A/N: The next chapter might take a bit longer. I'm moving soon, which means I'll be a lot busier. But I am as dedicated to finishing this story now more than ever, so no worries. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer: DMC owned by Capcom. DOA and NG owned by Team Ninja and Tecmo.
Chapter 10. With more to come.
Dead or Alive 4: The Devil Factor
Chapter 10: Family Reunions
DOATEC office building
United States
Wednesday-11:51 p.m.
Apophis growled and swiveled its head about. It could no longer see its target, but it could still feel his presence nearby.
The battle with the silver manned hunter of devils proved to be more bothersome than it had originally thought. The blood of the powerful but treacherous Sparda did, indeed, flow in this mortal's veins. But his demonic heritage was polluted with human blood. He was supposed to be weaker, so how could a mere half-breed, a creature that was virtually inferior to a full-fledged demon like itself, be able to hold his own so far?
Another question would have been how could such a creature exist? Half-breeds were considered just as vile to the pathetic humans as it did to the demons. Perhaps this arrogant man whose heart pumped the putrid blood of Sparda had suffered in this world. Yes, the mortal had suffered in his youth. It could smell it. However, if it killed this so-called devil hunter, than Apophis would commit a mercy killing, and mercy was one of the most disgusting acts a demon could make and…no, wait. Not an act of mercy, but an act of punishment! Yes, it would send this insignificant whelp to Hell and ensure that Dante would receive the punishment he so rightly deserved!
Pumped up by its own internal speech of revenge, the dragon demon roared with malice and excitement. Soon it will become a legend, the demon that killed the son of Sparda and brought about the reckoning that the Sparda family was long due for.
Dante reloaded Ebony and Ivory. His bout with the demon-possessed machine was difficult to say the least. Not that his fights with other high-level demons was a stroll in the park. He had to end this quickly. The sooner he reduced the walking junk heap to scrap metal, the sooner he could grab the chick and hightail it back to his shop, were a cold one was waiting for him in the fridge.
"Alright, let's wrap this party up! It's getting a bit boring anyways." Dante announced. He whipped his two handguns up and pointed them at Apophis.
A golden light blinked into existence from the far side of the room, causing Dante to shield his eyes. The dragon also paused, only due to the fact that it could sense the energy radiating from…whatever it was.
"What the…" Dante muttered. The light grew brighter, until finally it dissipated, revealing three newcomers.
Kasumi blinked. Did it work? Were they near Dante? She slowly took in her surroundings.
They were in a very large room, shaped like an octagon. One of the biggest she ever saw. There were no windows, no furniture, just emptiness. The floor and walls were covered with sheets of metal. There were signs of battle though. Scorch marks and spent shell casings littered the floor. Several light fixtures were blown out, making half the floor shrouded in darkness. Near the center of the room, was a familiar red-wearing man.
"Dante!" The copper-haired teen yelled. "There you are! Are you alright? We…"
Ayane's hand shoot out and clutched Kasumi's arm as the runaway attempted to run to Dante. Kasumi looked back, about to ask her sister why she stopped her. Her question died when she gazed at Ayane's face. The younger teen was looking at something. Something that made her seem uneasy and perhaps…afraid? Kasumi followed Ayane's gaze and discovered what it was that put such an emotion into her otherwise fearless sibling.
With widened eyes the runaway beheld the largest creature she ever saw. Was it a dragon? She had heard about them, but she never saw one in her life. Wait. The thing appeared to be mechanical, a robot perhaps? No, not that either. There was an aurora around it, a red, sinister aurora that spoke volumes about its power and its dark nature.
This was no dragon or machine, but a real-life demon.
Kasumi was dumbstruck. Demons were more than rare in these modern times. To see one that held such power was almost an impossibility.
"We have to help him! We…" Kasumi cut herself off as she heard someone slumping to the ground.
Also hearing the same sound, Ayane turned with Kasumi to see Trish on all fours, her face showed signs of exertion as sweat trickled off her chin. Her breathing was labored and her arms quaked, threatening to give out. Kasumi knelt down next to her in an instant, grasping the blonde's trembling shoulders with both hands.
"Trish! Trish, are you okay?!" Kasumi asked in a panicked tone.
Trish raised her head, wearing an obviously false look of confidence. "Yeah. I'm…I'm fine." She forced a laugh. "Kinda…overdid…myself there. But I'll…be…fine. Just…f…"
Trish, having nothing left, collapsed.
"Trish!" Kasumi yelled. She checked the blonde's pulse. It was weak, but still there.
Apophis, perhaps out of boredom, located the source of the sudden occurrence of energy, as well as the noise, and launched a bloody bolt of demonically amplified electricity. The bolt sped through the air and slammed into the ground where the girls occupied. The attack detonated in a cloud of black smoke and red electrical discharge.
