CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Bonding

Vergil's gate brought Saya's group back to the real world where they now realized that it was already sunset. Off in the distance, they could see the bright lights of Tokyo start to illuminate the horizon. They stood staring in wonder at it for a few moments before anyone spoke.

"I think we better just camp out here for the night." said Link. "We can head to the city tomorrow."
"Why not just head there now?" asked Felicia. "It's not that far away."

"No, but I think we're all tuckered out after that little 'encounter'…seriously, though. What was wrong with that chick?"

Vergil grunted in agreement.

"Alright. Shall we start a fire?"

"We can't wander too far from each other." Krystal warned. "Once Jedah finds out that Lilith didn't kill us, he's sure to have some sort of fallback plan."

"Very well. I'll keep watch."

He turned with his arms crossed and stood motionless as everyone else looked about for some spare wood. Lucas and Saya in particular still looked at the second Son of Sparda with confused looks on their faces and were quick to discuss their confusion with one another.

"Ain't he a cheerful guy..." Saya muttered.

"I don't think he knows what the word 'cheerful' means." Lucas smirked. "But give him some credit. He was nice enough to save you from Lilith."

"Yes, but…don't you find that weird? He's so stoic and non-caring. Why would he go out of his way to protect me like that?"

"Dunno. Maybe he's not as stoic and non-caring as we all think."

"Hopefully."

"I know this is really off-topic, but you actually look really cute with long hair."

Saya blushed and smiled sheepishly. She herself hadn't really noticed that ultrabursting had caused her hair to lengthen considerably. It now hung behind her back, and though Lucas hadn't clued her in before, her eyes had changed to a deep shade of violet from its previous earthy brown.

"I never really noticed."

"Well, it does."
"Thanks. I know it may sound weird, but a couple battle scars make you look pretty cute, too. Speaking of which, is your wrist okay?"

Lucas looked down at his scarred wrist and grimaced. He was still struggling to understand how Lilith could be so barbaric. It couldn't just be because she was a succubus. So was Morrigan and she was…cuddly. There wasn't really any other word to describe her. Lilith was nothing like her other than a somewhat similar appearance. She was cute, but that only made her even more disturbing…and she absolutely relished in causing him pain.

"It's fine. Still hurts a little bit, but I'll be alright."

"I just don't understand how she can be that evil."

"I don't think she's evil. Just really, really….really really naïve and possibly crazy."

"POSSIBLY crazy? She pinned me to the ground and tried to 'do things' me, for God's sake!"

Lucas shuddered. There wasn't any need to remind him.

The group quickly found a decent supply of wood and rocks that they then gathered into a soft spot of dirt, and with a single cast of PK Fire, Lucas lit the wood ablaze.

"Perfect!" Felicia chirped. "Nice and cozy!"

"Now that we're all softened up," said Krystal as she pulled up a nearby log and sat down. "Why don't we all get to know each other a little better?"

Everyone sat around by the fire, save for Vergil who remained standing where he was though still turned to face them. They all eagerly sat waiting to see who would spill their life story out first or who would ask someone to do so, and Felicia was the first to speak, asking Link where he had come from and what he was doing as a young sailor. From then on, it was a series of stories that brought laughs and compassion.

Link came from a small island called Outset and had left it after his sister had been kidnapped by a great bird named the Helmaroc King which turned out to be commanded by Ganondorf himself. He had defeated Ganondorf in a rather brutal way and was sure to make clear that he hadn't expected him to be alive. Felicia was a star from the United States who did a wide variety of things from musicals to concerts with a group of catwomen, all of them young, pretty, and full of energy. Krystal was born on the planet Cerinia just outside of the Lylat System as a tribeswoman (leaving Link and Lucas to think rather perverted thoughts as they imagined what that would look like), the planet having regretfully been destroyed by a being named Andross.

What set Felicia into a heavy bout with her imagination was when Krystal mentioned her fiancée and how he had saved her life several times over now. As Krystal kept speaking, she thought of Marth. Her elegant emblem prince, willing to cut down Moblin after Moblin to keep her safe. She thought of his handsome face, his gleaming sword, his soft voice…before eventually landing on what Dante had said, her thought jumping to her dear Jon Talbain.

