A/N: I'd like to start off by apologizing for a few things. First, for the insanely long time it has been since the last update. Unfortunately, personal issues and obstacles exist, and will continue to exist, so I hope you will bear with me dealing with them.
Second, I apologize for the first chapter. Looking back, it's just not a good chapter in general, being rushed while I was writing the last chapter of A Revelation because I really wanted to get it out. The very short length, Vita's name having a weird pronunciation that only exists for that one chapter, and the rather hostile author's note at the beginning. I regret turning off any potential readers with my tone when all I wanted was to make myself clear and vent my frustrations with being mindlessly downvoted in past conversations because I dared to disagree with those ships, even when I was being polite. I never appreciated being talked down to and being in this camp, compared to people who ship Dante with his mom or even Patty. Meanwhile the entire fanbase spammed actual hentai in a lame bait and switch meme in the form of Vergil status. It's okay to like that stuff but keep it to whatever sites are appropriate for that, like this, and don't shame others because you still can't get the message that Trish shared with V.
Aaaanyway, since the story has started to hit its stride I'm going to treat this less as a soapbox and more of what it's supposed to be. Also, I'm aware I said Vergil has "long since accepted Trish as her own person" in Chapter 1, and while that definitely applies to him not seeing her as a mother, I think I oversimplified that idea because, well, you'll see once you read on. I kind of regret writing that since I think I tried hitting too many things at once. I'll try and keep author's notes shorter and simpler from now on, although the last few chapters are probably going to be big exceptions. Until then, enjoy this new one.
Dante was smiling. It wasn't his usual shit-eating grin, but rather a genuine, fatherly one. Because that's what he was now. A father. He was smiling watching his family, the one he built, play in front of the office desk. He sat in its chair, content with himself. The phone was disconnected; no calls would be coming in today.
The laughs of his children gave him an immense joy he'd never expected to feel. Two heads of white hair ran around the room, guarded by toy swords. His son and daughter were play fighting with each other. He couldn't help but grin at the fact that they were twins.
Footsteps came up from behind him. "And how's my husband doing?"
Dante looked up at his wife. Trish was wearing something different: a casual dress with simple black high heels. Something about this outfit seemed off, but fitting.
"Better now that you're here."
"Miss me already? I was only in the kitchen for ten minutes."
"Every second without you is a second too long."
"Aw, you're sweet."
They turned back to their children, who were locked in a brawl. Neither of them seemed to be causing harm to the other, thankfully. Dante and Trish had raised them well.
"It's pretty funny, you know," Dante said. "Us having twins."
"I know," Trish laughed. "The Legendary Dark Knight falls in love with and marries a beautiful blonde woman, who then bears him twin children with white hair. Where have I heard this before?"
"It must be fate," he sighed, taking her hand. "We were meant to be."
The kids broke apart from each other and ran over to them. "Mommy! Daddy! We're hungry!"
Dante hugged his daughter while Trish picked up her son.
"Running on empty, huh?" Dante asked. "Let's go get you some food." The girl beamed at him. He picked her up and followed Trish into the kitchen. Inside was a large table set with a banquet of meats, cheeses, salads, soups, fruits, and sweets. It was too large to fit inside the kitchen, and in fact, the kitchen somehow seemed larger than it was supposed to be, but the happy family sat down around it anyway and dug in.
"You always make the best food, Trish," Dante said after chewing on a chicken wing. "It's like we always have a buffet."
"We need to ensure our children's health, after all."
Their son chewed on a large cucumber while their daughter was stuffing apple pie into her face.
"You know, I can think of a better pie than what you're eating right now," Dante said to her.
"Yeah right!" She responded. "What kind of pie?"
"Pizza pie!"
"Pizza? Ew, gross!"
"Y-you don't like pizza?" Dante faltered.
"Who does?" She asked. "Mommy doesn't let us eat it because it's yucky!"
"Yucky?" He looked up at Trish. "Is this true?"
"Well, you said so yourself," Trish shrugged. "What's the point in eating it?"
"What..." Dante shook his head. "Who...are you people..."
"It's just pizza, honey, get a hold of yourself."
"Just...pizza?"
Suddenly, his entire world started to shake silently. Everything was a blur, he couldn't see anything anymore. Trish and their son were gone, their daughter and her apple pie disappeared, and the too big kitchen started to become a disturbed block of color.
It was then that he finally woke up, blinking in confusion. His heart was beating a little quickly, desperately trying to make sense of where he was and what happened. He sat up in bed dazed.
He looked over to see a still sleeping Trish on his left. The tuxedo and dress lying on the ground caught his eye, and the memories of the previous night, and after that the whole day, rushed back into his head.
He smiled again. But this time, it wasn't from a fatherly attitude. It was that of a newlywed's. She was his wife now. He and Trish got married last night. And today marked the one week anniversary of them meeting each other. Even he was amazed with himself.
