This chapter will completely focus on the Vergil vs. Hollow Vergil battle (Mission 05: Own Shadow).

I do not own anything, Ninja Theory and Capcom does.

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character give him power.

-Abraham Lincoln

Chapter 9: Azure Heart

Waiting for them on the other side of the portal was a very displeased looking Hollow Vergil. The desert landscape remained unchanged with the expectation of the giant manifestation of Vergil's heart beating in the background. A gap formed a circle-like arena where the Hollow stood glaring at Dante and Vergil on the other side of the gap. Dry winds whipped kicked the sand up to ankle level and only growing stronger with every step Vergil and Dante took towards the apparition.

"You really are a pathetic sight you know that? All you had to do was just let it all go but you can' even do that right." The Hollow's ink black eyes drilled into Vergil on contact. "You're a disgrace to your lineage."

Instead of anger all the white haired Nephilim's eyes showed was annoyance. "It's about time I shut your mouth for good." He ran his hand over his wounded chest while peering over at his heart. To his surprise the three holes in it were now completely filled up with blue light. His gaze turned to his hollow. "You have something that belongs to me." He pointed at the blue colored amulet hanging around Hollow Vergil's neck.

"This is mine." He responded grasping the amulet. This wasn't what he was expecting.

"Then I'll take it." Vergil dead-pinned jumping into the arena. Dante prepared to follow him but Vergil's voice stopped him. "Dante, let me handle this one."

Looking over at the Hollow Dante was skeptical to let his brother fight the phantom alone. His feelings eased when he saw Vergil give him a smile, an honest smile.

"You've had your boss fight so would it hurt to let your brother have his?" He asked.

Withdrawing his hand he gave him a thumps up. "Kick his ass bro."

As soon as the words left Dante's lips Vergil dashed for the amulet only to be thrown back by Hollow Vergil. Kicking off the ground Vergil flew at his Hollow with Yamato angled for a vertical slash. Steel met harden wood sending Vergil back, a gut check earned a gasp of air from him and a sword swipe opened a wound on his right forearm. A right hook caught him off guard but not for long, he returned it with a palm strike to Hollow Vergil's left knee, stunning him.

Falling back Vergil narrowed his eyes at his look-alike. He was tired, exhausted from the battles and the removal of his heart still weighted heavily on his overall health. Seeing Hollow Vergil speed towards him he pushed his exhaustion to the side, now wasn't the time to take a break, now was the time to fight with everything he had left.

Blocking the attack with Yamato he ran it along the length of his enemy's katana, getting in right behind him to slash down his back. He performed a Cross Cut in that split second before Hollow Vergil spun around giving Vergil a new wound across his midsection. Flames covered the phantom Yamato signaling a demonic attack was coming, Vergil concentrated his power into his chest hoping it would be enough to stave off the attack. It sounded like steel bouncing off iron, Vergil shot his right fist forward hitting Hollow Vergil right in the gut.

Taking the opening Vergil performed two back to back Rapid Slashes, leaving at least six open wounds on his target. In return Hollow Vergil grabbed Vergil's arm in an iron grasp, ran his phantom Yamato across his shoulder, grinning evilly he thrust forward directly at Vergil's neck. He brought Yamato up knocking the sword off course and only scrapping past his neck, while yanking his arm free. Four Summoned Swords appeared over Hollow Vergil's head causing Vergil to start twitching in his legs.

They came one at a time forcing Vergil to go on the defensive again. The swords were stronger than he'd thought, none touched him but they provided the cover Hollow Vergil needed to get up close and perform a Flare on him. The next strike was blocked, Vergil swung his sheath directly at his enemy's skull, then followed up with a horizontal slash that drew black blood from the Hollow.

He knew the wound was nothing to be proud of but Vergil felt a ping of joy well as he'd finally struck a meaningful blow.

The once clear skies and clam landscape had changed drastically over the first stage of the battle. Storm clouds had covered the sky and began pouring ink-black rain everywhere. Lightning crackled between the clouds and thunder seemed to boom every time the two crossed swords. In the faint distance the light of the sun could still be seen but that only furthered to make the scene even more ominous.

