Issue 14: Tranquility of the Moon
Viridi's Temple
"WHAT?! IS THAT TRUE?!" Viridi shouts as she's conversing with one of her Nature Guardsmen. "Palutena is planning on raiding the Lunar Sanctum TONIGHT?!" She asked, receiving a simple nod from the silent guardsman. "That cannot be allowed! Report to Arlon and tell him to prep for a massive assault! Those bratty Avengers must be destroyed at all cost! They cannot spread their chaos up THERE of all places, you hear me?!" She yelled. The guardsman silently bows in acknowledgement and walks out of her room to report to Arlon. "Those idiots. They don't know the chaos they'll be unleashing if they destroy that station." Viridi whispered to herself.
Skyworld
"WHAT?! IS THAT TRUE?!" Palutena shouted as she is talking to one of her trusty Centurions. "Viridi has her own moon base?!"
"Correct, Lady Palutena. We've received intel it houses tremendous firepower in the hands of one her commanders, Arlon the Serene, and is planning for a massive attack in less than an hour!" The centurion informed his goddess while respectfully bowing to her.
"That cannot be allowed! I'll gather the Avengers and prepare them for a massive raid. Viridi must be stopped at all cost!" Palutena replied.
"Acknowledged, milady." The Centurion responded. As he leaves her temple, a sinister smile forms on his face, and before you know it, he disappears, completely out of sight the moment he approached a corner, as if he wasn't there at all.
Elsewhere
A hooded Grimadoom flies through the beautiful night sky over a quiet forest. He has spent the last few hours trying to find any information of the other Exo Stone that is supposedly here and is said to be the most powerful. Without a single lead to go by, he decided to turn it in for tonight, but as he heads back to his log cabin, the spider-sense he "inherited" from Spider-Man's DNA informs him of a giant explosion not too far from his current location.
"Hmm? What was that?" Grimadoom asked himself, powering up his energy and flies straight to the source of the explosion.
The hooded hedgehog arrives at the section of the forest that was destroyed in the explosion. He searches for the culprit behind this attack, and when he does, he spots a pure black-skinned hedgehog with no pupils killing an innocent Nature Pip. 'Sonic?' Grimadoom thought, as this new black hedgehog actually looks like Sonic, but more sinister and evil, the complete opposite of the goody-two shoes freedom fighter.
Dark Sonic could sense Grimadoom's presence and immediately fires a large energy blast. Grimadoom easily dodged the attack, simply hovering to the air the second the blast reached him so it could destroy another part of the forest while he calmly lands with his arms crossed.
"Who are you?" Dark Sonic asked the hooded dark hedgehog, prompting him to take off the hood to reveal his face. "Huh? You look familiar?"
'Hmm. It appears to be Sonic, but his energy is completely different. It's like his entire soul has been consumed by darkness.' Grimadoom said in his head.
"Now I know who you are. You're Grimadoom, aren't you? What are you doing here?!" Dark Sonic asked the supreme hedgehog.
"None of your business. Tell me: Did that explosion came from you?" Grimadoom asked the dark hedgehog.
"What does it look like? I've been hounding the Forces of Nature for hours, both them and the Underworld Army." Dark Sonic replied.
"So, you're not in allegiance with either?" Grimadoom asked him.
"Hah! Of course not! They're all weaklings, just like you!" Dark Sonic sinisterly chuckled. "The Underworld. The Forces of Nature. The Avengers and their precious Palutena! I will obliterate them all! Now excuse me. I have a moon base to crash. Bye-bye." He evilishly laughed as he powers up his dark aura and takes flight to the night skies.
"Moon base?" Grimadoom muttered, lifting his head to the moon, but also spots something else that got his interest. Curious, he powers up his own aura and sets off for this moon base himself.
BGM-Kid Icarus Uprising OST-The Lunar Sanctum
"Again today I will go soaring through the sky! My enemies, I'll dish 'em up in a stir-fry! Gracious goddess of light watches from up above! At dinnertime I always show the cook some love!" Pit sang as the sensational fly through the nightly sky while the D-Avengers seemingly enjoy his singing from their chuckling, even though it's a bit cheesy.
'Why is he singing?' Palutena asked, chuckling.
"Just a little victory song he made up. He's been practicing all day. Still won't match up to my theme song though." Spidey replied as he starts humming the 60s Spider-Man theme.
"With Viridi out of the way, we can refocus our intentions in stopping Loki and Hades." Lucina said.
'Not quite. We still have to contend with her forces. Specifically, Arlon the Serene.' Palutena said.