He didn't think he'd be able to outdo himself so soon after beating Mundus, and the next thing he knew he was married to the woman he loved and had known for less than seven days. The rush caught up with him despite himself. Was this the way? Was it okay for him to marry her this soon? He hadn't had much luck with women in the past, so what made him think rushing marriage like this would work? Looking back at her, his heartrate calmed down.
Married one day, having a family the next? I'm getting ahead of myself, Dante smirked. Still, it was a nice dream. It was super cheesy and cliché, even by his standards, and he couldn't help but feel relieved that it wasn't real. Too much mushiness would kill him, and Trish would never let him live it down. Plus, the inconsistent size of the kitchen was throwing him off.
Me and Trish as parents, huh? He reclined back into the bed. Wouldn't that be something? I hope we'd be able to keep up with our kids.
Trish stirred awake. "Good morning."
"Morning, beautiful," he said. "How is my wife doing today?"
"Perfect," she yawned.
"Even with morning breath you're the most gorgeous thing I've seen."
Trish looked at him. "I want a divorce."
"Why?"
"That line was terrible."
"Aw come on, you like my jokes," he smiled.
"Not really," Trish said, rubbing her eyes. "I guess I should have realized how bad they were before I married you. How long have we known each other, a week?"
"You know, considering how we fell in love after a day, I think this is fine."
"Hmm. You're right," Trish grabbed his face and slammed it against hers for a loving kiss. The couple warmly made out and started tossing in the sheets.
Dante's length instantly started to grow again. He reached down and slotted himself back into Trish, making them both moan. Her vagina tightened around him again, an always welcome feeling. He started to pound her, sliding his tongue into her mouth and relishing in the feel of her saliva and vaginal juices coating him.
Something felt oddly different. This wasn't much different from their usual daily routine, but the knowledge that they were now officially bound by marriage made them feel complete, even more so. Just the previous day, they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Now, with the events of the previous evening playing in their minds, they felt like a true man and woman. Now, nothing could draw them closer.
Or so they thought.
Dante suddenly pulled out, leaving a panting and confused Trish.
"Dante...what are you doing? Put in back in," she panted.
"Don't worry, baby, I will. Just let me try something."
He grabbed her legs and lifted them off the bed. Raising them high enough so that her butt went with them, Dante squatted down and sat on her butt cheeks. Her head, which was still lying on the pillow, gave him a curious look until he reached down again and inserted himself into her. Trish closed her eyes and moaned. She hadn't felt this level of penetration before.
"Oh...this is wonderful," she breathed.
Smirking, Dante got to squatting up and down, enjoying the feel of her butt cheeks touching his every time he thrusted inside her. They kept at it for a little while until the pressure in their groins grew to be too much.
"Trish! I'm gonna-"
"Do it!"
Dante threw his head back and groaned as he once again filled his wife's vagina with cum. He could feel Trish vibrate around him, and her own orgasm moistened his penis. They panted as Dante pulled out of her and collapsed on top of her.
Obligatory morning sex complete, Dante thought happily.
...
Almost two decades later, that same couple, far more experienced and even more in love, woke up in a similar situation. Trish smiled sweetly at her husband.
"Good morning, handsome."
Dante yawned and rubbed his eyes. Looking at her groggily, he let consciousness return to his body as he said "I really am here, aren't I?"
"You're still not convinced?"
"I had dreams of waking up next to you every night down there, babe. If this is another one, I don't want to wake up."
She smiled again and leaned in. They joined lips for a few minutes. Trish sighed at the feeling of his naked body against hers.
"How long has it been since we did this?" She asked, referring to last night's sex.
"I don't want to think about it," Dante muttered. "Those five months in the demon world felt twice as long."
"Seriously. Don't ever do that again."
"Nah. Not on my life."
Trish lay her head down on Dante's chest. "You know, I've been thinking of the past a lot too."
"Yeah, about what?"
"Our marriage. Being separated for so long made me think of all the things we did, and I couldn't help but get nostalgic. Like how we went on our honeymoon, for example."
Dante smiled. "That was the best."
"But we definitely had to wait a little bit before we could go on it."
"Right."
"It felt like a lifetime for me. I guess, from what little I knew of human traditions I thought we were supposed to go on it right after we got married, but we had some other stuff come up. It just felt more of the same until then."
"I know what you mean. The wedding was impromptu, there wasn't anything else we could do but take that job."
Trish smiled. "I loved that job."
Dante kissed her again.
"What was that for?" Trish asked.
"I told you, didn't I? We'll be doing more of that from now on."
"Oh, I must've forgotten," she smirked. "Maybe you should remind me again."
They started to make out again until the sounds of chatter and bowls thudding caught their attention. Dante's stomach rumbled.
"Last night took a lot out of me," he said sheepishly.
