> To Live Another Day > by Redgrave > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Tale of Two Sisters > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: I do not own the rights for My Little Pony Friendship is Magic nor Devil May Cry. The franchises and characters are owned by each of their respected companies, Hasbro and Capcom Chapter 1 The Tale of Two Sisters There lived two sisters that governed the land they lived in. Both gifted with the talent to move the sun, moon, and stars. Both of their powers combined are unparalleled and unmatched by any that stood against them. For years they protected what they cherished and have seen grow as years came and went. But as every story has their ups, it also has its downs. Luna, the youngest of the siblings, controlled the night, moon, and stars. Try as she may, night after night she expressed her passion in shaping the night sky and celestial bodies in the sky, but to her sad reality nopony ever noticed this because while all the hard work she did they all slumbered in the safety of their homes. She grew upset upon this realization, “Why? Why does no pony come to marvel the beauty of thy night sky? We move thy night, thy sky, thy moon but alas none come and gaze at what we thrive to show all”. Because of this Luna grew jealous at her older sister. Celestia, the older of the two sisters, governed the day and moved the sun. When she raised the sun life commenced. When the sun was high upon the sky everypony came and marveled at the beauty of the sunrise and sundown. They all adored the day more than the night. It brought a smile to her face when she would see everypony interact and show praise when the sun was up. All this did was make the younger of the two more bitter and heartbroken. As time went by Luna grew to hate the sun, “Why does our older sibling get the praise and attention of her day and everypony shun thy night?” “Because everypony adores your sister and that accursed sun, all in the meantime they shun our night while our moon weeps in loneliness” Luna looked around at the voice she had just heard. It had startled her, but she could not find anything. She was just alone in the room. Her eyes traveled to a mirror in her room. She saw a figure in it, it was a mare, her coat was black as night and her mane was a darker shade of blue than her own mane. What got Luna the most were her eyes. Those dragon shaped eyes “Who are you?” Luna asked. The image just laughed “We are you” It simply responded.” Thou speaketh lies, we will not ask again, Who are you?” The mare in the mirror just kept laughing “Silly Luna, My answer is yet the same, We are you, well more specific, we are that voice in the back of thy head, the one that wonders why our sister Celestia gets all the praise and attention when we are left alone during our night, The hate when everypony adores the day than thy night. Tell me Luna, why do you continue to overwork thy self every night when the outcome is yet the same? You don’t need Celestia, you are capable enough to not only move the moon and its stars but also the sun. Luna just stood there bewildered. Standing in front of her in the mirror was her inner thoughts and desires reflected as a mare. When she came to this realization she tried to ignore that voice in her head. But everything it kept telling her kept influencing her decision in turning on her sister, but how could she turn on her sister, she was her sister, her only family, But the voice kept pestering and pestering. The more she listened to her inner voice to more right it seemed, until the point where she could not take it anymore and gave in, “Luna you know now what you must do. These ponies in Equestria will learn to love thy night sooner or later, they will love something eventually if it is eternal. Luna grant this night an ETERNAL NIGHT!!!” “but how would we do this?” Luna asked. Her inner voice responded “It is simple Luna…You Need More Power” “More Power? But how?” Luna questioned “You have a darkness in you Luna, all you have to do is give in and embrace it” Luna looked at the mirror. Would overthrowing her sister and bringing an eternal night over Equestria make it all better? She moved towards the window and peeked outside. It was the middle of the day, and she could see all the smiling faces of everypony as they continued to do their everyday business. How it disgusted her to no end, nopony even batted an eye for her at night. She moved to the mirror once more. No more thoughts, no more going back, what she was about to do she would see it through to the end, “Mare in the mirror, tell us what is need to be done” “Please call us Nightmare, Nightmare Moon and as what needs to be done, just listen carefully.” “That is all to report your majesty.” “Very well then, Thank you Sky Fire you may go back to your post.” As Sky Fire left the room Celestia sighed. One problem solved, it looks like the hydra won’t be causing trouble for a while. Her thoughts lingered on her sister Luna, she has been rather distant lately and that glare she keeps giving her. She can’t understand what has brought this on. Last time they had talked it ended in an argument. To her understanding Luna wanted her sister to cut the day short to have the night last longer. She tried to make her understand that the time lapses between the sun and the moon will majorly affect life as a whole. She tried to make her understand that day and night shared equally in time and brought a balance. She had denied her sister’s request but was gifted a glare and a snarl in return. “Mother, Father what should I do?” she prayed to her parents. “Your Majesty!” Celestia’s thoughts were cut short when her doors lunged open and Sky Fire ran into the throne room. “What troubles you Sky Fire?” She asked “It’s the moon your majesty why is it rising?” Sky Fire worriedly replied. “The Moon?” She moved to her balcony and saw the sky, she did indeed see the moon moving upwards to the sky. She looked down at the city below her and noticed that everypony stopped and looked up to the sky to witness what was happening. She looked up at the sky once more then realized that the moon was heading for the sun. Everypony was anticipating as the moon grew closer and closer to the sun. “Luna what are you doing?” There was an explosion in the ceiling that had taken Celestia by surprise. “Isn’t it beautiful Celestia, our moon in a matter of seconds will consume the daylight and bring everlasting darkness across Equestria.” The figure that crashed through the ceiling spoke. “Who- what- Luna is that you what is the meaning of this sister.” Celestia asked “Luna is no longer here what you are witnessing dear sister is a new mare that will govern over the night eternal. For I am Luna no more I am Nightmare Moon and I am here to usurp you my dear Celestia” Nightmare answered with a crazed smile. Celestia could not believe what she was witnessing, this mare that had some similarities to her sister was standing in front of her, her coat was black as night and her mane was a darker shade of blue than Luna’s. She gave out an aura of evil intent but that same aura felt familiar, this was her sister? Why was this happening? she just stood there with no idea on how to react to this predicament. This was her sister why was she doing this? “Lun-“ “For far too long have we been ignored, for far too long have you been praised and adored by all around as we are shunned and given no credit but it ends now for by getting rid of you Celestia all of Equestria will love me and the night with no choice what so ever. I will bring upon an eternal night across the land, give it time but they will learn and cope with a new look on life.” “Sister have you gone insane?!” Celestia asked. “HAhaha….Oh dear Celestia I haven’t gone insane, I just opened my eyes to the predicament that has been presented to me, But there is no need to explain anymore. Come Celestia we can do this easily or we can do this the hard way your choice.” “So it seems that you have chosen the darker path of life because of Envy, I cannot let you do this Luna, our parents raised us better, but if you have chosen this path my sister I will stop you!” “Bold claim Celesita, this is why we are at odds for when you seek the need to stop me I seek the need for more power! With it I shall control the moon and sun!" “And were supposed to be sisters.” “Sisters…Right” Celestia awoke in the middle of the night. She had that dream again. The same damn dream were her sister had turned on her and fought her, but it is no dream it is in fact a reminder of what had happened. The outcome is the same. Celestia defeats her sister and banishes her to the moon for a millennia. She wished there could have been a different outcome. She thinks of one every passing moment. How she regrets ever doing the deed. She couldn’t save her sister, instead of solving the problem she just put it on hiatus. She would cross that bridge when she had to, which was approximately 24 years from now. “Well what do we have here? Are you going to weep for her now?” A voice mocked her. She knew exactly how it was. “Discord even though you are trapped in stone you still find a way to irritate me to no ends.” Discord just laughed “What do you want Discord” Celestia demanded. In front of her fireplace the fire that was burning took the form of the Draconequus. “Nothing really, just the sight of your displeasure brings me comfort.” Answered Discord. “How are you able to do this? You are trapped.” Replied Celestia. “Hold your tongue Celestia for I am trapped but not dead. Yes I am limited in movement but limitless in power. As each day passes by I grow stronger. For when there is good bad follows close by, Chaos is ever present and I feed of it.” “You Bluff!” Celestia challenged. “Ha ever so naïve, fine don’t bother believing but one warning Celestia do not underestimate me, you aren’t able to hold the Elements of Harmony anymore and the seal weakens as time passes by it will be a matter of time before you start seeing chocolate rain all over the place, cause nopony likes nonfat milk, it’s a stupid gimmick and everyone knows about it.” Celestia knew Discord was one to not handle lightly but at the same time his gimmicks were of bad taste. “Discord there is nothing that you can throw at me that I can’t handle.” Celestia replied. The fire went out and all grew silent. Celestia had to rekindle the flames in the firewood to get the fire started again. It was silent. Then laughter was heard. Nonstop laughter all around her room. Discords voice boomed all over the room. “Fine but I had warned you, now let’s put your cockiness to the test shall we? Let’s see how you cope in a new surrounding with no knowledge of the world you are in. What will you do?” Celestia stood at all fours on guard waiting for something to happen. After a minute or two nothing happened and all was silent, but then a chill ran down her spine. The room was getting colder and colder. The feeling of dread came upon her. She tried to move but could not. Then in a blink of an eye the floor started to glow. Celestia took notice of it and realized she was on top of a star in a circle with an inverted cross in the middle. The circle started to glow red. She started to panic. It seemed as time started to slow down as she was being sucked down to the ground. She never felt so powerless in a situation such like this. The glow had consumed her. The red light dimmed and then disappeared. The room was empty. The first thing that came to Celestia’s mind was that her body ached, the floor was freakishly cold, and felt weak. When she opened her eyes she took her surroundings. She was lying on a marble floor; she looked up on the walls and to her sides. She could not recognize any of it. It looked like she was inside a castle of sorts, but what caught her eye was a figure in front of her. She had never seen anything like it. It was a statue. It had the features to recognize it to be feminine and was covered in a robe. It did not have hooves but it had paw like arms. They were clasped together in a praying manner. It looked peaceful to her. She then noticed another figure on top of her hanging in some kind of shrine. It was another figure hanging from a cross. It looked like this one had male features but this statue the figure that was there looked mistreated and battered and it was looking down at her. She could not shake the weird feeling she was experiencing at the moment. She tried to get up but failed and landed on the floor hard. She looked at herself puzzled to find out what was wrong, did she get surprise. > Running with the Devil > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 Running with the Devil “Might Controls everything, and without it you cannot protect anything, Let alone yourself.” “Foolishness Dante, foolishness” “Our souls are at odds brother, Mine Needs More Power.” ”And were supposed to be twins.” “Twins, Right” Dante awoke with a sigh. It has been a while since he dreamt about the first encounter with his brother. Even though the first fight with his brother Vergil took place more than a decade ago, the fight was still fresh in his mind like if it actually had taken place the day before. “Finally you’re awake!” “What-who- Patty? What are you doing here?” “School ended 2 hours ago, it’s already four thirty” Patty responded (Dammit, it looks like I overslept again) Dante thought to himself. “Well out of all of the places you can go, explain to me why you decided to come and bother me?” “Well all my friends at school are busy and my mom is out of town due to a business trip, so I told myself, Why not?” Patty responded with an innocent smile. Dante gave up with a sigh, like it or not Patty over the years had made his office her second home. “Plus I’m here for collection, as I recall Dante you owe me ice cream” “Ice Cream? Patty do you think I have the budget to keep buying you sweets?” Dante asked “You know Dante sometimes I wonder how you still keep this place open, I mean every time I come in, this place is not only dirty, you waste all your earnings on the jobs you do on Pizza, alcohol, and god knows what else that you barely have enough to keep this place running” Patty told Dante. “Dante sometimes I wonder –“ Patty got interrupted by the sound of the front doors opening. “Ah Morrison how kind of you to stop by.” Dante replied with a smirk “Well Dante sometimes I just have to make sure that you haven’t burnt this place to the ground yet.” Morrison said while he smirked and Patty laughed. “That’s it? looks like your jokes are catching up to your old age Morrison.” Dante shot back with a smirk. “Calm down Dante, no need to get on the defensive side, I’m not here to argue like little children, besides the fact that it seems like you had already started with Patty, but I’m actually here because I have a job for you.” Morrison told Dante “Well out with it then, what do you have?” Dante replied. “Calm down no need to rush, Well the strange fellow who came to me for the job has all of the instructions in this letter.” “Really Morrison, all this guy gave you is a letter?” Dante asked “Hey I don’t pick who the clients are I just take anything that comes at me, they pay your bills it’s not the time to be picky Dante.” Replied Morrison. With a sigh Dante opened the letter. The first thing he noticed when he opened the letter was that there was a ticket. (A first class ticket to Spain, Talk about first time impressions) Dante thought to himself, then he took out the letter and commenced on reading it. Dear Dante, Or sir and or madam, who may have this letter at the time, please give it to Dante. Well let me continue. The Job I am inquiring about is of great importance you see there is a chapel in Spain that is being ransacked by spirits and on rare occasions it contains demonic presence, I need you to travel to Santiago de Compostela within Galicia, Spain. There I will meet you and explain more about this job that I’m making you cross half the world for. The plane leaves today at six in the afternoon and you should be able to get here right about 1 am. Please do hurry. Sincerely, D. “What the hell?” Dante replied with a puzzled look. “Well what did the letter say Dante.” Morrison asked. “That I’m supposed to cross half of the world to Spain to meet the guy that wrote me this letter for god knows what, but what is really surprising is that he sent me a ticket for a flight that is going to leave within the hour, Morrison where did you meet the guy that gave you this letter?” “While I was at the bar, the fellow just came out of nowhere, had long hair, looked around his later 30’s, and had a monocle. He asked me about you and a job he wanted you to partake. Like I said it isn’t time to be judging the paying customer, the more important question here is if you’re going to be taking the job?” Morrison asked. “Doesn’t it seem fishy Dante, he was clearly looking for you, and wouldn’t he come to your shop instead of seeking out Morrison? This really does sound abnormal.” Patty replied while giving Dante a worried glance. “For once you are right Patty