Sorry for the wait. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

It was finally morning. The dark clouds covered all of Skyworld filling it with a depressing feeling. The ceremony was ready for Palutena's new warrior, but he was nowhere to be seen. Palutena began to worry and sent Pit to go and locate Seth's whereabouts, but still discovered nothing around the city. Even when Pit asked around the people only said the last time they have seen Seth was when he was walking back to his house. The disappearance of their becoming angel was a big mystery which caused much grief.

"Pit, I can't wait much longer. I will go to the Skyworld arena once again to find another warrior."

"But Lady Palutena, this was a big moment in his life. What do you think could have happened to him?"

"I would have known if I wasn't asleep by then, for my All-Seeing Eye would have caught him. Even gods need at least some rest to prepare for another day."

"I understand. I'll go prepare the way for you, but it should be raining right now. Are you sure you want to go out there?"

"I appreciate your concern. However, this will be a good opportunity to go out to the contenders. Even they like to train out in the rain."

"I'll at least find an umbrella for you. That way you will not get totally drenched in this weather."

Pit left to go set up for her trip to the stadium. Palutena still with arms crossed paced around the room lost in her thoughts. This is terrible. A foreboding evil is growing more powerful; I can sense it, but can't fully identify it. Without strong troops on our side it will be a life or death struggle. I must act fast before it happens. Pit tapped her shoulder and handed her umbrella with a kind comforting smile. Palutena smiled back at him.

"Thank you Pit. Let's go now."

The rain kept pouring down as the fighters clashed their weapons with their opponents', but they also sensed something was not right. The fighting just felt…different. Marcus was now back and was continuing what he enjoyed best, and that was making himself the top warrior. However, he sensed the other warriors acting strange around him when they would run away from him not even drawing their weapons. He stood there wondering why and then started shouting.

"Come on you chickens! Don't you even want to try and fight me?"

They would not. The warriors would not want to go near him, for he was somehow striking fear into the fighters' eyes. Marcus's eyes were filled with a dark emotion like the rest of the people were staring at…the eyes of a murderer. While they were sparring a chariot dropped from the sky and onto the stadium grounds with an easy landing. The fighters crowded around it and the door opened to reveal Palutena and Pit inside. As both of them stepped out every fighter kneeled down before her. Though Palutena was flattered she had no time to mess around. She had business to take care of, so she opened up her umbrella and spoke to them.

"Attention everyone. I know what you are probably thinking; why would I be out here in this kind of weather to be among all of you? Well to be honest I came to find another soldier that might have potential to be in my army. There was one fighter I strongly had in mind, but he somehow mysteriously went missing."

Marcus smiled at that.

"I need a position to be filled. That is why I came, so will you please give your all on your next Free-for-All match? I will then see who might be worthy to become an angel."

The soldiers cheered on and eagerly prepared for the match. Marcus found this as another opportunity to impress Palutena with his power. With that pest Seth out of the way I'll finally show my true potential! She has to accept me. All the soldiers stood in their own areas waiting for the time to start. 3…2…1…the buzzer sounded off. The rain continued to pour down as the fighters ran through mud and puddles for their first opponents. Marcus walked around cautiously in case anybody tried to sneak up on him. One fighter spotted Marcus and when he drew his claws out with a grim smile the fighter turned away and started fighting another opponent. Marcus frowned at that, but shrugged it off. The opponents fear my power…that's all. I'll demonstrate it once more to them right now! In a flash Marcus charged for the nearest person close to him. The fighter turned around to see claws sweeping across his chest wounding him significantly. The yellow-suited soldier tried fighting back while on the ground, but a foot stomped on his chest rendering him helpless. The Tiger Claws penetrated through the soldier's armor and chest, and the young fighter disappeared from the battlefield. Marcus smiled at the sight. Another soldier darted for him, but Marcus sensed his attack, so he quickly turned around, grabbed the fighter, and threw him up in the air. Before he was to land Marcus swung his claws, sliced through the fighter's gut, and kicked his stomach which sent him flying. The soldier disappeared from that fatal blow. Pit looked from afar with Palutena and witnessed what he was doing to his opponents. He was shocked.

"Lady Palutena, something's not right with that guy."

"I can see that Pit, but let's not interfere and see what happens next. After all, in the arena they don't actually get killed."

"I know, but I don't like the look of his battle style."

Marcus looked around for his next opponent and indeed he found a female warrior with her Palutena Bow staring at him. She wore light armor that also had her belly showing and she had long blond hair with a yellow headband and a red flower on it; some find her beautiful and smart, but deadly. Marcus pointed his claws at her.