"Oh, is he one of her commanders?" Pit asked.
'Yes, and he has a weapon so lethal, it makes Reset Bombs seem like firecrackers.' She said, making Sonic whistle in response.
"That ain't something to whistle about!" Weiss told the hedgehog, annoyed by his nonchalant attitude.
'Arlon's base is close by. You see the moon?' She said as they turn to the moon high in the sky.
"Yeah, it's really pretty tonight." Pit said.
'And what about that?' Palutena directed the group to another moon.
"Isn't that the same moon we just saw?" Sonic asked, confused. The gang turned left to see the first moon they saw, "Huh," then quickly turned back to the other, "What," and repeated the process for a few more seconds until they realized what's going on. "HUUUUH?!" Everyone shouted.
"There are two moons?!" Pit exclaimed.
"It's not…TOTALLY out of the ordinary." Spidey said.
'They're like eyes watching you.' Palutena said.
"I wish they wouldn't. I get stage fright." Pit replied as they fly closer to the second moon to their right. Suddenly, Peter's trusty spider-sense kicks to warn him the second moon is splitting itself open.
"Whoa. Never seen a moon do THAT before." Spidey remarked.
'THAT'S Arlon's Lunar Sanctum. Clearly, there's more to it than meets the eye.' Palutena said.
"I feel like you stole that quote from somewhere." Weiss remarked on that last line Palutena's innocently chuckling about.
"Very cool!" Pit said, and right after he said that, the orbital fortress fires a very large laser beam they barely avoided. "AND DANGEROUS! I take it back! It's not cool at all!"
"Whaddya talkin' about? It's like the Space Colony ARK. That's awesome!" Sonic exclaimed while grinning and fighting incoming Forces of Nature troopers.
"Awesome?! Last time I checked, the ARK has a giant DEATH LASER that could destroy a planet!" Spidey retorted.
'And that's why we're going in!' Palutena said, navigating Pit around the giant death laser while the Avengers deal with the Nature Troopers as they get closer to the moon station.
"We're getting close!" Lucina said.
"Let's try not to die in the meantime!" Spidey responded before he got hit by a few lasers. "Ah! Those lasers pack a punch! I thought Stark Industries had tough security!"
"You're telling me!" Pit shouted as he narrowly avoids lasers of his own, destroying his enemies with his Midnight Palm.
'With all THIS firepower, Arlon must REALLY be preparing for a massive attack.' Palutena remarked.
'Why on earth would I be attacking? I'm far too busy…defending, my dear.' A new and polite voice enters the conversation.
"Who was that?" Sonic asked.
'You must be Commander Arlon.' Palutena said.
'Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Palutena, as well as your associate, The Other.' Arlon kindly greeted.
'Hmph!' Ero grunted.
'And yours too, young master Pit and the Mighty D-Avengers. I have heard tales of your prowess from our Mistress Viridi.' Arlon said.
"Well, that's…weirdly nice of her…" Pit replied.
"When are the villains ever nice?" Spidey asked Pit.
'She said I mustn't let your attacks spread chaos HERE of all places. Before you cause a most unnatural harm, let us sit down for a chat.' Arlon said.
'Don't waste our time.' Ero replied.
'We might consider it if you withdrew your forces…and banded with us to face the Underworld Army together.' Palutena said.
'Those decisions fall to the will of Mistress Viridi. Unfortunately, it's entirely out of my purview. I do hope you understand.' Arlon responded.
"What's a purview?" Lucina asked.
"And why do you talk like that?" Pit added. "Bad guys are supposed to be more like "Graaaahhh!" and "I'm gonna KEEL you"!"
"Naaah. Most of them are like "You cannot stop me! Bwahaha"!" Spidey joked around, which embarrassed Weiss of how childish Peter is acting.
'The young masters are skilled in impressions, I see. Would you care to perform more?' Arlon requested.
"Uh, that's all we've got/Uh, that's all we've got." They both replied as they fly around, unaware the sanctum is locking onto them.
Thankfully, Peter's sixth sense kicks in at the right moment before attack. "Spider-Sense!" He shouted, promptly warning everyone to narrowly dodge a massive laser beam while screaming for their lives.
'That attack was vicious!' Palutena exclaimed.
"You're telling us! That was too close!" Weiss said loudly.
'I see a corridor we can enter through. Hold on!' Palutena directs Pit away from the center as the Avengers follow him to a section on the Sanctum's side filled with more Forces of Nature troops.
