After having returned home to their temple home in Equestria, Palutena sighed, exhausted by the tournament, she put the foals to bed as the others, Twilight, Luna, Celestia and Lumi crawled into bed. Twilight and Luna with each other and Lumi with Celestia.

Palutena followed shortly afterwards and slipped under the covers, Lumi in the middle with Palutena and Celestia peppering kisses on her and each other. They fell asleep hugging each other.

Palutena’s eyes reopened as a shiver went down her spine. She pushed herself up looking out the window with a frown on her face. She laid down, shrugging as she went back to sleep.

(Meanwhile, in the Doom Marine’s Equestria…)

“Sirs, there is a message coming through.” VEGA stated, gaining their attention.

“From…?” Runner questioned.

“Unknown. It’s an anonymous one, linked with a video of some sort.” VEGA answered. “The title is called… Death Battle of the Gods.”

When he said that, a groan of annoyance came from Berserker. “Why the fuck is there a damn tournament full of dumbass Gods and Deities killing each other off?” He asked, not that he cared for such things, nor does he mind watching them kill each other off, but he thought that it shouldn’t even bother them in the slightest.

“It appears that all the message tells us is this; Watch and you will see why it should bother you.” VEGA replies, uploading the video on the main screen.

“Fuck yeah! Let’s watch some Gods killing themselves off!” Runner cheered, grabbing some chairs before getting some popcorn.

Berserker didn’t really liked this at all, but sighed and sat down. “This better be worth it.” He grumbled out.

“I’m not sure about any of this.” Said his brother, The Mountains Pillar, whom they have found some time ago, as he sat in his chair, along with Hunter. Once Runner came back with a bowl of popcorn, VEGA pressed the play button of the video. The beginning starts off with Palutena herself, which confused them all.

“What the fuck?” Berserker said as they watch her cooking something up. “This doesn’t look like the tournament…”

“Awww! For fuck sakes, little sis!” Runner whined as he was about to throw his popcorn at the screen, when they see Palutena’s Celestia walk on in. “Wait, what? Is this gonna turn into porn? Was the cake actually a lie?” He asked, putting the popcorn back down. “If it is porn...I’m not sure if I should be turned on or not?”

“They better not fuck.” Berserker grumbled his disapproval.

“Oh this is a first, I finally get to try your cooking!” Celestia commented with excitement.

“To be fair dear, I haven't needed to, what with the palace or temple kitchens,” Palutena explained as she set a stack of ten pancakes each, Celestia and Twilight licked their lips, while Lumi and Luna cautiously started to eat. Palutena turned off the cooker and removed her apron before she conjured and placed maple syrup on the table.

Lumi and Luna started shoveling the rest in as fast as they could.

“Don't choke you two,” Palutena remarked as she smirked at them. Palutena made her way over and sat down and started eating. Twilight and Celestia took more measured and slow bites, but if the noises of pleasure were indication, her pancakes were met with great approval.

“Well, at least she knows how to cook.” Runner commented with a nod, taking off his helmet and started eating his popcorn. “And she already birthed her kids. God that must’ve sucked.”

“I thought she was only having six?” Berserker said. “Where did the extra two come from?” He questioned as a note fluttered in front of him, making his eyebrow twitch as he snatched up the note and read.

That is Harmony and Pandora, gods she consumed while corrupted and later rebirthed when she had her foals.

“Oh… That’s why.” He said as he passed the note around.

“Ah, okay.” Runner said with a chuckle.

The TV screen turned on, “Another match eh?” Palutena remarked with interest between bites of her breakfast. “Good morning, Gods and Goddesses, today’s A group match is between Aqua, goddess of water, versus lord of the underworld, Hades.” Dollette announced.

“Who the fuck is this bitch?” Berserker asked with contempt, just as their Celestia came walking in with the other Princesses, Queen Chrysalis, and Visilia.

“I would tell you, but, then again, you don’t give two fucks about Gods anymore.” Runner jokes.

“No shit, but you’d probably sass her whorish ass out. Right?” He asked him.

“All the fucking way!” Runner answered as he laughed like a lunatic.

