By the time they reached Skyworld and reached the nearest islet that wouldn't result in an unwanted soaking, Pit and his allies nearly collapsed in the grass with exhaustion.

"Home sweet home," he grumbled as he rolled onto his back, staring up at the stars above. After a bit of time, the group of six collected themselves enough to sit and stand up, their tired lack of hope evident on their faces. Remiel and Henry both looked concerned for their parents, Ephraim seemed distracted, Lucina's emotions were raging, and Kuro just looked angry. The blue-eyed god took a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning to his brother. "So… when are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I guess now is as good a time as any," he sighed. "When we got to the Underworld, Nemo- Hades, whatever- ambushed us with his guard dog Cerberus. After dealing with that, we finally caught up with Pandora and she challenged me to a duel." He paused, his eyes losing focus. "I won. She's dead. And to the victor go the spoils, I guess."

"The Commander took over her power," Remiel explained, and Pit blinked, looking from him back to his brother.

"Wait. So… you're a… a god now?" Kuro shrugged. "The god of Calamity."

"Guess so," his twin replied dully. "Sorry, Pit. I'm exhausted. I haven't really gotten a chance to rest since we left and… well, holding in Calamity just kind of makes me angry. I feel like destroying the first thing that looks at me funny."

"I think we're all due for a rest," Pit agreed. "We'll talk more about it tomorrow." He turned to the Underworld's princes and stepped over to them. "Are you two okay?"

"I'm worried about Mother," Remiel replied. "I don't think she's… I mean, I think she's alive. But I can't imagine she's doing well, wherever she is."

"Not to mention everything happening with Dad," Henry grumbled. "This isn't fair. I don't want to lose him already."

"I know," Pit nodded and rested his hands on the boys' shoulders. "I don't want to lose him either. And you're right- this isn't fair to you, Henry." Remiel took a slow, soft breath and wrapped his arm over his little brother's shoulders, and Henry leaned into him slightly. Pit closed his eyes for a moment before turning to Lucina and taking her hand briefly in his, then moved on to his angel.

"Are you doing okay, Ephy?" he asked, and Ephraim's gaze focused in on him.

"I've got something I need to talk to you about," he replied. "Alone, if possible." Pit glanced around his other companions.

"Go ahead," Kuro urged. "I think the rest of us need to get some sleep." Pit nodded and turned back to his partner.

"I'll meet you back in our chamber, okay?"

"Okay," she nodded and touched her lips to his briefly, and he held her close for a moment longer before they dispersed. He turned back to the angel, who shifted his weight awkwardly and avoided his leader's gaze.

"So, what's bothering you?" he asked, and Ephraim took a deep, hesitant breath.

"Uh… Every time I've run into Hades, I feel like he's messing with me," he began. "And after we fought Cerberus, he said I fight as well as he remembers. But I've never met him before, so how would he know how I fight?" He went on before Pit had a chance to answer. "Maybe I'm over-thinking it. Maybe he just wants to mess with my head. But… he said that you'd know what he meant." Pit sighed and massaged his forehead.

"I think I do know," he admitted. "I… admit I've never been entirely sure of my decision to keep this from you. I've never lied to you, Ephraim, but I admit there is something you don't know about yourself." Ephraim frowned, unsure what to think. Pit gestured for him to follow and took back to the skies, heading toward the temple and making his way through until he reached his chamber where he found Lucina sitting on their bed. She looked up curiously as he entered.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I don't know," he said softly, moving around to a chest on the other side of the room. He opened it and retrieved something from within, then turned back to his partner and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back in a little bit. Feel free to go ahead and sleep."

"All right," she nodded, and he forced a smile before heading back out into the hall where Ephraim was waiting for him.

"I don't really know where to start," he sighed as he held what he had taken close to his chest. "So… Just take a look at this." He held it out and Ephraim took it, staring at the old painting from another lifetime as his eyes steadily widened.

"What…" he breathed. "That… That's me!" he blurted as he studied the black-haired, blue-eyed young man in the painting holding a boy with the same eyes and brown hair just like the woman standing next to them. "But I… How is that possible?"

"You're both right and wrong," Pit began and took a deep breath. "That little boy is me." Ephraim blinked and stared at him. "That was my family before I became an angel- My father, Ephram, and my mother, Helen. I know I've told you that my father was killed when your predecessor, Elora, betrayed me and sided with Medusa for whatever reason. The Fates told me you would be named for him to honor his memory." He paused for a time while Ephraim gazed at the painting. "What they didn't tell me was that my new angel would hold my father's soul. I found that out during the fight with Mastema."