"It's not much safer in here!" Pit said while shooting a Lurchthorn which was eventually destroyed by Lucina cutting its head.
"Are their defenses thinning out?" The exalt princess asked.
"No. Still detecting some enemies, so be careful." Spidey replied as he senses an invisible presence about to slice him up. "Like that one!" He quickly thrusts away from a green gelatinous creature and shoots it down.
'Let me introduce you to the Flages, the covert-ops specialists for Viridi's army. Do they strike your fancy?' Arlon asked.
"Uh, NO!" Weiss yelled.
'Personally, I'm quite fond of them.'
"Right, 'cause we care SO much." Sonic shrugged.
'Your concern is noted.'
"I WAS BEING SARCASTIC! WE DON'T CARE AT ALL!" Sonic shouted.
'Oh, yes, I almost forgot.'
'Forgot what?' Palutena responded.
'To close the gates!'
"You don't have to do that!" Spidey retorted.
'Yes I will! And the gates…go…shut.' Arlon said as the sanctum starts to form steel walls to block their path, but thankfully, Spidey quick morphs his armor to its ISO-Change: Wolf-Spider Mode and starts tearing through the walls like they were nothing with his razor, sharp claws, then starts spinning himself like a drill to plow through the rest of them, ending with a loud, wolf howl that echoes throughout the sanctum.
'Oh dear. Is there any reason why he's howling like that?' Arlon asked.
'I hear it's a side effect of that armor mode. It's no big deal. It's actually kinda cute.' Palutena smiled, (*Side-Effect mentioned in Spider-Man: Battle for Remnant Vol 3 Issue 11*), as the team successfully infiltrates the Lunar Sanctum. 'There's an entry point through a duct up ahead. It's tight, so watch out!' She said, guiding Pit through a duct via crashing, with the D-Avengers safely following him.
BGM End
The Interior of the Lunar Sanctum
BGM-Kid Icarus Uprising OST-At the Sanctum
Inside, Pit skids to a halt. "Talk about ritzy!" He said as the other land and puts away their flying equipment.
"Whoa...What is this place?" Lucina said, as she and her friends are struck in awe of the Sanctum's gorgeous golden interior.
"Are we in the golden city of El Dorado? This place is amazing." Spidey remarked.
'It's like a whole other world. A classier world. What are your thoughts, Ero?' Palutena asked the silent Other.
'Kek.'
'Thought so.' Palutena innocently giggled.
'I'm deeply flattered by your gracious compliments.' Arlon said, humbled by their nice comments about his fortress.
"Who knew the Lunar Sanctum would be so nice?" Pit asked.
"I could get used to a place like this!" Sonic smiled.
"It beats my mansion, that's for sure." Weiss whispered to herself, slightly jealous.
'Perhaps you could. But the Lunar Sanctum doesn't have room for any…MORE guests.' Arlon replied to Sonic's earlier comment.
'Uh, it's not THAT nice.' Palutena said.
"Yeah. I've seen better." Sonic grinned.
"I don't care how nice this place is! It won't stop us from taking you down!" Pit declared.
'I understand. You have no regard for other people's property.' Arlon said as he sees the heroes walking forward and noticed some holographic images of Nature monsters.
"Are my eyes playing tricks on me?" Pit asked.
"No. They look like holograms." Spidey replied.
'Arlon seems to have a penchant for visual trickery.' Palutena said.
'It's just a little something I whipped up to whet your appetite.' Arlon said.
"This is so annoying. Lady Palutena. Help us out here." Pit requested.
'Deploying the Palutena Super Sensor…!' Palutena smiled.
"I didn't know you had a super sensor!" Pit exclaimed in shock, though the Avengers obviously could tell right away she doesn't.
'Oblivious fool!' Ero insulted Pit. 'You should realize now she likes making up stuff.' He said while Palutena giggles in response.
"I can't believe you're messing with me at a time like this, Lady Palutena!" Pit said.
"Don't fret, cupid." Spidey said, putting his hand on Pit's shoulder. "Remember, "Spider-Sense"." He points to his head. "A man's, uh, Spider-Man's ultimate weapon. It'll guide us."
"Oh yeah!"
'And if that doesn't work, you can use the green arrows to guide your way.' Palutena said as green arrows appear below the heroes' feet.
"Huh. Never noticed them before." Sonic remarked.
'Now how did you manage to place those here?' Arlon asked. 'Ooh, it seems you've infiltrated the Lunar Sanctum's control core, Palutena. That leaves me relatively defenseless. I'd best rectify that posthaste. If you'll excuse me, I must go gird my loins for your arrival.' He said, making everyone shiver in disgust.
