Some points of the anime are coming into this story as well. I haven't decided yet if I'll put in the characters from the anime yet (Modius, Morrison, Patty, etc.) but some small details will appear for certain.
Extra long chapter today for everyone. Got a great idea for the ending and couldn't pass it up.
X
City Limits, Bus Station
Dante looked at the bus map. Only one really went out of town. He shifted the weight on his back. Lady had found him a guitar case big enough to hide Rebellion in, saying a sword would draw too much attention. He had hidden Ebony and his amulet in there as well. Ivory remained quietly in the back of his jeans, just in case.
After seeing the vision of the countryside mansion, he decided the best place to start looking for it was outside the city he was in. There was one nearby. Nameless and with no connections to anything that he could find. Perhaps there were some bills somewhere but Sparda more than likely had them routed through his bank.
He had taken part of the day in order to make sure Lady and Kalina were safe, making up some small wards and praying they were enough of a protection until he could get them to his father.
He looked at the different routes for the buses. There were a bunch of them and none seemed to go quite that far.
Well, maybe I can walk the rest of the way, he figured, scratching his head through the hoodie he was wearing.
He had opted to wear a completely different attire for his search. The police had grown accustomed to his usual clothing. It wasn't entirely different - at least the colour scheme was the same. A red hoodie and black jeans. It matched his guitar case anyway.
"So, I guess I have to take the red bus..." he muttered.
He turned and looked around. A bunch of people were waiting and getting on to various buses. He couldn't really tell them apart.
"Huh..."
He resolved to sit and wait. He sat down on one of the benches and leaned agaisnt the station wall. Time passed slowly and many people came and went. Dante began to wonder how he was supposed to move on from this point when he couldn't tell the buses apart. Every moment he spent in one spot increased his chances of the police finding him as well. Even now he was wary of eyes on him.
A bus pulled up beside him and the doors opened. He grew confused as it wasn't the loading zone and that area was empty. An old man smiled at him from the driver's seat, "Come along, lad. Time's wastin' here."
He blinked, certain the man spoke to him. Caution ate at his mind but some other power made him get up and walk toward the bus. Just as he was about to step onto it, a voice sounded behind him.
"You there! In the red sweater!"
He stopped, not needing to turn around to know a policeman's gun was on him.
"Turn around."
His mind reeled. What was he to do?
"Now see here," said the bus driver, "this lad hasn't done anything wrong."
The officer would not be detered, "He is a known suspect-"
"I don't care who you believe he is. He has been my passenger for the last 3 hours. I just let him off to deliever a letter. Now, if you don't mind, we've got many more stops to make and I need to be on schedule."
Dante turned his head slightly, "Can I go now?"
The officer seemed to relax, "Fine. Go."
He nodded and got on the bus. He looked at the driver, "I don't have a ticket or anything."
"I know. Have a seat."
He sat down near the front. A couple other passengers were on board but none seemed to pay him attention. He placed the guitar case next to him and stared out the window. The bus was already moving. It was a muticity bus, covering most of the surrounding area as well as a bit of the city. Dante didn't remember seeing it but anything that got him out of the city was good. Plus, the driver did help him.
He watched the passing scenery with dull interest. It was as if he could feel something pull on him, making him withdraw from awareness. He rested his head against the glass and began to drift off. Something kept him from falling asleep, forcing him to stay on the brink between sleep and the real world.
An eternity seemed to pass for him while he was like this. It wasn't until after a long series of stops that he began to take in his surroundings again and return to full alertness. The scene he saw outside the window shocked him: limestone pillers and a black iron gate.
"End of the line lad."
He turned to look at the driver. Everyone had left the bus and it was just the two of them. It was getting dark now.
He pulled Rebellion a little closer, "How did you know I was coming here?"
He merely smiled and opened the doors, motioning for him to get out. He got up slowly and swung the case over his shoulder. He began to walk off the bus when he felt something. His eyes recognized it and spun to look at the driver.
"You're-"
He held up his hand, "Tell your father the Oracles send their regards."
He blinked, "Uh, yeah. Sure. Whatever." He turned and left the bus.
"Good luck, Dante Sparda." The doors closed and the bus drove off down the road.
He watched it go before turning and looking at the mansion from his vision. Was this where his family had been all this time? He absently strapped his holsters to his legs and placed Ebony and Ivory in their appointed spots. He felt better with them on, even if he was at his family's home.
He took a breath and began walking forward. Instantly, he felt them. His father's wards. They were strong but yeilded to him immediately.
He wouldn't want them to hurt Verge and we have the same blood, he guessed.
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders. He was nervous. Back after how many years?
He cast a glance at the garage, finding the door open and no vehicle present. It didn't seem like anyone was home. He stopped, Would they mind if I waltz in? Or would the old man have put something nasty on the lock?
