Chapter 9

Forces Of Dark Nature


"This is terrible! Argh!" An angel suited in a white royal toga hammered his fists on the gigantic bedroom door. It stood tall, made by the finest wood-like material, decorated and polish with it's detailed carvings. His laurel crown nearly falling off as he repeatedly tried to make at least a dent on the entrance. The angel's Goddess stood near by, studying the floating images that reflected the doings of the 'Beast Pit' and the 'Copy Palutena'. "Argh! We just can't stand here doing nothing! Dark Pit is walking in a death trap!" He then stepped back, gaining distance to run and ram himself towards the double doors.

The Goddess of Light closed her eyes and walked away from the display of events, watching her angel she sighed, "Pit, please."

"But Lady Pa-"

Giving a glare, Palutena sternly replied with a voice conveying anger, "Pit! Those doors were built to protect- it won't break."

"So what..." Pit collapsed and ran his hands threw his hair, "you're telling me that we're trapped and there's nothing we can do, right?" He then laid down and faced the open areas of the ceiling, vines distributed along the edges and hanging loose. Hope fell as he saw the sun's rays sink through a slightly visible barrier. They were completely trapped, like birds in a cage. "Well this sucks."

"Pandora is out of the option," Stated the Goddess, "We can't get a hold of Viridi…"

Pit pipped up, "not even Phosphora or Arlon?"

"No one is responding." Palutena sighed, "no one but Thanatos."

:O :O :O

Welcome aboard the Dead Airline! (Emma: that doesn't sounds so pleasing…) With clear blue skies and little wind our estimate flight time is five minutes! (Emma: how fast are we going to fly?!) Please keep both hands and feet on the carpet in case of sudden turbulence. We ask passengers to remain seated at all times and remember, this is a smoke free environment. Thank you for choosing Death Airline.

Emma scratched her head viewing the persian carpet. "Are you sure this is safe?"

"Absolutely." Smiled the God, "SkyWorld is all but up, so you shouldn't get lost. Really, the carpet knows where it's going."

"Wait, you're not coming with us?!"

"Of course not." Smiled the God once again.

Worry stabbed the human girl, "t-that's nothing to smile about…"

Daymein on the other hand, touched it, shrugged, then proceeded by hopping on top, ready to go. "If it's to get Kuro back then I don't mind." With no more objections his sister joined him. "Don't worry Thanatos, we'll get him back."

The God laughed, "Calm down, you don't know even know what you're going to do after you get there." The plan is, as Thanatos reported back to Hades, he'd keep him distracted from checking on the Palace of Light. As that's going on, Emma and Day will sneak their way through the guards and hopefully get to Palutena's room where the two were trapped. "Take this," After explaining, Thanatos poofed out a weird looking object. A black crystal with a white spark in the middle. It was small little thing but it shined like riches. Though it's useless in the human world, the crystal would definitely be worth a pretty penny. The god then handed it off to Emma, "It should open up the barrier surrounding the palace just enough for you two to pass. Give it to Palutena and she'll receive her powers back." With that, he disappeared with an echoing laugh. Emma and Day were left sitting on the wiggling carpet for just a moment more before it took off, ascending higher and higher.

The sky was bright and the air crisp as the two past clouds. During their flying journey, the humans came across quite a number of enemies. The occasional annoying monoeye, which they pass with ease. Then coming across something strange once again. Day knew all creatures that were present during the war, mostly from looking at the pictures of books or hearing Aldruss's (the bookshop librarian) stories. Though he never before heard of the monsters that attacked him and Bluebelle, shadowy beasts that don't really fit the Dark Forces descriptions. The strange creature that caught the little boy's eyes was a discolored Dribble Dop and Badoot.

"Is something wrong?" Emma asked her brother, following his gaze towards the enemies.

Scratching his head and thinking, Day pointed, "That isn't right. Those two are definitely from the Forces of Nature, that's a Dribble Dop and that one a Badoot. But…"

"But?"

"Their color is suppose to reflect forests and plants, like green and brown. Those look as if they were burned."

