Edward was sitting on one of the benches just inside the changing area waiting for Celestia to arrive. He needed help wrangling in the recently discovered Harmony Ninetails aka his mother-in-law, Queen Faust. He never was one drink with others unless they could handle their liquor. This was because after a few times when he’d drunk with the King and Queen of Equestria in his youth he’d discover that the Queen couldn’t handle the strong varieties of booze. The first time she drank heavily with him she wanted to play spin the bottle and Edward end up the bottle. The second time he and the King ended up spending the night in the dungeon for the entire night for not wanting to pillow fight.

Things this time around things were going to be extremely hard as Edward hadn’t informed either Celestia or Luna that their mother had reincarnated, and as a Pokemon no less. Still, in his defense, it had only been a little over an hour or so since he’d found her himself. Edward wasn’t surprised at the fact that she’d come back as many alicorns reincarnate but he was surprised by the fact that she’d come back so soon. Then again she’d been gone for nearly seven thousand years.

Celestia came into the Time Chamber and called out to Edward. He’d acknowledge by calling out and met her at the entrance to the bathing area. He quickly explained that the problem was a pokemon that the group had found when the went to the Dragonlands. Celestia quickly raised an eyebrow and went it to see. It was safe to she was in utter shock when she came into the main bath area and saw the Rainbow Ninetails. She was in awe of the pokemon’s beauty but also that it possessed the power of an alicorn and massive quantities of Harmony magic. Then Edward had to catch her when the pokemon noticed her and Mentally spoke to her in an all to familiar voice calling out to her by using a nickname known to only a few. Edward used his image capture magic to get the look on her face to be sure to immortalize it.

‘Celly it so good to see you again,’ Faust came bounding out of the lukewarm water tackling the Solar Princess and the Alchemist holding her up. “Oh, how I’ve missed you and Lulu so much,’” Faust nuzzled her eldest daughter as tears formed in her eyes. “I know this may come as a shock to you but I can assure you that I am indeed your mother. Please don’t be mad at Ed, he didn’t know I’ve come back. No more than two months at least. It was by chance he found me and I’ve been here for only a few hours.”

“Edward, how did you find her? How is she here?” Celestia asked frantically as she looked to the alchemist for answers.

“Calm down for a minute Tia. Have some tea to settle your nerves a bit,” Edward sat Celestia down in the nearest chair and made some hot tea with his magic. “First, I just kind of found her or maybe it’s the other way around. Second, you and I both know that alicorns reincarnate eventually but I didn't know she’d do it so soon but again she did pass away over seven thousand years ago. We went to the Dragonlands to find partner pokemon for Alexis and Shang. After Alexis caused a bit of the cave to collapse we ran into a Moltres and had a spat with it. We decided to run in the opposite direction and that's when we came across Faust. She was just there and with a Riolu for Alexis.” Edward took a seat across from Celestia. “She is a Ninetails and they have always been mysterious even among Pokemon. I’m not going to quest your mother either as she is herself.”

‘After that Ed brought us all back here and did some training with the Displaced. We did some more talking about who Alexis is and what she is and we got lost in the moment. That's when I noticed the Dragon Ale.’ On Faust's mention of the drink, Celestia immediately turns to Edward with a glare of anger. “Celly, don’t you dare get mad at Ed. He was the one that tried to keep me from getting into the Ale in the first place. I insisted that I have some since I hadn’t had any in over seven thousand years. I forgot how potent ir was is all.’

“Indeed you did my dear,” Came Discord as he materialized in his astral form. ‘I have to say that was quite the performs Faustie. You were all like ‘Go Alexis’ and Edward was like ‘Give me the damn Mic’. Ahhh. Good times. What wonderful chaos you caused my dear.”

“Ed what is Discord doing in here?” Celestia asked confused at the odd form Discord had Taken.

“He’s Alexis’ Discord and he followed her when I summoned her. The other one is Goro and he’s one of the two Shokan Shang summoned.” Edward started to scratch the back of his head in embarrassment. “He part Dragon so I summoned the Ale originally for them but the other one threatened our ponies so I kind of but the crap out of him before we left for the Dragonlands.”

‘As I said we got caught up in trying to help Alexis figure things out and that’s why Ed didn’t come and get you and Lulu right away,’ Faust looked at the floor as her face flushed so much you could see it under her fur. ‘After we had things figured out he set up an obstacle course for the others and I got caught up in the moment and went overboard with Ale.’

Goro then interrupted. “Things went downhill from there. There was barfing, cheering, lots of rainbows and jumping. After the jumping, Alexis teleported in and threw her drunken ass in the bath. The water seemed to sober her up quite quickly.”

“You always were one to burn off drunkenness if you had access to a cold enough bath nearby, mother,” Celestia smile at the Ninetails. “I suggest you tell Luna now. She didn’t know you at all so she’ll be a little bit easier to handle. I believe you but I’m still going to need a little bit of time to process this. Please be patient with me, mother.” Celestia stood up form her seat and took a deep breath. “I am very happy too so you in the world of the living again mother, even if you are a pokemon. I believe I’ll return to my bed now as it is still a few hours till sunrise.”

“Sweet dreams my darling sunshine,” Faust sing softly to her eldest daughter.

“Edward would you please follow me at least until we get to my room. I would very much like to speak with you on something and I wish to enjoy your company to myself for a bit,” Celestia whispered softly in a slight bit of blush on he face.

“Sure Tia. I can get Luna on my way back too.” Edward hopped up. “Faust no more Ale and Discord and Goro, make sure that happens. I’ll return in about fifteen minutes.”

‘Fine,’ Faust huffed with puffed cheeks.

“Yes sir,” Goro saluted.

“Aye Aye Captain,” Discord appeared in a sailor suit.

“What’s wrong Tia? I know you would ask me to walk with you to your room unless you have something on your mind?” Edward asked trying to understand but he had a pretty good idea what was going through Celestia’s mind right now. “I just as surprised as you are at her return and I‘d be lying if I said I wasn’t disturbed by this.”

“I just didn’t want to walk back alone right now,” Celestia looked down in embarrassment. “I get very lonely you know. Luna has you, even when you’re not beside her during the night you still constantly check on her to make sure she’s okay. It reminds me of when I was little and you’d do the same or me at night. Whenever mother and father were away on business you were there for me.”

“Tia,” Edward stopped for a moment then looked outside a nearby window the back to Celestia.

“Edward, please, just hear me out,” she pleaded. “I… I can’t take hiding these feeling anymore.” You left and I never told you how I felt because I didn’t think I’d see you again. And now mother’s return I.. I can’t deal with all of this at once. Please tell me what am I supposed to do?”

Celestia started to weep out of the confusion she brought on herself from the past and current events. She simply fell to the ground with her face buried in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably. For the last seven thousand years, she’d maintained the mask of the ruler. A feat that Edward had only done for around fifty years. In truth, Edward had always admired her for the ability to lead others for in the way she did by giving advice and holding back her feelings for the needs of her ponies. Her current state showed it was still eating her up inside. Her mother’s sudden return was just the final stone to be cast to break her.

Edward walked over to the weeping princess and knelt down and pulled her into his chest and spoke to her softly. “Tia, I’m sorry for not taking your feelings into account and I’m sorry for not being there for you when you needed someone who could understand the strain of being a ruler. I’d be lying to myself if I said I’d felt something more than just brotherly love for you. I do care for you very much and I hate seeing you in so much pain. And I hate that it was me that caused you a good portion of it. I’ll be here for you now though and I don’t plan on going anywhere. I still would like to speak with Luna before we move forward in any form of relationship but I will be here to support you no matter what.”

Celestia looked up to the golden eyes she’d gazed into so many times before and found the solace she needed before she answered him. “Thank you, Ed. Thank you.”