"Oh, man. Never thought I'd be lusting after two guys like this."

Felicia wasn't the only one with a great deal of concern in her mind. Saya kept looking over her shoulder to see if Vergil had changed places or expressions. He hadn't. Not even once. She sighed. What would it take to get through to this guy? She could have just said something to him, but at the same time, she was too nervous thanks to his stone-cold expressionless face.

"So what about you, Saya?" asked Link.

"Oh…um…don't you guys already know my whole life story?

"I mean like where were you born? What were your mom and dad like?"

Everyone imagined this would be a rather touchy subject for her, but she surprised everyone with a clearing of her throat.

"Where to begin…well, I was born in a small village pretty close to what would eventually become Tokyo. My father was a general who pledged his allegiance to Ieyasu Tokugawa. My mother…just call her a mermaid, I guess. She was an ama diver."

"What's that?" asked Felicia.

"A woman who dives to the bottom of the ocean looking for sea creatures to use for food. Keep in mind, there was no such thing as scuba diving back, then, so she had to hold her breath for nearly an hour on end/ Don't ask me how she did it, because I frankly have no idea, but it was wonderful to watch. Breathtaking, even."

Everyone was interested, even Vergil though he didn't show it. Saya was remarking on how beautiful her mother had been, and as Vergil thought more and more about that, he thought of his own mother and how beautiful she had been. Human and frail, yes, but beautiful all the same.

"I have a memory of a time she offered to take me out diving with her." Saya continued. "I was really scared at first, but once I got in the water, everything was great. She was right beside me the whole time and I felt safer than I ever have in my life…and then we saw this gigantic white creature under the water swimming toward us. It moved almost like…almost like it was flying. It had legs and a tail and when it opened its mouth and called out to us, it sounded like it was singing."

"Lugia!" exclaimed Lucas.

"Hm?"

"I've heard of that creature! It's a Legendary Pokémon named Lugia! It's a guardian of the ocean just like the Ancient Mother we saw earlier!"

Krystal smiled brightly.

"In that case, I suppose you have some special up in the sky looking after you."

Lucas looked away as that saying brought his thoughts to Amaterasu as he realized exactly what she had done. She had deliberately split herself off from Saya to avoid revealing herself. Why? What did she have to hide? Every time he thought of the sun goddess and her absurd way of getting things done, he grew confused and angry. He didn't know how things worked on the "Celestial Plain" or wherever it was she was from, but the sooner she woke up and realized this world wasn't that one and crap like that didn't work, the better.

"So how about your dad?" asked Link.

"He was very protective of me, especially after I was brought back to life."

"Speaking of which…you don't remember how you came back to life, do you?"

"No. My mother and father just said that they had Amaterasu to thank."

Lucas cracked a knuckle, managing not to catch everyone's attention as Pikachu finally stretched and let out a yawn.

"Pika-pi…" he mumbled lazily.

"Aw." teased Felicia. "You about ready to hit the hay, little guy?"

"In fact," said Krystal. "We should all get to sleep. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

They each found a comfortable spot for them to rest their heads on the ground, making sure they stayed as close as possible to the fire. Vergil turned away and back toward the city in the distance to resume his watch, and Saya stared up at the stars. It felt good to talk about her parents after staying quiet about them for so long, and as a result, she had gained a much stronger sense of companionship with her allies. It was what she needed in these times when everything seemed to be going wrong all at once. She needed friends. She needed people to help her put a stop to all this. To finally give her life peace.

"And we're more than willing to do so."

Saya turned to see Krystal sitting next to her with a bright smile.

"Do you, um…do that very often?"
"Read people's thoughts? Sometimes, yes. Does it bother you?"
"Having someone be able to look into my thoughts and know what I'm thinking whenever she wants? …yeah. It does."
"Sorry. I can't help myself sometimes. I guess I just like to know what people are thinking so we're all on the same page."