Dante, frozen in place, was unable to say anything. Before his disbelief became rage, he spotted movement out of the corner of his eye. In a shower of pink cherry blossoms, Ayane and Kasumi appeared with Trish's arms draped over each of the girls' shoulders.
"That was too close." Ayane thought as she helped set Trish down.
"I'll help Dante deal with this…thing. You take care of Trish." Ayane told her older half-sister.
Kasumi nodded.
"Don't worry about it!" Dante yelled back, waving a dismissive hand. "You girls have done enough. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!"
Dante pointed Rebellion at Apophis. The creature, while unable to see the gesture, instantly knew it was being challenged. It answered with a bone-chilling roar.
Ayane shifted on her feet. Just standing there, watching someone else fight was against everything in her being. She was trained to know that letting someone fight alone solely because they wanted to show off was essentially playing Russian roulette. Losing was just a matter of time. On the other hand, this was the perfect opportunity to see what Dante was capable of. If he was as powerful as they say, perhaps she could convince Hayate to continue hiring him for jobs like this. After all, they needed strong allies for their war on the vile DOATEC.
With a huff, she crossed her arms and watched Dante fight, if worse came to worst, she would join in and save his worthless butt.
Dante charged at the towering dragon. Hearing his approach, Apophis prepared for its counterattack. The crimson orbs reappeared along its wings and were soon airborne, heading right for the silver-haired hunter. With inhuman reflexes, Dante weaved between, leapt over, and dodged every sphere that his demonic opponent launched.
Almost at close range, Apophis snapped at the hunter. Rolling to the side, Dante dodged the attack. Once on his feet, Dante sprang into the air and sailed over the head of the demonic machine. Hanging upside-down in the air, Dante began to spin, firing his handguns down upon the beast. Most ricocheted off the armor plating, but a few found the exposed section on its head. A fountain of sparks gushed out of the top of Apophis's skull, causing the demon to roar and bellow.
The demon stumbled about, dazed from the attack. Dante launched himself back into the air, preparing to finish the battle. Apophis began to lash out with its claws and tail in seemingly random directions, hoping to get lucky and land a hit. Dante twisted in the air to dodge the sloppy strikes. A claw, however, found him and swatted him out of the air like a fly. He hit the ground and rolled.
"Sonofa…" Dante growled at Apophis, pushing himself off the ground. "What is it with you and sucker punches?"
Apophis, having regained its wits, let out a triumphant roar. Victory was still in its grasp.
Dante grinned. A plan formulated in his mind.
With his sword in hand, Dante began to focus his demonic power into the blade. Dark crimson energy crackled through Rebellion. Slashing the sword with the blade facing the opposite way, the hunter unleashed a stream of energy across the ground, aimed at his dragon-like enemy. The stream hit Apophis's leg, causing the beast to stumble and fall. The demon struggled to stand on its damaged leg, only to have the hunter reclaim its position on its head. Dante pointed the shotgun at the exposed circuitry, channeled his demon energy into the gun, and fired. A 12-gauge round infused with Dante's own dark power ripped through the demon's delicate internal workings, causing overloads and short outs throughout the demon's otherworldly software.
The ninja sisters watched with open jaws as the demon thrashed about violently, screeching and hollering in pain. The red energy that it wielded began to accumulate along its body. The light it emitted was building, causing a blinding light to shine out, followed by a thunderous explosion. The teens shielded their eyes from the blast. The light faded and the explosion disappeared into silence. Ayane opened her eyes and saw the smoldering wreckage that was once Apophis.
Kasumi gasped. "Dante?" She called out. "Dante where are you?"
Ayane and Kasumi looked around, but found no trace of the hunter.
"Talk about going out with a bang."
Dante strolled out of the smoke, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Kasumi let out a sigh of relief. Ayane, on the other hand, was surprised. Not because he survived the explosion, but that he seemed to be unharmed, even though she saw him get smacked around by four foot long claws that belonged to a very powerful mechanical dragon demon. Strangely enough, his coat bore the signs of the claws.
"How's Trish doin?" Dante called out.
Kasumi checked the sleeping demoness then responded. "She's fine. But she's still unconscious."
"She did that teleportation thing again, didn't she?" Dante asked his voice mixed with irritation and concern. "I told her that it was too big a gamble to do that and…"
Ayane saw the Crimson Lightning sprang out of the heap of metal and circuits and raced towards Dante.
"Dante! Behind you!"
It was too late. Dante turned just in time to see the red energy strike him dead on in the chest. Ayane, unable to move or speak, watched as the energy enveloped him. Kasumi felt her heart sank as the hunter who fought to help free her mother, was overtaken by the last act of his fallen enemy.
