//------------------------------// // Shameless Filler Chapter to Keep Everyone From Believing That I Have Forgotten About This Fic When The Actual Truth is That I Have Other Things on my Mind Right Now (Edit) // Story: Devil May Cry: A New Battlefield // by Lazy_ //------------------------------// "... aaaand it should be just over here." Nero said as the group of demon hunters reached the peak of the hill. From the top they could see for ages in pretty much any direction. Dante saw that directly in front of him lay a homely looking cottage about 200 feet away at the bottom of the other side of the hill and further past that he could see what looked like an orchard about a mile away. And to his left the edge of a town could be seen poking out of the side of a mountain. The whole place was strangely serene, probably too serene. For some reason it made him uncomfortable, having a beautifully lush and green environment like this, such a perfect place. He felt that places like this should never exist. It would be far too easy for something evil to come and mess everything up, because anyone living there would never had known anything other than perfection. So when their lives are turned upside down they wouldn't know how to react, they wouldn't be able to defend themselves. There would need to be a massive source of power but only a few people would have the courage to use it. On Earth, humans may be weak but they're stubborn and wouldn't back down even if it cost their lives. Most mavericks like the band of 'friends' he was a part of would fight to the death against the demons if it ever came to that. But so far him, Nero, Trish and Lady had been careful enough to prevent their own deaths as well as taking care of business. The world had capable demon hunters in it's possession, and they were doing a great job of it thus far. But this one probably didn't have something like that... "So I'm guessing this place has never seen an invasion in it's whole life, then." Dante said. "What makes you think that?" Nero replied curiously. "Well it's just so perfect. It looks like something out of a kids book." He reasoned. "Well I've been told that it's been invaded by giant insects, screwed over by a chaos god... twice, sapped dry of energy and had prominant figures manipulated by a spirit comprised of everything negative about a person. Hate, jealousy, greed, hunger for power, that sorta' stuff. " Nero said while gesturing to the landscape. "And the six ponies I've seen seemed to be the ones stopping it every single time. They represent 'The Elements of Harmony' which are basically the pillars on which magic stands in this place." "And that is?" Lady said while rolling a hand to tell him to carry on. "Friendship." "Oh no, it's even worse than I thought." Dante let his head fall into his hands. Trish just sighed with frustration. "Well if it bothers that much then maybe you can stay on this hill and let us do all the work." She pouted as she placed her hands on her hips. "No!" Dante burst out. "That's not what I meant!" "Then could you actually tell us what you mean instead of beating around the bush?" "I meant that because this place is so perfect, all the ponies are going to take offense at even the slightest of jokes, whether it was meant to be offensive or not." The others just looked at him like he was some sort of idiot. "I mean you'll barely be able to have a joke without upsetting someone, at which point they'll go crying to their mommies, or something." "Then I guess the solution to that problem is not to insult or joke against the ponies. There, obvious!" Lady answered him simply. "Dante not using jokes and gags? Impossible." Nero stated, and caused the group to burst into a small fit of laughter. "He just wouldn't be the same without it!" "I'm known for my quick wits." Dante gave a small mock bow and chuckled. After the group laugh, Dante calmed himself with a sigh and squared his body with the cottage at the bottom of the gradual slope. He put his hands behind his head and tensed to stretch his arms out. The group lined up at either side of him and waited for him to say something. He glanced to both his sides and frowned. "What are you all doing?" He asked. "Waiting for you. You do seem to have been calling the shots as of late." Trish said in a matter of fact tone. Dante did his best to shrug with his hands locked behind him. "He has not!" Lady pointed to Dante accusingly. "I don't know, Nero seems to have been bossing most of us about most of the time." He gestured to the black clad Nero standing to his left. Nero let his head fall into his palms and shook his head in them as he noticed the start of an argument coming along. He honestly had no clue how Dante and the girls managed to start arguments about the most stupid things. It was a confusion he would likely take to his grave, those three were possibly the most argumentative bunch he'd ever seen. "Look, can we just get our asses to the cottage? If we're gonna' find Dante's sword then the Element's should be a good place to start considering they're friends of the regals, yes?" He said slightly frustrated. The group went silent and looked at him blankly for a second. "... answer please? Today would be nice." Trish chuckled as she put her arm over his shoulder. "Well, you know more about this place than any of us do, Nero. So I guess I'm in agreement." Trish answered with a shrug with Lady and Dante both nodding along. "Fine..." Dante exclaimed breathily. Then he brightened as he came up with something to ignite a flame and raise an argument capable of keeping him entertained for the journey. "... let's go find Nero's girlfirends." Nero glared at Dante before beginning to walk in his direction, hand moving over to the handle of Red Queen behind his back. "Dante, If you don't stop this, I am going to kill you." Nero threatened, trying his best to intimidate his more experienced counterpart. "Ok, Ok, fine. I'll stop... for now."