"I wouldn't get so cocky." Hollow Vergil called standing up right despite the wound on his stomach. "We've only just begun." He vanished in a puff of blue smoke alerting Vergil. "I know everything you'll do." His voice called reappearing behind Vergil.

SWOOSH!

Vergil rolled across the side holding his bleeding stomach, scraps of his jacket falling to the ground around him. A few feet away Hollow Vergil flung a fully charged Judgment Cut that nearly tore Vergil apart if he hadn't dashed to the left moments before the attack hit home. Hollow Vergil was up in the air laughing as he flung Aerial Raves from the sky, Vergil skillful avoided the attacks noting the surge in demonic energy to Hollow Vergil's legs. Just as he'd predicted he came down with a Killer Bee kick crushing the ground where Vergil stood not five seconds ago.

"I call this little number Roulette Spin." Vergil whispered calling upon his own demonic power covering Yamato in a small sea of fire.

Hollow Vergil cried in pain as he felt the katana's edge and hellish flames lifted him off the ground into the sky and continue climbing. The younger twin shot a Sword Illusion that pulled him right back to the ground in front of him, exactly where he was able to perform a devastating Divorce on his chest. Shaking off the pain the phantom performed the same attack but Vergil caught his arm mid swing. Like a viper he spun directly under the Hollow, lifting him off the ground and executing a dragon kick directly on his face.

Immediately springing back up from the attack Hollow Vergil teleported directly above Vergil, slamming his katana down on top of his. The brute force pushed Vergil back kicking sand into the air. Overhead lightning broke through the sky, flowing through the phantom Yamato and directly into Vergil's body. Crying in pain Vergil let his guard down allowing the Hollow to run his angelic-charged Yamato along his gut then over his right shoulder.

Lifting his hand up he shot five Summoned Swords at Vergil, three he could only counter leaving the other two buried in his chest. "Feeling a little tired Vergil? All you have to do is give in." The Hollow smugly called seeing the leader of the Order in pain.

Tightening his fist Vergil crushed the spectral swords with sheer force of power. "Go fuck yourself." He called back to the phantom raising his own hand. "That's my heart over there. This is my mind. My world, my rules."

From all over sand rushed forward at Vergil's command and began covering Hollow Vergil. It welled up into an immense tornado with no escape, Vergil slammed his palm down sending an invisible pulse through the whole storm. The sand storm collapsed on top of Hollow Vergil but not before giving off a fierce thump like a crusher crushing a vehicle.

"Did you get him?" Dante called dusting the sand off his lower legs.

A white object exploded from the sand shooting high up into the clouds.

"That would be a no." Vergil answered readying himself for whatever was coming.

Clouds, rain, and lightning twisted like snakes forming what could only be described as a storm dragon with Hollow Vergil standing on top of it. It roared before shooting downward at Vergil with its mouth gaping open, a vortex of lightning churning inside like a multi-leveled fan.

Holding up his prized katana Vergil unsheathed it so about a foot of the blade was shown. Spreading his feet apart he braced for the impact but still kept his gaze focused on the Hollow riding the storm dragon. The dragon slammed into the sword, kicking up a massive storm of sand, rock, and sending dark clouds and gusts of wind to the side. The force of impact was nothing less than what he'd expected, he was pushed backward but was able to turn it into a full-circle spin.

SWOOP!

After absorbing the attack Yamato crackled with power that was contained as Vergil sheathed the sword watching Hollow Vergil disappearing in a flash of smoke.

CLING!

The storm infused Yamato broke past its phantom copy, sinking deep into Hollow Vergil's left shoulder blade. Not stopping there Vergil slashed the phantom three more times, blasting him to the edge of the arena leaving a trail of black blood on the sand. In a second he was up and speeding towards Vergil with a set of swords rotating around him forming a buzz saw. Blue sparks erupted from the collision slicing apart even the smallest grains of sand as Vergil countered the attack. His right arm was cut from top to bottom but he could still move it, just with a lot more pain.

'If I hadn't brought my sword up I'd be out one arm.' Vergil grimaced wishing his wounds would heal faster. 'I can't keep doing this forever, I've got to do something, take an arm or leg off.' Turning back he saw Hollow Vergil had teleported to a spot directly in front of his heart. Blue scar-like markings appearing behind him giving him the appearance of a deity about to pass judgment on him.

