Author's note: I don't own anything from Bayonetta.

Chapter 1: World of Chaos

Bayonetta felt his hand slammed against her head, and she flew back and fell into a heap. Recovering slightly, she felt the prick of a sword at her throat.

"That's enough, Damien." An old man called out from behind the winged man. The katana stayed at her throat, and she saw the Lumen look-alike staring at her with nothing but contempt. She refused to look at his belt, where she knew Luka's head was hanging as a trophy.

"My daughter, Cereza." Balder stepped forward to beside the man, peering down at her with curious eyes. "The last of the resistance on this planet, and the most elusive wielder of the Left Eye."

"I already know that, you motherfu-." Bayonetta spat out, and then screamed in agony as the katana expertly sliced through her vocal chords.

"I said that was enough." The Sage's voice was angry. Damien grunted in amusement as a familiar figure in red walked to beside him. Balder answered his grunt with a look of displeasure. "You know I do not like seeing my blood suffer."

"Calm down, Balder." Jeanne smiled in triumph. "She doesn't need to speak, doesn't she? And don't lie to yourself, you are enjoying this as much as we are."

"I suppose." The sage smiled and leaned over. "Now, will we have to do this the hard way, or the easy way, Cereza? You can just hand over that Eye right now, and you will be spared, or you will die and we will take it from your corpse. It's a simple choice, that even someone of your idiocy should be able to make."

She spat blood onto his face, glaring defiantly. Closing his eyes, Balder grabbed one of her sleeves and wiped himself clean.

"I suppose you have made your choice." His hardened tone sent a small chill down her spine. "Finish her. She is of no use any longer; delaying the resurrection any longer is now considered treason, by punishment of death."

She continued to glare as Damien drew back the Shuraba, and then thrust it into her face.

…

Bayonetta sat up, awake and alert. Breathing heavily, she quickly turned to the right and her heart calmed when she saw Luka still alive, snoring heavily. Shaking her head, she quietly swung herself out of the bed and walked out onto the balcony, not caring if anyone saw her in her current state of undress.

That nightmare felt too real. Something about it hit too close to home. It felt like that was an alternative future, if Damien had stayed under Balder's influence.

Damien…

Why had he done all he had done in the last year? He had done so much to hurt them all of them in such a small period of time. It made her feel helpless that he simply disappeared after not taking responsibility for his mistakes, and now he was just a pawn in the underground, working for people who did unspeakable things, like she was for a brief time.

It didn't matter, she reflected to herself. An hour of shopping with Enzo for Christmas presents would be enough to calm her psyche to deal with him. Returning to the bed, she slipped underneath the covers and into Luka's arms, curling up against him. The man subconsciously wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.

One more night. She promised herself as she drifted back to sleep. The he would be sitting on the chair opposite her, Jeanne and Luka as they would sit down and talk about everything, and to try and fix their mistakes one by one.

...

Damien stared at the window, letting his thoughts consume him. It was his fault, couldn't they all see? He didn't want to go back, it was his issues and attempted fixing of situations well out of his skill level that caused this whole situation to begin with.

He deserved to rot. Such a creation like him did not deserve to live.

"There's someone here to see you." A timid voice called to him. Not bothering to turn around, he shook his head.

"Tell them I don't want any visitors." He lifted his hair out of his eyes, but let it fall back to obscure his face from the reflection on the window. He didn't want to see himself; why would anyone want to see him?

"Sir, he's-" The voice of his servant was cut as he was dragged out of the way, and he heard a yelp as he was tossed aside.

"I've been sent here for a good reason, Damien." An unexpected voice replaced it. " And I'm not taking no as any acceptable answer."

"Rodin?" He turned, surprised at the man's appearance, pulling the hair out of his eyes and letting the strands fall behind his ears. "What are you doing here?"

The weaponsmith was dressed in a Santa costume, minus the beard and moustache. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but the winged man could feel their disapproval and disappointment either way.

"As I was, once upon a time, the real Santa, I thought I could be the one to deliver your presents from your friends." He held up a sack and pulled out a green box.

"I don't have friends." He answered, looking at the box with suspicion. "I am by myself now."

