About two weeks had passed since Hades's defeat when Pit and his family made their way back to the Underworld, bound for the City of Souls. The time had come for Remiel to officially take over as lord of the Underworld, though no one was quite sure exactly what this would entail. Pit figured it would work out somehow and Remiel had asked him to be present, hoping for the support of someone else who had taken up leadership a realm before. Beyond that, Pit wanted to keep the promise he had made so long ago to Nemo; that he would watch over Remiel if something prevented the Oracle from doing so.

They arrived at the shrine where Nemo had made his home and landed on a platform just outside the entrance, and Pit watched with amusement as Aegle looked around their surroundings in awe. It was her first trip to the Underworld, one he hoped she would never have to make under any circumstances other than peace. Lucina took his hand and they entered the shrine, making their way down a corridor lit by blue flames.

"Funny," Kuro remarked, and Pit glanced over to him.

"What is?" he asked.

"Just thinking. I was around the last time someone new took over the Underworld in this exact same place. Gotta admit I'm glad it's under more reasonable circumstances this time." Pit shrugged and said nothing else as they came to the main doors at the end of the corridor. Inside, they found Levica and Henry waiting, and both came over to greet them.

"Thank you for coming, Lord Pit," Levica said, and he smiled and nodded.

"Wouldn't miss it," he replied. "How are you holding up?"

"It's… an adjustment," she admitted, lowering her gaze. "I just hope he found peace."

"I do too." He shook his head and glanced over to Henry. "So, what's this troublemaker been up to?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Eh, the usual," Henry shrugged with a devious grin. "Practicing with my power, training with Rem, using Thanatos for target practice, exploring the Underworld. Mom told me that Dad did a lot over the centuries to make it a little less gloomy, so I figured I'd look around and see his work."

"Indeed, he did," Levica agreed. "He wanted it to be more than just a land every living thing feared."

"And I think he was well on his way to that goal," Pit nodded. "Anyway, where's Rem?"

"Still preparing," Henry said. "Though I gotta say I'm not sure what's taking him so long."

"He should be here any time," Levica added, though she fell silent and looked up with some level of alarm in her eyes.

"What is it?" Pit asked, tensing as he looked up in the same direction as her gaze. What else could they possibly have to deal with so soon? "Oh."

The hall fell silent at the sight of three feminine forms appearing near the throne opposite the entrance, an otherworldly glow about them and one had sparkling white wings in place of her arms. Their long dresses fluttered around them, their deep gazes falling on the assembled group.

"Great Fates," Levica acknowledged, dipping her head.

"So those are the Fates…" Ephraim mumbled behind Pit, who turned back to him and nodded before looking back to the new arrivals.

"Lord Pit," the winged Fate spoke, her voice echoing. "Once again, you have performed admirably in your leadership through this trying time. We deeply regret the loss of Nemo."

"Wait, wait, wait," Henry blurted. "You're the Fates, aren't you? If you regret it so much, couldn't you have stopped it?"

"Henry, shush," Levica hissed at her son. "Do not question them." Henry frowned, but said nothing else. Pit silently admitted that he had a point, though, but figured they worked in ways he would likely never understand.

The sound of the doors opening caught their attention, and the assembled group turned to find Remiel entering with his mixed emotions evident in his eyes, but he held himself confidently and lifted his gaze to meet the Fates. In addition to his white scarf and the pendant Pit had given him on the day he was born, he now wore a long dark robe of varying shades of blue and purple lined in a bright blue-green color and pink on the sleeves. He had a black turtleneck on under the robe and a dark brown belt over it along with boots of the same color and dark, pale purple leggings.

At a beckoning by the Fates, he started forward and nodded to both Pit and Levica as he walked by, and Pit gave him a quick, reassuring smile. He took a deep breath as he reached the Fates, bowing to them briefly.

"Remiel," the one dressed in red spoke. "Our condolences for the loss of your father."

"Thank you," he replied in a level voice.

"As Nemo's firstborn child, you are his heir," the Fate continued. "His power lies dormant in your blood. If you believe yourself ready, we shall unlock that power, thus enabling you to take your rightful place as the god charged with the rule of the Underworld. As such, you will be tasked with upholding the Celestial Balance of life and death."

"I understand," he nodded. "I am ready to take my father's place. As an embodiment of the Celestial Balance, I will devote all that I am to defending and upholding it."

"Very well," the Fate in red nodded slowly.