She stayed in his embrace for around thirty minutes before Edward finally spoke up. “I’ll take care of the raising and lower for tomorrow. Let’s get Luna and head back to the Chamber. I’ll set the timer for an extended period and you both can rest there in the main bedroom so you won’t be alone.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said as she got up off the floor with Edward’s help.

She and Edward headed to Luna’s room and found her at her bed doing some reading. When Luna asked why Celestia looked as if she’d been crying they didn’t withhold any of the details of what had just happened in the hallway. Luna was in shock after she’d heard what her sister had told her about her feelings for Edward and the shock of there mother’s return. Luna wasn’t expecting the latter but she was joyed that she’d finally meet her. On the other, she was upset the Celestia had bottled up her emotions for so long. Then came the last subject of the night and it was Edward surprise when Celestia took the lead on this.

“Luna, would it be all right with you if Edward and I started a relationship? I mean a serious one where we’d start a herd?” Celestia stood tall and as she looked her little sister straight in the eye as she asked her.

“Tia I don’t mind but just know that Edward is still my husband and I am his first wife,” Luna said with a stern gaze before her, “But I’m more than happy to share Ed with you, Tia. Promise me that if something is bothering you that you’ll let you know. I can’t stand to have you end up like this again.”

Celestia nodded.

“Thank you, Luna,” Edward walked over and embraced her lovingly. “Let’s get back to the Chamber so you can meet your mother,” Edward said with a soft smile as he teleported them back to the chamber.

They arrived outside the Chamber doors in Edward’s lab. “I'll set the timer and then we’ll go in.” Edward fiddled with the doors and then the trio headed in. Faust was on the floor dozing while Discord and Goro were watching the Course Trio on monitors Edward had set up.

“Tia, is that Ninetails over their mother's reincarnation?”Luna whispered as she sensed the Harmony magic radiating from the pokemon.

“Yes Luna,” Celestia replied with a tiered strain in her voice.

Suddenly Faust popped up her ears fully up. ‘Looks like you had a bit of a let-off Celly. You should get some rest.’ Faust looked to Edward with a soft look and then turned to Luna. Edward went off and joined Goro and Discord leave the mother and her daughters to themselves. ‘Let’s get you both to bed. Heavens know you two need it. Especially you Luna. Won’t be long before the little ones are here from what I sense.’

“Okay, I ’m beat any was,” Celestia said as the trio went to the master bedroom.

Out on the Ice Fields Edward met the others to see how the runners were doing. “Let’s see. Oh, Shang has claimed two soul crystals and Alexis has awoken her Eclipse Magic while Riolu has evolved into a full-on Lucario.” Edward hit a button and spoke into the mic. “Great job guys keep it up. You're about a fourth of the way done. Make it to the end and there’s a special prize for you.”

Shang exhaled softly, blood trickling from a slice just below his shoulder, caused by Baraka. Apparently, Edward’s ‘enhancement’ had given him highly effective anti-air tactics, firing bony spurs from his shoulders and upper back. He smirked slightly as it hadn’t been effective enough, however. Kitana, fortunately, hadn’t had any particular special details in Kombating her, but she had drained a good bit of his Kombat Strength which did, thankfully, regenerate outside of Kombat. The nearest Soul Crystals, currently, were Jade’s and a rather unexpected one of a Kombatant he hadn’t heard of, someone by the name of Rain. He glanced at Alexis, who was juggling a couple of shimmering onyx and silvery spheres before she spun, hurling them at a pair of ice golems which blew apart on the icy cliffside.

Alexis had found that the trigger for her own Eclipse Magic was accepting that she herself had darkness within her, much like everyone did. Intriguingly, it had manifested as a silver and reddish opal Chinese Dragon birthmark coiling up her right arm to just below her shoulder and seeming to ‘swim’ through the darker flesh of the Devil Bringer. She smirked, noticing a dark purple Soul Crystal which they’d found responded to her, whilst the deep emerald ones reacted more often to Shang. And her Soul Crystals held very… unique opponents. She launched the spectral form of her Devil Bringer before gripping and shattering the crystal, revealing a tall, dusky-skinned giant with dull golden skin and smoldering orange eyes. It was Tremor in his ‘Metallic’ form. It appeared that Alexis tended to get rather unique forms of Kombatants that Shang sometimes encountered, though she had the choice of killing them or allowing Shang to gain their ‘unique form’ although he did have to defeat the Kombatant himself to actually employ it.

“Are you three tired yet? Need A break or want to quit?” Edward chuckling echoed through the ice cavern.

Lucario snorted though he was panting. “I wouldn't mind a break myself, but I ain't quitting,” he said, shivering.

Alexis looked up as if she could see Edward. “Are you kidding? I'm having fun, and Tremor's about to see a real reason to ‘quake in his boots’,” she quipped as she assumed a combat stance that eerily looked like a cross between that of Akuma and Ryu from Street Fighter. It was rather obvious her Sparda blood was all but singing in this sort of challenge.

“Want to have a real fight then?” Edward’s voice rang with evil intent. “I decipher the laws of nature to bring forth the fire of Hell! BERIAL COME FORTH, BURN EVERYTHING TO ASH!”

A large circle of fire appeared above the trio. Suddenly a huge fire demon akin to the cross of a centaur and a lion wielding a huge sword came from the circle. “Have fun!”

Alexis paused, looking away with the slightest frown, feeling a tugging at the back of her mind below and behind her to her left. “What is that?” she whispered, unsure what she was sensing, but it wasn't from the Demon General before her.

“This is Berial. A high-Level Demon General he fought on par with Sparda during the Wars of Hell. His power rivaled even Mundus at one time. Enjoy. Beat him and gain a new Devil ability,” Edward snickered. “Oh, I know. For you Shang, I have one too. The Predalien should be quite the workout.”

From the shadows, there was movement and hissing at Shang. Out came a very ugly and strange insect lizard-like creature. With hair like tendrils on the sides of its head and tubish appendages protruding from its back.

“What about you Lucario? Up for a real fight?” Edward appeared as a mini hologram. “I know the perfect enemy for you,” he quipped.

A column of blue fire erupted from the ground and out of it walked a full evolved Blaziken. It had A blue flame like fur around its feet that led into golden pants fur. Its face and head crest was silver while the hair that ran down its back blue. It wore heavy wielding boots and gloves and had a massive forging hammer on its back.

“This is Hephaestus one of my personal metal workers from the deep mines of Mt Canterhorn,” Holo-Edward sipped by the other pokemon.

‘Another shiny. You called me here to fight him, my lord,’ Hephaestus pulled his hammer off his back and swung it forward as it landed with a loud thud on the ground. ‘Very well. Come young one and face the flame of the Forge of the Great Mountain of Equus and my Hammer, The Vulcan.” Hephaestus roared as a blue flame burst from his wrists.

Lucario smirked as he pulled something quite unexpected from his back. “You aren't the only one with a weapon,” he deadpanned as there were slightly scaled ridges forming ‘eyebrows’ over his eyes. It seemed that Alexis and Lucario had bonded on both a physical and spiritual level… as the weapon Lucario wielded… was a Devil Arm. It was the ice-based Devil Arm… Cerberus.

“Yo, Lord Berial? You know a Dante Sparda?” Alexis deadpanned the Oni Blade over her shoulder. Her other hand was hanging loosely by her side, giving no sign of her readiness to draw the Aevitèrnus. Unlike her brothers, who didn't respect demonkind, she knew to do so.

“Daughter of Sparda. You reek of your father’s betrayer blood. But,” Berial paused for moment and Alexis could hear him sniffing the air. “You reek of something else as well. You are not human at all. What are you, you foul thing?”

Holo-Edward appeared next to Alexis’ side. “Try not to use your sword until you feel its pull on your hand. Demon swords are bonded to their wielders and have minds of their own as well. Good luck.” Holo-Edward faded away.

