#skvadershorts

And it's kinda adorable. Like, he's so bad at just existing.

V: Is a socially awkward goth noodle that has never had a relatable topic of conversation in his life, but has a voice that is hypnotic to listen to and is occasionally good at normal conversation.

Also V: Would probably like a hug or just some affection in general, but if you touched him without his permission, he would probably peel off his own skin just to get out of your grip.

Again, V: Tells you to meet him somewhere, but is late because he lives and breathes literature and would 100% prefer to reread one of his books over dealing with whatever bullshit Vergil has cooked up this time.

Once Again, V: Would have to think about saving orphans in a burning building vs books in an old burning library, if only because the old books are quiet, don't ask a ton of questions, and are important to history.

Probably V: Would invite Nero over to "hang out" and just sit in silence in the same room with him until Nero had a nervous breakdown form trying to figure out what the absolute fuck is going on.

Definitely V: Is that person you would piss off and he would insult you in a way so succinct and eloquent that the would-be telling you that he is insulting you while he is doing it and you still won't understand it until later after he leaves.

Occasionally V: Is the one that Kyrie trusts the kids with and only agrees to watch them because she's the one who asked and because he has to admit that he has nothing else going on.

Guarantee V: Is the kind of person who will "nope" out of a party after showing up just so he can say "well, I showed up like you asked" but he sill do it in such a sneaky way that no one will remember seeing him leave and sware he didn't.

Nightmares play an amazing roll in the Devil May Cry narrative.

I find it in interesting that in the original Devil May Cry, Dante had a hell of a time against Nightmare. Not to mention the fact that when he was consumed by that creepy pile of bones and slime that he would have to fight Nelo Angelo. I feel like this is some kind of internal fear that is mostly overlooked, especially considering the circumstances of the fight, Dante's history of nightmares and flashbacks to his youth, and how the events on Mallet Island went on there structured Dante's life after that.

And then when V fights "Nightmare" it's an even greater ordeal than it was the second time around. Dante went in with weapons and the physical powers needed to stand a chance against Nightmare, and he managed to defeat it after several grueling battles. V was the complete opposite. He went in unarmed, taken off guard, and tired with only a vague idea of what he was going up against in that wrecked church. And he didn't just defeat Nightmare... He conquered him.

I feel like this difference 1) cannot be stressed enough in the context of these two fights 2) have much more to do with the willpower, mindset, and strength of V and Dante as individuals. They are both incredibly strong people, but V's true strength comes in the form of his resolve and problem loving skills where Dante's comes in his combat and willingness to make very hard choices for the betterment of the world around him regardless of the negative impact that it has on him personally.

It's a difference of selflessness vs acceptance between Dante and V respectively.

Let me explain.

By the point in Visions of V's story that V encounters Nightmare, he already has Griffon and Shadow. Although powerful, they do not stand a chance against Nightmare and it is stated that although Mundus is Nightmare's creator, he himself could never bend the immensely powerful creature to his will. When V encounters Nightmare, he looks his greatest fears and criticisms in the face and acknowledges them, using this moment to take his opponent's core. But instead of destroying it, he gives it back to Nightmare and at the cost of great physical damage to himself, he forces Nightmare to bend to his will. He could have killed Nightmare, but he chose to command him. In his own words he says he did not gift the demon back its power, he "bestowed it" to show that he was in control.

When Dante fights Nightmare, he does so with the hope of destroying it like any other demon he encounters. But Nightmare's mind games are worse than any of its physical attacks. What better hell than the one we create for ourselves inside of our own minds? Why break down an enemy if they can do it to themselves. There is no wrong approach to dealing with Nightmare, only the simple understanding that much like their own issues, they must overcome him. Nightmare is a physical manifestation of everything that eats away at them. He preys on their self-image, vulnerability, and relationships with those close to them because that's more important and harmful to them than anything else.

The roll nightmare plays is as symbolic as it is interesting. Both Dante and V are literally fighting their worst fears in many respects and being forced to deal with them. V has to deal with the duality of not wanting to experience his nightmares any longer, but having to physically make them a part of himself in order to become strong enough to overcome greater challenges. Dante fights Nightmare on Mallet Island before and after defeating Vergil, and he is the last fight before facing Mundus. He does this after receiving Vergil's half of the amulet and unlocking the Sparda's true power. There is some interesting symbolism there.

Their differences do not make one of them objectively better than the other, but they highlight the fact that much like their coping methods and fighting styles, they handle things differently due to different viewpoints and experiences. Regardless of the situation they find themselves in, they are willing to make hard decisions and sacrifices in order to achieve their goals. Even though they are totally different as individuals, they have a lot in common. The major differences come down to personality and approach. They just have different ways of dealing with their demons. No pun intended.

I need to stop replaying DMC1 on the Switch at 3am.

Happy Valentines Day, Everyone!

Sorry, I’m two days late. I’m admittedly not a Valentine’s Day kind of person, but I decided better late than never so I answerd this dabble someone requested forever ago and turn it into a holiday fic! Enjoy this Sparda X Eva Valentines Day fluff while I lose my mind over fic theft.

FUCKING LOVELY!

About 200 Years ago:

Mundus: I am the most powerful demon in the underworld and every human and demon in existence will obey me or face my wrath!

Sparda: Chortles I'm about to ruin this man's whole career. Come catcheth these hands, Mundus. I do not have all day.

About 1980 or so years after putting Mundus under house arrest:

Sparda: Okay, I've been in the human world longer than Atlantis has been underwater, and I am incredibly lonely. Even my loyal apprentices are nowhere to be found. I suppose that I will just have to settle for dying a lonely hero then. What a shame...

