“DANTE! What are you doing?!”

“Resurrecting a throwaway version of yourself?”

“Killer-Red has you and everyone else bewitched!”

“Robin’s magic has made this nobody important to you!”

“Don’t give up what makes you great-”

“For an inferior manifestation of yourself!”

 

“The Divine Harpies? Oh, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve heard this hivemind. Yeah, I’m gonna need you whores to shut up. Right now.”

 

Squabble, “Don’t you dare trade your prize for his life!”

Confident, “His life is the prize.”

Squawk, “He doesn’t deserve Rebellion!”

Compassionate, “He does and I’m sorry he lost his version of it.”

Screech, ”He doesn’t even deserve to share your name!”

Convicted, “I don’t deserve him.”

Squabble, “All fallen angels are demons.”

Confirmed, “You calling him an angel full stop? That’s badass.”

Squawk, “He’s a demon posing as you!”

Captivated, “He’s the son I’ve always wanted.”

Screech, “NO DANTE, PARADISE WILL REJECT YOU!”

 

“Okay, Little Dante, let’s do this."

 

Oh wow, it’s a DRAGON! Right here on the beach with me! This is really cool! 

 

“Sorry to have to manhandle you but your hands need to be on the grip too. I’ll do all the work. Three, two, one…”

 

What the hell?! We’re forcing a blade into his chest?! Why does Rebellion look like that? Hang on, I don’t wanna kill a dragon!

 

“GRAH! No, ignore me! This is supposed to hurt. It’s worth it!”

 

Ah, what an awesome, warm wave of energy entering my body. It’s healing me. The dragon is saving me!

 

“Fuck, I hope this power exchange works!”

 

Now he’s transforming into a man?

 

“I’m gonna pull the sword out now, Little Dante! Brace yourself!”

 

Ah sweet. My sword’s found it’s home behind my back again. My sword’s returned to me! Shit, I’m gonna faint.

 

“No little guy, don’t pass out!”

 

Yeah, this is happening, I’m falling.

 

“I gotcha!”

 

Whoa Dragon Man is fast. He caught me! I like this guy.

 

“Good job. You did great, kiddo. We’re gonna hang out right here in this black sand. This place is beautiful by the way. I love it. Lemme pick you up.”

 

Man, he’s strong. I feel like a little kid. Lemme see… if I can wrap my arms around his neck… and hug him… I did it. Our cheeks are touching. He’s nuzzling me? Damnit, I’m gonna cry. Oh, looks like he, he beat me to it…

 

“Are you crying, Dragon Man?”

 

“Nah, Devils never cry. Just kidding. Of course I’m crying.” 

 

“Devils Never Cry? That’s so cringe… OH MY GOD! It’s YOU! The Legendary Devil Hunter! Oh dude, this is my dream come true! Too bad I’m fucking dead.”

 

“No you’re not, I’m saving you.”

 

“You are? For real? This isn’t a dream?”

 

“For real, this isn’t a dream.”

 

“SICK!”

 

“I heard you got poisoned with Fear Toxin. Do you know what Fear Toxin is?”

 

“No.”

 

“It’s a serum that makes people see all their nightmares.”

 

“My wings.”

 

“I know. I know your wings were destroyed. You didn’t deserve that.”

 

“Fuck. I’m crying.”

 

“It’s okay to cry, buddy. Devils Never Cry is just a quip. I cry all the time.”

 

“No, don’t disappear!”

 

“That’s not gonna happen again, I’m right here.”

 

“Please. Sit with me, hug me, rock me, I need that. I feel like I’m like, twelve or something. My jacket’s too big, my pants are gonna fall off!”

 

“No they’re not. I gotcha. Let me ask you something, Little Dante. Can I stay with you in this place?”

 

“Tastes like iron. I dunno what’s going on.”

 

“I gave you the power of my Sin Devil Trigger. It may not do exactly for you, what it did for me, but it’s going to be very hard for you not to recover now.”

 

“I’m gonna barf!”

 

“Go for it.”

 

“Think fast!” Gag.

 

“Good aim! Right in the sand. Ten out of ten. Take a deep breath and listen to me.”

 

“Why am I so small?”

 

“Listen to me, okay? A little half-demon girl once gave up all of her magic to save my life. I did the bear minimum for you just now. What I should have done, was come to your rescue years ago.”

 

“I might barf again.”

 

“That’s good. That’s probably your body trying to get rid of that Fear Toxin. I think I might have something that’ll help.”

 

“Vergil did this to me, he’s not my brother anymore-” Gag.

 

“The other Nephilim used Fear Toxin on you? That’s all kinds of fucked up.”

 

“He’s not my brother anymore!”

 

“No, I hear ya, buddy. Shhh, poor boy, try to relax. I promise you’re safe with me. I’m gonna stay with you and nurse you back to health.”

 

“Oh no, oh no, oh no!”

 

“What? What’s wrong?”

 

“Where’s Killer-Red? My best friend, where is he?!”

 

“Oh man, kid. Calm down. You’re really upset. Catch your breath.”

 

“No no no no! What’s happening?!”

 

“Go to sleep…”

 

“What’s that?!”

 

“You perfect little punk-ass angel, you…”

 

“What are you doing?!”

 

“Shhhh, just like that…”

 

Snore.

 

There we go, that’s more like it. Much much better. Go to sleep. Shhh. That’s good, just like that, Little Dante. Good good, right here in my arms, in the sand. There there, kiddo. You gone for a bit? Hmm? Didja tap out? 

 

Perfect. 

 

That Holy Star knocked you right out. It’s okay buddy, all I did was give you some medicine. Hopefully it’s a good antidote for that stupid Fear Toxin.

 

Awe jeez, Little Dante, you remind me of Little Raven. You’re so cute! It’s like you never aged. 

 

Wait.

 

Oh.

 

Look at you. You’re really little. Like how I remember you. Like twelve… or… something.

 

Looks like my Sin Devil Trigger accidentally turned the goddamn Nephilim into a goddamn child.

 

Low score. D-rank to the extreme. Dismal, man, dismal. In my defense, I’ve never done this before, except with Little Raven. But hey, who’s the one wishful thinking now? My own little boy? Hell, yes. 

 

Still, as much as I love this, it’s not right. Sooooo, how do I undo it? What if I can’t? 

 

Um, yeah, just, um, take a nap right here in my lap. There there, nothing weird happened at all, Little Dante. Awe crap, I’ll bet calling you Little Dante probably had something to do with it. Raven’s warned me before, to watch out for my words turning into spells. 

 

Shit.

 

Here, have a goodnight kiss and we’ll figure it out later.