"TMI! Nobody wants to hear about your loins!" Pit exclaimed.
BGM End
In the next room, the heroes hop on a grind rail while shooting down enemies, unaware they are being watched by a third hooded person resembling a hedgehog standing on a golden structure. "The Avengers are here too. This place is starting to get quite popular." Grimadoom muttered. "Maybe I can find a clue about the Exo Stone here. There does seem to be more to this fortress than the heroes are aware. I'm sensing a particular presence several floors below." He chuckled. "Thankfully, my magic keeps me invisible from any prying eyes, including these pathetic gods. Time to see what secrets this Sanctum holds." He sinisterly smirked as he teleports from sight.
Somehow, Sonic sensed a whiff of Grimadoom's presence and turns to the structure he no longer stands on. "What's wrong, Sonic?" Pit asked the hedgehog.
"I dunno. I thought I saw someone." Sonic replied.
'I didn't see anyone.' Palutena said.
'I would've known if another individual appeared on the premise.' Arlon said, but Sonic is still not sure and is left a bit uneasy as they continue venturing through the Sanctum.
Lower Levels of the Lunar Sanctum
BGM-Sonic Adventure 2 OST-3 Black Noises
Grimadoom arrives at the most secured section of the whole moon fortress, turning his whole body around to stare at the biggest golden door he has ever laid eyes on, obviously meant to guard something very dangerous and powerful if it's surrounded by so many security lasers and locks.
"This is where I sensed that presence, behind all this security." Grimadoom said as he prepares to blast the locked doors to oblivion. "What are you hiding, Viridi?" He asked.
"I would kindly refrain from any extreme action, thank you."
Grimadoom quickly turns around to see Arlon walking towards him and able to see him through his invisibility magic. "How are you able to see me?" He asked as he points his energy blast at Arlon.
"You are not the only one who practiced in the mystic arts." Arlon answered. Grimadoom is still insistent to blast the serene commander into dust, but sees the gentleman put his right hand up. "Calm yourself. I am not here to fight you. I am here to warn you."
"Warn me?" Grimadoom repeated as he puts down his charged blast.
"Correct. You see, what lies prisoned behind these doors could end all life on Earth." Arlon said as he stares at the sealed doors that holds a dark monster. "Centuries ago, the goddess of nature imprisoned a dangerous and malevolent creature, whose power surpasses even the gods because of its desire to cause disorder and disaster."
"Pfft. I surpassed the gods the day I was born." Grimadoom arrogantly replied.
"Maybe, but, this creature has the unique ability to consume the souls of its victims, whether god or mortal, making it stronger as a result." Arlon said, though Grimadoom is still highly unimpressed. "I take it you don't find that interesting. Well then, would you be surprised to know that this creature is not only destructive to the core, but it's also a guardian to something far worse."
That last statement kinda got Grimadoom a little more interested in Arlon's story, "Guardian?" He questioned as he turns to the Sanctum gentleman.
"That's correct." Arlon nodded. "This entity is the guardian to an ancient stone of vast mystical power that's said to could control all life in the universe."
The hybrid hedgehog flinches in surprise when he heard him talk about an "ancient stone". 'Ancient stone? Could it be the Exo Stone?' He thought in his head as he continues to listen to Arlon's little tale.
"If one wants to see themselves worthy of the stone, one must offer a soul of pure light to the guardian. Once it harvests the soul completely, the ancient stone of souls would be yours to command." Arlon finished his tale.
"A soul of pure light, huh?" Grimadoom evilishly smiles, already thinking of an ingenious plan to retrieve the stone of souls. Suddenly, the whole fortress starts to shake intensely, causing Grimadoom to almost lose his balance. "Huh? What's going on?" He asked, turning to fortress's boss, only to find he vanished without a trace. "He's gone? Just like that? Something about that guy smelled fishy. Why was he inclined to tell me that story?" He asked himself, getting the feeling something's up with Arlon, but couldn't determine what it could it be. "Oh well. I guess it doesn't matter. I might have a lead where to find an Exo Stone. But first, I must figure out what was the cause of that earthquake. Something tells me it involves that black hedgehog from before." He said before teleporting away.
BGM End
Meanwhile…
After safely traversing through a mirror room that required paying close attention to the mirror to proceed, the D-Avengers arrives in a red room, where they noticed a familiar dark angel standing in front of the Lunar Sanctum's Control Center.
