"I told you, Pit." Medusa's voice was like ice as her fingernails scratched into his skin under his jaw, her face inches from his as the snakes in her hair slithered across his forehead, his cheek, down to his shoulder. "I'd rip you of your wings and sever you from the heavens forever." He could feel her breath on his face as he tried to surrender himself into unconsciousness, the only escape he had from the pain. He could feel blood trickle down his bare back and the cuffs on his wrists dug into his skin. "Oh, no, no, my dear Pit," she smiled darkly. "You're not going anywhere." He looked up and grit his teeth.

"I-I'll stop you," he panted, his eyes bright. Despite his words, she merely laughed at him.

"You'll stop me?" she repeated. "Oh, you poor fool! Just how do you intend to do that?" She swept her staff around, gesturing to the darkened Skyworld around them. "Look, Pit. Drop your bravado and pay attention. You're trapped. No one can save you!" His eyes trained to the sky, scanning them for any signs of the Centurions, but all he saw were Underworld monsters that picked off the last few survivors.

"Lord Pit," he turned his head to find Elora looking up at him against the wall. "Don't worry. We'll be okay." Alarmed, he looked back up to Medusa, but she seemed distracted by something.

"Wh-where's Kuro?" he whispered, and he tasted something rustic, salty, and warm on his lip. Elora's blank expression confused him. "Elora, tell me. Where is he?" But there was no hint of recognition in her eyes.

"Trust me, Lord Pit," she replied, practically ignoring his question, and this only worried him more. Where was Kuro? Why was Elora avoiding the subject of the red-eyed angel? If he had been slain… Medusa would have been taunting him with his brother's fallen body. And how hadn't the goddess gotten to Elora yet? Her combat skill had only improved slightly and she still couldn't fly on her own.

"G-get out of here," he ordered. "Before Medusa-"

"Before Medusa what?" she turned to him, her gaze cutting through him like a red-hot sword. "What more would you like me to do?"

"Elora, run!" he barked, and his chest hurt with the effort. "Go! Quickly!" But Elora again simply stared at him, not budging. "What are you waiting for?" She didn't respond, just gazed at him with unreadable eyes.

"Trust me, Lord Pit," she finally repeated, and Medusa paid her no heed as she approached the young god of Light.

"Poor, poor little Pit," she mused as she raised her hand up to grip his throat tightly. "You don't seem to realize the position that you're in." He found his voice struggling and looked up briefly to see a dark feather falling toward him. But… this feather wasn't the shadowy teal color he'd once seen. Medusa's grip on his throat tightened, sending a panic through his body, and her grin was maniacal. "You're 'finished' for the last time, you pathetic scrap of nothing." He felt her nails break his skin, cutting off the scream he'd been holding back.

That scream escaped from his throat rather violently until it was cut off by coughing as Pit bolted awake, clutching the fabric of his undershirt over his chest as he gasped for air. His body was covered in a cold sweat, and he couldn't stop himself from trembling. He unfolded his wings and laid back in an attempt to calm himself as he stared blankly at the skylight overhead and the wispy clouds outside that partially blocked the stars. His heart slowly returned to its natural rhythm and his breathing became less labored, but something about the nightmare still clawed at him and made him nervous. Something was off, wrong, but he had no idea what.

So, naturally, when a knock came at his door, he jumped and his heart took off racing again for a brief moment before he sighed heavily.

"Come in," he said once he'd managed to find his voice. The door's handle turned and it opened as Elora peaked her head in. "Elora?"

"I know it's late, Lord Pit. I'm sorry for the intrusion." He nodded and motioned for her to enter. She complied, though she remained in front of the door.

"Is there any particular reason you're fully dressed?" he wondered. "You're right. It is late. So what brings you here?"

"It's the angels' code of conduct," Elora smiled a little. "We must always be ready for duty. But I know Commander Kuro isn't the greatest at following that rule." Pit chuckled and shrugged. Indeed, Kuro wasn't much for always looking like he was ready. He was arguably the least compatible with early morning hours when it came to Skyworld's denizens and he often slept wearing his shorts and nothing else. Why, Pit couldn't be sure nor did he want to ask. But if something were to strike during the night, Pit had no doubt that Kuro would head out immediately and put a stop to it. All he needed was a weapon.

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't relax a little," he replied. "Now, then. What is it?"

"I just… I couldn't sleep," she began. "And I feel like… I don't know, like something bad is going to happen." She seemed incredibly hesitant about her words and Pit could tell that something was bothering her greatly. A chill crept down his spine as he considered his nightmare. Could Medusa truly return?

"Alright," Pit nodded and got out of bed. "Wait for me in the hall, will you? We'll go and take a look around."

"Yes, sir." She nodded and exited the room, closing the door behind her, and he quickly dressed himself in his usual attire save his armor. He took a deep breath and followed the angel out into the corridor.

"Come on. Let's head for the Gate Chamber." She followed close behind as they headed through the temple, and Pit could sense that something was greatly bothering her. "Do you have any ideas as to why you're feeling like this?"