"Don't be so dramatic." Rodin scoffed. "You still do. A certain someone still cares about you a lot, even though you've treated them like, well, crap."

"They sent this?" He gestured to the box in his hands. "For what purpose could they want to send me a present?"

"I don't know kid, but if I were you, I'd man up and accept that you are not helping anyone being here in this little place of hell." Rodin placed the green box onto a small stand next to him. "Just remember, all they want is what is best for you."

"What is best for me is to fade away!" Damien shook his head, his bangs falling back into his eyes. "I hurt Jeanne and Bayonetta for lying for so long, and then hurt them further with the Balder issues, and the contract stuff!"

"Look, I don't really care for your problems and how they came to be." The weaponsmith regarded him with a patient look. "But I do care about you, since you were my patient once. Now, letting yourself die here is not going to help your cause, since your death is going to result in a hell of a lot more people being sad than just me. Jeanne has since regretted what she said, and the same goes with Bayonetta. They honestly don't care about why you left, or how the situation came to be; all they want know is to know that you are, or going to be, ok and are not going to fall into the clutches of Styx, Butterfly or Khepri anytime soon."

Damien looked down, mulling over his words. His hair fell out and back around his face, obscuring him again.

"Now, I have another delivery I gotta make today, so I can't stick around much longer. If you want to stay here like a stuck pig, then I will have to inform them that you are willing to die over nothing, and I don't want to face the wrath of those women. Else, meet me at the Gates tomorrow. I'll get you a new uniform, since your current one looks like someone fucked it." Rodin grabbed his sack and slung it over his shoulder. "Make your decision wisely."

He disappeared in a puff of red smoke. Left alone, Damien reached out and grabbed the green box and opened it. Inside was three things: a photo, a letter and a small, black box. Taking out the letter, he read it, lips pursing.

Damien,

We both know that we haven't been on the best of terms lately. Ever since I left us, and you all found me, I've been thinking about my reaction to everything that has transpired. And it has left me with a sick taste in my mouth, because who can blame you for what you did? You simply tried to help me, before I could do something stupid and hurt everyone around me. I wished you didn't have to be so secretive about it, especially with you now being the bearer of my contract. Doing these things behind my back hurt me, a lot deeper than you can imagine.

But I forgive you. You were simply trying your best to help us all, and I do appreciate that. I feel happy that someone cared enough to even consider changing the terms of my contract, and I'm honestly amazed that you managed to.

I don't know why you can live with me, from everything I've done to you. I don't know how you can look at me, from what I've done to you. I don't know how you can feel anything remotely positive about me. I don't understand you.

Did Balder break you? I don't know, but I don't care anymore. I have to get this off my chest. I was thinking about my relationship with you, and I can honestly say that I miss you. The last person I felt this way about was Cereza, and it scares me, more than you can know. I feel scared that you will reject me, as you know who I have been personally. But I also feel excited, and I don't know why.

We all miss you. Please come back to us.

I miss you,

Jeanne De'Arc

He placed the letter onto the floor as he collapsed to his knees. He felt sick to his stomach. Closing his eyes, he tried to keep himself from throwing up. Once the nausea passed, he reopened his eyes and tenderly grabbed out the photo.

It was of him and Jeanne, when the four of them had visited Switzerland. They were smiling, both with pure joy, as they were building an intricate snowman. His eyes watered as he remembered that picture; Luka had taken the picture secretly, and once they were shown it, both him and Jeanne did not speak for a week out of pure embarrassment. It was his favourite photo, and when he lived there, he had placed it onto his nightstand for him to look at before he fell asleep, to remind him of one of the happiest times of his life.

Placing it on top of the letter, he grabbed out the black box. Opening it, he gasped.

Inside lay a golden Umbran watch. Gingerly, he pulled it out and opened it.

This watch was made with the material normally used for a Lumen Sage monocle or half-mask. It should be able to work with you, since you are half Umbran.

Reading the description, he closed it and his eyes, tears falling. He knew Jeanne had made this for him. Or at least helped Rodin make it.

His decision was made. He gripped the watch tighter as he opened his eyes, his purpose renewed.