Alexis snorted, deliberately sniffing herself even as she noted Edward's advice. “Hey, I know I worked up a sweat, but I don't stink!! At least I don't smell like I bathed in brimstone and flatulence. Here I am trying to be respectful towards you, unlike my brothers whom I've never met… although I did run across Dante… and promptly kicked him in the balls,” she said dryly as she planted the tip of the Onì Blade in the ice even as she he heard Tremor's heavy footfalls as she spun before drilling the Black Dragon member with a series of powerful punches into the face before driving a straight sidekick into his chest and following up with snapping off a jumping back kick and firing off a Denjì Hadōken into Tremor's face, the electricity arcing through the large earth demigod's body. She quickly hit him with a belly-to-belly suplex before turning it into a vicious sweeping kick that caught Tremor in the side of his head, rolling him in the snow. “What I am is someone that respects strength. And the next time you call me ‘a foul thing’, I'm going to take that sword of yours and shove it right up your ass… until only the hilt cap is sticking out,” she warned in a dangerous tone. “And if you’re not careful, I may decide that trying to show you respect adds up to -” she said dryly before she exhaled softly. “Get my point?” she deadpanned. She heard Tremor gagging before Lucario snickered as she glanced over her shoulder at Shang with an innocent look.

“You are only a half demon and will receive as much respect as I see fit to give you. For the other half of you, I don’t know what it is but that is the part of you that reeks. You do not have a physical odor daughter of Sparda but your spiritual form is disgusting to any demon,” Berial ignited his large sword as well as his body. “Your father was a master swordsman and had my respect even when he was my enemy. If you can show me you are worthy of the family name you bare then I shall retract my earlier statement. My master compels me to fight you with all I have. Will you do the same?”

Alexis gave a grin that it seemed only those of Sparda's bloodline could, cocky yet cautious, focused yet carefree. “Is there any other way to fight?” she quipped as embers of dark amethyst flames swirled around the Onì Blade. She closed her eyes for just a moment before her gaze snapped open, intense and focused as her glowing irises were locked on Berial with a predatory gaze. “I am Darkness and Light… in one,” she whispered.

“Then come Child of Sparda. Face Berial the General of the Hell Flame,” Berail raised his sword with both hands as his body burned bright.

Hephaestus looked on the Demons as the engaged in their battle of blades. In truth, he’d never cared for battle. It was the beauty of the flames of the planet he lived for. To him as long as he could create and see new colors in fire he didn’t mind to battle. He looked to the Lucario who was breathing very heavily. Hephaestus was enjoying the bout they had been undertaking in truth and it wasn’t just the fire that the young warrior had been able to create either but his spirit. Even amongst the Lucario of his past, this one proved to be rather resilient to the flames of the Vulcan he wielded. He brought the massive hammer up once again and swung with a force that normally broke steel to pieces only for the Lucario to block it with his Cerberus. Hephaestus smirked as he pushed into the weapon more and more but still the silver pokemon would not yield. Instead, he had a smirk on his face the whole time. As they stayed lock Hephaestus spoke to the young one.

“You truly have a great spirit young one. To be able to withstand fire and battle to the point you have is a feat in and of itself. The beauty of the flames you create is something to behold as well. I would love to have you in the great forge at my side,” Hephaestus grabbed the handle of the bottom of the Vulcan and quickly shifted it to launch Lucario into the air as he latches Vulcan onto his back and used Closed Combat combined with Fire Punch, a move he called Flare Combat, to assault the unsuspected youth. Lucario on his back unable to move. “Unfortunately you are still to green and not used to your own body and weapon. To face one such as myself let alone worthy Lord Edward’s gift yet. Still, you have proven your heart is true and will is strong. You may have this gift.” Hephaestus placed a box on the ground containing A keystone and a Lucarionite. “Become stronger and grow even closer to your partner young one. Once you heavy reach that peak in friendship you will go beyond your limits. Be well, be strong. Farewell.”

Hephaestus then left the same way he came in. Through a column of blue fire.

Alexis grinned as she shifted the Onì Blade, not realizing it had altered due to her magic and Aura flowing through the weapon. “Let's dance,” she murmured.

Lucario was breathing hard, wincing at the burns beneath his fur. He had noticed, through his link to Alexis, that he healed faster both from injuries and difficult training. He could very keenly sense that his partner was quite… unique.

“Here ya go fella,” Holo-Edward appeared beside Lucario with a holding out a vial of glowing green liquid to the injured pokemon. “It’s a healing formula. Apply it to your wounds and take a couple of swigs on it too. Your injuries will be healed up completely in about fifteen minutes.” There was a bright flash of red and heat. The two looked in the direction to Berial and Alexis clash in a fury of fire and slashes. Edward was impressed the Alexis was keeping up with the demon general but he was still waiting to see her start to use her demon powers.

“My partner is amazing,” Lucario looked on in awe. Alexis jumped and brought the Oni blade down hard only for Berial to block the slash with the flat of his own sword.

“Not nearly as amazing as she could be,” Lucario looked to the hologram with a smirk. “I increased Berial’s strength beyond what it was during the War of Hell,” Holo-Edward paused for a minute crossing his arms. “Sparda wanted her to awaken her demon half completely but he also wanted to watch over her so a infused his spirit into the Oni blade. Once she reaches her peak not even I know what’ll happen.” Lucario started to move toward the fight but the Hologram moved in front of him. “Sorry fella, this is her fight and her test. You're not allowed to interfere.” Holo-Edward turned to Shang who was still dealing with the Predalien. “Might have to intervene there.”

Alexis grinned. “Damn. I can definitely see why you're respected… guess I should stop holding my real strength back. Been relying on my human strength this far,” she said with amusement. She noticed Berial pausing at her comment as she skidded back from another deflection.

“Don’t get cocky Daughter of Sparda,” Berail roared with pleasure as his fire changed colors from orange and red to the of black and silver. He wings that were solid flames grew to have a draconic bone-like structure. He now was standing on his two front legs the had become much longer and had lost his back legs. “You are not the only one who has been holding back girl.”

Shang grunted before he hurled a burning skull into the Predalien's face, causing it to back away. “Let's see you handle the sting of winter,” he said in a low voice before the Predalien tried to impale him with its tail, only for ice to erupt from the impact point.

NRAH! The Predalien screamed.

“Good call. The Aliens have always thrived in warmer humid environments,” Holo-Edward nodded. “He better watch himself though. The Predalien was classed as a queen.” He sat down on the ice as Lucario was doing his best not to interfere with his partner’s fight. “I know it’s hard Lucario but you’ll just have to deal for now. Just wait for when you three have to face the course boss at the end then you’ll have a real fight on your hands.”

“Cocky? Fuck being cocky. I've known of Sparda for several years… the notion of being related to whom I thought was a video game character never crossed my mind, ya get it? So you can't blame for having fun… much less actually fighting one of my personal favorite demon bosses… you,” Alexis deadpanned. She could feel the energy coursing through her veins as well as noticing that the edges of her vision were pulsing crimson.

“Come on kid find yourself. Compassion is the key here,” Holo-Edward muttered in excitement. “Feel your blood run hot in an honorable fight. You’re almost there.”

Alexis tilted her head. “My experience… even those who don't deserve your respect should get it… and damn if I don't know more than a few of those… it doesn't matter what race we are if we can't respect each other… and if it means that I have to beat the respect outta ya… I'll do it,” she said in a soft voice. Almost the moment the last words left her mouth, she felt an intense rush of power explode from deep within her.

“I never said you hadn’t earned my respect Daughter of Sparda,” Berial growled in an honest tone as he scowled at Alexis but with a dirty smirk. “To fight a demon of my caliber as on mere human standards was truly inspiring but now that I have invoked the Hell Flame given to me by my master I have gone beyond the standards of what I used to be. I am now the Hell Flare Emperor Berial and I will come at you with bloodlust as I did with your father during the war. Tell me Child of Sparda. What is your full name so that I may remember it as I have your father’s.”

