Location: Eterna City outskirts.


Tino and Mila run until they get to a clearing into the forest, surrounded by tall trees and illuminated by the smooth sunshine of the morning. They stop for a moment in order to examine the place and check no one is seeing them.


Mila: It?s clear. Now!


Just as the dark angel did, the children transform their clothes into white and bright tunics and grow wings on their backs. After looking at each other in compliance, they ascend to the skies at great speed, leaving only a couple of feathers on the ground. They soon reach great altitude and get lost into the clouds.


Location: Skyworld


We now take a look at the Skyworld territories, a secret group of floating portions of land that are home for a legendary and ancient race of guardian angels. Their buildings, ornaments and appearance clearly show they set their roots inspired by the Greek culture. In Skyworld?s headquarters, at the Light Colisseum, a big event is taking place.

Hundreds of guardians have gathered today to witness the announcement of the new Captain of the Celestial Guard forces, to be determined by nobody else and nobody less than Lady Palutena, Goddess of Light and leader of Skyworld.


Palutena: Good day, servers of the light, protectors of the land, and guardians of the sky!


Immediatly after Palutena greets her people, the crowd erupts in cheers for their leader, others shout, and others just clap their hands.


Crowd: LADY PALUTENA! LADY PALUTENA! LADY PALUTENA!

Palutena: I'm delighted to have us gathered today here at the Light Colisseum. As you already know, a new captain will be announced in a few moments. I don't need to remind you that this position is critical to our labor, as we expect from this member a strong spirit for battle, a true sense of leadership, a high level of cleaverness to direct the armies and make them work as a team. But most importantly, I personally expect this new Captain to have a noble heart, not only to be committed to his responsabilities but also for never forgetting that the essence of our mission resides in protecting the others, may these be other angels, or humans.

For thousands of years, the angel race has lived to serve only a purpose, to protect the world we live in from the numerous threats of Evil and aid the humans that inhabitate our planet, created by the Ancient Gods. We have put a lot of effort to achieve this and sacrifice our very own lives every day, so I ask you to feel proud of your commitment and your mission, Holy Legion of guardian angels.

WE SERVE THE LIGHT!

Crowd: WE SERVE THE LIGHT!


Everybody shout and cheer for their leader once again. Palutena thanks the gesture for a brief moment, to ask for silence shortly after.


Palutena: Now, with no further delay, I command the two contestants for the title of Captain to attend the Arena! First, Holy Lieutenant Javan of the West Divission!


After the Goddess of Light demands his presence, a guardian angel soars the heights of the Colisseum to set foot on the center of the Arena with grace and power. He is tall and strong and uses long black ponytail. He wears the same white tunic and sandals that are typical of the members of the Celestial Forces, but a golden emblem on his chest separate him from the others, as a prove of his rank. He bows to his leader.


Javan: Javan of the West Divission, at your service, Lady Palutena!


The entire multitude shows their support for the imponent winged Lieutenant specially a large group of guards proceeding from the West region, who have travelled to the North to cheer his compatriot.


Crowd: JAVAN! JAVAN! JAVAN!

Palutena: Now, I demand the presence of Holy Lieutenant Pit of the North Divission!


The previous exalted mood fades out slowly as the second candidate for the Captain title enters the Arena by foot. No more than half of the people present clap their hands, only for mere courtesy. The angel contestant, tries to concentrate on the event and ignore the cold reception. Besides being of the same rank as Javan, he looks younger. His hair is shorter, a little tousled and brown in color. His face and his eyes reveal he is energetic as well as noble, but with a sense of worryness for not disappointing Lady Palutena with his performance. Some of Javan's followers start to mutter.


Javan's follower 1: I still can't believe that lad made it to the finals.

Javan's follower 2: It wouldn't be a surprise at all. Everyone knows he?s the Goddess' favorite.

Javan's follower 3: Pffftt! He was lucky the trials were holded at the North Divission. If they had been at West, we would had made him bite the dust!

Javan's follower 1: Is it true what they say about him?

Javan's follower 2: Well, it happens that I have a friend here that has revealed to me his nickname, so we'll know it very soon…


The bully stands up and starts yelling at the young contestant for the title.


Javan's follower 2: HEY ICARUS! HOW ARE YOUR WINGS DOIN' TODAY?!


Laughter does not wait and spreads throught the entire Colisseum. Only the target of the mockery, Lady Palutena and Javan remain silent. The latter, more than for respect, avoided laughing because of the annoyance of having his abilities to be compared against the ones of such a weak and unworthy opponent.


Pit: {Man, I hate when they call me Icarus. But don't lose your focus, Pit. You have made it this far and you don't want to let Lady Palutena down. You can do this.}

Palutena: It has been enough! SILENCE!