It was then that they realized that Dante was not in pain. On the contrary he seemed…amused. The blue and violet shinobis watched with unbreakable interest as the energy gathered around his hands and feet. Metal began to form around his arms and legs becoming a pair of gauntlets and greaves. The weapons were formed from the same black metal that composed Apophis's body. Strands of red electric current pulsed along the metal, as if the entire surface was conducting the demonic energy. The greaves came up to Dante's knees and ended in dragon-like feet, complete with talon-tipped toes. The gauntlets encased Dante's entire forearms. At the end of the gauntlets were sculpted dragon's heads similar to Apophis's. Dante's hands emerged from the open mouths. Curious, he curled his fingers to form fists. The dragon's heads snapped forward and enclosed around his hands.
Dante decided to test out his new toy. He spotted the damaged head of the now dead Apophis. Dante ran toward the head and kicked it into the air. Dante pulled his left arm back, the fist crackled with the red demon energy, then threw his fist at the head. A bolt of red electricity shoot out and struck the head. A shower of red sparks and metal dust fell to the ground as the head vaporized in a cloud of smoke.
Not through with his experiments, Dante began to lash out at the fragments that were littered around him. He punched and kicked through the demon-forged armor with ease. The two teens watched with ever growing interest as Dante continued to pummel the wreckage. His fists and feet glowed with a red demonic energy as he unleashed a series of blows that reduced a large portion of the demon's armored body into shards of metal.
"How…is this possible?" Ayane asked herself. "He wasn't this fast or strong when he fought that thing." The weapons that adorned Dante's wall flashed through her mind. "Wait, those weapons he received, they must be Devils Arms!"
Almost satisfied with his new weapons, Dante decided to try out one thing. He reared back and punched the ground, unleashing a sphere of bloody electricity that swept through the debris, swallowing everything in its path. The sphere vanished before it reached the three females.
Kasumi was, once again, taken aback. The wreckage was gone, annihilated by Dante's attack. Any trace of the demon he fought was now totally destroyed. She knew that the hunter was powerful, but she had no idea how skilled he was in dealing with the creatures of darkness or their frightening powers.
"He must have been fighting them all his life." She guessed. Sadness began to creep into her. "Fighting all his life. He's no different from me or Ayane."
Kasumi suddenly became aware of Trish as the blonde began to stir. Her eyes slowly opened.
"Trish?! You're awake!" Kasumi exclaimed.
The demoness groaned. "How can I sleep with all that racket?"
Dante calmly walked over to his conscious partner who was sitting up with Kasumi's help. "Awake from your nap, huh?"
Trish chuckled. "Yeah. I'll be fine though."
Dante's face changed from cocky to concerned. Usually Trish would have given a snappy comeback or teased him a little. Instead, she gave a quick reassurance, even though she seemed like she would pass out again at any moment. He knew he had better wrap this gig up.
"All right then." He said. "Let's grab your mom and get out of this dump."
--
"So, Apophis failed?" A silky smooth female voice asked.
"Hmph. The only thing that made that metal lizard powerful was the Crimson Lightning." A gruff, older male voice answered.
"True. And now that devil hunter has the power, what a shame." The female's voice held a mock tone of concern.
"Why are you so interested in that…half-breed?" The older man inquired.
The female paused before answering. "Let's just say, I have a…score to settle with his family."
"Nearly every demon has a score to settle with Sparda, what makes yours so special?"
The woman gave the man a venomous look. "What about you and that…child? What makes her so special, huh?"
The man let out a deep, cold chuckle. "Just like you, I have a personal issue to deal with."
The woman let out an irritated huff. "Whatever. It's no business of mine."
A thick silence fell between the two as they continued to gaze at the DOATEC office building from afar. Ever since Dante and the others entered the building, the two had watched from their perch, somehow able to know what was happening inside without seeing. The two were as demon as the dragon Dante faced.
"We'd better go. The shows almost over and I hate sappy endings. Besides, we still have jobs to do. The…master…wants those jewels." The woman's voice held uncertainty when she mentioned her lord.
The man nodded. "Agreed. A pity. I wanted to see what would happen when Dante and…him… meet." Unlike the woman, the man's voice became filled with disgust when he mentioned his master. Bowing to someone as his superior was something that made his blood boil.
The two gave the tower a quick glance before fading into the night.
--
Ayane let out an irritated sigh. Here they were, literally standing at the door that led to their mother after facing and besting an army of DOATEC troops and a powerful demon. Now they only thing stopping them was a stupid lock.
"If this was a normal lock, I could've picked it by now. But noooooo. It has to be one of those fancy electronically locks that require a key card or something." She thought to herself.
Kasumi studied the control panel with a baffled look on her face. She reached up and pressed a few buttons at random. 'Access Denied'flashed on the digital display. Her brow scrunched together as her confusion grew. She tapped a few more buttons, only to receive the same message.
