Lalalalalalalalalalala………Okay, so I'm kind of getting the impression some may find it very difficult to follow who the characters are. That's fine. I can understand.

Lemme remind you, that I wrote this two years ago, so that's why it seems shoddy right now. But trust me, it'll pick up. I tried to work on the earlier chapters to put them up to speed but…well…heh…

Anyway

Razzia is the bad guy and the person who everybody wants to stop, right? He is the evil guy. The big Kahuna. Bohema. Whatever you wanna call him. Basically, everyone wants to kill him.

Siren is Arson's girlfriend who decided randomly that she was going to go to the PAST (or Dante's present) to try and help Arson out. Her character is very…yucky. O.o Yes…I used the word Yucky. Okay basically she's a bitch and I hate her. So why write her? In life there's usually someone that everyone else hates. Just trying to get that person down in this fic. Ehehehe…

Okay, and Arson and Val come from the future, so technology WOULD be a little different. We find this strange. That's fine. That's normal. When faced with something different we tend to go " 'Ey? Wha-?".

Lunatic Pandora, if you got any more questions, do E mail me. I randomly added you to my contact list for MSN in the hopes you'd be on, so if you see the name Simi-chan, don't click block. Please. I'm not an axe man or anything like that, as other people from fanfic could tell you…or they could just tell you I am one because everyone might hate me.

Whatever.

Ahem.

Don't stop reading though, because, well, hell, I need the support, ne? If you do stop reading, fine. I understand.

Anyway, I hope everyone else enjoys this chapter, and as for the switch in perspective, don't worry, it becomes clear.

OH! And the random W ? Well, I orginally used Wingdings version of a Captial W as a section break. I'll try to amend the problem as soon as possible from here on in. Heh, sorry.

Chapter 6

To be a friend of Arson's is like travelling on a live volcano. You never know what's going to happen next. When the volcano erupts, you can do nothing but watch helplessly as it engulfs everything in its path and this is the feeling I get when Arson changes into his demonic form. The first time I saw it, I was afraid. It's something I'm not afraid to admit because if you saw the proper power that he holds then you'd understand.

I hold much respect for Arson. You would too if you knew what was good for you. There are only three people Arson doesn't turn against. Val, Siren and I are all relatively safe. But for anyone else who happens to be there at the time, they could be a facing a grave danger if they happen to be only associates and not friends.

I fear for Dante and Trish. I wish I could speak out, but alas, I cannot. I believe Arson feels my fear because he feels it himself. He's afraid of himself deep down. At times, when he first realized what he was, he would just sit in one place, eyes darkened with concentration, trying to quell his powers. He has come a long way. That I know. I've been with Arson ever since he was a small child and I have seen some of the explosive results that came of his powers.

I can still remember the first day that he and I met. I had been somewhat unwise and had strayed away from the rest of my clan, eventually coming to land because I was so exhausted from trying to fight against the wild winds. Arson found me at the tender age of seven and had taken me in secretly, fearing the wrath of his mother if she found out. He knew what I was, but I don't think he fully understood the powers of a phoenix, and that we don't die…we are reborn and continue to live for another cycle. But even if he had known, I think maybe he still would have taken me in instead of leaving me to fend for myself.

I still don't know for sure whether he knew the capabilities of the phoenix. Though I didn't need it, I was extremely grateful for the kindness he had shown. I knew then that he had a good heart and though he was a devil, there was something different about him, something gentle. I also felt pity for him. Hated by his own mother, his father having left a long time ago, dying at the hands of that monster, Razzia. His mother never knew, and painted her own story, claiming he left her. She turned mad with hatred for the devil race, only coming to realize what Arson and her husband had been after his death, coming to the conclusion that all demons were monsters and that they must be dealt with accordingly. Thus, she treated Arson like an animal, even lower than a dog. Arson had never complained about his treatment; he had always been under the impression that it was something he had done wrong. His mother would have never become a Fallen Angel had she known the truth.

Val was always favoured more and more by her because it was more obvious that she had inherited angelic tendencies. Arson and Val became inseparable, despite their mother's attempts to keep them away from each other. Arson had placed Val on a pedestal of sorts and took the blame for whatever she happened to do wrong. He didn't seem to mind, in fact, he seemed happier after he had done something like that.

