Alright. I'm back. And I'm SO sorry for the long delay! College got really hectic near the end and I just kinda fell out from all writing for a bit! Combined with some writers block and I was a recipe for disaster. So let's start with one of your favorites. ONTO THE SHOW~! I own nothing except my ideas.
Ash waited near the door, ready to get moving as Pit ran over. "Ready to go?"
Pit nodded as he stopped beside him. "Yeah...it's gonna be weird to be deployed by someone other than Lady Palutena." He admits.
"Luckily you don't need to get used to it if we finish this quickly." Ash reassures, only for both of them to wince as a voice shrieks into their heads.
"I heard that! Come on you two let's get going!" Viridi snapped angrily.
"Alright! Alright!" Ash said, rubbing his ears.
"Now let's get going!" She orders, both of them leaping out the door and taking flight in their own way.
Ash let electricity surge around him as he flew. "So what's the plan?"
"I'll explain on the way." Viridi said, just as Underworld enemies appeared.
"Underworld troops on the scene!" Pit made notice of, the two opening fire.
"I'll send in some troops, if they get in your way I can pull them out." Viridi said, her troops appearing near them to assist.
Pit grinned. "You know, you can be really nice when you try." He complimented.
"What did I say about sucking up?" Viridi asked, a slight tone of embarrassment in it.
"And she's back, ladies and gentlemen." Ash snarked with a grin. "So, the plan?"
"The force field around Palutena's temple is incredibly strong." Viridi started, both listening and fighting, though not too much effort being put in due to her troops. "We're going to need to borrow the Lightning Chariot."
"That sounds awesome!" Both boys exclaim. "What is it?" Pit asked a moment after, making Ash snicker.
"It's a super fast battle carriage that travels the galaxy." Viridi responded. "It's also pulled by unicorns~!" She squealed as they were sent a mental image of the chariot. The two unicorns that she mentioned had pale blue skin and pink manes, with yellow horns and lightning bolt resembling hooves. "And THAT'S what we're gonna use to break through the force field?" Pit asked, looking worried.
"Exactly." Viridi proudly proclaimed.
"...So basically, you're telling me to ram a horse cart into a brick wall." He elaborated.
"Sure, if you wanna put it crudely." Viridi replied.
"Which means I might die." Pit said.
"Well, anything's possible." Viridi said.
"Does the lightning chariot at least have air bags?" Pit asked, worry now growing on his face.
"Last I checked, no." Viridi answered.
"Uh, I'm not a safety nut, but even I draw the line somewhere!" Pit retorted in fear.
"Well, what does Ash have to say?" Viridi asked, bringing attention to him.
"Well, if I know anything about lightning, it pierces. If this thing truly is the 'Lightning Chariot' it's not gonna ram...it's gonna cut." Ash answered, making Pit relax some.
"I see...alright, if you trust it Ash I'm with you!" He agreed.
"Good, I thought I was gonna have to pull a guilt trip on you." Viridi said.
"Hey!" Pit complained as they flew down to some hills. "Aren't we a little low to be flagging down a galactic chariot?" He asked.
"It's not like those chicken wings of yours are really helping any." Viridi retorted.
"Yeah, yeah." Pit muttered.
"Don't worry. I've got a great plan."
"I am concerned." Ash said bluntly.
"Have you ever been to the circus, boys?" Viridi asked, ignoring the jab. "My favorite act is the human cannonball. It's such a...thrill ride!" She continued.
"No..." Ash muttered, realizing where she's going with this.
"We're going to do our own version, but with an angel instead!" Viridi finished.
"No way, uh-uh, absolutely NOT!" Pit protested loudly.
"Ugh, you're both so boring, where's your sense of adventure?" She complained.
"Probably where my lunch will soon be after this!" Pit gulped.
The two arrived at a large cannon, the size of a building. Viridi guided Pit into it and aimed it to the sky.
"I...got my own way up." Ash sheepishly admitted.
"Alright! Here we go then!" Viridi cheered, Pit complaining within the cannon. "Three, two, one! Fire!" She shouted, the cannon firing and sending Pit flying into the sky and all the way into space.
Ash brought out Celestial's Will and slashed the air, a portal forming, he leaped into it and appeared beside Pit as he regained his composure.
"I could have been blown to smithereens!" Pit shouted in fear.
"But you weren't! Look on the bright side!" Viridi cheerfully retorted, making both sigh.
The two flew through the galactic sea, only to be under attack by Underworld enemies once more.
"The Underworld presence is very strong. Hmm..." Viridi mulled.
