to their human forms and collapsed on the ground as the rain resumed its normal descending speed. Their blood formed small pools around them and both looked ragged and exhausted. Breathing heavily the Sons of Sparda hauled themselves onto their feet, neither one of them ready to give in, the thought not even crossing their mind.

"This is foolishness...Dante," Vergil managed in between strenuous breaths, the rain had soaked his hair and it splayed all about his face. To anyone who did not know the two, they looked like exact identical twins...

"Why do you refuse to gain power?-" Vergil winced as a rather large gash on his stomach sent a pang of pain through his body.

"I just don't like you bro," Dante retorted pointing the Force Edge toward his brother.

Neither of them payed any heed to the roaring engine of the approaching Highwind. Their eyes were locked onto the others, it wasn't just a physical duel between the two, it was also a battle of wills...And on that front neither would budge as well...

xXx

The women gasped and the men gaped as the Highwind's lights fell upon the Sons of Sparda. Both were covered in cuts, bruises, and shredded clothing and their blood formed pools all around them. What shocked most of the people on board the airship was the striking similarity, in the fact the identical appearances of the two stone cold warriors.

"Leviathan..." whispered Yuffie as she turned into Vincent's chest. The gunman kept silent although he was shocked at the carnage the two could endure.

In all the years I have been in existence, never have I seen anything like this...

"Dante..." muttered Lady with clenched teeth. This is all Vergil's fault... she thought, her anger building up inside of her. Gripping Kalina Ann Lady made for the exit ramp, but was blocked by Cloud.

"No way I'm letting you down there," Cloud said his voice definite and forceful, "Not while those two are still like that."

"And there's no way I'm gonna sit up here nice and cozy like while Dante fights alone!" Lady replied as she made to push past the Ex-Soldier.

"Lady," Vincent started as he grabbed her arm, "I've seen a fraction of what those two can do. And I'm sure you know exactly what they're capable of. Dante entrusted us with your care and I'm sure he would not appreciate it if we let you walk brashly into danger. Your only going to get in the way."

Lady's hazel eyes met directly with Vincent's crimson orbs and she faltered.

He's right...But, Dante...

"Don't worry Lady," Yuffie said suddenly embracing the demon huntress, "Dante can take care of himself."

"Look!" shouted Barret.

xXx

"Looks like your about to be bailed out by your so called friends again," Vergil said mockingly.

"Don't worry about it," Dante retorted, "It's just you and me. Its always been you and me bro. Lets end this."

"I couldn't agre-" Vergil was interrupted by...something...something in his head, calling him.In that moment of confusion Vergil was swayed from the pointless battle he was in but Dante was already chargin at him in his Devil Trigger state.

"Another time brother," Vergil said angrily as he entered Devil Trigger himself and made his escape. Dante's blade met nothing but air as it crashed into the spot where his brother had been. He had focused all his energy into one last attack and was utterly spent. With his brother no where in sight, the Son of Sparda reverted to his human self and collapsed onto the wet ground.

He faintly heard someone calling his name as he faded out of consciousness...

Vergil on the other hand was urged towards Midgar, drawn by something. Something more important than killing his brother...Something that wanted to live again...Something called Jenova...


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