zOMGz! I'm on a roll, baby! I got this chapter up WAY sooner than I expected haha. Please enjoy this chapter, everyone! I told you I would get this up as soon as possible! The storyline is finally unfolding!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Devil May Cry characters.

Ch. 4 Apprentices

Dante and Nero were able to get away from the depressing conversation and actually talked about …normal things. It made Dante realize that he was becoming his old self again when he caught himself grinning and laughing. The simple moments like this, he concluded in his thoughts, were what he needed to get away from his fate. Nero yawned sleepily, hinting the other silver haired man that it was time to retire again.

"Dante…here." Nero weakly took off the amulet around his neck and placed it in the other's hand. "Kept it safe for ya."

The Devil Hunter smiled in thanks as Nero dozed off back to sleep. He placed it around his own neck where it should be. No way was he going to be irresponsible like that again and lose his mother's precious gift. He examined the red jewel that gave off a comforting shine in his hand.

"Thank you for bringing me back," he whispered to the precious amulet. He looked over to Nero who had his mouth slightly parted and breathed slowly and steadily.

His eyes trailed down to the demonic arm that was draped across the comforter, clashing horribly with the sheet's color. The pink brought back the memories of Patty, the little girl that use to reside in his home a few years ago. He never had the heart to throw it out, thinking that she would come back and scream hell to find the comforter missing. If only his childhood was as innocent as hers. She may have been at an orphanage first but she was reunited with her mother, living happily ever after. Dante was still looking for his ever after. It was also very far from being happy.

He had a new problem that wasn't going away any time soon. It was problem after problem for him, a never ending cycle that made him ponder when it was going to end. Maybe Death was his escape to the end but then again, only a part of him would be gone. He would still be left behind to live.

Dante got up from the chair and walked to his desk. He found the thing he was looking for: the picture of his mother. Gingerly picking it up, he smiled at his mother's beautiful face, feeling the familiar warmth that captivated him whenever he took the time to gaze upon her photo. The human feelings were still desperately hanging on to his being, putting up a fight to never surrender to Death.

This thought brought back something else to Dante: why was he giving up now? He has been through many battles that seemed impossible to survive through and live to tell the tale. This was just another battle that he will win through. Quitting was for wimps. Plus, he had a reputation to keep up. With this presented to him as a base, he turned to the door, grinning wickedly. He grabbed his red coat, loading Ebony and Ivory into their holsters and placed Rebellion over his shoulder. Taking one last look at Nero's sleeping form, he said, "Sweet dreams, kid," and left into the night that was fading into morning.

--

"All…pictures…have…more than one story."

Nero jolted awake at the voice and then he shield himself from the morning light that strongly shined through the windows. It was way too bright for him to take as a 'simple' greeting. The first thing he noticed was that Dante was missing. His presence was absent and Nero shook his head. He got up from the couch, feeling a stinging sensation in his gut area. His human fingers traced over his stomach but he felt nothing. No trace of bandages or edges of his skin. It was a smooth, muscled surface, one free of any tell tale marks or openings.

That was a little strange. Nero could have sworn Dante ripped a hole through him the night before. But then how was he still alive? The young silver haired man shook the thoughts out of his head when it began giving him a headache. It was something he had to deal with later. Or at least until he had some coffee. Before he began searching for the kitchen, his blue eyes caught a picture frame laid face down on Dante's desk. He walked over to put it right side up and then felt a horrible chill when he saw the picture.

"This woman…she's so familiar," Nero mumbled to himself. His Devil Bringer glowed in agreement. He didn't know why but a nagging thought told him to open the picture frame. His fingers undid the back and the picture immediately slipped out of its hold.

…Nothing.

He looked over it twice and there was only the side of the blonde woman's photograph and the side that was white with quick writing that read "My lovely Eva.-Sparda."

"This must be…the wife of Sparda. That means…" Nero flipped back to the side with the photograph and saw the traces of another on her face. "…Dante' mother." His fingers felt the edges of the old picture and although it was very fragile and seemed to have seen better days, Nero noticed that…it was ripped. It was not its own picture.

