Mission 8: Sinister Concerto

"Hail the music of the Shadow Knight's return"

Dante wondered for the millionth time how a perfectly normal day like this had taken such a drastic turn. This was how those days always started, a perfectly peaceful moment where he was being lazy in the office and all was good, then something always comes up to ruin it, be it a demon ambush (even though he enjoyed those, continuously damaging his office was starting to get really old) or a revelation like Trish's a couple of hours ago. Sure he had some touchy feely issues about his family but that was all in the past, he had to let it go and stop dwelling on it but no… now something burst into his office and stole one half of the perfect amulet. Dante wondered if someone out there was just messing with him to test his new resolve.

"Heh… Things always have to be complicated," said Dante, sitting down on the steps leading to the newly repaired doors of Devil May Cry. Fast murmuring voices told him that Lady and Trish were bickering again.

A white cat wandered over from the corner of the sidewalk, sniffing at random things as it unknowingly made its way towards the steps where Dante was sitting. Dante watched the cat as it pawed at a piece of paper then smiled as it jumped back in surprise when the paper dislodged and flew away. He momentarily wished he was just a cat - at least the only thing he had to battle was a piece of paper. As if the cat sensed Dante watching, it looked up and their eyes met. The cat cocked its head sideways, looking at Dante with a strange look that made it look as if it was smiling weirdly. Dante put out his hand and made a swishing noise while rubbing his thumb against his fore finger to lure the cat closer. The cat ran over to him.

"Hey fella, what's your name?" asked Dante, stroking its head as it made purring noises. The cat leaped up to the steps and sat on its haunches beside Dante, looking at the road expectantly.

"Waiting for someone?" asked Dante, looking at the road too. He had long learned that nothing normal seemed to be around him.

The cat looked back at Dante with the same tilted weird smiley face.

"Not quite the everyday tom," said Dante, ruffling the cats head.

"Not really, but I question the folly of speaking to a cat."

Dante looked up to see Cain standing a distance away.

The cat ran over to Cain and arched its back against his leg; Cain knelt down and patted its head with his gauntlet. The cat glowed and vanished into the gauntlet.

"A necromancer, haven't seen one in forever," said Dante, standing up.

"The Succubus breed developed quite a taste for our souls," replied Cain, walking over and holding out Yamato. "I believe this belongs to you?"

"Lately I don't know who owns that sword. What happened to the kid?" asked Dante, taking the sword; Cain was surprised at how easily Dante trusted him.

"Trish trusts you, it's good enough for me," said Dante, answering the unasked question etched within the quizzical look on Cain's face.

"It seems without your help the façade in Fortuna would have been a bigger pain," said Dante, holding out his hand.

"It was a good party," said Cain, smiling as he shook Dante's hand.

Just then the door to Devil May Cry opened and Trish came out with Lady following behind. Cain smiled at Trish and then frowned with recognition as he saw Lady.

"Hello, stalker," said Cain slyly, quirking an eyebrow at the surprised look on Lady's face.

Lady cast a confused look in Trish and Dante's direction. "You know each other?" asked Lady, surprised at this new bit of information.

"This is Cain, he helped me infiltrate Fortuna when I was in disguise there as Gloria," said Trish as she joined Dante and Cain, leaving an unsure Lady at the door.

"And Cain, this is Lady; an angry gun slinging woman with a taste for demon blood," said Dante, laughing as Lady gave him a 'bite me' sort of look.

"Don't you find it a little bit ironic then, that you hang out with a devil?" said Cain, holding out his hand as Lady made her way down to the stairs.

Lady hesitated, eyeing the gauntlet that encased his hand.

"I won't bite," said Cain with a wink.

"Weren't your eyes black?" asked Lady as she finally joined them.

"Don't you ask too many questions?" replied Cain, causing Lady to blush bright crimson but before she could retort, a sleek silver AUDI R8 drove to a stop on the sidewalk in front of the shop. and A man with brown hair that fell over the side of his face got out and waved to the group.

"Guess you're off already Lady. Leon's here," said Dante, waving back.

"Why haven't you introduced me?" asked Trish, giving Leon a look that made him blush even though he was far.

"Duh would be an understatement," replied Lady giving Trish a quick hug, "As odd as this sounds I will miss our fights," said Lady.

"Same here, see you when you get back," said Trish, who grabbed Cain's hand as he said a hasty 'see you' to Lady, who smiled back as Trish dragged him into the shop.

Dante opened his arms for a hug, but was punched in the shoulder by Lady.

"I will miss you too," said Dante, rubbing his shoulder. Lady gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and quickly walked away towards a waiting Leon, and got into the car before Dante could react.

"Bring me back a big demon head from Africa," said Dante, waving as the car did a three point turn and drove off. Dante watched the road for a moment, then turned around and went back into Devil May Cry.

Anna walked hurriedly through the long corridor, barely sparing a glance at the paintings that flanked her on both sides. She knew all of the paintings by heart; she had stared at some of them for so long she knew every stroke by heart, while barely giving others a glance. They were all demonic works done by the crazed denizens of Temeni Gru at the time the tower was at its most powerful. The atrocities they depicted made her wonder how their owner managed to not only survive that time, but salvage these priceless works.