this does sound fishy, but like Morrison said the customer does bring in the bread to the table, plus if it’s a trap let’s just say it’s been getting boring lately and I would have some time to kill.” Dante replied with a grin “Morrison take me to the airport if the letter is right I have less than an hour to get to my flight.” “Dante are you sure it’s ok to go?” replied a worried Patty. “Yea it’s ok because you can close the shop now, so now there is no need for worry, Morrison lets go already! I want to go meet this Mr.D!” Dante replied. “Wait his name is Mr.D?” Morrison asked “Yea with a tacky name like that I’m pretty sure the guy is hiding something, well only time will tell.” And with that Dante and Morrison left to their destination. “Dante dammit, I really don’t know how I put up with him…. (Sigh)Dante please be careful.” With that said patty went to go fetch a broom, she could pass the time by cleaning up until Trish got here. Madrid, Spain 12:47 a.m. A limo stood parked in front of the airport entrance and from the back seat a figure stepped out of the limo. The figure was a male dressed in a white striped and black tailored suit. He had black long hair reaching all the way to his back and a monocle in the left eye and had a five o clock shadow gruff on his chin. “Well Dante should be getting here any minute now. Now to grab his attention when he disembarks the plane, darn were did I leave my sharpie now?” The figure mumbled to itself while looking for said marker. “Finally after a twelve hour flight I’m here.” Dante had said while he stretched. Then a realization dawned on him. How was he supposed to look for the guy if he only had a small description of how he looked in a place where there are more than thousands of people? The only thing Dante could do was face palm and sigh. Well the airport was empty with it being only 1:13 in the morning. He saw no reason in staying and with that he headed off to find the nearest exit and to a bar that was open at this time of hour. As Dante was nearing the exit he saw a figure. With closer observation he noticed that the figure was a man holding a sign. Dante it’s me it’s Mr.D! the sign had written on. (Well what a way to blow our cover smartass) Dante thought with a deadpanned expression. “Ah so you must be Dante nice to meet you, let me introduce myself I’m Mr.D.” Mr. D responded. “With a sign like that I’m pretty sure even a five year old could have guessed your name.” Dante responded. “What you don’t like my sign, guess I should have added stars across your name then.” Mr. D replied with a chuckle. “Keep at it buddy and my ass is going back on that plane and back to the states.” “Oh just humor me it’s one in the morning, I’m even questioning myself why I’m even picking you up at this time of hour when only me and you are the only ones in the airport, come my ride is outside.” Mr. D told Dante. When they reached the limo Mr. D opened the door for Dante. “What no rose?” Dante said while he chuckled. “Oh my no there’s a bouquet inside.” As Mr. D said Dante looked inside and to his surprise and irritation there was a bouquet of roses in the seat. “Satisfied yet Mr. Dante?” Mr. D said with his own laugh. When they entered the limo it took off.” So tell me why you couldn’t wait until I got to Galicia instead of showing up all on short notice.” Dante had asked. “There has been a change of plans and it needs your attention at once. Where the limo will be taking us is to a chapel called Nuestra Senora del Pilar Basilica which in Spanish it’s the Basilica of our lady of the Pillar, it’s a Roman Catholic Church built for the Virgin Mary, what you will be acquiring there after you face whatever demonic presence is let’s say a certain package of importance. Now what you have to do is protect this package at all costs.” Mr. D said in a serious manner. “So what is this package?” asked Dante. “Of great importance.” Mr. D simply answered. “You are not going to tell me are you?” “Nope everything is going to unravel itself in due time, now any questions?” Mr. D asked. “Just one, what does the D stand for in your name anyway?” Dante asked. “Again all in due time, now let me ask you a question, the only thing I have to drink is chocolate milk, now with knowing that would you like some chocolate milk?” Mr. D asked Dante curious with what his answer was going to be. “Uh no thanks?....” Dante replied. “Well Mr. Dante they told me that you were the one for the job, let’s see if the rumors of the great son of The Legendary Dark Knight Sparda are true, oh and before we depart, I wasn't going to give you any of my milk anyways.” After Mr. D said that he kicked Dante out of his limo while the said vehicle was still in motion. Dante skidded on the pavement floor to a halt. He started muttering profanities until he was off the ground. “Next time I see the guy he’s going to have more than one hole where that damn milk is going to be coming out of. Now where am I?” Dante asked himself. He turned around when behold the chapel was facing him. It was around 1:45 in the morning and there was no person in sight. He got an eerie feeling about the place until he felt a surge of magical power followed by the aura of demonic presence inside. Dante just smirked. “Well it seems like this party is about to get crazy!” with that said he headed inside the chapel. . . . Celestia tried to get up but fell to the ground hard. She looked at herself to see what was wrong. When she looked at her body did she get a surprise. Gone was her alicorn body instead it was replaced with something she had seen in her studies. Her body was that of the body of a human. She was confused as to what happened. What had caused this? Gone was her wings and her horn. She was naked on the cold floor. A lot of questions were running through her head at that moment, her emotions were out of whack, she didn’t know how to cope with the situation that was brought in front of her. She started to hyperventilate. When she started to take notice of this she tried to calm herself down. “Ok one thing at a time, pull yourself together.” She kept telling herself. Once she was calm she tried to think back at what happened, until realization dawned at her. With an anger she screamed his name, “DISCORD.” All she heard was her echo. Celestia started to calm herself once more. First thing is first, now she knows that Discord is behind all of this. Next step figure out what to do next, it was better said than done. Her thoughts were cut short when she felt a dark presence. Wait it wasn’t just one she started to sense it all over the room. There were more than twenty. She felt as if they were staring right at her. A cold chill ran down her spine. She was in a different form of her former body, in an unknown place, and with danger already in front of her, she had never felt so powerless and unable to take control of the situation at hand. She actually felt scared. She didn’t know what to do, she was scared. The shadows kept getting closer and closer until they took the form of grotesque monsters, all Celestia could do was stare in fright. “Back! Stay back I say!” Celestia screamed at the monsters but it was to no avail for the more she screamed at them in fear it just excited them more to see the fear in their prey. All Celestia could do is just keep crawling away and away. She stopped when she was cornered to a wall with no escape. She didn’t know what to do, was this the end? Was Discord right? What will happen next? She asked herself all this questions but one thing that stood out of them all was the thought of her sister “Luna” she called out with a tear in her eye. One of the monsters lunged at her. Out of instinct all Celestia was able to do was shut her eyes and put her hands in front of her. She heard the sound of a rebound. She opened her eyes to notice a yellow orb around her. Her eyes had widened “My magic, I still have my magic!” she exclaimed. The orb was the only thing that was protecting her while the beasts kept banging on it. She didn’t know how long she could last until the orb would finally fail. She tried to add more of her power to keep the monsters at bay, to hope if anything happens, if anything by the goddess’s chance would come and save her. “No stay back I say!” she screamed with all of her might until she heard a loud bang. She noticed one of the monsters fall to the ground, then she heard a new voice, “You heard the lady no means no can’t you guys take a hint?” > Severed Reality > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 Severed Reality “So that’s why he’s gone?” “Yup, that’s what Patty told me.” Lady just sighed. It was typical for Dante just to leave without any heads up or note to inform them. “Don’t worry he’s a big boy, he can take care of himself.” Trish told Lady. “I’m not worried about that, it’s all the collateral damage that follows him that I’m worried about, we don’t want this blowing out of proportion that it affects a whole country.” Lady said with frustration. They both stood there contemplating in silence until they heard the door open. “So this is his office, huh kind of tacky for my taste.” Said a figure both Lady and Trish did not recognize. “I’m sorry buddy but place is closed come back in the morning.” Lady informed the stranger. “Oh but isn't 2 am considered morning already? Or are you guys going with a different time zone?” said the stranger. “Hey smart ass come back at a reasonable time frame then!” replied an irritated Lady. “Oh hush now quiet now, no need to get testy, just relax and sit down would you?” The stranger replied and with a snap of his fingers two chairs appeared behind Trish and Lady and were forcibly made to sit down. Lady struggled but felt like if the chair kept a hold on her and it wouldn’t budge, she looked over at Trish but soon became confused when Trish did not show any struggle, instead she looked rather calm. “Stop struggling, you should take a fine example of your blond friend and just relax, I came because I need some information.” The stranger said. Lady gave up in struggling, if Trish wasn't putting up a fight then why would she? “Ok you got our attention, what do you need? Dante isn't here at the moment if by any chance you are looking for him.” Lady replied. “Oh I know I was the one who inquired his “Skills” on a job I needed done.” The stranger replied. “Wait so you’re Mr. D? The person that inquired Dante about the job in Spain?” asked Trish. “Ah yes I guess there is no need for introductions then, good, well in any matter I need to know where I can find The Dump?” asked Mr. D “Wait aren’t you suppose to meet Dante in Spain?” Lady asked. “I already did child, there has been a change of plans and if everything is to go smoothly I will need to save on time, so again the question on hand, where can I find The Dump? If you would be so kindly?” asked Mr. D “Well the public dump is half an hour away but I’m pretty sure my boot up your ass can send you flying straight to your destination.” Lady replied in anger. “Hmm, not the answer I was looking for.” Then Mr. D turned to Trish. “How about you, you’re his side kick where would the place I’m looking for be?” asked Mr. D “ Wait if you’ve met Dante already, it would take you more about a day to travel from Spain back to the states, so how are you here?” Lady asked. “I ask one simple question, and I get more questions than answers.” Mr. D started to get irritated from all the questions, so he turned back to Trish. “It was magic, it’s not rocket science, now my question needs an answer and I know you know the whereabouts of the place I am looking for!” asked Mr. D in irritation. “What if I tell you that I don’t know?” Trish said with a smirk. “That’s it, this is the final straw!” with that said Mr. D snapped his fingers and with that some kind of bear trap mechanism appeared around Lady’s head. “I saw this in a movie once and thought the person that came up with it was a genius, and I’m pretty sure it’s affective in real life, so answer my question or the girl with the arachnophobia gets it.” Mr. D warned “It’s called heterochromia!” Lady screamed in anger. Mr. D just ignored her, but kept looking at Trish “I know you can break the hold on the chair rather easily but would you put your friend’s life on the line, I just need a simple answer and I’ll be on my way.” “What business do you have there?” asked Trish. “I need to talk to the owner, now please I’m tired of playing 21 questions.” Replied Mr. D “Fine, I’ll tell you then” Trish said as she gave up, there was no point in endangering Lady’s life because then she wouldn’t hear the end of it from Dante. “Finally, thank you for your understanding.” Mr. D said with a calm and collective attitude. Everything was going according to plan at the moment. Hopefully he had time to fix the mess he had inconveniently got himself into, Mr. D just hoped that Mr. Dante did his job and all would be splendid. “Hmm I wonder how she would be faring at the moment.” . . . . “Ha! Too easy!” Dante exclaimed. Celestia just looked in awe. A minute ago she was about to face death head on at the hands of these beasts then the next minute this being, her savior came and was defeating those monstrosities with ease, but then at a moment’s notice she felt something clasp around her and lift her off the ground, it squeezed at her body cutting her air supply. “Ah so you are the one my master has taken interest in.” the beast had told Celestia. She got a better look at her capturer. It was a giant monster that had taken the form of a giant goat with some sort of symbol on its forehead. She tried to tap into her magic but the lack of air kept her from concentrating. “Hey tall, dark, and ugly mind if I cut in?” Dante said as he landed on the shoulder of the beast. With that being said Dante takes out Coyote-A, his trusted sawed off shotgun, and pulled the trigger on the side of the beasts head. It screamed in agony as the bullets ripped through the side of its head all in the while it released its grip on Celestia. She used this opportunity to use her magic and teleport herself to the side of the room, but by doing so she felt the rebound of using her magic. It had put a strain in her already weak body that she almost lost consciousness. The monster roared in agony and anger as it stood up and charged at Dante. Celestia saw how close the monster came to crushing Dante, but at the last second Dante appeared on top of the monster and impaled it with his sword through the head. The monsters eyes gave out and so did its body as it fell to the ground motionless. “Well that was pretty quick, I actually expected more, disappointing much?” Dante told himself. Then Dante turned to the woman on the floor and started walking towards her. Celestia noticed the said movement as her eyes widened in fear. As Dante got closer he noticed the fear in said woman’s eyes. “Hey there babe, you okay?” Dante asked. Celestia had blushed; she had never been called a babe before. “Who are you?” She timidly asked. “The names Dante.” She took a better look at him at that moment. He had a white mop of hair, was wearing an attire of consisting of pure red, his pants, vest, and coat were all red, black boots and black gloves, but what stood out the most for her were his blue eyes.