Nero gasped as he heard sounds coming from his left. He placed the picture and the frame down cautiously. The Red Queen was not going to help him since it was destroyed and he couldn't find his Blue Rose so he took random Devil Arms from the wall, hoping that Dante wouldn't be able to tell if it was used. It was two swords, one in a deep red color while the other was a pale blue.

"Master Dante!" The red sword suddenly greeted gleefully.

"AAH! What the hell?!" Nero couldn't believe his eyes and ears. The hilt of the red sword was…talking?!

"This is not Master Dante! It is of another who carries Sparda's blood!" The blue sword scowled at the red.

"Sparda's….what?"

Suddenly, five red circles appeared on the ground and walls and out came demons with large scythes and glowing red eyes. They growled and approached Nero slowly, holding their weapons in front of them.

"You guys remind of a cheap cartoon rip-off of the Grim Reaper," Nero replied coolly, getting into a fighting stance.

"This one reminds me of Master Dante," the red sword commented and it was soon slashing through a demon, sending it back to where it came from but more appeared in its place. Nero moved with the swords as though he knew how to handle them. He jumped in mid air and somersaulted onto two demons, cutting them down before they had a chance to strike. Before he landed, he crisscrossed the swords and threw his arms out to pierce through two other demons at the same time.

"This is too damn easy, guys. I'm a bit disappointed here!"

"His cockiness reminds me of Master Dante as well!" Blue sword remarked.

"Will you guys be quiet?!" Nero shouted as he sliced through more demons when he zoomed passed them in a blur.

"Could it be that this is…Master Dante's son?!"

Nero stopped fighting for a second and raised the red sword to eye level, glaring at it with a disgusted look. "Oh that's just down right nasty."

"Behind you!" Blue sword warned.

"Gotcha!" He sliced through the demon's lower half with the blue sword and used the red sword to slice off the head. The demon disappeared instantly into a pile of sand. His fingers glided the handles in ease as he twirled both swords so fast to the point where if one were to stare straight at them, they would believe that there was nothing in Nero's hands. He walked with an air of confidence, destroying each demon that came a feet near him. Finally, the whole floor was littered with sand, making Nero feel that he was at a beach.

"Tch, too easy. Maybe even easier compared to the demons at home."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," both the swords said in unison. Their golden eyes looked to one direction and Nero followed their gaze that lead him to the door. "It awaits us outside."

"Hmph!" Nero smirked as he headed for the exit. "I guess I'm going to have to play host then. You owe me, Dante." His foot collided with the door, opening it with a slam as a giant demon with a golden scythe greeted him and the swords.

--

Dante was already out of the city limits by the time Nero encountered the demons. He borrowed one of Lady's motorcycles, giving her an empty promise of paying her back for it and added on to his mountain high debt to her. She was too shocked to say anything for he was walking and talking like how he use to be.

As he drove in the hot weathered rain, a memory flashed in his mind: it was one he had buried, not because he couldn't bear to remember it but because it was a distant memory that took place years before his family's judgment day. His father was in his human form and him and Vergil were still children, too young to learn the ways of the sword. They tagged along with him, each holding on to one hand of their father's. The day was bright and carefree, almost blinding was the sun, Dante recalled. The place they were going to was a whole different scene.

It was a fighting arena where six full demons were awaiting the presence of Sparda. He entered with a welcoming smile as they all gave a low bow to him and his sons. At first, Dante and Vergil trembled when their young eyes fell upon the demons, each causing them to receive a chill down their spine and feelings of what they had to go through to get so far to be under the guidance of their father. But then, Sparda spoke to them all with words of strength and good power, causing Dante himself to feel brave and stand his ground. Vergil, on the other hand, focused on his father and his eyes were filled with admiration. After the speech, each demon summoned their swords and broke off into pairs. Dante and Vergil sat on the sidelines to watch, drinking in all the techniques and skills of true swordsmen.

"Someday, you both shall be at their levels," their father said and immediately he shouted approvals of the moves one large white demon inflicted on his opponent. He turned back his attention to his sons. "Maybe, even better."

The twins nodded in determination, never looking away from the battles in front of them. Dante focused on a fair haired demon that glided across the ground as she performed a swift striking attack, showing grace and superiority of her abilities of fighting like a devil but moving like an angel.

