Chapter 33: Showtime!
The rain outside Devil May Cry cast a soft rhythm against the windows, a calmness that was about to shatter. Inside, Dante reclined with his feet propped up, enjoying his evening meal—pizza, of course—while Patty sat across the room with Hadrian, who had stopped by after a recent mission. Patty was staring longingly at an old photo she'd tucked into her pocket, the edges worn and frayed.
"What's with the long face?" Dante asked, his voice a casual drawl as he glanced up between bites. "It's not like I've got any long-lost family coming around to bug me."
Patty rolled her eyes. "Not everything's about you, Dante. Sometimes people have... feelings."
Hadrian looked from Patty to Dante with a raised eyebrow, sensing the tension between them. "What he means is, if something's bothering you, you can tell us. Right, Dante?" Hadrian nudged him.
Dante shrugged. "Yeah, kid, but moping doesn't fix anything."
That was the wrong thing to say. Patty's face flushed with frustration, and she stood abruptly, clenching her fists. "You wouldn't understand, Dante! Some of us care about family!" Without waiting for a reply, she stormed out, the door slamming behind her.
Hadrian sighed, giving Dante an unimpressed look. "Real smooth, Dante. You could've just listened."
Dante shrugged. "She'll come around. Kids get angry, then they get over it."
But Hadrian knew better. He could tell that something deeper was bothering Patty, and he hoped Dante realized it too before it was too late.
The tension simmered until Morrison entered, a determined look on his face. "Dante! I brought someone who might need your help," he announced, ushering in a woman dressed in a long coat, her gaze darting around nervously as if afraid of being followed. A pendant hung from her neck, faintly glowing with an otherworldly energy.
"I'm looking for Dante. I need... protection," she said quietly, glancing over her shoulder.
"That'd be me," Dante said, stepping forward. "You got demons on your tail or something?"
She nodded, gripping the pendant tightly. "This... this amulet has been in my family for generations. It's supposed to keep something terrible sealed away, but lately, demons have been drawn to it. They sense the power within, and... I don't know how much longer I can hold them off alone."
Hadrian and Dante exchanged a glance. "Alright," Dante replied, "but you should know demons aren't exactly polite houseguests."
As they spoke, a faint rustling came from outside. Shadows twisted through the windows as a small group of demons appeared, their eyes fixed on the pendant. They crashed through the door, claws reaching out, and Dante leaped into action, drawing Rebellion and striking with a fluid slash. Hadrian backed him up, casting Thops's Barrier to keep the woman shielded.
Dante smirked, "High Time!" He launched one of the demons into the air, spinning Rebellion with practiced ease before slicing through his foe. Hadrian followed up, casting Loretta's Mastery, which sent a cascade of magical projectiles toward the remaining demons. The bolts struck with precision, clearing the area within seconds.
"That all you got?" Dante taunted the defeated demons, sheathing his sword as the dust settled. Hadrian, on the other hand, focused on the woman, trying to calm her down.
"Your pendant is safe... for now," he assured her.
Meanwhile, Patty wandered the rainy streets alone, her thoughts circling back to the woman in the office. There was something familiar about her, a feeling she couldn't shake. Curious, she found herself drifting back to the Devil May Cry office.
As she approached, Patty overheard snippets of conversation. "Dante, we need to find her before the demons do," Hadrian urged, the urgency in his voice piercing through the rain-soaked air.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over Patty. She quickly ducked behind a lamppost, peering through the glass. The woman—Nina—was stepping out, adjusting her coat as she prepared to leave. Without thinking, Patty followed her, ducking behind corners and hiding in shadows.
Nina walked with purpose, but Patty noticed her glancing back nervously as if sensing she was being followed. The tension grew, and finally, Nina ducked into a quiet side street, seemingly oblivious to her young pursuer.
Finally, the woman stopped and turned, locking eyes with Patty. Recognition flared in her gaze, quickly masked by a look of fear.
"Are you... my mother?" Patty's voice trembled.
Nina stepped back, shaking her head. "I... can't stay here. You're in danger just being near me." She spun and darted away, disappearing into the fog. But Patty wasn't about to let her go that easily. Her heart raced, her emotions conflicted, but she knew she had to get that pendant. If that pendant was linked to her family, she had to understand why.