"Wait…" Ephraim managed to say in a broken voice. "You're saying… I'm your father?"

"You were in your past life, yes," Pit nodded, and both fell silent as Ephraim's eyes lost focus. It was some time before he spoke.

"My past life…" he shook his head slowly in disbelief.

"My father was part of a militia that protected his village from Underworld monsters," Pit went on. "He was strong both in body and in heart. He was one of the most unshakable men I've ever met and compassionate beyond words." He smiled softly. "I think he'd be proud to know you've carried on and surpassed his legacy."

"I… don't know what to say," the angel mumbled. "How come you never told me before?"

"I didn't want to confuse you," Pit replied. "First and foremost, you're you, Ephraim. And I couldn't be prouder of you." Ephraim nodded slowly and returned the painting, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He knelt down and lowered his head.

"I'm an angel in your service, Lord Pit," he said as Pit gazed at him. "I'm the Captain of the Skyworld Army and I would gladly give my life in defense of you, our home, and the Celestial Balance. It's been an honor to serve you."

"Ephraim," Pit said gently, and he got to his feet. He then stepped forward and hugged the god tightly, who gladly returned the embrace.

"But you're also my family," Ephraim went on. "You were like a father to me when I was younger and now… I guess you're like an older brother. I've never felt like I have to be here. It's always felt more like a gift." Pit pulled him back, his hands on the angel's shoulders and a reassuring smile on his face.

"Skyworld is your home, and you're right. We're family- all of us. Regardless of who any of us were in the past, that's true now." Ephraim smiled as well and wiped his eye before anything could escape from it.

"Thank you, Lord Pit. I'll stay with you until the day I draw my last breath."

"And I'm grateful for that," he replied. "Now, go get some rest. We have a long couple of days ahead of us." With that, Ephraim dipped his head and departed, and Pit looked down at the painting in his hands with a small smile on his face for a moment, then turned and entered his chamber once again. Lucina still sat waiting for him inside, though he could see she was about to fall asleep whether she wanted to or not.

"How'd it go?" she asked in a weary voice as he walked over to the chest and placed the painting inside.

"It went better than I expected," he admitted as he started pulling off his sandals. "I'll give Hades this: He's really thrown us for a loop since this all started. Kuro's a god, the Shepherds are fighting an army of the undead AGAIN, and I finally had to tell Ephraim about our history. But… I'm kind of glad that I told him." Lucina smiled softly and opened her arms once he had pulled off his armor and robes, leaving him in his undershirt and shorts. He sat down next to her and pulled her gently into his arms, stroking her hair gently until she adjusted to kiss him softly.

"I'm sure you're exhausted," she said as she rested her head against his chest, and he chuckled.

"You and me both, love. Let's get some rest." With that, he lay back and adjusted his wings as she came to rest at his side, and he closed his heavy eyelids without hesitation.

"Pit," he heard a voice call, and he groaned softly.

Come on, he complained within his mind. Can't I get even a minute to rest? He opened his eyes and bolted upright, wildly scanning the darkness around him. He was dressed in his undershirt and shorts with a slightly tattered white cloth around his waist, and he was barefoot. More importantly, he lacked his wings, and he frowned as he looked around again more carefully.

"Lady Palutena?" he called, searching for his lost goddess within the darkness.

"Not this time," came the voice, and he turned around to find someone rather far down the list of whom he expected to find.

"Nemo?!"

Nemo smiled slightly and dipped his head as Pit observed him. He was dressed in a dark, simple robe, his eyes more like the violet red of Remiel's and his silver hair lacked the blue and black streaks Pit was accustomed to. Pit frowned and set himself into a slightly defensive stance.

"Relax, I'm not Hades," Nemo told him as he held his hands up. "I decided it was time to stop resisting, so I used whatever I have left to contact you."

"So, you are alive," Pit said as he straightened up, and Nemo's gaze darkened.

"Barely," he admitted. "And I won't be for much longer." He paused. "You understand, don't you? Hades has to be stopped at any cost."

"I know," Pit nodded. "But Nemo, I'm doing what I can to find a way to get you through this."

"There isn't a way!" Nemo snapped, catching him off guard. "Pit," he continued in a softer tone. "I know you're a peacekeeper more than anything else. I know you want to find any possible way to bring everyone through a conflict alive. But sometimes it just can't be that way." He paused again. "You should know as well as I do that Hades and I can't coexist anymore. If you're going to kill him, then you have to kill me."

