As the brothers were in the midst of yet another brotherly sparring session amongst a horde of fresh devils that decided to ambush them, they would notice something was changing within their environment.
Wind suddenly began to gust and swirl around the area, swiftly picking up into a near hurricane-force gale. Smaller demons were thrown and hurled every which way as the tempest grew stronger.
Electricity began to crackle and gather within the air, lightning soon shooting out from appeared to be the smallest hint of a tear within the very fabric of the world.
"Got a clue what's happening?!" One of the brothers, a man would yell out, his red coat being whipped to and fro in the wind, silvery hair being swept back.
"It appears to be a portal!" The other brother dressed all in black replied, his own coat threatening to be ripped off from the force.
"Demon?"
"I'm not certain… I don't sense a demonic presence, but it does seem somehow… familiar. We should be on our guard." He'd say, taking a defensive stance and readying to draw his Katana should it be needed.
The two would watch as the portal grew in size, the force of the wind growing ever stronger as the flashes of lightning increased in frequency.
Suddenly, it was as if something reached out and pulled them, the two being sucked towards the portal as if iron to a magnet. They would pass through and be thrown rather unceremoniously onto the ground with such force they would skid for several feet before coming to a halt.
The black clad brother swiftly recovered and rose to one knee, a hand braced against the ground to face whatever threat had shown itself now. His brother had wound up on his back, letting out a groan.
"Ugh, what now…? He'd ask. "Can't we ever catch a break?"
"It does not appear that way."
"Where are we, anyways?"
"You're back in the human world," a woman's voice would say as the portal closed, causing the twins to snap their gazes in her direction. "You're welcome, by the way."
As the two would look around, it certainly looked as though they were back on Earth. Albeit in an abandoned part of an unfamiliar city. It was nighttime, the streets and pavement cracked and overgrown. Streetlamps that somehow still worked illuminated the intersection, empty and decaying building looming ominously in the dark.
"Back in… how? I thought we closed the portal the Qliphoth made."
"Demons are not the only ones capable of creating doorways between worlds." She would say, walking closer to the brothers, booted foot falls heavy and measured against the broken asphalt.
She would come into view within the flickering view of a streetlamp.
A woman of average height, with an athletic yet curvy figure stood here, arms crossing lazily over her ample bosom. Hair as dark as the night hung straight down to her waist. Eyes of deep emerald regarded them both warily, silently judging.
She was dressed simply in a park of black cargo pants and a black, form-fitted long sleeve shirt with a collar bone height neck line.
Her skin was creamy pale and flawless, and possessed heavenly, angelic features, including full pouty lips that were down turned slightly.
"True, it's usually humans that fuck around with demons…" The red and black clad man would grumble as he sat up, getting a good look at the woman. "Well, damn… you're a stunner, aren't ya? Sell your soul for those good looks?"
"You must be Dante…" She'd say with a wry laugh and roll her eyes. "First and last warning, don't even think about it, you're not my type. And no, this visage is God-given, I'm afraid."
"Who are you?" The other brother questioned, standing to his full height.
Something about this woman seemed familiar, but why, he could not fathom. She was no mere human, if she could create a portal to the Demon World, but she possessed no demonic blood or heritage.
Interesting…
The woman would cut her jewel-like gaze to him, eyes narrowing further. She would be silent for a moment, as if debating what to say. A flurry of emotions were swirling within her, but she kept them at bay.
"Who I am is not important, Vergil." She would finally say. The way she said his name as though it physically pained her to do so… "What matters is I've upheld my end of the bargain."
"What bargain?" Dante asked, grabbing his gigantic sword as he got to his feet.
"Ask Morrison." She would say, pointing in a northwestern direction. "I believe he's waiting at your shop."
"Wait…you know Morrison? How come I've never met you?"
"Because I don't exist." She'd answer. "I keep to myself and lend my talents to other demon hunters when the need arises. I was tasked with collecting you and that's what I've done." She'd explain. "Morrison and your other colleagues can fill in the rest of the blanks."
"So that's it? You're just gonna leave?"
"Do i have a reason to stay that doesn't involve answering questions?"
"Guide us home?" Dante stated, perhaps hopefully.
"Tch, please…" She's say with another roll of her eyes. "The two of you are more than capable, you don't need me."
Suddenly, the ringing of a phone would interrupt their conversation and she would let out an annoyed sigh. "What now…?" She'd grumble answering the phone. "That was not part of the deal. Are you fucking serious? Ugh, fine. But i want an extra five percent… I can always send them back- uh-huh, that's what I thought. Yeah, yeah… Bye." She'd converse with whomever was on the other end of the line before tapping the end call button with an annoyed huff.