Inside the dimly lit hotel room, a thick tension hung in the air as Sid, disguised as one of Nina's friends, loomed over Nina, a sinister grin plastered across his face. He had her pinned against a crumbling wall, the flickering light from the overhead lamp casting shadows that danced ominously around them.
Patty burst through the door, eyes wide with determination, only to stop short at the sight before her. "Let her go!" she shouted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger.
Sid turned slowly, his gaze sharp and calculating. "Ah, the little orphan has come to play," he sneered, his grip tightening around Nina's arm. "But your timing is... unfortunate."
"What do you want?" Patty demanded, her heart racing.
Sid chuckled, the sound dark and mocking. "What do I want? Simple. If you want your mother to live, you need to get me that pendant."
Patty's expression faltered, confusion flashing across her face. "What pendant? I don't have it!"
"Of course, you don't," Sid said, rolling his eyes. "But Dante does. Go get it from him, and I'll let your dear mother walk away unharmed." His grip on Nina tightened, and she winced, a look of desperation in her eyes.
"No!" Nina shouted, struggling against Sid's hold. "Patty, don't listen to him!"
Sid smiled, relishing the chaos. "Tick-tock, kid. Time's running out. Do we have a deal?"
Patty stood frozen, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. She could feel the urgency in Nina's voice, the fear radiating from her mother. "I'll get it," she finally said, determination edging her tone. "Just... let her go."
"Smart choice," Sid replied, releasing Nina just enough for her to gasp for air. "Now run along. We'll be waiting."
As Sid turned away, a wicked grin still plastered on his face, Patty dashed out of the hotel, her mind racing with thoughts of how to retrieve the pendant from Dante. She knew the risks, but the stakes had never been higher.
Back in the office, Hadrian noticed the pendant was gone, his gaze shifting to the empty doorway. "Dante... I think Patty took off with the pendant."
Dante groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Why can't things ever be simple?" He grabbed his coat and headed for the door, with Hadrian and Morrison close behind.
They followed Patty's trail to a dimly lit hotel across town. By the time they arrived, they could already sense something was wrong. The building was quiet, almost too quiet, and an oppressive energy hung in the air.
Inside, Sid waited with a smug grin, disguised as one of Nina's friends. He held Nina by the arm, his grip tight as he forced her to the ground. Patty stepped forward, clutching the pendant, her eyes wide with determination.
"Just put it on the altar, kid," Sid sneered. "It's the only way to keep her safe."
Nina struggled against him, her voice urgent. "Patty, don't! You don't know what you're doing!"
But Patty hesitated, then placed the pendant on the altar, driven by desperation. The room trembled as the ritual began, dark energy swirling around the altar and expanding in a vortex of shadow and flame. Sid laughed, reveling in his victory.
At that moment, Dante, Hadrian, and Morrison burst into the room. Dante's eyes narrowed, taking in the scene. "Sid, you've outdone yourself this time."
Sid smirked. "You're too late, Dante! Thanks to this little reunion, I'm about to unleash the power of Abigail!"
As the portal widened, Sid jumped in, disappearing into the churning darkness. Without hesitation, Dante turned to Hadrian and Morrison. "Get Patty and Nina out of here. And tell the manager to start clearing people from the building."
Hadrian nodded, helping Patty and Nina toward the exit, but he paused just long enough to watch as Dante approached the portal.
"Be careful, Dante," Hadrian said, gripping his shoulder briefly before backing away.
Dante just gave a small smirk. "You know me, kid. I always am."
And with that, Dante leaped into the portal after Sid, vanishing into the hellish depths. The room began to shake violently, cracks spreading across the walls as the building groaned under the weight of the demonic energy.
Deep in the underworld, Dante emerged, his eyes scanning the fiery landscape. Sid awaited him, his body already transformed by Abigail's influence, his power amplified to monstrous proportions.
"Too late, Dante!" Sid sneered, his voice echoing with malice. "I'm stronger than I've ever been. Abigail's power is mine!"
Dante rushed at him, Rebellion gleaming in his grip as he swung, meeting Sid's newfound strength head-on. But Sid's power was overwhelming, his strikes driving Dante back with each blow.
Finally, Sid lunged forward, tearing Rebellion from Dante's grip and pinning him against a jagged stone cross-like formation. Dante struggled, but Sid's grip was unyielding.
"Enjoy the view," Sid jeered, his laughter echoing through the underworld as he left Dante hanging, victorious.