"It's him!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Pittoo!" Pit exclaimed himself after reuniting with his dark counterpart.
Dark Pit growled. "Seriously, that is the last time I want to hear "Pittoo"!" He said as he gets his Silver Bow ready for battle.
BGM-Kid Icarus Uprising OST-Dark Pit's Theme
"We can call you other nicknames you know, like Pittimi? Pitlee? Oo! Pitiful!" Spidey constantly quipped while swinging away from Pittoo's arrow shots.
"WHY ARE YOU SO ANNOYING?!" Dark Pit shouted.
"I have to agree with that." Pit replied.
"You don't mean that?" Peter asked.
'Arlon, did you call Pittoo here?' Palutena asked while Lucina blocks a slash from Pittoo.
'I most certainly did.' Arlon replied as Pittoo kicks Pit in the stomach.
'He's not usually one to follow orders. How did you persuade him?' Palutena asked while Sonic and Weiss take an attempt to destroy the control center, avoiding its shots as it takes damage.
'It was quite simple, actually. Just the mention of young master Pit's presence... ...was enough to send his twin running here.' Arlon said as Pittoo leaps away from Peter's web barrage.
'Pittoo just isn't happy unless he's fighting someone.' Palutena said.
"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Dark Pit smirked while trying to sweep-kick Pit.
"You stay out of this!" Pit replied with charged shots that knock his clone back.
'What a "pitiful" existence to live.' Ero punned.
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Dark Pit shouted.
BGM End
Meanwhile, Weiss managed to tear a good chunk off the giant blue orb controlling the defenses and camouflage of the whole sanctum, leaving Sonic to spin attack for the finishing blow, causing it to explode.
"We did it! The Control Center is toast!" Sonic smiled.
BGM-Sonic Adventure 2 OST-Suitable Opponent
Then, all of a sudden, the whole moon fortress starts to shake violently, abrupting the battle between the two Pits before they could decide a victor. "What was that?! What did you guys do?!" Dark Pit asked the heroes.
"Something's wrong! The whole station is vibrating!" Spidey said as he checks his holographic screen to check the current status of the Lunar Sanctum, grunting in shock when he learned what's happening. "The Sanctum is losing orbit?!"
'Arlon, what's happening?!' Palutena urgently asked the man in control of the Lunar base.
'This isn't my doing.' He calmly replied as if there is no immediate danger. 'It would appear someone is destroying specific sections of the fortress to cause it to lose orbit.'
"Who?!" Pit asked.
Arlon kindly shows them a holographic screen depicting lots of smoke and destruction on the outer part of the Lunar Sanctum, and walking out of the smoke is the malevolent Dark Sonic, not caring about the destruction he's causing.
"Hey look. It's your counterpart." Dark Pit said to Sonic.
"Dark Sonic!" Sonic exclaimed.
'What's he doing up here?!' Palutena asked.
'Dark Sonic has been causing my mistress as much trouble as you gentlemen. Somehow, he found this fortress and is causing a collision course for the planet.' Arlon replied.
"An impact from this station…could destroy the whole planet." Spidey said, frightening everyone.
"We have to do SOMETHING!" Weiss urged. "Arlon, you're in control of this place! Do something!"
'If Dark Sonic destroys the last component keeping this fortress in orbit, even my power won't stop it from crashing.' Arlon said.
"Looks like we're taking a detour. We have to stop him before he destroys the planet!" Spidey said.
"Nah. I got this." Sonic replied, shocking everyone with his selfish declaration.
"Sonic!" Pit responded.
"We still have to destroy this place, don't we? That means beating Arlon." Sonic calmly argued. "I'll handle Darkhog to keep this place afloat long enough for you guys to take out the main boss. Sounds fair, right?" He said, turning to his friends a confident smile.
"Tsk. You're crazy." Dark Pit remarked with his arms folded.
"But it has worked for us in the past." Weiss replied with a smile.
Spidey walks up to Sonic. "Okay, Sonic. The planet's fate is in your hands." He said, giving him a fist-bump.
"I've done this before. This should be easy." Sonic cockily grinned.
'I'll open a shortcut that'll take you to the orbital pillar. It's the least I could do.' Arlon said as part of the wall opens up for Sonic.
"Thanks, dude." Sonic replied.
'You're welcome, "dude".'
"Wanna help us out?" Pit asked his stoic clone.
"As if. You're on your own." Dark Pit replied as he flies through the open wall.
"Here I come, Darkhog!" Sonic grinned as he races through the open wall himself while the rest of the D-Avengers continue their original mission to defeat Arlon.
