Chapter 8

Past Limits

Now that Hades is breathing once more, the main Goddess' of the sky grew worried. Hades isn't like Medusa, worse... far worse than her. At least she had the heart to save Pit, well, even if it wasn't her plan to do so. Medusa was done with evil and wanted to rest, there are rumors that she will rise again just as it's normal for time to repeat it self. But it seems that Hades wants all the power for himself and will let no one have it. If he were to fall, everything else will rot away just as he, correct? Or perhaps something a new will show, it's a possibility for Hades to have a backup plan if all fails. Still... good wouldn't exist if there was no bad, the same as the light and darkness. You cannot stop one to feel hate as to you cannot stop evil from reappearing.

The morning arrived, the sun beginning to rise from sleep. From the stacking rubble inside the windmill, a curious and aggravated angel popped out searching to his left and his right. For the past couple of days there were no signs of any SkyWorld trouble, no Gods' no Goddess', no monsters, no nothing. It was like Dark Pit never had that life, he would spend his nights waiting for Emma to arrive with Daymein so the three could go out on an adventure together. Sometimes it would be within the city, sometimes it would be about the farms and fields. Wherever they went, it always seemed like all was happy. Daymein would brighten up the mood or crack a joke about being the best and Emma would make everything calm and peaceful by humming a tune or just talking. Dark Pit... or Kuro liked those days.

He hoped the incident back at Fifer Farm was a one time kinda deal. But nothing is so simple, they'll be back and when they do return… this guy is gonna make sure the harmony will remain untouched. First things first is protecting Emma and Daymein. Then The Families; Fifer Farm, Corner Shops, Kilden and Spook. And of course Kuro promises to defend the city at all means cost.

It was until the hidden angel discovered a figure in the sky one morning. Laying the patch of flowers, he was watching the world light up and awaken as the sun did so. But deep in the clouds he saw a figure too familiar. An angel. Like watching himself fly, Kuro knew the only other angel then him was this annoying "hero of them all". Pit. All the trouble from SkyWorld dwelled up again and the memories of trouble and fighting was brought up to the forefront of his thoughts. Instantly Pit caught sight of Pittoo once at cloudbreak, he dove down. As the angel touched ground, Dark Pit stood and crossed his arms. Frowning as he waited for the explanation.

"Listen... If Pandora sent you. Tell her that I-"

"No." Pit sparkled in the sun, lingering glitter surrounding him. Still fresh from SkyWorld. Dark Pit on the other hand, lost his glow living on the surface from day two. "Pittoo.. I came from Lady Palutena's permission. It's Hades, He awake a-and Pandora..."

Stepping forward, deep inside a spark of worry lit in the dark angel. "What about Pandora?"

"Pandora?" Emma came with Daymein at her side.

The two angels watched. Pit wide eyed seeing a human girl walking right up to Dark Pit, and the dark angel himself nuzzling his face in Emma's hair and also letting a little boy climb over his shoulders for a ride. Pit nearly fell when he snagged a glimpse of his counterpart... SMILING. Clearly astonished and overwhelmed, the angel from the heavens couldn't take his eyes off the human so close. His eyes locked, glancing back and forth at his counterpart to the human, over and over again.

"Are those wings?" Day finally broke the silence just as the the sun behind him broke night. "ARE YOU KURO'S BROTHER? YOU LOOK JUST LIKE HIM. KURO IS AN ANGEL TOO, HE LET ME RIDE TO THE SKY THE OTHER DAY AND IT WAS SO COOL! CAN YOU DO THAT TOO? CAN I HAVE WINGS?"

Pit still trying to get over Pittoo and the girl, couldn't provide an answer and was just at a lost of words. "I uh.. I-I um who.. Kuro?"