Alexis gritted her teeth as the coruscating blast of amethyst and ebony flames faded, revealing her Devil Trigger form. The flames were a deep amethyst, fading to ebony as she exhaled. “Alexis Èryuà Taiyōno,” she said quietly. Her glowing amethyst sclera and ruby irises met Berial's. “But I'm going to kick your ass regardless. You gotta remember the most deadly thing about humans… we don't fucking give up,” she said quietly.

“And be me with my arm, she did it,” Holo-Edward smirked as he looked on the fight. “If you guys can make it to the end of the course then I’ll have one hell of a surprise for you three.” He looked over to Shang who was still having issues with the Predalien. Edward popped over to Shang. “Still hanging in there?”

“What surprise?” Lucario commented, curious.

Kuai Liang smirked. “We have things handled, Edward,” the Lin Kuei said with a smirk. “It's fortunate that he knows how this thing uses that inner jaw… so we're going to give it a taste of its own medicine… though we strongly advise not being near when it blows,” he said wryly. The Predalien had numerous cuts before he formed a compact sphere of ice roughly half again the size of a baseball, shoving it down the Predalien's gullet before swiftly teleporting in a gust of emerald flames. He materialized feet from Edward's holographic form before he drove both palms into the ice as a five-inch thick wall of slightly cloudy ice rose with a resounding crunch as Tremor tried to get over the wall and barely succeeded. Moments later, the entire upper body of the Predalien detonated in a wet booming splat, the sharp sizzling of its acidic blood rather obvious. “FATALITY,” Shang muttered.

“Hmf. Here ya go Shang,” holo-Edward held out another glowing green vial. “Get your strength back. If Alexis can finish off Berial then you three will have earned the surprise.”

Shang shrugged as most of his injuries were quite superficial. “That thing was damn agile for being only a bit shorter than a Shokan, I'll give it that. Though I can feel that she's tapping roughly 45% of her full power… and that's the power she has currently. Any idea on what this…. Aevitèrnus… blade's unique talent is? Unfortunately, I do not know much about Sparda, though I have heard of him. His legend is infamous in the Netherrealm… no matter what dimension you're in,” he deadpanned.

The demon blade Yamato could separate demon from human in the case of hybrids like Dante or Vergil, whilst the Rebellion could draw the true power of the demon forth… absorbing power from nearby Devil Arms. The Aevitèrnus, however… nobody but Sparda knew its true power, and he'd yet to have shown himself again.

“That it is my friend. The Dark Knight’s reputation precedes him in most realities that have access to the darker realms,” Holo-Edward smirked wryly but then looked to Alexis’ demon sword .”As for the Avitèrnus, I know absolutely nothing about this blade so only Sparda can tell you what it does. I can’t wait to see it though. “Holo-Ed smirked evilly. “I don’t even have it in my vault of weapons yet, well I do have it but I can’t access it until I know a baseline of it. See for me to have a weapon in my fault and be able to use it I have to have at least a base knowledge of it or have seen it be used at least once.”

Shang smirked. “Makes you wonder why ‘Lexie hasn’t used it yet…. Either she suspects that little detail…. despite you not mentioning it at all, to my knowledge, or… she may feel its call but wants to really fuck with Berial’s head. To his knowledge, the blade she’s using is a very minor demon blade, so he likely suspects that’s all she has, I’d wager,” he quipped.

Alexis smirked as she had discovered by accident that, if she was right, her own magic had altered the Fire God Slayer Magic slightly so she was able to consume not only magical and weaker flames than her own, but also flames of hellish origins. She hadn’t mentioned that to anyone, as she’d been separated from Shang for a bit and encountered a Hellspawn form of Scorpion. She licked her lips. “Don’t think I didn’t hear that sorcerer,” she chirped, her tone holding both sweetness and annoyance with just a hint of malice behind it.

“You really don’t know a thing about demon blades do you, Shang,” Holo-Edward shook his head. “Demon swords like the Rebellion, Yamato, and Avitèrnus are actually keys to unlocking their wielder’s true devil forms. That means unless she had that sword on her she wouldn’t have been able to perform her first transformation. She can now transform willingly but she won’t be at full power unless she has her blade on her. And yes she’s was sort of fucking with Berial too.” Holo-Edward squinted as he grabbed his chin. “ Berial has no knowledge of my powers either as this is this first time I’ve ever summoned and altered a demon of his level. Alexis didn’t know the details of my Gate either. So yea, she was just fucking with Berial’s head. It also appears that her Fire God Slayer magic has evolved into Fire Demon Slayer magic. Interesting”

‘I’m surprised she hasn’t drawn the Avitèrnus yet,’ Faust deadpanned as she appeared next to Shang. ‘And she called her brothers stubborn. Runs in the family,” Faust shook her head. ‘She’ll get herself if she doesn’t draw her sword soon. Even with Fire Demon Slayer Magic, Berial is still too strong for her to face with her true Devil power still sealed within her blade. He is the living Flames of Hell,” she deadpanned.

“Shouldn't you be laying down with Tia and Luna right now?” Holo-Edward crossed his arms.

“Celly and Luna are both sound asleep thanks to you. I haven’t seen them sleep so happily since they were fillies.” Faust summoned a bag of popcorn as she spoke and offered some to Shang. “Now, hush, I’m watching the fight. Popcorn?”

Alexis grunted, being deflected high into the air before she grinned. Her hand rose over her shoulder, the hilt of Avitèrnus forming in response. Her grin widened as the awareness of the blade surged through her mind. “Oooooh, now that's an interesting talent. Its secondary gift… is nearly as useful,” she thought, her irises flaring a bright blue.

Shang shrugged, about to take a handful of popcorn when he felt a very strong surge of power… stronger even than his memories of a certain necromancer arch-sorcerer. He recalled, unbeknownst to all Kombatants, that Shang hadn't just been learning from an Emperor… but also a certain Fallen Elder God. It appeared that Alexis' power was garnering interest from his other Master. He could feel that power, faint, but there.

“I’m getting antsy to get in this myself,” Holo-Edward murmured as he tapped his elbow with a smirk.

‘Ed, what’re you planning?’ Faust smirked.

Suddenly there was a loud angry roar from Berail.

“I’ve had enough of your playing girl,” Berial stabbed his sword into the ground and sat down crossing his arms. “If you’re not going to take this fight seriously and show me your true power as I have then there’s no point in continuing with this mere spat. I know the sword you’ve been using isn’t your true blade and that the one at your side there is sealing your devil powers.” Berial scoffed at Alexis. “I think I’m going to just go back to Hell. No point in continuing this anymore.”

Alexis smirked. “Wanna bet? Chasmaclades,” she barked as she slashed Avitèrnus downward. In a matter of seconds, a hair-thin beam arced from where she was before it exploded violently.

“Was that supposed to do something other the itch?” Berial scratching his shoulder as he blew the smoke away.

Alexis grinned as she hovered, her wings flapping lazily. “Who says I was aiming at you?” she deadpanned as, with an echoing crack, the thick ice bridge fractured with a sudden crunch, destabilizing the self-proclaimed ‘Hell Flare Emperor's’ balance. She saw the giant demon's balance shift suddenly, his gaze slipping from her for a matter of seconds. The edge of Avitèrnus flickered with arcs of blue electricity before she slashed a single time. Crackling flares of lightning surged easily a dozen times over the body of the ‘Hell Flare Emperor’, the dimensional slashes looking more similar to something created by the Yamato.

