I in no shape or form own the settings or characters of Devil May Cry or Final Fantasy XIII -2

To Raging berseker: Actually Snow is on par with Vergil at the moment, the reason will be explained next chapter; Mostly, next chapter will cover both Dante and Lightning...it's been 10 chapters since I brought them into the picture...Noel is scared of losing Nero cause he's already lost everyone in his timeline..you can't really blame him and Serah, well Nero is the closest thing to Dante and Vergil at the moment; so her feelings really are mixed up at the moment! hope you continue to read! thank you for the review! :D

To spencerlonewolf: Haha! indeed! go Snow! :D :D

To LightningPanda: ohmergosh? :p now it's omergosh? :P make up your mind, geez! lol... you'll see the fight end in this chapter! :D thanks for the review! hope you continue to read evil woman! -.-"

To RevolverBobcat: If you've played ff 13-2, then you'll know that they don't use 'artifcat' but 'artefact'...got take it up with the guys who write the story lol. If you feel it's lazy then all you need to do is sleep tight and ignore. adios! night night!

To Epsilon lombax: Thank you so much for the review man! I'm glad your enjoying it! I will! my exams are over so I can update a bit more freely now! hehe! hope you continue to read! :D

Chapter 9: Broken shield

Lush woodland path, Sunleth waterscape, 300 AF

"Ugh!"

With punches and blows, Snow slugged Vergil repeatedly without end. With a final thrust; he sent Vergil skidding back. He gasped in pain and knelt down on the cold forest floor, panting hard; Snow's battle stance quickly dissipated in confusion.

"You know? for a twin of Dante, I expected a bit more of a fight..." he mocked.

Vergil's eyes tensed as he looked up. A glare was thrown Snow's way and Vergil slowly rose to his feet. Snow's eyes narrowed as Vergil once again assumed a battle ready position. But this time...he slowly drew out his black katanna from his sheath and brought it forward infront of him.

Snow just scoffed "Fighting an unarmed opponent eh?...that's not very nice.."

"Your whole body is a weapon; being a l'Cie grants you that power...or am I wrong?" Vergil questioned. Snow tilted his head to his left and pounded his fists together "No..no, your right; so how 'bout it? you ready to fight seriously now?"

"I wouldn't waste my power on a mere l'Cie like you..."

"Oooo, looks like you can be a wise cracker when you want too" stated Snow and then he charged forward; Vergil brought up his blade and blocked the strikes of power from Snow. Each punch was deflected and thrown off to the air. Now learning that his usual tactics had no effect. Snow's right arm slowly shone a blue light, Vergil's eyes widened and as if on instinct .his right arm turned into a black flame; his black blade slowly roused up in flames and blocked the icy frost strike that Snow had delivered. A moment of impact and then both of them were blown away, skidding away from each other.

Snow slowly arose to his feet and panted; he glanced to his right arm that had delivered the blow and then looked back to his opponent "What was that?..."

Vergil did the same but provided no answers "You talk too much..."

Snow's eyes widened as an eerie sense of dread covered him, Vergil disappeared from his view. "What?!" Snow panicked and he looked around in worry. He jumped back and avoided three green crystal like swords that shattered on impact with the ground. When he did jump back..he was thrown forward with a kick that sent him crashing into the ground; his body skidded on the ground...and his face scraped it.

Vergil slowly sheathed his blade and then looked back to his fallen opponent.

Snow grunted.. "Heh..."

Wiping the mud off of his face; he slowly arose once more and glanced back to the elder son of Sparda "Let me ask you something..."

Vergil didn't reply, his silence was all but drowning...Snow however continued on forwards, rising to his feet; he turned and looked to his opponent "Why are you after Nero huh?"

"He has something that belongs to me..." Vergil answered and Snow just looked to him in confusion "Something? mind telling me what that is?"

"None of your concern..." he replied and Snow's shoulders drooped down in defeat; "You know, from what Serah used to tell me...she always looked up to you, she told me that you looked after her when no one else was around...why are you going after Nero now huh? you want to kill him or something?"

"If the occasion arises, then yes..."

Snow's heart clenched in pain as he looked to Vergil, a sick disgusted expression made it's way onto Snow' face and he had to wonder what kind of father would kill his own son.. "He's your son! you wanted to kill your brother so badly; now you want to kill your own son! I bet you'd kill Serah too if you got the chance, you bastard..."

Vergil didn't flinch, such harsh words did not affect him; he had lived a life of solitude not one of company. Feeling curious, he questioned him "What are you to Serah?..."

