Mika: Hi! This chapter took me forever to write! Shout outs go to SmashBrosFan96 Jr, El Presidente and JH24! Your feedback really helps me get through hard times. Thank you so much for the reviews! We are getting close to the end of this story, but I am working on a sequel. Just as a heads up, there are a few bloody scenes, but nothing too graphic.

Medusa: She may have snuck a curse word in here too. Mika doesn't own us, but she does own Aeria, even though she's my servant.

Mika: Heh. Anyways… Onto the next chapter!

Chapter 9: Conflict

It wasn't very long before Pit and Aeria were sent out with the Power of Flight. The two were given special weapons moments before they left. Aeria received a pair of daggers imbued with a mysterious energy from Medusa. The blades were silver with the Underworld symbol engraved into them. The Goddess of Darkness also gave Pit a new bow, perhaps as her way of thanking him for his help. The bow was black like the night sky, and two silver snakes were coiled around it. Pit and Aeria felt prepared. It was time to finally stop Palutena before she caused further damage. "I remember Palutena's Temple having a force field around it for protection." The angel said, "Won't that be a problem?" Pandora giggled in their minds, "Not if you know someone who can disable force fields." Aeria tilted her head, "Who can disable a shield made of pure light energy?"

"Why, who else, silly?" A rather unusual sounding male voice echoed. Pit's eyes widened, "Oh no…" An overweight creature with green skin and lacking a shirt appeared in front of them. "It's me, of course! The HAMAZING Thanatos! Hoo hoo hoo!" Pit groaned. How was this guy still alive?! During the war, Thanatos had been killed off three times, yet somehow, he still managed to come back. "You can disable Palutena's shields, Thanatos?" Aeria asked curiously. The God of Death made a goofy smile, "I most certainly can! Now, watch and learn!" He transformed into an odd-looking snake with red fangs.

Pit watched the bumbling God wearily, "Are you sure he can actually do this?" Medusa sighed, "He may be foolish, but Thanatos has more power than he usually shows." The strange snake form of Thanatos charged into the shield. The moment he made contact, he bit into the light energy with his red fangs. The shield flickered and burst within moments. Thanatos turned back into his normal form and twirled about, "Ta-daa! The shield is down!" Aeria held back a giggle. "Thank you, Thanatos!" The God of Death chuckled. "No problem! Have fun taking down Palutena! Farewell!" Pit blinked, "How did he…? Did you tell him, Medusa?" The Goddess of Darkness shook her head, "No, but at this point, I've learned not to question him. Let's go."

Once they flew past the fallen shield, they were stopped when they saw countless figures flying out of the Temple. The entire angel fleet must have been waiting for them! Pit and Aeria flew into battle, though they didn't expect how many angels there were. A flash of purple caught Pit's attention. He looked up and saw his counterpart, "Pittoo!" The dark angel shot down one of the opposing angels and cursed under his breath. "Stop calling me Pittoo!" Aeria looked at the darker twin, "Simply here to fight again?" Dark Pit smirked, "Maybe, but this time, a certain Goddess of yours has a surprise." The hybrid tilted her head curiously.

An ear-piercing screech was heard moments before a group of massive creatures swooped down and took out several opposing angels. Pit gasped, "The Harpies?!" Aeria smiled as Medusa hummed. "They were grateful when you freed the Underworld creatures. Think of this as their way of returning the favor." Dark Pit blocked an oncoming attack and glanced at his light counterpart. "Now's your chance! Get into Palutena's Temple!" Pit nodded, "Thanks, Pittoo! You always know how to show up at the right time." The dark angel groaned in frustration, "Why can't you stop calling me Pittoo?!"

Pit and Aeria successfully landed inside of Palutena's Temple. The angel hadn't seen this place in a while. He never could've imagined that this place, which he called home, would become the base for a fight that he never wanted. Aeria noticed his internal conflict. "Pit, if we do not stop her now, she may never realize the horrible things she has done." The angel sighed, "I know, but…even though I turned against her, I can't help but worry about fighting her." The hybrid didn't know how to respond, and instead placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Pit still held onto his faith. He hoped that it would be enough.

They soon entered the throne room, where the Goddess of Light was waiting, as if she planned for them to make it this far. Palutena held a cold expression in her eyes. "So, are you here to fight me?" Pit flinched from her tone and was overcome with a sense of déjà vu. He had fought against her once before, but that was when she could not control her actions. Now, he had to face her as an enemy. Pit took a deep breath and readied his bow, while Aeria pulled out her daggers. "No. We are here to save you!"

The Goddess of Light, much like her sister, was incredibly skilled at both long range and melee combat. Whenever one of them landed an attack, she would come up with a new strategy and return twice the damage. Pandora came up with a plan for the two servants. Pit used his aiming for long distance, while Aeria would dodge attacks and land hits at a close range. The battle was intense, but Palutena finally stumbled back. "Palutena, please, you have to stop this!" Pit panted. Aeria had been weakened as well, but neither of them were going to back down.

