PITIFUL

Chapter 7: It is Not Mine to Forgive, Only to Love

"Are you sure this is him?"

In Palutena's garden on the main island of Skyworld stood Viridi and a handsome, young black wolf.

"It had better be him," the younger goddess groused. "Do you have any idea how hard he was to catch?" She dipped low and presented a bowl of pale liquid to the animal. She pushed Pit's nose back from the bowl. The wolf stepped up to the bowl, sniffed it and immediately lapped it up.

"I don't know too many wolves who like oolong tea as much as he does," Viridi asserted. "He's been silent, in that whole weird head-games department that Pitiful was doing-"

Pit. You know that I'm Pit now. You can stop calling me 'Pitiful' now. – The cat tapped her leg.

"Oh, I think I'll still call you Pitiful," Viridi teased. "Or Pitty-Kitty."

The cat flattened his ears. The wolf gently sniffed him.

"Now, don't you eat him if you're not Pittoo!" Viridi scolded.

And you can stop calling me by that name. I DIED. I ought to get a more dignified name now.

"It is you!" Palutena said, clasping her hands with joy. "Now, what is an appropriate name for a wolf… You're Dark Pit, and you have dark fur, perhaps we'll call you 'Darkly."

The wolf let loose a low growl. That's almost as bad as "Pittoo."

"Flea-bit!" Viridi offered.

This earned the nature-goddess a glare and a flash of clenched teeth.

"Pit and Dark Pit will be fine," Palutena declared, "Though I am going to miss my 'Pitiful' kitty."

Pit wasn't paying attention. He was rubbing his head against his canine brother's chest and arching his back against one of his legs.

I'm so glad you're back! the cat exclaimed. I was worried that I'd lost you forever! And Lady Palutena, and everybody!

I've finally found you, the wolf replied, But if you EVER do that again…

What? It's not like I had a choice in the matter! I was murdered! And the guy had a horrible weapon that left a wound that Lady Palutena couldn't heal!

You could have been more careful, you idiot! A mere human got you. It wasn't even a god or a monster! Do you know how sick I got being severed from you? And what growing up in a cold den is like? And eating raw deer kidneys?-That are horked up for you? And I kept searching for you all over the wilderness!

It was no picnic for me either! I was born in a smelly barn and the other kittens picked on me!

"Now, settle down, you two!" Palutena ordered, thumping the butt of her staff on the ground. "You're both here and you're both alive! Albeit… a bit discombobulated at the moment."

"Not to worry," Viridi sighed. "Wolves don't live very long, either. Like all mortals – born crying, soon dying."

"If they are separate enough to warrant separate bodies, I had better get started on creating what they'll eventually need."

Lady Palutena? - Pit turned around and craned his little cat face up toward her again, Remember, we should be able to fly on our own! That's really, really important!

Palutena laughed. "Oh, of course. Though, I suppose I could merge you two back together again. Dark Pit is a reflection of a part of your soul, after all, even if you're sort of your own people now. Maybe you'd be happier being together again as one?"

The cat's tail bristled in absolute panic and the wolf growled and glared. NO! they said emphatically.

I like having a little brother! Pit chimed.

Dark Pit snorted and looked down his long nose. Merged like peanut butter and jelly in a sandwich with him again – no thanks. I'll take my freedom.

"Alright, it's settled, then," Palutena declared. "You'll live out your life-spans in your current forms and after that, you'll be restored. But, where will you live, Dark Pit? Pit is happy to stay here with me, but you… you're a wild creature."

"He can watch over my temple…" Viridi offered. "He can chase away or, better yet, EAT any stray, disrespectful humans who get too close."

Palutena tapped her chin. "I do wonder why Pit would become a cat and Dark Pit a wolf… I mean, besides taking whatever bodies were available at the time. Isn't it typical of canines to be the loyal creatures of the animal kingdom and felines to be the independent creatures?"

"It makes perfect sense to me," Viridi explained. "Cats can be very loyal under the right circumstances and Pit always was like a domesticated pet. Wolves aren't like domestic dogs. They're wildlife – and wolves that stray from or are kicked out of a pack and go it alone usually don't last very long. So you have the cute little eager-to-please kitty on one hand and the untamed ineffectual loner on the other!"

Dark Pit snorted. He then playfully snapped at Pit's tail, initiating a chase to the other side of the island. Their "laughter" echoed in the minds of both of the goddesses.

You know, I could eat you in this form, Dark Pit stated after they found themselves capering around marble columns away from Palutena and Viridi.

I'd claw my way out. Pit retorted. He sheathed his claws and gave the wolf a soft swat on the snout. I've been a dog before. It wasn't for long, but I know how you work.

I am NOT a dog. I'm a wolf.

You probably would still stick your nose into beef-garbage.

Are you sure you want to stay up here and be Palutena's little pet again? Do you know what she did right after you died?

Yes, Pit said, sitting on his haunches. I've heard all about it. You can't be a cat without being a bit sneaky and learning a few secrets. Also, Lady Palutena confessed everything to me before she was sure who I was. He cocked his head, trying to do a feline equivalent to a grin. Her lap is very warm.

Dark Pit sat tall. What is your take on it? She destroyed an entire city. She killed many people, some that were out for your blood, and some that were innocent. She may have killed many more when she withheld her light from the land. Are you seriously still going to worship at her feet?

It's no different than when she was possessed by the Chaos Kin. She wasn't herself.

Yeah… right! She wasn't possessed, Pit. What she did was of her own accord. She was showing her true self.

I don't think so, Pit countered. She really wasn't! She was just… she was just grieving!

The black wolf chuckled in whatever way a wolf could. Love does leave a scar. What she was – was how she is without you, Pit. You see her as the greatest goddess – your pretty, perfect Palutena. The truth is, without someone to anchor her, her sanity hangs by a thread like all the rest of the gods. What a world with such a group of bickering idiots in charge of it! You really are too good… She doesn't deserve the devotion you give her.

Nuh-uh! She's the Goddess of Light!

Light is not always good, just like darkness isn't always bad. You really ought to get it through your naïve skull. You are her pet – literally now.

Pit stretched and licked his lips. He stared the wolf in the eyes. That only means that she needs me! the angel-turned-cat asserted. If she needs me to keep her being the pure good goddess I know her to be, well, then so be it! I'll stay with her forever and do just that!

So, you are saying you forgive her? Dark Pit asked.

No, Pit answered, I can't forgive her. It's not my place to. The people who suffered and the souls of those who died – they are the ones that can decide whether or not to forgive her. My place is different.

And what place is that?

To do what pets do. Just to love her.

So, for the lifetimes given to beasts, a black wolf guarded a vine-tangled temple and hunted in the sacred forest of the Goddess of Nature. Likewise, a cat chased stray angel-feathers in a palace in the sky and rested every night on the lap of the Goddess of Light.

The cat was never called "Pitiful" again.

In hindsight, I kind of can't believe I actually wrote this. This is possibly one of the weirdest fan fiction plots I've ever done.

That said…

I'M FINISHED!