Then again, Vampires were quite a resilient bunch.

She often wondered why the vampire in question would settle for this church as her home instead of the lush mansion back in the city. Aside from the mere fact that the church wasn't an ideal vacation destination for the un-dead, riches were not a problem for this vampire in particular. She could have the mansion in top condition in barely a month.

Then again, a priestess rarely leaves her place of worship.

The church had undergone a lot of renovations through time, resembling a futuristic pavilion with quite an impressive artwork decked corridor even the Louvre would be jealous of. Anna still found it hard to believe that this place had existed for 2000 years.

She entered the main hall of the church and walked past the pews towards the slightly elevated balcony, where a woman sat on the railing with the most relaxed expression on her face. Her skin looked so pale Anna used to wonder sometimes if she wasn't a statue herself, but when she moved it was with such fluidity that it made water dripping off an ice cube look rigid and stilting. Over the years her beauty had increased exponentially, and despite Anna being breathtakingly beautiful herself, she felt quite plain whenever she stood before her. She wore a transparent silk gown over alluring black undergarments that left little to the imagination. Anna knew her tempting body must have spelled doom for many a man and demon alike that couldn't resist her physical charms. A little shiver ran through Anna as the woman brushed back her wet looking long black hair and offered her a smile.

"Lady Diaz," said Anna with a little bow.

"My child, it warms my cold heart seeing you alive and well," said the woman, her hypnotic green eyes making Anna lightheaded whenever they locked eyes, "It seems you encountered both children of Sparda this night," she said, surprising Anna. "I believe it must have been quite a fright to see the rebirth of the Dark Angel, but it was bound to happen sooner or later."

Anna blushed slightly, how did the she know? "It was a surprise, but your orders have been fulfilled, except for an unforeseen calculation," said Anna, sitting down on the pew-like balcony's edge and resting her head against Lady Diaz' perfect legs. "Vergil wants, no, demands his sword back."

"Of course, the only thing that holds meaning to his dark heart," said Lady Diaz, her voice betraying a hint of sadness, then looked down at Anna whose upturned face reflected the same emotion.

"You have fallen for someone who brings nothing but pain my child," said Lady Diaz, stroking Anna's hair, "but perhaps it is a match made in hell, literally," she said, making Anna blush deeper.

Anna smiled, this was exactly what she wanted to hear. "One cannot help ones nature, but he will want what you offer Dante, perhaps even more than the swords master would"

"That is true, but this is to our advantage as well," said Lady Diaz, smiling at the surprised look on Anna's face. "Bring them to me, you know how it can be done," she said. Anna nodded and stood up to go.

"For two thousand years I never thought I would see blood throb in the heart of a succubus," said Lady Diaz, giving Anna a calculated stare that made her blush again, "But then again, like their father they carry a distinctive charm," she finished.

"It would appear your heart has started beating Anna, but still I must warn you against loving him. Only one woman has a place in his heart," she said.

Anna understood the warning, she was not forbidden so she could try. "You are as caring as you are wise, my lady," said Anna with a radiant look that made Lady Diaz soften a bit.

"Perhaps you can rescue each other from the darkness that clouds you both," she said. Anna nodded and bowed slightly before she turned and disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

Lady Diaz leaned against the pillar of the balcony structure she was sitting on and closed her eyes.

"She is a good if not misguided child, Catalina, encouraging her to follow her heart will only bring her pain… and worse," said a figure, stepping out from behind the darkness behind the Throne like chair that was on the balcony. He was dressed entirely in black; knee length combat boots and pants with an armoured bat-like riding cloak over a long sleeved top with a high neck, that served as a mask covering the bottom half of his face. His left eye glowed red behind a futuristic looking eye patch that looked more like a single lens of stylish dark glasses, though it was slightly obscured by his shoulder length curly silver blond hair, while his other eye was electric blue.

He held the hilt of a Japanese style two-handed broad sword between his hands. He stood beside Lady Diaz with a questioning look that bordered on becoming accusing.

"Zachary, my dear, you have known me for what, two thousand years now? You should know by now that I am never wrong," said Lady Diaz with a twinkle in her eye. "Take it this way, if it works out that insolent youth Cain won't have to kill her when she eventually attacks him for his soul, and the other future we have foreseen won't come to pass," said Lady Diaz, standing up and wrapping her arms around his neck.

Zachary turned away and she let go.

"Sparda's soldier to the end, aren't you?" she said with a sigh, walking back to the railing she vacated moments ago. Zachary joined her side. "My apologies for doubting you Catalina, I look forward to the finale of this saga".

"The Order intended for Cain to be the last addition to the Saviour's design, with the Quick Silver and Necromancer styles at hand combined with the blood of Sparda, it would have been a lot more difficult to handle," Trish told Dante, who was sitting on the edge of his table while Cain was staring at the various demon heads on the wall. "Sanctus didn't count on me helping and well…"

"I went nuts and took out the rest of the orders' army," said Cain, turning around and walking back to the other two.

