A cold breeze blew past them both, tossing Ash's long dark brown hair over her shoulders. Arson looked at her as though he were in shock.
'You're from a parallel world?' This thought had never occurred to Ash but now that this idea had presented itself to her, she was forced to agree. She nodded.
'Some things stayed the same though. Like your powers. Your past.'
'…' Arson said nothing but only frowned, as though unsure of her. Ash looked at him uncertainly. So Arson didn't believe her fully yet. What else did she have to do to make him trust her?
'Why don't you believe me?'
'How do you know all of this? You could have very well met someone who knew.'
'But you didn't tell anyone. Neither did I, apart from those who already knew.'
'You could have hacked into the mainframe computer that stores information about the people here, and the Hunters here, and information on how to defeat the demons that are invading.'
'There's a mainframe here? Demons? They're invading? What?'
'Ash, stop fooling around! I know you know. Will you stop messing around with me like this?' She frowned, tears in her eyes. A closed expression settled on her face, like a dark cloud.
'You don't believe me at all, do you?' Arson shook his head.
'No.'
'Then what do you want to know?'
'I want to know how you know about my past.' Ash looked at him in bewilderment. Hadn't she just said how she knew? Arson kept staring at her steadily, expecting an answer. But how could she give it? At last, she had an idea. She dug around in her pockets and drew out the twin metal bars. She looked at them once and then concentrated. The blades sprung out at her unspoken command, flames swirling around the red tainted metal. She threw them down at his feet.
'Look. Just look at them. Don't you recognise them?' Arson bent down and gently took them in his hands. They were very similar to his own swords. He looked at her, and saw that she was glaring at him.
'And what about my aura? It's the same as yours.' That was true. Before Ash had been half demon, half human. But now…she was a part of two opposite races. Just like him. And something inside him was telling him that he could trust this girl, in spite of the strange story. But how could he be sure? His instincts had never failed him yet, but this time, his brain was also taking some part in the decision. He looked from the swords to the girl's face and then back to the swords.
'There's still one thing I'm unsure about. I never met my grandfather.'
'What?' Well this was certainly different. That wasn't supposed to happen. Her grandfather had been the one who had saved her from her miserable childhood. But now Arson was telling her this.
'I don't know who my grandfather is.'
'But…didn't you get saved from all that?'
'No.'
'Val? What happened to her?'
'Died. She wasn't strong enough to handle it when Ophelia, my mother turned on her as well.' Ash looked as though she had just been slapped on the face. Val? Dead? His sister was gone? She closed her eyes, a prickling sensation playing at them. Arson grabbed her roughly, her eyes flying open with outrage and his eyes stared into her own.
'Who's my grandfather?' he yelled. She flinched and tried to look away. Her eyes showed only too plainly her own confusion and shock. Arson let her go and rolled his eyes.
'Val's…'
'Dead. She's dead. You might as well get used to it.' Ash blinked hard and then looked at Arson.
'Your grandfather…his name is Dante. Dante Sparda.' Arson looked at her in shock.
'What?'
'The Legendary Dark Knight Dante. He's your grandfather. He's our grandfather. Arson looked shocked. His mouth opened to say something but then he quickly shut it again when he realised no words were coming. Ash glared at him one last time before picking herself off the ground and then turning so then her back was faced towards him.
'Hey…wait.' Ash marched off, anger fuelling her body. 'Ash wait!'
'God damn it! I'm not Ash!' she screeched, turning around. 'Why don't you believe me? Why can't you? Will everyone here just leave me alone?' Ash suddenly disappeared in a cloud of spiralling white smoke. Arson's eyes widened. So she was telling the truth. He grew tense as he heard someone behind him.
'What happened?'
'Nothing, Rayne.'
'Where's she gone?' Arson raised his eyebrows and grinned.
'PMS…' he chuckled. 'Unfortunately, I found out the hard way! Man, you talk to some girl who's stressed out and you get your head bitten off. Never again.' Rayne frowned at him.
'That's not true.'