Shang's eyes widened fractionally as the bridge fractured further until it gave way completely. “Well, damn. Everything I've heard of the Sparda Brothers claims both are lethal swordsmen. Though if you think about it, what makes a warrior more dangerous… mastery of the blade, mastery of the surroundings, or mastery of both?” he said quietly. Alexis was, compared to her brothers, a novice with the blade, yet the fact that she could put the environment to a lethal weapon proved that, in her own way, she was just as lethal. His eyes widened as he saw her diving, her Demonic Aura forming a rapidly spinning drill before it drove brutally into Berial's chest just above the sternum.

“Drill a hole through a Demon who’s the Embodiment of the Flames of Hell,” Faust deadpanned as she munched on popcorn.

“Hush you,” Edward popped in the place of his hologram. “And a Reality Slash in really that hard to pull of Shang. You could do it if you put in enough training or found the right spell.”

The hole the Alexis managed to put in Berial’s body closed up without a second to waste and the Demon was back on his feet once more. He grabbed his sword and it cracked open to reveal a black and silver flaming core. The entire weapon erupted in black and silver flames. Berial looked to Alexis and snarled at the Hybrid. “NOW I’M MAD! He took his sword in both hands above his head only to bring it down sending a Tsunami of flames at Alexis.

Alexis giggled before inhaling deeply, seeing the enhanced flames surging her way before she felt her reserves growing stronger and denser.

Shang was mildly startled to see the massive surge of demonic flames end up consumed by Alexis before she belched.

“Damn, that was like gargling hot sauce made of ghost peppers… whew… spicy as hell, no pun intended,” Alexis coughed, smoke curling from the corners of her mouth. “I get that fire and flames are the elements of passion… but being hot-headed… could cause you to make mistakes,” she quipped before she pushed off, flames erupting from her wings as she shot forward, her blades slashing at Berial's hardened flesh, although she realized that the long slashing cuts as she flew around him, due to his large size, for the most part, weren't very damaging. She cleaved long, smoldering gashes along his right ribs almost to the base of one of his demonic wings protracting from the middle of his back, another group of gashes slashing from just between his shoulder blades around his throat and left collarbone. More slashed at a downward right angle along his abdomen, a sharp upward left angle on his left thigh from his knee, long, deep slashes leading up from the right hip to the middle of the ribcage on the left side before another gash sliced deep from near the demon general's left eye that came just shy of exposing bone.

Shang's eyes were wide as he'd barely been able to follow the series of swift attacks. He blinked as Alexis materialized, realizing an odd detail: the Onì Blade was nowhere to be seen, though a thick purplish miasma was rising from the edge of Avitèrnus which did catch his eye. The edge of the blade, he noted, was a deep amethyst, the source of the miasma, on the edge angled towards her feet, whilst the other side was a clear silvery white.

“That’s enough girl,” Edward while holding the Oni blade said from just below and in front of the hellfire demon. “I told you to beat him, not kill him.” He held his hand up and a red circle appeared above Berial’s head. “I RESCIND THIS CONTRACT!” Edward shouted and Berial vanished back into the Hell Gate. “Nice job on awakening you Devil Trigger but bad job on losing yourself to you baser demon instincts Alexis.” Edward pointed the Oni blade at Alexis. “You can’t lose yourself in the heat of the moment like that Alexis because if you do there’s no telling if you can return to your normal self.” He then stabbed the blade into the ground and dryly reminded the young Displaced. “Remember who you are and what you have to do and want to do. There are those out there who need you, Alexis. Remember that and engrain it on your heart.”

Alexis reverted back to her human form as Faust appeared next to Edward while she was still munching on popcorn.

“He’s right hun,” Faust walked over to Alexis side while she took the Oni blade in one of her tails from Edward’s grasp. “Look at your Father Alexis. Yes, he was strong but what made him strong was what he fought for and who he loved. Sparda loved his family and the love gave him strength. Now, I can’t say the same for Virgil but I know Dante fights to protect the humans,” She paused as she motioned Alexis to her side. “Come here and place your hand on the hilt of the sword and speak with him. I think you’d really benefit from so father-daughter time.”

Alexis exhaled softly. “I know in the games… when Sparda sealed the demonic planes from the human ones, it weakened him and eventually left him vulnerable. So… what's true? Is what I experienced true, that he escaped those pursuers that Dante and Vergil recall, only to die at a later time, unable to contact his sons?” she wondered aloud. She shifted her grip on Avitèrnus, gazing at the blade. “Avitèrnus has shards of both Yamato and Rebellion, giving her weakened forms of their affinities for fire in Rebellion's case, and lightning and space in Yamato's. However, no true sword style was created for it, though my Gliding Storm style flows very well with it. And whilst I am almost certain Berial will have scars from our fight… he'll also remember not to enrage me too much. And obviously, I will work on controlling those demonic instincts. It seems to be able to absorb demonic energy hurled at it and take on affinities from nearby demonic blades. It gained a weak acidic effect from Father's blade… it'd be annoying as hell to one of say, Berial's strength, or Mundus… if he actually exists… rather than fatal. For lower caste demons, it would be extremely painful depending, I think, on how deep the wound is. Though… I don't know how I know… that Vergil… when he reabsorbed his demonic side… it was barely 15% of its true power if not 20%,” she commented.

That, of course, meant that the Demon Lord known as Urien… was very much alive and very, very dangerous.

“It was because his human half’s will was stronger. It also has to do with his obsession to beat Dante on equal footing,” Edward interjected. “I have this for you until you can master the Avitèrnus.” Edward pulled an old worn katana from his vault. “The Tessaiga. Similar in abilities but it won’t automatically gain abilities of swords or weapons unless they can make it stronger but the Tessaiga gains them permanently not temporarily.”

Alexis giggled. She hummed thoughtfully. “I have a feeling it would really bother them both that Urizen is still alive and far stronger than when Vergil ‘absorbed’ him,” she remarked.

“Yes well, now that you’ve all finished the course how do you all feel?” Faust asked as Shang and Lucario had made their way to Alexis’s side.

Alexis shivered as she'd instinctively been tapping into Fefnir's fire affinity to stay warm. “Freezing my… you lucky bastard,” she said dryly, noticing Tremor who was breathing heavily.

“You’re a crazy bitch,” Tremor growled in his gravelly voice. “But I respect strength, and that, as well as potential, you have in spades. You do honor to your bloodline, girl. More honor than that fool, Kano,” he growled as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Too bad I haven't encountered you yet,” Shang remarked wryly. Lucario cocked his head.

“We still have to fight, you know,” Lucario remarked.

“Excuse me, children, over here please.” Faust deadpanned waved a paw in the air as all eyes were now on her. “Edward they’re all yours.”

“Thank You,” Edward said as he summoned a chair sitting down as he interlaced his fingers. “Now that you have all finished the course as I said before I have a surprise for you three. But first let’s get up top shall we,” The floor beneath them shot upwards and they soon found themselves in the ice fields they’d been sent from. “Much brighter and much better. Here guys go.” Edward waved his hand and a small basket appeared in front of the Displaced and Pokemon, “There’s a variety of stuff for people and Pokemon in the basket. Eat your fill. Alexis catch.” Edward tossed her a green vial like the rest. She only raised an eyebrow. “Drink it or I’ll shove it down your throat.”

Alexis cocked her eyebrow before shrugging before she popped the stopper free with a thumb before draining the vial. She coughed afterward. “I've tasted worse,” she commented as she cocked an eyebrow, seeing Lucario going for the berries and bread. She noticed a silvery glint to the spikes upon his forearms.

“What’s up, Alexis?” Edward noticed her staring at her partner's paws.

EXPLOUD! The Pokemon came barreling at the group and scoped Shang up in a hug. Goro came along following her.

“Looks like someone missed her partner,” Faust smirked wryly.

“Enough,” Edward interjected with a flick to the back of her head.

“OW! You’re no fun anymore Ed. What happened to the alchemist that used to be so warm and open and would do anything for the ponies that would come to see him when they were sick when and take care of them when no one else would?” Faust grimaced at her old friend.