(DMC 1 outfit) “See anything you like?” Dante had teased. Celestia got caught off guard and had blushed in embarrassment. “Oh my I’m sorry, where are my manners? My name is Celestia and this may sound ludicrous but in actuality this is the first time meeting a being like yourself, you see where I come from you are all but a myth.” Celestia had told Dante, but upon this realization she forgot that she wasn’t in Equestria. “Nothing but a myth huh? Interesting.” Dante replied. Celestia thoughts and worries were cut short when she felt something being draped around her, it was his coat. “Why are you doing this?” she asked. “Well as much as I wouldn’t mind I just can’t have you walk around in your birthday suit now can’t I?” Dante replied. She blushed “No I mean why are you helping me? We don’t know each other and yet you not only saved my life but are helping me, not that I’m not grateful or anything.” Celestia asked trying to forget the fact that she had been naked in front of him. “Well it’s not in my nature to turn down a woman in need, but also it’s because someone told me to protect you at all costs, and the said person has some explaining to do.” Dante had replied. With that being said Dante started to look around. “If it isn’t too much bother, may I inquire as to what you are doing?” Celestia had asked. “Well you see here, we have to get going before more of those demons pop out, and if you are indeed this so called “Package of importance” that I have to protect then you have to come with me to meet my employer.” Dante replied. “Wait, someone hired you to protect me?” Celestia asked. “Yea but I’ll explain all the details once I find a place we can crash in and a phone, ha found it!" Dante exclaimed. Dante held up a cloth like attire. It was a black tunic with a black veil for head wear. “What would that be?” Celestia asked. She was intrigued to find out what was Dante holding. “It’s a nun’s outfit; I knew I would find one laying around.” Dante answered. “And may you pray tell as to what may be the meaning of this “Nun” outfit?” Celestia had asked. “Well I can’t just let you wonder around with the only thing covering you is a coat, even with the crazy color of hair you have, with this if anyone sees us, this part of Spain is too religious so with this outfit no one will stop to ask questions as to whom you are and with whom you are traveling with.” Dante told Celestia. (What is wrong with my hair?) Celestia thought. Dante handed the piece of clothing to Celestia to put on, she hesitated, this man named Dante had saved her but did not give her any reason to trust him yet. Dante saw the hesitation. (Sigh) “You can stay here in the weak state that you are and can fight all those demons by yourself if more decide to show up or the most logical choice is to come with me and take refuge.” Dante had told her. He was right in the state she was in she couldn’t even last five minutes if those “demons” came back. She took the outfit from Dante. Dante then had started to look around; in a way it was his way to give her some privacy. Celestia took his hint and was grateful for his gesture. Once she was done with the outfit she called out for Dante that she was ready to depart, but there was one problem. “What do you mean you can’t walk your legs look perfectly fine to me!” Answered a bewildered Dante. “I’m sorry to be a bother but where I come from I’m not a biped, I’m a quadruped.” Celestia told Dante. “What!? You know what screw it we have to get out of here, you can tell me later.” And with that said Dante picked her up bridal style and started to head out of the chapel. When they made it outside the chapel Celestia took in the sights. She wasn’t in Equestria anymore. Everything looked foreign to her like if she was in a dream or in a fantasy book. Dante started walking to the nearest inn to crash. His head was hurting for the certain predicament he was in. First a mysterious man calls him for a job, it takes him half across the world, finds out this man is somewhat on the crazy side, goes inside a chapel, and to wrap it all up he has a babe dressed in a nuns outfit in his arms going to an inn. This would have been his fantasy if the situation wouldn’t have been all messed up. Dante just sighed; a beer and a rest would do the trick. He would wrap his head around this conundrum he has gotten himself into for tomorrow, wait scratch that it was around 2:30 am so if anything he would break his head later on today. He looked down at his new companion and noticed she was in a daze. Celestia was distracted with everything around her. This new place she was in was beautiful. The buildings and its architecture. Sure there was something similar in Equestria but nothing this complicated and vast in art. She felt like a fish out of water. Then fatigue started to set in. Out of everything that had transpired in a few moments, it had taken a toll on her already weak body. The soothing sound of the wind and the night sky, and the moon, she wondered if it was the same moon as the one in Equestria. The same moon that her sister was still in, and with that final though she let herself fall into a slumber in this man’s arms. Dante noticed her state of sleep. “Dammit, babysitting was not part of the job. This Mr. D dude is going to have some explaining to do.” With a sigh Dante looked around. He was the only one walking in the street. What he would do for a slice of pizza in his system at the moment. “Well I guess were just going to have to wait for that now aren’t we?” And with that he kept walking, trying to find an inn that was still open at this late of an hour. “Hmm, I wonder what Trish and Lady are doing?” Dante asked himself. . . . “You have sixty seconds.” A voice said in the contraption that was around Lady’s head. “You heard that Trish! Now move your ass and get this thing off me!” An angered Lady yelled. “Hold your horses I’m trying the best I can to disarm this thing.” Replied and irritated Trish. “Argh! Next time if I see that man I’m going to-.” “Found it! It’s just a string that’s holding the whole contraption, who would’ve though?” replied Trish with a smirk. As promised when Trish removed the string the bear trap on Lady’s head fell on the floor. “Ah much better that stupid device was putting a strain on my neck.” Lady replied while cracking her neck. “So what was the deal with the place this guy was so intrigued in?” Lady asked. “Well let’s just say those who call this place by its given name are instantly identified as newcomers, as the tired hands of that rat hole all call it by a single name only – The Dump. Bloody battles and dirty disputes over money are an everyday occurrence there, and the concept of concern for one’s fellow man was long since lost on The Dump’s denizens. What the people there are after, what they love to see, is not of this world.” Trish explained to Lady. She just stood there quiet after the small explanation Trish gave her. “Plus Dante and I know the owner and some of the locals there and we often go and play an interesting game of poker once in a while.” Trish smirked as she said that. “So what is the original name of this place?” Lady asked. . . . A limo stopped in front of a building. A figure stepped out and looked at the sign on top. “The Gates of Hell, haven’t been here for a while, let’s see how much it has changed?” the figure spoke with a smile as it opened the doors and stepped inside. > The Fragile Art of Existence > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4 The Fragile Art of Existence “Celestia, why did you do it?” “Why did you banish us to the moon?” “Is it an ironic joke?” “This will not be forgiven.” “For you are dead to us Celestia!” Celestia woke up panting from the nightmare she just had. She was sweating and breathing hard. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. That nightmare, it had hit her hard. It had been Luna that was telling her that. Every sentence she had told her broke her heart little by little, until the part that Luna had told her she was dead to her. “It’s ok, it was only a dream.” Celestia kept telling herself to try to calm herself down. Now was not the time for her emotions to get out of control. She looked around and noticed she was in a small room. She was on a bed and by the looks of it she had Dante’s coat on as a blanket. She heard a door to her right open. She looked at that direction and noticed Dante come out, of what it seemed to be a restroom, shirtless and a towel around his head. “Oh my.” Celestia told herself as she blushed. Dante had heard something and looked up. “Hey, so I see sleeping beauty is finally awake.” Dante had told her with a smirk. Celestia just kept quiet. “So how are you holding up?” Dante had asked her. She was at a lost. How was she holding up? She was an utter mess of emotions at the moment. She was in a new world, in a different body, and probably millions of miles away from her home. Her home, Equestria. How she wanted to go back, in her absence she knew there were ponies capable enough to rule, but just the thought of not being there to protect it really hit her hard. “I’m fine, thank you for your concern.” She said as she forced a smile. Dante smirked, he did not buy it one bit. “I can see through that silly façade you are putting up.” Dante had told her. “Well what do you want me to say? I guess I’m just at a total loss right now and in an emotional turmoil at the moment.” Celestia replied. Dante put the towel down and opened the small fridge the inn had. He took out a bottle of water and gave it to Celestia. She took the water and gave him a small smile of gratitude in return. “How can you deal with situations that are out of your control?” Celestia had asked him. Dante took this time to sit in a chair that was next and facing the bed. “Well life is always throwing problems at you, you really can’t push them aside or find shortcuts, even though you are faced with either minor or major bumps in the road just remember that there is something else that is crazier that’s going to come and top whatever you are dealing with at the moment.” Dante told her in a casual manner. Celestia deadpanned, but she understood his answer. This is just the tip of the iceberg, down the line she will have to overcome more problems this world has to offer her. She had to be ready. In a way she was glad that she met Dante. He had a casual and comforting attitude. She first noticed this back at the chapel when he faced and defeated the hordes of demons that came after her. Any other being would either be frightened or take the situation very seriously, but here was Dante, her savior, defeating those monstrosities with ease but at the same time he was playing with them with a smile on his face. She opened her bottled water and drank from it. “Feel better?” Dante had asked her. Celestia gave him a smile. “Your logic, being kind of negative, is very sound and to the point.” Celestia had told him while putting the bottle on the nightstand. “Well I do read a book here and there, so I know some of this stuff.” Dante said showing cockiness. “Wait, what do you mean negative?” Dante asked. Celestia just giggled. “Oh nothing, just pay no mind to it.” Celestia reassured him. Dante just looked at her. He then closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and gave her a smirk. “Whatever you say babe.” Dante had told her. Celestia just laughed. “So what do we do now?” She asked him “Well I called my contact and told him about my little situation, but all in all he understood so he is bringing a boat, it should be here in two days by midnight.” Dante had told her. Good, for Celestia that meant some progress at least. She looked at the clock it was around 3 in the afternoon. She could not believe she slept more than 12 hours, but given the predicament she understood that in her new body and everything she went through it was expected. She looked around the room. Then something caught her eye. To the other side of the bed she noticed Dante’s weaponry. There were his two projectile weapons with the names “Ebony & Ivory” engraved in them, but what caught her eye was his blade. It was as big as a claymore but the design gave off an eerie feeling she couldn’t shake, but in her current situation she couldn’t get a closer look at it. She wished she knew more about Dante, but then a thought came to her. “Dante may I ask a question?” Celestia asked as she faced him “Shoot.” Dante replied. “Well from the short time that we have known each other, besides the small bits and pieces I have told you, you not once asked who I am or were originate from, may I inquire as to why?” Celestia asked with curiosity to see what Dante’s respond would be. “Well let’s just say that its rude to dwell into someone’s past, no?” Dante responded. Celestia took his answer in two different ways. She was happy because he was not being privy because even though he had saved her and never left her side it still didn’t give her right to freely talk about her origin with him, but in a way she came to a conclusion that she was disinteresting to him. Then she really thought about it, for everything he has done she could at least share the basics with him. “Well would there be anything of interest that you would want to know?” She hesitantly asked. She didn’t know why she was still hesitating, but the question was asked. Dante just looked at her. He then closed his eyes. It was silent for about a minute or two. Celestia took his silence as a no. She was really upset with it because she now gave him the opportunity to know more knowledge about a world outside this realm, but more importantly about herself. But in any matter she respected his decision. “You don’t have to share anything with me at the moment; I can tell you are having second thoughts about freely giving any info about yourself, but in any matter let’s make a deal no? Tell me when you feel you’re ready, I won’t force anything upon you.” Dante had given her this option. Celestia let out a small sigh of relief. Even though she felt bad, Dante understood and she was really grateful for it. Then it all went silent. Celestia was on the bed contemplating what to do next. Then it hit her. “Dante, if it isn’t much bother, may I ask for a favor?” Celestia blushed while she asked this. It was really embarrassing what she was about to say if he said yes. “Go ahead.” He replied. Well there isn’t any going back Celestia had thought. “If you may recall I had once told you that were I originate I am actually a quadruped, but under different circumstances I am a biped and not once walked on two legs, if there is any way possible were you can teach me how to….walk?” Celestia face became red after she asked this. She was looking at Dante waiting for an answer. Dante just smiled and stood up. He made his way to the bed and took out his hand for her to grab. “That’s a really good idea; I mean I don’t mind having a stunning babe in my arms but I’m not a free ride either.” Dante had told her with a smirk. She heard that last comment, it was impossible for her to turn another shade of red, but beside the point she smiled at Dante. She put his coat to the side of the bed. With her hand she reached and grabbed Dante’s. She set one bare foot down on the carpet then followed by the other. She stood up and automatically grabbed Dante’s shoulders for support. Her legs were trembling but she waited for them to get accustomed to her weight. At this time she came to a realization that Dante was still shirtless. She tried not to think of it, but it was hard when in front of you was a being that had the body that even a god would be envious of. Her legs stopped trembling and she released a sigh. Dante took one step back. Celestia took one step forward. Then Dante took another step back and Celestia took one step forward, but her leg gave out and fell forward. Dante caught her. “You don’t have to do this right now; we have two days to do this if you want to?” Dante had asked. Celestia had looked at him with a smile on her face. “No I am fine, plus the sooner I get this out of the way that would be one less problem for me to worry about and one less problem to bother you with, so I can and will continue.” Celestia had told Dante with motivation in her eyes. Dante pushed her upwards and continued with the baby steps. Celestia didn’t know how to repay Dante. He had done so much for her. He had saved and protected her. “Thank you.” Celestia faced Dante as she said this. “For what?” Dante asked. “For everything up to this point, you not only saved me, but protected me and gave shelter, regardless if you were hired or not you could have easily left me, but you didn’t and for that you have my gratitude and I’m in your debt. If there would be a favor you would ask I would try my best to repay and help you.” Celestia told Dante. She was really grateful with the outcome so far. She owed Dante that much she knew. They kept doing for a while. Celestia was getting used to walking on two legs, regardless if they were taking it slow. Then Celestia looked at Dante. “Equestria.” “Huh?” Dante asked. “Equestria, it’s the place where I am from.” She told Dante. Dante just smirked. “Equestria huh? Sounds fancy.” Dante replied. . . . A figure closed the door behind him. He looked around and noticed it was some kind of bar. He went all the way to the counter. He sat in one of the stools and looked at the neon sign that was flashing in front of him. It read “The Gates of Hell.” “Hello? What kind of bar are you running if there is no one to attend a customer?” The figure asked. The back door opened and a figure stepped out. He was a tall bald man with a tattoo running down his head. His apparel was that of a trench coat, and wore some shades. The figure walked up and grabbed a glass and commenced on cleaning it with a rag while looking at the figure in the stool. “Took you a while to find this place, so what’s with the get up?” The figure asked. “You don’t like? I believed it goes good with me; well I should have lost the monocle, well I don’t know, what do you think Rodin?” The figure asked the bartender now known as Rodin. “Whatever makes you happy, I am not one to judge. So what brings you here out of all places Discord?” Rodin asked. The smirk that Discord had faltered. The air around him changed. All in all he became serious. “I came to ask a favor from you, I even had to employ Dante to help me out so as you can see I’ll need all the help I can get.” Discord told Rodin “The Son of Sparda? You must be in deep if you had to get his services.” Rodin replied intrigued to hear Discord’s story. Rodin knew Discord, for even though they were separated from dimensions, Paradise, and Hell were one in the same in every universe. Discord was known as the God of Chaos, but even Discord got himself into deals and problems that he couldn’t handle. “Well let’s just say I wanted to teach a certain being a lesson, by doing what I wanted to do I needed knowledge of the black arts, so I made a deal with a certain devil, but what I didn’t realize was that in exchange not only does he get a certain individuals soul, but also mine.” Discord told Rodin. “So who are we talking about that would cause even you to be on alert?” Rodin had asked. With the question asked Discord looked around to see if no one was around to listen in, then he turned to Rodin. “The head honcho, the God of all lies and blasphemies, the original fallen angel.” Discord replied. “Out of all things you could have done, you bring you’re problems to me, so what do you need done?” Rodin asked with curiosity. . . . 