Just a little note to the reviewers. Thanks a million guys. I've always come across stories with more than a hundred reviews and now I've gotten to that stage as well. I'm thrilled that you like it. I've updated again, getting somewhat back to my old routine again, though I'm still having difficulting getting back into the swing of college again. But, here you are. Oh, by the way, the Angel's motto comes from Faust (used in V for Vendetta to such great effect) but the original is in Latin. It reads Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. It's not strictly adapted in this, but closely enough. My thanks to Bluelady, SB-ED, YJ and SPoM for their reviews, and as well to anyone I may have missed. I hope you enjoy.

A Diablolical Plan

"Is everything prepared?"

"Sir. The troops are in position and we have sufficient air and artillery support to make a break like this. All the Honours, Powers and Glories are prepared."

"Excellent. With Mundus away from the front, and by all reports back in his own realm, this gives us the chance for a strike at the heart of his territory. The Temen ni Gru itself."

"Yes Primarch."

"Prince Reito, do not fail this task."

"By the power of Truth…"

"We conquer the universe. Courage and Godspeed."

*********

Six half dead bodies were dragged into the throne room. Mundus dropped the human guise, finally back in his proper haunt and took his seat.

"Lash them to those pillars." Gesturing, he indicated six blocky pillars in the centre of the room. They were roughly eight feet tall and two feet wide.

Dragging out huge, sinuous chains the guards wrapped the around the semi conscious hybrids and the comatose Hands. Mundus watched all of this with a slight smile on his monstrous face. Struggling the hybrids tried to break free, only to have their limbs nearly wrenched out of their sockets by the sudden tightening of the chains. All along the links, mouths opened and bit into the flesh of their captives.

"Knights, withdraw. I'll summon you again when I need you."

One or two of them devils attempted to protest, but they thought better of it and left. That left the Devil Emperor alone with his mortal enemies. There was a sudden and long silence, broken only by the sounds of the Vanguards and the Assaults, Frosts and Blades patrolled the perimeter. Dante furiously racked his brain as to the reason why the big bad boss demon wanted to talk to them privately.

*******

"I have to tell you, I really hate guys who gloat over their downed victims."

Mundus laughed, and the sound reverberated around the entire room, crashing down on the Sons of Sparda from where he was sitting.

"If you're looking for me to attack you and break you out of your chains, you're going to be waiting a long time."

"It was worth a shot."

"You act so much like your father boy. Arrogance and foolishness mixed together. I have no intention of doing anything except sitting here and watching you struggle."

For a short moment there was complete silence, then Mundus spoke again.

"I suppose you're wondering why I did all this?"

Dante tried to shrug. "Not really. You just want to cause as much pain and suffering as possible."

"I wasn't addressing you boy. Your twin has a much better grasp of Underworld politics than you have."

Vergil grimaced, not enjoying the reminder of that foolish era of his life. But he answered anyway. "Generally the Dark Emperor would only go to war if there was a significant advantage to be gained from it. For instance if his own position was becoming unstable, the use of war would be sufficient to gather most of his support back into a firm basis for himself. War is also a good means of disposing of troublemakers, while at the same time providing supporters with greater ranks. In short, Mundus needs to do a little housecleaning."

The Dark Emperor smiled, a malicious visage that would send shivers down the spines of most beholders.

"Almost."

********

"You would normally be right, Vergil, in fact you are mostly right. I do need to make my position more secure, that is certain, but that is not my main goal. How much do you know about Gods?"

That was a shocker to say the least. Dante, Vergil and Nero threw quick looks at one another. This conversation had just taken a completely unexpected turn.

"Oh come now. Certainly you must have learned something in all your history with them. Do you all not constantly seek further power from the Omnipotent God of Time and Space during all your battles?"

The title was given in a mocking tone and the three could pick up on a significant level of contempt for the very idea of the Gods. Mundus snapped.

"Wake the Hands."

Water gathered out of the air and splashed against the faces of the captives. With a splutter, followed by a deep groan of pain, Justin awoke followed by his two younger siblings.

"Aw Hell, are we in Hell again?"

"Shut it Ty."

Justin locked eyes with the demonic prince on his throne. "What do you want?"

"Just information Hand, nothing more, nothing less."

"Forget it."

"It's not for my benefit, you remember I was there at the beginning, it's for these uneducated half-breeds here. Tell them about the Gods and the laws they put into the world at its foundation."

Justin looked at them, sagged, licked his lips and began.