After the carpet flew farther and farther away, Day shrugged, deciding not to stress over it. It was then five minutes were coming near and the two arrived over the Goddess of Light's Palace. Everything was beautiful, resembling heaven. Below, Day was able to see floating islands with colosseum houses. People all dressed in prestine robes and togas that seem to brighten against the sun, they laughed in groups and sang merry songs. Their happiness relaxed as gentle tunes, around them children played with flying animals, everyone smiled. It was so peaceful despite what was happening outside of all of this. Looking ahead, the humans awed over the great staute of Lady Palutena and her wings spread out over the palace. Her hopeful figure standing out to the people, it even made Day and Emma feel safe. Though in truth, eyeing closely, a thin glowing barrier was seen wrapping around the whole palace like a dome. No centurions guarded the area and citizens were not crowding around, it was just silent and looked empty. As if it was untouched golden beauty. The carpet pulled up near the back of the domed palace, right above a garden. Emma then held out the key, but stopped by her little brother.

"Can I try?" He asks, eyes widening in excitement. Receiving the crystal, Daymein held it over the barrier. Working like a charm, the key opened an entrance through the dome. "Yay-" cheering, the boy accidentally loses his grip, letting the crystal slip between his fingers. Seeing this with rising guilt, Day leaps off the carpet and dives for the key. Emma panics and reaches out to grab him, upon missing she too finds herself falling. Falling right into the palace garden. But on the bright side, Day catches the key, Emma catches Day and they both fall into a pond. Wee. Ah. Splash.

:O :O :O

"Once again Pandora," Hades grinned with his pointed teeth showing, "well done." He then ordered her to "Thanatos, bring me the goddess."

"Argh! You will fall Hades!" The Goddess of Nature yelled, struggling against the tangles of darkness.

The King of Evil laughed, "perhaps you're right. But, I'm not worried of that anymore. In the end, Sun will rise in my place. What I'm doing right now, isn't for me, oh no it's for him. You see, I need time and you're going to help me with that."

"No!"

"Listen, Viridi. Listen to me." The cursed words that fell from Hades's mouth crawled their way into the goddess. "Or else, your friends with parish." The image of Arlon and Phosphora caged showed up and also Palutena and Pit trapped.

"What?!" The struggling stopped suddenly and Viridi's eyes grew red, she fell into the trance. "Yes Hades. The humans destroy beauty. I must kill them before the world becomes grey."

"Of course." His smile widen and he finished off with a grand laugh. "Thanatos, bring her to the reset bomb. It must have been difficult making such a thing. I'm curious, did... anyone help you?" He opened up a twisting portal.

The God of Death shook his head quickly, walking into the portal with Viridi. The spinning spun them on a destroyed sky island, the former reset factory to be exact. Any source of living has been burned black. The air was dry with ashes lingering in the wind. In the center sat a gigantic glowing seed, the veins moving in a steady beat, Viridi stood there waiting while Thanatos tried talking sense into her. Catching the time, he left and headed for Pandora's forest, he entered the vortex and was warped to a crumbling mansion. The book tree in the main hall had been crushed with multiple columns on top of it. The colored stain glass window above the throne was shattered and behind it was the secret room. The god slithered his way through the gap in search of his friend.

"Do not worry… everything is falling into place. Just, trust… me." A voice echoed through the room, a figure collapsed before a large mirror. Thanatos gasped and made his way to the figure. "I'm fine!" It yelled, "just… leave, before you're caught…" it breathed. "Thanatos, keep Hades busy. I need to straighten things out at Palutena's Palace."

:O :O :O

Squeak, squeak. Squeak, squeak.

The angel's ears perked up. "Lady Palutena... did you hear that?" He asked, sitting on the marble floor.

"Pit please, I'm trying to focus my power and find a way out."

Being dismissed, the servant laid back down on the cool marble floor. After a good breath or two, the small squeaking noises came once again. "There!" Pit shouted.

Being scared to pieces, the Goddess snapped out of her work with a jump and turned screaming, "What?!"

"The noises! I hear them, Lady Palutena I'm serious." With that he 'shh-ed' every word that came from her until they were completely silent.