"Lady Beatrice is too old for you, Dante." Vergil whispered in a snobby tone to his twin like he was reading his mind about the female demon. The younger twin blushed madly and bared his teeth at his brother who took no notice of the animal like gesture. Dante changed his attention to Lady Beatrice's opponent who was to be his mentor when he was older. The demon was Lanetto who specialized in performing mid air attacks. He watched as Lanetto flew into the air where Lady Beatrice chased after him and dodged by a hair his sword that he threw in like a boomerang. Beatrice countered with using her sword as a shield. When Lanetto's sword came in contact with hers, her weapon glowed a hot white that shot out four (Dante counted) beams of light and pinned the arms and legs of Lanetto to the wall.

"You need to watch out for the unexpected, Sir Lanetto," Beatrice said playfully as she flew forward. Her plump red colored lips formed a vixen smile with a fang sticking out at one corner. Lanetto blew a loose hair out of his eyes and grinned cunningly in return. "And you, my dear, need to stop taking things for granted."

A black hand shot out from the wall next to the male demon and took a hold of Beatrice. Dark electricity suddenly caused her scream deafeningly as she felt her body being shocked a number times over. It released her and let her tumble to the ground with her white hair fanning everywhere. Dante gasped and on instinct, ran to her aid. She weakly sat up and brushed her hair back, smiling genuinely at the young half human half demon.

"Lady Beatrice, are you all right?!" He asked frantically, holding on to her arm that still clutched her sword. She placed her free hand on his cheek and caressed it.

"Yes, do not worry about me. It is only practice, young Dante," she replied with a tone much kinder than the one she used with Lanetto. "But learn from my mistake: Do not believe that once you have the upper hand that can you let your guard down. Fight as though it is your last."

"Well put, Lady Beatrice," Lanetto said as he offered his hand to help her up. "And another lesson to you, young Dante: Always be good to women, no matter how much of a nuisance they are or become." He received a slap on the face when the fair demon flicked her free wrist, causing Dante's future mentor to laugh heartily. Dante nodded with his brows knitted tightly together and fists balled up in front of him to show he was taking it all to heart.

"Out of my way!" The white demon came towards the three and Lanetto grabbed Dante by the waist and high jumped it out of the way along with Beatrice. His mighty double swords ripped through the ground and one was flung at a ebony colored demon who caught it by his claws.

"Sir Baal may be a superior swordsman but he needs to control that temper of his," Lanetto remarked under his breath to Dante and Beatrice with his grin still itched on his pale face.

"He needs to learn that from his brother, Sir Modeus," Beatrice replied as she flipped her hair.

"Hey you two, I didn't say you could take a break!" The famous silver haired demon called from the stands with an easy going smile. "Return my son and resume your fighting, will you?!"

They smirked at each other and Lanetto went over to drop Dante back into his seat. He raised a index finger and winked. "No more running into the arena until it's clear, understand?"

A faint blush colored his cheeks as he nodded in embarrassment. Vergil rolled his icy blue eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "Don't embarrass father, Dante," he scowled. Dante responded with another childish gesture, this time of sticking out his tongue. The last two demons that were fighting had stopped to bow to each other. One was wrapped in bandages but revealed pulsing veins at where sword cuts were made. The other thing that was visible was his large wings that seemed to have a heart of its own as they flapped out of control for a moment until they lowered themselves down like a trained dog.

"Hmph, now that is who you should learn manners from, Dante. Sir Gilver is the perfect example." He was only praising Sir Gilver because he was Vergil's mentor to be.

"Aw, shaddup, Vergil."

Vergil's eyes went wide. "I'm telling Mother you told me to shut up!"

"Well that's because you have a big mouth!"

"Not as big as yours!"

"My my, I put all my gold coins on the children that they will train together like this to settle their arguments. Often." Sir Gilver noted finally as he made his way over to his teacher. His opponent, a demon with narrow eyes that stared down at the twins in an non approving manner to the way they were acting, walked along side Sir Gilver with his head held up high. He returned his own sword back into its sheath while the bandaged demon continued to hold onto his.