"Vergil above you!" Dante shouted noticing the attack before Vergil could.

Coming down like a missile the skyscraper sized Summoned Sword slammed into the ground creating a deep gash in the stand. Vergil had rolled just a mere two feet away when he saw the blue light appear around him an another humongous sword appear in the air above his head. The next spot he dashed to had four lights appear meaning four swords were coming down in a Y-shaped formation.

Vergil snapped to the left side only to find himself in the same situation. From his spot in front of the his beating Hollow Vergil laughed at the sight like he was watching a sports game, it made Vergil wish he could sprout wings and impale the phantom even if it meant injuring his own heart. The sick game continued for what was probably ten minutes until Hollow Vergil decided he wanted to draw blood from the younger Nephilim personally.

Coming down with a Star Fall kick he temporarily blinded Vergil in a haze of sand. Spinning on his heel Vergil cut through the sand, countering an attempted sword swipe at his throat. The exchange of sword blows grew faster and faster, more intense, strong enough that the air began to crackle with power.

BOOM!

No longer were Vergil and his phantom look alike fighting on the ground, they were in the sky, back on the ground, and back in the sky again. Their forms weren't visible to the human eye anymore but Dante's eyes weren't human, he could see them, no, he could see the clashing of steel against steel.

CLING! CLANG! CLING! CLING! CLING!

Blue orbs flashed everywhere he saw them clash; in the sky, on the ground, and right next to him. Sand and rock were cut apart in the fierce exchange that seemed to drag on for an eternity. The storm had grown in intensity forcing Dante to put up a telekinetic shield to keep from getting wet. With his superhuman eyes he could see the rain drops being cut into at least two pieces each letting him know just how serious the battle was becoming.

One orb the size of a billboard exploded in mid-air, Vergil shot out to one side with his hollow grinning on the other. Throwing his free hand open Hollow Vergil summoned a literal storm of Summoned Swords, far more than Vergil thought he could deflect. The countless blades launched forward like bullets one after another.

Still hovering in mid-air Vergil did his best to deflect the attacks, stopping them from hitting any part of his major body but failing to avoid the cuts aimed at his sides. The barrage brought him down to the ground with his clothing in awful condition with cuts and blood stains on every inch of his jacket and pants. His face had sustained few cuts but the look in his eyes had now changed to cold fury.

Stepping lightly onto the ground Hollow Vergil regarded him with a look of a disappointed adult scolding a child. "Take a good look on the power you could have had." Dark blue flames wrapped around the phantom completely consuming him until he was nothing but an orb of sapphire-colored flames and dark light. Hollow Vergil stepped through the flames now shrouded in a new form; dark gray armor covered every inch of his body with blue outlines running up from his feet to all the way to two downward curving horns on his helmet, a purple cape bellowed with the desert wind, and lastly dark blue/purple energy coiled off an ominous looking zweihander.

Hollow Vergil was expecting a great many things from his 'creator' but he wasn't expecting a blank, almost bored look on his face.

…

"You're really going with the knight look?" Vergil inquired cocking his head to the side with squinted eyes.

SWOOSH!

The next thing Vergil knew he was sailing across the ground with a gushing wound on his right side rib cage. He didn't remember when his transformed hollow had summoned its sword or even when he'd blocked it, all he could sense was something dark and powerful behind him. When he was able to regain his focus he saw the zweihander handing straight for him. He didn't even bother parrying, he just rolled out of the way watching blue and purple flames super heat the sand until it turned into glass and shattered. The next slashes call came in such rapid succession Vergil ended up taking a few scrapes and on his arms and even on his neck.

Slashing upward Hollow Vergil threw a whirlwind of demonic energy sucking up Vergil, giving him new cuts and wounds all over his body. Rushing forward he attempted a Stinger but Vergil used his own sword as a deflector knocking the attack off course. A bolt of demonic power shot through the tip tearing apart the sand and rock in that direction.

CLING! CLING!

