Chapter 7
All Goes Cold
The angel waved his arm above himself, tempting to lure his friends over. Deep in the distance and too far away for Pit to recognize the crooked grin of Amazon Pandora and the dull eyes of Lady Palutena's, unfocused. Shuffling his steps to a run, Pit approached the two. Their faces becoming more distinct by each step he took and soon too late, Pit realized he was walking right into a trap. Pit's smile dropped down as Pandora raised her magician wand hence commanding his shadow to twist and knot around his struggling body.
"Pandora!" Yelled the angel yanking his arms. "Pandora!" He was then dragged like a sack o' potatoes across the corridors to Palutena's room- the door shutting right behind.
With all the reply Pandora's crooked grin widened like a living nightmare- her fangs visible and her eyes imprinting the false image. She was not Amazon Pandora at all (was it?), her figure resembled a monster that crawled out from the darkness. Hades's controlled living weapons. It was like she was a totally different person, after all Kuro was all she had, it makes sense for her to avenge him. A voice rose in the Caverns, the mastermind of the whole plan praised the Goddess and ordered her to report back. Meanwhile Viridi paced back and forth within her garden palace, from her perspective- if Hades really did awaken, there is still a chance to take him down while he's charging. She will talk to Lady Palutena about this matter and will ask for aid by Pandora. Planning, the Nature Goddess drew the effort to call for Pit hoping he would accompany her to visit the Amazon Mansion. There was no response so Viridi took action to her own hands and left by herself. If only she knew the problems arising around her.
"This should be the place." A puff of leaves concluded Viridi's teleporting. "The so called portal to take me to Pandora's dimension, here it is..." Hesitation grew, keeping the goddess from fulfilling another step to her plan. "Okaaay... reeaaalllly wish someone is with me right nowww. Argh! This is ridiculous! Pandora is allied to the light, there shouldn't be fear to anything! I am going!" Without a moment to waste, the Goddess of Nature leaped into the color twisting portal. One of the most weirdest and terrifying sights Viridi has ever been through. A nightmare of false images and hopes, making it past illusions bringing any mind to a massive headache. Until, pop! Viridi found herself at the steps of the Darmazont (Dark Pit x Amazon) courtyard. "Pandora..." Viridi gasped, "Why must you live like so? Seriously she takes things further than necessary!" Brushing off dirt from her gown, she then faced the next terror. The dead courtyard lead to the steps of the mansion, the building itself roared with fear and behind it were the twisting colors of illusions. No sun, no moon, no sky. It gave off the feeling of the fake and of the trapped. Viridi shivered and pressed on. "Ugh, and why Pandora must you choose the theme of horror for remodeling your dwelling? I can't believe I'm doing this! It's like being in a scary movie! Eek!" Screamed the goddess as black slime leaked from the front doors. "JUST OPEN THE DOOR AMAZON PANDORA!" She cried, "I am NOT touching THAT!" And as if on command, the large wooden doors creaked open slowly revealing the inside of the mansion. It was dark like entering a cave. Viridi gulped and stepped inside- the doors shutting loudly behind her. "Pandora, do not play tricks on me. I am in no mood for games! We need you, for Hades is planning something big and Palutena fears tha- a- ah- AHHHHH!"
A sentence turned into a scream as walking suit of armor extended his hand out to her, "Viridi! I apologize for your inconvenience but the Master is quite busy and you must leave to never come bac-" Cutting off the suit of armor, Viridi kicked his helmet off like a football and screamed, running away. "Oh dear..." Sighed the armor suit, feeling the empty space of where his head used to be. "That's quite alright now."
"Viridi! Viridi! You mustn't go there!" A flock of flying books dived down blocking a pathway which the goddess was running towards. The creepy high pitched voice in unison, "Viridi! Viridi! You must go here!" One by one the torches lit, creating another pathway.
Still screaming the poor little goddess ran into a couch, "What is this madness?" She cried.
"It's best you'd stay calm Viridi." Said the couch tying a blanket over her lap, trapping her. It's deep voice, "We mean no harm."
"Unhand me you monster!" Yelled the goddess struggling from its grip. The walking armor suit came back with its helmet back on, it was accompanied by the flying books. Together the odd group marched over to the library, the books surrounding them in the air. "What do you want from me?"
The armor knelt, "Forgive us Viridi, we've came off too strong. But we beg for your understanding- believe us, we mean no harm to you. After all, we are the creations of the Master."
"Pandora?" Questioned the goddess.
The flying books flapped its pages, "Yes, correct! Yes, correct!"