“Bryan, what are you all watching?” Celestia asked them.

“Some stupid tournament bullshit between Gods.” He answers her, as they, too, also started watching.

“Well that is just cruel.” Palutena remarked idly.

“How so?” Luna asked in between bites,

“Aqua is a poor excuse for a goddess, she is catnip to the undead and demons, barely has any attacks, most of her spells are support based, she’s an idiot, a drunkard, is vain and an attention whore. She tries to do good and most of the time causes more problems than helps, she is gullible, believing others do not lie, is lazy and scared. To be brutally honest the poor girl is better off not being a goddess. Her one virtue is that she's honest to the point that she is incapable of lying.” Palutena rattled off the list of qualities of the anime goddess, causing Celestia and Luna to frown.

“That's a damning indictment, Palu. Don't you think you're​ being too hard on her?” Celestia asked her.

“Oh no, it gets worse. What make her worse, is the fact she is so high and mighty, while also being a jerk despite her weakness, then the moment she's in trouble she goes running for her allies crying, whining and begging them to get her out of it.” Palutena snorted in disgust, “Now don’t get me wrong, she's a bitch, but up against that version of Hades, I can't help but pity her.”

“Fucking anime twat.” Berserker commented, shaking his head. “The character, nothing against those that love the series and/or Anime genre...save for those who take it too far.”

“Um, do we even want to know?” Luna asked her Doom Marines.

“We have files you can read about the genre.” VEGA pointed out.

“You don’t think Palutena is participating in this tournament, is she?” Celestia asked in concern.

“She better not be.” Berserker grumbled out. “If so, I may have to kick her ass.”

Aqua stood on stage waving to the crowd as she soaked up their cheers. Her hair was long and blue, with a single hoop held in place by the atomic symbol of H2o, she was humanoid in appearance with sapphire blue eyes. She wore a navy blue frilled two tier miniskirt with a yellow stripe running along the hem of the top tier, and the bottom tier was made of a sheer blue fabric.

Her top was a navy blue waistcoat with white accents down it where the coat closed and flowed down the hem of coat. it was also around the sleeveless arms. The collar of the top was in the shape of a white star and bordered with navy blue. In addition she wore a pair of white sleeves, on top border by a yellow and blue flare at the top and a pure navy blue around the ends of the sleeves. She wore thigh high white socks with a navy blue border around the tops and over the navy blue over the knee square heeled boots, that curved up and away like a parting wave from her knees and bordered with yellow.

The ground shook, as black smoke gathered opposite Aqua, and the smoke gathered into a tornado of smoke and flame. It was so strong that it pulled on her, as she barely held her purchase.

It eventually dissipated forming into a tall deathly pale man, with a receding hairline and long greyish black hair. He stood before her, from his appearance he looked old and frail, his breath came out raspy and smoke clung to him lovingly as children to a parent and formed a black cloak on his back.

He wore black intricately engraved armor, a full black beard on his face and his eyes where a dead grey, sunken. “This whore is my opponent?” came the raspy question from Hades, he looked at Aqua with open disdain, “You fools have survived on mortal love and worship, while I had to live off their fear, and look how weak you’ve become.” Hades continued, pointing at her as he glared at the water goddess.

“Wait!? I have to fight him, I don’t want to do this anymore Kazuma!” Aqua complained tears already forming as she whined.

“You are not only a whore, but a coward as well? You are a disgrace to the title Goddess! I shall remove you before you sully it further!” Hades launched a fireball at the whining Aqua.

“Kazuma!~” Aqua wailed as she dodged out of the way of the attack, the explosion sending her flying, her arms flailing she got to her feet again as Hades kept launching fireballs at her as she ran away from the angry god.

“Stay still whore! You’re only making this take longer than it needs to!” Hades rasped out as he dissolved into smoke, and reappeared in front of her.

“Stop resisting me!” Hades demanded in anger.

“No!~” Aqua cried as she threw a punch at Hades, “God’s Blow!” Aqua cried as she closed her eyes in panic, Aqua’s hand glowed a myriad of colors, but Hades disdainfully caught her right hand.