"Hey!" Dante spoke up. "Are you gonna open this thing or what? I wanna be outta here before the cops decide to drop by."
Trish merely groaned. She wanted to tell the silver-haired man to zip it, but since he was helping her stand at the moment, she decided to let it slide…for now. Once she regained her strength, she would make sure Dante would get a full lecture about rudeness and…
"Dear God." She muttered unbelievably. "I'm thinking about scolding him like a brat."
"You say sumthin'?" Dante asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing." She replied sheepishly.
Dante gave his exhausted partner an accusing look before returning his attention to the teens and the lock. Ayane was deep in thought and Kasumi was still tinkering with the control panel.
"That's it! I ain't waitin' any longer!" Dante announced as he marched over to Ayane and handed her Trish.
"Wait! What are you doing?!"" Ayane asked while trying to support the older woman by herself.
Dante did not answer as he stood before the armored door and gently pushed Kasumi out of the way. Stepping back, the blue-clad shinobi watched as in a flash of red light, the gauntlets and greaves reappeared on Dante's arms and legs. With a smirk, Dante slammed his Devil Arms enhanced fist into the door, creating a large dent. The door hoisted the white flag and collapsed.
"Brute." Ayane muttered with distain.
Dante turned to face the younger sister, a smile still plastered on his face. "You complaining with the results, babe? Hate to be married to you if you bitch and moan about everything." He gave a wink before the gauntlets and greaves disappeared in the same red flash.
Ayane became horrified when she felt herself blush. "Shut up…you…you…"
"Hello? Who…who's there?" A meek, yet mature female voice, thick with a Japanese accent, called out from the room.
The two siblings instantly recognized the voice. "Mother?" They both asked in unison.
A middle-aged woman exited the tiny room, carefully stepping over the demolished door. Despite her age she was very beautiful. Her face bore a resemblance to both Kasumi and Ayane. Her light brown hair hung past her shoulders blades. She was clad in a dark blue kimono with a deep purple obi. Small, purple butterflies were intricately sewn across the edges. The petite woman was only slightly taller than her two daughters. As soon as the woman stepped out of the room, something blue and red streaked forward and attached itself to her.
"Mother! I was so worried about you! Are you alright?! Are you hurt?!" Kasumi asked with watery eyes.
The woman blinked in surprise before realizing whom it was that held her in such a tight hold. With a laugh and a smile, she folded her arms around her older daughter, returning the hug. "I'm fine, sweetheart."
Kasumi's eyes lit up as a smile of relief spread across her face. She buried herself into her mother's chest, her fingers clutching the fabric of the kimono.
Ayane watched the reunion of mother and daughter before her with clashing emotions. She felt somewhat disgusted with watching her hated half-sister become so emotional over her mother. It was almost like she was mocking her that she was so close to their mother while she was considered a curse to their family. She also felt uneasy. They were standing around with tearful hellos while the enemy was still in the building. She wanted to break up the sappiness and get everyone home. Although the feeling of disgust might have also influenced that thought. Finally, she felt jealous. She wanted to be held by mother too. To be accepted by her as a daughter. But she could not. All she could do was watch and want.
Suddenly Trish was lifted off her shoulder. Surprised, Ayane whirled her head around to see Dante slinging Trish's arm over his shoulder. Despite the impassive look on his face, she knew what he was saying to her. She looked over to where her mother stood, still holding onto a crying Kasumi. She sent an impulse to her legs to move, then quickly willed them to stop. No. Dante did not know that she could never be close to her mother.
"I…I can't. I know she's my mother but…I just can't!" Ayane stuttered, looking away from Dante.
"Ayane? Is that you?" Ayame called out.
The lavender-haired teen's back became straight at the sound of her mother's voice. Her heart raced, pumping the blood needed to create the blush in her cheeks.
"Y…yes, Lady Ayame?" She asked in a trembling, but polite voice.
The heartwarming smile Ayame wore seemed to grow at her younger daughter's meekness. She held out an arm, beckoning the younger sister to join them. Fear held her in place, however. A panicked expression was painted on her face. This was not supposed to be happening. She was her daughter, true, but they could not just…announce it. Ayane was a stain on the ruling family. Her birth was held in the highest of secrecy. In order to avoid certain…conflicts that might arise, she had to maintain the image that she had no family, that the way of the ninja was the only thing in her life. That…
Ayane let out a yelp as she was shoved, scattering her depressing thoughts. She stumbled forward until an arm grabbed her, pulled her in, and then wrapped itself around her. The violet teen's body became stiff as she realized that the warmth around her was her mother's body. She never thought it possible, but her heart was beating faster than before. Her mind was attempting to tell her body to break free. That being held by her mother was forbidden for her. But her body refused to obey. Despite all of the impossibilities that she believed in, she was in the arms of her mother, something she had never experienced before.