Hollow Vergil performed a spinning slash connecting with Yamato twice, sending Vergil crashing into the ground. Deciding on a new tactic Vergil launched four sets of Summoned Swords along with a wave of sand and earth at the armored phantom. With one swipe Hollow Vergil tore through them all.

"Having second thoughts Vergil?" His voice now possessed a triple echo. He held up his black zweihander admiring the power coursing through it. "You had your chance and now it's time to pay the price for turning it down!" A cyclone of blue/purple energy formed around the large blade, he swung sending a wave of demonic energy at Vergil who was backed up to the edge of the arena.

"No, I was just saying thanks for finally giving me a challenge." Divine energy sprung up at Vergil's feet forming protective wall around him. It endured the energy wave but not a downward swing from Hollow Vergil's zweihander. Before he could move in he brought the sword up forcing Vergil half off the ledge.

"Addio!" Hollow Vergil yellowed swinging the sword towards Vergil's collar bone.

SWOOSH!

All the black zweihander cut through was black smoke much to Hollow Vergil's shock.

CRACK!

Bouncing off his helmet the white haired twin enjoyed the sound of metal bending slightly under the heel of his slacks as he performed a Star Fall kick. In fierce retaliation the hollow swing his sword knocking Vergil some twenty feet into the air where h appeared to exchange blows with him again. Against the empowered zweihander and the overwhelming amount of power his hollow was putting out Vergil was at a disadvantage. With one strike Hollow Vergil brought Vergil back down to the ground but this time Vergil was ready.

Just as he came down Vergil summoned his demonic power into his katana causing it to glow a deep red color.

CRACK!

Cracks spread through the arena but Vergil remained mostly unharmed much to Hollow Vergil's slight shock. Pushing him back Vergil brought his knee up against his chin then his right elbow against his armored gut. Even with the supernatural armor protecting him Hollow Vergil still felt the attack bruise his bones causing him to teleport back a few feet.

Dark lightning arced between the twin gauntlets and grieves covering his arms and legs. Seconds later blue bolts of energy raced toward Vergil with the same speed his summoned swords did. Easing back his shoulders Vergil deflected them in the same manner he used in deflecting bullets. Changing to his gauntlets the armored phantom rushed forward delivering a painful uppercut followed by a straight kick to the gut, both enhanced by the demonic lightning coursing around them. Demonic fists met supernatural steel as Vergil struck back using Yamato and Hollow Vergil continued with his hand-to-hand combat.

CLING!

"Shit," Vergil cursed watching Yamato sail into the pit separating the arena from the rest of the desert. 'It's been a while since I've had some bare-handed combat, now's a good time to get in some practice.' Cracking his knuckles he got into a fighting stance similar to a martial artist's.

Seeing the Nephilim standing before him ready to continue fighting with nothing but his fists Hollow Vergil threw back his head in laughter. "Oh you must have lost it by now." He held up his zweihander menacingly while slowly walking toward him. "Don't worry I'll make it quick." He rushed forward bringing up his sword for a horizontal slash.

Vergil easily moved outside of the sword and the flames reach surprising Hollow Vergil, he brought his sword around again, Vergil dodged just as he did before. In the split second Vergil saw an opening and performed a quick 1-2-3 combo followed by a roundhouse kick. The next blow was a series of quick jabs to the stomach that followed after a failed upward slash. Growling in anger Hollow Vergil sent another wave of demonic energy at Vergil, taking a stance with both his arms out he caught the wave in his palm, channeled it, and then shot it back at the hollow.

Blocking the attack with his sword Hollow Vergil glared at Vergil. "Still got some bark left in you huh?"

Vergil's arms were cut and bleeding in various places but at the question his arms seemed to harden into steel. "Do you?"

CLING! BANG! BANG!

The zweihander was infused with demonic energy that could make any demon stop in fear, its edge was as sharper than the greatest of swords and it was wielded by a being with super human levels of swordsmanship. Yet for all that it bounced off harmlessly against Vergil's glowing forearms. Moving his hands in perfect coordination he countered each swing and delivered a counter blow in the form of a punch or a kick. Slowly cracks started to appear in the demonic armor Hollow Vergil had summoned enraging him to the point he foolishly swung his zweihander at Vergil's legs. Focusing his demonic power the sword bounced off Vergil's leg with a slight thud, Vergil struck his left palm at his opponent's chest sending a surge of angelic energy through his body.