“I’m still here but I’m trying to be a little serious with Alexis right now. So, I noticed you saw something going on with Lucario’s paws,” Edward tossed a berry to Exploud causing her to let go of Shang. The sorcerer coughing as he caught his breath. “Get used to Shang. Exploud are very attached pokemon. Protective too.”

Alexis cocked her head. “The spikes have the same silvery glint as my nanites, yet I’m certain I haven't given him any, nor have you. Unless there was a case or capsule of them on the course… as the only time, I didn't have him in sight personally was when I ran across those Hell Caina and Hell Antenora… before I ran across a Hellspawn form of Scorpion,” she said dryly.

Lucario grinned unrepentantly with blue Oran Berry juice splattered over his muzzle, unaware of the fact that his partner was troubled.

“You should talk to him about it Alexis. Hephaestus did give him a Megastone set for you two but you know you have to have a deep bond in order to use them properly. I suggest you make your concerns known and try and find out if something happened to him,” Edward paused as he took a drink from a flask he took from his coat before putting it back. “It’s why you’re called his partner after all.”

“He’s right hun,” Faust put her two cents in as she nodded.

“Megastone?” Alexis said blankly, confused. She had no idea what that was.

“A Megastone set consists of a Keystone that is held by the trainer and a Megastone, Lucarionite in this case, that is held by the Pokemon. When the bond between the trainer and the Pokemon to temporarily Mega-Evolve past is final evolutionary form.” Faust jumped over to Edward who’d pulled up his Holo-display. “The power of the Pokemon is essentially ten times what it is in this state. The stones are usually placed into some form of accessory on the Pokemon and trainer. When in battle the trainer activates the stone posing and touching the stone while at the same the stone on the pokemon activates causing it to Mega-Evolve. The stronger the bond of the trainer and pokemon the more power the Megastones draw out.”

Alexis hummed thoughtfully. She exhaled softly. “Personally, I'm glad that Lucario didn't run across the truly nasty demons… because a few I ran into were really ugly… the Empusa breeds for one… though I did encounter an odd one… called itself Artemis… though it turned out to be some sort of demonic shell… and it held a Devil Arm inside itself,” she revealed.

“Artemis isn’t a true demon at all but and Artificial Demon. As you described, it more of a parasitic shell that uses someone, or this case something, as a power source,” Edward explained as he got up from his seat. “When I designed the course a wrote an algorithm that would allow certain demons and various other manifestations to come to be. Why it made an artificial demon powered by a devil arm, beats me. If there were others of the same demon then it would’ve been classed as a Boss and if not then it was just a random spawn to give you a power-up.” Edward sat back down and looked at Alexis again. “Is there something else eating at you kid?”

“Yeah, there is. Artemis isn’t an ‘artificial demon’... but the true form of an actual Devil Arm by the same name. It took the form of a crossbow… I know because I saw a blond woman… using it… I can’t remember her name though. I do know that the woman… felt familiar… like… wait… I remember now. She was mentioned in one of the ‘video games’ of Dante… which now… I suspect were less ‘video game’ and potentially more intended as a ‘biography’, as now that I’m really thinking about it… the games seem almost too detailed… as if either the game creators were effing genius at spinning a clear story… or… they were told what happened from a particular point of view,” she said, thinking. She had never told anyone about seeing Trish specifically, hell, she doubted even the woman herself was aware she’d been seen by someone with a far closer connection to a certain Demon Hunter. She noticed Faust having a very thoughtful look as if she were deep in thought about something, but about what, she had no idea.

Lucario cocked his head, noticing something dark gray on his partner’s back. It looked vaguely like a winged skull. “What is that?” he said with caution. It felt similar to Cerberus, yet at the same time, different.

Shang cocked his head, frowning fractionally. He could feel dark energy swirling around that particular ‘backpack’ as he saw Alexis exhale softly.

“It was within the Artemis demon shell… though I could feel another Devil Arm when I was fighting Berial, though I don’t know which one it could have been,” she commented.

“The blonde woman was Trish and she was a lightning demon created by Mundus to look exactly like Dante’ and Virgil's mother in order to torment Dante.” Edward pulled up a holo-display. “And I did say if you beat him you’d get one but the way you were handling yourself I don’t think you need any more demonic power,” Edward said seriously. “You need to learn what you have and you still have alicorn magic to learn too.”

“He’s right you know. Gaining power quickly is fine but learning how to use it properly is also needed,” Faust came back from her inner thoughts. “There no need to concern yourself with the devil arms anymore. The course and everything in it are all gone now anyway. Any devil arms you get from now on will either come from your world or the Demon Ed summons. He can also give or make them for you.’

“Faust, I’m not giving her any more power,” Edward scowled at the ninetails. “Now what else is eating you? It has something to do with Trish doesn’t it?”

“I saw her… on Earth. At the time, I hadn't played nor heard of the ‘Devil May Cry’ series… which now that I think about it… started being released roughly six months afterward. I didn't get into playing the series until ‘Devil May Cry 3’ which was subtitled ‘Dante's Awakening’. Bear in mind, on Earth, I was a guy so the idea of thinking he was cute or something similar wasn't something that crossed my mind. Badass, most definitely, was a term I thought of for him. Did the thought of doing what he did cross my mind? Not really… nor did the apparent truth of actually being related to him or Sparda,” she deadpanned.

“Hm. She is a staple in Dante’s life so it makes sense that she’d be apart of your world and life in some way. She might’ve been watching over you from a distance as a favor to Dante,” Edward guessed as he summoned the Oni blade to his hand as he stabbed it in the ground. “From what we’ve discovered about you so far it’s safe to say your brothers are very well informed of your existence. As for the whole guy to girl thing. I can tell you that the longer your stay as a girl the more you’ll transition to that mindset of that gender.” Edward got up and looked at the Oni blade before red circle appeared and went up and down the weapon before disappearing and then The Spirit of Sparda appeared above the Sword. “I know it was a good idea to tie you to the sword. Alexis needs some details and you’re and the only one who can give them to her.”

“Certainly, Crimson Sage” Sparda agreed with a bit of annoyance.

“And here I thought I was the only one that found his antics…. ancient,” Alexis quipped. She saw the Dark Knight look at her appraisingly.

‘Focus please,” Faust deadpanned. ‘Can’t believe I’m being the adult about this.’

“What do you want to know Alexis?” Sparda asked seriously.

Alexis tilted her head. “You know going through life without some sort of humor is boring, Grandma. How did you encounter my mother and how long after Eva was it?” she said quietly. If she was honest, although she was almost sure she already knew, she also wanted to know how much older Dante and Vergil were than herself.

“Let’s see you’re in your twenties now and Dante and Vergil are in their upper thirties to early forties. So that puts my meeting with your mother around ten or twelve years after Eva’s death.’ Sparda softly noted. “ It’s hard to remember without my physical body. I noticed her unique existence while simply passing her on the street.’ Sparda looked down in guilt. “I thought if I could possibly get close to her then I might be able to revive my lost power by using hers. I thought them a witch at first.’ Sparda looked as if was about to cry from the pain of remembering ‘After we got comfortable enough around we told each other everything about ourselves. She even told me she wasn’t one person but two.”

Alexis was struck by an idea. She grinned as she lifted a hand, noticing Sparda's gaze dropping to her fingers. “I have an idea I think you would like… Father. I noticed I gained a new armor form designated as Biometal Y after I got back from encountering that Yang Xiao Long Displaced. I can't be one hundred percent certain… but if I’m right in my guess, I will likely gain a new Biometal form for each Displaced I encounter. But if I have the choice, I know which I would choose… you. Although I must admit I do want to know why Fefnir… takes Dante's form specifically… and in his words, he claimed ‘I may not be who I once was’ although what that means, I don't know. I have found that the embodiments of the Biometals can affect the living world. You do want to see them again, yes? On top of that, I can learn more about my demonic heritage,” she commented.