Ayame kissed the top of her head.
"This…can't be happening. It can't!" Ayane thought. "How can she accept me like this?! It's not possible! She…I…" Ayane's thoughts became garbled. No matter how hard she tried, an answer to her mother's sudden affections was still beyond her grasp.
"You're just a big softie, you know that?" Trish whispered to her partner. "Although, I'm not sure that you had to push the girl like that."
Dante said nothing as he continued to watch.
Trish's smile faded. Dante's face no longer held its usually carefree and cocky look. Instead he looked…alone.
Dante spoke up, before Trish could speak her mind. "Hate to break this 'Hallmark' moment up, but you can do this later. We'd better move."
Ayame looked up at the source of the voice as she released her two daughters.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Kasumi chirped. "These two helped us find you. This is Trish and…"
"Dante!" Ayame finished, surprising everyone. She gracefully walked up to the dumbfounded hunter and took hold of his hands. "I can't believe this! Is it really you?!"
The red-clad man blinked in astonishment. "Do…Do I know you?"
The smile she wore still held strong. "I suppose you don't remember. It was so long ago…" Ayame trailed off then shook her head. "No. You were right. We can talk about this later."
Dante looked around and saw the same shocked look on everyone's face. It appeared that he was not alone in the awkward feeling. Perhaps she had misspoken something, as she appeared to have some difficulty pronouncing words in English.
The group made their way to the elevator. Dante led the way with Trish falling behind him. She had assured him that she could walk by herself, despite her ragged breathing. Kasumi was firing off questions at rapid fire pace to her mother, asking about her well being as well as how she was taken. Ayame tried her best to answer, only avoiding the questions that involved Dante. Ayane took up the rear, watching the conversation. She was confused. While she had enjoyed the contact with her mother, she was unsure why she was so…affectionate to her. Nor did she understand why Ayame was so calm and pleasant despite being held captive by DOATEC and their new demonic allies.
"Nothing is making sense anymore." She whispered.
Dante stopped in front of the elevator. He looked for a panel to call the elevator, but there was none. However, he heard the elevator starting to descend. The red wearing man began tapping his foot impatiently until a thought crossed his mind. Since Trish teleported here with the girls, then that meant he used the elevator last. So why was it back on the floor above?
Dante started to become uneasy. Something was wrong, he could feel it. The alarms in his head were going off again. Experience in his job of devil hunting had taught him to trust his instincts, no matter how absurd.
Trish could sense the tension inside Dante. "What's wrong?" She asked. The other three females also took notice of Dante, giving him odd looks.
"Don't know." He truthfully responded.
A musical ping informed everyone that the elevator had arrived. The metal doors slid open. In a flash, Dante whipped out Ivory just a he felt cold steel being pressed against his neck. Trish froze in terror. Ayame instinctively reached out and brought her two children closer to her, ready to protect them with her life. Kasumi and Ayane were flabbergasted. They looked from Dante to the other man in the elevator and back again.
It did not make any sense. How could there be TWO Dantes?
Dante gave a predatory smirk. "It never fails. Just when I get my life together, you come and fuck it all up."
Donovan's ally spoke with calmness and coldness. "I've come to see you and that's the greeting I receive? You need to work on your social skills, brother."
Ayame shivered. She knew of this man. She drew her children closer as she whispered the man's name.
"Vergil."
Airline 143-Non stop flight to Germany
Currently over Poland.
Thursday-12:18 a.m.
"Would you like a pillow and blanket, sir?" The bubbly, blonde flight attendant asked with a smile.
"No." The man replied. His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyes were closed, making the attendant think that he was falling asleep.
"Well, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call." With that, the attendant left to check on the other passengers.
With a sigh, Hayate looked out the window. The events of his life, his clan, and family continued to play through his mind, making sleep unattainable. His village's destruction, the death's of his ninjas, the news of his father's demise, and the fiend turned demon Doku, it all seemed so, surreal. But he knew it was no dream.
Now that he had time to reflect, he could clearly see how his life was spinning out of control. It had come to a point where he was actually seeking help outside the clan, an act that a few weeks ago he felt not only unnecessary, but also forbidden. 'Dragging others into our battle with DOATEC will not be permitted'. He had said that exactly one week before Doku's attack. It's funny how life can take his stance on outside help and turn it upside down.
His thoughts finally settled on the young woman he was going to meet. Hitomi, the daughter of the family that took him in when he lost his memories, the girl that was essentially his third little sister. He owed so much to her and her family, and here he was, on his way to ask her to join a battle with DOATEC that just became an unholy war.