At that moment, Krystal's eyes focused over Saya's shoulder and she sighed with a grimace.

"Seems like our new friend is a bit of an insomniac."

Saya looked in the direction Krystal was staring and spotted Vergil, leaning up against a nearby tree while everyone else was sleeping. He had his arms crossed, and though neither Saya nor Krystal could see his face, they could tell that he had to still be wearing that expression like he hadn't a care in the world.

"What's your take on him?" Saya asked.
"Well, he may seem like heartless…yet admittedly has a great sense of style, but who knows? Maybe there's a real mama's boy underneath."

"I wouldn't count on it…but I guess it's worth asking."

"Best of luck, dear. I'm getting some sleep. You get to sleep soon, too, alright?"

Saya nodded and got up, leaving Krystal to get nestled into her sleeping spot while the young human girl approached the half-demon ice king. Her gut feeling told her that this was a terrible idea seeing as how he had dispatched Lilith with barely any effort or care and how he had come dangerously close to turning her away, but then again, if he really was an emotionless brute, he wouldn't have bothered to rescue or accompany her.

"It's worth the effort, I guess."

She stood directly behind him, scuffling her feet so that he knew she was there.

"Aren't you going to go to sleep?" she asked.

Vergil was silent for a moment, and even when he spoke, he didn't turn to face her.
"Someone has to keep watch…and sleep is overrated in my eyes."

"Maybe, but it might take a little stress off of you."

"I have nothing to be stressed about."

"Bullshit. I can hear everything going on inside your head and so can Krystal."

"There is this thing called humility. Perhaps you should try it."

Saya gritted her teeth. She had expected Vergil to be harsh with everyone in the group from the way Dante had described him, but not this harsh.

"Can I at least ask you a question?"

"…I suppose. Really, it just depends on what it is."

"Why are you helping us?"

"Because I owe Morrigan. Not you."
"That thing called hypocrisy. You're doing it right."

At long last, Vergil's expression changed. He smirked, the closest thing to a smile Saya had seen out of him so far. In her eyes, this was actually progress. At least now she knew that he was capable of smiling.

"You really want to know, eh?"

"Yeah. That's why I asked."

"In all honesty, I can see a lot of myself in you. Call it vanity, but I think you're worth protecting because of that…that, and I sort of want to tear this Dohma fellow apart. If anyone is going to take down my brother, it'll be me."

"That's another thing, though. Why do you hate Dante?"
"Hate him? Whatever gave you that idea?"

"You just said you wanted to kill him!"

"False. I said that if anyone would kill him, it would be me."

"Is there a difference?"

"Yes. In terms of competitiveness, Dante is my only equal."

"Oh…so it's like a friendly rivalry, then?

"I wouldn't exactly call it friendly, but rivalry sounds right."

He was silent for a moment, pondering whether or not she would call him on what he said next but saying it anyway.

"In case you were wondering…yes. I would be very upset if my brother died whether it was by my hand or not."
"I wasn't wondering that, but it's still nice to hear you say it. At least you're somewhat human."

"I don't find that very flattering."
"Wha…"

He finally turned to her rather than just look over his shoulder. The smirk was gone from his face and he stared at her like he was prepared to take his sword and ram it through her chest if she said even one thing wrong. She was frightened by him yet again, and what he said didn't help matters much.

"What does you think it means to be human, Saya? This isn't a rhetorical question. Just answer it as honestly as you can."

It was a question she didn't have the answer to, and after she was silent for several moments, Vergil grunted and spoke for her.

"Then let me tell you what I believe it means. Humanity is fragility. The more human you are, the weaker you are. And why is that? Because humans lack one important thing: power. They do not have the power to stand up for what they believe in. They become frightened. They cower. They run away. They rely on others to do their duties for them…others with power."

"And you're not just saying that because your human mother was killed and you couldn't do anything to stop it?"

Vergil stared at her in semi-amazement, but managed to shake it off by looking away again.

"That isn't any of your concern."
"You're blaming yourself for your mother's death." Saya continued. "I understand that. I'm still blaming myself for my own parents' deaths, but I'm starting to realize that I can't let that keep me from letting people in."