"Guess i do have to guide your asses back, after all." She'd grumble. "Well, let's not dilly dally, then."
"Give us one reason why we should trust you?" Vergil stated, glaring in her direction.
She would return his glare, jaw setting as her lips pressed into a thin line.
"I do not answer to kings…" She'd say, tone low and threatening. "Nor any man, for that matter. You're just going to have to accept that and trust me."
"I do not take orders from-"
"Then by all means, stay here." She'd interrupt, which seemed to catch him off guard with her suddenly dismissive yet clipped tone. "I'm out."
She'd then turn in the direction she pointed earlier and began to walk off.
Dante would rise to his feet and shoulder his sword, coming to stand beside his brother. The two exchanged a few glances, before deciding to follow after the woman.
"Can we at least get your name?" Dante asked. "Since you already know ours, it's only fair."
"I did not ask for your names, i was given them against my will."
"Well damn, you're kinda prickly, huh?"
"I've learned to keep my distance from people, forgive my terrible people skills." She'd issue a sarcastic 'apology'.
"Leave her be, it's clear she has no desire to be cooperative." Vergil stated coolly.
"Cooperative and talkative are two different things, something I imagine you know very well. If what I've witnessed in the little time I've been around you is any indication." She say, the pointed jab designed to annoy and vex.
"Oh boy.. this is gonna be a fun little adventure." Dante groaned.
These two had similar yet differing personalities. That was always a sign of good things to come…
Vergil would decide to say nothing, though he could feel a wave of frustration rising with him, the hand holding his katana tightening slightly. This woman was going to be a nuisance.
"It can be very easy, just shut up." She'd answer, continuing to walk. "But i'm assuming that's easier said than done, with you."
"Heh, you're gonna have to make me." Dante challenged.
"Which is much easier said than done." Vergil quipped.
"Hey!"
"So I am learning…" She'd murmur, shaking her head. "Your demonic forms, are you able to fly in them? If so we can drastically shorten our trip."
"Uh…yeah." Dante answered. Was she able to fly? How? Was she like them? No… no demonic aura.
"Good." She'd rely, rolling her shoulders before a giant pair of great, feathery wings erupted from her back and shoulder blades. They looked like someone may think an angel's wings would look like, only hers weren't white or gold… they were a dark grey, almost black. They still shone and seemed to shimmer within the limited light around them.
"Now, try and keep up." She'd say before simply leaping into the air and, with a single flap of the wings, she'd propel herself upwards.
The brother's would stare after her, both in shock and interest before looking to each other and following suit, both transforming into their greater forms and swiftly catching up.
The wind would whip her hair out behind her, her arms simply held at her sides, one leg held straight out while the other was tucked slightly. Every so often she would flap her wings to stay aloft, but otherwise, she glided easily through the sky, leading them to what they hoped was not a trap.
"Well, I'll be damned… She actually did it…" A man's voice would mutter in disbelief as he noticed shadows fluttering about in the light provided by the garish neon red glow of the Devil May Cry sign. He would recognize Dante in his demonic form, and could only assume the other was Vergil.
The man himself possessed Dark skin, a graying beard and mustache, a fedora-ish hat, black pants, and a black coat over a red vest with golden embroidery over a white shirt and a blue neck ascot.
J.D. Morrison was currently leaning with his back pressed against Dante's desk, a cigar in his right hand as he awaited the return of the Sparda twins.
Of course, the woman he'd tasked with their return stepped in first, throwing open the doors and stalking herself inside.
"Trust me now?" She'd demand, her head bobbing almost comically as she gestured to Morrison while glaring daggers outside.
In first was Dante, the rowdy owner grinning like an idiot as he took in his old home and friend.
"Morrison!" He' greet the older man.
"Welcome back, Dante." Morrison would say as Vergil followed not far behind, giving the place a discerning look over.
"All right Morrison, i did my part, now fork over my payment." The woman said, walking towards him. Morrison chuckled as he pulled an envelope from his inner coat pocket and held it out for her to take. Just as she would reach for it, he would pull it away.
"I could use someone like you-"
Quicker than he could blink, she would reach out and snatch the envelope from his grasp.
"No." She stated. "I told you before, you were lucky i even did this much." She said, turning on her heel to head out. "And I'll be expecting my five percent within the week!"
"Perhaps you should reconsider, Andorra." Morrison replied, which made the woman stop mid-stride. "That's right, i found out your name. That is my job after all, hunting down information."