Suddenly, he saw something. For a moment, there was a flash of blue in the trees behind the mansion.
"Was that...?" A flash of excitement ran through him and he chased after it, running around the mansion and into the forest.
He caught a whiff of his brother's scent, recognizing it instantly, and picked up speed. It had been a while since they had chased each other.
He noted how much better his twin had become. As he followed the scent, he was able to catch the faintest glimpses of blue darting around trees and over rocks and logs with the highest amount of grace and agility. The thought of this challenge sent a thrill through Dante as he pushed himself to go faster. Vergil had a head start on him and he always was faster.
He sensed his brother's awareness of something chasing him and watched as he abruptly changed direction.
A grin, That's right. Keep on running Verge. I'll get you this time.
The chase went on for another couple minutes before Dante noticed something else in the corner of his eye. A flash of dark smoke. A feeling of dread settled in him as he realized what it was. Or more, what they were. Vanguards. And they were hunting Vergil!
A protective panic flooded him and he called upon the devil energies inside him to become a blur, trying to get to his brother before the demons did. He didn't know whether he had Yamato with him and Vanguards were too powerful to go against unarmed.
Vergil didn't show any signs that he had noticed additional pursuers and, for once, Dante growled at his brother's lack of focus.
Why the hell does he have to relax now? he thought desperately.
He managed to get near Vergil and watched as he looked behind him. Their eyes met and everything seemed to go into slow motion. In an instant, they both knew the entire situation and how to get out of it.
Dante grabbed his pistols and spun to point them at the Vanguards behind them. At the same time, he heard the familair slice of Yamato as it came from it's sheath.
A slightly relieved grin crossed his face, Shoulda known he would never go out alone without that sword.
The Sparda brothers attacked their foes and stood carefully once the closest were defeated. Dante felt Vergil's back against the case while more demons came out of the forest shadows to surround them.
"Who did you piss off to get Vanguards on your tail?" A cool voice asked him.
He drew Rebellion swiftly, leaving it's case on the ground, "They were after you," he retorted with a grin, "not me."
A sigh, "Getting me in trouble again. I don't know why I missed you."
He heard the grin in that statement, "Likewise, big bro. Now let's do this."
They surged forward. The attack was relatively small and the battle short. Only a few lesser demons followed the Vanguards. There weren't even any Abyss demons. Dante flipped through the air, keeping an eye on Vergil. Everytime he looked at him, he noted the eyes watching him as well. It seemed they were both wary of the other.
They made a hell of a team. Any time Yamato flipped a demon over or knocked it back, Ebony and Ivory would finish it off with a perfect headshot. Dante funnelled all his power into his shots, trying to take out the Vanguards with single shots. As much fun as this fighting was, he wanted to spend time with his family again. His slashes timed perfectly with Yamato's while both swords battled with satisfaction. The sons of Sparda were complete.
The battle ended soon with not one demon left standing or making a successful escape back to the Underworld. When it was done, Dante holstered his guns and slowly turned around. Vergil was staring at him. He stared back.
The expression was the same, as were the eyes, hair colour, face...
They stood only a few feet apart, both struggling. To any who may have seen them, they would have thought the brothers were having a silent battle of wills with each other.
Then, it happened.
Neither could recall who moved first but they strode toward each other and grabbed the other's shirt. Their fronts collided with enough force to crack ribs and their arms gripped each other as if the other was dying.
Dante felt Vergil's hand dig into his hair, a gesture he recalled devils doing to only family members. He crushed his brother against him, trying to still his sudden shaking. Why was he losing himself so fast? He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to stop the flow of tears he felt coming.
He remembered when they were young, keeping close to each other and never straying. The best of friends. The closest of brothers.
Vergil was shaking and squeezing him more and more. It almost felt as though his spine was breaking. Dante increased his hold as a response. A grin crossed his face as he felt the pressure double in his scalp and spine. They continued this exchange until notable cracks had sounded from the pair of them. A similair laugh left their mouths and they let go.
Dante rubbed his ribs as the bones knitted themselves back together. He placed Rebellion back into the case and slung it over his shoulder.
A small smile crossed his face, "Missed you, big bro."
Vergil smiled back, "Missed you too. Come on. Mother and father are out for the night."
"'Mother and father?' Geez, what is it with you and all that fancy crap. Even when we were kids."
He rolled his eyes and hit him with Yamato's sheath, starting back toward the mansion. Dante trotted to catch up and walked beside him with a grin.
"Not bad for a 'heart warming family reunion, huh? Slaying demons and stuff like that."
His twin gave a small laugh before his smile faded, "I'm sorry Dante."
"Sorry? I didn't even know you knew that word."
"Shut it."
