Facing the Knight, Jester, and Vampire
The group began flying through the skies, searching for Anise's Stockade as they soon spotted a portal swirling with dark energy.
"This must be it. That's where Anise is waiting for us." Cheetah said.
"Ready everyone? Here we go!" Ajna said as they flew into the portal, and as soon as they reached the other side, they saw that Anise's stockade was that of a dark dimension with only platforms connected to each other along with several small portals.
"This witch sure knows how to decorate." Ajna said.
"I guess an evil witch can make her place look however she wants." Hawkeye said.
"She's certainly got the power for it." David said.
"Just being here makes it feel like we were in Galdera's domain." Ace said.
"Oh, wow…" Entrapta said, holding a detector. "I'm seeing a huge increase in Dark Magic, this dimension is filled with it!"
"I think that much was obvious from the start, Entrapta." David said. "At any rate, we have a gauntlet of enemies to fight before we get to her."
"Right. Let us proceed." Riesz said.
The group then began their trek and soon entered the first portal, as they then found themselves in Valsena, except there were various tall crystals scattered around the area.
"This is… Valsena?" Duran asked.
"Yes… and no." Entrapta said. "It looks like Anise created a replica version of Valsena in her own design… or someone else's."
"She constructs this illusory world from the memories and subconsciousness of others." Faerie said.
"Anise! I don't care if this ain't real! How dare you mess with my home!" Duran said.
The group soon entered the throne room of Valsena Castle as they saw the Darkshine Knight with his back turned to them.
"Thats…!" Nana said as they skidded to a halt.
"So you're our first opponent." Adora said as the Darkshine Knight turned to them.
"Impressive, but you may not proceed." The Darkshine Knight said. "Give up, Duran. Anise the Witch has never been more powerful. You don't stand a chance!"
"You think you can tell me what to do, huh!? Don't act like you know me! You don't know anything! And I ain't running away from some witch!" Duran said.
"...You still don't know who I am? I am Loki, your father." The Darkshine Knight said, shocking everyone.
"Are you serious? But everyone's been saying that he's dead." David said.
"During the fight with the Dragon Lord, I was plunged into the abyss. The Dragon Lord saved my broken body with his dark power. But now that he is no longer of this world, I now serve Anise the Witch." Loki said. "Come...come to me, my son...for I have missed you, Duran." he said, holding his hand out to him.
"D-Dad?" Duran asked.
"This is seriously messed up." Mermista said.
Duran then began walking to Loki before being stopped by Ajna and Leonora.
"Duran, you mustn't be fooled." Leonora said.
"Leonora's right, I know what it's like to lose your father, but you mustn't let your emotions or feelings for your dad drive you into doing something you'll regret." Ajna said as Loki attempted to attack before the trio jumped back.
"You tricked me!" Duran said.
"I'm sorry, Duran. But… There may be a way we can still save him." Leonora said.
"You mean...make him into an Einherjar?" Ajna asked.
"That depends on whether there's still a semblance of his old self inside him. He said that the Dragon Lord saved his body." Leonora said. "This may be a long shot, but… If we can damage him just enough, we might be able to free him from her control."
"I like those odds." Hope said.
"Well we won't know until we try! Let's do it!" Ajna said.
"Everyone… thanks." Duran said.
"Pity...If that is your wish. I cannot let you live!" Loki said as he assumed a fighting stance.
(Cue- Against the Dark Knight- Fire Emblem Path of Radiance)
"Here he comes." Ajna said, Qadira materializing next to her.
"Come to me, dark warriors. Battle awaits us!" Leonora said materializing Narancia, Rinea and Uhai.
"I banish you!" Qadira said, launching Loki into the air with a shield bash, and following up by slamming him back down.
"Go, Aerosmith!" Narancia said as Aerosmith starts firing at Loki.
"Seraphim!" Rinea called, as light bursted around Loki.
"Now, see how you like this!" Uhai said as he launched rapid arrows.
"Haaaaa!" Ajna said as she activated her Heruka form and fired a beam that hit multiple times.
"Argh!" Loki was blown back by Ajna's attack, as his body was starting to spark. "No… I… I can't lose!"
"He's weak! Do it now, Nora!" Narancia said.
"It shall be engraved upon your soul! Divine Assault!" Leonora said as she slashed multiple times before Loki was launched in the air, encased in a sphere of light as three lances pierced through him from different directions. Leonora took to the sky and sprouted angel wings as she summoned a spear coated in divine energy. "Nibelung Valesti!" she said as she threw the spear right at Loki as he fell to the ground.
Loki stabbed his sword into the ground before he faded away in a purple light and in his place was his true appearance. He had the same colored hair as Duran which looked like a lion's mane and also wore golden armor.
"Well done, brave warriors. You have freed me from Anise the Witch's clutches, and so, I shall fight as one of your warriors, Battle Maiden." Loki said.
"Father…" Duran said.
"Duran...my son. You have grown up so strong. Strong enough to have all of these brave warriors fight alongside you, I couldn't be prouder." Loki smiled.
"Don't worry, Duran. I'll make sure to take good care of him." Leonora said.
"Thanks, Leonora." Duran said.
"That's only one fight down. Be ready for anything, guys." David said.
"Yeah, no turning back now." Ace said.
The group soon entered the next area as they found themselves in Ferolia Castle as it was on fire.
"What is this!? How!?" Kevin asked.
"Ferolia. That's a pretty good indication on who would be here." Cheetah said. "Show yourself, Goremand!"
"Very perceptive!" Goremand said as he appeared before them. "I knew you all would come eventually."
