It's been a long time since I did this one. I figured I'd get back to doing this story, if not only for a short while, since it's passed the 10th anniversary of Kid Icarus.
Just so you know, Alastor in this story is not the one from Hazbin Hotel. He's an actual character of demonology, and in this story he looks...just like Dante's Devil Trigger from Devil May Cry 1 with the Alastor Sword, which is also his weapon of choice here.
Welp...here you go.
Meanwhile, as Tasan and Viridi were dealing with the Thunderbird, Pit and Camael reached the ginormous tree in the center of the village. It stretched far into the sky and thunderclouds circled around it. And by looking at it, did Pit recognize the scent of Reset Magic.
Pit:"Yep. Just as I suspected. Definitely part of Viridi's handiwork."
Camael:"What do you mean?"
Pit:"Viridi had a huge vendetta against mankind. Pretty much the size of this tree. So...she tried to annihilate them all by planting resent bombs all around the world so that Nature could flourish at an accelerated rate."
Camael:"That is madness! Humanity has every right to the world as Nature does!"
Pit:"Well...she just hated humans because they were always destroying stuff, waging war against each other, causing Nature to suffer in the process."
Camael:"Hardly an excuse! Divine Beings are not to meddle in the affairs of Mortals in such a way that causes mass genocide. Our father judgement is the most righteous, and tis one of many reasons why we put our faith in him."
Pit:"Your God sounds like he's really trustworthy."
Camael:"As he should be. He is the Creator, after all. But enough of that for now, we much reach the top. The Angel of Destruction is no doubt waiting for us there."
Pit looked up at how high the tree went, and was immediately getting flashbacks of the Chariot Master's Tower.
Pit:"Oh...this is gonna be another long one."
The two headed inside an opening at the bottom of the tree. Once inside, they could see that the tree was rather hollow, but not naturally. In fact, most of its residence was of demonic origin, who have sucked the life from the tree and were now leaving it to rot in husk. Not that it mattered at the moment, as what was important was reaching the top of the tree. Pit could see that its route would make good enough walkways for them to start climbing.
Pit:"Welp, looks we'll have to start climbing. I'll clear a path so that you can make it through easy. Then, we-"
But, without a word, does Camael simply grab Pit by the arm and spread out his wings.
Pit:"Whoa, what are you doing?!"
Camael:"Taking an alternate path!"
And with that, he lifted off in the hollow tree. Pit was caught off guard by how fast he was going, as he held onto Camael's arm for dear life. It was easier said than done, as Camael was forced to move around in order to dodge roots, branches and demons attempting to stop them. Nothing the two couldn't handle as Camael moved at the speed of an airplane. But their 'shortcut' came to a sudden stop when Camael held himself and Pit from colliding with a major obstacle in their path. It seems as if the tree wasn't as dead inside as they thought, for giant roots had suddenly appeared formed a ceiling in order to keep them from going any further.
Camael:"This is the demon's work."
Pit:"No argument there. How are we supposed to get through?"
It was then that a brand new path had appeared before them, as an opening from the tree's side had allowed them to continue. Tossing Pit from his grip, Camael followed as the two angels found themselves on a wooden platform that continued to head up. Before they could press onward, they took notice of how the skies were more clear than before, and there seemed to be no sign of the Thunderbird, until the duo saw smoking rising from the town.
Camael:"It would seem that Tasan and the little one have vanquished the Thunderbird."
Pit:"Great! That means we could return to Heaven! Plan our next course of action."
Camael:"(looks upward) Perhaps...Although, with how events are occurring, I'm not sure if my old home will be the same as I remember it."
Pit:"I'm sure things will be okay, Camael. Have faith."
Camael:"Hmph. Using my own words against me. Well played. Now come, let us vanquish the lightning demon!"
Pit:"Beside you all the way!"
And so, the two began to scale the tall tree, seeming to only be halfway up as there seemed to be no other way up at this point.
Pit:"Camael, why can't we just fly from here?"
Camael:"I believed it would be unfair of me to fly why you scale this tree alone."
Pit:"Oh. That's very considerate."