All laughs disappear immediatly. The Lieutenant of the West Divission exchanges a few words with Pit.


Javan: So the rumors I heard were true. They say you are a good fighter, but do you really think an angel that cannot fly can take the responsibilities of a Captain?

Pit: Well, we have the same rank and are here today at the same Arena, aren?t we? Does it matter which part of our bodies used to reach the same spot?


Upset by his rival's clever commentary, Javan looks at him with disdain.


Javan: {Stupid kid. I don't know why the leader holds you in such high esteem, but I don't care. She may like you, but she cannot ignore the importance of the position of Captain to our global mission, so she will surely select me for assuming this role.}

Palutena: Javan, Pit. I want to congratulate you both for being the two finalists. I feel proud of your work and dedication. The two of you are highly skilled guardians and valuable members for our organization. It has been difficult, but I have finally reached a decision on who will be the next Captain. And that person is…


The entire crowd and both applicants await in expectation for the Goddess's resolution.


Palutena: … is Pit!


An intense, general mutter travels across the crowd. A few second later, the muttering turns into a series of a series of jeerings and expressions of disapprovement.


Crowd: BUUUHHH! BUUUHHH! BUUUHHH!

Javan: M-my Lady, surely you jest…

Palutena: I?m sorry, Javan. You are a great warrior, and I know you think I always maintain a preference for Pit, but I am sure he is the best candidate for the role of Captain.

Pit: A-are you sure, my Lady?

Palutena: Indeed. You must know that I?m not the only one who thinks like that. The Ancient Gods have selected you, Pit. A great destiny awaits for you.


Losing his temper, Javan expresses his disagreement.


Javan: The Ancient Gods, you say?! My Lady, I have never questioned your orders before, but this is preposterous! The Ancient Gods decided to grant this great responsibility to a guardian that has never set foot on Earth?! How is he supposed to lead the centurions if he is not familiar with the territory? How can he design attacking plans if he doesn't have tactics? How will he escape from emergency situations and keep his identity secret among the humans if he can't control his wings?!

Pit: Hey! Leave my wings out of this!

Palutena: You are only seeing one side of the coin here, Javan. Believe it or not, Pit has enough skills for becoming Captain of the Celestial Guard. It is true this will represent a difficult challenge for him, but we haven?t chosen Pit for what he can or can't do now, but for what HE WILL DO.


Pit looks amazed at the Goddess of Light. She looks at him at returns a brief smile.


Javan: All right, Lady Palutena. You leave me no choice. As a First Class Holy Liutenant, I demand my right to battle for the title of Captain.


Palutena looks at Javan, a bit annoyed by his insistince and somewhat disappointed.


Palutena: Very well, Javan. You shall have your battle. Please go the center of the Arena and wait for my instruction.


Smiling, and before getting to the center of the Arena, Javan speaks to Pit.


Javan: You're going to see what a REAL Holy Liutenant with experience can do, Kid Icarus.


Pit refrains from punching him in the face before the battle.


Palutena: Pit…

Pit: Yes, Lady Palutena?

Palutena: Punch him twice in the face for me, OK?


Pit smiles.

Both contestants for the title reach the center of the Arena and prepare for battle.


Palutena: Let the battle for the title of Captain begin!


The centurion from the West makes the first move throwing a set of powerful punches at his opponent. Despite he is not as strong as Javan, and not as tall either, Pit doesn?t flinch and manages to block or evade all the attacks. Performing a quick move, the young applicant slides through Javan's legs and turning quickly, delivers a kick to his feet that forces the titan angel to lose balance and fall to the ground.

Javan's anger increases as he stands up immediatly. Proving that celestial guardians are also experts in martial arts, he resumes his offensive again with a high jump kick. Pit crouches and avoids the kick, but is not fast enough to anticipate the following hook that lands directly on his face, sending him a few meters away. Javan grabs his bow and separates him in two parts to use the blades as a pair of short swords.

Charging towards Pit at full speed, the selected candidate grabs his weapons too and soon the battle that started in close combat becomes a duel of swords. The contenders exchange several hits and blocks, and end locked in an unfavourable position for Pit, as Javan's strength attempts to slice his chance to become Captain. Running out of options, and without releasing his swords, Pit delivers a powerful headbutt that obliges the West Liutenant to step back and lose his weapons. Pit puts his swords away, runs, and jumps to land a devastating kick to Javan's stomach. The battle seems to reach its conclusion.

However, the pride and arrogance of Javan force him to stand up and berserk.