They went on in silence for a bit before Dante realized his brother wasn't all that happy. He was hunching and he could feel frustration and conflict in his energies, Wait, what the hell was he sorry about?
He was about to ask when the forest line appeared and they were out of the trees. The mansion loomed up with a warm light. He began hunching a little again. A part of him was nervous.
"You'll get a bad back if you keep hunching like that."
He shot a glare at Vergil, "Shut it."
He chuckled and lead him up to the door. The garage door was still open so it appeared to be just the twins for a while.
Vergil lead him inside and closed the door behind him. Dante kicked off his boots and shrugged off the case.
"So," he started, "how's my big bro been holding up?"
A smirk, "Better than you. I saw the news."
He put on a sheepish look, "Heard about that, did you?"
"Red Devil?"
He gave a nervous look, "It's not what it looks like. I just happened to be there when that killer was."
"Always in the wrong place at the wrong time, aren't you?"
"Aw, c'mon Verge, don't be mean."
He scoffed before looking at him seriously, "Do you need help Dante?"
He sobered, "Yeah...something big is happening. Something big and bad. Dad's gonna have to get involved too. Probably mom as well."
"That bad?"
"Yeah. From what I found out, another demon war is coming. There's this old devil magic that could let Mundus through."
He blinked, "That's impossible Dante. Father sealed off the path between worlds."
"But this he didn't know about." He picked out the books he got from Arkham's storage, "Take a look." He tossed them to his brother.
Vergil caught them and opened the first one. His expression fell further and further as he looked over the pages.
"This magic is supposed to have been forgotten a long, long time ago. Before dad was born."
"Father isn't going to be happy about this."
"Well, sorry for being the barer of bad news...can you read it all bro? I can't. Gramps' lessons sucked."
"Gramps? You met our grandfather?"
"Yeah but he didn't want to meet me. He snarled at me and I really did think he was going to kill me. Mundus ordered that I was taught by him. It was the only order of his I actually liked."
He seemed impressed, "Father won't say anything about him - or anyone from his family."
"I'm not really surprised. Gramps was a hardass. He kept going on and on about how I was the spawn of a worthless, traitorous insect that had no right to live."
"...Wow."
"Yeah...I kinda don't want to tell dad about it, y'know?"
He nodded.
Vergil felt rage at what Dante had told him. Their grandfather had no right to say Sparda didn't have the right to live. He was a proud and noble demon, with more humanity than most humans. He took a breath and opened the book again.
The arcane symbols were described on some of the pages but this was written in Noble Demonscript. His lessons on the writtings on got him so far. He would have to get Sparda to translate it.
"Have you been looking for me?"
He looked up to see the puppydog curious look his twin always had when they were little. He stared calmly at him, "You've felt our connection as well?"
"Yeah. I was hoping it was you. A few nights ago, it kinda snapped painfully." He scratched his hair in that confused way that always ended with Vergil labelling him an idoit.
"That was it reconnecting. Twin bonds can fade over the years and ours would have been all but severed the moment you were pulled into the demon realm." He turned and walked into the kitchen.
He heard his brother's heavy footfalls as he followed him, "So, why did it reconnect? I've been in the city the last couple years and I didn't feel it before."
"It can take time. We all thought you were dead as well. That could have been a factor."
"Uh huh." He sat at the table, folding his arms on the table.
An uncomfortable silence settled. It seemed even brothers could succumb to unease.
"So...did you stick Yamato in a light socket?"
He blinked and pulled a face, "What?"
A smirk and playful shrug, "With your hair standing up like that, I thought you were electrocuted."
"I chose this style!"
"Soooo, you got electrocuted on purpose?"
"I did not!" At this, his usual calm demenour faded and he threw the books at Dante's head.
They collided and he threw them back. That was how it started - how it always started. Dante would taunt Vergil to the point of no return and the blue son of Sparda would launch himself.
It was a pradictable cycle. In reality, Vergil wondered why it had taken his brother so long to start it up again, but, instead, he just tackled him off the chair.
Yamato, Rebellion, and Dante's guns were left out of this. The two half-devils grabbed each other and snarled, growled, punched, jumped, kicked, and wrestled all through the kitchen. Chairs were knocked over in the process and a table leg was destroyed. One of the cuboards was snapped in half and the stove was dented.
Then, the fight went into the hallway. Dante rolled down it and sprang up, running up the wall and flipping over the railing.
"Ha ha Verge!" he taunted, "Can't catch me!"
He growled and put into practice a move he had been developing. A teleportation of sorts that brought him in range of Dante. He tackled his laughing, imbecile of a brother into the guest room, kicking out to make him fly into the wall.
Dante retaliated by surging back at him and throwing him through the wall into the next room, which happened to be the bathroom. The bathtub smashing under the force and weight of the two was loud and a chunk of it hit the mirror, cracking it. The tub's facet broke off completely and was sent through the wall leading outside.