Heads turned to the dark angel, Daymein (still atop Kuro's shoulders) on the other hand attempted to scratch his head but the act of letting go of Dark Pit's hair made him lose balance and almost fall backwards. But of course Dark Pit caught the little hands of the kid and placed them over his head, explaining. "Pit my name is Kuro so get used to it. I have no interest in helping the heavens nor Pandora so while I can still hold my ground, I want you to leave- Hm Day!" Daymein pulled on the angel's hair and hugged his arms around the angel's face.

In a tone Dark Pitt never heard before from the kid, Day looked as if he was about to cry. "Are you going to go Kuro? I don't want you to, please don't."

The angel couldn't say anything, instead he gulped and cleared his throat. He wasn't planning on leaving but when it really comes to it, he might. Not for long... never forever... he'll come back for sure, a promise waiting to be made. "Pit. Explain the skies."

"Uh.. sure, 'course." Pit ignored the deal with the human and reminded himself that The Goddess of Calamity was right. "Hades is awake once again and he believes Pandora is still in the dark. Currently she's our spy but I don't know how much more she will hold up. Dark Pit..."

"Kuro."

"...Kuro. Pandora is covering your absence and is using all her power to protect you as we speak. Please, I am asking you to come back with me. She is growing weak, sustaining Hades energy and making her own enemies. The worst part... Palutena said t-that.. Hades cursed her with this mirror curse and if he finds out, Hades won't hesitate to take out her existence. I know you might not see it now but Pandora.. that Goddess is like your life. She made you, gave you a home and helps you out more than anyone-"

Palutena, who was actually watching everything at her Palace added, "and she feeds you."

"AND SHE FEEDS YOU." Agreed the angel.

Emma and Daymein stayed silent. Taking her brother from Kuro and walked into the windmill, not wanting to interrupt. She knew she'd get answers out of him one way or another. Pit saw this as an opportunity to question that mess. Being completely calm right until the two humans stepped foot into the machinery. Then he freaked out, stating the rules and lines between immortal and mortal.

"Just shut up already." Sighed the dark angel, "whatever you say about the balance and rules, I'm not taking it. There's no way you can change my mind about them. For Pandora I'll see what I can do but I just can't leave, it's difficult to explain and I-"

Day's voice rang from inside the building, "Kurooo Emma got apples!"

Just like a wolf Kuro's ears perked up and he turned his attention to the fruit. Today the three planned a picnic for the almanac promised good weather. The angel was as well excited, picnic meant food, food meant apples, apples meant happiness. He recalled his memories about the day after receiving goods from Kilden. Emma strictly kept apples as a treat for Kuro, nothing else. If he was lucky Kuro would get two apples a day... but mostly just one or none. And since Emma and Daymein sleep in the city, Dark Pit stays at the windmill at night to avoid any risks. In that time alone he searches for the treats hidden in the windmill. Daymein was being sneaky and hinted, the apples lay somewhere in the windmill.

The morning was not far from beginning, the sun making its way up to reach the top of the sky and the cold wind easing from the dark skies. The group took the picnic outside in the flower patch. Dark Pit sitting awfully close to Emma, Day off to the side feeding the birds and Pit awkwardly placed in front of the human and his counterpart. He still wore a slightly different toga since his last was ruined at the battle of Hades. But nonetheless Emma recognized it, seeing it was similar to Kuro's.

"Hmmm.. Kuro huh." Palutena walked a slow pace, thinking. "Well it does make sense... he doesn't hold a real name, though I'm sure Pandora called him Kuro before."

Pit nodded to his goddess before looking down to the banquet before him. Human food is not the same as the ones in the heavens. In the skies, the food does not go bad. It stays in perfect condition till eaten, whereas the surface food is grown in dirt, able to rot and is never in perfect form. Apples are one of the small group of foods that are the same as the ones on the surface. Over the years the humans try to copy the taste and looks of heaven food, but with their resources not even the most best chef could come close. To Pit, he would eat anything to increase his energy but tonight Lady Palutena was making dinner and Pit did not want to ruin his appetite. Ah the problems!