BGM End
BGM-Sonic Adventure 2 OST-Shut Up Faker!
In a golden area outside the Sanctum, the malevolent dark hedgehog easily blitzes through all of the space station's defensives. No matter how much Arlon puts, Dark Sonic easily pushes through, leaving a terror of destruction behind as he darts towards a tall pillar that keeps the station in orbit. If this goes down, the whole Lunar Sanctum will begin crashing into the earth, destroying all life, including the gods, on the planet.
Just mere seconds as he approaches the pillar, Darkhog is sent flying back by a projectile traveling at light speed. He quickly goes light-speed and the two lights clash remarkably across the area, all while Dark Pit lands in front of the pillar to keep it guarded.
"This could be interesting." He smiled as Sonic and Darkhog break free from their blinding clash.
"Hello!" Sonic smirked at his malicious doppelganger.
"That blue hedgehog again, of all places!" Dark Sonic growled.
"Found you, faker!" Sonic said.
"Faker? Are we seriously repeating that?" Darkhog asked, possessing the memories of when Sonic encountered Shadow during the Space Colony ARK incident. "I was born from the Mirror of Truth. I am your shadow, the TRUE self. All your life, you've been living as a fake. All those relationships you forged with your friends are nothing but illusions." He taunted Sonic, getting him really relied up.
"That's the last straw!" Sonic growled, jumping to the air and kicks his doppelganger very hard, but he was able to block it and slide away from the force of that impact.
"I don't have time to play with you. I'll end this quick!" Dark Sonic declared, teleporting to elbow Sonic in the face before grinding his chest with a brutal spin dash. Sonic managed to break free by kicking Darkhog to the air, jumping above him for a swift axe kick back to the ground, followed by them clashing at their top speed, all while a hooded Grimadoom watches from a hidden balcony.
"So the hedgehog wasn't consumed by darkness but split apart into two, huh? Light versus dark. Sonic versus Sonic." He smiled. "This should be fun." He said as he continues watching the epic fight between the light and dark hedgehogs in secrecy.
'Sonic, you must stop Darkhog before he destroys that pillar! Otherwise, the earth will be destroyed!' Palutena urged.
"I know!" Sonic retorted, avoiding a swift uppercut and countering with a lightning kick to Darkhog's back. Darkhog quickly hops on his feet and unleashes a dark wave of volley energy blast that forces Sonic on the run. He runs along a golden wall and jumps into the air as the blasts destroys it, curling up to a ball to charge up his Light Speed Mode and homing attacks Darkhog as a lightning neon blue light, smacking him to a wall.
Dark Sonic growls and charges up into his own Light Speed Mode, blitzing Sonic from all directions, creating a clone to deal twice the destructive damage. As Sonic falls from the air, both Darkhogs fire a large dark beam from both sides, seemingly enveloping Sonic, but the blue hero doesn't give up. With a loud scream, he bursts out of the beam struggle after absorbing a Red Star Ring, granting him extra power and a double aura of red and blue. With this extra power at his disposal, Sonic makes quick work of Darkhog's clone before grinding the real faker with a windy hurricane kick, powerful enough to knock him away injured.
"You're not the only one who can cheat anymore!" Dark Sonic said as he summons a dark-colored Star Ring. "Behold! The Dark Star Ring!" He said, absorbing its incredible power, granting him a monstrous double aura of black and purple, strong enough and fast enough to instantly knee Sonic in the chest before he could blink, crushing him through a wall that leads him to a lunar surface.
"This is gonna be tougher than I thought." Sonic groaned.
'Ha…chooo!' Palutena sneezed as a large meteor suddenly crashes next to Sonic.
"Stop that! I'm trying to save the world here!" He retorted at the sick goddess.
'Huh? That wasn't my doing.' Palutena replied.
'Goodness. So sorry.' Arlon apologized. 'I must have lost myself in the golden melody of her sneeze.'
"That's why you should cover your sneezes!" Sonic said as he avoids a swing from his dark counterpart.
'I would never! A strong sneeze is the sign of a strong spirit.' Palutena said.
"Whatever you say! Just try not to give me the godly flu!" Sonic quipped as he lands a kick up Darkhog's jaw.
'I have been meaning to ask. Why was the Lunar Sanctum built anyway?' Palutena asked Arlon while the two Sonics continue fighting intensely.
'That information is highly confidential.' Arlon denied.
'That only makes me more curious.'
'Curious or not, I took an oath of silence, and I intend to honor it!'
'Now, now, no need to get all bent out of shape.'