"Maybe she'll decline." Hayate thought. "Then she won't have to fight my war." That idea quickly died. She was just as attached to him as his sisters. She would jump at the chance to join him.
When he was Ein, Hitomi's family became his family. And he did not want this family to suffer like his real family.
Images of his life as Ein replaced the frightening ones of his current life. Instead of his home burning, he saw the large house of Hitomi's family where he lived. Instead of the corpses of his ninjas, he saw the determined faces of children who took their lessons at the dojo. Instead of seeing his father's freshly covered grave, he saw Hitomi's father teaching him how to master Karate. Instead of Doku's monstrous form, he saw the innocent look of Hitomi smiling at him. These thoughts were very…soothing.
"Am I really doing the right thing?" He asked himself.
Despite all of the reasons he had for fighting against DOATEC and saving humanity from its evil, nothing made him feel any better about what he was about to do.
DOATEC office building
United States
Thursday-12:23 a.m.
Ayane's eyes widened. Vergil? This man was…Dante's brother? But Vergil was supposed to be dead. That was what Dante said. Somehow the situation had grown even more confusing.
Dante's grin was still on his face, but it held none of his usual cockiness or playfulness. This smile was filled with malice and excitement, like Vergil's very presence brought out some sort of pleasurable urge to fight within him. Kasumi shivered at the sight of Dante pressing his gun into his own brother's forehead as Vergil pressed the tip of his sword against Dante's throat.
Trish was held in place both due to her exhaustion as well as her shock. She remembered Dante's ill-fated brother when he was Nelo Angelo, one of Mundus's demon lieutenants. Now he was back, but no longer a demonic reincarnation. His face was identical to Dante's with the exception of his hair being slicked back like when he was younger and his eyes were bitter cold. Vergil wore a dark blue business suit with a golden tie and buttons. A dark blue coat was draped over his shoulders like a cape and was held on by a single golden chain. An eastern style blade, the Yamato, was held firmly in his right hand, with his left holding its sheath.
"Well, well." Dante said, finally breaking the deathly silence. "Looks like we got ourselves a family reunion. The girls got their mom and I meet you." He let out a chuckle. "The only thing missing are the tacky decorations and the potato salad."
Vergil's face was stone as he spoke. "Indeed." He gave a quick glance at Trish before returning his gaze to his younger brother. "I see you are still clinging to that abomination that resembles mother."
No one except Vergil noticed the quick flash of pure anger in Dante's eyes.
"And I see you're still an arrogant prick. What's wrong? Ain't you still Mundus's puppy dog, or did he get tired of you losing?"
Vergil gave a small, but very cold smile. "True, I was under Mundus's control for a while. But thanks to you, little brother, I am free once more." The smile fell. "And I can now properly repay you."
"Get in line, pal." Dante retorted. "I got half the underworld after my head."
"And despite this, you have grown soft." The blue-clad man calmly informed. "Without me around, you aren't being pushed to your limits. I saw your fight with Apophis. Sloppy. You should have won that fight without breaking a sweat, but instead you were its play toy for over ten minutes."
"Like you could do better, jackass." Dante growled.
It was Vergil's turn to smirk. "How do you think I recruited him? I bested him in combat and brought him under my control. Unlike you, I was trapped in the demon world where my strength and skills were put to the test constantly. But not you. You lived here in the human world, only coming across annoyances." The smirk disappeared. "I became stronger, while you became weaker."
Dante let out an irritated humph. "I doubt you escaped from hell and sicked your pet dragon on me just to teach me a lesson. So what's the deal?"
Vergil's voice never wavered from his usual calmness as he spoke. "I also wanted to see these so-called shinobis of the Mugen Tenshin Clan. The ones that I came across were a disappointment."
"The ones he came across?" Kasumi thought. "Then that means…"
"It was you, wasn't it?" Ayane spoke, unknowingly asking out loud what her older sister was thinking.
"You're the one that killed the ninja team sent to find Donovan!" Everyone became focused on the youngest ninja. Everyone except for the two sons of Sparda, who found each other's weapons a bit more interesting.
The now infuriated teen's blood began to boil as Vergil continued to ignore her. "Answer me, you son of a…!"
"You are correct."
Ayane's anger became disbelief over the man's sudden truthfulness.
"I also sent Doku to your village to test your strength." His voice somehow became a few degrees colder. "Like before, a disappointment."
Ayame tightened her grip on her daughter to prevent her from breaking free and charging Dante's twin.
"You sure know how to sweet talk the ladies, I'll give you that." Dante said.
"I've seen what I needed to see." Vergil flatly informed.
"Okay then." Dante replied.
No one moved. No one breathed as the seconds ticked by. The tension mounted as Dante and Vergil continued to stare each other down, their weapons pointed at each other. The female onlookers were nervous about the situation, unsure of what could happen. Finally, the tension snapped.