Brushing herself off, Viridi cleared her throat. "That's right. I must speak to her now, where is Pandora?"
"Oh no, you mustn't go and see her. You mustn't call her name. If master finds out you're here, we're surely to be blamed." Chimed the books circling the goddess.
"Enough." Ended Viridi. "Once she hears about my importance of being here, I'm sure she would listen."
"You don't understand, it's not that Master doesn't want to see you... it's just she can't." Told the knight armor. "You see, the Master is-"
Out of nowhere a booming voice echoed throughout the mansion. "I SEEE YOUUU GODDESS OF NATURE." The room turned cold and the lights blew out, it was silent- creepy piano notes playing in the distance. "I LOVE WHAT PANDORA HAS DONE WITH THE PLACE... IT REALLY SUITS MY TASTE. HAHA!"
"Oh no, oh dear, the evil one is near!" Remembering their Master's orders the books shut the door, then shelves walked in front and covered it like a wall. "We can't forget, we must protect!"
Terror grew inside the goddess, "What's happening?" Then guided by the armor, Viridi sat down and the sofa began to walk up the stairs of the library. On the second level, more and more shelves filled the floors and on the back wall there were long, tall windows draped with heavy velvet curtains. Passing that, the couch reached a clump of shelves which stepped aside- revealing a secret underfloor corridor. The knight armor came with a lantern and sat beside the shaking goddess. "I have a bad feeling about this..." She shivered. The corridor lead to a hidden office with a single desk, atop was only an old pen and blank paper.
"By Master's words, copy Viridi." Said the armor lifting the pen. It rose from the armor's gauntlets and began to draw in midair- the scratching sounds were heard until the drawing was complete. An exact copy of a life like Viridi moved and turned. Color and all helped the illusion of a 3D image and with that the sofa began to walk back. The image followed and the real Viridi just sat watching everything around her, truly amazed. "If we had the mirror, we could have made a better trick but for now, this will do." Noted the armor. Entering the library once again, the quiet area was now chaotic with crashes and bangs- someone was trying to open the doors.
"VIRIDIIII! COME OUT! COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE! I HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU, VIRIDI!" Called the strong voice on the other side of the library doors.
That voice... Viridi thought to herself, Hades. The walking armor jumped off the sofa and withdrew his sword, all of the flying books came to his side but one. A solid black book stayed and landed on the goddess's lap. "You must hurry. The evil is here." The image followed the knight armor down the stairs and so Viridi was left with the couch. It began to move towards the large windows, the bottom frame opened like a door and they stepped out. Everywhere outside the mansion was all but distorted colors twisting and turning. Holding onto the armrest Viridi watched the sofa keep afloat, traveling by the outside walls of the mansion to a room above. "Viridi, the courtyard land was lost, you must leave this place by the portal in the main hall."
"Very well." Agreed the goddess, clutching the book in her arms.
On the roof of the mansion, there is a circular glass patterned window to let in 'sunlight', really it was for decoration. Using that as a entry way, the couch opened it and fell through with Viridi. The portal was just a bit further. Hurriedly the goddess rushed over, but a step behind it shut. Stopping abruptly, Viridi turned around to see an incoming shadow appear.
"Viridi..." It laughed, he shadow began to form a figure far too familiar. "It's been too long." Hades appeared, looking down at the goddess- a crooked smirk upon his face.
Backing up, Viridi wished for her powers to work. The dimension was limited in power usage, sometimes parts of the mansion would disappear due to weak energy. That's why most of the building was glittering away when the couch and Viridi were atop the roof. Only the main hall, basement, kitchen, library and a part of a hallway were left. "Hades how di-"
"Hm?" The monster raised a brow, "Oh your friends? A simple paper trick won't fool me Viridi, haha! And those annoying objects- ugh, what a nuisance. I got rid of them too."
"What?!"
"Why, what's the matter? Useless things irritate me." Sighed Hades, brushing off the topic with a flick of a hand. "It was quite easy really, they put up a fight but it didn't last long. It surprises me you care much about simple objects when you can't even look at humans." Laughing as Viridi gritted her teeth. Continuing, "That reminds me... let's talk business Goddess of Nature."
:O :O :O
Crescent crowns and petaldrops surrounded the tree on the hill. The sun had just gone but the glowing flowers drew a haze into the quieting atmosphere. There were two under the tree, resting with little words exchanged. It had been a long confusing day, so much to take in and so many places with memories set to linger. To the angel, he didn't know how to feel. His experience in the sky- everyone was shocked and fought against him, through the change of heart and end to war, little but so changed around him. Besides the fact Hades was defeated and peace was restored throughout the clouds, Dark Pit still had the feeling within him. Of course, he had Pandora. Also he would consider Viridi and Pit as allies. On the surface he began to have a different view on people and his values changed. Meeting all these people today, people who Emma thought of as family and having the chance of becoming apart of that family made the angel's hollow body lighten.