Eva: Crawls out of the monster fucker closet Um, hello? Very attractive demon fellow? I couldn't help but notice that you seem very lonely sitting here alone. Would you possibly be looking for some company, even if only for a moment? I absolutely adore your completely out of date way of dressing.

Sparda: ... I am absolutely having children with her.

Eva: Did you say something? I'm sorry, I did not hear you.

One year prior to DMC3 in the book Code 2: Vergil:

Vergil: I have not seen Dante in several years. Perhaps this battle will be worth the wait. Time to procure Dante's half of our mother's amulet and unlock the portal to the underworld.

Dante gets his ass handed to him by Vergil.

Vergil: ... Take the amulet, Dante. I will come back for this soon. Put up a better fight next time. This is unacceptable.

One year later in DMC3:

Vergil: I have come for my rematch, brother! Levels the whole town with a giant demon tower that functions as a Hellgate.

Dante: Ok, this shouldn't be a problem. Time to beat his ass!

Dante gets his ass handed to him by Vergil... again.

Vergil: ... Am I a joke to you? You had a year to prepare for this battle, and this is it? Foolishness, Dante. Foolishness! Stabs Dante with Rebellion, activating his dormant DT

Dante: See, now you've fucked up. I'm going to kill you.

Vergil: Okay, now I'm motivated! Finally, a real threat!

Another fight happens a few hours later, it's a tie, Vergil falls in a pit and takes his sweet time getting out of it, the Hellgate gets opened by a demon clown, the twins and Lady wreck the clown in two back to back battles, and Dante and Vergil are fighting on a waterfall that is magically at the front entrance to hell, which is in the sky btw. Look, I don't know either lol.

Dante: Bro, why are we even fighting? We're twins! We're supposed to get along! What's your endgame, anyway? Like, what do you want? What are you even gonna do with all this power?

Vergil: Look, either I'm taking the amulet and our father's sword, or I'm taking your life. I don't have all day.

Dante: Oh yea? What else do you have planned?

Vergil: Anything but this. Mostly Murder. Lets fight already.

Vergil finally loses a fight to Dante.

Vergil: Well, time to Yeet off of this waterfall into hell and ruin both of our lives for years to come! Bye Dante! Have fun trying to figure out how to get this magical demon tower to go back into hell and killing all the lesser demons! Also, I need you to basically adopt my unwanted orphan son. Mkay later! Yeets into hell after damn near cutting Dante's hand off with Yamato.

Dante: ... I have so many questions...

Lady: Hey... sorry about you brother. Are you crying?

Dante: Sorry about your dad turning out to be a mom murdering demon clown. Oh, and it's fine. Vergil is dead all the time. Basically, all I do is mourn his loss constantly. And I am not crying! It's just raining, but only on my face. Devil's don't cry. Epiphany moment Oh! I just figured out a name for my demon hunting shop! Thanks, bro! Vergil? Oh, yea... he's dead again.

Fortuna, a decade or so after Eva's death:

Vergil: I have heard that my father's history in this accursed town runs very deep. They seem to worship him. As much as it loathes me, perhaps I should get the point of view of a local.

Nero's Mother: Crawls out of Eva's monster fucker closet in Sir, I may be able to help you... in more ways than one. You seem to be in need of company and local knowledge. I would like to assist you. I could guide you around the area if you'd like.

Vergil: Foolish girl... You do not know who I-

Nero's Mother: No, but I would like to. I am also single and you are very attractive. I presume you are single?

Vergil: Yes, and not entirely human for that matter. But I did not come here to find a date. This is for business not pleasure. That is not to say that I do not find you quite pretty.

Nero's Mother: Oh, that's a shame. I was completely fine with you not being fully human, but I suppose that doesn't meret...

Vergil: Crooks head to the side Ah, if I may stop you there... Are you then fine with having a child with me that do not find out about until much later and leaving said child in an awful orphanage so that he may grow up feeling deeply unloved and abandoned with authority issues, just as I did? Also, you must not, under any circumstances allow my twin brother Dante to know about the boy. He would most certainly adopt him and we cannot risk the child feeling wanted and having a normal childhood.

Nero's Mother: ... Where have you been all my life you, handsome not entirely human, stranger?! What a wonderful idea!

Vergil:... Perfection.

Nero's Mother: Also, you said something about a twin-

Vergil: No. You want me. Forget that I even mentioned him.

And that is how we got Nero... Hopefully this is obvious satire by now lol.

V: Laying naked on the floor at the Sparda Estate post creation I have limited time on this Earth. Vergil is at it again and I have to put that idiot back in his place. Alpha and Omega my poetry tramp stamp. I'll show him who's the beginning and the end... as soon I find some sandals. And also some clothes. Also, my hair must be perfect.

Also V: You know what I should do? I should adopt a cat and a bird. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can't take care of myself. I fall in a hole every time I think about walking, but it would be so much better if I had something to lick my wounds for me and maybe insult every breath that I take just as I do inwardly in silence.

Griffon: Bursts through the window being chased by Shadow Your feathered Jesus has arrived you sickly beanpole. Now wrap yourself in one of these dusty old drapes and let's get going! I got no idea where we're going, but your crippled ass is probably late! Also, I think the giant cat is trying to eat me. HELP!

Shadow goes over and drops V's cane in front of him -which she is carrying in her mouth- and licks him while pouting with giant puss in boots eyes

V: ... Cries in poetry perfection.