"Me too," Trish said, getting out of bed. "Let's go take our shower."
Downstairs, Vita was pouring herself some cereal at the bar in the back corner, her preferred place to eat. The guest room door opened and Vergil stepped out, looking less rigid than usual.
"Good morning!" Vita beamed at him. Vergil nodded at her.
Standing behind the counter, she took on the role of bartender. "What will it be today?"
Vergil smirked a little. "Not that," he referred to her breakfast.
"Okay..." Vita thought a little. "How about last night's leftovers? I could reheat some for you."
"I'll take it."
"Great! Wait right here," she headed into the kitchen. Vergil watched her go, touched at her warmth. It was almost hard to believe she had such reckless behavior behind it. He wondered how she had grown into it, and if Dante was simply careless in raising her like that or if she was rebellious. He wanted to know how she grew up.
I will have to ask Dante to finish his story, he thought. His mind drifted to Nero, and he stopped himself short.
Hearing the upstairs door open, he saw Dante and Trish step out smiling at each other. An unforeseen wave of jealousy pulsed through Vergil. Was his quest for power meaningless? He'd thrown away his entire life in his mission, and now he had nothing. He was left in his brother's care without a stable home of his own, a loving wife, and a relationship with his own son. Even he had to admit he wasn't the best at dealing with his problems. Anything that inconvenienced him was met with a cold shoulder at best and a cut through the neck at worst. If he hadn't kept running, he wouldn't have been isolated from his family when his home was attacked. He wouldn't have been stuck in the underworld and become a slave. He could've had...everything.
"Up and early as ever, huh?" Dante said. "Do you ever sleep in?"
"No."
"You should try it some time," Dante went into the kitchen. "Morning, kid," he greeted his daughter.
Trish poured herself a glass of water and offered another to Vergil, who awkwardly accepted.
"So, Vergil," Trish broke the silence.
Vergil looked up, if not hesitantly, into her eyes. "Yes?"
"I see you've been getting along with Vita. Is she alright? I hope she's not bothering you."
"No. Of course not," he said. "She has been...she is wonderful."
"That's good to hear. She would always ask about you growing up."
"Did she?"
"Yup! All the time," Trish answered. "She was curious about our lineage. Breaking the news to her that we were demons wasn't as hard a sell as we were expecting. She was crazy about it."
"I could tell. She was rather zealous in sharing her abilities."
Trish chuckled. "For better or worse, everybody who meets her thinks that. Dante and I had to teach her to keep it a secret, but she wanted the world to know how awesome she was. I guess she got her rebellious side from both of us, which we should've seen coming."
Vergil smirked a little.
"Seeing her and Dante together has made me realize how much Dante has become like Father. It was always my dream to surpass Father, but I know now what I was missing."
Trish looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sure once Nero realizes you're home, you'll have a second chance."
At that, Vergil looked away.
"Vergil," Trish said. "I know how uncomfortable it is. Meeting your child for the first time, no matter the age, is terrifying. There isn't a doubt in my mind that Nero was just as scared to meet you after learning the truth. But what he did, what he told me after you left, proved to me that he cares about our family. He might be a tough kid, but he's yours."
"Excuse me," he abruptly got up and left for his room.
Dante and Vita arrived with breakfast.
"Huh? Where'd he go?" Vita asked.
Dante munched on the last of the pizza. "Trish, you didn't scare him off or anything, did you?"
"I...think I did."
"Really, Mom?" Vita huffed. "Where would he have gone?"
"He's in his room, relax honey," Trish snapped. Turning to Dante, she said "I'm sorry. I was just trying to get him to open up, but he still seems uncomfortable about it."
"Open up about what?" He asked.
"Nero."
Dante sighed. "Let me talk some sense into him."
"Dad, don't be mean to him," Vita called after him.
Entering the room, Dante closed the door only to catch his brother with his sword in his hands, seemingly ready to unsheathe it.
"Relax, it's me," Dante held up his hands.
"Take your own advice, I was not preparing to strike."
"Were you seriously about to run away?"
"Not run. Just catch a moment to breathe."
"You had plenty of time to do that yesterday," Dante said. "Why don't you tell me what's bothering you? You seemed fine up until now."
Vergil set Yamato down and sat on his bed. Dante crossed his arms and asked, "Is it Trish? Does she still weird you out?"
Hesitantly, Vergil nodded. "Partially. Do you remember what I told you? Back when I was...different, I was actually relieved to see her. I expected her to act like..."
"Uh huh. Common mistake."
"I know that is unfair to her. However, you must understand I don't have the benefit of time in knowing her. The clash in her appearance and her personality is difficult to comprehend."
"She was only looking out for you. You don't have to be such a tough guy, you know. This is our family, you're home. I don't want to have to get into this argument again."