…

Bayonetta placed yet another gift onto the ever-growing pile of presents that Enzo was somehow still holding. The short fat man was struggling from the volume of them, and it somewhat impressed her that he could still carry them, let alone walk with them.

"You know what I need?" She asked, fiddling with the lollipop in her mouth. "A pair of heels without guns. Do you mind if we take a stop for them?"

"Like we haven't made a million fucking stops already!" Enzo replied, irate. "First, we have the thousands of presents you've gotta get for your little group of friends, then we had the millions of people who show up to talk to you, because you're the biggest fucking celebrity in town right now, and we still haven't done anything I wanted to do yet? Don't you know what it is in one week from now? Christmas! The season of motherfucking spreading joy and merriment, and I ain't feeling any joy yet!"

"Now now, is that any way to speak to an old friend?" She turned around and regarded him for a second. "Must I remind you that I have done most of the jobs you wanted done over the past year or so without hitches? And for free, I might add. Annnnnd not to mention, this was your idea."

Enzo sighed, but continued trotting after her. "This is why I can't have good things."

The pair walked in relative silence, the only sounds being the click of her heels, her greetings to several other people, and the almost inaudible sounds of her tongue on the lollipop.

"You're a piece of work, don't you know that? If you weren't already on your way to Inferno, you'd be well on your way with the shit you pull!" He yelled after her, startling some passers-by and drawing some glares from most of them. "Dressing up like a nun so you can off some angels and keep the underworld happy!"

A present fell onto his face, quietening him for the time being. Waving to a group of children that recognised her, she felt a small pang of sadness form in her heart as she remembered the permanently missing fifth member of their troupe. Shaking her head, she remembered that keeping Cereza around would have simply destroyed the past, and Butterfly knows what would have happened from there.

Turning to the right, she stepped out of the sunlight and back into the shade. Walking into the shoe store she most definitely loved, she vaguely heard Enzo rambling on about something in the background. The attendant stood at attention as she recognised her and smiled a welcoming smile.

"Lady Bayonetta." She bowed respectfully. "Welcome."

"Oh please, none of that." She reached over and lifted the girl up from her bow. "I'm not a goddess. Well, not yet."

"What do you desire?" The attendant asked, gesturing to the racks behind her. Picking out some black heels, she paid and left the store not a minute later. Placing the bag on top of the pile of presents, she smiled in satisfaction as she adjusted her hat in the reflection of the glass.

"Done and done." She turned to the mortal. "Let's go home, Enzo."

"Hey! Wait a second! I ain't done here!" He panicked at the sound of her heels walking away. "If I don't get what I came for, I'm going to be the biggest mutt in the city!"

"You'd best be off then." She glanced at the watch Luka had gotten her for their year anniversary and noted she had about twenty minutes before her imposed time limit was up. "What is it that you came to fetch, my dear?"

"Yeah, real funny!" Enzo shot back. "I know better than to tell you a damn thing! I'll never hear the fuckin' end of it."

A flash of silver and red appeared in front of Enzo, and he screamed and threw the presents into the air as the bike hurtled to a stop.

Sighing, Bayonetta held one hand out as Jeanne did the same, catching the presents as they fell. Removing her goggles, the witch in red revealed a heavily made up face to her, her eyes blank and her expression forcibly calm.

She's hiding herself. She could not recall a time when Jeanne was as dolled up as she was now, and the times she did remember her make-up being close to this level was when she was highly emotional. This did not bode well.

"You always know how to make an entrance, Jeanne." She greeted her Umbran sister and she placed the stack of presents onto the ground, Jeanne following her lead. "Although, it is a rare sight to see you in the city."

"I was around." Her tone was raw, and unemotional. Bayonetta's eyes softened at the pain her friend was in, and her anger towards their missing friend grew. "Something I had to look into."

"Did it involve Cheshire?" She asked, walking to beside her as Jeanne folded her arms and sat on the bike.

"I don't want to discuss that, not here." Jeanne's voice began to crack, but she pulled herself together. "Have you felt anything strange recently, Cereza?"