She would turn and glare at him over her shoulder. "Knowing my name is a privilege few get to have…" She'd say, voice low and even.
Vergil, however, snapped his head toward the woman as Morrison said that name.
Andorra… it added another feeling a familiarity, yet again, he could not fathom why. Who was this woman? And why did he feel as if he knew her?
"I will admit, you had me stumped for a while, using your mother's name." Morrison told her with a chuckle as he stepped towards her, a hand with his index finger extended waving at her playfully. "It seems you've been going by that name for a little over…oh, say twenty years, give or take." He'd say. "I must say, in this line of work, I've never come across a woman as secretive as you. You are very thorough when it comes to covering your tracks and hiding your previous existence." He'd continue, pulling another envelope from his coat, this one bigger, appearing to be holding documentation. "Not quite thorough enough, though. I was able to find old files on you from a now defunct foster home, you wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
"Why would I? I ran away from there when i was fifteen."
"I'm aware, there are dozens of police reports on your juvenile record. Running away, Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, with and without a deadly weapon, arson… there's more but i imagine you don't want those read aloud…"
"Those charges were supposed to be wiped once i turned eighteen." She'd say with a growl to her voice.
"Normally yes, but since there was a cold case involving you as a missing person, they kept them on file for in case purposes."
"What's your game, old man?" She'd demand.
"I know your history… all of it." He's say. "And I imagine you don't want that information getting into… certain hands."
"Blackmail, Morrison? Really?" Dante asked, moving to sit at his desk, adopting his signature posture of leaning back in his chair with his feet propped on the desk. "Seems a bit extreme, doesn't it?"
"Extreme does not even begin to describe this woman's history." Morrison said to Dante before turning his attention back to Andorra. "We really could use someone like you in the business. What else are you going to do, your past has come back to haunt you. You can't run from it forever."
The woman's eyes would narrow.
"Watch me." She's challenge and turn as if to continue her leave.
Morrison would sigh and shake his head. "Suit yourself." He'd say before tossing the folder towards Vergil, who caught it with a curious look.
Dante would sit straight up, also with a curious look on his face. Why did Morrison do that? Did Vergil and this chick have history?
"There's some stuff in there that concerns you, as well, Vergil." Morrison said as Andorra turned around. When she saw the folder in Vergil's hand her features darkened.
"You give that back!" She'd say, striding over to him and attempting to swipe it from him. Vergil would easily lift the folder from out of her reach and block her with the sheathe of Yamato.
Dante would merely watch, resting his elbows on the desk and leaning forward.
"You…stubborn bastard!" Andorra growled shifting her arm to move Vergil's block out of her way and aiming a punch fo rhis midsection. Vergil was swift to counter and re-directed his arm to her chest, his elbow colliding with her sternum with enough force to send her skidding back a few feet. The movement felt more akin to muscle memory than a reaction, or strategic placement. He would look at her, that curious look still on his face, then to the folder, the back to her.
"I will ask you again…" He said, tone level as she managed to stand up straight, glaring at him with such anger and hatred it could practically be felt. This was more than just about trying to keep a secret, this was something deeper. A connection she didn't want known. One she knew and he did not. "Who are you?"
"Dead to you, now give me back-" She'd start before Vergil would simply snap his fingers, and a ring of phantom blue swords would appear around her, all poised to strike.
That son of a bitch! How dare he?!
"Wrong answer." He'd say, beginning to open the folder, which only fueled Andorra's rage more as she leapt forward, seeming to not care about the blades and the threat they posed.
"Ya know Morrison, you could have just told us." Dante said as the two began to fight over possession of the folder. Andorra's moves were feral and desperate, but also precise. Vergil was as always, practiced and calculating, easily dodging her every move.
"Yeah, but then i wouldn't have more evidence to prove my point." Morrison said, pointing towards the two. "Watch…"
As the two continued, a subtle shift slowly crept its way into their moves. It almost seemed as if they knew every move the other would make, and were constantly dodging and parrying, very similar to the same way the brother's fought.
"Huh…" Dante said. "So you're implying they have a previous history together."
"Yep. In fact, Andorra is the way she is because of your brother." Morrison explained, catching the folder as it was tossed aside. It seemed Andorra was less focused on it now and more focused on letting some pent up rage out. What was even more interesting was neither were using any weapons, unless one counted Vergil and his unsheathed sword. "But i am curious…he doesn't seem to remember her."