"Emma?" Kuro glanced down to find a human girl curled up, fasted to sleep. The hint of smile and a quiet, "thank you."
A few moments of breaths and final moments of fearless until a gust of wind blew past. Night air is cold but just then was that familiar feel of ice. The feeling Dark Pit felt when in the eyes of Hades, the feeling of when you entered City of Souls, the feeling of the air draining the warmth of your living heart. It was there and the angel grew tense.
"AHH!" A little boy's scream echoed in the distance. "BLUE!" Daymein's voice pierced through his ears.
"Daymein!" Emma shot up from her sleep and frantically struggled to stand. "Find him, I'll get help."
Following the struggling cries, Dark Pit found himself at the center of a burned down field. With it's stench still poised to the air and it's shattering crackle of spoiled plants under, the field stood far from the farm and past a small portion of forest. The moon's light shone down, watching everything and there, were the two children just ahead. "LET GO! AHHH! IF YOU HURT BLU- AHHHHHH!" Something inside of the angel sparked as he saw Day's figure in the night sky be forcefully thrown to the side by a large dripping sort-of beast, the boy was then picked up again and thrown up and farther. Without a second thought, Kuro bolted towards the scene. His cloak falling behind revealing his toga still as perfect as before. It's golden edges still pure and the silky fabric glistened. He was truly different from this world of humans. The angel flapped his wings and soared into the air, catching Day in his arms. Then he charged past the enemies, snatching up BlueBell and holding her close. Stunned, the beast twisted their heads and this is what they saw walking towards them: An angel-like being walked towards them. In the distance you can see him slowly lift his head, the expression rising from the shadows. Fierce angered eyes that shone red, brows scrunched and the lips tilted downwards slightly. Every step the angel took showed as a sign of threat, the presence taunting the frozen beasts that stared. He held two bruised and cut children, one arm holding a little girl cradled up and the other holding the boy so his belly was against the angel's shoulder. "Kuro… Kur… ro…" mumbled Day, "run… Kur…o."
"It's alright now..." He whispered, "Day, rise." The boy's eyes opened instantly and Kuro looked directly at him asking, "Can you walk?"
"Kuro? Y-You look… different. You're an… angel." The boy smiled, "AND YOU'RE WEARING TIGHTS, NOOOO WAY!"
"Day, take Emma for just a moment okay?"
Another adorable smile, "Roger!" Daymein. Putting the two down, Kuro looked back the the beasts- his angered face reappearing. Repeating to himself, "it'll only take a moment." And so he dashed towards them, to what humans see as 'lightning fast'. Claws ignited onto the angel's hands and the fiery blue sliced through all four of the monsters. To the angel it reminded him of the shadow puppets Pandora had made when back at the mansion. It seemed strange to him but the thought of them hurting Day and Blue, flooded into his mind. And soon he forgot all about it. What also caught Kuro thinking was that he never saw the creatures before, the Dark Forces were dwindling due to Hades's defeat. There wasn't suppose to be any new monsters. "Wow Kuro!" the kid jumped. Dark Pit saw the amazement in the boy's eyes and smiled. Picking up Blue, Dark Pit and Day walked together. "Blue! Open your eyes!" Called Day.
Seems like he's back to normal. "Enough, let her rest."
Frowning, the little boy abruptly pulled down the angel's arms and held his friend. Then surprisingly, he started to shake her back and forth, ignoring his elder's protests. "Heeey Blue… it's time to wake up. Bluuue, are you okay? ...Come on, I have to show you something."
"Hmm.." She wiggled.
Letting out a slight sigh and laugh, "Heh alright. I'll patch you up back at the barn, but right now… look." And then Day pointed to Kuro. "Better than looking at drawings, huh." The angel didn't seem to interrupt any further and watched the sparkle of the little girl's multicolored eyes. Under the moonlight and in the background of the darkened sky, Bluebell smiled. Just a little grin that lit up her tear stained frowns. More than ever, Dark Pit had the urge to smile back- even if it was just for a little bit. Instead he picked her up, as well as hauling up Day, and proceeded to walk. It was then a crazy idea popped into Daymein's tricky mind. "Um Kuro, do you think… you can fly us to Emma?"
