Chapter 9!! Omg! So, a lot more gets unveiled in this chapter and many questions will be created. What get unveiled? What questions will be triggered? You'll have to read an find out!! I hope you guys like this chapter. I tried to make it as 'unweird' as possible, but it still may come off a little strange. Please review!!! You guys are awesome!!

BTW! For any of you who read Return and Reunion, I've decided to make a follow up to those two stories. I've gotten a lot of requests for one, so I thought a third installment wouldn't be such a bad idea. I'm already working on it, but It won't be posted until I either finish this story, or Desire Has A Gun. So, yeah. Oh!!! And I have a sequel planned for Premonitions as well. So, plenty to be excited for, yes? Yes!!

AND, just because I wanted to let you awesome people know, I'm cosplaying as Dante at the upcoming convention on my home state! I'm already working on the costume and I'll post a pic of it on here, and on my account when I get it finished. It will still be awhile before it's done (I still have to get a wig, paint the amulet, get various other accessories....), but just thought I'd share that! Who cares if I'm a girl!! Okay....Shutting up now!

I do not own DMC, its characters, concepts, yadda, yadda. I just add my own twists!

WARNING: Strong language and Character Death.

9

Dante and Trish just stared at me when the door opened and Leo's hunched from stood in the doorway, "Child? What are you doing here? Come in out of the cold." I glanced back at Dante and Trish who were giving me strange looks. Okay, I know it seems strange that the demonic senses were coming from his house and everything, but I trust Leo. So he gave me a demonic trinket? We were gonna have to question him anyway, why not go right in? "Bring your friends in too", He chuckled, "I don't mind the company."

"Come on guys", I motioned for them to come in, too. Dante, hesitantly, holstered his guns, and followed me in, Trish right after him. Leo's house was just as I remembered it: it had the same furnishings, the same homey feeling, the smell of slight cinnamon and nostalgia….but that smell of demons still hung in the air. Leo?

"What brings you here, child?", He offered me some tea, which I declined, then offered some to Dante and Trish, "I do enjoy you being here, but it is not a good time for you to be roaming Fortuna."

"Why would that be?" Dante asked, obviously hating the tea Leo had given him.

Leo's hands wrung together and I could practically see the joints pop underneath his wrinkled skin. It was kinda gross, "Are you the one Nero left for? You are the strapping young lad, aren't you?"

I felt my cheeks grow a little hot and I cleared my throat, "This is Dante. And yes, he is. Now, Leo, if you don't mind, I have a lot I want to ask you."

He nodded and sighed, "As I expected". I leant my head to the side when he said that. What? Oh, don't tell me he's been hiding something. Please, don't tell me he's up to no good. "You expected", I asked.

He motioned for all of us to sit down, which Dante and I did. Trish choose to stand, as usual, and Leo took a seat across from Dante and I. I was surprised Dante hadn't made any smart remarks or taunts at him. I guess it's because he knows I trust Leo. Either that or he doesn't see him as a threat. The other idea is better, really. Leo made a small grunt and situated himself in his threadbare chair, "I do apologize, Nero. I know you didn't ask for the trouble."

Dante was the first to ask anything, "What trouble? You do know what going on with this trinket you gave him?" I pulled the keepsake from my pocket. I had a dull glow to it, something that hadn't happened in Leo's presence before.

"Perhaps I should start from the beginning", Leo rubbed his hand aimlessly, giving Dante and I a faint smile. I nodded, urging him to go on. "Child, you were the only one, except for the son of Sparda", he glanced at Dante, "that I could trust with such a item of power."

"You know who I am?" Dante narrowed his eyes, "You're not a demon…..are you?" it was more of an accusation than a question. I shook my head, "No. He can't be."

"Both of you are right" He cleared his throat with a cough.

"I think I know where this is going", Trish spoke up. Her face was in between a grin and a grimace. Ah, the gears in her head are working. She looked him over, "How old are you? Really?"

"2, 345", He stated it almost like it was nothing. I knew he was old, but 2,345? He is a demon? Why didn't I sense that before?