"Lord Pit," the winged Fate added, "We trust that you will offer your guidance to aid Remiel in taking up this burden." Pit blinked.

"Me?" he said quickly, and they nodded. "But… I'm not… Rem, don't get me wrong, I want to see you succeed. But I rule Skyworld. I don't know anything about leading the Underworld."

"You have undergone a similar experience to that which Remiel will endure," the winged Fate pointed out. "We trust you will share the wisdom you have gained to help him adjust." Pit fought back against the frown trying to form on his face, resulting in a flat line of his pursed lips. It sounded almost like an order rather than a request, one that sent a chill down his spine.

"Fine," he replied in a failed attempt to make his voice sound a bit less flat. The Fates turned their attention back to Remiel and lifted their arms and wings respectively, a soft light shining around them, and Remiel knelt down and lowered his head. The light flashed briefly and he let out a grunt, his hand clenching into a fist against the floor and his body tensing. Within a moment, he relaxed, though the sound of his panting echoed in the otherwise silent hall.

"Lead your realm well, Lord Remiel," the Fates bade, and he lifted his head to them.

"I will," he said, though his voice betrayed his struggle to cope with the sudden power he'd been granted in a dignified way. The Fates lifted their gazes to the witnesses, and after a moment, Lucina stifled a confused sound and Pit turned to her curiously. The Fates faded from view, and she blinked a few times before a smile spread across her face as she looked up to meet his gaze.

"What is it?" he asked in a hushed voice, and she shook her head.

"I'll tell you in a bit," she replied at equal volume, and he sighed softly and nodded. He turned back to Remiel and made his way over to the new Underworld ruler as he got to his feet.

"You okay?" he asked, and Remiel turned to face him.

"I think so," he said, looking down and flexing his fingers. "That was… something else. It feels weird."

"You'll get used to it," Pit said with a smile and placed his hand on the younger god's shoulder. "And you'll be fine. Nemo would be so proud of you." Remiel's eyes sparkled as he smiled.

"I know," he agreed. "I'll do everything I can to live up to his legacy and expectations. And thank you, Lord Pit." He stepped forward and hugged the Skyworld leader, an embrace Pit gladly returned. "For everything."

"It's been an honor and a pleasure, Rem. Now," he pulled back, though kept his hands on Remiel's shoulders. "I need to speak with Lucina about something. And I'm sure your mother and brother want a chance to talk to you." Remiel nodded and they both returned to the gathered group, and Pit made his way over to Lucina as she smiled warmly. "Care to tell me what's on your mind?"

"Can we step out for a moment?" she asked, and he nodded. "Oh, Kuro, can you come too?" Kuro blinked, turning to her at her beckoning.

"Uh, sure," he agreed. "What's up?"

"I'll tell you once we're out there," she replied. The three left the hall and took a few steps down the corridor before she took a deep breath, her smile growing. "Pit, I… the Fates just gave me a bit of news."

"Judging from your face, I'm going to guess it's good for once," he said as he took her hand in both of his. "What is it?" Her smile was almost blindingly bright, joy in her eyes.

"I'm with child!"

Pit blinked and stared at her, his hands tightening around hers, his face blank. Her smile faded at the sight of him, concern replacing the elation in her eyes. "Wh-what's wrong?" she asked. "I… thought you'd be happy." He shook his head vigorously and forced a smile, hoping it appeared genuine.

"I am happy," he told her and pulled her into his arms. "Lucina, that's wonderful! We're going to have another child." He held her a bit tighter. "Sorry, I just… If I had known before, I never would have brought you with me to fight Hades. I'm sorry I put you and our child in that danger." Kuro caught his gaze and the red-eyed god stared at him, confusion and a touch of accusation on his face. It vanished once he released Lucina, her smile back and her eyes sparkling.

"You don't need to apologize, love." She leaned up and kissed him. "I'm safe, and so is our child. You don't need to worry."

"You know I always do," he replied lightly and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Lucina."

"And I love you, my dear Pit."

"And I'm just happy for you," Kuro spoke up with a reserved smile, his arms crossed lightly. "Congratulations. Gotta say I look forward to having another little troublemaker to keep an eye on." Lucina chuckled and nodded, wrapping her arm around Pit's waist.

"We can talk more about this later," Pit said. "For now, though, we should probably get back in there. After all, this is a pretty big day for Rem and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Of course," Lucina nodded. "Shall we, then?"