Camael:"Also, I do believe those lightning bolts at the very top would electrocute anything within their radius."
Pointing up, the Archangel showed Pit that he wasn't joking. There seemed to be lightning blasting from the very top of the tree, and as they see the lightning blast away any birds flying close by, it would appear that the demon, Alastor has taken many precautions to ensure they wouldn't reach him so easily.
Pit:"Ugh. This is gonna be just like the tower."
Camael:"Whatever tower you're preferring to, I highly doubt this will be anything like this. We can still excellent time if we find another way back inside the tree."
Pit:"Alright! Let's do it then!"
Climbing up the tree was still no easy task, as the tree itself seemed to be trying to stop them from reaching them, with branches appearing them in the form of arms, trying to grab and crush them, as well as the demonic forces that the tree seemed to be spawning from his own rotten shell. As they fought and pushed some of their enemies off the tree, Pit took notice of some of their appearances.
Pit:"Hey! These look like corrupted versions of Viridi's Forces of Nature."
Camael:"Is that right? No doubt, a result of the Devil's corruption."
Specifcally, Pit recognized Bladers gliding in the air, albeit in a more sinister and tortured appearance. It's body now contains substances of flesh and blood, its singular eye now an irritable eye now an irritable red, and its blades sharped and menacing, looking ready to slice through anything in its path. And that, they tried to do as they divebombed towards the Angels, exploding on impact.
Pit:"Whoa! This is new! Didn't think these weirdos could get anymore dangerous!"
Camael:"Less talk, more sprinting!"
They ran and climbed up the branches as much as they could, doing their best to avoid collision with the blades. Camael was even defending himself by blasting the monsters with fire, but Pit wasn't so luck as he got blown off his feet, and onto another branch.
Pit:"Ah!"
Camael:"Are you alright?!"
Pit:"(popping bones) Yeah...I'm fine!"
Camael:"It amazes me how you've survived this long."
Pit:"Yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before! Just keep going and don't worry about me! These things won't slow me down!"
The blades weren't the only things trying to attack them. For coming out of the very bark of the tree were Urgles, and they two were more sinister in appearance. Not only were their veins and singular eyes changed colors from teal and yellow to violet and red, but their stubby feet have grown in appearance, matching the claws they have, that now looked strong enough to crush Pit and Camael in their grips. Speaking of, Pit was actually caught in the claws of a tortured Urgle, punching the monster in the face in an attempt to escape while Camael held back another Urgle with his staff.
Pit:"(while punching) Ugh! These guys were less annoying when Viridi ruled over them."
Camael:"I never would've guessed...(sets fire to his Urgle) Now, can we move on, please?!"
Pit:"Yep! (slices Urgle's head off)"
After battling their way through the branches of the tree, they finally found a way back inside and rushed inside...but not before the opening behind them sealed.
Camael:"Great. I can only assume that's bad."
Pit:"I don't know. I think I prefer being in here than out there."
But then, they heard some stomping coming their way and looked to see a singular Boom Stomper in front of them. Though, it wasn't doing anything to them...yet.
Camael:"...Dare, I even ask what is that?"
Pit:"Don't worry. Boom Stomper look tough, but they fall pretty like all the rest."
But then, the Bomb Stomper does something unexpected as its rock like body begins to break apart and revealing parts of flesh. Two more sets of stubby feet broke out of the stone and carried the body as two giant parts of it broke apart to claws. A face was revealed, having multiple eyes and an uninviting mouth that looks like it wants to gobble up the Angels. The Boom Stomper was no longer a force of nature, but rather an abomination with an appearance reminiscent to a giant crab/spider, and Pit was rather shocked by the look of it.
Pit:"Okay...that's new."
Camael:"(twirls is staff) It matters not. Like you said, it will fall."
Pit:"Yeah! Let's cook this crab!"