"Now that you mention it, I still haven't figured out how a broke, bumbling undertaker managed to turn himself into a respectable family man." They both observed Enzo standing up, trying to rebalance the pile of presents onto himself.

"Fuhgeddaboudit!" He retorted. "Now that your ug- friend is here, you can entertain yourselves while I go and do my own thing!"

Turning on his heel, the man walked towards a toy shop.

"I wonder too." Jeanne's icy voice trailed after him. "But no, that is not what I am here for."

"Tell me." Bayonetta turned to her.

"Our friends in Paradiso are far too quiet… I'm sure you have noticed." She turned as well. "I haven't heard from Hope in about three months, and the last thing she did say was that everything upstairs was preparing for something."

Bayonetta narrowed her eyes and tapped her glasses to quickly peer into Purgatorio. As usual, nothing was there, as it had been for the past three months.

"And that's not the only thing you've noticed either." Jeanne stated, and her head snapped to hers.

"Pray tell." She answered, her eyes asking for more information.

"Our friends in Inferno are also a bit upset as well."

Bayonetta walked forward, her Left Eye beginning to whisper to her. Barely hearing the announcement from the city's news reporter, she felt her hat blow off from a jet flyby as it began to tell her that something was wrong.

"My Eye is a little… tempered." She stated as Jeanne walked to her, catching and putting her hat back onto her head. "There's still something in this world that shouldn't be."

"That's why I'm wary." She replied. "I can still sense the Right Eye in this world."

The witch in white narrowed her eyes. "So can I."

Brushing her hair to her back, Jeanne looked at her with both eyes. "Cereza, we will discuss this soon. Not here."

"I agree." She checked her watch. Fifteen minutes. "I have a date I have to make soon, and I'd rather not be late."

"I'll go and pick up the things we need for the party." Jeanne pulled down her goggles. "Luka told me what you were planning last night. Good luck. If any of us can reach him, it's you."

"He will be back tonight." She gave the witch a comforting smiled. "I promise, Jeanne."

The witch in red managed a small smile back. "Caviar, wasn't it?"

Revving the engine, she shot off, weaving into the traffic like a knife through butter. Bayonetta watch her ride, her resolve steeling at the prospect of the next half an hour.

Looking up at the jets, she squinted as she felt something happening with them. Narrowing her eyes, she noticed something felt off.

One of the jets broke formation and started flying towards her. The smell of rosemary hit her nose, and she almost smiled. Then she remembered what day it was, and what she was wearing.

"You must know…" She growled as she glared at the jet barrelling down towards her, her hat flying off. "I try to avoid doing this in my Sunday best."

Giving the jet a swift kick, it flew up into the air, spiralling out of control. Some mortals screamed, whereas most gave off a huge cheer. Ignoring them, she twirled her hands and opened a portal to Purgatorio, and then jumped after the flying jet.

Landing onto it, she noticed several flying angels on the jet and some surrounding it. These were no Affinities, she realised very quickly. For starters, they looked like centaurs, and not overgrown turkeys.

"Upgrades?" She gave them a wink. "At least you still know how to make an entrance."

Leaping at them, she felt their blades cut through her dress as she tried to get behind them. Slipping out of it, she felt her new Umbran armour form over her body, creating a skin-tight battlesuit. Gone was the sleeves, and they were replaced with a cloak of hair forming around her upper body. A diamond pattern showing off patches of her legs lined the back of them, and the suit itself was almost navy blue in coloration. Landing back onto the jet in a crouch, she felt a familiar presence next to her.

"This interruption is the worst." Jeanne said sarcastically. Summoning out the All 4 One, she pointed them at the new angels. "Please tell me Rodin has fulfilled your request for upgrades."

"Not yet." Bayonetta pulled out four handguns and attached two to her feet. "But I do have these."

"Mortal trash." Jeanne muttered. "Don't get in my way, ok?"

Moving swiftly, the pair engaged the angels in a flurry of bullets and punches.

…

Enzo struggled with his car as he watched the chaos seemingly unfold above him.

"Just my fucking luck!" He cursed as he fumbled with his keys. "Of course, they bloody return now!"

A shimmering sound rippled through the air, and his eyes widened at the man appearing from the red smoke.