The Goddess of Light then cleared her throat, being serious now. "Pit," her angel noticed her tone and listened carefully, "Pitto- ahem.. Kuro is very attached to the human. The fear Pandora has is true, Hades will not let this aside. You know what is to be done."

"B-But Lady Pa-" the sudden outburst made the two picnic eaters jump, Pit nervously itched his arm.

Dark Pit then stood, taking Emma too. Whispering something in her ear before sitting back down. The light shuffle of loose stems and flowers brushing against each other was heard. Hearing it become distant as Emma walked towards her brother and guiding him inside the windmill once more. The serious tone between the two angels heightened. Continuing the side conversation with his goddess, Pit spoke again, "But Lady Palutena... you cannot let this go either? If we find Hades, a-and put an end to this, can't you let him be down here?" Across the flower bed, Kuro leaned back and relaxed his shoulders. He knew the rules. Inside he flooded with worry. Dread. Distress. Trying to calm down, he attempted to think of something else, but the thought of Pandora falling to the feet of Hades came. Clenching his fists, Kuro closed his eyes. He felt the cool ground beneath him and warmth of the sun above him, the surface awakened first with the birds' melodies then the rising wind that softened by the rays of sunlight. It was calming. But instead of an evening with Emma and Day, he found himself with Pit and trouble.

Palutena sighed heavily, "Remember the plan, Pit. Do not mess this up."

"Understood." Distressed, the angel looked up to meet with his counterpart already knowing. "Hey Pi-, Kuro it's..."

"I'm not leaving." It was simple, Dark Pit stood again. He was serious, "if Hades has a problem with it, he can talk to me."

"It's not like that, Lady Palutena said the balance between this world on the surface... and the world up there, in the clouds... will be disrupted. You'll affect everyone!" Pit knew the way to get a point through Dark Pit, being reasonable wasn't an option. He got up as well, "you don't belong here." the angel stated sternly.

"You don't know anything." Spat Kuro, " I don't belong up there. I don't like it up there. I'm following Emma and Daymein, it's a free sky and all I need is on the surface."

Sighing Pit stretched out his wings and called for the power of flight. Glowing in a hazy blue, the angel's wings brought him afloat. "What'll happen to Pandora then… when did you ever help her?" Flashes of memories overcame Dark Pit. When Emma and Day weren't on his mind, he found himself itching forward back to the skies. But when the two humans were on his mind, he stayed stubborn to stay on the ground. And lemme say… best timing ever! Day runs out holding an apple with his sister chasing him not far behind. Smiling she picks him up and walks towards Kuro. Extending an arm, Pit reminds the dark angel, "Pandora."

"Are you leaving?" Daymein's voice shakes, his once big laughter and giggles turns to worry. Emma hushes him. Holding the kid so his back faces the angels, but it's visible that Day wants to see what happens. Kuro then turns to his counterpart once more, seeing him nod slightly to Lady Palutena. Turning once more, back to his friends. "Great…" He mutters to himself.

"Pittoo! Think about Pandora! Think about Hades! War is starting, we need your help." Pit was starting to be desperate. Something wasn't right. It was beginning to show that, Pit didn't really seem like Pit- all is to wonder why.

As for Kuro, he was getting angry. "First off, I am NOT Pittoo. Second, if another war is developing then I can't take any chances leaving Emma, Daymein or the village. The surface is already paying the cost," He sighed and calmed down lowering his voice. "Monsters appeared not too long ago. I'll secure what's down here, alright. Just-"

"KURO!" A shadow-like being rose from the ground, the exact replica of the human girl. The real Emma backed up slowly, cradling Daymein tightly. Before her, Emma's shadow-self held out a flaming knife, outstretch pointing towards the humans.

Pit's voice grew dark, "Now. Let me ask again." The angel reached out, "Will you, or will you not accompany me to the skies?"

Disgusted, the counterpart tensed up- ready to summon his weapon and strike. "What are you trying to do?"