"They may even be the death of each other," the narrow eyed demon commented sarcastically. "Uh, I meant it as a joke, Sir Sparda!"

"Haha! Of course Sir Des'. I think I will side with you on that. The moment they were born, they would not stop fighting. I fear to even let them hold anything that can be used as a weapon," Sparda eyed his children through his monocle. He placed a hand on each their heads and messed up their silver hair, causing them to whine in protest for their father to stop. Because Vergil's hair was up and now down, he looked identical to Dante who did not look any different from a few moments ago. The older twin pouted and flipped back his hair to its regular style so that others could tell again which twin was who.

"But they are twins, having a much stronger bond then regular siblings," Sir Gilver spoke sincerely and smiled crookedly at the twins through his bandages. "They are like Sir Modeus and Sir Baal. As twins, they will always be together. One way or another. It is a very lucky thing, the feeling of never having to be alone."

Dante didn't know why the memory of his father's apprentinces appeared to him but Sir Des' was right on the money that day. Sir Gilver's words, however, were a different matter. Vergil was dead and he has been for a very long time. There was nothing that would bring him back. The Devil Hunter stopped believing in fairy tales of miracles when he ended up alone, proving Sir Gilver wrong. He hadn't even felt his brother's aura or trace of being around ever since he went to Hell. Sure there was Nero to take into factor but it was a different aura and different feeling: completely Nero's own and no one else's. There was still the question of why Yamato would react to the young man. But before Dante could think that over, he skidded the motorcycle to a complete stop when a sword flew past his head.

--

"Go back to Hell!"

Nero finished off the giant demon and it dematerialized with a shrieking cry. He brushed his nose with his thumb and smirked in satisfaction.

"Excuse me, do you mind if you can pull me out of the ground now?" the red sword asked, catching Nero's attention.

"Oh, heh, sorry," he said sheepishly and pulled it out.

"What an excellent example of skill, er…what is your name, young Master?" the blue sword inquired.

"Er…Nero."

It seemed to gasp in surprise. "Nelo Angelo?! S-sir Vergil?!"

"Nooooo. I'm NE-RO. Nero. Although that name does sound pretty familiar…where the hell did I hear it before?"

"Vergil is Dante's brother."

Nero whipped around to find a woman in complete black leather and a top that showed her…assets well. She took off her sunglasses and smiled as the wind picked up and blew her blonde hair to one side.

"What the…you..no way. Dante's…mom?"

Let me just add some things: I'm not much of an original character fan but I need these six demons to guide the story along. "Beatrice" is a name from Dante's Inferno and was the "love" of Dante Alighieri but don't worry, DMC's Dante is not going to all of a sudden fall in love with her or anything. No pairings, I promise you (except for actual pairings like Sparda/Eva). I just wanted to fit this demonic Beatrice as someone who young Dante liked (or was infatuated with because she's a hot cougar lolz) and was an apprentice. She, and the other apprentices will contribute very well to the chapters later on.

I'm also using Modeus and Baal from the Devil May Cry series since they were the ones who presented themselves as Sparda's real apprentinces. How can I NOT use them?? So...they're the real ones not the originals haha.

Then there's Sir Des' and his name also came from Dante's Inferno . I took reference from the evil city of Dis and changed it to "Des'". Lanetto is a third from the Inferno because in the book it said that Dante's Alighieri's mentor was Brunetto Latini so I just mixed the name up and came up with "Lanetto." Ha.

Finally there's Gilver. He came from the Devil May Cry novel 1 and his true form is Vergil. In my story he is Vergil's mentor and maybe why Vergil disguised himself as "Gilver" to throw Tony (Dante) off. A case of stolen identity -shrugs-.

I really wanted to lighten the story a bit so I used Agni and Ruda (the red and blue swords) as Nero's temporary weapons and comic relief. I honestly didn't think that they would help with moving the story as well. Thank you Capcom for the talking swords! :D

Also, I'm sure the part where Blue sword is like "OMG UR VERGIL?! NELO ANGELO!" is pretty self explanatory.

Hm, I think that's enough explanation for this chapter. Until next time kiddies!

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