“So you are not entirely a coward? Still this is not enough… What!?” Hades exclaimed and recoiled away as he held his left hand which had caught her fist, its skin was no longer a pallid color and now looked more healthy.

Aqua threw her hands up as glowing water gathered around her in a spiral and blue light glowed beneath her, “Answer my request, my prayer, and show the world thy power!” water bubbles floated around the spiral of water as she continued,

“Sacred Create Water!!!” Aqua cried as she threw her hands forward at Hades, the spirals became straight and a wave washed outwards sending the bubbles in all directions, the glow of the spell intensified adding a lavender hue to the edges of it.

Above the ring a glowing blue portal created a navy blue hole above them, clouds gathered around the ring and a large gush of water fell from it to the ring below, a flood of water of biblical proportions engulfed a confused Hades as the water filled the ring hitting the shields. Hades was rammed into the shields and sunk to the floor outside the ring.

Dollette stood in the ring unmoved and sighed, and she uttered an unintelligible word, causing the water to dissipate, Hades was found out of the ring groaning as he looked completely healthy now and his hair was no longer grayed. He threw up from the sudden water ride and collapsed.

“Winner Aqua!” Dollette announced,

“Yay! Kazuma, I won!” Aqua exclaimed as she jumped up and down in excitement, “Did you see? Who's a stupid goddess now? You stupid shut-in-neet!” Aqua shouted as she celebrated.

“Goddammit, Hades, you had one job!” Runner complained. “ONE! FUCKING! JOB!” He growled, resisting the urge to throw the popcorn and waste it.

“Remember: Anime Logic.” Berserker commented with a huff. “Although, apparently, there was something she had that works against someone like Hades.”

The scene wipe fade transitioned back into Palutena’s room, Palutena was holding her fork frozen in place in front of her mouth as if she was going to eat it, utterly speechless with her jaw hanging open.

Celestia leant over the table and shut her mouth with her right hand which caused Palutena to gulp down the saliva that had collected in her mouth, the action seemed to return Palutena to reality, “How in the hell did that just happen!? How much dumb luck can a person have…” Palutena shouted waving her fork in the direction of the TV screen, sending her piece of pancake flying, which Celestia promptly snatched from the air with her mouth.

Palutena turned to look at her and Celestia had the presence of mind to blush in embarrassment as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck and giggle innocently, which was ruined slightly by the blush still on her cheeks.

“I have to agree with your sister; that Aqua girl should’ve died.” Visilia commented, shaking her head. “I’m guessing this ‘Anime Logic’ bends some Rules of Reality, in one twist or another?”

“What even is considered Reality anymore?” Runner retorted.

As he said that the tv changed scenes again and showed them the room of another contender in it.

“Called it.” Gilgamesh said as he took another shot of rum.

“Well I’ll be. I thought she was too clumsy to win,” Luna said as she levitated the glass over and sipped her red wine.

“She might be klutzy, but she’s also water and holy powered against an arrogant darkness and fire powered enemy. In addition, she’s a lot stronger than she looks, which could easily throw her opponents off guard. Really, it could’ve gone either way.”

“So, do you know who’s next?” Luna asked.

“Susano-o, full title Susano-o-no-Mikoto. Shinto god of storms and seas. Powerful, boisterous warrior, and quite a bit of a hot head as well. Maybe he’s cooled off a bit over the eons, though.”

“Ah, a kindred spirit then.” She joked.

“Oh! Madam, you wound me!” He joked as he mockingly gripped his chest in pain.

She laughed back at him, but then her expression turned a bit grimmer. “You… You’ll be alright, won’t you? These are gods you’re fighting after all.”

Gilgamesh took another shot of rum. “What is a god? An untouchable being? Something of infinite wisdom? Someone to be feared and never questioned?” He poured himself another shot.

“I’ve seen the looks our subjects give me, especially the Changelings. I saved their whole species from extinction, which on paper sounds awe inspiring. But it really was a combination of luck, skill, and information. I was fast enough and had the right guide to help me complete my task. It’s nothing special.” He downed his next shot.