"Think they're after the Lightning Chariot too?" Ash asked.
"Huh? Oh! Incoming!" She shouted, the two turning just to see a blue streak of lightning zoom across the sky, destroying any Underworld troops it passed by.
"It is cruisin'!" Pit said in awe.
"The chariot's headed for its home base. Stay on it!" Viridi commanded, both of them surging forward into a warp tunnel after it.
"Well, hello again, friends!" Came the oh so familiar voice of Hades.
"Hades!" Pit growled.
"Hades?" Ash asked.
"Ugh, Hades..." Viridi groaned.
"Just look at you all, sneaking around behind Palutena's back." Hades teased. "It's classic."
"Shut your mouth!" Pit snapped angrily.
"What do you want, Hades?" Ash asked, face firm.
"The Lightning Chariot, obviously!" Hades answered.
"You creep! Just go away already!" Viridi snapped.
"It's one slick ride!" Hades continued. "A veritable goddess magnet if you will."
"So you're wanting to use a chariot that rides at the speed of lightning...to pick up goddesses?" Ash asked incredulously.
"That's the plan!" Hades cheerfully admitted.
"Oh good grief." Ash muttered as they came out of the tunnel, only to both yelp as lightning started to strike around them.
"Whoa!" Pit shouted as they dodged them.
"It gives me such pleasure to see you suffer, Pitty Pat." Hades said, completely disregarding Ash.
"Just ignore him, Pit." Ash whispered, Pit nodding.
A structure began to appear up ahead, the most noticeable part about it was the tall tower in the center. "The Lightning Chariot is up ahead." Viridi said.
"We've got to get to it before the Underworld does!" Pit said.
"Both the Lightning Chariot and its master are in that tower." Viridi pointed out. "I'll drop you off on the ground floor."
"No need." Ash said, summoning his lightning lance. "I can get is halfway up there at least." He aimed the lance, which crackled with lightning. "Fire!" He exclaimed as he threw it with the clap of lightning, the lance zooming across the sky before impaling itself into the tower a little over halfway.
"Hang on Pit!" Ash said, holding his hand out to Pit, who took it as Viridi disabled his flight, a lightning tether connecting Ash to the lance started to pull them into it.
"Wow Ash! That's amazing!" Pit complimented in awe.
"Thanks." Ash said with a grin.
The two landed midway and jumped when they heard a voice. "Who dares trespass on my domain?" An elderly voice required. "Leave before you get hurt!" He warns.
"Who said that?" Pit asked.
"I've had many names in my life, but now I am called the Chariot Master." The voice replied.
"The Chariot Master, so you're the wielder of the Lightning Chariot, yes?" Ash asked.
"That is correct." He replied.
"Then we have a request, we wish to borrow your Chariot to save the Goddess Palutena." Ash explained, knowing Pit would handle it with little tact.
"Hmm, a rather large request, meet me atop the Tower, and I will answer your request." The Master commands.
"Alright then! We're heading up!" Pit said, before breaking out into a run with Ash to the top.
Update.
We interrupt this story to bring you some news, due to the overwhelming amount of crap in this chapter, the author would like to spare his fingers from pain and you all from more waiting by skipping a good majority of the tower, it will be acknowledged and pointed out, but this level is just too much. Thank you.
End Update.
The two fought there way through a majority of the tower's defenses, Underworld minions, and Hades' jibes, panting loudly as they walked up another ramp. "And...that's the end of them! Are we there yet?" Pit asked, panting.
"Good job, but not yet." Viridi responded, both groaning. "But there's just a little ways to go. Oh, and I have a special treat for you both up ahead~" Viridi said in a sing song tone, but curiously going up and into the next door, only to gasp in awe.
It was a large hot spring that covered the ENTIRE room, the hot steam going through the air as the golden waters begged the two to rest in them.
"What what WHAT is this?!" Pit exclaimed. "A. Huge. Hot Spring!" He cheered at the top of his lungs.
"CANNONBALL!" Ash cheered as they both dived into the hot spring to relax.
"You're not the only hot-spring fans." Viridi replied to their actions. "Apparently, the Underworld monsters value relaxation too." She noted, both of them looking to see an Underworld minion relaxing in the spring.
"..."
"..."
"It's not bothering us..." Ash noted.
"Fine.." Pit muttered, both of them relaxing as the Minion happily sat there without a care in the world.
The two finished up and got out of the spring, heading up once more. "Pit, Ash, I have some exciting new for all of us." Viridi said.
"What's that?" They both asked.
