Chapter 5
A Dinner and a Bored Platoon

(Dante POV)

Having my stomach in control of my thought and motion, I rapidly dashed throughout the corridors of the castle. Sadly, to my dismay, I seemed to not even get closer to my goal nor the dining room. Now I can see why Tia designed this castle to be like a labyrinth; potential break-ins could wander the castle for hours and not find their goal.

"Excuse me, Sir Dante?" A guard's voice rushed past my ears. I stopped to ask him advice, but the sweet seductive aroma of my pizza escaped my nose and disappeared. Defeated, I went back to the guard to ask for advice.

"Hello, Sir," he greeted me with formality that I found annoying. When being around me, there's no need for formality; just be yourself. I should remind Tia of guard's actions toward me, but right now, I'm going to die of starvation if I go without food for any longer.

"You seem to be a bit young for a castle guard," I pointed out.

"I just joined The Royal Marines a year back," he explained, "They're stationed here at the castle since there is no war going on."

"What are the Royal Marines, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Royal Marines were formed shortly after you sealed yourself in stone. We're the elite guard with badass black and red armor that's the first in the front line and last to leave."

"Had any inspiration to the founding of this Military branch?"

"From what the Princess once said was that our founding Soldiers were inspired by…you."

My head recoiled in confusion.

"Really?"

"Yes, sir; it's an honor to finally meet the legendary Son of Sparda."

"Let me get this straight…"

"Lance Corporal Metalhead."

Lance Corporal Metalhead (T.J. Miller)

"…Lance Corporal Metalhead, how exactly did your branch train in my likeness?"

"Well…we don't have any of your demonic attributes; we simply learned to fight in two of your styles."

"Which ones?" I asked, stroking the stubble on my chin.

"We trained in Swordmaster and Royalguard; we use a combination of both offense and defense to fully take advantage of our surroundings and use those as weapons against our enemies' weaknesses."

"Sure, but you all can't be as fast as me nor have the rapid healing abilities I do; you're going to have to be smart when taking on foes."

"Speaking of which, how in Tartarus did you heal by that arrow so quickly?"

"Two words: Demon Blood."

"Is that all what demon blood can do?"

"Even though I'm half human, half demon, I can live forever, but I can be killed if I can either get wounded more than I can heal or be cut down by my own devil arms and other demonic weapons."

"So that's how you were able to pull out that arrow like a needle in a thumb."

"Okay, I was going to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Can you help me find my way to the dining room? I got very lost on the way here."

"Yes, sir," he bowed before taking the lead.

"Y'know, you can drop the formalities with me; I'm a very laid back guy."

After what seemed like an eternity, we made it to the dining room. The long table was built to seat the sisters and 30 guests. The other seats were probably reserved for nobles and other royalty from other countries. I saw Tia sitting in a chair at the head of the table with Luna next to her. It was the corruption of her magic with the devil arms that caused her betrayal, not out of jealousy, probably. Tia saw me and waved me over to sit in the chair next to her and across from Luna.

"Dante," Luna called out to me, "I don't think you'll listen, but I'll say it anyways: we need to talk."

"We will; after tomorrow when Tia reintroduces me to the whole Country."

She nodded and sat back down in he chair. Out of the corner of my eye, my "nephew" arrived for the dinner.

"I see you're still here, demon," he growls, sitting in a chair on the far end on the table.

"Love you too, nephew," I sarcastically retorted.

The double doors swung open to see a dozen cooks walk out with various platters of food to the table, many of which I can't eat. (Fucking Daisies.) There was one cook who placed a thin square box in front of me. I knew…I knew…PIZZA! I tore off the lid and shoved a slice into my mouth. The melty cheese, savory sauce, crunchy cheese stuffed crust, oh…I was in NIRVANA, BABY!

By the time I finished my pizza, the cooks finished placing Tia's, Luna's and Bluebitch's platters in front of them. To the awe of the cooks, they were both surprised and appalled over my lack of manners and speed of me devouring that 30 inch pizza.

"Got any more?" I asked, holding my bloated stomach.

"Will you have room for desert, sir?"

"What's my desert, then?"

"Strawberry sundae."

My eyes lit up like a foglight.