"Are you trying to make a point?"

Saya rolled her eyes. Now he was just being silly.

"I get it. You just don't want to be hurt like that again, but is that really worth shutting everyone out? Even your own brother? I can't be certain, but I think he's worried about you deep down."

"He is…worried enough to bring me to Morrigan in a coma, I suppose."

"Hm?"
"The reason why I was in Morrigan's castle to begin with. I was captured by a demon named Mundus. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"I know enough. Go on."

"He transformed me into a beast he called Nelo Angelo…sealing my mind and memories so that there would be emotional or mental hindrance. Simply put, he made me one of his wretched pawns and sent me after Dante. I was defeated, of course, since sealing my mind and memories robbed me of the ability to make use of my full power, and in an attempt to heal me, Dante brought me to Morrigan and…well, I suppose it worked. That alone shows that he does at least care whether I live or die…so what you're saying is that I should return the favour?"

Saya shook her head.
"Just do what you did now: acknowledge that there are people who care about you."
"But aren't you guilty of the same fault? Shutting everyone out when all they want to do is help you? You've never done that once?"

Of course she had. She'd been doing it for as long as she could remember and she knew first hand that it hadn't paid off. It brought something to her mind: every single one of her allies had suffered in one way or another. Link lost his parents and very nearly his sister, Lucas lost his mother and brother and very nearly his life, Felicia had no memory of her real parents, and Krystal had to be the worst of all losing her own planet and everyone on it. She knew what that was like and telling him not to feel bad about it was somewhat hypocritical, but how else was she going to get through to him?

"More than you know."
"Hm?"
"Just think about what I said, okay?"

"Fine. In the meantime, I think you should get some rest."

Saya sighed, but nonetheless did as he said. She had nothing left to say to him but could take comfort in the fact that at least something had gotten through to him. She found a comfortable spot near the fire and lay down on the ground, staring up at the stars. She kept her eyes fixed on the shimmering and crater-lined surface of the moon, somehow seeming much closer than on any previous night of her life.

No. She took that back. She remembered another night like this. It was the night that she and her mother encountered Lugia if that was what that creature was. There had to be someone or something watching over her from somewhere if that creature had been there to visit her and her mother. There had to be some sort of god or divine being watching over her if she was still alive and with her newfound friends.

Where had the curse of Yami come from? Why was she immortal? These questions weren't erased from her mind, but they were at the very least muted. She needed peace for just one night, and she found it in one of two things. After leaning her head up, she saw Vergil start lazily fiddling with her sword and start to yawn. Eventually, he muttered "Ah, what the hell?", tossed his weapon on the ground and found a good spot before lying down and drifting off to sleep.

Saya smiled at him finally accepting the human need for rest before turning her head and noticing the rest of her allies. Felicia was curled up with Pikachu tucked into her arms, Link was lazily strewn about and lightly snoring, and Krystal slept peacefully on her side. Lucas, however, was still awake with a half-smile on his face.

The second Saya saw Lucas' smile, she gave her own smile and pulled herself over to him. It was regretful that he hadn't spilled out anything about himself in that small amount of time, but it was good enough to just have him be there to hear things about her.

They pulled together and Saya rested her head on Lucas' chest. She listened to every single heartbeat and let them lull her into a deep sleep. Lucas flushed bright red at Saya's grand display of affection, but became overwhelmed with happiness. Still, he made sure she was fully asleep before he tilted his head upward and lightly pressed his lips to her forehead before he too drifted into unconsciousness.

Neither one was aware that their vixen companion was smiling brightly at them from just a few feet away.

"Such a sweet little girl. She reminds me too much of myself…"

She meant that more than she thought as first, her thoughts immediately jumping to the terrible display of power she had seen from her. Not too long ago, she'd felt that same surge of insanity when she went by another name that she had dreaded ever since.