"Whewe is Heath, you big jewk!?" Charlotte demanded.
"He is further up ahead, but you all will not live long enough to reach him. Since you destroyed seven of the Benevodons, you're of no use to me or Lady Anise now. Now I will dispatch you all and steal your souls, ahahahahaha!" Goremand said as he summoned a scythe before he spun wildly into the air.
"I think I've heard just about enough out of this one." Angelo said.
"Indeed, I cannot stand anymore of his constant bantering." Miriam said.
"I say we put this guy out of his misery. That would do us all a favor." Crusadermon said.
"Ooh, this'll be fun." Razmi smirked evilly.
"Let's get him!" Flamberge said.
(Cue- Jester *Boss*- Devil May Cry 3)
"Lucent Beam!" Charlotte called as a pillar of light bursted out near Goremand.
"Photon!" Raine said as a ball of light encased Goremand before bursting.
"Sword Dance, Seiken!" Spade called as he summoned six swords of pure light before launching them forward as they struck Goremand from different directions out of glyphs multiple times with just the wave of his hand.
"Valac!" Miriam called, holding her hand out as one of Valac's appeared next to her as she unleashed a continuous breath of flame.
"Have some of this!" Petra said as she blew blades of wind at Goremand.
"Immolate." Razmi said as she unleashed a charging flame of Bom's roaring head as it pierced through Goremand.
"Kevin, wanna do the honors of finishing this creep?" Hope said.
"Yeah!" Kevin said. "Genbu Kick!" he said as a clone of his mana emerged behind Goremand as they both dealt a deadly barrage rapid attacks as the dust settled with the damage taking effect as Goremand collapsed to his knees, lifeless as he then faded away in a purple light.
"How could you!? This isn't the last of me! I'm sure we'll meet again!" Goremand promised as his voice echoed.
"Yes… In hell." Cheetah said.
"And don't come back!" Charlotte said.
"Good riddance to that guy. On to the next opponent." Hope said.
The group proceeded onward as they found themselves in a dark version of the Citadel of Laurent as they then proceeded to the throne room.
"How dare she use the beauty of Laurent as her play thing!" Riesz said.
"I can feel your foul presence. Show yourself, Malocchio!" Azura said.
"So you have come this far, and slayed seven of the Benevodons as well." Malocchio said as he appeared.
"You bet your ass we did. And guess who's next on our hit list." David said.
"Zable Fahr, the Benevodon of Darkness. You see, it was considered the incarnation of destruction that existed before the world was even born, until the Goddess of Mana sealed him away inside the Mana Stone of Darkness. His Dark Majesty attempted to summon the Darkstone at some point but the Goddess of Mana sealed him away in the Underworld before he had the chance." Malocchio said. "But now that Lady Anise has freed Zable Fahr, he shall reign his destruction on this world once again!"
"Do you really not care who you serve, as long as your little pet goes on his rampage?" David asked.
"Hm?" Macocchio asked.
"You said you were devoted to the Dark Majesty, and now that he's gone, you change sides to save your own skin. I fail to see the logic here." David said. "Is loyalty...the price to pay...for power?!" he asked while posing dramatically.
"Humans. They are but stubborn and foolish. It takes a journey to Hell for them to accept and praise their God! A fact that tickle's irony's judgment. Even though Belladonna is a Malvolian, she was a fool to think the Dark Majesty would accept her feelings of love." Malocchio said.
"Well, you can't blame her for trying, can you? I mean, love is love, no matter which form it takes. Only someone like you, who doesn't understand the concept of love can never understand her plight." David said.
"Hmph, I have no use of you all anymore, perish!" Malocchio said.
"No, Malocchio. You're the one who's going to die. For now, you face your worst nightmare." David said.
(Cue- Theme of Dante- Marvel vs Capcom 3)
"Oh, I am going to enjoy breaking you." Malocchio said. "Face me, Demon Slayer. I shall strike you down!"
"Millions of people that came for my head said the same thing. And now you're about to join them. Give them my regards." David said.
"He's all yours, give him a hell of show!" Ace said.
"I'll give him hell, alright." David said as he got his weapons ready. "This one's for Dante."
Malocchio charged at David as the two clashed head on.
"Tiger Blade!" David said as he slashed upward, then downward, sending Malocchio to the ground.
"Impressive." Malocchio said.
"I know. I've been at this for quite a while." David said. "In all honesty, you're nothing special."
"How dare you, I'm one of the most feared Mavolians in Mavolia!" Malocchio said as he summoned a Carmilla Queen and Wolf Devil.
"Big deal. I fought against a devil and lived. Compared to him, you're chump change." David said as he dispatched the monsters easily.
"What?!" Maloccho said before backing up as the cold seeped into him and saw a devil made of steam over David. "Impossible… what...WHAT ARE YOU?!"
"I am David Ishihara, the Ice Devil of Tokyo! And by the honor of the Legendary Devil Hunter, Dante, I shall see to it that you will be riddled with holes." David said bringing out Ebony and Ivory as he rapidly shot at Malocchio before he posed like Dante. "Jackpot!" he said as he shot swirling bullets.
"Urk! N...no… This can't...be…" Malocchio said as he collapsed to the ground on his knees before fading away in a purple light.
"Way to unleash your inner Dante, David." Simon smiled. "If he saw you now, I'm sure he would be really proud."
"Heh. Yep. I bet he would." David said.
"And next is, Zable Fahr." Ace said. "Once we slay him, the Sword of Mana will have all of its power restored."
"And with the Sword at full power, we'll be able to slay Anise once and for all." Cheetah said. "Let us proceed onward."