Dante squeezed the trigger as Vergil flicked his wrist.
Ayame brought her children closer to her, shielding them from the sight of the lifeless bodies of Dante and Vergil falling to the floor. Ayame caught a glimpse of Trish who looked…calm. Maybe the shock of seeing Dante being killed overloaded her senses. And she knew that both were dead. Dante's throat was sliced open and Vergil had a bullet hole in his forehead.
Her ability for rational thought came screeching to a halt as the bodies began to stir…and rise.
Dante rose to his full height, the gash across his throat began to heal until the only clue of his injury was the blood smeared on his shirt. Vergil dug into his own forehead with his thumb and forefinger. He retrieved the bullet from his skull, and then calmly flicked it aside as the wound healed.
Ayame did not realize that her hold on her daughters had waned, allowing them to turn and see the miraculous event. Both were too amazed to think.
"Need some aspirin?" Dante chuckled.
Vergil placed his sword back into its sheath. "I have a feeling we'll met again, Dante. But I suggest you rethink about your need to protect these humans."
Before Dante could respond. A black mist appeared and swarmed over Vergil's body. Then the mist vanished along with the katana wielding half-demon. With a sigh, Dante placed Ivory back into its holster.
"You okay?" Trish asked in a hushed voice.
"Peachy." Dante grumbled as he walked to the elevator.
Helena's suite
France
Friday-9:03 a.m.
"Your dog's bath went as scheduled. His pedicure is also complete."
Helena could barely stifle a giggle. Bayman's report to her was supposed to be in code to make it sound like a call from a pet spa, incase Donovan or any of the DOATEC's executives decide to monitor her. But his monotone voice discussing the pampering of her dog was something too comical to ignore.
"Did I say something, Miss Helena?" Bayman asked, trying to hide the irritation he felt.
"No, no. It was just…something on the T.V. That's all." She said. Despite the humorous sounding report, she understood what he said. The mission was a success and he had the information.
"Now then, make sure…that…" Helena trailed of. Her T.V. was indeed on, but muted and currently on a news channel. A headline on top of the screen read 'DOATEC Attacked Again!' and the scene showed one of DOATEC's office buildings with police and rescue vehicles crowded around it. The scene shifted to bullet torn hallways and bodies being carried out on stretchers.
"Is something wrong, Miss?" Bayman asked, curious as to why the French opera star suddenly cut herself off.
"One moment please." She quickly responded, un-muting the television.
"To recap our top story, terrorists have stuck DOATEC again. This time in one of DOATEC's many office centers that are situated around the world." The off-screen newsman reported as the images of the buildings interior and exterior continued to cycle through. "It is unknown whether the terrorists that were involved in this attack are the same ones or are linked to the terrorists that attacked the DOATEC Tri-tower. It is also unknown how many were involved in this incident, but one has been seen by eye-witnesses."
Footage from a security camera showed a man crashing his way through a formation of police, scattering them like ninepins. He did not use a weapon of any sort, not even the large sword on his back, just his fists. Helena almost dropped the phone when she realized that the man shown wore a red coat and had white hair.
Helena continued to stare at the television but became unaware of the images or of the voices that came from it. She was lost in her own world of thought, trying to figure out why a man who had been linked only to things of the supernatural would suddenly switch his sights on her late father's corporation.
A smile formed on her face. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're doing this just to get my attention."
"I'm sorry, Miss Helena, but I didn't quite catch that."
Helena blinked as she realized that Bayman was still on the line. "Oh it's nothing. I've just been thinking…" She watched the scene of Dante plowing through the police once more. "…about getting another dog."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Bayman was no doubt confused, as what she had said was not something encoded. "My apologies again, Miss, but did you say…another dog?"
"Yes…" She replied, almost in a dream-like trance. " A red and white one."
Devil May Cry building
United States
Friday-10:22 a.m.
"DANTE, YOU IDIOT!"
The silver-haired man rolled his eyes as Trish roared at him for the fifth time. At least the three other women were not around to see his latest chewing out.
"When I said to distract the cops so I could get everyone home, I meant get their attention and make them chase you around, NOT beat the shit out of the entire precinct." With a huff, she plopped down on the edge of Dante's desk. "Now your mug is on every news channel and I have a feeling that this isn't gonna blow over anytime soon."
"Oh relax, babe." Dante casually stated.
Trish opened her mouth to say something but quickly closed it, threw up her arms in sign of indifference, then got up to leave. "Whatever, Dante. It's your ass on the line here, not mine."
Dante smiled, he had won. However, the smile fell when he remembered something. "Trish."
The blond bombshell stopped at the door to the kitchen. After another unsuccessful argument with Dante, she needed a drink. "What is it now?"
Dante decided to ignore the obvious irritation in her voice. This had to be said. "Trish …about that night, when…you know."