'W-Why can't I move?' Hollow Vergil thought struggling to lift his massive sword as Vergil hit him with two more palm strikes to his chest. More angelic power surged through his body making him grunt in pain. 'He's forcing angelic energy into my body!' His left leg shot up with pain when he stomped on his foot, in anger he swung a wild hay-maker at Vergil.

Bringing his arm up Vergil stopped the attack leaving his hollow completely defenseless, he began his assault. He struck him eight times in the chest with palm strikes, ten in the gut with jabs, elbow blows, and knee blows that left Hollow Vergil breathless. His counter attack was a left side swing, Vergil caught the arm easily and snapped it, enjoying the sound of metal and bone breaking under the force of his attack. Pulling both his hands back Vergil focused his angelic power between his palms forming a transparent blue orb of energy.

Hollow Vergil held both his hands out firing bolt after bolt of dark energy but Vergil bobbed and weaved past them still carrying the glowing energy ball. Once he was within striking distance he threw both his hands forward practically forcing the energy ball into Hollow Vergil's stomach. An explosion of light blinded Vergil followed by a few shards of metal shooting outward from where his attack had hit.

"Enough of this!" Hollow Vergil roared lifting his zweihander to the sky summoning more demonic power around it. "This is where it all ends for you!"

Steeling himself Vergil channeled all the power he could into his hands deciding he wasn't going to evade the attack, he was going to stop it. He watched Hollow Vergil spring toward him with the zweihander raised up high.

"Sorry but I'm just getting started!" Laying both his fingers flat he caught the sword just as it came down, never letting it or its aura touch him save for his hands.

An inferno of blue and purple light and fire erupted from where the two were, completely blowing away all the sand and cracking the earth they stood on like it was glass. Vergil's arms bucked but they didn't give under the demonic power surging through the sword's edge, burning all the skin off his hands and traveling up his body. Seeing him so defiant against him Hollow Vergil blasted him with more power encompassing Vergil in his demonic aura and putting even more force behind his zweihander. Still, Vergil's position remained strong, not taking one step backward even as both his arms were practically ablaze with blue flames.

"What the hell is it?" Hollow Vergil asked bewildered as to how the white haired Nephilim was able to take so many blows, block his attacks barehanded, and still have the strength to keep fighting. "What's keeping you going? Do you think you can be a white angel?" He roared pressing the blade further against Vergil.

In his head Vergil thought about all the dirty deeds he'd committed in his life in the name of the greater good. Chuckling slightly he answered his hollow with an amused smirk. "No, but I don't want to be a black angel either!" New strength welled-up inside him, his eyes blazed the same cosmic blue they did when he summoned up Aether against Hollow Dante. The blade grew lighter in Vergil's, the demonic power radiating from it began to sting less and less until all he could feel was the cold steel of the zweihander's surface.

Kicking him away Vergil watched Hollow Vergil pick himself off the ground and charge him again with his right hand crackling with demonic lightning again. His mind shifted from the oncoming threat to Yamato, he knew it was near him, all he had to do was summon it.

"Be gone!" He swung his fist right at Vergil's face.

"That's my line asshole."

Like a boomerang Yamato jetted from the sandy bits it had been cast into and descended towards Vergil. Before the sword could come down Vergil caught his summoned his sheath then lined it up right with where his katana would fall.

CRUNCH!

Hollow Vergil's pain-filled echo rolled over the storming desert as his right forearm was impaled like a sandwich between Yamato and its hilt. The demonic armor covering him cracked revealing bleeding white skin underneath.

CRUNCH!

Vergil completely sheathed the sword through the hollow's arm now completely sandwiching his arm between the sword and sheath like a fish. He raised his left hand but Vergil was faster. With the speed of a jungle cat he kneed him in the gut at least five times then twirled around Hollow Vergil twisting his arm in the process. Giving a small grunt of effort Vergil flung him across the air, releasing him from Yamato and watching him skip like a pebble across the ground.