"Ha ha! Seven years of bad luck for you!" the red one snickered.
"I'll show you bad luck!" He punched his chest, sending him out the door and into their parents room.
How they managed to destroy that room and not get hit by one of their father's swords remains a mystery.
The date had gone on fine, considering. There had been only one demon attack and it was in an alley so no one saw.
Eva smiled to herself as she watched the familiar countryside passby. Being the wife/ mate of a powerful demon had it's share of baggage. True, he could fight off anything but he shrugged of still-bleeding wounds as if they were nothing. Thank God the demon had attacked after dinner. It was much better that he was bleeding all over the car seat instead of the fancy chairs at the restaurant Sparda had taken her to. Sacred blades seemed to pack a punch on devils as powerful as Sparda as well as lesser demons.
The dinner was delicious. She had her favourite with a chocolate lava cake for desert. Who said she couldn't enjoy anything good now and then? Sparda had a slab of meat. She had to call it that instead of the 'Angus Steak' the menu called it. He had barely let heat see it. It probably would have given a human some kind of food poisoning for how undercooked it was. He had simply shrugged and said his system could handle it. She knew he was referring to demon upbringing and had an image of him tearing into the steak like a lion in her head for the rest of the night.
"I wonder if Vergil has gone to bed yet," Sparda mused, "I've noticed he does when we are not around."
"He is still young Sparda. Didn't you say that nestlings sleep constantly for nearly a decade in the Underworld?"
"Very true. I had merely thought he would not be so with human blood within him."
"He did sleep a lot when he was a baby-even for babies. Remember he and Dante had to be pulled out of preschool. They fought during naptime and slept during playtime."
"Pfft. Humans just do not understand. You cannot schedule a young, growing being. It is simply not done."
She laughed at his response. There were a lot of things humans did that didn't seem to make sense to him. It was one of the joys it brought her. Perhaps she was being a bit cruel for laughing at him but she just put it under her 'wifely duties.'
"To be honest, my Lady, I am worried."
"About what Sparda?" Whenever he started with to be honest, she knew it was important. Demons valued deception and underhanded nature. Honesty was frowned on more than anything.
"Vergil."
She let out a soft sigh, "You mean about his guilt for Dante?"
"More than that. He is hiding something from us. I am not sure what."
"A lot of human boys have secrets, Sparda. He and Dante even had their own language."
"True but something tells me this is another secret about Dante."
"Something tells you? You're not usually one to go on gut feelings. That's more a human's area."
He glanced at her and she smiled with a raised eyebrow. An appreciative smile crossed his face, "Perhaps it is more instinct."
"He'll tell us when he's ready."
He sighed, "How are you able to stay calm, Eva? Especially after how emotional he became before."
"I think part of that was us trapping him. You said demons are like animals. They don't like being caged."
He sighed again and began to drive up the driveway, "Perhaps you are right."
They looked up at the house to see the kitchen lights on. Vergil was still awake. Suddenly, a resounding crashed echoed through the night and the upstairs wall broke, a chunk of something flying out.
Sparda stopped the car instantly and stared in shock. Eva got out of the car and ran into the house. She heard him follow her and they burst through the door. Part of the hallway had seen a light battle: the rug was moved and a vase was now tettering on the edge of it's pedastel. The kitchen was destroyed and the paint on the wall by the upstairs railing was cracked.
The guest room door was broken open and so were the walls between the bathroom and their room. Laughter could be heard from upstairs but it didn't belong to their son's and it was human.
A thousand things were running through her mind. Was he hurt? Why couldn't they hear his voice? Did Sparda feel his presence? What if it was a demon disguised as a human? Was it sent by Mundus? How did it get through all of Sparda's wards?
She felt her panic rising, desperate to find out if her son was okay. Suddenly, a yell sounded and two bodies flew down the stairs. One was defidently Vergil but she could barely tell. Flashes of white, red, and blue marked the two as they hit a couple steps and landed right in front of her's and Sparda's feet.
The two looked up and the Sparda parents gasped. They both had the same face. Vergil was on his stomach with his twin's arm wrapped around his neck in a headlock. The twin was half on him and wearing...red.
She slowly looked at Sparda. His eyes were on the second, a mixture of shock and disbelief on his face. She looked back at the two, her heart still and mind blank. The two faces of the children she bore looked up at her with an identical expression of surprise and shock.
Many different things could have happened at this point: a tearful reunion, a scolding for destroying part of the house, a bombardment of questions at the red twin...but fate decided to repeat history as two voices shouted at the same time.
"He started it!"
I couldn't resist that idea for a reunion. No better way than through the damage of rough housing :)
Review please!