Silence.

Palutena shook her head, "for the last time, I'm trying to figure out a way to escape. Hades and Pandora are very strong, it won't be that easy-"

Squeak, squeak, pop! The door swung open halfway with a boy following right behind. The tiny squeaking came from his wet boots, the boy completely soaked. "Um…" Being quite adorable, the shy human gazed at the floor and quietly spoke. "M-my name is Day… and um, can you please help me?"

"Wait, how…?"

Day frowned, "My n-name is Day and-"

"Theres not need to be scared." Palutena said gently, the boy looked up at her. "Now, explain how you got all the way up here."

"Alright, Miss Palutena."

"Oh, so you know who I am?"

Daymein nodded, "Yup. You're the Goddess of Light and that's Pit, the Kid Icarus who saved everyone." The two Skylians were quite impressed. "But I really need your help. Emma's in trouble! We're on our way over here until we fell into a fountain (which was my fault!) and Emma covered for me as I escaped."

With that the angel flew up on his feet and assured the human, "say no more. Let's go save her."

"Before you go, have this, Day." The goddess then snapped her fingers and out popped a pair of shoes, with that the kid's clothes also dried up. "I was working on an experiment for Pit, but I think you need it more." He looked at her then to Pit, who smiled. "It's our little gift for saving us."

"I call them Icarus Flights. They won't always work, but when the time is right, you'll be able to touch the sky just like us. Nice right?" Pit ruffled his hair, "now point me in the direction of your sister."

Pulling on the new kicks, Day yelled, "this way!" And, "thanks Miss Palutena!"

The two ran out of the room and the goddess drew up her screens again. One keeping an eye on her servant, the other searching around Viridi's gardens, and the last struggling to get a signal of Dark Pit's position. Time was running out and they still needed answers. "Be careful, I sense Pandora's presence… wait a minute… this?"

"What's wrong?"

Palutena scratched her head and closed her eyes, "this isn't right. I feel… two Pandora's."

"What? Two of them? Is it another one of her Shadow Links?"

She shook her head, "No, their spirits are different. Pit just be careful, Day too."

"Alright." Running through the halls, they encountered discolored nature creatures. "...Wait, this is Viridi's forces?"

Daymein nodded standing behind him, "I saw some before too."

"I never thought I'd have to fight another one of these." The angel sighed, clutching his first blade. "Let's try to avoid these, alright." They continued, sneaking past both shadow links and dark nature. The kid pointed the way until they got to the Palace Courtyard. The gates were closed and the area was deserted. Pit frowned, asking himself, "where are they?"

A voice came in the distance, it's volume rising as it came closer. Gun shots and laughs, "See ya!" Boom, boom.

Daymein cheered recognizing the voice, "Kuro!" And on cue the dark angel flew from above, landing in front of them.

"What? Daymein? Is Emma with you?" In the flesh, Dart Pit watched as the human bolted towards him for a hug. "Pit too? Wait, real Pit right?" There was so much to be explained. As Kuro lifted the human over on his shoulders, Lady Palutena and Pit answered a series of question for safe measure and the dark angel's paranoia. This lead to the Goddess asking how he escaped. "Believe me or not, the beast that took me hostage, simple let me go. Honest. It explained that I should head to the old reset bomb sky island (which I was until I ran into these little buggers, then heard my Day's little voice), and it also said I should trust the Shadow Links or whatever."

"What?!" Pit crossed his arms, "trust them? They're the reason why we were trapped in the first place. The shadow links are with Pandora!"

"Annnd?"

"Pandora tried to kill us!"

Speaking of which, Pandora's voice echoed. Her tone filled with anger, she appeared at the doorstep of the Palace. "You!" she screamed, pointing at Pit. Dark Pit on the other hand felt relieved, completely ignoring his counterpart's comment.

"Pandora." The dark angel said, expectation lingered in his words. It's been a while since he saw her and the last time they were together... well you know. To his surprise though, Pandora didn't take her eyes off of Pit who unsheathed his weapon. "Wait, Pandora?" She didn't even glance at him.