Back in the hotel, Hadrian, Patty, and Nina stepped into the cool night air, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere they had just escaped. The distant sounds of the city felt oddly surreal after the chaos they had just witnessed. While they were safe for the moment, a gnawing sense of dread settled over Hadrian, creeping into his thoughts like a shadow.
He glanced at Patty, whose face was pale with worry, and at Nina, whose eyes reflected a mixture of relief and lingering fear. They had narrowly evaded Sid's sinister plot, but Hadrian couldn't shake the feeling that their troubles were far from over. Dante was still inside the hotel, facing a threat that rivaled even the darkest demons of legend. He imagined Dante's confident demeanor, but he knew that confidence could only go so far against the overwhelming power of Sid, now bolstered by Abigail's dark influence.
Hadrian's mind raced with scenarios—Dante surrounded by demonic shadows, his signature smirk replaced by the grim realization of the odds stacked against him. The thought of his mentor being overwhelmed sent a chill through him. 'He can handle himself,' Hadrian reassured himself, but the thought felt hollow.
Nina's voice broke through his reverie. "We need to get somewhere safe," she urged, her expression haunted.
Hadrian nodded, though his instincts screamed that they couldn't just run. "We have to get Dante out of there," he insisted, determination flooding his veins. He turned to Patty, whose eyes were wide with anxiety. "We can't leave him to face Sid alone."
Patty swallowed hard, fear evident in her gaze. "But how? We can't just go back in there!"
"We'll find a way," Hadrian replied, the resolve in his voice surprising even himself. He knew Dante was tough, but the thought of leaving him to face Sid alone felt like a betrayal. They were a team, and they needed to act like one.
As they made their way down the street, Hadrian's heart raced with a mix of urgency and fear. The night was dark, the path ahead uncertain, but one thing was clear: he wouldn't abandon Dante, no matter the cost.
In the depths of the underworld, Dante hung limply from a jagged stone cross, the weight of his body straining against the sharp edges. Rebellion, his cherished sword, pierced through his chest, the hilt glinting ominously in the dim, flickering light of the infernal realm. Blood dripped steadily from the wound, pooling beneath him, staining the ground with crimson.
Chapter 34: Stylish!
The citizens gathered in panic, staring up at the swirling, ominous portal to Hell suspended above the hotel. The air was thick with fear as lesser demons spilled out, spreading chaos and destruction. Lady and Trish arrived on the scene, quickly assessing the situation and drawing their weapons.
"Sid's gone too far this time," Trish muttered, electricity sparking between her fingers.
Lady readied Kalina Ann, her rocket launcher aimed at the nearest cluster of demons. "Let's remind these demons why Earth isn't their playground."
They launched into battle, skillfully fending off the swarm of demons while attempting to keep the crowd safe. Just as they began to gain some control over the situation, Patty dashed toward the burning hotel, ignoring their shouts.
"Patty!" Lady yelled, firing a shot that narrowly missed a demon lunging toward the girl. "Get back here!"
But Patty's determination was unshakeable, and she bolted into the hotel's smoky interior, followed closely by Nina and Morrison.
Patty sprinted through the dimly lit corridors, her pendant glowing faintly, warding off any lower demons that tried to approach her. She moved with purpose, her mind set on reaching Dante, who she believed was still alive. Her steps echoed in the empty halls, broken only by the occasional roar of a distant demon.
Suddenly, she heard familiar footsteps behind her. She turned to see Hadrian rushing toward her, his face a mix of determination and concern.
"Patty, you shouldn't be here alone!" Hadrian said, catching up to her. "Dante wouldn't want you putting yourself in danger like this."
Patty's eyes were resolute, a fiery determination lighting up her gaze. "I have to save him. Dante's in trouble because of me. I need to make this right."
Seeing the conviction in her eyes, Hadrian took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, but you're not doing this alone."
Patty smiled gratefully as Hadrian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. With a swift motion, he summoned Cavaliere Barghest. The bike roared to life, its demonic energy crackling in the air, giving it a menacing aura.
"Hop on," Hadrian said, motioning to the demonic steed-like bike. "I'll get you to Dante, and nothing in Hell is stopping us."
Patty climbed onto the bike, gripping Hadrian's waist as he revved the engine, preparing to plunge into the portal to Hell.
The moment they crossed through the portal, Hell's twisted and oppressive landscape stretched out before them—a barren wasteland filled with jagged rocks, rivers of lava, and an endless swarm of demons. The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and despair.