But no. She wouldn't dwell on it anymore. Fox had saved her from that life…but there presented another problem. She missed him. Ever since he had proposed to her, there hadn't been a single moment where the two were far apart for too long. Even when Fox went out partying with Falco or Bill or whoever, she was always right by his side, partially so she could take him home if he had too much to drink (though most of the time it was the other way around).

She sighed and laid her head down, staring up at the night sky. Even on Earth, the stars seemed so enchanting. They would be able to see much more if they weren't so close to a city, but she didn't feel like moving for anything. All she felt like doing now was lying there and admiring the sky, smiling at the sight of a shooting star.

"Wait a second…that's not a shooting star."

She got to her feet as the "star" seemed to come closer until she could make out that it certainly was not a star, but a ship. A space fighter gently descending to the ground, and just as she confirmed this, another one appeared with a slightly more streamlined design. Its quiet droning hadn't awakened the rest of the group, and Krystal had no need to do so or draw her staff as an excited and surprised smile stretched across her face.

The first vessel landed softly on the ground and its cockpit opened, an ecstatic fox jumping out and to the ground with a bright beaming smile on his face once he set his eyes on Krystal.

"Sorry I'm late, sweetheart."

Krystal said nothing and rushed into Fox's open arms, snuggling herself into his chest and cherishing every second of finally being with him again. The joy of the situation only increased when the second vessel landed and Falco Lombardi smiled at the couple. He normally would have told them to get a room or he'd wolf-whistle at them, but he'd give them their moment.

In that moment, Krystal knew that everything was going to work out. Saya had nothing to fear if Fox McCloud had anything to say about it.

SOUNDTRACK SO FAR

Saya, Ness, and Lucas- "Pollyanna" from Earthbound (SSBM)

Marth to the rescue- "Together We Ride" from Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (SSBM)

X and Zero versus Kirby and Meta Knight- "Meta Knight's Revenge" from Kirby Super Star (SSBB)

Link versus Morrigan- Morrigan's theme from Marvel versus Capcom 3

Link versus Dante- "Never Surrender" from DmC: Devil May Cry

Krystal and Trish versus the Moblin horde- "Lock and Load" from Devil May Cry 1

Krystal versus Mewtwo- "Poké Floats" from Super Smash Bros. Melee

Saya versus Ghirahim- Ghirahim's battle theme from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Frank versus Ghirahim- "On a Mission" from Dead Rising

Courthouse caving in- "No Redemption" from DmC: Devil May Cry

Samus escapes- Metroid Prime main theme

Chun-Li versus Samus- Chun-Li's theme from Street Fighter IV

Standoff on Mount Fuji- "Douchuumen" from The Mysterious Murasame Castle (go on Youtube and look for a version by a group called ysk1210)

Saya and Lucas- "Love" from Mother 3

"LET'S ROCK!"- "Devils Never Cry" from Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

The Devil Trigger- "How Old is Your Soul?" from DmC: Devil May Cry

Ryu and Ken versus Juri- Ryu's theme from Street Fighter IV

Jedah's assault on the airship- Airship theme from Super Mario Bros. 3 (SSBB)

S.I.N. versus B.S.A.A.- "Ride on Sea" from Resident Evil: Revelations (or Biohazard: Revelations if you live in Japan)

Ike to the rescue- "Eternal Bond" from Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn

Saya's sorrow- "Kinder Days" from Sin and Punishment: Star Successor (known as Successor of the Skies in Europe and Australia)

An army of twenty-one- Main menu theme from Super Smash Bros. Melee

Dante versus Dante- "Empty" from DmC: Devil May Cry

Saya's rage- Tabuu's theme from Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Tetra's pirates- "The Great Sea" from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Lagiacrus- "Sea and Land Tremble" from Monster Hunter 3

The Ancient Mother- "Shenandoah" from Endless Ocean

Vergil versus Lilith- "Super Ultra Violet" from Devil May Cry 1

Moblin attack on Tokyo- "Taiyo High School Rooftop" from Rival Schools: United by Fate

Mac and Batsu to the rescue- "Minor Circuit" from Punch-Out! Wii

Star Fox reunited- Star Fox: Command's ending theme