2 days later Dante looked at the time. It was going to be eleven. One more hour till midnight. For the past two days Dante had taught Celestia the basics in walking. By the second day she was doing it herself. She was a quick learner he had to admit that. He leaned back in his chair waiting for the clock to strike 12. Celestia was currently taking a shower before leaving. He tried to relax but there was this eerie feeling he was getting that someone was watching them. He smirked. “And here I thought this job was the first to be easy.” Dante said. He heard the shower door open. It was Celestia, she had her nun’s outfit but was holding up a black jacket and a shirt. “Dante I really don’t know about this, I mean I do not mind the jacket but the shirt is really vulgar.” Celestia had told Dante. “What do you have against Death? It’s a pretty good band, besides that is all I have with me at the moment, I don’t have the budget to buy you clothes so we must suffice with what we can.” Dante told Celestia. She sighed; if it was the only option presented to her at the moment then it would have to do. She put on the shirt followed by the black jacket. “How much more do we have to wait?” Celestia had asked Dante. “I’m guessing we should leave in fifteen minutes, we have a long way to walk to the harbor so by the time we get there it should be twelve.” Dante replied. Celestia was lost in her thoughts. This was going to be a new chapter in her life. She just wished that they wouldn’t face any problems along the way, and hopefully find a way home soon. . . . “So there in that tacky inn?” A figure spoke. There were currently four figures on top of a building across from where the inn was at. “So what do we do know?” Another figure spoke. “We could go in and capture the woman.” The third figure spoke. “There will be none of that, the orders were clear to track and observe nothing more and nothing less.” The fourth figure spoke. It was the voice of a female. The three other figures turned to her. “My question still stands, what do we do now?” One of the figures spoke. “Calm yourself Sebastian, all in due time, we found them and know where they are currently heading, our work is done for the moment.” The female responded. Sebastian just sighed. “Well this was rather boring, so Maria, will we be returning to give our findings?” Sebastian asked. The female now known as Maria just smirked. “No we still have a weasel to catch, his time is up and has to pay his debt to our master.” Maria said. She turned to the two other figures. “Constantine, Alexander you two will go and fetch this worm.” Maria had commanded, they both nodded and disappeared in a shroud of smoke. “I find it very ironic that we are the ones setting the apocalypse forth, when we are the ones to be called when it starts.” Sebastian told Maria. Maria just stood quiet. “Come, we must leave this place and go back and report our findings.” Maria said while paying no attention to Sebastian’s earlier comment. “Whatever you say, Death.” Was the last thing Sebastian uttered before they departed. > Words of Change > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 Words of Change What are you going to do with all that power, huh? No matter how hard you try, you’re never going to be like father! Is that all you got? Come on! Get up! You can do better than that. Let’s finish this, Vergil. I have to stop you, even if it means killing you. A figure grunted as it awoke. He looked around to see where he was at. “So I see that you have finally awoken.” The voice of a small girl told him. The figure looked at the girl in question. It was a small pale girl with blond hair tied up into two pigtails with black ribbons, and had blue eyes. She wore a poetess long layered tulle and a satin fairy skirt. She looked around 13 years of age. Then the figure looked around the room. It looked like an abandon house that was falling apart. “Humph, you know it’s rude to ignore a lady when they are talking to you, Vergil.” The small girl told him. Vergil paid no attention to the small girl as he stood up. He moved to the side of the room to pick up what seemed to be a weapon. “The Muramasa blade hungers for more power as do you, so what is next?” The girl asked. Once again she was given silence in return. Vergil walked to the front of the door and opened it. He was greeted by hot air hitting his face. He took a look outside. The setting was that of a ruined city that looked like a meteor had struck it. He remembered how he got here. He remembered how Dante, his twin brother, had defeated him. He remembered how Mundus took control of his body, how he was defeated by Dante again. How the black hands of Death were dragging him where his soul was already destined to go. How he spent years in vast emptiness. How this little girl saved him. Vergil turned to look at the little girl. She looked annoyed. “Kasdeya.” Vergil uttered. “Let’s be on our way.” Kasdeya gave a smile and followed Vergil outside. Vergil looked around him; the clouds were black as night and the sky was blood red. When Dante defeated him as Nelo Angelo, he was cast out to Hell. When he came upon judgment his demonic side was taken away and sealed, to forever walk around as a mortal in the depths of hell. He wondered in vast emptiness for years. Then this small girl appeared before him as he felt that he was going to faint from exhaustion. Healed him and gave him a second chance in redeeming himself. Kasdeya was her name. She was one of the original fallen angels that rebelled against God when Lucifer tried to get a rebellion going. She was the one who crafted and showed mankind the destruction of weaponry, and also had an apprentice by the name of Rodin. With her knowledge she was able to pin point the exact places were demonic weaponry resided. With Yamato not in Vergil’s possession anymore Kasdeya gave him a better one. Muramasa, The demonic blade. The sheath was black as night, the grip was blood red. The only warning she gave Vergil is that when the blade is released from the sheath blood has to be drawn for it to return to its scabbard. “We are running out of time, he has found a vessel with enough magical potency to open the portal that your father has closed long ago.” Kasdeya told Vergil. “That is the least of our concerns; we must first accomplish the task at hand.” Vergil responded. “To what? Defeat Beelzebub, one of the last of the original fallen angels? Ever since I granted you back some of your inhuman abilities and defeated the other fallen ones you have become rather overconfident.” Kasdeya told Vergil. He just smirked. “Can’t you feel it? Every time I defeat a demon that resides and rules a part of hell I grow stronger and am a step closer to acquiring my other half.” Vergil had told Kasdeya. She looked at Vergil and could not help to put a smile on her face. “Well prove it to me, let us depart from here and head through the valley of the dammed, let us witness the power of a Son of Sparda to defeat the being that is second to Lucifer. Plus Beelzebub needs to be put in his place for thinking all high and mighty.” Kasdeya said with a glee in her voice, with that both started walking through the abandoned city for their next destination. . . . “And that is who I really am and where I come from.” Celestia responded. “Wait a minute, so where you come from you are this so called alicorn, that governs the land of Equestria and have the ability to turn the day to night and vice versa, and basically the dominant species are hor- I mean ponies?” Dante said dumbfounded. “Do you see a problem with this?” She had asked somewhat offended by the way Dante was acting. “No not really just trying to take things in, I mean I have seen and heard weirder stuff, but who am I to judge?” Dante responded going back to his laid back attitude. Celestia just calmed down and brought back her calm attitude. She wasn’t going to make a big deal out of this. She only left out the story of her sister. She hesitated on telling Dante the past sin she did when she had confronted Luna and banished her. She was scared of his reaction. It was around 11:54 p.m. and the docks were already in sight. As both got closer Dante suddenly felt a powerful magical entity near, he stopped and with that made Celestia stop too. “Why are we stopping? Is something the matter Dante?” She had asked. Dante just smirked. He grabbed Celestia by the arm and pulled her behind him. “Hey babe, come out already, never was a fan of hide and seek you know.” Dante yelled out loud. Celestia was wondering what in the world was Dante doing until she felt the powerful magical aura followed by a voice. “Please I’d rather die than to be caught playing a childish game with you out of all people.” The figure responded. Celestia heard the voice all around her. She was on alert but noticed Dante was calm with a smile on his face. “So I see you want to skip all of the fore play and get straight to the action.” Dante responded. With that said Dante pushed Celestia to the ground and brought out both Ebony and Ivory out. In that moment all Celestia heard were loud bangs. She covered her ears and looked up to see the fire arms Dante had brought out to fire at the newcomer. The other figure was also shooting at Dante, but to no avail did it hit its mark for whenever it shot at Dante he would cancel out the bullet with his own. It went on for about five minutes when Celestia could not take it anymore. She raised a shield to cover Dante and herself from any more bullets. Confused by the turn of events Dante looked at Celestia with a confused expression as all the fire seized. “I apologize, but I couldn’t take the noise any longer.” Celestia had told Dante. “Fair enough.” Dante had told her as he put his guns away. As the shooting had stopped the figure made itself known. Celestia picked herself off the ground and focused on putting more of her magic on the shield, but Dante grabbed her arm. “Hey there is no need for the shield anymore, we weren't in danger to begin with.” Dante told her. She looked at Dante like if he had grown another head. “What do you mean weren't in danger?! We were being shot at!” Celestia raised her voice. Dante put a finger in his ear to check his hearing. “Hey there babe I’m right here, there is no need to scream unless it’s my name.” Dante told her still checking his hearing. “Well look what we have here.” A figure said as it made itself known. Celestia took in at the woman that had shot at them earlier. She had black hair wrapped into a beehive-like hairdo and gray eyes, has a mole located at bottom of her left cheek close to her lips. Her main attire was composed of a skin-tight suit that had a rose design on the abdomen as well as long white gloves, black and gray heels and thin, gold chains; she also wore glasses that had the design of butterfly wings close to the lenses, three small belts strapped on each arm, and a pair of gold, cat-shaped earrings. “Is there something you need, cause I doubt you came all around the world just for me, Cereza.” Right when Dante finished his reply he dodged the bullet that was aimed between his eyes. “Dante you are treading on thin ice here.” Cereza said. Celestia was confused. A minute ago the two were shooting at each other as if they were enemies but then they were having a casual talk, well except the part were Dante dodged the bullet. “Who are you?” Celestia had asked in a demanding voice. Cereza just looked at Celestia up and down. She was getting a good look at who she was. “Hey stop undressing her with your eyes would ya.” Dante said with a chuckle. Cereza just ignored his comment. “The names Bayonetta, and you must be this so called Celestia, am I right?” Bayonetta asked with a smirk. Celestia’s eyes widened in shock. “How do you know who I am?” Celestia had asked. Bayonetta smirked at her question. “Who wouldn’t, the whole underworld won’t stop talking about you, and I just know the details.” Bayonetta said as she started to walk around Celestia. “Celestia, a sentient being from the land of Equestria, goddess of the sun, and oldest daughter of Nova and Osiris.” Celestia just stood there in awe. Bayonetta had a smirk on her face, looks like she caught her attention. “How do you know all of this?” Celestia demanded. “Like I said, in the underworld you’re like a fucking celebrity. All I know is that since you appeared here everyone down there is going on a crazy witch hunt. I can already tell you have an enormous amount of magical potency, and with that alone you have the power to open the Hell Gate that was sealed long ago by this idiot’s father.” Bayonetta responded pointing at Dante. Celestia was confused so she turned to Dante. Dante just shrugged. “Hey I am barely finding out about this too.” Dante held his arms up. Then he turned to Bayonetta. “So you just came to give us a warning?” Dante asked. “That and Rodin wants to see you when you get back, let’s just say he is interested in your lady friend here.” She told Dante “Huh and here I thought you really wanted to see me.” Dante said in a fake hurt manner. “Oh please I have more important business to attend to than to spend time with an unmannered boy.” Bayonetta said before she started to walk away. “Wait! Can you at least tell me who is after me?” Celestia asked. Bayonetta stopped. She did not turn around but the air around them got serious. “So you really don’t know? Well let’s just say that by reading the ‘good book’ you’ll find out who the original fallen angel is, then you’ll have a vague understanding how serious this is.” With that said she disappeared into the shadows. Celestia was at a lost. As mere minutes passed she got more questions than answers. She landed in this unknown world in a matter of days and already someone or something was after her. She just wanted to go home, is that so much to ask for? She looked up at the night sky and gazed upon the moon. For some reason it brought her comfort but to a certain extent. It was all quiet until she started to laugh at herself. Dante stood quiet until he noticed her laughing. “You were right in your saying a couple of days ago. First I was worried about how I got here, I was at a lost on what to do, but like you said something crazier seems to just come and top whatever you are dealing with at the moment. Now I find out by a woman that I have never seen in my life telling me that I am going to be hunted down by things that need me to open a demonic portal.” She said as she laughed at herself. Was this it? Was she finally going to lose it? Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Hey you alright there?” Dante had asked. Celestia just looked at him. She smiled. Out of all of the troubles that she is and will be facing the upside is that she has Dante by her side. “No nothing really just a lot of questions going through my head at the moment, it seems that’s been happening lately, you know I just want an answer once in a while, but sometimes we must work with what we get.” Celestia replied as she finally calmed down. “Now that’s the spirit, thought I lost you there for a second, now let’s get a move on, I’m pretty sure we have kept Morrison waiting for a while, eh I would not be surprised if he just left us.” Dante told her. “Morrison?” Celestia asked. “Oh, Morrison is my contact, the one I was telling you about a couple of days ago.” Dante told Celestia. As they walked to the docks they noticed a figure wearing a brown coat and a brown hat to match the coat. The figure was smoking a cigarette. “Hey Morrison!” Dante had yelled Morrison’s name to get his attention. “Well took you long enough, though you got lost or fell asleep in a bar or something.” Morrison had told Dante. “Stop overreacting we are only five minutes late nothing to get all worked up about.” Dante replied. Morrison just sighed. What was the point in arguing with Dante. Morrison then looked over at their new companion. “So you must be Celestia, Dante has told me about you, a pleasure to meet you.” Morrison said as he took of his hat to show manners. “Morrison is it? Thank you and a pleasure to meet you too kind sir.” Celestia responded with a smile. “Good now we are at a first name basis, Morrison lets go, can’t stand this place no more.” Dante said as he walked to were Morrison’s boat was. He looked at it and whistled. “Wow Morrison, when did you get this beauty?” Dante asked with interest. Morrison just smirked. “A 68 Viking Yacht also known as one of the “Four Angels” I got this boat of a poker game and won, something you wouldn’t know how to do right?” Morrison joked. Dante just muttered to himself and got into the boat. Celestia laughed at the small joke. “Shall we board Miss Celestia?” Morrison asked. Celestia just nodded. “Well then after you miss” When Celestia entered the boat she was in awe at how extravagant it looked. Morrison started the ship and left the port, the next destination was back to the states. . . . It’s been a day since Dante and Celestia had departed from Spain. Dante had told Morrison to take his time. There was no point in rushing to get back home. The day was at an end but Celestia could not sleep. It was around eleven at night and Celestia stepped out on the back part of the ship. She looked at the water. The ripples the water were making because of the motion of the boat. She looked up at the night sky, the stars, and most importantly the moon. It was quiet all around. Everything that has transpired so far really confused her and left her with more questions than answers. In the little time she has been here things just kept getting worst, but then like a divine gift Dante had shown up. Throughout everything they have experienced he never let anything get to him. Faced everything with a smile on his face. Proved to anything and anyone that he wasn’t going to stand still. She admired his courage, something she envied at the moment. She felt useless, a damsel in distress if anything. She hated it, she hated the feeling. She heard the door behind her open. “So can’t sleep now, can you?” Dante had told her. She gave an embarrassing smile. She was caught. “No, it’s just everything that is happening, and with little time to take everything in and not being able to do anything about it is really frustrating me.” Celestia told Dante. He understood what she was saying. “But then again life would be boring without its twist and turns, it makes what you are trying to accomplish all the much better.” Dante responded. Celestia looked at Dante. The moonlight cast a light on him. She couldn’t help to smile at Dante. She turned back to look at the water. “I will see the choices within my hands How can we ever protect and fight with our tiny souls Let me shine like the sun through the doubts and fear Do you feel the storm approach as the end draws near? When heavens divide Time will come to softly lay me down Then I can see a face that I long to see And for you, only you I would give anything Leaving a trace for love to find a way” Dante was in awe. Celestia just closed her eyes. She kept quiet for a minute then turned to Dante. “My mother sang me this song when I was small, she would sing it when I was lost, confused, or in doubt. It brought me some comfort and the will to keep moving forward no matter the obstacles.” Celestia shared with Dante. “I guess now I have to get my act together and hope for a better tomorrow when it comes no?” She had asked Dante. He just smiled. “Well sometimes we have to deal with what we get, but I suppose everything happens for a reason.” With that said Dante waved at Celestia and headed back inside. She looked up at the moon once more. She felt at ease once again and smiled. She headed back inside to get some rest, pondering on what tomorrow will bring. > Glorious Aggressor > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 Glorious Aggressor “Dante we will be at your office in about ten minutes.” Morrison had told Dante. It was around 2 in the afternoon and they had just left the docks around noon. Dante was in the back seat of a car in a relaxed position with his arms on the back of his head. Morrison was of course driving and Celestia was in the passenger seat. Morrison took a look at Celestia. He smirked. She looked like a small child in an amusement park. Celestia was looking out the window. She was entranced by what she was seeing. Neon signs everywhere, cars and vehicles that traveled about, all of the technical advances they had, and all of the people walking down the streets minding their own business. Everywhere she saw was spouting with life. Then she was starting to notice all the stares she was getting from the people walking down the street. Feeling embarrassed she focused her attention on the road. It had taken them around three days to return to the states on boat. During that time all Dante did was sleep while Morrison and Celestia had talked to one another. During this time they got to know each other. She had told Morrison that she had come from a different place and what she was and represented in her home. She was surprised to find out that he believed her. His response was that “Every time you work with Dante, you keep witnessing abnormal stuff that you get used to it by now.” During that time Celestia also took the advantage to try to get a feeling of her magic back in her grasp. She was surprised when she was able to cast some of her spells in regular fashion. She went from lifting a soda can to an entire fridge. As they turned to a one way street Celestia finally saw Dante’s shop. “Devil May Cry” She had uttered. “Yup, Dante’s office and home.” Morrison told Celestia. “What, Here already?” Dante questioned as he woke up. “Well yea, half of the trip you were asleep, but your welcome.” Morrison told Dante. All Dante did was just smirk at Morrison. “Don’t worry Morrison, I forgive you” He told Morrison as he got out of the car. Celestia and Morrison just looked at each other and shrugged having no idea what Dante meant by that. Dante walked up the steps and opened the doors to his office. “Ah Home sweet home.” Dante exclaimed. As Morrison opened the car door for Celestia they both heard a loud bang. They turned their heads towards the building and saw Dante fly out of the doors and hit the pavement hard. Celestia eyes widened when she noticed he wasn’t moving and by the look of it blood was leaking out of his torso. “Dante!” She screamed and ran to him. Before she got to him she noticed a figure come out of the building. It was female. She had dark; chin-length hair on both sides of her face and had a fringe that reached her eyebrows. She wore a white formal outfit that was way to revealing for her taste and brown boots, she also wore a pair of sunglasses hiding her sight from everyone, but in this situation her attention was at Dante. In her hand she was holding a weapon in same appearance as to Dante’s sawed off shotgun. She had a scowl on her face as she walked down the steps. “The nerve of you Dante, you have a lot of explaining-.” The woman was interrupted when a yellow aura appeared around her and was levitated off the ground. She looked around to see what was causing this. She noticed a woman not that far from Dante holding her arm upwards with a yellow aura covering her hand. “Now who the hell are you?” The woman never got a response as Celestia used her magic to bring the woman close to her. In a matter of seconds as the woman reached Celestia, she cocked her fist back and punched the woman in the face. Celestia heard a crack and with enough force behind her punch she sent the woman flying back into Dante’s shop. . . . With a loud yawn Trish closed yet another magazine. Currently both Lady and Trish were lounging around Dante’s office. Business had been rather slow lately and both were waiting for Dante’s return but with a different motive for each. Trish was waiting for Dante because it got rather boring and she needed someone to keep her entertained. Dante always knew how to have fun. Lady on the other hand had a bone to pick with Dante. Ever since the fiasco they got into she wouldn’t let it go, unlike Trish were she just accepted it and passed it off as just a minor bump in the road with the situation regarding Mr. D, Lady was furious that she wasn’t informed in what Dante was doing and that she was made a joke because of it. The whole reason for her foul mood at the moment which was a major buzz kill for Trish. Both heard footsteps approach and Lady got out a sawed off shotgun. Trish did not know where she acquired it but it wasn’t worth effort to ask. Trish just opened another magazine knowing were this was heading so she paid no mind to it. Lady stood right in front of the door. Both doors then opened. “Ah Home sweet home.” Dante exclaimed. Then he noticed Lady aiming a weapon to his chest. “Oh well here’s your homecoming present.” Lady told Dante as she pulled the trigger. Dante was sent flying out the shop with Lady following suit. Again Trish paid no mind, Dante could handle himself. Then all got silent. It perked her interest until she saw Lady fly into Dante’s desk breaking it as she landed on it. This caught Trish’s interest; there was no way Dante would even lay a finger on Lady or herself if it meant to harm them. She looked at Lady sprawled across the floor holding her face while groaning. She had a broken nose which she was bleeding from and also a busted lip which she also was bleeding from. Trish heard some footsteps behind her. She turned to see who it was. To her surprise it wasn’t Dante. It was a woman. She was tall about her size, had weird colored hair, leather boots, leather jacket, one of Dante’s bands shirts on, and by the look of it a nun’s outfit underneath. Trish wasn’t cocky but she had to admit that she did have a good body when it came to attract men of sorts, but she had to hand it to this woman in front of her. She had a body of a goddess, even a chest to boot, regardless the attire she was in. Then it hit her, she felt a huge amount of magic leaking off her. She seemed pretty pissed off too. Celestia started walking toward Lady until her path was blocked yet by another woman. “Sorry can’t let you have this one, plus I’m pretty sure she doesn’t swing that way.” Trish told Celestia. “And who might you be?” Celestia asked. “Oh me, well the names Trish, the woman over there that I’m pretty sure you sent flying is called Lady, and like a friend I’m here to repay the deed.” Trish threatened her. “So you are in league with this woman then, what she did to Dante is unforgivable.” Celestia told Trish. “Well do something about it.” Trish told her. In a sense she was getting excited. Finally a fight. Trish could feel the power this woman had. “Before we settle this I never did get your name.” Trish asked. “Celestia, do remember it.” Celestia responded. They both rushed at each other and Trish tried to grab Celestia but in return Celestia interlocked her hands with her. It was a battle of dominance, both trying to overpower the other. . . . “Um Dante you should do something before this gets more out of hand.” Morrison told Dante Dante got off the floor and dusted himself off. Looked around to see if his clothes were alright and gave a huge sigh. “Dammit Lady you messed up my clothes again” Dante uttered. He then looked at Morrison “Don’t worry Morrison I’m pretty sure you can handle it.” Dante started to walk away. “Wait Dante where are you going? Dante!” Try as he might Dante just kept ignoring Morrison. He cursed under his breath. There went Dante yet again leaving him to clean up his mess. He looked at the building where he could currently hear screams and stuff flying about and breaking at the moment. He was about to move until the front doors burst open with Celestia being tackled by Trish. Trish landed on top of Celestia. With one hand she grabbed her hair and with the other she started wailing on her face. When Morrison noticed Celestia wasn’t moving and letting herself get hit repeatedly he decided that enough is enough. “Trish stand down!” Morrison yelled. He ran up to Trish and grabbed her from behind and tried to get her off. Morrison bent down and checked Celestia over. She had some bruises here and there and a busted lip. Girl could take a beating. “Celestia? Celestia? Wake up will you? Damn it” Morrison cursed. Trish just looked down. She was breathing pretty hard. Even though she had knocked her out Celestia was able to get some good hits in. “Ugh” was all Celestia muttered before she awoke. Her face was in pain no wait scratch that her whole body was in pain. She then noticed Trish and Morrison beside her. With a last effort she pointed her hand at Trish and with her magic she sent Trish flying landing on Morrison’s car. With that last effort she lost consciousness. Trish groaned, Celestia had gotten her by surprise. She got up and limped to Morrison. “Great now we have two unconscious people in our hands and no Dante in sight.” Trish said with anger in her voice. “Well whose fault is that?” Morrison asked. “Hey she started it.” Trish retorted. Morrison just sighed. “Well let’s take her inside maybe in a separate room than Lady, she might wake up pissed at her.” Morrison said. . . . “Ugh, what happened?” Celestia told herself as she woke up. She was currently lying down on a couch. “Dante she finally woke up.” Celestia heard a voice of a child. She looked up to see a small girl with long blond hair reaching her back, blue eyes, and appear to be wearing a school outfit. “Patty leave her alone, why don’t you I don’t know do your homework or something.” Dante told her. She just ignored him and looked at Celestia. Celestia sat up on the couch with her head hurting. She tried to recall what had happened. Then she looked at Dante. Her eyes widened. “Dante! But how? You were gravely injured” Celestia was puzzled. Dante just smirked and looked at her. “What? The small little flesh wound from earlier that was nothing as you can see.” To make a point Dante puffed out his chest with cockiness. Celestia noticed that he wasn’t wearing a shirt leaving his torso completely bare. She looked away embarrassed, but with the urge of wanting another peek. “Dante put a shirt on, nobody wants to see you walking around half naked, plus in front of an innocent child like me, that is indecent exposure!” Patty yelled at Dante. “Please Patty you’re anything but innocent.” Dante retorted. He didn’t see when a math book hit him in the face. “Argh, Dammit Patty not the face!” Dante complained. “Serves you right you jerk.” Patty retorted. They both heard a cough coming from Celestia. “Uh is everything okay?” Celestia asked. Patty turned to her with a smile. “Oh yes don’t worry it’s just Dante being his idiot self.” Patty told her. You can hear Dante snarl in the background. Celestia smiled at the small child. Then it hit her. She remembered what happened. “Dante who were those two women from earlier?” Celestia asked Dante. “Who Lady and Trish? There just my job partners, they come and go, looks like you left an impression on Trish, Lady on the other hand you left her with a broken nose, woman still hasn’t woken up yet.” Dante told her. “I apologize I didn’t know you were acquainted with them, it’s just when one of them attacked you I considered them to be lethal.” Celestia told Dante. “Nah it’s all water under the bridge, it’s how they act towards me, secretly though they can’t get enough of me.” Dante told her with a cocky smile. “Oh please Dante that would be why they leave you high and dry all the time.” Patty told him “Patty this is adult talk stay out of it.” Dante told Patty. “Well if you say it’s okay then I won’t linger on the subject.” She told Dante while she looked at Patty with a smile. “So what is your name?” Patty asked her. “My name is Celestia, yours must be Patty right?” Patty nodded. “So Patty how old are you?” Celestia asked. “I’m currently twelve, you seem pretty young too, let’s see twenty four right?” Patty tried to guess. Celestia blushed. “Oh no I’m far much older than that my dear.” Celestia told Patty. “Really because you’re rather young and really pretty, which really brings up the question as to why you are hanging around with a bum like Dante?” Patty told Celestia. “Patty you are walking on thin ice little lady.” Dante told her while leaning back on his chair trying to sleep. Celestia just smiled. Celestia looked out the window and noticed the sun setting. “Dante how long was I out?” She asked Dante. “About 2 hours, really surprising for the beating you took.” He responded. She looked at the clock, ten minutes for it to be six in the afternoon. “Well you should get comfortable because tomorrow we got to go visit Rodin.” Dante told her. “Rodin? Oh I remember he wanted to speak to me, of what terms do I wonder.” She asked looking at Dante. “Really don’t know, guy has a lot of secrets.” Dante told her. “So that means that you are staying?” Patty asked with a glee in her voice. “Apparently so Patty.” Celestia could not help but to smile at Patty’s energetic mood. As Dante slumbered Patty had a field trip with Celestia, asking her a bunch of questions of who she was, her favorite color, her favorite foods, etc. Celestia looked at Patty as she was lost explaining herself about how she met Dante four years ago, In a world were demons lay at every corner and the corruption of man is ever present to see someone as innocent as this small child really touched her. . . . “Damn you Son of Sparda how are you still standing!” a voice boomed inside a demonic palace. Demons lay scattered around two figures currently confronting