Cradling his bleeding arm Hollow Vergil teleported back in front of Vergil's heart, the once blue outlines on his armor now running various shades of red. When the Summoned Swords came at Vergil he deflected them back at their source. Frustrated Hollow Vergil continued firing valley after volley or ring of Summoned Swords at Vergil who effortlessly batted them off or jumped aside just as the swords closed in on him.

"Let's see you deflect this." He summoned four giant swords and sent them downward at Vergil.

Surprisingly the swords stopped when Vergil held his hand toward the sky.

DRIP!

Noticing for the first time Hollow Vergil and Dante saw the rainstorm had changed into snow, cold as expected but still gentle falling snow. The desert wasteland was rapidly becoming a winter wasteland adored with rising rock formations and swords that seemed to have sprung up from out of nowhere.

"Heads up you bastard." Vergil quietly whispered launching all four of the gigantic swords at Hollow Vergil. Mid-flight the swords shrink yet still mostly retained their form, slamming into Hollow Vergil like bullets. He rocketed away from the heart taking more Summoned Swords both large and small, further cracking his demonic armor.

Breaking off Hollow Vergil came at Vergil bringing his zweihander against Vergil's katana. With his free hand Vergil conjured up a spectral sword while dragging the zweihander to the side. Even though it shattered after one cut the Summoned Sword created another crack in the armor, the second sword created an even large one. Hollow Vergil fell back on the defensive against Vergil's dual assault; Yamato in one hand and a Summoned Sword in the other. Getting in close Vergil executed devastating Cross Cut on his abdomen area breaking away two-thirds of the demonic armor on Hollow Vergil's chest.

"Bingo!" Hollow Vergil knocked Yamato out of Vergil's hand.

Before he could strike Vergil rushed forward with a sword in each hand. The enhanced blades went through the thighs of both legs causing Hollow Vergil to howl in pain. Using the sword handles as leverage Vergil brought both his knees up against Hollow Vergil's then backflip kicked him.

Catching Yamato the younger son of Sparda summoned an aura of divine energy himself causing a feint angelic wing to appear on his left shoulder. The Rapid Slash that followed was twenty times stronger than normal, completely shattering the demonic armor Hollow Vergil wore. Ink-colored blood poured from the cuts all over Hollow Vergil's chalk white body making him appear somewhat similar to an equally injured Vergil.

Walking toward the phantom Vergil gave him a bemused expression similar to the one he had given him during their battle. "Don't tell me that's all you've got. You kept babbling about all the power I'd get but look at you here, it's pathetic."

Letting his anger fuel him Hollow Vergil got up again and charged Vergil still wielding the zweihander.

"Let's finish this." Vergil drew Yamato then slammed it into the ground creating a small eruption of red energy.

Hollow Vergil was shot ten feet into the air but still held on tightly to his sword. He nearly lost his grip when he felt Vergil's Yamato run across his chest coursing with demonic power, he was pushed further into the cold air. Vergil didn't let up on his attack; he performed two back-to-back Divorce attacks followed by a Killer Bee kick pushing him further towards the sky, he used both his legs to deliver a series of bone-crushing kicks and knee jabs that completely shattered all his ribs, with both his hands (including a sheathed and unsheathed Yamato) he rained down a furious set of attacks on Hollow Vergil's head and chest.

Watching his brother continually beat his hollow further into the sky Dante smiled proudly. "Holy shit, I didn't know he had that much power in him, even with his ticker ripped out." His grin grew wider upon seeing Vergil use a series of Summoned Swords in combination with his Rising Star attack. "Okay Vergil I think ya won now stop! You're gonna break my record for longest air combo!" He called barely able to make out the two fighters.

By now Vergil had blasted his hollow well into the snow clouds watching him still desperately hold onto his de-transformed sword. Flame-like wisps of energy clouded around Vergil just as his eyes changed into pure black slits with red outlines in tandem with his sword.

SWOOSH!

It was like a meteor making impact, that was the best way to describe the shock wave that blew back all the snow from where Hollow Vergil landed. His landing completely broke the arena they'd been fighting on leaving a small assembly of snow-covered rocks. Stumbling out of the rumble the phantom now sported a large gash across his stomach form which blood and wisps of darkness seemed to flow out then disappear.