*********

"When the World was founded, the Gods created two particular races over all the others. One of these was to be a semi spiritual group of beings, the others based in the physical realm, but with a significant spiritual resonance. One were the humans, but the former were called the Navarin. This world is based upon a system of rules and principles that govern all the beings and the physical realm. To put it bluntly, this world depends on the Will of the Gods to survive. It is by their will that this world hangs in space and that the balance between life and death is maintained as well as gravity, mass constants and all other laws of the physical realm. While the Navarin were created to watch over this world and maintain it, performing acts such as maintaining magma flow and ferrying souls to the far side, the primary inhabitants of this planet were the humans. It is their world in both origin and destiny. Not to say that all humanity did not have a capacity for Sin, but Sin was held subservient to the power of the Gods, who regulated the power it could hold as well. This world is far from the oldest world in existence, in fact it is a younger world than most, but it is still considered somewhat inferior to other ones. However, that's not officially declared. But, it was during the so called Mythic Era, that one particularly powerful Spirit came to one of the most powerful of the Twelve Navarin Overseers. The Spirit gave no name, but he spoke words of lies and blasphemy to this particular Navarin. It said that its name was Breagador and that it knew the truth. The truth being that there was no such thing as Gods, merely more powerful spirits attempting to keep their lesser in check using this lie. Said Navarin believed this to be true and began to converse with its companions. Afteer much argument they split into two groups, one calling themselves the Free and the other the Faithful. But the reality was that Breagador had lied to them. The Gods put in their will and the Free, or the Rebels as they became known, fled to the Underworld, where unrepentant souls had been sent. Using these souls, they fashioned new bodies for them and proceeded to build an army. But, before they could strike against an unprepared world, the Gods caused chaos among them, dissension and strife. They fell apart into infighting and it was several centuries before one of them finally managed to gain control. His name was…"

**********

"Mundus."

The being in question sat back on his throne and smiled. "Very well told Hand. But you omitted several things."

Justin frowned. "I did?"

"Certainly. You failed to mention exactly why the Gods haven't showed up again."

Bitter laughter came from Ian. "Of all people Mundus, you should know why. It's because we exist."

Ty shook his head. "We'll stop you."

Mundus just looked at them as they struggled to free themselves. "Good luck with that."

Justin sighed as the futility of it all got to him. "The Gods cannot go against their own Will. They will not re-enter this World until they deem the time ready and the evil that was introduced will come to battle everything pure they placed here. Good and Evil, the final confrontation and the root of the evil will be purged and the physical will end."

"You're still forgetting something."

"What now?" Dante snarled at the Devil Lord. "The history lesson is all well and good, but it makes little to no sense."

"You're bringing about the end of the world and all that's going to happen is that the Gods are going to destroy you." Nero pointed out. Beside him Vergil was deep in thought.

"No, they won't."

"What?"

**********

"There is one flaw in the work of the Gods, and it is glaringly obvious. This world hinges on the Will, which was placed into it at the beginning. The Will which governs everything in the world, its beginning and its end. That is the specific part that stands out. Beginning a world is impossible without being a God already, one not only needs the ability to create, but also the ability to manipulate Universal Law, something which is impossible for a semi physical being to do. However, the worlds end hinges on two things, the balance reaching critical, and the appointed time. That is the link to the Will which Governs. It is akin to opening a time locked and temperature sensitive case. One specification may be met, but the other is not, so the box will not open. But, if the temperature is correct and a thief forces the time to match, then the contents of that box is his for the taking. Do you see what I'm saying?"

Mundus' gaze fell on the white faces of his prisoners. "I see that you do."

"You bastard!" Ty ground out.

Mundus laughed. "We have the same father Hand, do not blaspheme them."

"Damn you." Dante growled out.

"I've already been damned hybrid, I've no intent on being so again."

Vergil grimaced. "So that's your plan then. Bring on the apocalypse at your time of choosing and that'll allow you to gain access to the Will."

"Correct. The Will will allow me to remake the world in my own image, decide who will be allowed to remain and who will not. What species to keep and which to destroy. It will make me a God in truth."

"So that you'll get what Breagador told you you would huh?" Ian sneered.

Mundus laughed even louder. "Breagador? I never met the man. I was taught by my mentor" He grinned at Dante. "This guy here destroyed him, didn't you Dante. Surely you remember blowing the head off Argosax the Chaos?"

**********

Silence reigned as Mundus moved towards the doors of his palace. Suddenly he paused. "By the way Dante, I meant to ask. How's Trish doing these days? As good a ride as I designed her to be? You father always did have great taste in women."

"Don't you even mention her name you dick!"

"Well, I'll be certain to rectify that mistake the first chance I get. I've already promised that Arkham can have his daughter back and that Agnus can do what he likes to that choirgirl of Nero's, but you I want to torment myself."

"Mundus!" Justin shouted at him as Dante struggled and foamed at the mouth. "We'll get out of here and we'll stop you somehow!"

"I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you Hand. The moment you get out of here, which you will once the programming kicks in, you'll be forced to perform your duties as an Endbringer and summon Paradise to Earth. It's in your genetic code." Mundus paused and stooped so that his eyes were on the same level as Justin's. "I'm afraid I've already won boy. You never copped what was the point of all those Demonic human cults springing up all over the world? Cults like the Order of the Sword? The humans brought about their own destruction by giving themselves over to the darkness. Unrepentant souls brought Hell to them."

********

"Milord Mundus!"

It was the Knight, Judicar, who burst in with the cry.

"What?" Mundus was not entirely please with the interruption.

"Angelic forces have infiltrated the city and are assaulting our forces on all sides."

"Surely you can handle them."

"It's not just standard Legionnaires or Holites, your Majesty, there are also Honours, Powers and Glories with them. It's Prince Reito's personal Legion Sire."

Mundus muttered several different curses under his breath. "Reito, he just keeps being a thorn in my side doesn't he. Alright, I'm on my way." Judicar left and Mundus looked down at his prisoners. "Next time we meet you will be calling me Master. Until then."

And the six were alone once more.

I hope that little mindtrip of madness which is my planning worked somehow and you all got what I meant. If not, please let me know and I'll try to rephrase it. TTFN and stay tuned.