another major figure in front of them. “Vergil do be a dear and finish this I am really getting rather bored.” Kasdeya told Vergil. Vergil walked towards Beelzebub. Thanks to the Muramasa blade Vergil was able to cut off most of Beelzebub’s power. The giant Demon could not stand, it laid slain on the ground loosing blood as Vergil approached. “For one of Lucifer’s generals you really are a pathetic scum.” Vergil told him as he unsheathed his blade. “Shut up you worm, it is not possible for an abomination of Sparda to hold so much power even though your demonic side is sealed!” Beelzebub screamed. Then his eyes widened. “Kasdeya you cur it was you was it not, you gave him some of your powers, you were plotting against us all this time!” He screamed at her. Kasdeya walked to Beelzebub. “My methods and as to why I do them is none of your concern, it can be as simple as watching you suffer for the complete imbecile that you are and I just got plain tired of it.” She did not look at him. It was like he wasn’t even worth his time. “I will not repeat myself, you are Beelzebub, Lucifer’s second, he entrusted you with the very seal that has hidden away my other half, I will make this very simple, where would it be?” Vergil told him “You think I would tell you, I would not betray our master like this cur has.” Kasdeya narrowed her eyes at Beelzebub’s remark. “Vergil if you may I know where it resides I will get everything ready, but do make his death slow and painful.” Kasdeya walked off leaving Vergil and the injured demon. “I, a Son of Sparda, will overthrow your lord and take rightful rule of all of his dominion, be grateful that you will perish by my hand.” With that said Vergil swung his sword once then put it back in its scabbard. He walked away to find were Kasdeya had went. Beelzebub was confused as to what had happened. A minute later Kasdeya heard a loud explosion as if a body had been dismembered due to an explosion, music to her ears. She traveled down the stairs with a huge mirror she was levitating. “Vergil I found it.” He looked behind her and saw her next to a mirror. Vergil approached the mirror. At first he saw his reflection but then the image changed. It was his demon form chained up with seals all around it. It looked like if he was in some sort of asylum. Vergil could not help but smile. “What a charming smile you have Vergil, did not know someone like you even knew how to smile.” Kasdeya said as she walked up to the mirror. “Ne’fesh shich'rer!” Kasdeya yelled. The chains and seals were gone on the demon. It raised it’s hand up and touched the mirror. Its demonic hand went through the mirror and took hold of Vergil’s throat. The Demon came out of the mirror still holding on to Vergil. “Vergil you must over power it, show that you are dominant not it.” Kasdeya told Vergil. The Demon looked at Kasdeya. It let Vergil go and in an instant it appeared before her. It towered over her but she was not intimidated. “You would be a fool to confront me, go back to where you belong, alongside your master.” Kasdeya told the Demon. Vergil came from behind and placed its hand on its head. He reached out to it. Kasdeya stepped aside to watch Vergil work. Both Vergil and the Demon were enveloped in a blue aura. It was a power of will and might. Which soul was stronger, but it didn’t take long before Vergil was engulfed in in a bright light. When the light faded she saw Vergil in his Demonic form. “My oh my.” Was all Kasdeya was able to say. Vergil looked at himself then turned off his Devil Trigger. “Power, absolute power, my power, not my fathers but mine alone.” Vergil felt the difference in power especially with Muramasa now in possession. Kasdeya grabbed his hand. “As touching as this reunion is we must depart, Lucifer will wonder what has become of Beelzebub.” With that said both left to go seek refuge. . . . “Sebastian did you feel that?” Constantine looked at him. “It seems the oldest Son of Sparda has been rather busy.” Sebastian stated. “Can’t wait to meet the guy, he has an attitude that wants me to put him in his place.” Alexander said with a smirk. “War calm yourself, you will battle him when the time comes, now we must wait and see where the other Son of Sparda goes with the daughter of Nova, now that Discord has fled and hidden himself.” Maria stated. “What about the witch?” Sebastian asked. “She is but a nuisance, she is of no concern, if you come across her, which you will, do get rid of her.” Maria said. She heard someone step behind her. “Ah the sister, what brings you here?” Alexander asked. “Alexander of War, Constantine of Pestilence, Sebastian of Conquest, and Maria of Death, Lucifer has called upon the four horsemen. He wishes to speak with you.” The voice came from an unknown female covered in a black cloak. “I do hope he has wine this time.” Constantine said as they disappeared in a shroud of darkness. Maria was the only one still in the location they resided. “Your time will come Son of Sparda, she will be you’re undoing.” With that said Maria disappeared. > The Calm > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 7 The Calm “And here we are.” Dante said with open arms looking at the sign the building had in front of him. “Gates of Hell? Doesn’t sound to inviting and can we really trust this Rodin person?” Celestia asked with concern. Dante just looked at her with a smirk on his face. “Calm down, the dude is pretty chill, plus he might have some answers to the questions your pretty head may have.” Dante reassured her. He walked to the doors and opened both of them. “Hey barkeep, one beer would help no?” Dante had shouted across the room as he and Celestia made their entrance. Celestia took a look at the place. It seemed rather empty and she could hear some jazz music coming from the background. All the way at the end she noticed a person behind the counter cleaning what appeared to be a small glass cup. As they got closer he turned around. “Took you long enough, three days is not exactly what I had in mind when I passed my message to you.” The barkeep told Dante. “Well let’s just say I needed some well-deserved rest after my little fiasco in Spain.” Dante said as the barkeep handed him a mug filled with beer. He then looked at Celestia. “Hmm, want anything?” He asked her “Oh no, I really don’t drink alcohol.” She responded. Dante released a huge sigh after basically inhaling his drink. He slam med his hands on the counter. “Screw that, Hey Rodin give the lady a Delilah.” Dante told Rodin. Celestia just looked at Dante in surprise. “Figures you would do this on anyone before you bed them.” A voice behind them said. Dante just laughed. “Do you really think I would stoop that low? You know me better than that Cereza, hell you keep coming back just for more.” Dante said before he downed another mug that was put in front of him. Celestia then noticed it was the woman they met at the docks. Bayonetta was her name. She then noticed the weapon she took out and aimed it at Dante’s head. He really wasn’t faced by it, just kept drinking the beer that Rodin somehow kept placing in front of him. “You’re in my seat.” Bayonetta told Dante still pointing the gun at his head. Celestia noticed a small smile that was creeping up on his face. “You can try, but you know that won’t work on me.” Dante told her. Celestia was brought out of her stupor when she heard something placed right next to her. “A Delilah for the lady.” Rodin had placed the drink in front of her. She took some time to look at it. She hesitated but picked it up. She closed her eyes and drank it all in one go. She put the small glass down and started to cough. Oh god was it strong but was it good. She looked to her right and still saw both Bayonetta and Dante still arguing. “Pay no mind to it they always argue for the simplest things.” Rodin told Celestia. She then heard Dante stand up. “You’re on, what are the terms?” He seemed to ask with excitement. “If I win you buy me and your little lady friend there a round for free.” Bayonetta had told Dante. “Ha you are on, but if I win you have to give me a kiss on the lips, tongue and everything.” Dante said pointing at his lips. “Ah someone is being a naughty boy, thought you would be busy enough with your princess over there.” She told him. “Wait what?” Celestia blushed madly at the comment. “Ah come on now there’s plenty of me to go around, now let’s get this started.” With that said they moved to another table to start their game of poker. “Oh my, shouldn’t we stop them?” Celestia had asked Rodin. “No let them, both of them together give me a headache as it is.” He said as he poured another drink in her small cup. “As I recall you wanted to see us for a certain matter.” She had told him. “As a matter of fact yes, you see I know who you are and where you are from and exactly who is after you.” Rodin told her. “It seems everyone has knowledge of who I am but yet I haven’t even scratched the surface of why I am here.” She told Rodin. Then she took a drink of her Delilah. “I will make this as brief as possible, both paradise and the inferno all coexist regardless of universe but each have their own layers and of which each universe is governed by their own deity’s.” Celestia just listened with curiosity as Rodin poured her another drink. “This universe you currently reside is the epicenter for both, any deity from any world can cross through dimensions, this is what discord did.” Rodin explained to her. “But how is that possible he was imprisoned in our world for almost a millennia.” She had told Rodin. “Hmm nothing is ever too simple, he may have had a last trick up his sleeve, but upon realizing what he did, he basically tied a noose around his head. You see Discord asks for many favors and in return he owes the equivalent, and to make sure he would get what he wanted who else to go to then the main man himself for help.” “The main Man?” Celestia asked. “Lucifer Morningstar.” Rodin told her. She didn’t know why but the name alone gave her chills. “Lucifer Morningstar is the ruler of the inferno, he used to be God’s right hand angel but through sheer jealousy and the want for power he rebelled but was overpowered and banished, given the inferno his new domain. Up till recently has he been trying to open a portal powerful enough to crossover to the human world.” Rodin was telling her. “And I’m guessing this is where I come in.” She responded. “Pretty much, you see with Discord now knowing the ability of the black arts Lucifer wanted two powerful souls in return, Discord figured you and your sister were the sacrifices but once Lucifer took notice of how strong your magical potency is the other soul was not to be that necessary any other soul would do, so in return he demanded both yours and Discord’s soul, once hearing about this Discord ran into hiding with is tail between his legs.” “So this is the reason why I am here to be a portal to the ruler of hell?” She could not believe it. She was at home minding her own business but for a chance of freedom into another realm Discord had screwed her, she was basically walking into her own death. “Where is Discord now?” She asked trying to calm her temper. “That is where I don’t know, he came by almost a week ago with a favor then disappeared, but rest assured you are not the only ones looking for him.” He told her. Celestia finished her drink. “And who are the others?” She asked already dreading the question. “The four horsemen.” Rodin plainly told her as he served her another drink. “The four horsemen?” She asked. “Yes, Gods handpicked horsemen, their job is to bring upon the judgment when the world is to come to an end, War, Pestilence, Conquest, and Death.” He told her. “If these horsemen are to come as the world is ending then why are they looking for Discord?” She asked. Rodin sighed. “That I do not know, the rumors are that for some reason God abandoned everything so there hasn’t been any word from paradise, it’s just like if the connection just banished, and because of that it gives all the demons a reason to rise up and to hunt you down and for that same matter the horsemen now seem to have their own agenda.” “So what is it that you suggest that I do now?” Celestia said while taking another drink. “We prepare you, simple as that.” Rodin told her. She stood quiet looking down at the drink in her hands somewhat already feeling the effects of it. “Don’t worry you won’t be facing this alone, you already have Dante and his partners by your side to help and if you prove yourself worthy to Bayo she might come around.” Rodin told her. “Let’s just say that I’m not in good terms with all of Dante’s friends.” She told him Flashback “Let me go she broke my nose and bruised my back.” Lady yelled while Trish was grabbing her. Celestia was currently on the couch with a calm expression sitting next to Patty who was looking quite frightened, but all in all Dante was the only one disinterested sitting on his desk reading a magazine. “If it means anything I do apologize I didn’t know the situation on hand and acted without thought.” Celestia said trying to show sincerity in her apology. “You see she apologized, now stop acting like a child, you are better than this.” Trish told Lady. Lady calmed down and sighed. Trish let her go but at that instant she lunged at Celestia. If it wasn’t for Trish’s fast reflexes she would not have seen it coming. “Dante are you not going to tell her anything!” Trish yelled at Dante. He just sat there casually reading his magazine. “You’re problem not mine, already have enough on my plate don’t need something else biting me in the ass for no certain reason.” Flashback end “Don’t worry she’ll come around, Lady is just the more short tempered in the group.” Dante came up beside Celestia and took a seat. “So you heard everything I’m guessing?” She asked him. “Yup pretty much, the question is if you are up to it?” He asked. She averted her eyes from Dante’s and looked at her hands. She closed her eyes and squeezed her palms shut. With determination she opened her eyes and looked at everyone in the room. From Rodin, to Bayonetta, and lastly to Dante. She smiled. “Who is going to be my mentor in this?” She asked. “Don’t worry I will oversee your progress and help you along the way.” Rodin told her. Dante got up and dusted himself off. “Great now with that settled when can she start?” He asked. “She will begin tomorrow.” Rodin then turned to Celestia. “Knowing this you will be residing here; you will not accompany Dante back to his home.” “Wait what do you mean?” Celestia asked with concern. “What you will be undertaking has to be kept in secrecy, any power fluctuation will attract any unwanted visitors.” He made his point. Celestia just nodded understanding reasoning. “How long will I forgo this training sort of speak?” Celestia had asked. “It is not certain but about a year may sound right.” He told her “A YEAR!?” She could not believe what she was told. She did not want to stay in this world for more than it was necessary but to prepare oneself in a year was a bit over board. “I know it seems like a lot, but you do know the reason why you are doing this.” Rodin told her. Celestia took a deep breath. She had to do what she had to do apparently. “Okay I understand, I am willing to commit to this regardless of the time frame, if it is the only way then so be it.” She said in a small calm tone. “Good glad you understand everyone has to make sacrifices down the line.” Rodin told her. “Well I guess I’ll let you guys be, time to hit the road.” Dante said walking towards the doors, until suddenly he felt someone tug at his ear. “Ah dammit who the hell?” Dante exclaimed. “Oh no, you are not going to leave after our little wager now are you?” Bayonetta spoke softly into his ear. “Damn thought you would have forgotten, well Rodin one on me I guess.” Dante told Rodin. “Thanks but no thanks I actually have to be somewhere at the moment, but you owe me one devil boy.” With that Bayonetta left. “Seriously what the hell she made the bet just to rank out at the end? Really?” Dante complained and sat next to Celestia who appeared to be in deep thought. Rodin placed a drink in front of them both and went to the back room. It soon fell quiet. Dante picked up his mug and downed his drink. He placed it down on the counter. He was about to get up but a hand grabbed his arm. “There is no way you can stay here with me for little longer?” Celestia pleaded with him. Dante looked at her. He smiled and sat back down. “A couple of more drinks wouldn't now hurt would it?” Dante said with a smirk. > The Storm > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8-The Storm One Day Later “So Celestia didn’t come back with you? That is so unfair.” Patty said as she pouted. “Yup she is going to be gone for a whole year, so now would you leave me alone, I’m pretty sure one of your shows is starting no? Now get lost.” Dante said as he tried to fall asleep. “Dante you jerk! Aren’t you even worried about her!?” Dante just stood quiet with his eyes closed. “Figures, you find the one person who shows interest and relies on you and