"That's why they needed the Angelo fragments to create a new breed of stronger and faster soldiers," said Trish.

"But you where there again today," said Dante, looking up at Cain.

Cain raised a questioning eyebrow at this, surprised how Dante knew of his whereabouts but dismissed it.

"Yes, to retrieve an artefact for a prestigious client. I did succeed but then I met Nero and…" said Cain and he proceeded to explain what took place at the cliff side above the cemetery.

"I had no idea the Radix Eterna contained the core of the Angelo fragments," said Cain, who's wandering eyes rested on a set of shining gauntlets and greaves by the bar. "Impressive. The rumours of your devil arm collection are not exaggerated," said Cain, examining Beowulf closely.

Dante wondered where Cain would have heard about his devil arms, and also how Cain's accent was a bit funny but dismissed both thoughts.

"They are my second favourite and only remaining of the two alternate devil arms I have," said Dante, walking over and standing next to Cain.

"The purple guitar is mine," said Trish, walking over and picking up Nevan. The guitar momentarily flashed purple, then slowly charged up and turned golden. Trish slung it across her back and clipped the Force Edge to her waist.

"Its suits you nicely," said Cain, smiling at Trish. He always found it surprising how easily she turned him into a blushing mess with only a look.

"We better get going then. A.D.A.M. headquarters isn't far away and there is someone I would like you to meet, Dante," said Cain. Dante picked up Ebony and Ivory from the table, then clipped Rebellion to his back.

"She said to ask if your two friends still work fine," said Cain and Dante paused momentarily. It was too much to hope but perhaps, just perhaps the rumours were true…

"I was going to search for a certain man eater but hey, I got some time to kill," said Dante nonchalantly, walking to the door and opening it.

They all stepped outside.

"When did it get so dark?" asked Trish, looking around.

That was when the music started.

Dante could faintly recall the Organ music from a memory that he could not quite grasp. It started with dark and foreboding opening notes that proceeded to rise to a crescendo as the sky above was illuminated by blue flashes.

"The phantom of the opera must be in town," said Dante, looking up at the sky where the numerous zigzagging blue streaks had formed into a straight line as the music went low again.

"And he brought friends," said Trish. The music seemed to be controlling the movement of the blue flashes; like soldiers they seemed to be going by the music's cue. With a final flourish of the Organ, the lights went rigid and shot into town towards a particular point out of view. Three remained and shot to where Dante, Trish and Cain where standing.

An Alto Angelo descended, flanked by a pair of Bianco Angelo, their visor gleaming with a dark blue demonic sheen that seemed to pulsate all over their armour.

"I thought they all perished after the saviour was beaten," said Trish as they hovered above, slightly obscured by the darkness. There seemed to be something riding on the Alto Angelo's shoulder.

It dawned on Cain and he said, "They were made from the Dark Angels fragments, their resurrection must only mean…"

"He's not so dead anymore," said Dante as the three Angelos finally came into view, and the three where surprised at the sight of Anna sitting side saddle on the Alto Angelo's shoulder.

"I can already tell. He has no taste," said an unsmiling Cain, whipping out his gun as Trish did the same, pointing Luce and Ombra at the Biancos while Cain kept a dead aim at the Altos chest plate.

Only Dante seemed undisturbed by their appearance, "Didn't your mother ever tell you geeks were creepy?" asked Dante, folding his hands.

"I like it geeky, hello Cain," replied Anna, jumping off the Alto and facing them.

"Miss Darvulia," replied Cain, holstering his gun, "If you are not here for my soul as usual, what do you want?" asked Cain as Trish holstered her guns as well.

"That," said Anna as a sheathed Yamato flashed into Dante's left hand.

"You took the golden half of the amulet then?" asked Trish.

"She is just a messenger," said Dante, walking over and standing face to face with Anna.

"He is just using you. Get away from him before you get hurt," said Dante. Anna was taken aback by the sympathy in his voice momentarily, but that surprise quickly turned into anger.

"You know where to find him," said Anna coldly and disappeared in her usual puff of black smoke.

The Alto Angelo raised its hand and the Bianco disappeared and reappeared above the Alto on each side, forming an upside down triangle.

It glowed so bright so fast that Cain and Trish had to cover their eyes as the ground started vibrating. Cain was aware of a flash of cyan blue, then a concentration of dark energy around a red source with a yellow core coming from Dante, but he was blinded and disorientated by a boom as a green ball of energy flew at them with rapid speed. It bounced back at the Angelos as it hit Dante and blew them into several pieces.

The light cleared and Cain helped Trish up, then he took a proper look at Dante. He was encased in dark regal armour with a cape that shone black and red, the visor glowed alternately with red and yellow as he turned to look at Cain. Cain recognized the demon as Dante reverted back to his normal form.

"What was that?" asked Trish and picked up a piece of the Angelo armour as it evaporated in a dark blue mist.

"The invitation, and oh, my brother's alive as well," said Dante, and for the first time since the white cat, he was not smiling.

Nero was recovering slowly in CRISYS.