“Save your armor slot, Alexis,” Edward smirked as a trap door flung itself open. Out of the door rose a giant tube that was hooked up to various machine. In the tube was a glowing blue liquid with a well-built adult human male with white hair. “I did some examining on your sword and found the Sparda used parts of his own body to forge it. So I took samples of the blade from Berial’s wounds with my nanomachines just before I sent him back to Hell. Using those and my knowledge of cloning from my niece's body and some of your own DNA to fill in the gaps, I got it from your blood off the ground, I was able to create an artificial demon body for your father. I’m going to use my Seith Magic to implant his soul in it. Give it a few more hours and it’ll be ready.” Edward smiled at Sparda. “Spend as much time with your family as possible.”

‘Look at you mister alchemical,’ Faust fist bumped Edward.’ This calls for a celebration and booze.”

Alexis rolled her eyes. “I'd agree on the celebration. The booze, I'd go light on, Grandma. After all, I know how hangovers feel… without the benefit of magic to nullify the effects. I suspect Edward wouldn't want a barf bath again, hai?” she deadpanned, smirking. She sighed softly. “Honestly? I'm not sure whether I prefer my female form or my male form,” she mutters.

‘It’s up to you Alexis. Remember only you can define yourself. Son or daughter. Just know I’m here for you as your father first and foremost,” Sparda placed an astral hand on her shoulder. ‘Thanks to our friend Edward here I’ll soon be by your side for a good long time.’

“No booze of you,” Edward poked Faust in the nose. She blew a raspberry back at her son-in-law. “I don’t feel like cleaning up again.” Edward turned to Alexis. “Like Sparda said it’s your choice.Here.” Edward handed Alexis his flask. “Hangovers are a bitch to deal with but there are times when I miss them. But let’s celebrate for a while out here so we don’t disturb Luna and Tia. Sparda’s body will be ready in a few hours anyway.”

Alexis rolled her eyes, sighing softly. “Remember, Grandma. Physically, you aren't an Alicorn anymore, even if you still possess the power and memories of one,” she deadpanned. She glanced at the flask, thinking.

‘What’s wrong, partner?’ Lucario asked tilting his head.

Edward sat down next to Alexis and looked at his own distorted reflection in the metal flask she was holding as he spoke to her. “Your father’s return. You find out you have not one but two biological mothers and that they’re alive. You find out you have two older brothers and then you have also found out you’re half demon half alicorn,” Edward looked at Sparda floating in the tank as it would soon be ready. “All of it can be very overwhelming, especially since you found all this out in a matter of two days. Just know that you should also rely on them, Alexis. If you don’t then you risk losing what you’ve managed to regain what you thought you lost,” Edward got up and started to walk away before speaking one last thing to her. “Tia is the perfect example. She thought she lost me but yet here I am. I’m glad I have them both to love but I still wish I would have acted sooner.” Edward walked to the machine monitoring Sparda on the way he grabbed the Oni blade. “Eight thousand years of loneliness had taught me many things, Alexis, but the thing I learned the most was loneliness is the worst thing that can happen to me. So I found what I was missing but decided I that I need to find it elsewhere so I left for two thousand years but still couldn’t find it anywhere but here.”

‘Ed, I know how lonely it can be to be so long-lived,’ Faust walked over to his side and leaned on him in comfort while he scratched her back. ‘But I know you’ve always loved the girls more than you let on. I’m glad I can trust you with them. Now go on and be with them for a bit. I’ll stay here and monitor things.’ Edward smiled as he patted Faust on the head and went to the main area of the chamber. ‘I know thing are overwhelming hun but Edward’s has a point. We’re always drawn to what we care for. Even in our family.” Faust winked are Alexis with a trick glimmer in her eye.

“It also makes me worry about the future. What does it hold? Knowing Sigma is a Shadow Fragment makes me wary, yet at the same time… it makes me wonder what would happen if I am able to free my mothers… I mean… if our theory is right, then they’re both trapped in a single body… or shell… and after a thousand years… if what Eddie said is true… who knows what that has done to them not only physically, but mentally? I mean, yeah, it makes sense that the fact they were close gave Sigma ample chance to attack and essentially kidnap them, yet at the same time, a thousand years stuck with only one person period… even with what, at most twenty years of freedom? That’s going to leave, most likely, some heavy mental scars. Though at the same time… that makes me wonder something else… about Nero,” she said softly, unaware Sparda most likely didn’t know about Nero… nor about his whom precisely was his father.

“Who is Nero?” Lucario said curiously. He cocked his head, confused.

“Nero… is a young Demon Hunter… with connections to both of us,” Alexis said, meeting Sparda’s eyes. She didn’t say precisely what that connection was, however, curious to see if he could guess correctly what that connection was.

‘I can tell you that there will be issues with Nightmare and Luna no matter what happens, but you must be there for them and you’ll have Sparda to help you. Don’t forget about Celestia, either, dear,” Faust looked to Sparda and then back to Alexis. ”I can also tell you that I don’t know that you have more support than you realize Alexis. Nero is going to need you too. You are his Aunt after all. Don’t forget about the red idiot who summoned you, hun.”

Alexis exhaled softly. She let her hand open. “The armored backpack is a Devil Arm known as Lucifer, though from what I recall… Artemis, in its Devil Arm form, was a silvery crossbow with, crystals over its form as well as the extremely rare affinity for Light based magic… but in her demonic form… she was pretty ugly, especially in the face… but very strong and remarkably fast,” she said softly. As she spoke, she projected forms of both from the holographic projectors in her armored palm.

“Oi, that’s one hell of an ugly bitch there,” a miniature of Edward said popping up from nowhere and floated as he explained why he was there. “Call me Mini-Ed. Edward left a small portion of his nanomachines behind to monitor Sparda’s body and to make sure Faust has a chaperone.”

‘Hey!’ Faust swiped at the tiny floating alchemist only for him to dodge and land on Alexis’ head.

“You say that like we’d pull a Berry Punch and all get drunk and rowdy… please. I don't need any redneck stereotypes… unless they're Redneck Jokes,” Alexis deadpanned, rolling her eyes.

“What's a redneck joke?” Lucario muttered in confusion.

Shang snickered. “It's a ridiculous joke based on stereotypes though there are others. For example, on our Earth, there were fossil fuels and what could be termed as alternative fuels, or ‘green’ fuels. Some jokes could use various stereotypes, such as a joke that played off of one's age by calling them an ‘old fart’ or some could be termed as ‘Yo Mama’ jokes that came up with ridiculous ideas,” he deadpanned.

Alexis grinned. “What if we did a ‘Yo Mama’ battle for fun?” she quipped. Shang smirked in return.

“Sorry to say but Faust needs a looky-loo to watch her after what happened a few hours ago if any form of booze is involved. You can have your battles but you can leave me out of it,” Mini-Ed deadpanned as he floated over to the machines. “Besides Edward never has had the best sense of humor when it came to those style of jokes.”

“Which kind, redneck, fart, or ‘Yo Mama’?” Shang quipped, smirking. Alexis pouted a bit but snickered.

“He could just have a George Carlin sense of humor, I guess,” Alexis quipped.

“More like fifteen thousands years of negative emotions has pretty much erased any sense of humor he had to begin with,” Mini-Ed deadpanned as he fiddle with the machine.

“I have to agree with Chibi-Ed on this. Ed never really had a sense of humor when he was younger. Not until he had a few thrown back and got the chance to lighten up, He was only ever like that without the help of alcohol when he was with my late husband.’ Faust shook her head. “Now those two could talk back and forth and switch subjects from one to another right and left for hours.”