"Get ready because I still have enough energy to fight!"

The warrior shook her head at him.

"Marcus, don't you see why we don't want to fight you?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"We all sense a darker atmosphere around you; it wasn't there last time when we were fighting. It's like…you've changed to a whole different person."

"What do you mean 'I've changed'? I'm still fighting like the rest of you! I'm just trying harder!"

"We pretty much can see it. You were upset over the loss during your major fight and Seth defeating Dark Pit. It's written all over your face; your jealousy and pride has influenced and twisted your mind!

"I don't care even the slightest bit about it! I don't need these lectures, so back off with your words or else I'll back mine up with action!"

"Your fame and selfish desires aren't what a true warrior is supposed to be, and if you can't see it within yourself Palutena will never see you as one of her soldiers!"

With that said Marcus charged in a wild frenzy for her. She aimed her Palutena Bow for his chest and fired a bright arrow, but he dodges it with his speed. Marcus jumps and tries to attack her with his claws, but she evaded them which made Marcus's claws strike the ground and caused them to be stuck within. Reacting quickly the female fighter pulls her bow apart and tries to slice Marcus, but the he kicks her out of the way and pulls his claws out from the ground. She tried throwing her bow edges around, but Marcus swung around her and struck her back. The female warrior dropped to her knees in pain and Marcus walked back around. He smiled as he walked up to her and grabbed her by the neck. She started coughing and struggled to break free, but Marcus clung onto her.

"I don't appreciate what you just said. What makes you so different than me? We're all fighting for a common goal, but today's different since Palutena is actually inspecting us. Because of that we all think the same and want to impress her which is what I am doing. We all want to win, so we push ourselves further to achieve our goal. You didn't even look like you were trying. You must not have wanted to join her army…"

The warrior shouted back at his remarks.

"Shut up! Don't insult what I can do!"

She aimed her bow in front of his chest and pulled back her left arm which held the arrow. Marcus didn't have enough time to react, but he didn't let go of her. She let go of the arrow and it pierced through Marcus's chest. He staggered while his chest bled profusely, but he was able to still stand. Catching the captured soldier off Marcus slashed through her armor and the helpless soldier dropped her arrows. Seeing that she can't fight anymore Marcus simply took his hand off her neck and she dropped down to the ground. Marcus began to walk away as she began to disappear from the arena.

"Mar…cus…why are you…"

"I only want to be in Palutena's army so I had to try my best here. Make no mistake about that."

The buzzer sounded off; the match was over. All of the soldiers that fought all lined up in the center of the arena waiting for the winner. Palutena took a look at each soldier as she walked past each one. The fighters were pretty nervous, for they all want to become an angel. The number didn't look promising however. She finished looking at each person and made her decision.

"You all have fought valiantly, but most might be very disappointed. The decision was quite difficult to make, but I shall at least name off the soldier that won the match. The winner is…you."

She points at the purple-armored soldier standing with a smile and confidence (along with cockiness) among him. He approaches Palutena and bows before her.

"My name is Marcus, my lady. I am glad I've won the match and you are the only reason I keep fighting."

The other soldiers just look at each other.

"What a suck-up…"

Palutena smiles nervously at him.

"You're too kind. Anyway, I have looked upon you all and I actually have chosen another among you to become an angel. I was actually very surprised. That person is…"

Marcus expected her to point at him again and grinned from that idea, but instead she points out at another soldier in the crowd. He was suprised to see that the person she was pointing at…was the very last fighter he defeated! Marcus displayed a very shocked look as she walked up to Palutena.

"What is your name, young warrior?"

"My name…is Mia, my lady"

"Mia, you have certainly impressed me today. I've looked upon your fight and you displayed adequate strength and character. You shall be my next angel."

Marcus approached both of them with his finger pointing at her.

"How can this even be? I've defeated HER in battle! Why not choose me? I've displayed the most strength!"

"Marcus, you may have won in battle I will give you that, but…I don't see you as an angel due to your character. I heard what Mia has said, and I agree with her. Your dark intentions were your primary downfall; I cannot have that within my finest soldiers."

Marcus looked away and gave a sour look while she wasn't looking. Palutena looked at Mia again.

"I'm not really sure if Pit asked you yet, but I'm curious to know. Do you know of a young warrior named Seth?"

"…why actually, yes I do. We used to go sparring quite often. Not only is he tough, but very respectable, since he doesn't fight to win. He's a good guy…"

"Okay, do you remember the last time seeing him?"