Laughing, Pit asked, "You want to see Hades, don't you? Hahaha, well Hades," By this point, Pit's smile widen like a nightmare and his crystal voice turned deep, raspy and demonic like a monster. "Would also like to see you, hahaha!" And with that, the angel revealed what lay underneath, yet another shadow beast from the one last night. Dripping with darkness and with stench of burning bodies. "You leave me no choice Dark Pit."

"I'll go with you!" Dark Pit raised his hands and walked towards the beast.

Day screamed, "Kuro!"

"It's alright," the angel calmed. "Look after Emma while I'm gone. I need you to be strong Daymein."

Without further delay, the angel pulled off his cloak and began to glow. As he was teleported with warm light and swirling leaves, the beasts redrew and disappeared back into the ground. Leaving the two humans in despair, it was quiet once again.

Until...

Poof!

"Well, would you look at that." A god appeared in a flash of purple smoke. "Made it here in one piece! . . . Huh, my arm! My leg! It's missing!" The god caught sight of Emma and Day and instructed them, "Help me find my limbs an-"

"AHHHRRGGH!" Daymein retrieved a branch and fiercely started to whack the strange missing some of his body parts. "BRING BACK KURO, MONSTERRR!"

The god, scared to heck began to hop away yelling, "STOP! I'M HERE TO HELP, KID! STOOOP!" Hearing this, Emma stop throwing rocks and hauled Day back up in her arms. Keeping her distance, she held her ground. The god smiled and set haste to find his limbs while speaking, "That was quite a welcome. Oh, there's my arm." Laying in the patch of flowers and greenish limb lay, the god then attached it and continued his hopping. "You are Dark Pit's humans, no?"

"Kuro. His name is Kuro." Day spat.

Brushing off the potential argument, the god jumped in happiness upon finding his leg. "Yes, yes Kuro..." He attached his limb and tested them by simple movements, "well believe it or not, I am a powerful god and every human on this earth is in grave danger-"

"WHAT?!" screamed the kid. "YOU'RE A GOD? Heheh, you don't look like one."

The stranger began to float in the air, "Ha. Ha. Very funny, kid. For your information I am the God of Death, Thanatos. I was sent by a friend just now to help you guys out. She said that you two may be able to save her angel, or at least help."

Not giving in, Emma asked "How can we trust you?"

"Ugh, I know- God of Death, doesn't sound very pleasing." Thanatos waved his arm, "and now that you mention it, I WAS an enemy to the light before... oh and then I'm actually working under Hades as we speak- BUT don't worry," Thanatos smiled, "I have balloons!" He cheered, summoning a bouquet of colorful balloons. "I used to be a clown before I died, ya know. Anyways you have nothing to worry about, I'm undercover for the leaders of the light. I'm sure you heard of her before, does Lady Palutena ring a bell?"

"You're with her?" Emma walked forward, "then why are you helping Hades?"

Thanatos laid down in mid-air sighing, "Oh that's such a long story. One thing's for sure, Hades would kill me if I didn't help him. Not just kill (I'm already dead), but take me out of existence! You have to understand, that big guy is beyond powerful. Speaking of which, Pandora was under suspicion ('cause she works for Hades too) and for safety measures Hades cursed her- time is ticking. That's the other reason why I'm helping Hades- by doing so I'm extra eyes for Pandora. Her crazy plan has already begun, ya know."

"Explain."

The god shrugged, "I wish I could say more but you never know who's watching." He smiled devilishly and the humans glanced over their shoulders. With a couple of claps, Thanatos poofed out a old detailed rug and it started to float. "Alright, enough chit chat- the ruler of the skies asks for your help."

Daymein's eyes widen with excitement and fury, "let's fly!"

Cheft: Sorry about not updating last Sunday, I was on vacay. Hoped you enjoyed the chapter, please review! It motivates me so I can get a chapter out on time! There's a lot on my plate so some feedback from my work would be great, Cheft is working okay! :D :D :D