"No," Pit said in a strangled voice. "I… There has to be something I can do."

"There isn't," Nemo said firmly. "I appreciate the thought, my friend. But more than anything, I need you to stop Hades. And… I need you to save me from this, even though it'll mean my death. I'd gladly die if it means I won't be an infernal puppet any longer." It took Pit a bit of time to find his voice again as he watched his companion a few paces in front of him.

"What about the Celestial Balance?" he asked. "You're the lord of the Underworld and the Oracle of Darkness. I can't just destroy that."

"Remiel and Henry both hold Darkness within them, and they can take over my place. It'll be a change, but it should be enough to keep things from tipping."

"But…" Pit searched his mind for another argument, but Nemo cut him off.

"If for nothing else, Pit, then do it because you owe me a favor."

"Pardon?" Pit blinked, and Nemo smiled a bit. He lifted his hand and the darkness around them reacted to place them somewhere in the Underworld. Pit watched, confused, as his gaze fell on several powerful-looking monsters from back when Medusa was still more or less in charge, and they appeared to be guarding a prison door. Darkness shot forth and destroyed them almost immediately as a light shone from within the prison, though it died down quickly. The darkness struck the door's lock, and a heartbeat later, a very young, brown-haired, blue-eyed, startled angel emerged wielding a bow.

"That… That's me," Pit said in a quiet voice, turning back to Nemo, who nodded. "You helped me escape?"

"I did," Nemo replied. "I helped clear your path while you made your way out of the Underworld. I knew Medusa needed to be stopped and you were the only one who could do it at the time." The scene faded back into darkness, and Pit inhaled slowly. "I saved you, Pit. Now, I need you to return the favor." Out of arguments, Pit nodded as a lump formed in his throat.

"V-Very well," he managed to say around it. "While you're here, is there anything you want me to pass on to your family?" Nemo's grief finally showed itself in his eyes as he smiled.

"I would greatly appreciate it," he replied in a bittersweet voice. He shut his eyes in thought for a short time before he spoke again. "To Levica: Thank you for all you have done for me. Even now, as I fade, I love you with all my heart." The words strangled Pit's heart as he listened intently, hoping to give her Nemo's exact message. "To Henry: I'm sorry I couldn't be a father to you… I can only hope this family will provide for you and bring you happiness without me." He fell silent and opened his glistening eyes. "And to Remiel, my beloved first child, my heir, my equal… You've made me so proud. Despite our arguments, I treasure you as my son… My only hope is that you found something in me as well, rather than seeing the monster I once was and that I have become once more." Again, he paused. "I love you all with every fragment of my being."

His watery gaze refocused on Pit, who cleared his throat several times before he could speak. He could scarcely imagine having to say goodbye to Kuro, Lucina, and Aegle, let alone having to trust his last message to someone else because he was unable to convey it himself. He took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"I'll be sure to tell them," he said, and Nemo dipped his head.

"Thank you, Pit," he said and smiled even as his tears began to fall. "I look forward to the edge of your blade." He shut his eyes and lowered his head. "I suppose this is goodbye."

"I… suppose so," Pit agreed. "Farewell, Nemo."

Pit woke up with a start, tears streaming down his face, and his sudden movement startled Lucina as she looked up at him with deep concern in her eyes.

"Pit, what's wrong?!" she demanded, and he pulled her in tight against him as he buried his face in her shoulder. She held him close and stroked his hair gently, leaning her cheek against the top of his head. "Oh, my love," she said gently.

"I… saw Nemo," he said, his words muffled. "He sent me one last message before- Even he says there's no other way to end this." His arms tightened around her. "I have to kill him. I have to stop Hades."

"At least you know he understands," she told him softly. "He's placed his trust in you to save him from the prison Hades has him in. Bringing him death will mean allowing him peace."

"I hope so," he sniffled, pulling back and kissing her deeply. "'Where there is life, there will be death…'" He shook his head. "I never would have guessed that meant Nemo had to die." He took a deep breath as Lucina kept her worried and loving gaze locked with his. "If this is the way it has to be, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that Nemo is the only one who dies. I won't lose anyone else."

"I believe in you," she said with a weak smile. "And I know all of our comrades do too." He tried to smile and hugged her again, more gently this time.

"And I'll do my best to live up to your faith," he replied. She nodded and pulled back to kiss his forehead.

"Try to rest, dear. You'll need your strength in the coming days." He nodded and lay back down as she rested against his chest, though sleep eluded him for some time out of fear of what nightmares would plague him as soon as he closed his eyes.