"Domatore di leone", she said, "Correct?"

He laughed, "You are a smart one, aren't you?"

"Lion Tamer?" Dante almost gasped, "You? You're the one who was supposed to be guarding Ipos?"

Needless to say, my head was doing loop de loops and I wanted to stop time so I could process all the information that had been shoved down my throat in the past two days. I stood, holding p my hands, "What the hell are you guys talking about?"

Leo's voice was calming, as was Dante's hand pressed into mine, "Sit, child. I said I would have to start from the beginning to tell you everything." I did sit, Dante's arm going around my waist. I could sense a certain stiffness in him, like he didn't want to believe what my friend was saying, but he sat and listened intently.

"Il leone di Inferno", Leo calmly said, "I know that at least you two", he motioned toward Trish and Dante, "Have heard that name."

"The Lion of Hell", Trish nodded, perusing a small collection of books that were set on top of the small cupboard, "Ipos's Italian name", she flipped her hair back, taking a seat beside me, "Go on."

He coughed again, sniffing a little too. It was now that I realized he looked a little older than he had when I left. Weird? Oh yeah, it was weird alright. He continued, "You're right, it was my job to keep Ipos in the Abyss of Lost Souls…..for awhile." Dante and I gave a confused 'humph' and Trish crossed her arms.

"Another demon took charge after you?" Trish asked, "I thought something like that would have been strictly forbidden."

"The demon that took my place was my son", Leo looked sorrowful, turning his gaze to the window, "My original assignment, before being Ipos' guard, was to scout for demonic activity in the human world after Mundas and his minions were defeated for the first time. It was the Dark Knight himself that gave me those orders", he looked at Dante, "Pleased to meet his son, I am". Dante gave a nod to him, then he continued, "I was one of the minute few that choose to stand by Sparda. I spent nearly 2,000 years making sure that if anything as powerful Mundas made their way into the world, something would be done about it. However", he sighed, closing his eyes, "As you see, things just couldn't be averted. Humans can be such evil creatures; summoning demons without even a second thought about it. Then, your brother", He said to Dante, "Summoned Temin-ni-gru. There was nothing I could do about that. I was here on earth to watch, but I was bound to never take action. Doing so would break the human disguise that I was forced to keep. It was when Temin-ni-gru rose from the ground that I made a difficult decision: I went back to the Underworld."

I couldn't believe my ears. Holy shit. That's what I thought. Holy shit. Here I am speaking to a demon who stood beside Sparda? Dante, however, was tense beside me. "Then how was it that you landed being Ipos's guard? Wasn't Mundas the one who ordered that? You're making me suspicious…"

Leo acted as though he understood, "I wouldn't expect you to believe all my words, but please", he coughed, "I telling you the absolute truth."

"Keep going", I told him, "Finish telling us. That'll make all the difference, right?"

Dante patted my back and Leo continued again, "Normally, I wouldn't have done such a thing because I knew that I was going against what Sparda had asked me for in the first place. However, my son was there. My son was in the Underworld", he swallowed, "Unlike me, he hated the Dark Knight…..like most demons did. I left for I knew Dante would have a handle on things in the human world. Alas", he paused again, rubbing his forehead, "It didn't make a difference. You, Dante, stopped your brother and that damned Arkham, but I found myself enslaved by Mundas as he fought to rise back to power. Now, this is where Ipos comes in."

"He wanted to take Mundas' power", I recalled what Trish told me before, "That's why he aided him. Then, Mundas found out and had him thrown away, and Nelo Angelo took his place as servant."

"Correct you are, child", He smiled at me. I felt Dante become less tense and his posture became more slack. Heh, I didn't think that was possible. Leo sniffed for a minute, than looked at me when he began again, "That is when I was ordered, as Mundas' slave, to guard the Abyss to make sure Ipos would never get back out. I have to say it wasn't a bad thing that Mundas did."

"What about your son?" Dante questioned.

"When Mundas fell, and I know this was an awful thing for me to do, I left the Underworld. My son, whom I had fought and lost to, took over my position as guard. Till this day, I can't tell you why he did it, or why he just let me go, but I think that, maybe, it was because he always had intentions of consorting with Ipos."