"What?" Snow blinked in surprise.

"You talk as if she is close to you" answered Vergil, an air of superiority surrounded the elder son of Sparda and Snow felt that he was drowning. His eyes narrowed "That's cause she is. She's my fiancee..."

At this, Vergil's eyes momentarily widened and a small smirk plastered itself on his face "I see...she grew up without us then"

Snow heard him clearly and it confused him; he could hear the regret eminating from his voice; it was as if he was saddened by the statement, he let his guard down and adopted a neutral stance questioning the elder son of Sparda once more "Why are you doing this huh?"

"..."

"Vergil?...that's your name isn't it?" Snow questioned in doubt.

It would seem to the younger blonde haired man that the elder son of Sparda stood in contemplation of his actions and then all too quickly the silence died down; Vergil's tilted his upper body back and it would seem that he was looking down at Snow.

"My reasons are my own, not to share with anyone; you will not live through this..." murmured Vergil and Snow's heart sank at the proclamation. A small amount of fear made it's way onto his face and he felt as if the words, Vergil had sprouted were an indication of things to come. Nevertheless, he shrugged it off...just like every other aspect of danger he come across; he smirked.

"I don't know about that...I got a lot of lives to spare" he grinned.

"Now...I'm a little motivated" Vergil answered.

Historia Crux

"Huh...what's this?"

Nero's voice echoed through the space less realm of the historia crux; he floated before a gate that had just been unlocked or rather two gates. One that he had just opened and the other...floated next to it. He looked to the left gate and tilted his head to the right. "Someone else opened another gate?" he mused.

He considered going in after them but his attention was on the older blonde man he had met; he knew that Snow was just like him and that he would act recklessly and fight alone. This did not bode well for him; so he decided to move into the gate that he had opened and resolve the paradox helping Snow.

"Alright; I'll head to this thing here and find out where the paradox is; once that's finished I'll head back to Snow...hope he didn't go to fight that thing on his own..." he muttered and then he leaped into the gate; unknown of where he would land up and reach. He just hoped that it brought him one step closer to go back home.

Paddra ruins, Yasschas Massif, 10 AF

"When monsters like the one you just fought back are cornered; they cause a space time vortex to appear; an electromagnetic shock usually shuts them down...It's been a while, Serah"

To Serah,,,the figure in front of her brought back a myriad of pent up emotions; he walked forward slowly as he ushered out his statements. Both Noel and Serah had appeared in this new realm; a world where an eclipse had threatened the very safety of Pulse. Her aqua' eyes wavered and her face held a thoughtful expression. one of hope and ironically enough; that was who the figure in front of her was...

"Hope?" she questioned, "Is that you?"

A small smile etched it's way onto the young adult; he was wearing a standard academu body suit; a formal white shirt with a green tie fastened around his neck; black gloves adorning both his left and right hands. A white protective suit over his own formal wear...gray pants and yellow arm length body covers. A whole bag of materials with his tools and other such necessities. His grin was a welcome relief to the younger Farron.

"I'm grateful you remember me..." he answered.

Noel, however grew uneasy; the very appearance of the man before him drew him back to Nero, althought different in personalities and attitudes...their appearance resembled each other and Noel could only think of how that the man before him could be a twin of Nero. In a forceful tone; he interrupted them.

"Who's this?" he asked, his tone was flat yet accusing.

"Uh...oh.." Serah staggered back in confusion and Hope took his cue for introductions.

"Directior of academy research, team alpha; Hope Estheim, at your service" he ushered out, his right hand placed near his chest as a peaceful introduction. His face drew back in facts as his statements caught Noel "And you...you must be Noel."

"Nice guess..." Noel answered, sarcasm etched into in his voice "Who told you?"

"You appeared here with Serah some years ago, at the Bresha ruins; subsequently we analysed the gate and foretasted your appearance again at this location...to be honest; I didn't believe time travel was possible but..." he looked to the two of them in a light of happiness "Here you both are..."

"You weren't kidding..." Noel interrupted "This guy really looks a lot like him, I could mistake him for his twin if I didn't know the difference in their attitude..."

"Noel..." Serah whispered, at this; Hope's eyes lit up in surprise. "Him?...you mean my cousin?"

"Yeah..." affirmed Noel "You look exactly like him; coming to that...how do you know him anyway? last time I checked...you two haven't been introduced to each other; at least not yet..."

"I received reports from my assistant that someone who looked like me had appeared some years ago in the Bresha ruins; truth be told...at first; I thought it was an impostor but then..looking to the two of you here and now..." Hope questioned. "Where is he?"