"I'd look up if I were you." Dante offhandedly suggested gazing at a blue object descended rapidly on the hollow.

Still dazed he looked up to see a dark blue ball of energy heading straight for him. Behind the cascade of energy Hollow Vergil saw two dark orbs glaring down on him along with the ominous glow of an empowered katana.

Mere moments from the attack Hollow Vergil could only saw one thing after taking such a brutal beating. "Ah fuck."

SWOOSH!

The sword traveled a diagonal path from his left shoulder down to his right side hip. A mount of snow exploded behind him trailed by an outline of darkness mirroring the shape of his final wound. At last drained of all his strength Hollow Vergil dropped his phantom Yamato then fell backwards with barely enough energy to push himself upright.

Walking toward him ominously Vergil sheathed his katana and dismissed the frightening aura around him. Eying the hollow one last time he dropped to one knee and gripped the amulet.

"Like I said earlier, this belongs to me." He sneered at the defeated hollow.

"We're one in the same!" The phantom whizzed actually fearful of what came next.

"Exactly." Vergil's grip on the amulet tightened somehow causing the hollow pain. "When I look into your eyes I see all the things I hate about humanity; greed, envy, darkness, deceit, pride, and bloodlust." His eyes glowed ruby red until surprising they receded, almost melting back into their usual blue-gray color. "But…it's like you said; we're one in the same. So that means I'm all those things too, but that's fine. I'm not perfect." Determination filled his eyes and his hand began glowing a mix of white and blue as did the hollow's body. "You were right about one thing; there's always time for a second chance."

Closing his eyes Vergil slowly began recalling the hollow into himself, Hollow Vergil's body began transforming from wisps of black smoke into wisps of blue light that flowed gently into Vergil's chest.

"NO! NO! NOOO!" The hollow cried as it was reabsorbed back into the white-haired Nephilim.

Once the last of the hollow was reabsorbed Vergil felt a white-hot feeling rush through his body, into his soul and the next thing he knew his whole world went white.

'All this power…' He thought feeling literal waves of power wash over him. 'But not the kind that counts, no, that's what they're for.' Laughing lightly to himself Vergil channeled all the power inward, knowing what he was going to use it for.

Outside Dante, who had slide down to speak to his brother, had to cover his eyes from the immense explosion of azure light that covered everything for hundreds of miles. The moment the light began fading Dante waded toward his twin hoping he hadn't been overtaken by the surge he must have felt from reabsorbing his hollow.

Standing in the snow he could see Vergil; his clothing almost fully restored , all his wounds healed, and the giant beating heart now gone. He ran his hand over his hair pushing it back into his usual style before facing Dante. His skin had returned to its healthy color but what was most catching were his eyes; they had the same calmness they had when Dante first met his brother but now there was something more there; peace.

Still a little skeptical he took only one step forward. "So…do I have my baby brother back?"

Laughing softly he rolled his shoulders. "Don't push it."

Cracking a grin Dante did something most uncharacteristic of someone like him; he ran and greeted his brother with a bear hug.

"What were you expecting? Me to come out with some kind of mask or symbol on my head?" Vergil jokingly asked after being released.

"Hey, you never know." Dante chuckled.

Vergil's eyes took on a half-way sadden or half-way annoyed shine to them. "Listen okay when we get out of here…we'll try doing it your way."

Dante couldn't have grinned any wider.

AND FINISH! There's the Vergil vs. Hollow Vergil battle, it obliviously differs from the game fight but since this is a typed story I decided to expand it, I pre-planned it out and I'm rather pleased with how it all turned out.

A/N: I improvised Vergil's fighting style since to me he seems like the kind of warrior who wouldn't just be skilled at sword fighting but also hand-to-hand combat and martial arts.

Yes, Hollow Vergil did transform into Nelo Angelo, thought it might serve as symbolism when you consider how he came to be and what Vergil defeating him symbolizes.

Mask and Symbol: I'm sorry but they're two of my favorite anime, I couldn't resist.

Thanks to ninjaeris 13 for being the third person to favorite this story.

Addio-Italian for farewell.

Lastly please rate and review this chapter, I want to know how it stacks up against my Dante vs. Killing Face rematch.