At nights he would cry, though he never told me why. One didn't have to be told. I could only see too plainly the pain that he had gone through inside, though Val's presence always seemed to make it better for him. My respect for Arson kept growing. It was perhaps even more so increased because Arson had often suggested that I could go back to my clan. For some reason, which I don't know, I stayed. To this day Arson and I have been equals. Arson has never called me his pet. I have always been called his friend.

I still remember his kindness and I feel that the least I can do is to heal him when he needs it. Trouble always seems to find him though, and I often have to lend him my services. He always appreciates it and because of this respect that is shown on both sides, our friendship has grown and grown.

I think people often deem it as weird and unnatural that a man and a bird should be friends in this way. I don't. I think it shows that differences don't matter. That one can be friends despite differences. I often look at these humans and the way they live and I laugh to myself. Not because I find it funny, but because I pity them so. They fight with each other, have wars and cause pain and destruction amongst themselves. And for what? Because there are two religions that don't get along? For a piece of land perhaps? It never made any sense, and it still doesn't. I can understand why Arson wants to fight back against Razzia. To protect his family and to try and make the future better not for himself, but for everyone is a great cause and it has a point. But to fight over trivial matters is pointless and a waste of lives.

I may be a phoenix…and I may not be able to talk but I can think and I can make judgements. I can already see the type of people that Dante and Trish are.

Dante perhaps, seems a little cold towards the three travellers at the moment. But if Arson's history books are anything to go by, he'll come around. It's happening already. Dante can see that Arson needs help and he never hesitated to give him a couple of lessons. I can see an improvement already. Arson can control himself more and more, though he is still extremely frightened of using his full power. The ice that shields Dante is already melting. In fact, I think it was beginning to thaw when he saw that Arson was truly dedicated to his cause. He had that light of understanding in his eyes. Maybe that's why I didn't flinch when he reached out towards me.

Trish has always shown kindness towards us all and I don't think that this is really going to stop anytime soon. However, I can't help but feel a little uneasy now that she knows the secret. I just feel as though, in a heated argument, Trish might say something she shouldn't do.

Darkness is falling yet again. The sound of steel clashing against steel still sounds as the Legendary Dante trains his one pupil. Siren and Val are still arguing, and I don't think that will change. In fact, I would think it quite odd if it did stop. Trish is constantly badgering Dante about going and restocking the freezer but somehow, Dante always seems to forget. Perhaps it is because Arson keeps on pestering him about different techniques. A true perfectionist, even if he is constantly worrying about something or another. I believe I have had enough action for the day now. After all, it is hard listening to Val and Siren constantly yelling and screeching at the pitch of a jay. There goes the phone again. I still haven't been able to figure out what the password is…

---

Val was the one who picked up the phone, acting impulsively. Dante ran to the phone just in time to see her hold it to her ear.

'Devil May Cry?' she said chirpily. She leaned back in the leather chair and grinned at Dante as she put her feet on the table, imitating him. Dante snatched the phone from her and knocked her feet from the table with a swipe of his hand. Val sat up straight in the chair and sulked as Dante took the call. There was a pause. Dante rolled his eyes and grinned at Val.

'Sorry we close at nine!' He put the phone back in its holder before the caller had a chance to reply. It was then he realised that the time was, in actual fact 7 o' clock at night. Val smiled at him.

'Bad call?'

'They never give the password.' Val looked at him curiously.

'But what is the password? And why do you need a password?' Dante took a minute to consider this. Val looked trustworthy enough to keep a secret. At that moment, Siren came in and looked at the two witheringly, in that way which she reserved especially for Val. She leant against the doorpost and studied her nails.

'Where's Arson?'

'Taking a shower,' said Val. Dante had walked into the kitchen to see Trish stirring sugar into a cup of coffee. She shook her head in exasperation as she heard him come in.

'We have got nothing in the fridge!' Dante settled himself easily in a chair at the table.

'I'm on it.'

'That's what you've been saying for the past few weeks.' Dante only smiled as he opened it up. His grin broadened.

'We've got plenty of stuff.'

