CHAPTER 21
The blazing light reduced to reveal Dark Pit clutching his mouth tightly while sweat slipped down his temples furiously. About half of Skyworld's army had fallen as well as the Underworld army. The eternal moonlight bathed their surroundings in an everlasting stillness.
"P-Pit.. Did I just finish.. him? Did I just fire at the Gods?!" Tightly shutting his garnet eyes, gleaming tears ran down his colorless cheeks.
"Are you trying to kill them all?" Magnus's spirit bellowed. Gazing frightfully upon the Rewind Spring he noticed that not a single soul was harmed.
"I-I missed?"
"No but you would have killed them if I hadn't jerked the damn cannon upward!" The stationary Gods were sprawled across the platform while Pit and Mesperyian had disappeared from sight. Reflections began to fade in the water as Pit emerged from spring, wide-eyed, gasping for air. Physically it appeared that Pit that not changed. He could thank all those years of being trapped within a pit of despair for that. Luckily the spring didn't reduce his body to before all those eons.. Though his body hollered for him to cease movement, he rejected his body's plea.
"P-Palutena.."
Crawling toward young Palutena, Pit turned lightly brushed her cheek. Her slow pulse sustained, Pit body finally gave into fatigue and collapsed beside the tired Goddess, viewing his surroundings. Zeus, Viridi, and Poseidon were freed from their own weaknesses, all completely drained. Though they may have been freed their very souls were completely weak. They all glanced at one another, lying motionless upon the ground. Without warning there was a stir within the liquid of the Rewind Spring. Long, golden, silky locks surfaced from the water, revealing a young and beautiful Mesperyian. Her face was that of angelic features, as if the Gods themselves had blessed her with beauty that outmatched even Aphrodite. Her cold metal arm had been replaced with a soft, pale limb; her amethyst eyes flared open as she studied her young and beautiful body. She was extremely well rounded with freckled skin. However, her darkened wings remained.
"W-what? My body..?" Running her hand through her thick hair, tears welted up in her eyes. "S-so this is how quick it takes to recover you.. I had no idea.." Gazing around she couldn't help but stare at Pit. "Wow, you were much cuter in my head."
"You seem surprised," Viridi remarked.
"In fact," Palutena murmured, lifting her head only to have Pit support it tenderly. "Why didn't you come here to restore your appearance? You could have done so at any time." Conjuring her neck awkwardly, Mesperyian cracked,
"Y-you think I want to look like this now? I was utterly betrayed and disgraced among the Gods! My outer appearance only reflects what my heart bleeds! I breathe sorrow and deliver pain!"
"So you take your pain out on other people?!" Pit yelled, holding his precious Goddess.
"What choice do I have?! People will only hurt you in the end! I merely amplify that lesson! In this beautifully fucked up world it's kill or be killed!" Pit slowly stood, resting Palutena's weight on Viridi.
"You have no faith in others? There is good within people! Everyone is born innocent; no one is born with darkness in their heart! Darkness is merely thrusted upon them. It's up to us to decide how to deal with the problems you face! " The beautiful Goddess of Torture yelled,
"How can I possibly put my faith in something I cannot touch or see?! People are nothing but liars and jealous back-stabbers!" She paused for a brief moment to remember the moment her face was burned. "The fact still remains that you killed my father! Prepare to die!" With that she protracted her arms in hopes of throwing a purple sphere of energy but to not avail. "W-what is this?! My powers?" Mesperyian sunk to her knees, staring at her nimble hand. She had forgotten how weak she was back then. Before her metamorphosis she never needed to use magic. With the remaining energy the Gods grounded themselves, grinning cockily.
Up above all the Gods, Daybreak once more was aimed carefully and directly at the stunning Goddess.