Hadrian gunned the engine, and Cavaliere Barghest surged forward, cutting through the demonic hordes like a blade through the water. Patty held on tight, her heart pounding with fear and adrenaline as Hadrian deftly maneuvered through the terrain, avoiding massive rock formations and rivers of fire.
Now and then, a demon would lunge at them, only to be crushed under the weight of Cavaliere Barghest's wheels, leaving trails of cursed fire in their wake. Hadrian summoned chains of shadow energy, Wraithbound Chains, to pull any approaching demons directly into the bike's path, turning them into dark, scattered ashes as they collided.
"Hold on tight!" Hadrian shouted over the roar of the engine. He swung the bike in a tight arc, narrowly avoiding a boulder as he activated Shadow Burnout, creating a fiery explosion that disintegrated several demons blocking their path.
Patty's eyes widened as she watched Harry fight, marveling at his precision and power. She had seen Dante fight many times, but Hadrian's technique was raw and fierce, a perfect blend of magic and brutality.
Finally, as they neared the place where Dante was held, Hadrian skidded to a stop, the bike emitting a low growl as if eager to continue the fight.
They arrived at a clearing where Dante hung, impaled and motionless, from a stone cross-like formation. Blood trickled down from his chest, staining the jagged rocks below. The sight of him—usually so vibrant and indomitable—was a shock, and Patty felt tears prick at her eyes.
"Dante!" she cried, running up to him. She reached for Rebellion, gripping the hilt tightly as she tried to pull it free. Her hands trembled with the effort, but the sword wouldn't budge.
Hadrian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Let me help."
But just as he was about to lend his strength, a dark energy surged around them, and they both staggered back as Sid's voice echoed through the cavern.
"Touching reunion," Sid sneered, stepping into view. He smirked, his face twisted with satisfaction. "You really came all this way for nothing. Dante's finished, and now you'll be too."
Patty's eyes narrowed, her fear replaced by fierce resolve. "You're wrong. Dante isn't done yet. And we're not afraid of you."
Sid laughed. "Cute, but I think it's time you returned to the surface." With a flick of his hand, dark energy engulfed Patty, and she vanished from Hell, reappearing on Earth with Nina and Morrison.
Hadrian, however, remained, facing Sid with a cold glare.
Hadrian braced himself, gripping Cavaliere Barghest as Sid, now infused with Abigail's dark power, loomed before him. Sid's form had morphed, his aura twisting into an unstable, wrathful energy that distorted the air around him. His face split into a sinister grin as he watched Hadrian prepare for battle.
"Well, well," Sid sneered, his voice echoing with newfound demonic strength. "Sparda's blood really has some fight left in it. But you're still out of your league, kid."
"Let's test that theory," Hadrian replied, smirking as he revved Cavaliere Barghest. The dual-bladed wheels ignited with cursed flames, and he surged forward, weaving through the jagged rocks and aiming straight for Sid.
Sid's laugh grew darker as his transformation continued, Abigail's power overtaking him. His form expanded, his skin hardening into a golden armor-like shell with glowing fuchsia lines accentuating every twisted contour of his monstrous physique. He swung his massive arm, spikes erupting from his forearm, aimed to skewer Hadrian.
Hadrian swerved, narrowly dodging the attack. He circled, activating Shadow Burnout, leaving a trail of dark flames in his wake as he barreled into Sid, grinding Cavaliere Barghest's bladed wheels against the demon's armored hide. Sparks flew, and Sid let out a snarl of irritation.
"Is that all you got?" Sid sneered, slamming his hand into the ground. A shockwave rippled out, forcing Hadrian to leap off Cavaliere and land several feet back.
Sid advanced, raising a clawed hand to strike. Hadrian quickly raised his hand, casting Thops's Barrier, summoning a spectral shield that absorbed the impact. Sid's claws cracked against the barrier, and with a flick of his wrist, Hadrian dispelled the shield and countered with Ignis Diabolica. A flurry of cursed fire launched at Sid, but the demon merely laughed, swatting the cursed fire aside as if it was nothing.
"Pathetic!" Sid roared. "Witness the power of a true demon king!" With that, he thrust his arms forward, golden spikes shooting from his body, each strike creating shockwaves that shook the hellish landscape around them.