“If all it takes to be called a god is to have the power and performing an impressive deed, then our armies are filled with gods.” He got up and headed over to grab his spear and naginata.

“These beings forget they can be killed, or at least brought down to a pathetic state they can never recover from. A new generation is coming, and they need to understand that there are many who would see them as impediments, and have the means to remove them permanently. They can join hands with the ones that still respect them, or they can be destroyed by those that would take their powers and status for themselves.” He started heading towards the door before turning to wink at her.

“Besides, we’ve still got a lot of work to do when we get back from this little vacation. What kind of rulers would we be if we just forced our work on those below us?”

Luna smirked. “Well, try not make it look like you’re talking down to them.”

“I’ll do my best,” he answered before exiting the door.

“Oh my.” The Doom Marine’s Luna giggled with a blush. “Seems many Displaced are lucky enough to gain our Royal Hearts.”

“I guess.” Berserker said with a shrug.

“Shouldn’t you feel surprised?” Chrysalis asked them.

“Nah.” They all answered, shaking their heads.

“But you are surprised that someone like him thinks the same way as you?” Visilia asked next.

“Yeah.” They all answered, nodding their heads as the next match was about to begin.

“Welcome to the fourth match Gentle Gods and Goddesses, today we have a treat for you. You may have heard of him, and his ceaseless quest for fights and for weapons, the one and only Ronin of the multiverse. Gilgamesh!!! And his opponent this fine morning is an ancient Shinto god cast down to the mortal realms, famed for the slaying of the vicious Yamato-no-Orochi. Susano-o!!! Today these titans of combat, these peaks of athletic prowess… and my what peaks they have.”Dollette said as she waved a fan in her lust rouged face exaggeratedly.

“Yes, he has.” Gilgamesh’s Luna muttered from her seat in the stands, licking her lips.

“Come together to fight for the right to progress into the next rounds, so let’s see a fight worthy of these two legends!” Dollette continued uninterrupted.

Gilgamesh looked over the crowd before taking the Freddie Mercury rage pose, soaking in the cheers he received. On the other end of the arena Susano-o floated down on the winds. His skin was very well bronzed, wearing only a necklace made from bones on top. He wore golden bracers on his wrists, and wore white baggy pants with a green and purple cloth belt tied around his waist. His shins were covered by golden greaves, and he was barefoot. Around his forehead was a golden circlet with an ornate flare like a sun cresting over the horizon, some magatama shaped earrings, and some black markings on his cheekbones. His eyes were a golden yellow, and his black hair flowed wildly behind him all the way down to his waist. He held the Ama-no-Habakiri broadsword, a silver blade with several spikes jutting from each side and making it look like a lightning bolt. He tossed his hair back as he landed before cracking his neck. When his eyes landed on Gilgamesh, his brow furrowed and he smirked.

“Are you ready combatants?”

Susano-o twirled his weapon before taking a fighting stance, Gilgamesh unclipped his naginata and shield and took his own.

“Fight!”

(At the same time back in Palutena's room.)

Palutena dropped her fork with a clattering as it bounced of the table to the floor, when she heard who was fighting, “Gilgamesh!? I have to fight him now!?” Palutena groaned, “Welp, I’m boned.”

“Hey don't talk like that. I am sure you can beat him!” Lumi encouraged, while Celestia and Luna nodded in agreement.

Palutena looked up at Lumi, “A man who has bested armies, gods, dragons, Armies of dragons, other displaced and most likely some void dwellers as well? Pray tell, how I stand a chance? Don't get me wrong, I plan on assimilating the aspects of my opponents, the first was a fluke that happened due to losing consciousness and my body going berserk. But now in order to survive this Punishment thinly veiled as a tournament, I need to consolidate my power. I will not leave Celestia and Lumi widowed before we wed and my foals motherless!” Palutena paused and then sighed at what she had just said,

“Look at me, so scared of death, worried for the lives of my loves, my family and my friends... of loss. That I would even think to do such atrocious things.”