"Yeah, Vergil's memories are all still kinda…scrambled, I guess." Dante said, motioning for the folder. "He remembers almost everything, but i think there's a thing or two that may not have made it back in the old noodle yet."
Morrison would simply nod and hand the folder to Dante, who immediately opened it and started going through the contents.
As Morrison stated, there were plenty of old police reports regarding Andorra. There were also notes made from Morrison and his other contacts about her and her exploits. "She's almost got a higher demon body count than I do." He'd say. "I'm impressed."
What came next was something Dante wasn't expecting. Old photos, some taken by a professional spy, others seeming to come from very outdated surveillance cameras.
The photos showed Vergil and Andorra as young teens, probably no older than fifteen or sixteen. One was the two of them standing back to back, weapons drawn and surrounded by an entire horde of demons. Another showed them within an abandoned library, poring over old tomes and books. Yet another caused Dante to freeze as he looked at it. "You sure this one's legit?" He'd ask, looking to Morrison.
"Every single one is." Morrison stated, glancing at the photo. "Trust me, that one shocked me as well."
"Yeah, no shit… who knew Vergil could pull a baddie like that…"
"I'm pretty sure she pulled him." Morrison replied with a chuckle as Dante flipped through more photos.
"Whichever it is, what happened- oh…" Dante would begin to ask before stopping on the final photo.
Suddenly the sound of wood shattering and an eruption of couch cotton would grab the two men's attention.
"Hey…!" Dante protested, seeing one of his couches now completely destroyed. "C'mon, I just got the place back and you're already putting me in more debt?"
Andorra would slowly stand from within the wreckage of the couch, panting heavily as she glared at Vergil. Her clothes were torn and covered in fresh blood, which also stained her otherwise perfect skin. Her hair was all over, in her eyes and falling over her shoulders. Bits of fluff from the couch would be stuck to her in various locations. "Stand down." He warned. "This is foolishness."
"You've got some balls to mention foolishness…" She'd growl. "We're here because of your foolish behavior!"
"If i wronged you, you can simply say so." He'd retort. "I am growing weary of having to fight every person that has a grudge-."
"Grudge?!" She'd demand, readying herself to launch into a tirade before noticing Dante and the contents of the folder upon the desk.
"You son of a BITCH!" She'd yell, taking a step forward but was stopped by the tell-tale metallic ring as Vergil unsheathed Yamato and held it to her neck, having covered the distance between them almost instantaneously.
"Don't…" He'd warn her.
The woman would be visibly shaking with rage as she turned her attention back to him. Her emerald eyes would slowly look down to the sword at her neck, then drift back to him. "Go ahead, make my fucking night." She'd challenge. "Try to-"
"That's enough." Morrison said, gathering the information from Dante before looking to Andorra. "Listen, you don't have to make this difficult." He'd tell her. "Just accept the fact that sometimes, secrets are found and are no longer secrets. I understand your past is painful, but don't you think it's time to get over that and face it head on?"
Andorra would only glare at first before letting out a huff. "What's the point?" She'd ask. "It won't change anything."
"You don't know that." Morrison answered, walking forward to hand Vergil the documentation. "Besides, he'd have found out sooner or later. You're an intelligent woman, surely you would know that. Who are you to deny him the chance to make amends?" He'd ask as Vergil reached with his free hand to take the papers, blue eyes settling on the first photo.
The photo was surprisingly excellent quality, and showed a side shot of the two standing within an abandoned warehouse. Andorra was slumped forwards but had her head tilted upwards, looking at Vergil as blood spilled from her chest and onto the ground, the Yamato pierced straight through her chest. Both were covered in blood, and fresh wounds. The look on her face was a mix of anguish, betrayal, and heartbreak; the pain she was in clearly more emotional than physical. Vergil's face was obstructed, his features unable to be discerned.
He would slowly lower his sword and look to Andorra, but would be quite surprised to see she was gone. It seemed as though she took advantage of the distraction to get the hell out of dodge.
"That's not even the most shocking." Dante would say as Vergil wiped the blood from his blade and carefully put it back in its sheathe, leaving both hands free to peruse the rest of the information.
Now his sense of familiarity with her made sense as he quickly scanned through everything. And all the forgotten memories came flooding back, just as vivid as he had experienced them back then.
"It would seem my family are not the only victims to my shortcomings…" He'd say, eyes settling on another photo for longer than the others.
"Yeah, no wonder she has a chip on her shoulder." Dane said. "Morrison, you got a timeline on all this?"
