“I refuse.” The dragon spoke in its deep voice.

“Refuse?” Luna asks, staring up at the dragon. “Are you not working for Dante?”

“Working for him, yes, but I am not about to storm the gates of Tartarus. If you wish to go there, Princess, then do not let me stop you. I prefer to stay amongst the living.”

“That’s fine.” Dante says, finding his way closer to Luna and the dragon with Iatril’s staff. “I’m sure we can handle ourselves.”

Luna looks over at Dante, angrily. “Dante—”

“Besides!” He quickly interjects. “With one princess going away, the castle wouldn’t be as protected, nor would the ponies who reside here.” Dante stops in front of Luna. “I have confidence in your ability to keep me alive, Princess.”

“I’m over here.” Luna says, talking to the side of Dante’s head.

Dante turns his head, looking around before settling on something off to Luna’s side. “I know that.”

“This isn’t going to work, Dante! I can’t protect you and find some outsider for you!”

“Relax.” Dante turns to face Luna completely. “I’m not completely helpless. Observe.” He gives a flick of his wrist and a short, jumbled word as a nearly invisible field appears over his torso.

“How did you do that?” Luna asks, looking over the barely visible barrier.

“Magic. I told you I had some spells I could prepare. I have a full arsenal of Fireball and Shout spells ready, as well as a few Teleport spells. If you tell me were the enemy is, I’ll let loose my magic in that direction. So, shall we go?”

Luna closes her eyes, shaking her head. “I’m beginning to think you’re trying to get us killed.”

“Nonsense! Though, I’ll admit, having only a few options - terrible ones at that - makes one reconsider their commitment to safety and life, eh?”

“*sigh* Let’s just get this over with. Can you fly?”

“Ah, yes, because flying blind would be such a good—”

“Yes, alright, I get it; terrible idea.” Luna looks around the courtyard. She sees no pony around, except for the dragon, still sitting in front of the pair. She turns back to Dante. “You will tell no one what I’m about to do! Understand?”

“Um, okay?” Dante says, scratching the side of his head. “What are you about to do?”

Luna moves next to Dante, lighting her horn. Dante’s hand, wrapped in a dark blue aura, is pulled towards Luna, resting on her back. “Climb on.” She says.

“Huh?”

“Climb. On.” She repeats with annoyance.

“Is that all?” Dante asks, attempting to climb on Luna’s back. He tries and fails twice, even after Luna lowers herself further to the ground. Rolling his eyes, the dragon grabs Dante by the back of his shirt and cloak and sets him atop Luna.

Luna stands again, spreading her wings and turning to face the dragon. “What is your name, dragon?”

“I am Razorwind of Everfree.” He says with certain note of pride.

“Well then, Razorwind of Everfree, I ask that you keep our destination from Tia. She will most likely not agree with this action.”

“Understandable.” He agrees with a nod.

Without another word, Luna takes to the sky heading south.

It was a good half hour before either one spoke. Dante was the first to break the silence, beyond the rush of the wind.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” He says, turning his head to face Luna’s, though still clinging to her. “What’s your deal?”

“What do you mean?” She asks, not turning her head.

“Are you simply mad, or do you actually have some sort of plan you’re working on?”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m talking about your seemingly reckless behavior. First, you charge at Aselith, the man who froze almost half of your castle in ice that has yet to melt with a single spell. Now, you’re taking me to the entrance of what I can only assume to be your realm’s hell to collect a soul. What’s your angle here?”

“I already told you.” She says, banking around a cloud. “We need you to stop Aselith. That’s why I’m taking you to Tartarus.”

“Yeah, that’s a lie. You also just avoided my first question.”

Sighing, Luna slows her flight, landing on a nearby cloud. “Why does this matter so much to you? Do you think I have some ulterior motive for restoring you powers?”

“I’m not sure.” Dante says, adjusting himself to sit upright. “When you lie as much as I do, you know when the truth is being kept from you.”

Luna takes in a deep breath and holds it for a moment before releasing it. “You were right about me.” She says, looking down at the cloud’s surface.

“About what?”

“I’m afraid. I’m afraid of what I might do. I’m afraid of who I might hurt. I’m afraid…I’ll want to do it.” She turns her head, looking sideways at Dante. “That’s why I attacked Aselith so recklessly. I needed to show myself that I’m still willing to do what it takes to defend my ponies.”

“Wow. You’re still on about that?” Dante asks, doing his best to look at Luna. “I taunted you a week ago and in anger.”

“Nevertheless, you were right. I spent much time ruminating over my past before you even came along. When you said that…it made me really face it, out in the open.”

“Well then, never let it be said my yelling accomplished nothing.” He says, cracking a grin.

“Also,” She looks Dante right in the eye, unbeknownst to him, “I would rather not be in your debt.”

“Come again?” He asks, puzzled.

“For catching me when I fell.” She said with a smile.

“I did that?” He says, looking to his side. “You must be mistaken.”

Luna gives a small chuckle before flying off the cloud. “I was still conscious when I fell. I only lost consciousness after you caught me. You were…surprisingly warm.”

“A balor’s body is wreathed in flames. You’re just lucky my form was falling apart. Otherwise, you’d have been burned. Well, burned even more than you were.”

They both shared a small laugh. Luna took a moment before speaking again. “Why did you catch me?”

Now it was Dante’s turn to pause. “Not sure. Maybe I wanted someone around who can truly understand what I’ve been through. Or maybe…you remind me of someone.”

“Who?” She asks. Dante doesn’t answer.

“Let’s just get to this place.” He says after hesitating. Luna left it at that.

~ _ ~ _ ~ _ ~ _ ~

Back at Canterlot castle, Razorwind sat in the courtyard, idly watching the clouds hover overhead. ‘It is just not the same as the forest.’ He thought to himself. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shape moving in the sky. It slowly made its way closer to the courtyard and closer to him. Just as he was about to get up to check it out, he could make out the shape of it. ‘The falcon again?’

The bird in question flew a circle around the dragon’s head once before settling down near his ear canal.

“What’s the situation?” She asked in the common tongue.

“Dante and the princess left for Tartarus almost one hour ago, just like you thought they would.” Razorwind whispered to the falcon, just in case any ponies were nearby. “I still think they could use my help.”

“They’ll be fine on their own. Getting the gatekeeper to let them in will be the hardest part. Once they’re in, they shouldn’t have any problem collecting an outsider’s soul.”

“I still do not understand how you can know all of this.” Razorwind spoke, shaking his head. “Nor do I understand what you gain from helping them.”

“Do you not trust me then?” The falcon asks.

“If the forest trusts you then I trust you.” He says matter-of-factly. “I simply wish to understand.”

“In time.” She says, spreading her wings. “I must retreat for now, less I be discovered. I will continue checking in and keeping you appraised of my plan.” With a flap of her wings, the falcon takes to the sky and heading towards Ponyville and the Everfree forest.

END CHAPTER

Author's Note

Okay, I know what you're thinking...okay, I really don't. I know, I'm really late getting this out, but that's only because -insert lame excuse here-. I'm thinking the chapters will be coming out more sporadically for a while, and shorter. I might, MIGHT, put this story on hiatus for a little bit to start up another one, just to help the creative juices flow. Hmmm? "What are the creative juices?" It's the same stuff they put in Sunny-D. You know, 'power of the sun, contains 5% juice'. Did you ever think of that? Huh?! Photosynthesis!

Random writing aside, I do apologize for the delay and will try to get chapters out more frequently. But, like I said, it will likely be sporadic. Until next time!