"I… no," she replied. "Do you think Master Nemo is up to something?"

"I doubt it," Pit answered. "Nemo is a relatively decent guy. He wouldn't attack unless provoked." At least, that's what he thought, anyway. The two reached the Gate Chamber and Pit opened the door, stepping inside as Elora closed it behind them. Something felt off about the air around him, like a dark presence was waiting to make itself known. "Let me check the fountain…" he said, not sure if he was talking to Elora or himself. Just as he spread his wings, though, she spoke up.

"Over there!" She pointed toward the platform just as a figure emerged from behind it, and Pit's eyes widened in shock as he made out her features.

"It's been quite some time, hasn't it, Pit?" It was the same voice that taunted him in his nightmares, the same venomous words that clawed at his ears and choked his words.

"M-Medusa?!"

"Yes," she replied, smirking as she fingered her staff and the snakes in her hair hissed at him. "Surprised to see me? Now, tell me, will you? Where is Palutena?"

"You won't find her," he replied flatly, clenching his fingers into fists. "How did you come back?! Hades destroyed you!"

"Yes, but Nemo is such a loyal little pet." Her smirk grew. "He is the Oracle of Darkness, after all. He knew his place and preformed quite well. And then, there's you, hm? Tell me, did you usurp power from Palutena as Nemo did from Hades? Or did you worm your way in like a parasite and stab her in the back?"

"What are you talking about?" he demanded, but she chuckled.

"Don't play dumb with me, Pit. You're the god of Light now, are you not?"

"How did you…"

"Meaning our dear Palutena isn't around anymore, is she? Oh, how has her puppet been faring? You must be simply beside yourself." His fists tightened and he grit his teeth.

"I've been doing just fine, thanks," he growled. "I beat you when I was just a child, Medusa. You might as well just surrender now."

"Yes, if I couldn't defeat a lowly little cherub all those years ago, how can I possibly stand up to a god?" The sarcasm in her words made him nervous. She was too confident, too calm, too optimistic.

"What are you planning?" he inquired, though she simply rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I suppose I'll show you." With that, she shot forth an orb of dark magic and he rolled over to the side to dodge. What he didn't account for, though, was Elora being right behind him and taking the brunt of the blow. She doubled over with a yelp and fought to stay on her feet as her knees threatened to buckle.

"Elora!" he called. "Are you okay?" She didn't respond as Medusa approached her. "Get away from her!"

"So, this is your angel, hm? What a charming little lady."

"Get BACK!" Pit struck with a similar attack, a ball of light that hit its target and sent her scurrying back. He raced over and planted himself between Elora and the goddess of Darkness.

"So…" Medusa wiped her lip on her sleeve and watched him carefully. "You've learned a few new tricks, hm? Tell me, do you have the gift of foresight now?"

"What's it to you?" he shot back, his voice low.

"I suppose you could say I'm curious as to what you'll see coming," she smiled and a soft laugh escaped her lips. "Though, even with all of Palutena's wisdom, you're still that brainless scrap you've always been." He blinked. Though the insult meant little to him, something about her words greatly bothered him.

He didn't have time to think about it, though, as a searing pain suddenly shot through his torso, centering at the middle of his back as he arched forward.

"Sorry, Lord Pit," Elora mumbled as she removed the Viper Blade she'd suddenly acquired, and he felt some strange grip overcome him as he fought off the poison the blade carried. But there was something else- something he couldn't identify, that made him feel sluggish.

"Well done!" Medusa smiled and pointed her staff at Pit. "Sad, isn't it? You just can't find good help these days." He clenched his teeth as he met her gaze, focusing what power he still had access to. "Now, I'm going to do something I should have done over fifty years ago. I look forward to having a statue of the great god of Light as part of my décor."

So, what foresight he did possess served its purpose. Just as her staff shone with an eerie light, he let go of his consciousness and felt something leave his body, taking with it everything that made him who he was. And what he left behind quickly petrified.

"I must admit, you did well, Elora," Medusa praised as she approached the young angel. "You're quite strong."

"Apparently, I got it from my dad," she shrugged. "But thank you, Lady Medusa." She watched Pit's stone form for several moments. "Commander Kuro is not going to be happy about this."

"Now, tell me," Medusa went on as she trod over to the statue. "Who exactly is this 'Kuro?' That name must mean something like 'dark' or 'black…'"

"Commander Kuro is Lord Pit's brother," Elora replied. "His twin, even. They just have different hair and eyes." Medusa turned to her.

"Black hair and red eyes?" Elora nodded. "What color are his wings?"

"White," Elora answered, confused. "What else would they be?"

"And you say they're twins…" Medusa smirked. "Oh, that treacherous little…" she sighed. "I think it's time you stopped believing a lie. They're not brothers, Elora. Your so-called 'Commander' is nothing more than an unnatural reflection called 'Dark Pit.'" Elora's eyes widened. "And we'll be taking him out next."