"What?!"
"Please! Can we? Can we? Can we? KURO PLEASE!" Begged the little boy. "Just for a little bit, okay. Please!"
The angel thought to himself. First, it's dangerous and second, someone might see. But then again, flying is the fastest way to Emma, and this kid won't quit until he gets what he wants. "Uh."
"Pleaseee!"
Rolling his eyes and giving in, Kuro adjusted his hold on both kids and took a deep breath. "Just a little secret between you guys and I, alright." With that, the feathered wings stretched out above them and into the night sky they go. Picking enough air, the angel soared under the clouds. Looking down and into the distance, you can see spots of light, the lanterns that lit up the allies of the walled city. The ground and everything on it began to shrink as the three flew higher. The fields as laying books, the Fifer farm now a glowing gumdrop, and the windmill looked just like a broken wall brick. Day completely astonished, gasped and cheered as loud as he can. Bell wide eyed, jaw slightly dropped. The air was good, any coldness disappeared with Kuro's protective arms around the kids. Twirling and swaying in the wind, relaxed them and reminded the angel how amazing flying really is. After days with compressed wings and being cloaked, the feeling of flying was nearly forgotten.
"My name is Day, and I'm the king under the clouds!"
After a respectable amount of time, the angel descended, landing by the tree Emma slept on. Bluebell handed him his cloak and again Kuro picked the children up, proceeding on the path to the farm. "Our little secret." He reminded as they closed in on the Fifer family. Currently, the farm was in chaos- children running around screaming with gardening tools, Papa Fifer hauling over a huge axe and Mama Fifer weeping silently in the back. It was until Emma noticed Kuro and ran towards them with open arms. "Oh my goodness, goodness, goodness." she squeeze the two kids in a bear hug. "Kuro, thank you."
:O :O :O
"I am not interested in any 'business' with you, Hades." Spat the Goddess of Nature. She stood her ground confidently, the black book in hand.
With a quick 'hmpf' and snicker, the monster grinned. "Let me explain Viridi. We shared something in common, don't you know?" She frowned in disgust and Hades snickered once more. "What has always worried and angered you so? Excluding Pit." Stepping closer, Hades snapped igniting a floating image. It replayed the events of human war over the wishing seed and the fires created around it. "Of course you haven't forgotten about your reset bombs. Your plan to kill all of humanity- create a world for only the peace! And to let the animals roam free! To create beautiful world and save those who cherish the living green! Have you forgot what the humans did?"
"Do not persuade with such foolish remarks, I will not fall for your corrupted plans Hades." The anger that flooded out of Viridi was absorbed into the black book. It began to glow.
Losing his patience, Hades creepy smiled dropped to a serious expression. "I am only here to remind you Viridi, not much more. Right now is the perfect time to start considering your revenge once again. If you wait too long, this world with grow dry and it's color will fade. Is that what you want?" Each word, Hades stepped closer. "Answer Viridi, do you want the world to rot?" A dark aura thickened and filled the room. It was a confusing darkness, messing with the goddess's values.
"No. The humans are… they… are destroying for foolish… reasons."
Hades smiled, "That's right. Now tell me, what were you going to do before that wretched angel ruined your plans?"
"Re… reset… fresh soil… for the beautiful world… reset… reset… reset…" The goddess grew limp and her eyes fogged. "I must… kill… the hu-" Without warning, the black book shone brightly and fell from Viridi's grip- snapping her out of the trance. Upon falling the book landed open, it's blank pages started to crinkle then quickly created a monstrous tree. It grew high, it's branches spreading along the ceiling until it covered a great amount of the walls. Gasping and gazing the tree, Viridi noticed how detailed the drawn-like tree was. White with crafting black pencil shaped the monster as it roared. Hearing the whispers of 'run' from the book, the goddess held up her dress and fled. "Pandora, where are you!?" she cried, frantically opening doors. Almost falling, Viridi opened a door near the end of the hallway where the building was disappearing. Remembering what the coach said, the goddess searched for stairs, hoping to find Pandora in her bedroom. Finding her way up, the goddess was relieved to see the big master room door move. "Pandora!"
And there she was, with her back facing Viridi, Pandora froze. "Viridi?"
"We have to get out of here! Hades is… Pandora?" When grabbing hold of her friend's hand, Pandora dug her nails into the skin- refusing to let go. "Ow! Pandora!"
"Oh I know, Goddess of Nature." She sneered, "Hades is here."
Cheft: Sorry for the long wait, been so busy. Anyways I'm going back to the chapter out every Sunday okay! :D :D :D