Serah and Noel's gaze softened; while Mog hovered around the two unsure companions. Hope slowly felt a feeling of dread as hr looked to the two of them once more; but more specifically to the younger Farron "Serah?..."

"Hope...Nero journeyed off on his own. He split up thinking that we would cover more ground that way" she explained. Noel didn't respond; rather chose to stay silent as the younger Farron ushered out her explanation.

"I see..." a mirage of regret hit his calm voice. "I was hoping to meet him; I...wanted to speak to him; nevertheless.." Hope raised his head and grabbed both of Serah's arms. "I'm really glad your safe...for me, it's as if time has stopped; everyone I knew is gone..."

"Hope..." she whispered in concern and then he let go off her arms and drew back in apologies. Noel took his chance to intervene as he stepped forward, his voice that of curiosity.

"From your point of view; it's been years since you last saw Serah..." he stated.

Hope looked away from the two of them; his very being the form of regret "Not just Serah; Snow as well...Sazh and his boy; you all disapeared from my life; it's been ten years now..." he explained. "When the paradox appeared some years ago; I believed if I could solve it...then all of you might come back but..." he stopped abruptly as sounds of footsteps drew the trio's attention to their right. A shrill voice cut through the air; a voice of weariness and panting.

"Director! what were you thinking?! going and leaving me all on my own like that!"

Coliseum. ? AF

"An arena?..."

Nero's voice rang out thought the darkness of the area; no lights shone, shrugging it off; he walked forward and found a pair of steps leading down to the ground. His resonating footsteps drew the attention of a voice; a pale deathly voice that threatened him.

"Who dares? explain this intrusion!"

Nero's eyebrows just furrowed in confusion; his devil bringer slowly shone in a blue light sending the darkness fleeing away from him as he walked forward to the floor below him, his lips slowly twirling up into a smirk. He stopped and looked upwards as the voice resonated to him once more.

"Traveller of the void beyond, what are you seeking? why are you in my realm!? it exists beyond the march of ages! until the day of the bell of the goddess tolls; this realm welcomes not the livi-"

"Yeah, yeah, cut the speech already; listen...I'm not here to listen to your sap story; you have something I want" he answered. :So...either you give it to me or I take it from you...it's that simple..."

"You bring naught but calamity here, mortal...begone form this place; such insolence is not welcome here!" the darkened voice resonated once more. As Nero stepped forward; his devil bringer shone in a brighter bllue light and he just knew that another artefact lay in wait for him here.

"My halls already play host to an omen of time-shattering misfortune"

Nero blinked at the sudden revelation and then pointed to the darkened figure above him "Alright!...here's the deal; give me that 'omen'...and I'll gladly leave...deal? or you can just sit back and watch me kick your ass and take it from you!"

"You! who do you think you are?! do you want to face judgement at my hands, morta-" the voice stopped abruptly, Nero's gaze slowly grew in confusion as the darkened figure above him held his gaze on the young demon slayer "I see...a gift of the guardian goddess; and the blood of the demon warrior...as you wish; take it...and leave in peace."

The darkened figure above him shattered in a blue light and an artefact came into Nero's sight; it slowly drifted towards him and then disappeared into his devil bringer. However the voice resonated to the young slayer once more "Your day of reckoning has not come yet...mortal."

Nero just bowed down and scoffed "Heh...pleasure doing business with you"

With a final mock; Nero turned around and walked away from the arena and back into the time gate; leaving the darkened figure to muse on what had just happened

"Death's embrace awaits you..."

Paddra ruins, Yasschas Massif, 10 AF

"Here, this is what lies at the heart of our paradox..."

Noel, Serah and Alyssa had been escorted by Hope to the main research tent in the ruins; but the object of true value in Hope's eyes was the device that he pointed to; it looked to be as if just a plain solid littered with engravings in a greenish pattern; it's very form that of the color green as the grass that occupied New Bodhum.

"The Oracle drive, we've been giving it careful study-"

"Wait! how did you!" their explanations and musings were cut as Noel drew forward into the statement given by the older Estheim. This had not gone unnoticed by Hope who came to his own conclusion... "You...know about these devices?"

"Uh...no-...just in books and stuff" a clever escape, a meaningful excuse. It drew suspicion of the young time traveller and then they both looked over to the device known as the orcale drive once more.

"The oracle drive appears to be some kind of recording apparatus...from ancient times. However the recordings depict...things that cannot be possible, perhaps you should see for yourselves..." explained Hope and then Noel motioned forward glancing to Serah "This is how it works..."