"The Chariot Mater is just ahead..." Viridi began. "So you can finally stop asking me if we're there yet!" She shrieked, making them cover their ears.
"Got it..." They both mutter as they entered the room, which had a beam of light in the center. They entered the beam and were transported to another racetrack. The Lightning Chariot was before them, with only one horse attached to it.
"The Lightning Chariot!" Pit said, both of them walking over.
"Grab the reins of Phos there." The Chariot Master commanded.
Ash had a feeling and grabbed it before Pit could, who didn't care much.
"Gee, thanks!" Pit said.
"You misunderstand." The Chariot Master began. "This is no gift..." A moment after the two saw another chariot blaze past them. "If you want the Lightning Chariot, you must prove your worth!" He exclaimed.
Ash glanced at Pit, who nodded, letting him take over and hop on. "Hya!" Ash cracked the reigns, sending Phos after the Chariot Master, his Lightning Lance in hand.
When Ash caught up to the Chariot Master, he saw he was nothing more than a ghostly blue body made of flames, his face only seen with a pair of glowing white eyes and mouth. He had blonde hair that was hidden mostly under his helmet, with tattered armor and very little shine, he looked like the corpse of a risen warrior.
"You'll need both horses to pull the Lightning Chariot." Viridi noted. "You'll have to defeat the Chariot Master to get the other one." She explained.
"If it's a challenge you want, then have at you!" Ash exclaimed, his lance clashing with the Master's sword, the two chariots side by side as he combated the wraith.
"Tell me mortal, why do you fight?" The Chariot Master asked.
"I fight to protect my home, my family, and to preserve harmony." Ash said, remembering a quote from a friend.
"A noble goal, but what will you do to accomplish it?" He asked again.
"Let me ask one back as my answer: What is worth fighting for?" Ash retorted, the Chariot master pausing for a moment in his speech, but not his actions to answer the question.
"Phos and Lux, they are all I have, my Master had fallen, and my comrades turned to dust. I am all that remains..." He murmured, before glancing at Ash. "THEY are worth fighting for!" He exclaimed, before reigniting the fight once more, Ash kicking the chariot to shake it off balance, but the Chariot Master recovered and sped forward ahead of Ash and Phos.
"Impressive, you fight well." The Master said. "It has been long since I faced one so strong. But do not believe I'll fall easily." He said, forming blue fireballs from his sword and tossed them at Ash, who veered the Chariot to dodge them and close the gap, managing to take advantage of his lance's longer reach and pierce at the Master's armor, getting a good hit in that opened him up for more, allowing him to deal some damage.
The Master recovered and sped ahead once more, unleashing a lightning bolt that surged towards Ash. "Begone!"
Ash leaped from the Chariot into the air, holding his lance into a javelin position. The lance absorbed the lightning bolt, surprising all present and reeled his arm back. "You're finished!" He exclaimed, throwing the lance as a sonic boom let loose, the lance piercing the Chariot Master's body and knocking him off of the horse, Phos and Lux coming to a stop as he did. "Victory!" Ash cheered, Pit running over to check on the Chariot Master.
"Well done..." The Master replied weakly, the lance having gone through him and was beside him. "What's happening to you?!" Pit asked in a panic, Ash rushing over when he heard it. The Chariot Master chuckled weakly. "It seems I have drowned in your friend's reservoir if strength. You've proven yourself worthy of my Lightning Chariot." He explains.
"Wait! I didn't want it to end like this!" Ash exclaimed in panic. He was willing to fight yes, but he didn't want to kill to achieve the goal, hence why he aimed off target some.
"This is the only way things can end, for an old warrior..." The Master replied, panting a bit. "I'm trusting you both with Phos and Lux, and the future of this realm..." He said as he faded into blue particles, disappearing. Ash fell to his knees in shock as Pit's eyes remained wide, both of them too shocked to speak.
"He was an honorable warrior." Viridi said, her voice solemn and respecting. "Don't let his death be in vain. Now let's go save Palutena." She said firmly, extracting them from the Tower, the Chariot included.
To be continued.
HELLO ALL! Sorry for the long wait again, now I'm sure you're wondering. "Why didn't Oathkeeper update this story on Sunday like he said?" Well because Oathkeeper is a dummy who forgot about it when Snow came out of nowhere. So I fixed this up and with a free day due to snow, I can make sure I meet the deadline this time. I'll set up an alarm too just in case. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed it. Next is the assault on Palutena's Temple, I apologize for the skip in the narration, but be honest, my fingers would be numb if I did all that. R&R This is Oathkeeper0317 signing out.