The demoness instantly became focused on her partner.
"It wasn't you. I…" Dante closed his eyes and cursed himself. Having these types of talks was incredibly awkward. "You just…caught me by surprise. That's all."
"I know." Trish whispered loud enough for Dante to hear. "Just…take your time. I don't want to force you into anything you're not ready for."
Dante tried to respond, but the door closed, signaling that Trish had left.
With his victory over Trish short-lived, he slumped further into his chair. It was incredible on how a simple talk could feel so draining.
He closed his eyes and hoped that somehow, all of this would just blow over.
--
"…ante?"
The devil hunter heard a voice. It was a strange, soothing voice.
"Dante? Please…ke up."
Slowly, Dante's brain kicked on, processing the voice as he awoke. It was feminine, which really did not help him narrow it down to whom it belonged to.
"Dante? Please wake up. I want to talk to you."
It was young, meek, and had an air of innocence to it. Kasumi.
Opening his eyes, he confirmed it. The youth was dressed in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, carefully nudging him awake.
With a yawn he asked. "What time is it?"
"About five." She answered in a hushed voice.
"Oh…well it…WHAT?!" Dante looked at the clock hung up on the wall. Four fifty-five.
"I've been asleep at my desk for almost seven hours?!" Dante sat up straight. "How'd that happen?"
"We tried to wake you up a few times, but you just went back to sleep." The Japanese teen answered. "You must have been very tired."
"Damn." Dante muttered, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "Well, anyway. What is it? Shouldn't you be with your mom or something? You sure were glad to see her."
Kasumi blushed as she spoke. "She's sleeping right now. I just wanted to say something to you."
"Well, spit it out already." Dante encouraged, reaching for an open bottle of beer.
"I just want to say…Thank you." She politely bowed. "You helped rescue my mother, for that I am eternally grateful."
"Forget it." Dante said, taking a swig. "Just doin' what your brother's paying me to do, that's all."
"No, I mean it! What you did for me…for my family and clan. We will never forget what you have done."
Dante stood and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Look, ya don't have to get all formal about this. Besides. I haven't figured out what my payment should be." He playfully added, letting go of her.
"Yes, well…I appreciate it, nonetheless. So…" Kasumi trailed off. She appeared to be thinking about something since her eye's kept darting back and forth, but always kept away from Dante. She fidgeted with her clothes, her nervousness growing. Before the half-devil could ask what troubled her, the teen sprang to the balls of her feet and closed the gap between the two. She landed a small kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Before Dante's brain could fully understand what had happened, a bright-red Kasumi excused herself from the room, informing him that dinner would be ready momentarily.
Dante touched his cheek. "That was…sudden."
Kasumi closed the door behind her. Her thoughts swarming with what she had done. She did not know what came over her. For some reason it just felt…right.
"Something wrong?"
Kasumi let out a squeak. She quickly spotted the source of the voice that startled her. Trish was sitting at the table, a bottle of wine half full nearby and an empty glass in her hand. A depressed look was adorned on her face.
Kasumi quickly gathered her wits. "No. I'm fine. But what about you? Are you alright Trish?"
Trish refilled her glass and downed half of it in one swig. "Gettin' there."
Kasumi shifted her weight uncomfortably. Not sure what to say, she made her way to the stove. She began to make dinner when Trish spoke up once more.
"Are you sure your alright? You seem awfully tense." Kasumi's body winced slightly at the older woman's voice. "I guess I can't blame you. Ever since I moved in with Dante, I think my blood pressure's gone through the roof."
"But…you love him, don't you?" Kasumi mentioned, almost regretting saying it aloud.
Trish paused as the glass contacted with her lips.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked that!" Kasumi blurted out, her face red with embarrassment. "I just thought that…since you are living together and…I am so very sorry!"
"No. You're right." Trish replied in a hushed voice. "I do."
Kasumi was baffled as how Trish would seem so melancholy over admitting her love.
A sad smile appeared on her as she turned to face Kasumi. "But I'm not sure that it would work out."
"Why? Does he not love you too?" Kasumi asked, cocking her head inquisitively.
"It's a long story, hun." She replied, finishing her drink.
"If it's okay with you, I'd like to hear it."
Surprise flashed across the demoness face, quickly followed by an amused look. "Alright then."
Trish pushed herself off her chair and walked over to the stove to help Kasumi with dinner.
"It all began about two years ago when I invited Dante to a place called Mallet Island…"
The Devil's Armory
Herein lies the weapons The Hunters have obtained in this tale so far
Apophis-A pair of gauntlets and greaves that are imbued with the demonic elemental power of the Crimson Lightning. With enhanced speed and strength, those who wield this weapon will be able to strike down their foes with lightning attacks.