He stretched forth his right arm and a green glow erupted from the drive; a singular beam of green light erupted into the sky and then onto the ancient statue that stood a few meters away from them; with a crystal to reflect the recordings; it shone onto the eclipse blanched sky in the horizon. And then flashes of black and white images. Serah could see it all...Dante, Lightning and then the fall of Cocoon...accompanied by Ragnarok and it's crystallization. And then it died down with Hope's voice motioning to their explanation..

"We used a carbon dating method to realize it's age; the drive is several centuries old..." stated Hope,

"But...it showed Lightning and Dante!" Serah protested.

He nodded his head and looked back to the younger Farron "We believe that this was recorded by the seeress, Yeul herself...but what really concerns us...is this; you'll have to excuse the image quality" Hope drew forth his right gloved hand onto the oracle drive and once more the device shone images of darkened quality onto the sky; but this time, the images were different and Serah's dream came into realization and then it faded. Her voice quivered as she looked to the eclipse laiden sky.

"Was...that Dante?..he was with Lightning wasn't he?"

"Yes, I think so..." answered Hope "Dante looked to be older than before while Lightning hasn't aged...we need to conduct further analysis to be certain."

"Is it broken?" questioned Noel.

"No...we tested both the device and the data, everything was nominal yet when we try to view the recording, we get this..perhaps it's not the recording that's broken...it's the immediate space-time we are located in..." He ushered.

"Then it must be the paradox, so if we eliminate the paradox; the space-time will return to normal; then we could see the prophecy and find out where my sister is!" she ushered out in joy and hope.

"Yes, I believe so..." answered Hope and then he drew out an artefact from his tool kit and looked to the two of them "This device serves as a key correct?...we tried to use it ourselves but to no avail..."

"Yeah...we can use it to travel across time.." Noel answered, his tone flat with a hint of joy.

"Then you may have it; I think it'll be far more useful to you than to us..."

Hunter settlement, Archlyte steppe, ?AF

"Alright...say I do help you; then what would be in it for me? you said that some monster's been killin' off your people...and you want me to sit here and get you some wool? yeah...that'll surely help..."

Nero scoffed at the chief of the hunter tribe he had stumbled upon. Upon arriving on the archlyte steppe; he had found a settlement in which people native to the land resounded and abounded in the steppe's. He had mused that the paradox must have been concealed to him; and so he had opted to get help but once arriving in the settlement; he had quickly learnt that some of the inhabitants were not so welcoming. He had to earn their trust but he did not have enough time to do that; courtesy of a stubborn older blonde he had come to know off. He folded his arms over his chest and looked to the chief who stood baffled and conflicted.

"The beast's name is Faeryl; I do understand your plight, young slayer but...Faeryl is invisible to our eyes; the only thing we can do now is to stock up on rations..." the chief explained leaving Nero to let out an irritated sigh. However, turning to his left; he found a machine with certain levers on it; feeling curious he question it's use. "Say...what's this thing you got here? does it do anything special?"

"Hm?...oh! that is the weather machine; it changes the weather and better aids us in hunting; monsters that are present in a monsoon type of climate do not infer when it is sunny...we use this to draw them out..."

"Huh...can I give it a whirl?" questioned a hopeful Nero, futuristic devices such as these interested him at the moment; that was his excuse.

"Your most welcome..."

"Heh..." with a small grunt, Nero moved to the levers and proceeded experimenting; both the levers were up and he brought the two of them down at the same time. Hearing the sound of thunder, he blinked and then looked to the scenario outside. Both the chief of the settlement and Nero watched as the weather changed from that of a cloudy to sunny. Amazed by the machine, Nero moved to compliment the man behind him but was stopped by a shrill shriek.

"Chief! Faeryl! it's come back! over there! look to the northern hills!"

Nero blinked and did just as the chief was requested to do; his blue eyes slightly widened to a scaly dragon; as large as a three storey apartment looking towards them; it would seem to them as if it was resting but what caught his attention was the huge monster that blocked his way to the Faeryl. He grinned and slowly his right arm went to the red queen's hilt. He felt a hand wrap around his arm and he glanced back to see the chief of the settlement looking to him,

"Wait..." and then he moved forward to the device.

"Hey, what are you doing!? that thing might run away if you change the weather again!" he called out in frustration. The call was not heeded and the chief brought down the right level resulting in a change. Nero let out a frustrated grunt and then watched as the wether all too seemingly changed into a storm. But what startled him was that the giant monster didn't block his path anymore and it was a straight clear cut path to the dragon, Faeryl.