Palutena scowled, "I won't be defeated by a traitorous angel and a hybrid." She raised her staff and a pair of wings made out of pure light sprouted from her back. The Goddess moved at the speed of light, making it impossible for the two servants to prepare for her attacks. Pandora grit her teeth, "Now that's just unfair." Pit yelped as a sudden blast of light energy knocked him back into a wall. He groaned and rubbed the back of his head. Aeria had been hit several times and struggled to stay standing. She tried to call for her Goddess, "Mistress…" Palutena attacked her again and the Harpy hybrid collapsed. Pit gasped, "Aeria!" He forced himself to stand up and grabbed his bow.

"It seems that you have underestimated the power of a Goddess." Palutena said, though she was practically invisible due to her speed. "Hang in there, Pit! Someone's coming to help!" Pandora said worriedly. Pit grunted as he managed to endure another attack. "Who?" The Goddess of Calamity ignored the question. "Just focus your attention on Palutena as much as you can." Pit tried his best to keep track of Palutena's movements. It felt as if she was circling him tauntingly. With this knowledge and a bit of luck, he managed to land an attack. Palutena hovered in the air, completely visible now. She raised her staff and began charging up a powerful blast of light.

Pit never felt the impact, though. He gasped as a dark figure emerged from the shadows and disrupted Palutena's attack. "Medusa?!" The Goddess of Darkness raised her staff, summoning her own wings made from dark energy. The two sisters clashed violently, each determined to best the other. Pit hurried over to Aeria and shook her gently. "Aeria? Come on, you need to get up!" One of Palutena's light attacks was redirected to the two servants. Medusa's eyes widened and shielded them with her body, taking the damage herself. "Medusa! Are you alright?" Pit asked. The Goddess winced, but stood strong. "I'm fine."

Palutena must have noticed the look of concern crossing her sister's expression. "You really seem to care about that hybrid, don't you?" Medusa's snakes hissed and her eyes flashed dangerously. Her claws lit up with a red aura as she tried to go for a melee attack. The Goddess of Light blocked her with her shield. "You've never shown concern over the well-being of your servants before. Why do you suddenly care now?" Medusa growled and knocked her sister back with a burst of dark energy. "Leave Aeria out of this." Pit saw Palutena's eyes widen when the realization hit her. "No. You wouldn't…"

The angel grimaced as Medusa was struck by Palutena's shield. "How could you?! It's forbidden and you know that!" The Goddess of Darkness smirked as blood dripped from the corner of her mouth. "Do you really think I care? I don't give a damn about those rules!" She evaded a blast of light and slashed at her sister from behind. Palutena cried out as her shoulder had been badly cut open. Pit heard the voice of Pandora, "Well at this rate, they're going to kill each other if this doesn't end soon." Palutena struck her counterpart once again with her shield. The force of the attack made one of the Temple walls collapse.

Dark Pit knocked out the last of the opposing angels when he saw the two Goddesses flying out of the Temple, attacking each other brutally. Pit managed to carry Aeria's unconscious form outside, placing her gently next to one of the trees. Dark Pit landed next to his twin. "They aren't showing any mercy." Pandora spoke up again, "Why would they? Both of them have done some pretty horrible things to each other. The only way to end this is if one of them admits defeat."

Palutena and Medusa stared at one another for a long moment, breathing heavily. Both were badly injured, but neither showed any sign of giving up. "I won't let you get in humanity's way anymore, Medusa. You have caused enough damage." Palutena held up her staff, gathering light energy for one final attack. Her white dress was stained in red and there were deep gashes on her body. Medusa gave a weak laugh, blood dripping from her mouth. There were large tears in her dress, revealing skin that had been horribly burned from the light attacks. "I've caused enough damage? Look at what you have done to your own angels! You were supposed to protect them, but you favored the humans instead. Because of your ignorance, the humans have been killing the Underworld's inhabitants, the Forces of Nature and your angels!" She aimed her staff at her sister, gathering dark energy for her own attack.

Palutena shook her head in denial, "I would never abandon my angels." Medusa raised an eyebrow, "Really? What about Pit? You turned against him the moment he realized the truth." The Goddess of Light looked at Pit and hesitated. "I…" Medusa's attack was almost ready. Just a little longer… "You told me that you would take care of him." Palutena looked at her sister. Pit stared at the two with a puzzled expression. "Instead, you abandoned him…just like you abandoned me." Medusa suddenly fired a huge blast of dark energy. The Goddess of Light's wings vanished as she began to plummet. "Palutena!" Pit couldn't help himself and nearly went after her. Dark Pit grabbed him at the last second. "Don't be an idiot! You don't have the Power of Flight!"

Pit looked at Medusa desperately. The Goddess of Darkness didn't look at him, but dove after her sister. Medusa caught her within seconds and placed her near the Temple's entrance. Palutena groaned softly and forced her eyes open. "Medusa? Why would you…?" Medusa ignored her sister and spotted the twin angels carrying Aeria. They set the hybrid down carefully and stepped back when the Goddess moved closer. Medusa winced as she knelt down to her servant. Despite her own injuries, the Goddess of Darkness used her powers to heal Aeria's wounds.

Palutena watched her sister with a confused and slightly darkened expression. Pit noticed the conflicting emotions in her eyes. He sighed. He knew it would take time for everyone to recover from the events that took place. The angel himself felt more lost than ever. Medusa finally turned her attention to her sister, who managed to ask, "What should we do?"

Mika: There's one more chapter to upload next week, so don't leave yet! Feel free to review!