here you are, not one bit worried of what is going to happen to her!” She looked at Dante again, but yet again he gave no response. “Unbelievable.” With that Patty went to the couch and turned on the television. Dante opened his eyes. He turned to Patty and saw her paying attention to the television. He then heard the door open. “Well what a surprise, here to run me dry yet again Lady?” Dante had mocked. “Dante I am in no mood at the moment!” She had screamed at him. “Good that makes two of us, I haven’t gotten my food yet, the pizza guy is late as usual, the brat over there won’t stop bothering me, and now I have you screaming at me, I could say that it’s been a pretty swell day don’t ya think?” He sarcastically responded to Lady. She just ignored his comment and walked up to Patty. She reached in her pocket and took out some bills. “Patty here, it’s enough for you and a friend to go to the movies, go crazy, me and Dante need to talk in private, so can you give us some time?” Patty stood quiet while looking at lady. She hesitated but at the end she grabbed the money. She was about to go out the door but took one more glance at Dante. As usual he was leaning back in his seat. With that final thought she left the office. “Hey if you are going to be giving money away like that then give me some money for food, pizza guy is taking his sweet time.” Dante told her. She ignored him. Lady took a deep breath before walking up to his desk. “So you wanted to talk in private, out with it then.” Dante told her. . . . “We are going to be using this room for your training.” Rodin told Celestia. She entered the room and was confused at what she saw. “There is nothing here, just a plain white room.” She told Rodin. “As you can see this room only has one door beyond that no walls and boundaries, here we will go all out.” He told her. She glanced all around her. Rodin walked up to her and with his right arm he presented her with some garments. “You will wear this for the moment until I acquire something better, with this though you will move without any trouble, you need to be able to be quick on your feet.” He told her. Celestia took the clothes. She looked at it. It was a simple red tank top, black shorts that reached her knees and some regular slip-ons. “I will give you five minutes to change until my return.” With that he exited the room. She took the time to quickly undress herself from the clothes she had onto the ones she was given. It was a tight fit. The red tank top left her stomach open; the shorts were tight but were flexible enough for her to move. She finished putting on her slip-ons and sat down cross-legged waiting for Rodin. “A whole year to prepare myself, a whole year not to be able to return home and unacquainted for, a whole year until I see Dante again.” Celestia thoughts were cut short when she heard the door behind her open. “So I see that you are all set, now are you ready to begin?” Rodin asked her. She got up and with a look of determination she nodded. “Ok then from this point forward I will train you in mind, body, and soul.” With a snap of his fingers some type of force made Celestia fall to the ground. “What I have done to you is sealed away your powers, you will attain them back little by little, so basically you are starting fresh.” He told her. She struggled to get up. “The clothes I gave you act like a weight system, you will get used to them.” Rodin saw as Celestia took her time to get up. With her power sealed she felt weak and the divine aura she had which gave her hair color faded turning her hair back to its natural pink color. “Never thought your hair would be pink.” Rodin admired Celestia’s determination. With struggle she was back on her two feet again. “I have one year to master this and prepare myself, one year to prove my worth to everyone.” Celestia thought as she was panting as she started to sweat for the major weight that was put on her. . . . “That is the news at the moment your highness.” A small pixie like demon spoke. “Hmm, that puts a pause on our plans for the moment but no matter, thank you Leo I shall call if anything else is needed.” The voice told the small demon. “As you wish Kasdeya.” And with that it disappeared. Kasdeya sighed, after the defeat of Beelzebub both she and Vergil took refuge on an abandoned house like structure. It never crossed her mind how Hell looked like a dammed earth, but she never questioned it. “What is the matter?” She heard a voice behind her. Vergil was sitting in the center of the room meditating. “News comes that this vessel that Lucifer wants to acquire is not of this realm, she was traveling at the time with your brother until her trail went cold, but speculations are that she is still indeed alive, but it will take time to figure out her whereabouts.” She had told Vergil. “So I am guessing that this will put a pause to our plans no?” He asked “Not necessarily no, if anything we can use this time to greatly improve yourself and unlock more of your potential, you seriously thought with the power that you have that you stand a chance against Lucifer?” She had told Vergil. His eyes had narrowed to her sarcastic tone. “Hmm, so now you are in doubt, have I not proven strong and agile enough to stand a match against him?” Kasdeya could not help but laugh. “You are not even close to your brother’s level, what makes you think you would even stand a chance?” She smiled. She liked to rile up Vergil. “Tell me Vergil, what is your motivation? For what do you fight for? And in what means would you go to acquire what you desire?” She had asked him in a serious tone. Vergil stood still pondering on the question he was asked. What is his motivation? What is his will to fight? Those questions were running through his mind. “Oh nothing? Ha! Vergil how naïve, come we must move our location and maybe with enough thought you will come up with an answer on your own.” She had told him, but Vergil didn’t respond, he just nodded and stood up. “I will give you one example, your brother gains power by protecting that which he holds dear, Now do a comparison.” She told him. . . . “Hey barkeep another round will ya? Ok so then I shoot the guy then say, I’ll have what she’s having, HA!” A figure that looked around his late twenties wearing a red suit with a black tie, green eyes, and brown hair reaching his neck joked around with two ladies by his side. “Oh Constantine you sure showed that guy didn’t you.” One of the ladies told him. “You see life is fun when things go unexpected, it takes people by surprise all the time and the reaction is priceless, so why don’t we see were this unexpected evening takes us huh girls?” Constantine asked as the girls giggled with a blush on their face. As Constantine was about to get out of his seat, he felt an aura approaching the bar. “Dammit what now?” He uttered to himself. Both doors flew open and a lone figure walked in. Everyone that was in the bar stopped what they were doing and looked at the figure that was walking by. It was a female in a men’s black suit with crimson red hair flowing all the way down her back. Regardless of the choice of clothing she was getting attention from all sorts of people, jealousy from the women and lust from the men. The suit hugged her body giving them a good look at her figure and her “assets.” “Hey Maria, what brings you here?” Constantine questioned as he tried to play off his worry demeanor. Maria stopped in front of him. All had gone silent. She held an icy cold stare at him. Void of any emotion. Then out of the blue she grabbed his face and slammed it on the counter. “What in the hell do you think you are doing?” She had screamed at him. “Do you play me as some kind of fool?” She kept putting pressure on his head while the counter started to crack with the force she was applying. Everyone in the bar stood in shock with their mouth wide open. “Come on don’t be like that, let’s sit down and talk about this over a drink, what do you say?” Constantine told her. “You really think I am joking are you, There were duties given to you and yet you waste your time in this filth? Well no more.” She looked around at everyone that was looking at her. She pointed at a person and yelled. “Sinner!” She pointed at another one, “Sinner.” She went on with this until she screamed out the sins of everyone in the bar. “Every one of you people here present is guilty from an inhumane crime and sin, and for that judgment shall be presented.” She threw Constantine to the ground and grabbed one of the girls that were next to him. “Your name is Sarah, you and your sister have done unforgiveable deeds to get where you are at no?” The girl in question did not speak. What transpired next took everyone but Constantine by surprise. With tears in her eyes she did not know what had happened, but what she did know is that she had and excruciating pain in her chest. She looked down to see an arm that had gone through her chest. Maria’s arm had gone through Sarah’s chest and had grasped her heart. Everyone just stood in quiet, too scared to say anything. “Killed your own parent’s and lured and deceived a bunch of innocent people to their deaths, all for what, money?” Maria told the girl named Sarah. Her sister was motionless just looking at everything that was transpiring. At this time Sarah’s eyes were losing their brightness, dulling little by little. Soon blood started to drip down her mouth. “A life for a life no?” With that Maria tore Sarah’s heart out and threw the girl to the ground. She presented the still beating heart to everyone. With a sadistic smile she crushed it in her hand. “So, who’s next?” She had asked. As she asked this her figure started to get enveloped in a blue aura. “Wait what’s happening?” “She’s a Demon!” “Everyone run!” The bar was engulfed in an explosion, but one lone figure went flying out the building and landed on the ground. Then another came walking out of the flames. Maria stopped at the fallen form of Constantine. “Okay you win, I will continue my search, just relax will you…I was about to get laid and you come and trash the place.” Constantine said as he picked himself up, dusted himself off and coughed. “Do not wander off, you were given orders and you know the consequences, there will always be a rider but you are replaceable.” With that bit she left. “Damn that woman needs to get laid.” Constantine turned to the burning building. “Overkill much no?” . . . Three Months Later “Your stance is weak, change it.” “Faster, think on your toes.” “Good you are learning.” “Be calm, clear the mind of obstacles.” “Now you are showing true potential.” Two figures were currently locked in a fierce combat. One threw a punch the other blocked. One threw a kicked the other dodged. “You are getting better at this.” Rodin told Celestia. It was no joke she was sweating like crazy but she felt energized. They continued their fight, not giving in. “But then again one shouldn’t get cocky.” With that Rodin parried the punch Celestia had thrown. With her guard broken and left wide open Rodin took the opportunity to punish. He threw a punch that connected with her stomach. The force behind the punch took all of her air as she threw up her own spit, but then she was shown no mercy as another fist connected with her face sending her skidding on the ground until she went to a complete stop. She lay motionless on the floor. “If after three months this is all you can show me then consider yourself just a pretty bloodstain next time.” Rodin told her. Celestia turned around to lie on her back. She had a busted lip, a black eye, and she was pretty sure she had a bruised rib here and there. She took a deep breath to get more air into her system. Feeling ready she got up and returned to her fighting stance. She then took off after Rodin. Rodin just smirked already seeing the flaw in her attack. Celestia used her magic to teleport in front of Rodin to deliver a blow to his face. Rodin caught her arm and pulled her forward and delivered a knee to her stomach. Yet again the attack left her breathless. Rodin then went around Celestia and grabbed her by the waist. With pressure applied he delivered a sickening german suplex,¬¬¬ this time Celestia stayed on the ground. “Don’t you think that was too much?” A female voice had asked him. “No pain to gain, she has to learn in the amount of time given to her, or would you rather teach her, Bayo?” Rodin told her. “No it’s alright it already seems like a bore, so keep doing what you are doing I won’t intrude on your private playtime.” Bayonetta told him while looking at the knocked out form of Celestia. Later that night Celestia was in the room that Rodin had presented her. It was one of his many rooms he had in the back of the bar. She had finished taking a shower and was currently in a bath robe. She had mended her injuries with her magic, but she still felt some minor discomfort here and there. She was currently seated in her bed with a small lamp on a stand next to her. The room was pretty simple. It had what a basic room had with a restroom, closet, and bed. The only other door was the door leading down stairs and two windows that showed a stunning sight of the city below her. She had a cup a tea in the nightstand and beside that a book she picked up. Rodin gave it to her to entertain herself. The book was called “For One More Day.” She had already finished the book more than once, but the message it told her was deep that she cried for most part of the book. For One More Day is the story of a mother and a son, and a relationship that covers a lifetime and beyond. It explores the question: What would you do if you could spend one more day with a lost loved one? She had book marked a page were a certain quote impacted her. As she opened it to the certain page she uttered it to herself. “When someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.” She smiled as she closed the book. Luna She grabbed her small cup of tea and was about to drink from it until she heard a knock from the door. “Come In.” “So how are you keeping up?” Celestia looked up to see Bayonetta leaning on the wall. “Everything is good at the moment, just wished I would get the hang of things on a faster pace, I mean I feel a major growth in power but then again I have a feeling that it isn’t enough, I just don’t want to let anyone down.” Bayonetta noticed the change of mood. She smirked and walked to her. Celestia noticed this and looked up confused at what she was doing. “It’s hard is it not, to be thrown into a different world and already have trouble brewing because of your presence, and don’t know what to do, or whom to rely on.” Bayonetta stopped in front of Celestia. She bent down so her face could be mere inches away from hers. Celestia could not move. A blush formed on her face with the proximity of both of their faces. “I can tell how tense you are “princess”, don’t let all of those troubles go to your head, learn how to relax and along the way you will be rewarded.” Celestia tensed up when she felt Bayonetta’s finger trace down her jaw line stopping on the tip of her chin. With a smile on Bayonetta’s face she tilted Celestia’s head upwards. Celestia’s breath was caught in her throat. She was basically caught on stupid. “But do not worry; you are in good hands after all.” She looked into Celestia’s eyes. “I have a present for you, but close your eyes and no peeking, you got that princess?” . . . “Nero be careful with those boxes!” “No need to worry Kyrie, see all stacked nicely.” Nero looked a Kyrie with a grin as he dusted himself. It had been a while since not that many problems troubled Fortuna since the appearance of Dante and the corruption within the order. “I just want this festival to go smoothly this time unlike the past few years where a simple mistake ruined everything.” She told Nero. He looked at Kyrie and just sighed. He understood her need to worry. It has been two years since the whole demon gate fiasco and the passing of Credo, Kyrie’s brother. This festival was to commemorate all the souls who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty around that time, the reason why it is more important to her. “Don’t worry, the past two years we just missed some stragglers that happened to appear, but this year we haven’t had not one sighting what so ever, so there is no need to worry.” Nero reassured her. “NERO, SIR!” Nero turned around as his name was being called. It was one of the guards that were stationed with a scouting unit. “Sir, I come with dire news, not that long ago a figure appeared in the outskirts of town.” The guard told Nero. “So what is the problem? Is this person a threat?” He asked with an edge in his voice. “Great just what I need, someone causing trouble already.” Nero thought to himself. “Sir that lone person took down both of our scouting units, now she is moving to the north entrance, so if anything our guards that are stationed there will be dealing with the threat as we speak.” The guard told Nero. “Took out two scouting units!? SHE!?” Nero thought. He looked at Kyrie with a worry glance then back at the soldier. “Come