As they advanced upon the creature, they underestimated his speed as it brought its claws down upon the angels. Pit aimed for the parts of exposed flesh, hoping that the claw would break apart at the blasts. That was as hard as aiming at a dart board from ten feet away, as the bullseye Pit was going for was just as small. Once again, did Camael find himself between a rock and hard place as he was caught between the pinches of the beast's claw that were trying to crush him, bracing his staff between the two. He managed to get out of and attack around it, doing his best to smash through the rock, leaving only bleeding crack for Pit to break through.
Pit:"Come on! (fires)"
Camael:"Die, you abomination!"
With Holy Fire, Camael sets the monster ablaze while Pit finishes off by jumping at its head, stabbing it with his bow before jumping. The two Angels were about to press on, seeing some steps appear for them continue upward, when the mutated stomper rose again, getting their attention. Before it could do anything to them, however, a ball of fire came through the tree and landed on top of the monster, destroying it. That fireball revealed itself to be Tasan and Viridi, the former of the two holding a familiar/naked looking lightning user in his arms.
Pit:"Tasan, Viridi, and...Phosphora?"
Tasan:"Lady Viridi explained who she was to me. Apparently, she was inside the Lightning Bird, keeping it alive as it fed off her energy."
Viridi:"(raspy voice) She's been unconscious since we freed her...(coughs)"
Pit noticed Viridi wasn't looking too good. Her skin was now looking a pale green, like if she were about to throw up, dark bags surrounded her eyes and she was looking ready to topple over her own feet.
Pit:"Gosh, Viridi. Are you okay?"
Viridi:"I-I'm fine..."
But she was clearly wasn't. Coughing into her hand, she was horrified to see that it was covered in blood. Seeing that she was going to faint made Pit catch her just in time as Viridi could barely stay awake.
Pit:"Viridi?! What is happening?"
Tasan:"Without her Godly power, her body is growing weaker. It won't be long before she ceases to live."
Pit:"Then we gotta hurry and restore her! Maybe there is something in Heaven that can help her for now."
Tasan:"Perhaps."
Phosphora:"Ugh...my head."
Seeing that the Lightning Flash Demi-God was regaining consciousness, The Enforcer Angel placed her on the floor to let her regain herself. Upon doing so, does Phosphora find herself in an unfamiliar place. She also say that she was deprived of any clothes, and fixed the problem quickly by summoning her normal attire back onto her.
Phosphora:"What the-? (looks around) Where am I? ...Pit?!"
Pit:"(nervously) Heeeey, Phosphora."
The sight of her Goddess in a horrid state made Phosphora panic.
Phosphora:"Mistress Viridi?! What has happened?! What have I missed?! (gets charged up) And Pit, WHAT did you do?!"
Pit:"Whoa! I did nothing! I swear!"
Tasan:"Calm yourself, Lady Phosphora."
Phosphora:"Wait. I know you. That Angel I saw, when I was that bird-thing...You set me free?!"
Tasan:"Indeed. I am Tasan, Enforcer of Heaven's Justice. Beside me are Angels, Pit and Camael."
Phosphora:"Well, I know Pit all too well. But to think there were other Angels besides him."
Camael:"There are thousands of us here."
Phosphora:"Really? ...Are they all as charming as you?"
Camael:"...I'm going to ignore that question."
Pit:"Phosphora, this is no time to be flirty. Viridi is in serious trouble?"
Phosphora:"What happened to her?!"
Pit:"Lucifer drained her of her Godly power. We have to find a way to restore her, or she'll die!"
Phosphora:"Then what are we waiting for?!"
Tasan:"First, we must destroy Alastor. Then, we will return to the White City in order to do everything in our power to ensure that Lady Viridi is preserved."
Phosphora:"Hmm...as much as I would love to help you out with that- (takes Viridi from Pit) -I think I'll find a faster way to help her."
And with that, Phosphora took flight, heading to the top of the tree on her own.
Camael:"Another disrespectful brat. (turns to Pit) Does anyone in your world get their comeuppance?"
...And then, they heard Phosphora screaming pain, and the sound of lightning being blasted.
Pit:"Sound like she just did."
Tasan:"Come. There's no time to waste."