'Seems to be for me. Or maybe it's just my luck?' Rayne shook his head in exasperation. Arson could be extremely annoying when he wanted to be. His face lighted up as he saw Minako, his girlfriend running up to him.
'Hey Rayne! Where's Ash gone?'
'Yeah you didn't answer my question. Arson. Where's she gone?' Arson shrugged.
'Somewhere I guess. Just leave her alone for now. She's in one hell of a bad mood.' He turned and walked off. Minako blinked up at Rayne.
'Why is everyone always walking away today? First Ash goes all weird and then Arson walks off, and then Ash disappears and then Arson walks off, again! What the hell is going on?' Rayne paused to think about this and then frowned.
'Seems like Ash is becoming more and more like Arson,' he murmured. Minako didn't see the expression on his face but her face grew serious.
'Oh God I hope not!' Rayne chuckled at her remark but then grew silent as Minako carried on. 'Do you think Arson told her? About how he feels?' Rayne narrowed his eyes.
'It's…possible…'
'Ash should really try and figure it out though. Arson's constantly following her around and giving her compliments and everything! What does she say? Nothing.'
'Well who says she's got to like him?'
'…'
'…' The two were silent. The sun was beginning to set in the horizon.
'Are you on duty tonight, Rayne?' A small nod. Minako sighed.
'Damn this invasion!' she yelled fiercely. Rayne sighed and held her close. 'We barely get to spend any time with each other. In the day, you're usually asleep and at night, you're always on duty. It's not fair!' Rayne felt Minako shudder lightly in his arms as the cold began to settle in with the night.
'Come on…let's head back.'
Ash was still fuming when she found herself in the forest from before. She growled and muttered dire curses to no one in particular. It seemed as though this parallel Arson was a jerk. Ash this, Ash that, Ash Ash Ash! Well to hell with it! She had explained as best as she could that he was actually a guy. Arson had laughed at that. She had tried so hard to get her point that they were one and the same across, and her words had fallen on deaf ears. She had chosen the wrong person. Maybe she shouldn't have told anyone?
But then there would be more questions. Why has your aura changed, Ash? What the hell happened back there, Ash? How come you suddenly know how to use your powers? Questions questions questions…
She paused and felt for her blades and cursed as she realised that they were still with that jerk. Nevertheless, she carried on stomping through the forest. She'd be damned if she was going to ask him to give her swords back. She had her pride! Though she was now a girl she still had her pride. That was something at least.
She tensed again and realised only then how loudly and carelessly she had been walking. Well so what? She could very well take care of herself. She was more than a match for anything that may be unlucky enough to come in her way. But yet, the bushes from behind and in front of her were shaking violently. Not that it mattered to her. Carry on shaking, then jump out and then die. Her vengeance, her anger, everything, would be vented out on them all.
Ash flinched but then got ready as there was a sudden ear splitting screech. Frosts. Woo…big deal. She gave vent to a battle cry and launched herself at them, eager for some action. Eager for anything that seemed familiar, recognisable. At least they hadn't changed. At least this factor of life had stayed the same. This was what she knew. This was what she loved.
She hadn't reckoned on being hit from behind. She hadn't thought that she would be facing more then eight of them. She felt tired as she tried to focus on them one at a time. She then understood that she had no other choice but to utilise the uncontrollable. Darkness clouded her vision, flames began to crackle merrily as she allowed them to unleash. Her breathing grew erratic as the transformation began. Her brown eyes turned to red and then black, the sign that she was about to wreak havoc. She felt the power building up inside her, boiling inside her, clamouring to be let out.
They said that she couldn't control it. But yet she could control it fine. Or maybe this was due to her old knowledge. The training she had done before this ghastly change had been wrought upon her. The Frosts didn't seem perturbed by this new creature that stood before them, jet black hair fanning out behind her, dead black eyes staring out at them coldly. The demons carried on running towards her, eager only for bloodshed, the ripping of flesh, the promise of a kill. But she was one of them now. She wanted it all as bad as they.