'Beer you mean. I don't see why you've got so much. You don't drink all the time anyway.' Dante only smiled. 'How do you expect us to live if we've got nothing to eat?' Dante groaned. Trish was in one of her moods again. He slowly got up again, stretching himself before grabbing the keys to his motorbike, patting Inferno on the head as he went out.

'Where you going?' yelled Val. The door slammed shut. Siren smiled as Inferno ruffled his feathers indignantly and got out a pocket mirror for him.

'Use this to sort your feathers out, darling.' Val rolled her eyes.

'Inferno is not like you! Jeez…giving a mirror to a bird.' Siren's eyes flickered over to her.

'He's not just any bird. He's a phoenix!' She smiled triumphantly at the last word and whirled around to see Arson. He looked troubled, for some reason best known to him. He nodded at Siren and Val formally before heading straight to the kitchen. The two girls looked at each other questioningly.

'What's up with him?' Inferno flew after him, wings flapping hastily.

---

Arson glanced at Trish quickly and then stood near the table, trying to appear as casual as possible. Trish looked at him swiftly and frowned as she saw the troubled look in his eyes.

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing,' said Arson shortly. His eyes darted towards Inferno as he came to perch awkwardly on one of the wooden chairs. Trish was now absolutely certain that something was wrong. Arson paced about the room like a trapped animal, the agitation showing only too plainly on his face. Inferno watched him as he walked to and fro. Suddenly he threw his head back. A horrendous sound filled the air. It was nothing that Trish had heard before. It was like a high pitched scream. She winced and clamped her hands to her ears. She could still dimly hear the sound of screaming as the door slammed open behind her.

A shower of broken glass cascaded over her as the screeching sound stopped. Arson promptly unleashed a volley of fiery globes at his enemy. He dodged as a whirling blade flew past his shoulder. He spun around on his heel to see Val falling to the ground. Siren stood in front of her, seeing the tears of rage pricking Arson's eyes. Arson's eyes narrowed as he turned back to Razzia, who stood there grinning.

'YOU!!!' he screamed. He charged at Razzia, allowing his emotions to wash over him and carry him forward. Trish also charged forward with him, grabbing Alastor as she did so. The pale golden eyes seemed to laugh at Arson before a sudden pain exploded inside his body. Arson hissed with pain and reeled back, both hands nursing his head. His eyes snapped open as a sudden hot white pain lanced through his shoulder. He looked in disbelief at his own weapon as it protruded out of his shoulder.

Trish was giving a good account of herself, dodging and weaving past the blows and attacking at every opportunity she found. With the power of Alastor in her hands, she found pleasantly light and also found it easier to manoeuvre her body around the vicious attacks. She heard a sudden wrenching sound and heard a wild war cry. Inferno wheeled around and tried to distract Razzia so then Trish could get away.

Arson was in a wild frenzy of rage. Trish gaped at him in shock and terror as his metamorphosis began. Flames streaked out towards them all. Razzia's pale eyes glimmered with a mild sense of panic before they regained their natural calm look. A smile came onto his face as he began to advance towards Arson.

'So…you still haven't learnt how to control it. You fool! And you still choose to use it? This will be your last time!' Arson gave vent to an untamed snarl and rushed him, flames dancing savagely as he ran. Razzia's smile lingered on his face and broadened. Arson's body suddenly jarred. Arson's hands went to his neck as he began suddenly gagging and choking. Razzia's eyes narrowed in concentration as he stood there, impassively watching his nemesis struggle against his invisible chokehold. His voice took on a singsong tone.

'Poor young Arson,

Trying to live a lie

Foolish Arson

It's time for you to die!' Arson's eyes widened in fear. Everything seemed to freeze about him as he stared at Razzia with an expression of terror in his eyes. Something was happening to his body. He was drowning. Drowning in air. He tried to shake off the feeling, tried to make himself believe that it was nothing but a mind game. No, he could hear the water running. Arson gave a sudden gasp as his twin blades pierced him through the stomach. Everyone stared at him in shock. Arson swallowed hard and looked at Trish in silent surprise. His lips moved but no words came out. Inferno whirled towards him, a blizzard of red and golden feathers. The only sound to be heard was Siren's shrill wail as he fell to the ground.