“Well, damn, that sounds horrible. I can't see what it'd be like to live life without some sort of semblance of humor… except… in the case of Pinhead… that guy's idea of humor… is a bit bloody,” Alexis deadpanned. She shivered, thankful that, despite often sneaking into theaters to see said movies, even to get away from her ‘family’, that that particular sense of masochistic humor had never interested her.

‘Don’t get me wrong, dear. Ed and Flare Stars had their moments where they’d laugh. I never said he was complete without a sense of humor. It’s just Ed’s sense of humor is more towards being a,” Faust paused as she looked to Mini-Ed. “Insult and calling people out but they know that he means it in an odd and good way.”

Shang noticed her gaze flickering to Lucario for a moment, though she didn't say anything to the Aura Pokèmon, at least at the moment.

“What’s going on Shang?” Mini-Ed whispered popping up next to the Sorcerer’s head. “Saw you notice Alexis’ gaze shift to Lucario. I think something might be happening to the poor fellow. What’re your thoughts?”

Shang shrugged. “She mentioned nanites, which I assume is a form of nanomachines. Whilst on that course, when we ran across a twelve-foot tall low-level demon lord… called himself Baphomet. He backhanded Lucario, who was a Riolu at that point, across a large pond of silvery liquid, though several yards shy of ricocheting off the surface, he collided with what appeared to be a fallen tree,” he said quietly.

“Yes they are, In fact, that’s pretty much what I’m made of.” Mini-Ed quickly turned into a cloud of shifting shimmering silverish liquid and then turned back into his previous form. “The only way Lucario could’ve gotten nanites or nanomachines of any kind is from Ed or Alexis. The terrain and creatures on the Obstacle course were manifestations of magic not machines.”

Alexis frowned fractionally. “I don't think I've given him any of my nanites, and to my knowledge, Lucario hasn't even been around Eddie long enough to gain any… unless it could have been in the food, which I doubt,” she said dryly. Obviously, she referred to Edward as ‘Eddie’ to tease him.

“Unless you want to be buried under tons of ice,” Mini-Ed deadpanned. “Don’t call Ed ‘Eddie’ to his face.”

Alexis giggled. “Kinda figured that hence why I don't say it to his face,” she deadpanned.

Then a light began to flash on the chamber housing Sparda’s body. “Oh boy. He’s ready a lot sooner than Ed predicted,” Mini-Ed popped over to the machine’s terminal and moved back and forth. “Purging liquid magic now.” The blue glowing liquid drained slowly for the canister the Held Sparda’s body. Mini-Ed placed his right hand to his ear and spoke. “Edward we need you here in fifteen to twenty. Sparda’s body is ready for the soul binding.”

“Doesn't really surprise me. He was always a rapid healer,” Alexis quipped. She saw Sparda shrug before smirking, the smirk quite similar yet more gentle than Dante's.

Edward appeared next to Mini-Ed and started to take over the keystrokes from the chibi. He then made his way to the chamber as it was now completely drained of the liquid magic. “Alright, Sparda I’m going to start placing your soul into the Artificial Demon Clone.” Edward started to touch the Oni blade and pulled red strings of the blade and connect them to Sparda’s new body. “This will take some time so you guys can go on about whatever it is you were doing.”

Shang shrugged, his gaze sliding with caution around the area. Though Edward had claimed that whatever was within the course had been destroyed, he still sensed the subtle vibrations of at least two Soul Krystals. “Either Jade…. or one I do not recognize… potentially both,” he thought.

Alexis exhaled softly, tugging a hidden flask roughly half again the size of a softball from her vest before popping the lid free. If one had a keen sense of smell, the noticeable scent of Sweet Apple Acres cider was immediately obvious, along with the scent of black cherries, mint, and peaches.

“You think the course still had crystals for you,” Mini-Ed popped up next to Shang. “Trust me when I say that course is gone, but if you want I can dig in the data to see what crystals were still in there that you didn't find.”

“I don't ‘think’ it did. I can still feel them. I can say almost certainly that one is the Edenian known as Jade. The other… I do not recognize, myself, but if I saw it, perhaps I would recognize it,” Shang said bluntly.

Several dozen yards from the Displaced sorcerer, Alexis noticed a gleam in one of the towers of ice left by frost Walrus before her eyes narrowed as she spotted an obelisk entombed within the ice roughly ten feet to her right with two sais that held a faint crimson aura embedded within it, the runic markings pulsing with faint silvery lavender light. “Uh… guys?” she said warily, not taking her eyes off the obelisk. Even as she watched it, the crimson Aura grew stronger around the pair of sais.

Lucario, closer to Shang than his partner, could sense the strange, hungry Aura. “I think Alex has found something,” he said cautiously. He heard a sharp popping crack twice, almost one atop the other.

Shang’s ears twitched at the sound as the unknown Kombat Signature spiked sharply as his ears caught the odd crackling pop. His keen sight spotted two coruscating bloody garnet-amethyst auras flickering, one missing Alexis but he heard her hiss as she sprawled, sliding several feet on her back.

Alexis gritted her teeth, as the sais had ejected from the ice as if shot from a gun. One, she'd managed to evade as it embedded itself in the ice as she had pirouetted on the balls of her feet in a low crouch, but the other impaled her hand, shoving her back. Fortunately, despite its impact, her hand kept the bladed weapon from its true target: her heart. “Son of a bitch,” she gasped as she slid to a stop before she spied the other sai arced at her face. She just managed to grab the hilt of the weapon, not seeing the small rubies embedded in the hilts beginning to glow as the obelisk's runes shifted to a pulsing crimson mingled with dark violet as it cracked as a soft giggle sounded, vibrating through the ice.

“Looks like I have something to test this new body on,” Sparda smirked as he walked up next to Alexis with the Sparda in his right hand, the Rebellion on his back and the Yamato at his belt.

“Thought he’d need his weapons,” Edward said placing a void field around the sais. “Shang, what the hell is the fighter attached to those?”

A shrug was the reply. “No idea. The feel of them is nothing but bloodlust and hunger. It feels almost like… a Tarkata… shit… must be some form of Mileena's,” Shang said before his eyes widened as he saw Alexis yank the sai from her hand, cringing at the spray of blood over the ice as she lurched to her feet, looking pissed.

Alexis winced as she could see the dark violet and mingled crimson aura, feeling the wound stitch shut. “Damn, that stings like a few dozen angry wasps. She'd better hope I'm in a good mood,” she muttered before the obelisk imploded as a winged form shot from the icy fog before Alexis spotted the veiled woman diving at them before a dangerous smirk crossed her face as she pushed off with inhuman speed, pushing off as the sais materialized in the woman's grasp as a demented childish laugh escaped her as she stabbed down before Alexis used one of Lucifer's charged blades to block the stab, plowing a brutal one legged Claymore Kick into the woman's face as she forced the woman's torso aside before she twisted, slamming the back of the woman's head into the ice with a loud crunch before she tightened her grip as she kipped up, dragging the woman up with her before the woman stabbed with one of the sais, opening a cut along her cheek beneath her right eye. She dropped the struggling woman twice sharply on her knee, the blow impacting just beneath the nape of her neck before she twisted her torso, driving Vampiress Mileena's torso and face into the ice with a crunch before she rolled away from the demonic woman.

Shang smirked at the vicious one-sided beating. “If that's her when she's annoyed and holding back from being lethal, I'd hate to see her, enraged to the point where she flat out slaughters someone,” he deadpanned.

“I’ve had enough of these pop-ups in my home.” Edward crossed his arms an annoyed scowl on his face. Black chains shot out of spots around Mileena wrapping around her while immobilizing her in the process. Edward walked over to the vampire fighter as she struggled to try and free herself. “Those are shadow forged chains. Not even the Hulk can break them in mindless rage state. This summoning has not been normal.”

Next Chapter: Dealings Estimated time remaining: 30 Hours, 41 Minutes