"It's a shame, she's really hot." Glancing at her thighs and unrealistically alluring face Dark Pit blushed before he screamed out,
"Everyone out of the way!" Responding, Zeus grabbed Palutena with Pit in Poseidon's arms. Their bodies allowing them to retort, they all flew high above the platform, firing at Mesperyian to keep her grounded. Viridi gave a rather pained expression while she contributed her fire. Dark Pit carefully aimed and shot Daybreak once more, ensuring that he wouldn't miss. Magnus sat upon the Great Sacred Treasure, giving thumbs up before he dissipated. The luminous light filled their vision. Petrified from pain, Mesperyian looked down at her torso, a gaping hole now within her. She blankly stared up at the Gods and spoke,
"Tell me, how can you have faith if the results can't be seen? We all die alone and nothing can change our fates," Coughing up sticky blood, she looked past the Gods and toward the starry sky. The Gods landed upon the platform once more, watching in horror at the tissue and organs falling out of Mesperyian. "Darkness will always exist as long as light remains. Heh- how utterly pointless life is.." Falling backward into the water she slowly spoke with her final breath, "Hope and despair all zero out in the end. A small mind is easily filled with faith while hope is the first step toward disappointment." The newly formed hole within her body disappeared within seconds while her body prematured. Deeper she sank into the spring, disappearing from reality. Pit wrapped his arms warmly around Palutena, his soul requesting physical comfort. Confidently facing the Gods Palutena the commanded,
"Come now, let's seal their souls within the underworld before they-" Her short legs finally gave out, Pit catching her. The mighty Zeus spoke,
"You seem too weak to create the barrier." Poseidon then chimed placing his hand upon her shoulder,
"Indeed you should rest-"
"No! I don't want to risk their souls leaving!" Palutena screamed. Pit looked helplessly looked at his Goddess, unsure of whom to side with; he didn't want her to suffer any more than she already had.
"You know you look kinda cute when you were that young!" Viridi grinned, lightening the mood. Crossing her arms she sighed heavily. "But if Palutena is willing to go all out, then so am I!" Patting her on the back Viridi grinned cockily.
"You're going to attempt to do this, even without our help, aren't you?" Poseidon grimed, shaking his head. Palutena nodded with a serious air, still leaning on Pit. Dark Pit steered the Great Sacred Treasure downward, Palutena climbing atop with Pit. The Gods along with Pit made their way to the borderline and held up each of their hands. Using nature, lightening, water, and light, a transparent red boarder began to appear.
"You're doing great Lady Palutena," Pit cheered, rubbing her back. Palutena scrunched her nose in effort. Providing a small grin in return, she continued to give her all. Within a few short minutes the Gods had completed their task. The crimson barrier not only resonated it's sheer power but it also had ancient lettering inscribed upon it's edges. Palutena rested her tired head upon Pit's shoulder. Pit stared at her smiling warmly; he found her absolutely adorable when she did that.
"Can you all please meet us back at the temple tomorrow in the afternoon?" Palutena smiled. The Gods all nodded their heads. Pit was taken aback for a moment. Why did she say that so out of the blue? "Fantastic! In that case I bid you all goodnight." Palutena tapped her foot upon the Great Sacred Treasure while Dark Pit yelled back,
"Hey! Don't do that! That's really loud in here!" soaring back to the temple Pit couldn't help but wonder what Palutena was planning for tomorrow. The chilly night air rustled through Pit's auburn hair while he closed his gleaming eyes, satisfied. Palutena stared at her hero, her heart warmed. He had saved the world time and time again, regardless of the odds. Pit always followed Palutena, no matter what happed between them. The little Goddess's lonely hand fell atop of Pit's before Pit stared back at her, surprised. Her eyes portrayed undying gratitude for the angel. Grinning back at her, Pit slightly squeezed her hand in response. She leaned her head against his shoulder, feeling completely at peace. "Honestly you two, I don't know what you're doing up there but it's awfully quiet!" Dark Pit jerked the Great Sacred Treasure, causing Palutena to fall completely into Pit's lap. She blushed heavily as Pit ran his fingers through her hair, relaxing her. The light of peace returned to Skyworld but in order to maintain peace, Pit's struggle continued.
Thank you for reading this story! Truly I hope you enjoyed Kid Icarus: The Aftermath! Make sure to read the epilogue and also the alternate ending! After all this is said and done I'm most likely going to go over the story again and see what I can improve!