Vergil nodded. "Do not misunderstand me. I am...grateful for all you have done."
"Then be nice and show it. Not for my sake, but for theirs," Dante sternly said. Vergil would have usually been indifferent to hearing such a tone, but he knew his younger brother was right. He nodded.
"Alright. What's your other problem?" Dante asked. "Was it her bringing up Nero?"
"Yes."
"Why does that bother you?"
"She spoke of us meeting again. I know that is inevitable, and I know you want that too, but I don't know if I'm ready."
"You said that before you met Vita. You said that before coming home. Look where you are now."
Dante was met with silence.
"Vergil," Dante uncrossed his arms. "How long are you going to run away from your problems?"
That made him freeze.
"Do you really not want a second chance that badly? You have everything you need to start over. I'm here for you, why is it so hard to move on?" Dante walked over and sat next to him. "If you're worried that I called him already, I didn't. I was in that hellhole too, remember? I want to give it some time. You're not the only one he has a bone to pick with."
That's right, Vergil thought. That couldn't have been an easy secret to keep.
"But the time is coming, and soon. Don't you think you owe him that, after taking his arm and pissing off to the Underworld right after?"
Vergil remembered his parting words to his son. Even then, he'd only had combat in mind. But he had still given him a glimmer of hope that it wasn't the last time they would see each other. Nero deserved that much.
"Alright," Vergil said. "I will do my best. I can't have you beat me, even here."
"That's the spirit you big dork," Dante clapped him on the back. "Now let's get you some grub." He got up.
"Promise me," Vergil said suddenly, grabbing his shoulder. "Tell me when you plan to contact him. I want to be prepared."
"Yeah," Dante said surprised. "I'll give it a few more days."
Vergil wanted to bargain for more, but was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Dad? Is Uncle Vergil still hungry? His food is getting cold."
Vergil could only bite his tongue. He nodded.
"Yeah, honey," Dante called out. "We were just coming out."
"Are you alright?" Vita asked as they stepped out of the room. Dante looked to Vergil, who once again nodded.
Trish stepped over cautiously. "Vergil? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so direct."
Vergil held up his hand. "You have no need to apologize. I should have been prepared. Forgive my behavior. I shall embrace your hospitality."
Trish smiled.
Dante slapped his brother's back again. "Go get your grub already."
...
"Mmm..." Trish moaned.
"Yeah, you like that, huh?" Dante said with a smug grin on his face.
"Mmm. Mhm." Her mouth was full with delicious thick cream.
"Swallow, baby. I want you to show me your clean empty mouth."
Trish closed her eyes and gulped. She opened her eyes and gave him what he wanted.
"I told you it was gonna be good, didn't I?"
"Mmhmm."
"Yeah. I knew you'd like strawberry sundaes."
"It's not bad," she said, dipping her spoon into her own mint chocolate chip sundae. "But mine is better."
Dante sighed. They were sitting outside at an ice cream shop. It was later that day, the one after they got married.
"I think you'd like it better if we were doing this on a ship or a foreign country," he said.
"Oh, don't get me wrong Dante," Trish said hurriedly. "I love it!"
"Nah, don't worry your pretty little head over it," he smirked. "I just wish we could've gone on our honeymoon."
"Yeah..." Trish put her spoon down. "To be honest, I thought the surprises weren't going to end after last night. What with how many there have been since I was...made."
"That's true," Dante said. He sometimes forgot that she was only about as old as he knew her. Her whole life had been nothing but excitement.
"How long do couples wait before going on a honeymoon anyway?" Trish asked.
Dante shrugged. "It depends. There's no written rule for it. I mean, I think we might have the most unusual relationship to begin with, so we can do whatever we want."
"I don't want to wait though," Trish pouted.
"Me neither," Dante sighed. "I sure could use a vacation. But look on the bright side, you can get used to the job until then, since we'll be doing it for the rest of our lives."
Trish shrugged and ate another spoonful of her sundae. Dante leaned back in his chair and looked up at the sky.
How do normal couples do this? He wondered.
...
"So this is the place, huh?" Dante crossed his arms and surveyed the scene in front of him. Multiple demons were scattered throughout the street, strolling around or causing property damage. An Empusa was picking at a car's doors in curiosity while a Hell Antenora trudged around.
Trish stepped up next to him holding her pistols, which glinted in the sunlight. "These things don't give up."
Dante sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Seriously, I've seen enough of these guys in the last half year, couldn't we at least get something else?" He shrugged and summoned his Devil Sword. "Well, a paycheck is a paycheck."
It had now been three days since the brothers returned to the human world. Vergil and Vita stood away at a distance, observing them. Dante and Trish charged forward, slicing and shooting their way through the demon horde. Dante brought his sword down on an Empusa, chopping its head clean off. He swung it in a wide arc, slicing through the gut of a Hell Caina and then stabbing another one through the gut. He then started to bat at the other demons with its body, knocking them away with the force of immeasurable strength.