"You go on ahead," Kuro told her. "I want to talk with Pit alone for a second."

"Oh, okay," she replied. "Don't be too long, though." She kissed her partner's cheek before heading back to the throne hall. Once she had left, Kuro turned to his twin, frowning and brow furrowed.

"Okay, what was that?" he demanded.

"What was what?" Pit replied staring at his counterpart.

"Why did you lie to her?"

"I didn't," Pit insisted, and Kuro rolled his eyes. "What?!"

"We've come a long way over the years," Kuro sighed. "But nothing will change the fact that I'm a reflection of the truth in you, Pit. I can tell when you're lying. So what are you trying to hide? Are you worried about having another child?"

"Yes!" Pit snapped, earning a grunt of surprise. "Yes, Kuro, I am. The timing is too perfect. I JUST killed one of my closest friends and allies. You heard Henry: If the Fates really do regret Nemo's death, why didn't they stop it? Hades had been gone for almost 1500 years. How did he manage to suddenly return without Nemo knowing it would happen? Why? Why now?" Kuro didn't immediately reply.

"I'm… not following you," he finally said, and Pit sighed heavily.

"I mean I'm starting to wonder if he had help," Pit went on. "Think about our history. My history. I was never supposed to become the god of Light, but I did. Nemo himself admitted that it was against his better judgment to have us fight Lady Palutena a second time, and yet he did. Then they decided that my successor as an angel would be Magnus and Gaol's child despite all they endured at the hands of the gods. Of all people, why them? Then Elora betrayed us for Medusa- who shouldn't have even been around in the first place- and I still can't find a single reason why. I was forced to execute my own angel.

"What did they do after that? They reincarnated my father who had just been killed by Elora's hands. That was their 'apology' to me because apparently they didn't foresee it. But how couldn't they? They created her!" His hands clenched into tight fists as he tried to keep his voice down. "Fast forward to the whole deal with Grima. I shouldn't have turned a blind eye to the humans. No matter how much I think about it, I can't figure out why I did- unless for some reason, they didn't want me to. Then the Fates told me they made another error in reincarnating my father, so their next 'gift' to me was Lucina. Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad to have her. But what you said was true: She's not meant to be part of our realm, but she is by their actions. She plays by different rules than all her other companions.
"And through all this, what do people call me? The 'greatest of the gods.' They want me to oversee Remiel's actions as the Underworld's ruler. Nobody does anything remotely questionable anymore without running it by me first. I shouldn't have that kind of power! I'm supposed to oversee Skyworld, not all of creation!" He paused. "And if necessary, who was the one person that had the power, ability, and conviction to fight me and win?"
"…Nemo," Kuro said almost inaudibly.

"And now he's dead," Pit spat. "…And much as I hate to bring this up, you know they've said time and time again that you're not really supposed to exist. What if they're just letting you to keep me happy? They're using me." He grit his teeth, his body tensing. "You were right all those years ago, Kuro. I am a puppet. But wasn't Lady Palutena that was pulling my strings." Kuro didn't reply, stunned into silence.

"Maybe it's all just coincidence," he finally breathed, though he didn't sound convinced. "But… You really think they would do that?"

"They're using me to police everything," Pit nodded. "They're making sure I keep things on the path they desire. Think about all the blood I've spilled. The gods I've killed and ordered dead. I have way more power than I'm supposed to, and they're using it." Kuro frowned and looked down.

"Well, if that's all true, then what are you gonna do about it?" he asked, and Pit didn't immediately reply.

"I don't know," he admitted. "They're the Fates, after all. What can I do but play a puppet's part? It's not like I can just cut my strings and free myself." Kuro let out a slow breath and placed his hand on his twin's shoulder.

"Maybe you're over-thinking things," he said, though it was more an attempt to cheer Pit up than an actual suggestion. "Look, Remiel just became a god, you've restored peace in the world, and Lucina just told you she's expecting your second child. Try to focus on the good stuff." He smiled. "And no matter what, I've got your back and I'll fight at your side." Pit smiled as well and nodded.

"Thanks, Kuro. Now, we should probably get back in there before we're missed." Kuro nodded and turned around, heading back for the double doors, though Pit followed at a slower pace. His smile faded. "Standing at my side may be the most dangerous place for you," he mumbled, shaking his head. He buried the doubt in his head and heart and followed his twin back into the throne hall.