Author's Note: Welcome to another installment of "Brawlingwolf has way too many ideas!" Finally, I get to present to you a new Kid Icarus story that has honestly been on my mind since "Praelium Pondera." This story follows a different "canon" than OWLD, but is still a sequel to Uprising. Honestly, it was based on an idea of what it would be like if the KI series had an installment that was more overworld-based or exploratory, like The Legend of Zelda or Kingdom Hearts. So, yes, it's linear, but... Well, go ahead and read it. I don't know how to explain it briefly.
Anyway, this chapter is a bit short for my tastes. But I promise they'll get longer. I should also probably mention that this story does not include any foreseeable pairings.

Anyway. Welcome to The Verge of Chaos!

Night had fallen over Skyworld, blanketing it in peace save the Centurions out patrolling. The stars shone and sparkled overhead and the waxing half moon cast its pale light over the floating islets. The air was warm with summer breezes and the grasses grew in rich, green colors. The springs bubbled and gurgled softly, contributing to the solitude of the heavens.

The goddess that ruled over the realm had allowed her captain to retire to his chamber after a long day of training and assessing the repairs that had been made since the day he defeated the lord of the Underworld. He had been rather heavily injured in the battle with Hades, yet he never lost his smile that bordered on goofy and his sense of optimism. He had recovered well with the goddess's help and made it known regularly how grateful he was to her. He kept up his duties as captain and made sure the Centurions didn't start lagging behind simply because of the peace they had been fighting for in the span of over three years.

Now, Pit was nestled into his bed, curled on his side and his covers drawn tight over his body. He sighed as he fell into sleep, his eyes closed peacefully and his hair falling slightly into his face.

But, despite the warmth of the air and of his covers, a shiver passed through his body.

"Pit..." he opened his eyes and found himself somewhere in Skyworld, or so he thought. The clouds around him told him he was still in his home realm, but he didn't recognize the area nor the entrance carved into the rocks of the islet he stood on. On either side of it was a carving of Palutena, confusing him as to why he had never been here previously.

Adding to his lack of understanding was the sight of the goddess herself standing just in front of the entrance. She was dressed in a simple white gown with no jewelry or armor. She had neither her staff nor her shield, and she lacked her crown around her head. Nevertheless, he kneeled and lowered his head briefly.

"There's no time for that, Pit," she scolded gently. "Get up."

"Huh?" He scrambled back to his feet. "Lady Palutena, what's wrong?"

"Our peace is about to shatter," she said rather dully. "Pit... I need you to promise me something."

"Anything," he said quickly, though he flinched under her dark, sobering, and serious gaze.

"No matter what happens, you'll keep going, Pit. You'll do whatever it takes to save our world, even if it means putting something else above my safety. You must consider all parts of this world, not just Light." He stared at her.

"W-What do you mean?!" he demanded. "I'm the captain of your guard, Lady Palutena! I HAVE to put your safety first!"

"Pit," she said firmly, "As your goddess, I am ordering you to do whatever it takes to see our world survive. Do not let it fall into the hands of chaos. If you try to save me, you will not survive." He blinked.

"Then I'll gladly die trying to protect you!" he argued. "I won't leave you, Lady Palutena!"

"Pit, you have to!" she insisted, driving a spike of grief through his being. "If you live to fight another day, then we'll have a chance. I've seen it. But if you carelessly throw yourself into defensive battle, then you'll be killed. You don't have the strength or power to win this battle. But if you wait and gather what you will need to obtain that power, you'll have the chance to be the victor." Finally, her tone softened and she smiled. "You'll be able to again prove yourself my champion. You'll be able to bring back the peace we've all suffered for. Do you understand me, Pit?" He remained silent for a moment and swallowed, trying to gather his thoughts and find his sense of optimism.

"I understand," he nodded. "As your captain, I'll follow your orders and do everything I can to see you safe when the time comes. I swear that I will win. I WILL defeat whatever it is threatening you and our world!"

"Thank you, Pit," she smiled softly. "That's all I ask, even if it is a heavy burden. But I know that if anyone can do it, it's you."

"I won't let you down, Lady Palutena," he vowed.

"I know, Pit," she agreed solemnly. "Now, I need you to-"

The angel jerked awake at the sound of an explosion and threw himself out of bed, stumbling as he attempted to pull on his boots and run at the same time. He grabbed the weapon nearest him in the small arsenal Palutena allowed him to keep in his chamber for such an emergency: A Lancer Staff. He plowed through a few roused Centurions and skidded around the corner until he was outside, his heart sprinting in his chest as he watched such strange and ominous... whatever it was... shrouding his home. His instinct set him toward Palutena's Temple, but he came to a screeching halt as he recalled his dream. Was this what the goddess had been trying to warn him about?

"Wah!" he ducked as a blast of energy shot over his head, and he peered through the shrouds in an attempt to see his assailant. Unfortunately, the odd, dark, faded colors of whatever it was blocked his vision, and he took another shot straight to the chest. He landed on his back with a huff and pain shot through his wings, but he sprung himself back to his feet.

"Captain!" A Centurion called, and he scanned around until he found a squad of Centurion Knights coming toward him. "Your orders, sir!" Pit took a breath in an attempt to refill his lungs, his mind whirling to process everything going on around you.

"Lady Palutena!" he finally barked. "Get to Lady Palutena's temple! Now!"

"But, Captain, what about-"

"NOW!" he growled, and they all departed quickly. He turned around just in time to receive another blow, this one to his stomach, and he coughed as his breath was again stolen from his body. Something lashed out and knocked him back, and he scrambled to stay on his feet as he fired his staff blindly into the darkness around him. Whether it hit anything, he couldn't be sure, but again something else managed to strike and sent him skidding. Panting, he could taste something rustic and salty in his mouth as he again fired and lashed his weapon out, but it didn't hit anything. He felt adrenaline slamming through his veins, panicking him as he lost sight of the sky around him. Whatever it was, whatever was causing this, had him overwhelmed, and he was at a loss on what to do to fight back.
Palutena needed him to survive. He knew that much, but he was quickly doubting his chances of doing so. Again, his unseen adversary lashed out and knocked him back.

Right over the edge of the islet he stood on, and he quickly found himself plummeting with nothing below to slow or stop his fall. Nothing but the earth so far below.
"Lady Palutena!" he cried out, hoping that somehow she would be able to save him. But the only thing that came out after him was the same strike that had sent him tumbling, and he blacked out once it again hit his body.