Chapter 50: Skyworld Palace
There was certainly a turnout for the celebration party. Everyone was present. As Pit looked around the palace, he saw activity everywhere. Vinnia, Zephynn, Raven and Oscar were all there. Viridi and Poseidon were present too, as were Dyntos and Forde. Pit saw some gods that he had never seen before. He recognized Boreas across the room. Near him stood a goddess with blonde hair and icy blue eyes. This goddess wore a white dress with red wind patterns on its sleeves.
Another goddess hovered near to Zephynn and Vinnia, who were chatting in the corner. This goddess had light brown hair and light blue eyes. Her facial structure was almost the same as Zephynn's. He figured that goddess must be Phyra. The other goddess must be Europa. He looked around the room even more. He saw several other people around who were just there for the celebration. The centurions were back in action thanks to Dyntos and were carting around food and drink for everyone.
A few more figures Pit recognized were standing around the room. He saw Fauna from Hecate's temple with two other women who looked much younger than her. One woman had long blue hair and gentle eyes. She wore a light blue dress and was really quite pretty. The other had a hard face and her green hair was tied into a pony-tail. She looked like someone you didn't really want to mess with. Another goddess stood nearby them, leaning against the wall. She had blue hair and wore a black cape. She also wore an ornate blouse and a skirt that reached down below her knees. He figured that this must be Hecate, goddess of magic, mother of Lilia and Ladon.
Pit also saw some people he just hadn't seen in years. Phosphora, for one, was sitting in a windowsill plucking the petals off of a flower. Arlon stood chatting with Palutena on the steps of the sanctum.
At that moment, the six members of the newly and aptly named Dark Alliance appeared at the temple entrance and waited a few seconds before striding into the palace. First came Magnus, Gaol, and Jerund, whose name Pit had learned after the incidents in the Underworld. Ladon followed behind them. Dark Pit and Aria then followed arm in arm. Pit thought he saw Palutena cast a glance at them. He ignored the thought and moved over to Dark Pit and Aria, a wide smile on his face.
"And how have you two been?" he asked them in good heart. It was really the first time he was really happy in the longest time.
"Great!" Aria exclaimed, "The team has been working really well! We have more money than we know what to do with!"
"That's typical," said Pit, "I heard that the Dark Triad was pretty popular on its own."
"That they were," said Aria. There was a pause.
"You been practicing with that bow of yours?" Pit asked awkwardly to Dark Pit.
"Of course," said Dark Pit, "And I use it on a regular basis."
"Men and their weapons," Aria said. She then took Dark Pit by the arm and dragged him towards Palutena. Pit just chuckled. As he turned to look for another guest to talk to, he ran smack into Zephynn.
"Oh, hey," said Pit, "How have you been? Is it just me or do you look…"
"A little older?" said Zephynn, "Yep. It's not much, but my mom removed my immortality for my birthday present."
"Oh yeah," said Pit, "That was the day after we got out of the Underworld right?" Zephynn nodded grimly.
"I'm trying as hard as I can to not remember the journey I went through," said Zephynn, "It terrifies me to think about some of the situations I was in."
"Hey, you're alright now aren't you?" Pit asked, wrapping an arm around Zephynn's shoulder.
"Yeah… I guess you're right," said Zephynn, "It still bothers me though."
"What?" asked Pit.
"How weak I am," said Zephynn, "I just feel like I can become stronger, like I have a greater destiny that I need to prepare for."
"Zephynn, you helped take down gods," said Pit, "You're strong as you are. And if it's your goal to become stronger, then do it! Oh, and happy late 500th birthday by the way." Zephynn smiled.
"Thanks Pit," he said.
Vinnia happened to be leaning against the wall next to the windowsill in which Phosphora was sitting at the moment.
"Hey," Vinnia said, "Who are you?" Phosphora turned her head.
"Who are you?" she asked, a hint of mocking in her tone. Vinnia folded her arms.
"My name is Vinnia, daughter of Viridi," she said, taking Phosphora's answer as offense. Phosphora jumped down from the windowsill.
"Daughter of Viridi, eh?" she said, "Well, lucky you. I'm Phosphora, Viridi's right hand woman. How's that?"
"I think daughter outranks right hand," Vinnia said, raising her voice a little.
"Ooh, someone's feisty," said Phosphora teasingly, "Honestly, you're getting all worked up over nothing. I'm not insulting you at all. I'm just… putting you in your place. Viridi can't have two right hands you know."
"And where were you while the gods were kidnapped!?" Vinnia almost shouted, "At least I care about my mother!"
"FYI, girlie, I was busy taking care of Viridi's palace while she was gone," said Phosphora, "Is that not doing a service?"
"You are unbelievable!" Vinnia growled. She stormed away from Phosphora angrily. Phosphora blinked.
"What's her problem?" she asked herself.
Pit waved off Magnus and Gaol as their little conversation ended. He moved on to find the next person he hadn't talked to yet. Looking around, the first person who caught his eye was Palutena, who had left her conversation with Dark Pit and Aria. He met her at the edge of the stairs leading into the sanctum.
"Hey…"
"Not now Pit," said Palutena.
"Lady Palutena…" Palutena simply walked into the sanctum and vanished into a hallway. Pit's hand was still outstretched.
"She'll get over it," a voice came from behind him. He turned to see Viridi.
"Viridi…" he started.
"You've got to understand something about demigods Pit," said Viridi, "And I've already told Vinnia this; they tend to get used against their godly parents a lot. Especially when their godly parents don't have a lot of children, like Palutena and I."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Pit asked.
"That's why Palutena is upset," said Viridi, "You wouldn't understand, but I've heard that Dark Pit and Aria are… together." Pit gave Viridi a confused glance. Viridi rolled her eyes.
"You're so naïve," she said in annoyance. With those words she walked off. Pit smiled. It was an example of normality returning to the realm. Viridi was being Viridi. Joyousness echoed across the room from corner to corner. Most others were being themselves. A month of rest after a month-long journey certainly had helped to rejuvenate his strength, so he was feeling better than ever.
As the sun set, people began to stream out of the palace. Slowly the palace emptied out. Pit watched the people go. He said his farewells to Vinnia, Zephynn, and Raven, for he felt he wouldn't see them for a while, though he had faith that they would meet again. Soon, the courtyard was empty, as empty as it had been when he had been alone two months before. But now he wasn't alone. Everything was returning to normal. The preceding months had been hectic and chaotic.
But now, it was all over. Pit ignored that natural instinct inside of him that told him that evil was still around. He felt for sure that the darkness had passed with the nightmare, and that things could only get better from there. He just knew it.
A/N: Here ends Mystery of the Somewhat Staff. This is my second-longest undertaking on this site at fifty chapters in eleven months and nineteen days, almost a full year. I want to again thank the readers of this story and its sister, Dark Triad, for sticking around with us throughout. It really means a lot to us when people are reading and appreciating our work. Thanks to everyone who read this story. And be sure to stick around, because there are sequels planned to these two fanfictions! Bye-Bye 'til next time!
Again, I own no Kid Icarus characters, places, or ideas. All belong to Nintendo.