Reaching the top of the tree, they arrived to see Phosphora on the ground, still holding Viridi in her arms as they looked to see who attacked her. It was the lightning demon himself, Alastor, who was hovering in the air with his wings spread and an arm stretched out to the team of Angels.
Alastor:"You've destroyed my pet and rendered her useless. Punishment for such a treachery is your destruction."
Pit:"Alastor!"
Alastor:"Ah, the flightless one. And Heaven's errand boys. As much I was I would want to continue this reunion, Lord Lucifer beckons."
Before he could get away though, Viridi regain a little bit of consciousness and raised her arm to the sky. Just before Alastor could escape, an invisible barrier prevented him from flying any further away, just like when Pit faced the Chaos Kin. This peeved the Executioner Demon, as his body coursed with electricity and he went to face the three Angel, who've taken a stance against him.
Alastor:"Fine...(summons Alastor Sword) I suppose I'm going to have to do this the hard way...I wasn't made Grand Executioner on fear alone."
Tasan:"Time for this storm to pass."
Pit:"My thoughts exactly!"
And so, their battle ensued. Alastor kept to the skies, hovering over the three angels as he blasted them with lighting bolts in the hopes of frying them to a crisp. Pit was quick enough to dodge as much lightning as he could while he and Camael fired at the demon. Tasan tried to get close and take the skies so that he could meet Alastor on equal footing. But as their blades clashed, Alastor was much faster, forcing Tasan to stay on the offensive before the demon struck hard enough to send him back down to solid ground. Then, Alastor comes to the ground himself, and before anyone could see, he quickly slashes Camael 4 times as fast as before, and then turns to Pit, stabbing him with blinding speed and creating enough momentum to blast them backward. Then, he swung the sword in an upward rising motion, bashing up the poor Angel into the air, before slashing him back down to the ground. Pit could barely recover as he pulled himself back up and wiped some blood coming from his mouth.
Pit:"This guy makes Phosphora look like child's play! He's even faster than her!"
Tasan:"Don't let his moves confuse you, Pit! He relies to much on his offensive attacks! Look for an opening, and look for it fast!"
Pit:"Got it!"
Alastor:"Don't think you can keep up with me!"
Deciding to go on the offensive, Pit rushed in and started to bring up a barrage of attacks. Yet, they seem to do little effect on the Archdemon, who either blocks or counter attack the Angel makes before trying to land a few hits himself. Pit tries to block the in coming blade, hoping that Alastor isn't successful in braking his guard, then he dashes away from the demon before he begins to fire at him with over a thousand arrows. With lightning speed, the demon attempts to plunge the sword into Pit's chest, only for the Angel to swiftly dodge and at the moment, attack like crazy. It was about time someone landed something on Alastor, as he was pushed back and almost stumbled around his own feet. He was about to attack, when suddenly...
(ZAP)
He was electrocuted. Ironic, no? Dropping his sword, he turned to see Phosphora, stretching her arm out at him.
Phosphora:"That's for hurting my mistress!"
Alastor:"Nature loving bitch! I'll pull your guts out through your throat!"
Just as he was about to charges at her, Alastor felt massive pain coming through his chest...and saw that he was impaled by his own blade.
Pit:"Nice knife!"
Slashing the sword outward and then out the demon's torso, Pit was able to finish off the demon as Alastor started spinning around, screaming in pain until his wholy body was unengulfed in flames...and then exploded.
Pit:"So long, and good riddance!"
Tasan:"Well done, Pit. Thanks to you, we are no longer cut off from the Heavens, and are a high enough vantage point to reach out them."
Pit:"Does that mean you can summon the Flaming Chariot again?"
Without a word, Tasan raises his hand up to the Heavens, and within seconds, the flaming chariot returns and picks up Pit while the other two Angels spread the wings and fly. But before he decided to leave, Pit could still see Phosphora comforting her out cold Goddess and pulled on the reigns on Elijah and Elisha, coming to a halt as he went back down to the two, and offered Phosphora a hand...
Pit:"Hey! Need a lift?"
Phosphora gave Pit a smile as she took her hand and climbed onto the chariot. And with that, they blasted off, back to the White City...
