Two figures stood attop a massive gray tower, with lightning flashing in the distance as two figures faced off.

One was a tall man with long, silver hair and a flowing red trenchcoat. He wore a black leather vest and black leather pants, with two large pistols protruding from a rear holster.

Over his shoulder was slung a huge, silver-bladed sword with a black, claw-like hilt, and both hands were covered in gauntlets that blazed with unholy flame.

The other figure was far more demonic than human. He had glowing green eyes and two massive, ram-like horns protruding from his head. His shirtless body was covered in muscular, purple flesh with intricate green runes along his shoulders, and he wore dark gray pants with fur adorning them. From his back grew two large, leather wings, also purple, which had unfurled themselves as if ready for flight.

In either brutally clawed hand he held two large crescent-shaped blades, their wicked edges extremely sharp.

"The next battle is between Dante and Illidan Stormrage," L said, leaning back against his seat. "Begin."

Bringing his sword to bear, Dante shot forward, delivering a quick, double-handed slash to Illidan's face.

Without the merest change in expression, Illidan lifted his left blade and intercepted the blow, slashing in low with his right blade.

As Illidan slashed, Dante pushed off with his blade, skidding across the ground. Sheathing his sword on his back, he drew his guns and unleashed a barrage of bullets at Illidan.

Illidan raised his blades, fanning them out like a shield and deflecting the bullets. Flipping his guns back into their holster, Dante drew his sword as Illidan seemed to blur, appearing behind him and unleashing a vicious right-handed slash to his back with the intent to sever Dante's spine.

Dante whirled around and intercepted the blow, but the force caused him to stagger backward, losing ground. Illidan snarled and fell flames burst to life around him, causing Dante to scream in pain as they spread around him. Without pausing, Illidan slashed with his left blade across Dante's chest. In pain from the flames, Dante jumped back, but not before receiving a gash to his chest that immediately began to ooze blood.

As Dante skidded to a halt, he closed his eyes and fell to his knees. An infernal aura enshrouded him as his skin began to ripple and bulge. As he stood, his appearance had shifted, and he now appeared as a black and red demonic creature that seethed with power. His body was lithe but muscular, and he had two red and black wings on his back. In his hands was still clenched his sword, which glowed with an unholy aura all its own.

Illidan chuckled, his voice rasping heavily, before unfurling his wings.

Dante did the same, and both combatants shot into the air, coming together with the clash of steel.

Dante slashed furiously with his blade, but Illidan blocked each stroke with a swift maneuver with his own massive blades. The aura of flames still enshrouded Illidan, and while Dante seemed to be taking less damage from it, it was obvious he was still feeling the damage.

Beating his wings, Dante moved to take the higher elevation. Illidan's arm crackled with energy and a bolt of blue light burst forth from him, striking Dante squarely in the chest.

Dante hissed as he felt his mystic energy drain and turn against him. As he teetered precariously in the air, Illidan surged forward, slashing him across the chest with a flyby attack before twirling in the air and pouncing on his unprotected back, blades extended.

Dante growled in pain as Illidan's blades bit into his back. Roaring, a ball of magma gathered in his hands. Grabbing it, he hurled it at Illidan, disoloding him and blasting him backward.

Beating his wings, Dante managed to regain enough velocity to avoid smashing into the ground.

Illidan recovered from the magma blast with a snarl. Folding his wings, he dove at Dante again, who this time hurled several bolts of lightning at him.

As the bolts hurtled towards him, Illidan seemed to blur in the air and dodge the attacks. However, the bolts circled back around, homing in on his position and slamming into his back, causing his wingbeats to falter and his body to begin to fall.

Growling, Illidan beat his wings, bringing himself aloft and hurling himself at Dante.

Dante swooped down to meet him, sword extended, and both combatants clashed with the sound of steel on steel.

Once again, fell flame burst forth from Illidan's body, covering him like a shroud. The flames licked Dante's body, causing him to again howl in pain. Seizing his advantage, Illidan arced his right blade around, slamming the flat, inner-end of the crescent into Dante's chest.

Twirling in midair, Illidan hurled Dante's body around with his blade and tossed him to the ground.

As Dante fell, he extended his wings, catching the wind and slowing his descent. However, this was in vain as Illidan dropped down like a feral beast, plunging both of his blades into Dante's back and pushing him to the ground.

Both landed on the tower in a cloud of dust, and the sound of stone buckling under their weight could be heard throughout.

As the dust cleared, Illidan rose to his feet over Dante's broken body, which had reverted to human form. He lay unconcious in a pile of stony rubble, unmoving.

"Illidan Stormrage is the winner," L said.

The next battle is between Albel Nox and Alucard from Castlevania. It will take place in Midgar. The fight will be posted on Friday or Saturday.

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