Meanwhile, Trish fired away at the demons in front of her. Loud bangs went off as Luce and Ombra emptied their bottomless magazines into the crowd. A Green Empusa snuck up behind her, rearing to spit its acid on her. Without looking, Trish aimed Luce right in its direction and fired, killing it before it even stood a chance. Trish heard loud whooshes approaching; a Hell Antenora was angrily swinging its cleavers at her. Thinking quickly, Trish bent her torso backwards, dodging its blades and firing another round right into wherever its face was. Getting back up, she charged her fist and punched it forward, sending a bolt of lightning across the area and striking several more demons in a straight line in front of her.
Dante had then switched to his own guns and leapt high into the air. A Caina on the ground sliced upward at the bottom of the car the Empusa was messing with earlier and cut it in half, sending the front half flying at Dante. Aiming his guns, Dante fired at the car's hood until it exploded. As if he was some awesome movie star, Dante was encased in the explosion and emerged from it without a scratch, his hair and coat blowing behind him. With his guns crossed, he fired a single bullet from both pistols right into the Caina's head.
Vita whistled and slowly clapped. "I love watching them work."
"Who do you think performs better, your mother or your father?" Vergil asked.
"Right now? Dad. That new sword is even cooler in action."
The Devil Sword Dante had now summoned glowing red mirage swords trailing behind it. Ensuring extra cuts within a single swing, they followed the blade that had spawned them, changing form from a trail to extra blades surrounding it to a spinning ring that trapped its victims in their place until Dante thrust his sword into them.
"Grandpa's sword was always insanely powerful, but this is on another level," Vita continued. "Sucks for Mom, though. She's been missing it a lot."
"I'm sure she'll suffice without it."
True enough, Trish had charged her entire body with electricity, spinning upside down and plowing through her enemies with electric kicks, almost dancing her way across the battlefield and finishing with an upright spin and landing gracefully on her feet.
"Damn," Vita was in awe. "You don't see her do that every day."
"Behind you," Trish said nonchalantly to Vergil. Vita turned behind her to see an Empusa sneaking up behind them. It raised its claw to swipe down at her, but in the blink of an eye it was cut in half and its remains were sent flying several feet back the way it came. Vita blinked and saw Vergil kneeling away from her with his sword out.
How is he so fast? She wondered. Vergil pushed Yamato back into its sheath.
A small group of Empusa dropped down and around him. Vergil disappeared in a flash, then reappeared above them poised to strike. He drew Yamato again and fell with force, cleaving the ground below him and crushing the demons under his blade. The ones that survived were still affected as they hit the ground and bounced back into the air. Vergil spun in a quick circle and cut around him, eliminating the rest.
Vita ran over to him, just as impressed as she was the first time she saw him fight. "You've got to teach me how to do that speed running thing, I could be all over the battlefield in an instant."
"Very well," Vergil said.
"Yes!" Vita fist pumped.
"That is, whenever your parents allow you to take combat classes again."
"Aww, not you too!"
Vergil smirked.
"Good work, Vergil," Dante said. He and Trish approached them, carrying his sword over his shoulder. "That should be the last of them. Sorry that we missed some."
"Are you alright, sweetie?" Trish put her hands on Vita's shoulders.
"Yeah, no thanks to you," Vita rolled her eyes and pushed her hands off.
"Don't do that to your mother," Dante and Vergil both lightly scolded. She looked at them.
"You were lucky I was here to watch you," Vergil reminded her. "After you begged to come along when they invited me to watch them."
"Uh, yeah. What he said," Dante agreed.
Vita sighed. "Sorry Mom."
"It's okay, honey," Trish hugged her. "I'm sorry we weren't more careful. But I knew your uncle would protect you."
"Yeah he did!" Vita pulled out of her grasp. "I don't know how you're not flipping out every time you see him move! Dad, I can understand because he's been on the receiving end of that sword so many times," she ignored Dante's offended look. "But he's the coolest thing I've ever seen!"
"Well in my life, I've seen plenty already," Trish said. "That said, I have always wondered how a brother of Dante would fight. So far I'm not disappointed." She smiled at Vergil.
"Be that as it may, a few measly demons won't bring out my best," Vergil said.
"You get used to it after a while," Dante shrugged. "Not every demon is going to be a world ending apocalypse."
"Hmm," Vergil wasn't so enthusiastic about holding back all the time.
"You won't go out of shape from doing this for a living," Trish offered. "Although, I don't think any of us actually can..."
"I'm with him," Vita stood next to Vergil. "I want to see him go all out."
"Then how about we put on a show?" Dante suggested. "Just me, him, and our swords. So you can see what he can really do."
Vita gasped excitedly. "Really?!"
"How about it, Vergil?"