"Pit get out of there." Palutena grew worried. "Don't shoot unless it's necessary." She commanded and her servant nodded, understanding.

The person who didn't understand was poor DP, "whoa, whoa. Shoot? Are YOU crazy? She's on our side!" He then set down Daymein and approached the Goddess of Calamity, the person who made him cookies and took care of him. "Please calm down, I wasn't thinking straight back then. I just needed some space." Dark Pit stepped closer and closer.

"Out of the way." She spat.

Then it hit him, the angel stopped and backed off. "You're not Pandora-" as he was finishing his sentence, the goddess drew out her wand and summoned a Shadow Link so quick it was able to attempt a hit on DP. No worries he dodged just in time. Now this is where things may get confusing.

"That's enough." Demanded yet another voice, followed by a small cough. It came from a hooded figure which landed nearest Kuro. With a flip of a wrist, the figure revealed itself.

"Pandora? Wait, two of you? Lady Palutena you were right!" Pit tried to process everything.

The cloaked Pandora nodded, "yes. I'll explain things later, but you need to go. Palutena, send Pit to the old reset factory now. Thanatos should be there as we speak."

Pit was hesitant. He asked his goddess, "is she right Lady Palutena, about Thanatos?"

"Yes, he's there but-"

"We don't have much time." The cloaked Pandora seemed desperate. "Go now, I'll handle my Shadow Links. Viridi and all of humanity are in danger! "

Palutena frowned, thinking quickly. "Dark Pit, Day, watch her." And with that, she activated the power of flight and sent Pit to the sky. With them gone, we're left with: two Pandora's, Day and Dark Pit.

"Explain yourself." The angel was furious, looking for answers.

Pandora brought out her magician wand and barricaded the fake Pandora at the entrance of the Palace. With that being done, the Shadow Link who almost stabbed DP, disappeared and left everyone putting pieces together. Pandora explained that she had everything under control until her fake self went a little overboard. She didn't know her creation would actually reflect how she would act in that situation, being consumed by darkness and all. The reason why Pandora made the Shadow Links in the first place was to protect Dark Pit when she was too weak. Too weak because Hades place a curse on her (if you still remember). Using the strength she had left, Pandora created a copy of herself to serve Hades so he wouldn't become suspicious from her absence. She informed Thanatos and asked him to carry out some tasks like helping the humans. How the goddess knows so much is she kept watch in her mansion while resting and gaining strength.

"When you left, I-I went out searching for you until Hades pulled me into his hideout at the City of Souls." Pandora explained, "I had everything under control. The beast that captured you, I commanded him to let you go. It's just I wasn't able to do the same with the monsters my fake self summoned. It was a flaw in my design. I'm sorry-"

Day hugged Pandora out of nowhere. "It's okay lady. You were trying to help."

"Thanks kiddo." She snickered. Now down to business, "Hades brainwashed Little Safari Guide and created a new reset bomb built to destroy everything. Humans and nature. It's his 'stalling' plan which I don't know much about. Something about his excessor. I don't know, he's crazy. Anyways this is where you come in, head over to the hideout and see what's all that junk about. I will stay here and get yo girl back and teach Day how to treat bad guys. Heheh."

Kuro nodded slowly still trying to think about all that was thrown to him. Important stuff is, Pandora is back and on the good side, Viridi is going nuts which Put will hopefully fix, and Hades is planning something big. "Alright, Day you can trust Pandora. She's a little weird but you'll get use to it." He then turned to the goddess, "not a scratch on him or Emma."

"Aye, aye." She rolled her eyes, already waving.

Day waved too, "bye!"

"Hey kid, you know how to use those fliers?" Pandora asked, pointing to his shoes. "Real simple. Let Pandora show you how it's done."

Cheft: I was rushing at the end. Which may be a really big mistake, you guys tell me. Are you guys confused at all? Just message or review me and I'll explain it better or answer questions. PA almost out kiddos! Also Piridi and more Forces of Dark Nature next chapter, this was just like a little introduction. Aight? Aight.