on lets go.” Nero commanded. “Nero! Wait!” Kyrie yelled. He looked back at her with a small smirk, and then took off. “Please be careful.” . . . “What in the world?” Nero uttered as he looked at the fight that was currently happening. He looked as his guards were being taken down one by one by just one person. The guards just kept coming and coming but whatever they did, they just could not even touch the mysterious woman. Nero couldn’t tell her appearance as she was covered head to toe with a cloak and with a hood covering her face. As a guard swung his blade the woman dodged to the right and ducked under another blade that was supposed to pierce her torso. She jumped over another guard but as she was airborne she grabbed his head and with a sickening snap she had twisted his head before she landed behind him. She made it look like child’s play as she dodged every swing and parried every punch. She was about snap a guard’s neck until she dodged a bullet fired at her. She looked at Nero. For a second they both met eyes. Nero was taken back at the blue iris with a dragon shaped pupil. “Hey! I don’t know who you are or why you’re here but taking down my men just made you the top of my list of people I will have the kick the shit out off, right next to Dante of course.” Nero said in a serious but playful attitude. “The captain is here!” “Show her boss!” “Everyone leave, go back and protect the town, I’ll handle this.” Nero yelled at his men. “YES SIR!” He waited until his men were out of sight. After everyone left Nero folded the sleeve on his right arm to show his Devil Arm. “Pretty interesting to take out more than fifty men, without a weapon too.” Nero told her. “Tis of no concern if we have any means to protect ourselves with an armament, what we seek will be shown soon enough.” The woman spoke. “Okay then I have no idea what you said or why you are talking as if there are more than one of you but if you want to dance I must warn you I have to left feet, so I’ll be stepping on some toes.” Nero sarcastically remarked. “Let us partake in this dance then, child.” With that they both rushed at each other. > The Return of a Nightmare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 9- The Return of a Nightmare Nero ran towards the woman with his blade Red Queen in hand. As they were both getting closer Nero tightened the grip of the handle of his blade and swung, but to his surprise the woman disappeared. He sensed her behind him and ducked the roundhouse kick aimed for his head. He then jumped away to get some distance. Nero could feel the power radiating off her. “Is she a demon too?” He asked himself this question. He didn’t have time to keep pondering on the subject when he noticed her running towards him. Nero then proceeded to take out his gun Blue Rose and aimed it at her. The woman still kept running, so with no other choice Nero fired at the woman. Noticing this she brought up her cloak to shield herself. After a few rounds Nero paused his firing when he noticed that the cloak had fallen down to reveal nothing. She had disappeared yet again. Spending his time trying to pin point her next location he didn’t notice that she had already appeared behind him. With a fierce kick to the side she sent Nero flying through the air. As he was sailing through the air Nero flipped to land on his feet. As he landed he grabbed his side. The kick had hurt a lot, but in a mere second something else caught his attention. The identity of the mysterious woman was finally revealed. She wore black high heeled boots with blue leather pants. She also had a blue frilly shirt that hugged her torso and a black belt going around her stomach. She had a black silk glove in her left hand but in her right she had some kind of sharp looking black gauntlet reaching all the way to her shoulder. It radiated demonic power from it. Her long blue hair reached her back with one long bang covering her left eye. She held an aura of power but also elegance. She still had her dragon shaped eyes looking directly at him as she put both arms on her hips and gave him a smile. “Tell me boy, do you prefer the night or the day?” She simply asked. Nero just looked at her dumbfounded. “What does that have to do with anything?” He screamed back at her. “Tis a simple question child.” She simply asked. Nero was really drawing a blank. “I thought you came here to fight, so enough with the small talk already.” Nero was really getting pissed off. “We shall only fight thee at your full strength, so release thy true power.” She had told him in a serious tone. “What? No I won’t need my demonic power, what kind of fight would it be if I keep using it for every battle I fight, tough luck but I will defeat you without it here and now!” Nero said with motivation in his voice. “Do not underestimate us boy, the difference between our powers is like the distance between the earth to the moon itself, you are years too early to stand a match against us.” Nero just smirked. This woman was being delusional. After a while they stood there just glaring at each other. “What is the matter child, come at us, or did you come to the realization that you can’t win.” She mocked. “Nah, it’s not my style to fight an enemy that is unarmed.” Nero responded. At this she raised an eyebrow. “Very noble of thee, it is hard to see that kind of chivalric attitude now a day, but do not worry the weapon we seek is yet to be presented to us.” Now it was Nero who raised an eyebrow, but there was no time as he saw the woman run towards him. Nero got into a defensive stance trying to figure out his opponents attack, but as she got closer she used her magic to banish yet again. “Stop using the same trick, gimmicks like that are starting to piss me off.” Nero told her. Regardless if she wasn’t there he knew she could hear him. “It is part of our powers, so it is logical that it can be used to our hearts content.” She said as she appeared on Nero’s left side. She grabbed his left arm and twisted it. Nero didn’t have time to react as she kept twisting and applying pressure to his left arm. She had disarmed him of his blade and in that instant with both hands she threw Nero over her shoulder. Nero landed in the ground, but as he opened his eyes he saw one of her high heeled boots about to stomp him in the face. With his right arm he grabbed it, her eyes widened as Nero tripped her and with all of his strength he stood up and threw her. She flipped in the air and landed on the ground with no trouble. She looked straight ahead as Nero reached for his blade. As he was about grab the handle the blade glowed blue and disappeared from his sights. Nero looked up to see the woman now holding the blade as she looked at it with a curious eye. She swung it back and forth to test it out. What caught her eye was the handle of the blade. It had some kind of gear shift. With curiosity she twisted the handle; it sprayed flammable propellant across the blade. “Hey mind giving it back, I am not one to share my belongings, trust issues and what not.” Nero told her while watching her every move. She placed the blade on her shoulder and looked at Nero. “Tis a fine blade to be handled by a pathetic being as yourself.” Nero saw as she pointed the blade towards him. “But then again tis not the one we are looking for.” She then tossed the blade. Nero too distracted by the action that he did not notice as the woman appeared in front of him and grabbed him by the throat. He was struggling to breathe as she was applying pressure. With is right devil arm he tried to hit the woman’s arm but try as he might the blows had no effect on her. He looked at her face and saw how she was enjoying it. With one effort he threw everything he had in one last punch. The next thing Nero knew was that he was successful in striking her in the face. The only problem was that no matter how hard he hit her she did not move an inch. His fist was implanted in her face. The face that had held a smile now held one with no emotion. The woman let go of his throat and let Nero fall to the ground. Nero was gasping for air trying to refill his lungs with that which they were deprived from. The woman then trapped Nero in a headlock. Try as he might the woman wouldn’t budge. Nero was losing consciousness. He only had one option left. The woman felt a weird buildup of power coming from the boy. In an instance the area was engulfed in a blue explosion. She was sent skidding through the ground. As she got up she noticed Nero in his Devil Triggered form. In his right hand he had the blade yamato firmly in his grasp while the demonic presence hovered around him. “You wanted to see it so bad well here it is plus some MORE!” Nero screamed as his Devil arm extended to grab her by the waist. He raised her to the air then proceeded to slam her to the ground, but then he lifted her up once more and threw her at the nearby wall. She had hit the wall pretty hard that she was left implanted in it. Nero was panting; he lost control for a moment there. As he led his guard down the woman freed herself from the wall. She raised her right hand which was covered with the gauntlet she had on and it preceded let out a black aura. Nero finally saw what was happening and brought yamato into a defensive stance. “I shall save you the trouble and end this with one final attack.” She calmly said as her right arm was being engulfed with the black aura. Nero was preparing for the worst until she banished. He sensed her on top of him and brought yamato to shield himself. As she appeared above him she thrust her right arm forward to deliver a punch but her fist collided with yamato. That single strike let out a powerful gust of wind. She was using so much force behind her attack that Nero had to grasp yamato with two hands. With much struggle Nero was able to push her back to get some ground distance. “Damn it! I can barely keep up, even with my demonic powers. Just what do I have to do to bring her down?” Nero asked himself as fatigue started to set in. He didn’t notice when a sphere was thrown straight at him. It hit its mark and sent Nero whirling to the ground. “Magic? Just who the hell is this woman?” Nero struggled to get up. That last attack really packed a punch. He brought out his gun and started firing at her. Every shot he fired was in vain as the woman easily dodged through every shot. She reappeared in front of Nero and kicked the gun out of his hand then proceeded to knee him in the face. Nero grabbed his face in pain, but the woman did not stop there. With her right arm she punched him in the stomach. Nero doubled over as pain was surging through his stomach. Then again with her right arm she delivered a sickening uppercut. . . . Kyrie looked around her to see the guards usher everyone into the cathedral. “Miss Kyrie please go into the cathedral.” One of the guards told her. “Is Nero still fighting outside?” Kyrie asked with concern etched in her face. “Sorry My lady but you have to go inside the cathedral, everything is being handled by the boss.” The guard told her. The wall North to them exploded. Everyone covered their eyes and ears. As everything settled Kyrie opened her eyes to see what was happening. She widened her eyes when she saw Nero lying on the floor motionless. “Nero!” She screamed with worry as she ran to him. “Ky…Kyrie?” Nero said with trouble. She then looked up as she heard some footsteps. “So child, thus have come to a realization of the gap between our powers?” The woman asked. So was this the person Nero was fighting? Kyrie was trembling; she had no idea what to do. The strongest person in Fortuna lies defeated on the floor. “I shall spare thee if you hand over the blade that was given to you.” Nero gave no response. “Nero is unconscious, what do I do?” Kyrie asked herself as she started to look around. Her eyes landed on Yamato not that far away from them. She looked up at the woman and saw that she had also noticed the blade. Kyrie then proceeded to run towards it, but as she got close she noticed the blade levitated and flew in the opposite direction. When she looked around she saw the woman holding it. The woman firmly grasped it in her hand. She smiled while she looked at it. The power emanating from it. She looked over at Kyrie as she swung the blade from a far. Kyrie closed her eyes as she felt a strong gust of wind blow past her. She opened her eyes confused that nothing had happened. She then heard some noise coming behind her. She turned around to see the top part of a building completely sliced off. She looked back at the woman. She had a smile on her face. “Fascinating, the sheer power that this blade is emanating is unfathomable.” Kyrie then noticed her move towards Nero. “GET AWAY FROM HIM!” She screamed as she ran towards him. As the woman got closer she noticed a couple of guards blocking her path. “No one touches the boss!” “Yea if you want to get to him you have to get through us first” The woman raised an eyebrow. She then proceeded to smirk. “We see you are very loyal to the boy, we nod to that deed, but alas none shall stand in our way.” With that she banished and reappeared behind them. She raised the blade upwards as it was dripping with blood; she then swung it to the side to fling the blood off of it. As she did this the guards fell forward motionless. She then noticed there was one more obstacle in front of her. Kyrie did not know what she was doing but instinct had kicked in. Now she was face to face with the woman that had taken out basically all of the order. She was facing the woman with her arms stretched out and behind her was a badly wounded Nero. She was frightened to the verge of tears. What could she do? But even then she brought up the courage to at least try to protect Nero. “Child do heed thy warning and step aside.” “Please stop!” Kyrie screamed as tears streamed down her cheeks. “You have what you came here for, please just stop.” The woman just looked at Kyrie. She then gave a smirk. She raised Yamato up and channeled energy into the blade. Burst of energy was coming from the blade that it emitted strong winds. Kyrie looked in wide eyes. “Do not worry we will make this quick and painless.” “Nightmare!” The woman known as Nightmare stopped her attack. She looked behind her to the voice that called upon her. “Ah, Maria what brings thee?” She said in a playful manner. “Did you acquire the weapon?” Maria asked her. “Do you not see it in our possession woman?” She retorted. “Then stop wasting time, you got what was needed, we need to prepare.” With that Maria disappeared in a whirl of black flames. “You are certainly lucky child, but do send a message, that the goddess of thy Night has come to rule once more.” With that Nightmare Moon banished using her magic. After that tidbit Kyrie fell to her knees and threw up on the floor. It was too much for her, she thought she was going to die in that instant. After she calmed herself, she went up to Nero and cried in his chest. She had to call him. . . . 1year later “Hey so what would it be today?” “Hey Cindy, the usual for me and the brat over here.” “HEY!” Dante was currently with Patty in the usual parlor they go to. Patty sighed as she looked at Dante. He seemed to be in a serious mood for some time now. Ever since he got the call from the Kyrie girl about the man named Nero and what had happened to him with the mysterious “Nightmare” woman and with the fallout with Lady and Trish, and the recent mission with a woman named Beryl, Dante’s attitude has done a complete one eighty. She took it upon herself to try to have fun with him and bring that cocky attitude back. “Here you go, two strawberry sundaes.” Cindy told them as she handed them their ice cream. “Thanks Cindy.” Patty told her. They both hanged out for about half an hour until they decided to head back to the office. As they walked back Patty couldn’t help but to look at Dante as she was walking behind him. She felt bad for everything that has happened to him. The only person that she hoped could talk sense into him was well…somewhere else. As they made it back to the office Patty was the first one to open the door. As she walked inside she noticed a woman sitting down in the couch with her eyes closed as if she was waiting for them. “Dante we have a customer! Well hello there my name is Patty and welcome to Devil May Cry.” Dante walked in and eyed the woman. She had long pink hair in a ponytail with a bang going down both sides of her face. She had a black blouse that said Overkill with a red flannel over it, blue skinny jeans that hugged her body and black high heels that exposed her feet. In other words she was smoking hot to Dante. “Sorry babe would like to talk to you but we are currently closed, if anything comeback tomorrow.” Dante told her as he walked to his desk and sat down. “Dante! You just don’t blow off a customer like that! I’m very sorry for his stupid behavior is there anything that we can be of service to you?” Patty asked the woman. “I’m surprised you don’t recognize me? But then again a year has passed since we had last seen each other, hasn’t it Dante.”