"Well…yes. Just as I was about to go my own way I saw Seth going into the forest since it's his only route back to his house. When I looked from afar and when he disappeared I actually seen a certain human figure hiding behind trees and bushes, and was going toward Seth's direction. It looked like it didn't want to be seen."

"Hmmm…do you at least know what it looked like?"

"All I know is that it appeared purple and it dashed pretty fast. I can't get the proper details."

Palutena glanced over at Marcus, but he still had his face turned away. She remembered his battles and she suspects HE might know something that they don't since he wears purple armor and uses speed to his advantage.

"Marcus, do you know where Seth may be?"

He didn't turn around for her.

"I know nothing."

Pit got involved in this situation. Seeing what he said he felt riled up.

"You know you're not being sincere when you're not face-to-face. Also, you don't use that tone with Lady Palutena, you got that? Now turn around!"

Complying with them he did as he was told to do. He composed himself and tried it the second time.

"I said it before. I have no idea."

With one quick glance Palutena looked at his gloves. In the inside she noticed red stains around the opening and fingers of the gloves. She took a hold of Marcus's hand, and he suddenly felt a warm sensation not because the Goddess of Light was actually holding his hand, but because of nervousness. She suspects something. He struggled a little, but it proved no help. She gasped when she took the claws off of his hands.

"It's blood. You killed something."

"It was just an animal; I just didn't have enough time to wash it off."

"You are probably right about the second part, but humans are also animals, and besides I can sense it's human blood. I don't believe you told us the truth of what happened! WHERE IS SETH?"

Marcus took his hand away and turned away from her. He took a few steps and stopped where he was.

"He's lying out in the woods now. He's no longer in any pain…"

Everyone gasped. Palutena was completely shocked while Pit was becoming enraged by what he was hearing.

"But…Marcus, why did you do it?"

Marcus sighed, but he was not feeling calm.

"I didn't get what I deserve. I try real hard to go and impress you, the great Goddess of Light, and fight multiple hard battles, but what do I get for my hard work? Some rookie takes my title as best soldier and leaves me in the dust with no recognition!"

"Your character was your weakest link. I saw it in you and you knew your faults and it was your envy and greed."

"But there was more. Before I did the heinous deed I heard a voice. It was very calm, but yet serious. She said 'Nobody looks upon you. With what you do you cannot hope to achieve your greatest dreams.' I was devastated and hurt. She tried to comfort me by saying, 'You can still have that chance to obtain them. All you have is a few obstacles in your way; be rid of them and you can be assured of your satisfaction.' So I obeyed. I'm aware of what I committed and I knew it wasn't good, but…"

He turned around with an insane face with tears flowing from his eyes that startled everyone.

"I LIKED IT! I am nothing in your eyes! You would never appreciate me, so I thought I would take it away from someone else! You and Seth now know how it is to have dreams crushed before your eyes!"

Pit and Palutena were both furious.

"Pit, have the centurions take him away!"

"Roger that!"

Pit ordered the centurions to go and old him down, but Marcus lashed back at the few centurions that approached him. A couple slashes wounded the centurions, but Marcus was rendered helpless when the strongarms tackled him to the ground. He struggled to break free, but they did not budge. Pit ordered for Marcus's arrest and the centurions took up Marcus to Skyworld where he shall be kept within their prison. When Marcus disappeared Mia looked at both Palutena and Pit and shed a tear over what she had heard; she was hurt.

"Why would someone do that to an honorable warrior like Seth? I can't believe it…"

"I know. Mia, go and get your belongings ready. Your ceremony will begin tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Miss Palutena…"

She walked away, but Seth was still on her mind. Seth…if I would have known…I'm sorry. Afterwards, Palutena dismissed everybody to the locker rooms to prepare for the next fight. They left the arena, but no comfort was given to them. Not after what they heard about Seth's death…Pit looked at Palutena and knew that she was sad and troubled. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"Lady Palutena, will you be okay?"

"Sadly, no. I can't be sure about that."

"We at least have another recruit now. We shall stop that future evil you mentioned!"

"Well…I'm just as much concerned about that, but…I'm also worried about Seth now. Probably with his untimely death he has no happiness within his soul now."

"I feel terrible about Seth's death. There's nothing more I can really say about it…"

"I guess the only thing I can do is hope for the better and that his spirit may find its peace…"

They both continue to walk away from the arena and to their ride with heads down. Meanwhile, Monster Seth emerged from the forest and staggered toward the city.