Pit's POV

End of flood of previously written things. After this, I'm still working on it. At… whatever pace.

"The Underworld sure looks different," commented Pit as he sailed over it.

"Yes, it does, and that's why we're here. I'm sensing something different about the Underworld and its denizens, and I want you to check it out."

"Gotcha."

He flew over a garden of black trees with silvery leaves that fell in a stream like water. The pale forms of souls twisted between the trunks. A single clear stream wove into and out of the garden. "It's so peaceful here," said Pit.

"Yes, that's how it should be," said Palutena. "The Underworld is a place of peace for souls in the cycle of rebirth."

"So it's not evil?"

"The people who rule the Underworld have been evil," said Palutena. "With Hades gone, it makes sense that it would revert to its natural state."

Pit dodged around a rock wall and spotted something in the distance. "What is THAT?"

Palutena sounded distressed. "I don't know. It's new to me. Come on, I'll take you closer." They darted in. Pit made out the shapes of silver spires- wreathed in mist-

"I'm gonna have you stop right there."

Palutena stopped Pit, and he looked around in surprise. In a silver flash, two figures appeared in front of them, having darted in to hover. A huge white dragon curled in midair to regard them, and in front of it hovered Kuro, arms folded. He looked different- his tunic was cut differently, made of black and silver. It looked more elaborate, and he stood proudly in it, head raised in a challenge.

"Kuro!" exclaimed Pit. "What are you doing here?"

"Working for the new landlady," he replied. "And I can't have you two idiots barging in on her."

"New landlady?"

"Kuro? Is everything all right?"

Pit saw a new image in his head- a goddess with pale, almost translucent skin and curling brown hair beneath a veil. A silver dress cloaked her form. "Who are you?" asked Palutena wondrously.

"Oh," said the goddess shyly. "You must be Palutena. It's an honor to meet you. I'm Persephone."

"Persephone?" said Pit.

"The Persephone?" asked Palutena. "Hades kidnapped her a long time ago, Pit. But why is she so powerful?"

"Kuro helped me," said Persephone. "I'm taking care of this place now. You're Pit? You look just like Kuro."

"He looks like ME," Pit growled, but Persephone continued, "Kuro, have you been rude?"

"No," he growled in a sulky tone, eyes lowered.

"That would be a yes," said Palutena apologetically. "He kinda was," Pit said.

"I'm sorry," said Persephone. "Kuro, why don't you lead them to the Garden?"

"But-!"

"Kuro, please," she said quietly. A foreign emotion touched his eyes, he glanced to the side and sighed. Beside him, the dragon uttered an odd purring noise.

"Fine."

Privately Palutena said, "She must be something special to have gotten Kuro on her side. Last I checked, he didn't take orders from anyone."

"Come on, this way," said Kuro, turning. The dragon hung back to flank Pit as they approached the palace.

"It's so beautiful," said Pit.

"It's called the Soul Garden," said Kuro bitterly.

"Something's got him twisted up," said Palutena privately.

They landed lightly at a silver disk extending outside the gates. Kuro hung back behind as Pit entered, but the dragon followed him through and nosed him as he crossed the floor, suddenly playful. "Whoa!" exclaimed Pit, stumbling. Kuro followed them in as a figure appeared at the top of the foyer steps.

Persephone was young and vibrant. "Hello!" she said eagerly, trotting down the steps to greet them. She stood before Pit with a welcoming smile, and he couldn't help but smile back before remembering his manners and bowing.

"It's nice to meet you, Pit and Palutena," she said. She tilted her head at Pit. "You really do look just like Kuro. It's amazing, really."

"He looks like ME," Pit repeated.

"Oh, yes, the whole copy thing," she said, looking embarrassed. "That upsets him a lot, you know. He only wants to be considered different." She smiled at Pit as Kuro arrived, coming to stand at her shoulder with arms and wings folded protectively. He watched her out of the corners of his eyes.

"Oh, yes," she said, turning to him. "I hurt your feelings, didn't I?" she asked. "I'm sorry. I should have asked you first. You were only trying to protect me..."

The hard veil over Kuro's eyes fell away, and he looked almost vulnerable. He lowered his gaze from her face. Persephone smiled with a gentle concern, and he at last muttered, "It's fine."

"Yeah, she's pretty special," said Palutena to Pit. "I can see why he might like her." To Persephone, she asked, "What do you do... here?"

"Keep the balance," said Persephone eagerly. "With no one to look after it, the Underworld threatens to collapse. Kuro was helping before he even knew it-" this earned her a glance from the dark angel, and she hastened on- "but somehow I got him to help me. I watch over the souls now."

"Where are they?" interjected Kuro. "There's usually tons in here."

Persephone looked embarrassed. "I wanted the main foyer to look nice for our guests."

"It's nice with them around," Kuro said. "It's not so empty." Persephone ducked her head in further embarrassment. "Still. I like the way the silver looks."

"I guess," muttered Kuro, glancing off. But Pit had the feeling that he wasn't actually upset.

"Keeping the balance- what do you mean?" asked Palutena.

"I make sure the souls are sent on their way," said Persephone. "Without a guide, they'll never make it. Hades's presence was previously enough to push some of them onward, but..." She flashed a shy smile.

"Without her, the Underworld collapses, and souls mix with the surface world," said Kuro. "I don't think you want that."

"No, we certainly don't," murmured Palutena.

"Good," he said.

When the audience was over, they departed out the front gate again. The dragon in the front hall stopped them momentarily to stare deeply into Pit's eyes with silver-lined ones. "Okay..." Pit muttered. "Stay calm, Pit. I think it's inspecting you," said Palutena.

A few moments passed and the dragon puffed a cool, glittering cloud over Pit. It withdrew. "I think you pass," said Palutena, and Pit slowly walked by it. Kuro patted its snout.

"Ready to use the power of flight, Lady Palutena?" asked Pit eagerly.

"Of course."

Kuro escorted them to where they'd been before. "Get out," he said, almost sounding tired.

"Let's not argue with him," said Palutena, and flew Pit out.