"R-Ro-" He swallowed. "Rodin?"

"Hi Enzo. You still haven't paid off your tabs yet." The man greeted him, a fake moustache and beard affixed to his face. "Now, I'm feeling festive, so move over."

"But I don't believe in Santa!" He replied in disbelief.

The bartender grabbed him by the collar. "Angels are evil, demons are real and a god walks this Earth. Of course Santa is real."

"I believe…" Enzo was madly saying to himself. "I fucking believe!"

"And so you should." Touching the wheel, the car unnaturally revved to life. Speeding off, he used a parked car as an impromptu ramp and launched the car at the side of the building, landing onto it and driving on it like nothing.

"I FUCKING BELIEVE!" Enzo was screaming; whether it was in joy or fear was another question. Rodin had noticed that Bayonetta and company were now flying anti-parallel to them, and he stood up, opening his sack.

"Bayonetta!" He called out, and the witch in black looked up from her riding of one of the new angels. Smirking at him, she opened a portal to Purgatorio and held her hands out. Tossing the blue, heart-shaped box at her, he folded his arms in satisfaction. Pulling out a cigar, he jumped out of the speeding vehicle and landed onto the ground, leaving a small crater in the tarmac. Lighting it with his thumb, he smiled at the carnage appearing on top of the plane, and the halos that fell to the ground within his reach.

"Beautiful." He simply said as he caught the toy jet that Enzo had been buying earlier. He heard the car land behind him, Enzo bouncing into it, but knew the man would survive. After all, he had a debt to pay off.

…

Bayonetta shot the last of the angels, and watched with apathy as it fell off the jet and plummeted to the ground.

"I think." She turned to Jeanne, who was wicked kicking an angel off. "I'm going to call these guns Love is Blue."

"What, because they are blue?" The witch in red answered, annoyed. "Surely you have more important things than the bloody names of your weapons right now!"

A sword came flipping out of nowhere and sliced the jet in two. Leaping off it before it crashed into a building, the pair landed onto a bridge, watching as several gigantic angels began to pour out of Paradiso, all heading towards the bartender.

"Please tell me you at lease recognise one of them." Bayonetta snarled to herself, and she heard Jeanne growl beside her.

"I haven't the fucking clue. It seems Paradiso was hiding something this whole time."

A tremor from behind them drew their attention. Turning around, they saw what appeared to be a Beloved, but instead it was more beastlike, and one of its arms was replaced with a tentacle.

"Of course, it had to be a tentacle." Bayonetta shivered. Jeanne drew herself into her stance, concentrating on the new foe.

"The Left Eye. Much hate flows through Paradiso for you." The disgustingly childlike voice rumbled. "It is fortunate that I will be the one to defeat you, and free the Creator from her prison!"

"You've got a fat chance in hell of that happening." She smirked in reply, drawing herself into her stance. "Did you want to play that badly?"

It snarled and leaped forward. Working in unison, both witches gave it a swift kick, followed by a wicked uppercut. Jeanne jumped after the rising angel, sending a barrage of wicked weaves and bullets into it. Bayonetta ran to the left, activating witchwalk and sticking herself to the building next to the bridge.

"Jeanne!" She screamed out. "To me!"

The witch in red nodded, then sent a roundhouse weave into the stomach of the angel, throwing it towards Bayonetta.

Striking a pose, the witch in black and blue let her power flow through her as she began to summon an old friend for the first time in months.

"AVAVAGO!" Her clothes melted away and her hair spiralled into the building, releasing Gommorah from Inferno. The demonic dog roared at the flailing angel, and then snapped its jaw around it. Biting it savagely, the angel was torn apart into fleshy pulps within seconds. Letting out a final scream of fury, the Infernal began to disappear back into the portal it was summoned from.

Bayonetta let herself giggle with exhilaration. She hadn't had fun like that in such a long time. Hearing the cries of the Laguna in the background, she admired Rodin's efficient destruction of the angels.

"Beautiful." She echoed his earlier sentiment.

"Well, that was that." Jeanne commented as she landed next to her.

"And right on schedule too." She checked her watch. "I best be off."