Javan: I'm the First Class Holy Liutenant Javan! I led the troops of the West Divission during the Underworld insurrection! I defeated entire hordes of demons and beings from hell and fulfilled 524 missions in the lands of the humans with complete sucess! I?m not going to lose my chance to become Captain of the Celestial Guard! Not to you, Kid Icarus!


Spreading its wings, Javan charges again towards Pit, this time imprisoning him in his arms and lifting him up several meters above the ground.


Javan: Now you're gonna see why flying is so useful for a Celestial Guard, Kid Icarus!


Javan performs a couple of quick turns in the sky, and then performs a nosedive, adding a spiral effect to the accelerated flight. Just a pair of seconds before crashing, Javan releases Pit and makes him to hit the ground brutally at the center of the Arena.


Palutena: For the light's sake! Pit! Are you OK?!


Heavily damaged, Pit manages to stand up with great effort. The West Warrior turns back and flies towards Pit, attempting to repeat the attack. He grabs Pit once again and lifts him.


Javan: I'll win after this attack, kid! The title is mine!

Palutena: Believe in yourself! Don't restrain your potential! The Ancient Gods selected you! I selected you!


Pit recovers some of his strength and struggles to shake his wings. He manages to slip them out of Javan's lock and punching him in the face several times with the upper articulations. Javan loses focus and Pit sets free from his grab. The West contender crashes abruptly into the ground while the young angel from the North Divission awkwardly spreads its wings to glide slowly. Javan stands up, only to receive a punch in the face.

Pit lands a few meters in front of Javan and returns quickly to hit him rapidly: he now uses his wings as if they were an extra pair of fists, doubling the speed of the hits that land in Javan's face, chest and stomach. Pit delivers the final blow with an uppercut to Javan's chin. The titan falls to the ground, out of combat.


Palutena: Guardians of the Light! We have a winner! Salute your new Captain, Pit of the North Divission!


Having earned their respect, Pit stands in the center of the Colisseum to receive an ovation from the Celestial Armies.


Location: Later that day. Palutena's Temple


As the final part of the ceremony, Pit prepars to receive the golden emblem of the Captain from Palutena at her personal chamber.


Palutena: Pit of the North Divission. You are now the Captain of the Celestial Guards. This task is entrusted to you by the Ancient Gods and by the Goddess of Light. Take you role with honor, commitment, and spirit. Protect your angel comrades and the humans at all times, at all costs. Let the Ancient Gods to lead your path. And always remember: We serve the Light!

Pit: We serve the Light!

Palutena: I'm very proud of you, Pit. I knew you'll become Captain some day.

Pit: Thank you so much for always supporting me, Lady Palutena.

Palutena: How interesting. Today you achieved the maximum rank at the Celestial Army, and yet you look worried and thoughtful. Is something the matter?

Pit: Oh no, no. Please, don't get me wrong, Lady Palutena. Today I received the highest honor I never believed I would get in my life, but I can't stop thinking about the words you said before.

Palutena: And what words would those be?

Pit: You said the Ancient Gods and you selected me not for what I am today, but for what I am going to be. What does that mean?

Palutena: You are worried about not having what it takes for being Captain?

Pit: To be honest… yes. I mean, Javan surely was a jerk, but he was right in one thing. My lack of ability to fly has always limited my missions to Skyworld. I have never set foot on the lands of humans before. I don't know their territories, I'm not familiar with their lifestyles. How I'm I supposed to lead an entire legion of angels to protect them? How could I possibly face the forces of Evil and keep the secret location of Skyworld and our identities as servers of the Light save?


Palutena smiles and enjoys her new Captain's noble and innocent worries.


Palutena: As I said before, believe in your potential at all times. The Ancient Wisdom is odd sometimes, but is never wrong. I have seen how the Universe experiences weird events, believe me. Some of them have been for good, but some others have been for evil. It has happened before, and it will continue to happen in the future. You are part of a great future to come, Pit, you just still don't know it. But don't worry, your time will arrive eventually. Until that happens, promise me you'll continue to be a brave warrior and a noble angel.

Pit: I promise, my Lady. I'll take my role giving my best always. And I will always serve the Light.


Palutena smiles once again.


Palutena: I know you will.


One of the guards enters abruptly to the room.


Athan: My Lady and my captain, I'm sorry for interrupting you.

Palutena: Athan. What is it?

Athan: A couple of cherubs need to speak to you. They have come from the Sinnoh region. They say it's urgent.


Palutena's previous smile fades away and becomes serious.


Palutena: Let them in.

Athan: Yes, my Lady.


Meanwhile the cherubs enter the room to inform Palutena of the news, she and the new Captain exchange looks, as if they sensed something bad is about to happen…


STORY CONTINUES ON NEXT EPISODE!