"After all, your name IS "Arlon the Serene"." Sonic said.
"Focus, moron!" Darkhog replied with an aura punch to Sonic's face.
'I'm well aware of my name!' Arlon said. 'But back to the topic at hand. I cannot tell you the reasons WHY this sanctum was built. But I can say that it runs on my powers. Without me, it's just a husk, an empty shell, an orbiting house of cards.'
"Which makes me wonder why you aren't after Arlon." Sonic said to his counterpart.
"I need this station at full power to cause maximum damage." Dark Sonic replied. "Arlon's too much of a trained dog not to do anything about it without his "master's" permission. Without him, the secrets of this sanctum will be unleashed to the world."
"What are you talking about? Is that what you're trying to pull?" Sonic asked.
Dark Sonic laughed, "You fools aren't getting the whole story here, aren't you?"
'What is he talking about?!' Palutena demanded from Arlon.
'You're in no position to demand explanations.' Arlon said. I am beholden only to Mistress Viridi, and you "heroes" are thorns in her side, especially the D-Avengers, mortals who refuse to be put in their place.'
'You've made your allegiances quite clear.' Palutena said.
"You guys gotta stop underestimating us mortals. We have limitless potential that could surpass the gods, and me and my friends are gonna show it to you here and now!" Sonic proclaimed as he prepares for another round with Darkhog.
'That I am interested to see.' Arlon replied as the two Sonics grin at each other, powering up their energy before clashing at an intense velocity.
BGM End
Meanwhile with the rest of the D-Avengers…
"Palutena! How's Sonic doing?!" Spidey asked while he and the other D-Avengers have their hands full dealing with the mutated Clobbers.
'He's holding his own. We should be safe for now.' Palutena replied.
"HE should be!" Peter retorted as this monster Clobber is giving him a tough time, swinging him hard to a wall.
'Try luring each Clobber into a mine.' Palutena advised.
"Good idea!" Pit replied, as the heroes do just that, weakening the Clobbers enough for a fighting chance.
'They're lucky to have such an excellent guide.' Arlon complimented. 'Though we're on opposing sides, I must commend your work, Palutena.'
'Thanks. It's just part of my job. Besides, they're the ones doing all the heavy lifting, which is especially impressive for beings so small.' Palutena teased.
Weiss growled, getting tired of the teasing and mocking "Make fun of our height one more time…"
Meanwhile, Lucina slices up the remaining Clobber. "Weiss, this really isn't the best time for that!"
Weiss growled again as they head off to finish the last remaining waves of enemies before they reach the boss door. 'Arlon's quarters are directly ahead. Good luck.' Palutena informed as they enter an outside area and encounters the tall gentlemen, Arlon, who is minding his own business in mid-air with a spotlight over him.
BGM End
"Arlon!" Pit said.
"Welcome. Please make yourself comfortable." Arlon said as he stands up for a bow. "It is my great honor to represent Mistress Viridi…" He then menacingly looks up. "And the Forces of Nature." He said as his eye gleams red.
BGM-One Piece: Pirate Warriors OST-The Challengers 1
They quickly ran forward and attacked Arlon who suddenly blinds the arena in darkness. "Huh? I can't see!" Pit exclaimed.
'Focus, Pit. Pay attention to where Arlon's attacks are coming from. After he attacks, shoot in that direction.' Palutena advised.
In the shadows, Arlon fires multiple rapid-fire shots that the team barely dodges. "You idiot. This means nothing to the guy with night vision and a spider-sense!" Spidey said, web-zipping perfectly to Arlon's exact location and pounds his feet to his chest hard to the ground, managing to crack the floor. He then webs up and twirls him in the air for a short while before slamming him to the ground. "How's that?!"
"I say!" Arlon remarked, fascinated by Spider-Man's strength.
'Good! Keep doing that!' Ero said.
Arlon fires ring-shaped shots at Lucina, who deflects each shot with a swing from her sword. While she's busy doing that, Pit hops off her shoulder to rapidly attack Arlon with his Palm weapon, but they were quickly blocked with his barrier that unfortunately didn't last long from Weiss's relentless giant ice sword slashes, slowly cracking it for Spidey to completely shatter it with a webbed-up punch.
"Very impressive. Your hedgehog friend was right. You do seem to have incredible potential." Arlon said. "So…" He starts to shroud the battlefield in darkness again. "It's time to reveal the true extent of my power!"