Hadrian dodged left and right, summoning Wraithbound Chains to bind Sid's arms momentarily. The spectral chains wrapped around Sid, slowing him down as Hadrian circled behind him. He swung Cavaliere with all his might, hitting Sid's back in a grinding assault that sent dark flames searing into Sid's flesh. Sid staggered, snarling in frustration as he shattered the chains with a burst of energy.
"Let's make this more interesting," Sid hissed, absorbing even more of Abigail's power. His body grew larger, the golden armor encasing him completely, his face resembling a ghastly skull with closed eye sockets. His aura surged with an iridescent glow, and his monstrous strength intensified.
Hadrian's gaze hardened, realizing he couldn't win this alone. He glanced over his shoulder at Dante, still motionless on the cross-like stone formation, blood dripping steadily from his wounds.
'Come on, Dante… wake up,' he thought, gripping Cavaliere tighter.
As if in response, a faint sound echoed across the battlefield—a heartbeat, strong and steady. Hadrian glanced back to see Dante's fingers twitching around Rebellion's hilt. Slowly, Dante's eyes opened, filled with fierce determination.
"Hey, kid…" Dante's voice was a hoarse whisper, but his smirk was unmistakable. "I appreciate the assist, but… mind if I take it from here?"
Hadrian stepped back, grinning. "All yours, Dante."
With a burst of energy, Dante ripped Rebellion from his chest, landing on his feet in one swift motion. He faced Sid, his eyes blazing with that familiar spark of defiance.
"You're in for it now, Sid," Dante said, twirling Rebellion and adjusting his stance. "Because when I'm done with you, even Hell won't want you back."
Sid roared, lunging forward, his golden fists slamming down, creating fissures in the ground. Dante dodged gracefully, spinning Rebellion and slashing in a fluid motion. The blade clashed against Sid's armor, sparks flying as Dante's strength met the demon's durability.
"Stinger!" Dante shouted, thrusting Rebellion forward with blinding speed, the force of the attack pushing Sid back. Sid retaliated, bringing down his spiked arms, but Dante slipped into Trickster, dashing to the side and avoiding the attack effortlessly.
The power struggle intensified as they clashed, each swing of Rebellion met with Sid's monstrous fists. Dante used Million Stab, a flurry of rapid jabs that chipped away at Sid's armor, and Sid responded with a massive backhand, knocking Dante off balance.
"Not bad," Dante muttered, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "But you're still just a cheap knockoff."
Sid growled, absorbing even more of Abigail's power, his form swelling further, his aura blazing with lethal energy. His blows became heavier, his strikes leaving cracks in the ground as Dante dodged and parried, staying just out of reach.
"Harry!" Dante shouted. "I'll keep him busy. Got a plan?"
Harry nodded, determination hardening his features. "I'll need a few seconds. Just keep him off me."
Dante flashed a grin. "Time's on your side." With that, he lunged back at Sid, his strikes intensifying, pushing Sid to his limits. Sid roared in frustration, throwing his full weight into his attacks, but Dante's Royal Guard absorbed the impact, reflecting it with a powerful counter that staggered the demon.
In the background, Hadrian took a steadying breath, channeling his magic and demonic energy into his Yggdrasil wand. Thunder rumbled overhead as storm clouds gathered, and arcs of electricity crackled along his body, drawn to his outstretched wand.
"Kirin" Harry whispered, his voice a steady command.
As he poured his energy into the spell, a massive, serpentine bolt of lightning materialized in the stormy sky, taking the shape of a dragon. The Kirin coiled above them, its glowing blue form crackling with raw, destructive power. The lightning dragon spiraled down, its jaws open wide, aimed straight at Sid.
Dante sidestepped, just as the Kirin descended upon Sid with a thunderous roar. The lightning dragon struck Sid with unrelenting force, engulfing him in blinding light and searing energy. His golden armor began to melt, cracking and shattering under the intensity of the spell. The iridescent glow faded, leaving his form smoldering, his body reverting to its original state as Sid.
Sid collapsed to his knees, his voice a hoarse whisper, pleading, "Dante… wait… have mercy…"
Dante raised Ebony & Ivory, his expression unwavering. "You had your second chance, Sid. You blew it."
With a calm, final pull of the trigger, Dante murmured, "Jackpot."
The shot echoed through the silent battlefield, and Sid's body disintegrated into ash, his screams fading into nothingness. As the dust settled, Dante and Harry exchanged a look, both breathing heavily but victorious.
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