She leapt into the battle, giving vent to a shrill war cry. Flames danced and leapt about her as she dealt out her punishment. The flames crackled around her body, mingling with the eerie cackle as she allowed her dark side to take over. Who needed friends? Who needed anyone? She had this power. This was surely all she needed.
The Frosts soon realised their fatal mistake. They tried to retreat but it was too late for them. The darkness had been unleashed. They shrieked and screamed as they were slowly, painfully devoured by her fury.
It was then that she allowed herself to settle back and watch sadistically as they tried to beat helplessly at their scales using their claws. She allowed the flames to stop their frantic song and relaxed by sitting down, her breathing normal, crossing her legs and watching serenely as the victims slowly died and grew still. She smiled thinly as she watched her power engulf her enemies. She could depend on herself. She was certain of it.
'You may think that now but what about later?' Ash jumped to her feet, ready to allow her powers to take over. Again, the aquamarine eyes stared into her own. 'You have another chance to make a wise decision. Learn from this. You can't always trust yourself. You are not who you think you are.' Ash looked at him, stunned that he had said so much at a single time.
'What do you mean?'
'You are more narrow minded then you care to think. Make another choice. And then your test will move on.' Ash watched him disappear into the shadows. As if on cue, Rayne came bounding out of the darkness and into the open clearing that she was sitting in. His face blanched as he smelt the burnt grass and the charred bones. Ash looked at him impassively but then lowered her eyes and looked away.
'You did this, didn't you?' Ash nodded silently. Rayne blinked. 'You've learnt how to control it?' Ash nodded again. Rayne raised his eyebrows. 'Wow…' he said flatly. Ash looked at him at that point and then smiled. It seemed to soften up her whole face.
'I'd like to help.'
'Ash? You have helped. You're the reason why we've been able to deal with everything that's tried to invade.'
'No. I mean I want to fight with you.'
'But you hate violence!'
'No.' Ash looked away and then started walking away, wondering whether Rayne could be trusted.
'There's something different about you, Ash.' Said Rayne. Ash stopped. He knows… 'Do you want to talk at all?' Ash looked at him from over her shoulder, trying to assess the situation. She could just make a run for it. But what was the point of that? Wouldn't that be failing the test? She cursed in her mind but then flinched as Rayne came closer.
'I know for certain that you're not Ash. You might have her face, but you're someone else aren't you?'
How the hell does he know? Rayne isn't meant to be this smart. Rayne's eyes met and held with her own. She blinked and then tried to look away again.
'Get away from me,' she said in a low voice.
'I know you're not Ash because of your aura, your behaviour, everything. Hell, I mean, you're just different.'
'You're right,' she said dully without even knowing what she was saying. 'You're right…I'm not Ash.' She suddenly felt drained and tired. She just wanted to lie down and curl up and die.
'Who are you?' Rayne was staring at her steadily, waiting for her answer.
'I'm…Arson.' Rayne's eyes widened and then he broke out into laughter.
'That's lame. Now come on, who are you really?' Ash looked at Rayne wearily and shook her head.
'I told you the truth. I'm Arson. That's my name.' Ash then tried to explain to him as best as possible what had happened. Rayne asked no questions but only listened quietly as Ash told him what had happened. His red rimmed eyes bore into her, forcing her to tell him stuff that she hadn't told other people. Like his past and about Xyphos. At last, she finished. Rayne nodded once.
'You haven't told Arson have you?'
'Yes.' Rayne looked dismayed.
'What did he say?'
'He didn't believe me. I won't be surprised if you don't either.' She noted the look on Rayne's face. 'Have I done something wrong?'
'Well…the thing is Arson loved Ashley. He just never told her.' Ash's eyes widened and then her face grew pale. More complications? Just what she needed. She laughed humourlessly.
'Don't tell me you expect me to try and pretend I'm this girl?'
'That's exactly what I ask.' Ash had no idea what happened next. When she looked back on it, she guessed that she had fainted.
Any characters not mentioned by either game belong to me with the exception of Vampy Sparda. Thanks a lot to Chasm, Vampy and Sakura Lee for reviewing this rather twisted tale.