"Heh! This trick again?" Spidey smirked, knowing it won't work against his spider-sense. And a good thing he has it, because Arlon starts unleashing everything he has through the shadows, from never-ending lasers to spikes and mines that hinder movement across the stage. One of the giant lasers almost hit Spidey, but his animalistic instincts quickly kicks in along with a loud yell as he activates Aura Arachnid Mode, blitzing through the beam as a violent violet light that shines through the darkness, roaring his way to Arlon.
"Oh dear." Arlon calmly said, but his expression is totally the opposite, first in shock of Spider-Man's power then smooshed by his aura fist, forming a crater upon impact. Aura Spidey quickly webs yanks Arlon to his feet, kicking him straight to a finishing blast from Pit, Weiss, and Lucina, hurling him through the air before landing in pain.
BGM End
"Blast…" Arlon groaned in defeat.
"Whew! We can finally catch our breath!" Pit said.
As Arlon slowly stands up through the pain, he is distracted by the untimely arrival of Sonic, who kicked Darkhog into this area. "TERIAAAAAAAA!" He shouted, kicking his dark-self straight crashing down on top of Arlon. The blue fighter lands on the stage, panting heavily as his energy is dispensed and falls on his knees exhausted.
"SONIC!" Sonic's friends shouted, rushing to check on him.
Sonic grunted, "I'm okay…" He said he slowly stands up on his own.
"To be defeated…by a lowly fake…" Dark Sonic panted as he stands up through his wounds. While the two halves of the same hedgehog glare at each other while panting, the whole space fortress begins to blow up from all areas.
'The Lunar Sanctum has been stabilized in orbit just in time for its destruction.' Palutena happily said.
"Kek!" Dark Sonic growled, angry that his plan to destroy the world has failed. With nothing else to do, he powers up his remaining energy to fly out through a hole in the ceiling back to the planet.
"Congrats on your victory. I recommend you all escape while you still can." Arlon said while holding his wounded chest.
"You too!" Spidey replied, wanting Arlon to escape as well. Everyone takes out their respective flying gear and makes a brake for the same hole Darkhog flew through to escape the collapsing Sanctum.
"You fools have no idea what you have released…" Arlon muttered to himself before teleporting away from the collapsing ceiling.
Outside, the triumphant Avengers fly away while the Lunar Sanctum begins to fall apart in space. "Lunar Sanctum defused!" Pit cheered.
Suddenly, an unknown creature bursts out from the Sanctum's side. 'But what's that…THING breaking free?' Palutena wondered as the thing quickly flies past the heroes in a blink of an eye.
"I dunno." Spidey remarked.
"Oh, I'm sure it's nothing." Pit said.
'I'm…not so sure.' Palutena said with a hint of concern.
"I agree." Sonic said. "Dark Sonic said some weird stuff back there. I wonder if that's one of the secrets Arlon was hiding."
"Whatever it is, if it presents a problem, we'll take care of it. For now, we need to keep the heat on Viridi's army." Spidey replied as Palutena whisks the heroes back to Skyworld.
Hovering in Earth's orbit, Grimadoom smiles when he spots the mysterious green creature making its way towards the planet, teleporting away with a new plan in mind.
And standing on the real moon's surface, another Arlon chuckles as he watches the Lunar Sanctum fall to pieces and the weird creature flying to the planet. "All according to plan." He smiles as he surrounds himself in a green mist, revealing to be none other than the mischievous Loki, chuckling to how well his grand plan is going along, and how much he made fools of all his adversaries.
BGM-Kid Icarus Uprising OST-Opening
Spider-Man: Hey, it's Spider-Man. Ahh. Who's the Electro rip-off?
Phosphora: Hey there, Spider-Cutie. You look pretty "shocking" to fight.
Spider-Man: Not as shocking as you. You're putting on quite the light show.
Phosphora: Am I impressing you? That's great. It's unfortunate I'm under orders to annihilate you, handsome.
Spider-Man: Keep trying. I beat lightning bolts like you for breakfast.
Next time on D-Avengers: God Mission:
The Clash of Lightning Speed
Spider-Man: How do I keep attracting all these beautiful, and homicidal women?
KFX Here: Starting now, if I ever make a reference to an earlier story, I'm gonna add this (*) to direct you to the point of interest, kinda like what authors do in comic books. Next chapter, Dark Lucina and Dark Weiss will return as well as the debut of Phosphora. I am also personally very proud of that "Pitiful" quip I wrote for Spidey as a nickname for Dark Pit. One of my best, in fact, what is your favorite Spider-Man quip that I've written through this entire series? Leave it in the reviews.
