Chapter 50: Skyworld Palace

Dark Pit walked into the massive palace, completely awestruck. It had been one month since they had defeated Panomni in the Underworld. The gods had come back and were quickly regaining their command over the world. Whatever Panomni had tried, had failed. Then why did Dark Pit still feel uneasy?

Dark Pit pushed those thoughts aside as he strode through the grand archway into Skyworld's central palace. Everyone who had been involved in the rescue of the gods was invited, and given a special token that would open a Sky Door to the palace.

Palace almost didn't even come close to what the structure was. It was massive, and shaped like a coliseum, but had a dome top. The outside was rimmed with golden pillars, and the archway was silver inlaid with sapphires. The place was so opulent that Dark Pit had a hard time believing that Palutena would do something like that. Then again, riches were plentiful in Skyworld.

Dark Pit and his team strode down the main hallway, arriving in the massive central chamber. It was semi-circular, with stairs in the opposite wall leading to who-knows-what. Dark Pit heard gasps coming from the rest of the Dark Alliance.

He couldn't believe how big his team had gotten. Aria, Jerund, and, surprisingly, Ladon had all signed onto the Dark Triad. However, "triad" implied three, so they had to come up with a new name for their mercenary band. Dark Alliance had sounded good. So they went with that. With six people working jobs, money was rolling in like never before, and the team often found that they had more than they knew what to do with. Then again, nobles did pay very handsomely.

After the shock was over, the entire team elbowed their way past Dark Pit, into the crowd. Only Aria remained by his side. Dark Pit took a deep breath.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Aria asked him.

He nodded affirmative. Dark Pit hadn't just come there to celebrate. He was also there to discuss his relationship with Aria and explain it to Palutena. It was a task that he had been dreading for two weeks straight, but he knew that it had to be done.

His girlfriend tugged him down the stairs, eager to begin the festivities. Girlfriend, Dark Pit thought to himself. I like that. It wasn't "wife," but it was a start. He just hoped that Palutena would take OK. His only consolation was that Palutena had been too busy reestablishing her dominion to take notice of the budding relationship. That meant that he didn't feel guilty for doing something behind the goddess's back.

Dark Pit took in the crowd. An enormous variety of entities had shown up, ranging from nature spirits to minor gods, it seemed that everyone who had some significance in the divine realm was there. Among the crowd, Dark Pit spotted some familiar faces. He could see Zephynn, Vinnia, Raven, her brother, whose name was Oscar, Dark Pit had learned, Dyntos, Forde the automaton (Dark Pit had been quite shocked to learn about that one), Poseidon, Viridi and Palutena. Dark Pit also recognized some faces from past adventures, such as Phosphora and Arlon.

And of course, there was Pit, who was currently on a collision course with Dark Pit, so to speak. Pit's usual, happy-go-lucky smile was plastered onto his face. The angel seemed truly happy for the first time since the nightmare began. Pit's enthusiasm may have been annoying, but at least it was normal.

"And how have you two been?" the angel asked.

"Great!" Aria answered enthusiastically. "The team has been working really well. We have more money than we know what to do with!"

"That's typical," Pit replied. "I heard that the Dark Triad was popular on its own."

"That they were," Aria said.

"Have you been practicing with that bow of yours?" Pit asked Dark Pit awkwardly, as if the angel had a hard time coming up with what to say.

"Of course," Dark Pit said. "And I use it on a regular basis."

"Men and their weapons," Aria stated.

Aria laughed, dragging Dark Pit towards Palutena, leaving a chuckling Pit behind. Palutena was engrossed in conversation with Arlon.

"…are in their most pristine condition," Arlon was saying, twirling his enormous moustache.

"Interesting," Palutena replied. "Do you need any support? I would be happy to honor the Light-Nature treaty in that regard."

"No, no, that won't be necessary. If you'll excuse me."

Palutena looked confused until Arlon pointed in Dark Pit's direction. The tall… whatever he was excused himself. The first thing Palutena did was throw her arms around her daughter. Dark Pit stood there awkwardly while mother and daughter embraced.

"How are you?" Palutena asked, disengaging from Aria.

"Better than good," Aria replied with a sincere smile. "Business has been up, and Dark Pit and I have had a lot of money to spend.

Palutena looked at Dark Pit, the slightest bit of suspicion in her eye. "'Dark Pit and I'?" Palutena questioned.

Dark Pit went beet red, realizing that Palutena had caught on. The best path now was just to come out with it.

"Aria is my girlfriend," Dark Pit blurted.

Palutena's countenance darkened considerably. "She is huh?"

"Yes," Aria said, supporting Dark Pit.

"And you are just now thinking to tell me?"

Dark Pit had his eyes locked at some point on the ground at his feet. "You have been busy, and so have we. It kind of happened, and we haven't really had time to tell anyone."

"I am not happy that you neglected to seek my permission or her father's." Then, Palutena's expression lit up with a thought. "Have you even gone to see your father?"

Aria looked down at the ground as well. "Once," she said meekly.

"So you're living with Dark Pit." It wasn't question.

"We aren't the only ones in the house," Dark Pit defended weakly.

"Mm-hmm," Palutena said. "Well I am going to say that I don't approve. I will be watching you like a hawk, angel. If you so much as lay a hand on her before you are wed, I will give you a fate worse than death."

Palutena stormed off, clearly in a bad mood.

"Well that could have gone better," Aria observed, clearly shaken. She looked at Dark Pit, who still had his eyes downcast. "Don't worry," she assured him, "she'll warm up to the idea."

"I hope so," was all Dark Pit could manage.


Ladon looked around, searching the crowd for a very specific face. He was dodging through the partiers, looking for his mother. He had to duck under floating utensils every now and then, making sure that his hat did not fall off.

Ladon had taken on the role of Dark Alliances chief tactician, librarian, and mage. He had gotten a gray cape with a high collar and robes to match. On his head was a wide-brimmed pointy hat, which was absurd when he thought about it logically, but his emotional side demanded that the hat stay. And he really did like it.

Finally, he saw her. Her face was so much like Lilia's that there could be no mistake. She had a head of short blue hair, a peaceful face, and an outfit that screamed "Magician." She wore a black cape with a high color and black blouse with a knee-length skirt to match. With his own magical powers, Ladon could sense magic radiated from her. That had to be Hecate.

"Mother?" he asked tentatively, getting the goddesses's attention.

"Hello, son," Hecate responded.

Ladon suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

"Have you acclimated well to your new position," Hecate asked.

"Yes, but how did-"

"Unlike some other gods I know, I am never too busy to keep track of my children. Of course, the fact that you are the only one I have right now makes things easier."

"I am your only child?"

"My only mortal one."

"Interesting."

"I am curious," Hecate started genuinely, "what magical field have you chosen to pursue?"

"Force," Ladon stated simply.

"That is an interesting choice," Hecate stated absently. "But also sense another power within you."

"I have devoted some skill to learning the arts of healing."

"That does not surprise me."

"I didn't think it would."

"Come," Hecate said, beckoning to an exit. "You must demonstrate what you have learned. I am interested in seeing your skill for myself."


The party went on long into the night. However, Dark Alliance excused themselves, one by one, about two hours after sun-down. It had been a great party, and everyone felt like they had been awarded ten times what their effort was worth.

Except Dark Pit that was. But, as he held Aria close to him and walked through the divine door back to the manor, he felt that everything was going to be all right.

A/N: That's pretty much it. There's still a little more to be said, but there's an epilogue for that.