Vergil looked at Vita hesitantly. "...I suppose, she could use a precursor to the training she so desires."
"Hell yeah!" Vita yelled. "When can we see it?"
"Slow down there, kid," Dante put his hand on her head. "We need to wrap this job up first." He looked over at Vergil. "You heard me, right?"
Vergil had partially drawn Yamato out of its sheath. He put it away. "Make it quick."
"Yeah, no. You're coming with us. You need to know how payment works."
"I seem to recall paying you in advance once."
Vita giggled and pushed Vergil over to Dante. "Go on. I can wait a little longer."
...
"All done," A younger Dante said happily.
Trish looked up at the new neon sign. "I can't wait to see it when it's on."
"Yeah," Dante said. He read the sign. The new logo was going to take some getting used to. "Daylight won't do it justice. But I'm glad we finally got it out of the way. It just feels right, you know?"
"It sure does."
Dante felt content. Between this and getting a new bed some time ago, he never felt more refreshed.
...
Dante's car coasted through the countryside of town. It was late afternoon that day when he and Vergil decided to have their rematch. Vergil gazed out of the window as the scenery rolled past. Sitting in the backseat next to Vita, he silently marveled at the peaceful hills and fields. There wasn't a soul around.
"This should do it," Dante said and parked the car off the side of the road.
"I think you'll really like this place, Vergil," Trish said from the front passenger seat. "It's always quiet around here, it can never go wrong as a place to get away from everything."
Training in isolation in a place like this? An intriguing idea.
"This is gonna be so sick," Vita excitedly got out of the car. Stepping out himself, Vergil closed his eyes and breathed in the air around him. Just like home.
Vita wrapped her arms around his. "So! Ready to kick some butt?"
Vergil looked down at her and gently pulled free from her grasp. "Stand back."
Trish walked over and led an animated Vita into the field. Dante was scouting the area already, making sure they wouldn't be disturbing any wildlife or a person who happened to be asleep hidden in the long grass. He rolled his eyes at the amount of times he had to deal with the latter in the past. Once done, he nodded to himself.
"Is this good?" Dante called out to Trish.
"You're far enough!" She yelled back.
"Good. You ready, Vergil?"
Vergil stepped into place, far across from him, and nodded.
"Great! Let's get this show on the road. You ready to get your mind blown, Vita?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Watch closely, child," Vergil said to her. "This is how easily your father falls to a superior opponent."
Dante wasn't amused. "Last I checked I was up one point before we came back."
"That was a tie."
"You said that every time I won."
"It matters not, for I will best you here as well."
"I never heard him talk so much," Vita leaned in to whisper to her mother. "You can really feel their sibling energy."
BANG BANG BANG BANG!
Vita jumped in surprise at the sudden movement. Dante had drawn his pistols and was rapidly firing at Vergil, who was seamlessly parrying every bullet by moving his fully sheathed sword in a calculated and precise motion. Drawing Yamato out, Vergil started to move his blade in a circular motion, catching all of the bullets along its length. Spinning around, he cut a wide arc in front of him and returned to sender, forcing Dante to materialize his own sword and cut through them in an instant.
Vita blinked. "What the-"
"I told you already," Vergil said. Rapidly closing the distance between him and his brother, he went for an upward slash only to be blocked by the Dante's blade. "Watch closely."
"Can't do everything your way," Dante smirked. He summoned mirage swords from the center of his blade and sent them spiraling forward, forcing Vergil to drop his attack and summon his own spectral blades to parry them. "You have to make it easy for the audience to follow if you're putting on a show."
He lunged forward with his blade outstretched. The Dante collided with the Yamato, emitting a loud clang and sending sparks flying from the contact. The two quickly fell into a dance of parrying, never dropping their guards. When one swung downward, the other blocked it with his sword held upwards. With the defender's legs left open, the attacker would try to sweep his legs out from under him. The defender would manage to jump and force the offensive sword back, then rush in and go on the offensive himself. When one feinted a strike to one direction, the other would instantly bring his sword up to the opposite side and be met with a loud clang in his ear, having blocked just in time. It was much easier swordplay to follow, but not less exciting. Vita was watching wide-eyed at the demonstration, never having seen her father be so easily matched in battle with anyone other than her mother.
"I think it's time we kicked it up a notch," Dante whispered to Vergil.
"Indeed."
The two leapt back from each other and returned to their ranged weapons. Vergil concentrated and multiple Mirage Blades appeared on either side of him. Willing them forward, they launched themselves one after the other in quick succession. The Dante once again summoned its own mirage swords, forming a blockade formation that shielded its user from the oncoming attack. Vergil switched to his swords' Storm formation to surround Dante with his blades, circling around him and poising to strike. Dante broke into a run, jumping off a large rock and launching himself into the air. Turning upside down, he spun violently and fired in every direction with his pistols with demonically charged shots, destroying the swords. Descending quickly, Dante drew another weapon and fired.