"Well...I'll be.." Nero started in awe.

"It seems that you can do your job now, young slayer...we will be forever grateful if you deal with the monster.."

"You don't need to tell me twice, don't worry...I'll send that overgrown lizard packing; hell maybe I'll make it into a suitcase too..." chuckled Nero and then he walked forward and jumped into the plains of eternity that awaited him. Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, he pumped his evil bringer into his left palm and walked forward.

"Hold on, Snow...I'm almost done on my end..."

Lush woodland path, Sunleth waterscape, 300 AF

"What's the matter? is that all you got?...come on, get up! I know you can do better than that!"

"Rrgh...you...insolent-"

Vergil's grunts of pain echoed throught he small area that he and Snow fought in; he was beaten, weary and yet he slowly stood up...the man opposite to him; Snow Villiers looked no better; he was bloodied but through it all. he grinned and looked to the elder son of Sparda. Their battle had torn up most of the field but what had surprised Vergil the most was that a mere l'Cie was able to stand on par with him.

"I'm telling you right now, either you turn tail and back away or I take you down right here and now...I'm not letting you get near Nero or Serah" he barked out; the urge, the will to protect embedded into his whole being. Snow wanted to laugh, how is it that he was able to mouth off to the most powerful opponents in a dire time when he himself was scared to the bone.

"You...can bark as loud as you want..." began Vergil.

Snow's breath hitched as he watched his opponent carve his sword into the ground; using it as support, he slowly got up and staggered back limping and then stood to his full height. "This temporary body will not suffice, I cannot access the whole of my power through it..." he mused and then looked to Snow who brought up his fists in a fighting stance once more.

"I have no intention of...going after your fiancee; Nero is...my only concern.."

Snow blinked at the sudden statement, in surprise; he narrowed his eyes "Why are you telling me this? and just because you say so doesn't make it true...I know Serah" his voice quivered and Vergil blinked in surprise "do you actually think she'll even let you hurt Nero?! she'd rather be killed!"

"If she wants to die, then that is her problem..." came his quick reply.

It was enough and Snow's eyes widened in bloddy rage "you heartless son of a-"

His statement was cut off as a black ray of light descended from the clouds and onto Vergil; the dust kicked up and the clouds moved into an ominous position. The once blue serene sky had now become darkened with a blue haze.

"What the-" Snow began, in his surprise; he emitted a gasp and his eyes slowly widened; his gaze rested on the elder son of Sparda who had been composed into a black light and then all too suddenly just as the sky had darkened once more, it had reverted to it's peaceful state. The light was cut off and cold sweat hit Snow's face...He couldn't grasp the feeling that had swallowed his entire body.

Is this...fear? he had to wonder; Vergil's voice cut through his musings and he was left in a state of shock...the statement that had come out of his mouth drew chills down his spine. Vergil's once injured body was now healed completely and a dark aura surrounded the demon knight.

"It seems that my brother...is dead. How unfortunate that you nor I will ever see him again..."

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Snow shouted in rage and agony, much to the annoyance of the older son of Sparda.

"This power you see me holding now?...it's the power of my brother; truth be told, it's repulsive to even use his power; but I have no other option until I restore my own body..." explained a calm Vergil.

"Body?...You, you don't even care if your brother's dead; what the hell is wrong with you!? Let's see you chew on this!" and then he charged forward with his fist now turned to steel; he moved to slug the elder son of Sparda and without even a warning.

"Grrah!..."

His black blade of chaos ran through the stomach of the blonde haired l'Cie. Vergil felt amused; for some reason, this reminded him of when he had fought Dante on the top of the demon tower, the temen-ni-gru and he had to wonder the irony of it all. His cold blue eyes looked back to the l'Cie who gasped in pain.

"Had enough? there's something I must do...you see."

AN: I have returned! *epic music plays* how are you guys doing!? :D it's so good to be back up and writing! heheh! hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Snow: Hey! what's with me getting stabbed?

Beyond my Mask: Uh...well, plot tension?

Snow: Plot tension my ass! you just want to kill me off!"

Beyond my Mask: No I don't! this is just drama for the plot! no one will like it if the good guys win all the time!

Snow: So!? you gotta make me get stabbed!? why don't you let Lightning get stabbed!

Beyond my Mask: Erm..well, she's the heroine...so eh...oh look! it's Shawn Michaels! :O :O

Snow: What? where?!...hey, you were trying to punk m-...I'll get you back for this when I find you!