"Hell and yes."

"Alright; we will have that out for you shortly."

Tia chuckled lightly.

"Your ravenous appetite didn't change a bit."

"Well, when you have an appetite like mine, a thousand years without eating is sure to make you-"

"What do you call this slop!?" Bluebitch's yelling at the cook interrupted one of my egotistical remarks, "I can't eat this! Make it the right way!"

I roughly sighed at his actions towards the mare. Nobody and I repeat, NOBODY treats mares that way. I shook my head, taking a sip of royal champagne.

"Bloody wench can't make a decent meal," Bluebitch rudely remarked which nearly made me choke on my alcohol. I quietly pulled out Ebony and fired off a shot at Bluebitch as he held up his glass to take a sip. The bullet shattered the glass just as the sound of the gunshot startled everypony, alarming the guards into the room. Bluebitch yelped and leaped out of his seat. I got out of mine and slowly walked over across where he sat.

"See, Auntie? He WAS trying to kill me! Guards! Kill this beast!"

"For the love of Faust, stop bitching and think about what you said about that cook."

"Why should I? I should've thrown that dog food in her face for making me that dreadful dish."

After hearing him say that, something inside of me snapped. A fire grew in my stomach and random sparks of demonic electricity arced on my body. I slammed my fist into the table, breaking my side in two. His face grew evermore white when he stared into my red eyes.

"THIS IS MODERN EQUESTRIA, BLUEBLOOD!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, causing the whole room to shake and my Devil Trigger flashing on and off, "I don't give a diamond dog's ass if you're a Prince or not; if I ever catch you treating a mare like that again, I'll break my boot of your royal ass! GOT IT!?"

"Y-y-y-y-yes s-s-sir," he meekly stuttered as he sat back down and sank deep into his chair. I walked back over to my chair and sat back down, waiting for my desert. Tia and Luna looked away during my outburst, obviously agreeing with my actions. A large group of soldiers busted in through the door, surrounding the table.

"Your Majesty!" The Lieutenant called for Tia's attention, "We heard yelling and the Castle shaking; are you alright?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Wind Walker; Dante was just upset is all."

"Wait, THE Dante? The Legendary Son of Sparda? The same one who defeated the entire Shadowbolt Division in a single night using only his bare hands?"

"He is the same one."

His focus shifted towards me. I gingerly smiled and softly waved at him. His color looked as if it had drained out of his boots and the clanking of his armor was more audible due to him shaking like a leaf.

"Sorry to disturb you three; have a pleasant night."

He left along with most of the guards, many of which stopped to stare at me. I found that to be very annoying and I usually like to be the center of attention. It's been a while since I trained and my little escapade in the forest along with my clash with the mare in the moon left my rusty like the buckles on my boots.

"Hey, Tia," I said, "You know where the barracks are?"

"Yes; go through the west wing straight down the hallway, make a left and at the end will be a set of steel doors."

"Thank you. Can you tell one of the cooks to bring the sundae over to me?"

"Sure; I'll let them know."

"Thanks."

Having made it to the Barracks, I looked at the steel plate door. It still retained its features as most of the wooden castle doors from Medieval Equestria. I could hear metal clanging and wood splintering, so I know that the soldiers are training. Might as well make a "Dante" entrance. The only way I know how to make an entrance is to kick open the door. As I kicked open the door, the latches bent over and broke off and all of the soldiers stopped and stared at me. (I will kill the next person who says, 'I'm Sexy and I Know It.)

"Is that…?" One soldier asked.

"That's HIM!"

"Who?"

"It's the one who was with Her Majesty who ripped the arrow from his chest."

"That's Dante!"

I nodded to the one soldier that said my name correctly.

"We're you the one who yelled at Blueblood?"

"Yeah; my nephew has NO manners whatsoever."

The whole group laughed loudly.

"Your outburst shook the whole castle; that's why we asked."

"Wait…are you Blueblood's Uncle!?"

My head hung over and a bead of sweat trickled down the side of my face.

"Yes," I sighed.

"You have our condolences," the Sergeant apologized.

"I take it that you are the Royal Marines?"

"Sir, Yes Sir!" They all said in unicen.