POW!
Vergil leapt back to avoid the destructive impact of the Coyote-A. Dante landed on the ground and rolled forward, blasting again. Vergil quickly sent a Mirage Blade flying to meet the explosive buckshot, nullifying it. Dante rolled to the side and fired again, meeting the same result. The two continued their play of fireworks until Dante successfully feinted a shot and tricked Vergil into firing at him. Catching the summoned sword by its handle, Dante threw it back at him. Vergil instantly deflected it with Mirage Edge.
"That's what I like to see!" Dante grabbed his sword and lunged in again. He swung harder and faster, forcing Vergil to react quicker and decide which sword went where. Dual wielding wasn't his forte, but he was no stranger to it. Parrying a strike with Yamato, Vergil thrust the Mirage Edge at Dante's chest. Just barely jumping out of harm's way, Dante was left temporarily vulnerable.
"Stay where you are," Vergil tossed the Mirage Edge at him, catching him in its vortex and slicing at his torso. Vergil got into his stance and sent a Judgment Cut at him, knocking him back and calling the Edge back. Gripping both swords, Vergil charged at Dante, slicing at him relentlessly. Blood spurted from every wound he inflicted.
Vita visibly flinched at this, cringing at the gore. Have I ever seen Dad bleed?
Finishing his combo, Vergil spun sideways in the air, creating a circle around him with Yamato and Mirage Edge's blades outstretched in either side of him. Ending with a final cut downward, Dante bounced off the ground.
Vergil spun in a circle and kicked his airborne body back further. "You're finished," he held Yamato and thrust back in for the final blow.
Just as he reached Dante, an explosive aura surrounded Dante and repelled him backwards. Vita shielded her eyes from the magnificent glow. When she looked again, she gaped at what she saw. Floating in Dante's place was now his powerful, intimidating, and almost majestic Sin Devil Trigger form.
This is what he can do now? She thought in disbelief. Even Trish, who had crossed her arms, dropped them to marvel at it.
Now that is what I like to see, Vergil thought. He closed his eyes and concentrated, and a similar aura consumed him and burst out, entering his own Sin Devil Trigger form. Vita just about fainted from the sheer awesomeness.
It was at this point Vergil let himself go. Even just being a few days being out of practice was too long for him, and he needed to make amends for that.
Dante gripped his massive sword, which flared open in the center, exposing a glowing orange light and expanding the length of the blade further. Vergil knelt into a stance with Yamato, anticipating Dante's next move. As fast as light, Dante approached Vergil, getting right in his face and swinging his sword around in a three hit combo. Vergil instinctively blocked it, taking the brunt of the blows to his arms. However, he dropped his guard too early and paid for it with the final swing, getting a full slash across the chest.
"Argh!" He was knocked backwards and unceremoniously onto his back. Getting back up, he teleported to the side.
Dante curled up and channeled his energy into his wings. Laser-like energy beams fired from them and homed in on Vergil, who swiftly teleported side to side to avoid getting hit. Finding it tedious to keep up, Vergil summoned his Doppelganger. A spectral blue clone of his demonic form appeared at his side, taking damage for him as he safely flew away. Noticing this, Dante followed him into the air. A game of tag followed with the brothers soaring through the sky and lasers firing off. Turning around in the air, Vergil drew Yamato from within his arm and deflected them away. But once again, he missed a shot, and was sent hurtling to the ground under the pressure of multiple beams. Just as he crashed, Dante came diving down close with his fist raised, and with a thunderous roar punched the ground, momentarily engulfing the area around him on fire and launching Vergil into the air in a form of role reversal.
Vergil landed on his feet and steadied himself but dropped his transformation, having expended his energy; at the same time Dante also reverted to normal. Vergil summoned his Doppelganger again. "Go!"
However, it did not heed his command, instead standing with its back to him with its head turned down. Slowly, what Vergil was certain sounded like music started to play, louder and louder. It sounded like a classical piece, but much different. Looking around in confusion to see where it was coming from, his clone suddenly started dancing. He watched it in disbelief.
Vita, who had been holding her breath from the tension, let it all go to laugh. Dante laughed too, dropping his stance.
"Ha ha ha! All right, you wanna play? Let's play." He started dancing as well at a different pace, seemingly to his own music.
As the Doppelganger danced in a circle around Vergil, it at one point beckoned him to join him, to which he held up his hand in denial. "Tch...how droll." The music reached its climax as the Doppelganger had fully circled around him, getting back into place and finishing off with a fabulous pose.
"That's enough!" Vergil slashed the clone in half vertically, dissolving it. Seeing Dante still dancing, Vergil furrowed his brow. He walked over to him incredulously, seeing him still go at it.