"Wait a minute", I had to speak up, "This is awesome and everything, but It really doesn't explain what's happening now". Dnate nodded in agreement, as well as Trish. Leo stood from his chair, his joints making those creepy popping sounds, and retrieved a small glass of whiskey from his cupboard. He took a gulp, sputtering a little after, and replied, "Child, I'm not finished."

Dante let out a small grunt, "Sorry to be rude, Leo", he was trying to be proper, I see, "but this is taking a long time. If it isn't safe for us to be here, how about we hurry it up and get on with business."

"And since when were you actually worried bout Danger, Dante?" Trish eyed him.

"Be patient, Dante", I cooed to him, "He'll tell us."

"I know you're thinking that Ipos's return should have happened sooner, but there is a reason it didn't. There were two demonic items that were given to me when I was Ipos's guard. A sword forged by the eldest demons of time, and a 'key'", Leo walked to me and ran a finger over the trinket he gave me, "This, child, is the key."

I think my mouth fell open and drool came out. Why in the fuck did I not see that coming? I shook my head, "But…."

He waved for silence and I let him have it, "As long as those two items were in my possession, and were never tainted by the blood of another demon, Ipos would stay locked up. But, when I fled the demon world, the items were lost", he frowned, "In my last battle with my son, they fell from my hands and I thought they had been destroyed. They weren't destroyed, however, and my son died trying to find them."

"If they were destroyed, as long as no one but you controlled them, Ipos would have still have been in the abyss, yes?" Trish understood. I was letting the stuff he said sink in slowly. I really couldn't even begin to fathom all the demonic history that has happened. Makes me head want to vomit so it can let more in. I sighed, running my finger over the key, "How did you find them again?" I'm pretty sure I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway.

"Fortuna" He simply stated, "Not only did Agnus and the Order get their hands on Yamoto, they got their hands on my sword and key, too." He sat again, his head hanging, "By then, it was too late. The items were tainted. Even then, I knew that Ipos would be returning."

"Why didn't you say anything to anyone? You could have contacted me", Dante motioned toward himself.

"It was only a few months ago that I retrieved 'La gemma di Carcerazione', Dante", the old man defended himself, "By then, there was nothing to do besides wait for the Ipos to show himself somehow. I didn't know there were still people in this city that would help him, though. And however you see or think of me, I've done all that I can do", he looked so tired.

"It's okay, Leo", I rose and laid a hand on his frail shoulder, "I believe you."

"I am glad for that, child", he sighed, "Please forgive me, but I felt that giving you the Gem was the only option. I know you hold such great power within you, and that you would be able to bring help to this city."

I could see conflict in Dante's face, but I saw him, finally, relax fully. I smiled at that. He believed Leo.

"This Gem", Leo pointed at it, "is why I am no longer a demon". That explains why I didn't sense it before. "I transferred all the power I had left into that so that someone would come along and be able to use it to defend this city, the world, and people",he glanced at Dante for some reason, "against Ipos. I'm sorry, child. Fate has taken a rather challenging path for everyone in this room."

Dante had risen and was standing in front of Leo, "I promise, Leo", he took the old man's hand, "We'll send his ass back to Hell. We'll do everything we can."

Leo looked grateful and he had small tears in the corner of his eyes. "I know you will, son of Sparda", he let a single tear fall down his cheek, "Both of you will".

Trish kept her distance, but I saw her wipe away a tear of her own as I glanced back at her. I knew this whole thing probably touched a lot of bases she rather leave alone. I turned back to Leo, "Where is he, Leo? Do you know?"

He shook his head, "I can't sense him anymore. I just know he's here. And the new Order is helping him regain his power so he can claim this city, and the rest of the world, as his ruling place. That brings me back to the subject", he sat still for a moment, "The Order has been talking about you", he pointed to Dante, "They were the ones who defiled your shop. I heard them talk about it. It was a warning. I think they have grim plans for you", the old man coughed.

"Don't they always?", Dante almost laughed, "So, looks like we have our work cut out for us….major."