"We hear you have quite the arsenal; can you show it to us?"

"Sure; I'm waiting for my strawberry sundae, anyways. What do you fine gents want to see first?"

"That big-ass sword on your back!"

"What? Rebellion?" I asked, pulling out my sword.

"Yeah, what's so special about it?"

"It's a keepsake from my father," I explained, "It also is my main weapon, aside from Ebony and Ivory."

"What are 'Ebony and Ivory'?" The Sergeant asked. I sheathed Rebellion and pulled out my twin guns.

"Marines, I'd like you to meet my side chicks: Ebony and Ivory."

"What ARE they?"

"Allow me to demonstrate," I said, pointing the guns at a blank target dummy.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

Bullets tore through the wood like a hot knife through butter. Bullet casings rang out on the stone floor and smoke poured out of the barrels. All that was left of the dummy was a few chunks of wood covered in splinters. The soldiers were left in shock and awe at the deadly power of my guns.

"Holy Tartarus!" The Sergeant exclaimed, "You have any more to show us?"

"I do have ONE other weapon on me since the rest are in my bedroom," I explained, pulling out my double barreled, sawn-off shotgun.

"Okay, Marines, listen carefully," I explained, "This…is my BOOMSTICK!" I jerked the gun forward as I said Boomstick, everyone flinching as I said it. (Ash Williams, I fucking love ya.) Aiming the shotgun at the other dummy next to the pile of splinters, I looked at my audience to make a shitty joke.

"Knock, knock," I said.

"Who's there?"

"Door."

"Door, what?"

BOOM

The loud noise of both the barrels firing at once tore apart a small number of dummies, leaving some to fall over from lack of balanced weight, leaving few Marines to catch their chests from being thrown off guard.

"What door?" I joked.

"How old did you say you were?" The Sergeant asked.

"Well, it's a few months from my birthday and I spent 99% of my life in stone, so I'm 1,018, going on 1,019 and I still feel young."

(Third Person POV)

In an unknown part of Equestria, A shadowy figure walks into a large dark open room, only illuminated by a large grey fire on top what appears to be a throne.

"Have you tried to 'convince' your old friend to accompany you here?" The flame asked.

"Obviously not," the shadowed figure deadpanned, voice obviously tomboyish female, "She's loyal to her new lamer ones, now."

"Doesn't matter now; I know of a way to sneak into Canterlot and kill the Son of Sparda in his sleep."

"How?"

"Some of my minions will sneak into the sleeping chambers of the sisters and use a poison to temporarily render them unable to wake them up, then you can strike him."

"If normal weapons can't harm him, how CAN I?"

"With THIS!" A part of the room lit up with a demonic-looking sword stuck in a white Quartz pedestal. The handleguard's design was of dragon wings and the blade looking like it was coming out of a dragon's mouth. As the figure laid her eyes on it, it spoke to her mentally in a eerie, whispery voice.

"I am Alastor. The weak shall give their heart and swear their eternal loyalty to me."

"This weapon is one of many Devil Arms that can harm the Son of Sparda; use it well."

A smile formed on her beak.

"Yes, master."

"I have arranged a large group of Hell Lusts and Hell Wraths to aid you in your mission; they are loyal to only you and me."

"Yes, master."

"Now, go and bring me his head, then we can talk about killing the elements; if you fail, your soul will join me here in Tartarus."

The figure took the sword from the pedestal and bows to the flame before leaving the room to the lonesome grey flame.

"One day, you WILL die, Son of Sparda; one day you will slip up and when you do, your head is mine along with the elements' and my kingdom can rise from the ashes once again…"

Author's Note

This has to be the shortest time it took for me to write a chapter for this story. Anyways, next one's in production and hopefully, I can reedit these last two chapters and give them the proper format. Until then, enjoy!

Castle Guards that weren't mentioned that are in the chapter:
Lieutenant Wind Walker (Johnny Yong Bosch)
Sergeant Rockslide (Jack Nicholson)

Rest in Peace, Muhammad Ali. My heart goes out to the 50 people who lost their lives in the Orlando Nightclub shooting. Remember, not all Muslims and not all gun owners, so both Extreme Left and Rights are wrong.