"You think to make a fool of me?" He drew Yamato again and got in another stance. After a few seconds, he spun around and performed a horizontal slash, forcing Dante into a slow motion state. "Pathetic." He sheathed the sword.
Blood burst out from Dante's wound and he dropped to the ground defeated.
"That was great!" Vita yelled to them, but her words went unheard to her uncle as he held his sword down to Dante's face.
"Get up. You can do better than that."
Dante just looked up at him with tired eyes.
"Don't tell me I tired you out this quickly. Pick up your sword and finish this fight!"
The younger brother tilted his head to his daughter. Vergil looked over to see a now somewhat frightened expression on her face. Trish was taking a few steps forward. "You guys alright?"
"Yeah," Dante said weakly. He spat out a little blood. "Nothing a healthy box of pepperoni can't heal."
"Are you sure?" Vita rushed over to him. Vergil backed off and sheathed his sword. "I've never seen you with these injuries before. Or any, if I'm being honest."
"Exactly," Dante grinned, and to her surprise, she saw them already closing up and fading. He sat back up. "Doesn't hurt any less, though, at least for the moment."
"Wow."
"Don't worry about me, I was doing this every day when I was gone."
"So that was the secret upgrade you got in your hometown? Why didn't you tell me about it sooner?!"
"So I didn't have to deal with any fangirls," Dante teased her, lightly pushing her head.
"And how did you do that ghost demon thing?" Vita turned to Vergil. "Where did it learn to dance? Did you teach it? Can you teach me to do it too? Both the ghost and the dance I mean."
Vergil was unresponsive.
"Best leave him alone," Dante said. "His head's still a little in the game. Hey, Vergil, you hear me? We're done here."
"I need a word with you."
"Sure. You girls get back to the car." He was helped to his feet by Vergil.
Trish nodded and guided Vita away. Once they were out of earshot, Vergil turned on his brother. "Why were you holding back?"
"It was a show."
"It was a demonstration. Your daughter is going to need every exposure to a real duel if she ever hopes to match up to us, which she has done nothing but pester us about."
"You don't expect her to deal with all of that in the tutorial, do you?"
"No, but she must understand what she is getting in to."
"I get that."
"Then why did you let me win? In a real fight I would have killed you, and easily so."
"But it wasn't a real fight. Neither will be any of her sparring sessions."
"Do you not intend to have her in the field?"
"Not for a while."
"And why is that?" Vergil caught himself, remembering what Vita told him about her walks.
"Yeah," Dante said. "I'm sure you know. She had to learn the hard way that she's not ready, and I figured you did too. Can't have everything your way."
"Why? When it seems you do."
"Are you kidding me?" Dante snorted. "I'm a dad. All I've done since Vita was born was make sacrifices."
That gave Vergil pause.
"Yeah, this was a demonstration," Dante continued. "But this was for her. I was willing to throw the fight to end it quicker and show her how cool you were. I think part of you was doing that itself. But I don't think she wanted to see her uncle lose it and kick her dad around like that."
He looked back at the car, where Trish was sitting in the driver's seat with Vita next to her. "Let's go home. Dinner's waiting."
Vergil looked at Vita's face peering through the windshield at him. "Lead the way."
On the ride home, Vergil was lost in his thoughts as the countryside rolled past. Memories of the stories of Dante's past flashed through his mind, and as he looked in front of him where his niece was hidden from view by the car seat, he started to ponder his actions.
...
Years ago, an agency had recently changed its name, and bore it proudly on its base of operations. A phone rang from within.
"Devil Never Cry." Trish answered. "Yes. Okay, great. Where's the place? We'll be right there." She hung up. "This one has the password. Sounds heavy."
"Okay," Dante said. "Let's get it over with in ten minutes. Can't let a single one of those suckers live."
They opened the doors and walked outside. Trish was armed with Sparda and Dante with Rebellion.
"Five minutes," Trish challenged.
Dante chuckled. "More than enough."
The night was young.
A/N: So... my rant about Darkstalkers in the last chapter hasn't aged well. Congratulations Capcom, you succeeded in making me preorder the Capcom Fighting Collection (one day before release lmao). I finally have more of big titty vampire, ahem, succubus waifu. Now that I've been slowly but surely getting into other Capcom games in the past year I actually have more things than Devil May Cry to look forward to. Darkstalkers 4, Mega Man X9, Mega Man Legends Legacy Collection, Mega Man Legends 3, and confirmation that Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is coming to Xbox One next please.
On another note, Shout! Factory was finally able to release their DVD set of Chikyuu Sentai Fiveman, and have also done Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger and are moving on to Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger! Additionally, they're releasing a physical version of their Kamen Rider Ryuki subs with exclusive content, so I guess I'd better start saving up, since I don't think any of these will be streaming for a while, if ever. Hopefully they will. It's a good time to be a fan of tokusatsu in the west right now.