"Sure do" I muttered, "This Gem lends me your powers, doesn't it?"

Leo nodded, "That Gem does many things, child. It will lend you my powers for starters. And when I……"

He was cut off by loud banging at the door. I heard the same familiar voice I'd heard before call out, "Order! Open up!!"

"Fuck" Dante whispered, "If we kill them now, we'll be in deep shit".

"Quickly", Leo stood as fast as his bones would let him and he pulled away the rug that laid on the floor to reveal a trapdoor, "Go down into the cellar. It's enchanted. They'll never know you're here."

"That explains the senses were getting earlier", Trish stated, prying the door open and jumping down. I followed her and Dante was the last in, pulling the door shut. It glowed purple for a split second before Leo threw the rug back over it and answered the door. I wanted to do something. I didn't want him to be in any kind of danger.

"Calm down, Nero", Dante held me close. All we could do was listen. If we started to blasting them to pieces, that would ruin any kind of plan we could make to defeat Ipos….or find him. Truth was, we needed those Order members alive so we could figure out the rest of what was going on and where everything was going to go down. Fuck a monkey. Why are things so complicated?

"The Order", Leo's voice drifted down, "What a pleasure."

"If you are wise, gravedigger, you'll shut up and do as we say", came that familiar voice. I wish I could place it. My Bringer was glowing like crazy at the amount of stress that was building up in me.

"We have intelligence that you are consorting with demons, gravedigger. What say you?"

"I have done no such thing"

There was a laugh, "So you've had nothing to do with the son of Sparda or that wretched Nero? You're lying."

"I'm afraid someone had lied to you", Leo said, "I have had no contact with either of them."

I wanted to jump out of this damned cellar. Dante pulled me even closer to him, "Shhh. Nero, cool it. If you do something stupid, you'll regret it." He kissed my forehead. Once again, I'm amazed at how he handles things. I kept my eyes locked on his, "Dante…"

He gave me that look that said that everything was going to be okay. I didn't believe him this time. I just let him hold me in his arms as the voices kept coming from upstairs.

"I'll ask this again" the voice demanded, "Tell me the truth, or you will pay".

I heard Leo make a small, almost sighing sound, "Then I will be forced to pay." There was a shuffling sound, followed by metal. Then, Leo screamed and gargled.

Before I could scream, Dante's hand flew over my mouth. Trish looked just as shocked as I felt, and Dante looked grim. I wanted to go up there and rip whoever had just killed my friend into pieces. He didn't deserve it. Leo was a good person. He helped me, damn it. He wasn't a fucking ignorant douche like everybody else in this fucking city. I let tears run freely from my eyes. I didn't care if I was crying. I just didn't fucking care. I slammed my fists against Dante's chest until he grabbed my writs and made me stop. I couldn't even manage to say anything as footsteps receded out the door and everything was left in silence. The only thing I heard now was the weird whining sound that escaped my throat.

Fuck fate. It hates me. It hates all of us.

Dante held me to him, letting me bury my face in his neck and finish my sobbing. He ran his fingers through my hair, "There's nothing we could do, Nero. I wish there could have been" he paused, a small sniffle escaping even him, "Fuck…"

I pulled away and, without thinking, climbed the ladder and opened up the door. Leo was breathing. He was on the ground, bleeding but her was breathing. I rushed to him, lifting up his head as Trish and Dante came to him as well. "Leo", I whispered, letting tears roll down my cheeks, "I'm so sorry."

He managed a smile and coughed up blood, "I was dying anyway, Nero." I shook my head, "What? No…no you weren't." I wanted to save him. I really did.

"I'm old, child. Without", he gasped, "Without my powers, I was dying." He coughed gain, bringing his knobby fingers up to me, "I was going to tell you before", he gasped again. My heart was so heavy I thought It was going to fall out of my body, "When I die, you'll have all of my powers in the Gem", his eyes closed, "Good luck, child. Take care of Dante….he'll need you…" he gasped again, then he was still.

I held him there, "Thank you Leo", I closed my own eyes, "Thank you."