"Good lu-" Jeanne suddenly slammed a wicked weave into her, sending the raven haired woman flying. Turning around in shock, Bayonetta's eyes widened as Gommorah slammed into Jeanne with a powerful punch, knocking her soul from her body. The body itself disappeared as it fell out of Purgatorio, tumbling down to the ground.

Jeanne's soul bounced once, and then was grabbed by several blue hands erupting from a blue portal.

…

Styx!? Jeanne was screaming to her patron as she struggled against the hands pulling her down. What the fuck is going on?!

I don't know! Styx's voice was full of fear, anger and panic. This is a foreign entity, one I haven't felt for a long time! I don't know what to do!

They began to drag her down. Screaming and struggling, she watched as Bayonetta began to sprint towards her, screaming her name.

"It's not supposed to end like this…" She snarled and tried to make a break for it. More hands grabbed onto her, and she felt the pull of Inferno even stronger.

I'll find you, Jeanne! Styx called out. Then you can work on restoring yourself. You aren't finished on this world yet!

She felt a hand brush her own as she was dragged into Inferno, and her very being filled with pain.

…

"No…" Bayonetta whispered to herself. She lay on the building in shock, her hand resting where Jeanne's was just moments ago. "NO!"

Behind her, Gommorah roared in triumph, rising up onto its hind legs as the sky began to turn red.

Her left eye was growing red. Her vision was becoming clouded with rage. Snarling, she stood up and turned around, looking at the demon in fury.

"I'm not one for pets who betray their masters." She hissed. "You are going to suffer!"

Two wings sprouted from her back as she took flight, calling upon Malphas to do so. Gommorah screamed at her, sending an obvious challenge at the witch in blue.

"Come on, you little bitch." She whispered in rage. "Challenge me if you dare!"

She was answered by the Infernal attempting to bite her in two. Activating witchtime, she simply moved to the side and let time resume as normal. The head bit down on nothing, and the demon whined in pain at its own teeth biting into its gums. Bayonetta didn't spare it a second of sympathy.

Then she moved to attack.

A hail of bullets slammed into its eyes, blinding it temporarily. Grabbing on the side of its head, she began to slam her fist over and over in massive punches, each tearing out chunks of flesh and shattering bone. She wasn't using wicked weaves; she wanted to have the pleasure of this herself.

Eventually, Gommorah recovered and threw her off, its mouth emitting roars of pain. Poking it with more bullets, she goaded it up the skyscraper, flying just above it.

It reached the top, and began to scream. It circled on the spire, sending swipes though the air at her. She dodged them casually, then moved out of reach.

"Come on! Touch me if you dare!" She taunted, and grinned savagely as the infernal leaped after her. Letting the wings fade out, she plummeted ahead of the snarling demon.

"ARGEDCO!" She screamed, imploring to the heavens behind the demon.

And they answered, a portal opening up.

Turning around, and smiling, she felt her hair leave her body again, and then felt a more savage infernal appear behind Gommorah. It seemed the demonic dog had as well, as it turned around to challenge whoever was appearing.

Labolas fell onto the demon, all three of its heads biting and tearing at its throat. Before all three could crash onto the ground, Gommorah's head was thrown from its shoulders and the body fell limply to the ground.

Bayonetta landed gracefully and turned to watch Labolas roar in victory, standing tall over the corpse of the renegade Infernal.

"Good boy. Now go, return to Inferno." She snapped her fingers, and this time made sure that the portal had closed before turning her attention elsewhere.

Stepping out of Purgatorio, she found Jeanne's crumpled body lying on the ground, each limb at unnatural angles. Choking out a sob, she sprinted to it.

"No, NO! Jeanne! Please! Wake up!"

A hand fell onto her shoulder. "Bayonetta, you saw it too. She's gone from this realm."

She shoved Rodin away with a wicked thrust. Grabbing her, she held the body tight as tears began to leak from her eyes.

"You can't be dead, Jeanne…" She wailed, not caring what the mortals saw. "You can't be!"

A pair of arms wrapped around her as the familiar presence of Luka filled her. Letting the body go, she threw herself into his chest, sobbing loudly.