"According to what I've learned, this all took place roughly a year before Vergil was spotted in Fortuna, before Nero's conception, and about two years before the Temen-Ni-Gru." Morrison stated. "Give or take, not everyone was diligent with dating their findings."
Vergil was strangely silent as he continued staring at the one photo. It was he and Andorra, engaged in a playful struggle,her having pinned him to the ground, legs straddling his waist. Her head was bent down, her hair obscuring their faces, but it was clear what the pose meant.
He'd take a deep breath and remove the photo to continue looking through the rest.
After a few moments, he'd reach the notes and that seemed to grab his attention. They had always felt like they were being watched, but had chalked it up to paranoia regarding their environment and the constant demon attacks.
"You okay?" Dante asked. "You're unusually quiet…"
"You would be, too, confronted with your past in such a manner." Vergil said, replacing all the information back into the folder. His voice was neutral, features fixed into their usual stoic facade. He didn't appear or sound too bothered by everything, but Dante knew better. He also knew not to press the matter… for now.
"What else do you know about her?" Vergil asked Morrison, handing the envelope back.
"Not much, I'm afraid. She went completely off grid. There's a couple instances where she showed up at Bobby's Cellar to take a job or two, but other than that, she's been under the radar until after the Qliphoth incident. She showed up in Redgrave City, scoping out Nero and Kyrie's place. We thought she was a threat, so we engaged. She ran, well…flew away, actually. That's when i started trying to dig up info on her, she was something we'd never encountered. While i was doing that, she apparently was doing some digging of her own and showed up on my doorstep, so to speak, ready to kill me."
"She is still as resourceful as ever, I see…" Vergil murmured. "The wings are new…she did not have them before. She did, however, have advanced regeneration, and enhanced capabilities, strength, endurance, agility. She could, probably still can, taste when someone is lying to her… We both knew she wasn't human, or demon, but we never did learn what her heritage was."
"The closest we can guess is angel." Morrison said. "What makes me doubt that is the color of the wings. But hey, we don't know much about them, so it very well could be."
"That seems a valid guess." Vergil mused.
"How'd you manage to get her to open a portal and get us back here?" Dante asked. "If she knew who she was dragging back from hell, with her temper, why didn't she just leave us there to rot?"
"Her reason: she owed, and i quote, 'that crazy bastard' an ass kicking." Morrison answered, gesturing to Vergil. Vergil only let out an amused, if sarcastic 'ha'.
"You think she's gonna want to work with us?" Dante asked.
"Hard to tell, but…i do still owe her money." Morrison said with a wink.
"I doubt you fully grasp the magnitude of whom you are dealing with," Vergil stated, tone laced with gravity. "The woman is chaos personified - unpredictable, untamed, mercurial, and feral. She defies control and cannot be cowed by threats. Her alliance will be dictated solely by her whims. It would be wise to keep your guard up at all times."
"Oh, I'm well aware." Morrison replied with an amused chuckle. "Those qualities of hers may just be what we need to stir things up a bit."
"I have to say, I agree with Morrison." Dante said, leaning back in his chair and grinning. "That chaotic and unpredictable behavior may prove to give us an edge."
"You two may do as you please, just do not say i didn't warn you." Vergil replied, his tone clipped. These two did not know the trouble they were getting themselves into…
Morrison would respond with a smirk. "Oh come on, Vergil. Live a little! What's life without a bit of chaos?"
"Exactly!" Dante agreed, nodding slightly. "Let's just hope she's more fun than trouble."
Vergil would raise an eyebrow, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "If you're so confident, then perhaps you'll have the skills necessary to attempt to handle her."
"I mean, if you could, then obviously I can." Dante replied, a hint of a challenge in his voice.
Vergil would cross his arms over his chest, his expression shifting to one of mock contemplation. "Confidence is one things; skill is another. Let's see if you can back up that bravado when it matters."
Dante would chuckle and wave his hand as if to dismiss Vergil's concerns. "She can't be that bad." He said. "I mean, have you met Trish and Lady?"
"Dante has a point." Morrison said, nodding in agreement. "She may fit in just fine. Besides, it's been over twenty years, perhaps she's changed."
Vergil would stay silent, though a slight frown would cross his face a half a second before it was gone so quick, it was like it never existed. She had changed… And it was his fault. Perhaps his assessment of her attitude would only apply to himself?
After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, his tone steady. "Very well, if you think this course of action will be advantageous." He conceded, watching as Morrison and Dante exchanged glances. Let them do what they wished. He had explained the potential risks and they were still willing to push forward. It was their choice, after all. He just couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps this time, her chaos would prove to be more than they bargained for.