“Palutena, these are perfectly normal fears. Anyone can have them, it’s a blessing, as much as a curse. Relax and let the worries fade away.” Celestia advised as she held Palutena.

“I can't relax, too many ponies rely on me, need my help. I need to be strong….” Palutena visibly sagged and laid her head on the table, her voice taking on a heavier tone. "I…need help. I am so very tired girls. And I don't mean in the physical sense of the word. This feeling is deeper, ever since I escaped. I have only had one actual peaceful break. I must continue forward, unrelenting, until I can be sure that our children will be old enough to take some of the burden. Is that selfish of me Celestia?”

“Of course it is.” She replied with no bite or accusation in the tone of her voice, however Palutena still wilted at her response. Celestia pressed forward, “but that doesn't make it wrong, dear. Along with the duty the aspects given will keep them safe.”

“It certainly feels wrong, 'Tia. Perhaps I can find a way to just take their aspects without also absorbing them.”

<<Lux is that possible?>>

[Maybe, we never tried it before, so we don't know what will happen.]

<<So first is that Aqua girl, we can relieve her of the burden of goddesshood.>> Palutena replied in slight exasperation.

“...What?” Berserker said in a low and dangerous tone. No one wanted to point it out that Palutena was, indeed, fighting in the tournament. Although, in a sense, it was kind of obvious.

So they all moved away from him and stayed quiet as they watched the rest. Throughout it all they’ve learned what has become of Palutena, the many dead Gods Dollette has force fed her, turning her form into that of a Kitsune Fox. They watched as Palutena suffered under the stress and torture. And then they heard something that gave Bryan great pause.

“Her Faust is responsible for this punishment!” He growled out, his chair lit up in flames from his Hell Energy, as his rage began to build up. “That stupid bitch was gonna get her KILLED!”

His brothers, VEGA and Visilia quickly ushered out the others as Berserker was already boiling over as his form started to change. A tornado of fire formed around his body, bursting up through the base and mountain, showing that he was starting to turn into the raging Demon, only this time, it was becoming more bigger and powerful, growing taller as the Blood of Khorne helped with this transformation.

“Ah crap.” Runner muttered as he and the others saw this new form.

The girls gasped in shock and fear of Berserker’s new look, feeling more malice and darker emotions pouring out of his being; Anger, Hatred, Murder and Rage. These were very apparent as Berserker growled before bellowing out a huge roar, possibly shaking the entire world, if not only the country itself.

(The Warp.)

From within the Warp itself, the Blood God feels Berserker’s rage. Feeling this, he gave a little growl, before turning towards Tzeentch. “So, you did sneak into that damnable tournament. The one we’re not allowed in. Period. Why did you show it to them?”

The Lord of Change gave a little chuckle before replying. “Oh, I just thought of updating them on what has happened to their dear little sister of a Goddess. Besides, it was still Faust’s fault for signing Palutena up to that stuff, being none the wiser of what would happen.”

Khorne gave out a grunt before asking him. “What is to become of Palutena’s world, when they arrive there for her wedding?”

“I see changes are about to happen. Most are challenging, but it can be done. Some are hilarious and sweet. And I can see Bryan actually get it on~” Tzeentch said, singing that last part out and making Khorne hum in thought.

“Will he beat Faust to a pulp?” The Blood God questioned.

“Most likely, but not to kill...not yet, anyway. It will surprise her, and possibly scar her for life, mentally speaking.” Tzeentch told him.

Khorne snorted at that. “Like I care about her well-being. She’s but a message, to those who dare harm Palutena behind his back.”

“They won’t take kindly to that. But, then again, it’s kind of, sort of their fault.” Tzeentch remarked with a snicker.

Khorne snorted as they ended their conversation and went back to their respectful domains. He could still feel Berserker’s rage, even if it has lessen, it was still there. No doubt other God-like beings could also feel it from afar, including Palutena. That is, if she knew who it was.

“Beware of my son’s wrath, for he has no mercy for the Damned. And Gods are of no exception.” Khorne said with a grunt. “Hmm, I wonder if he’ll bring one of their skulls to me? It would certainly place a little more fear into their hearts.” He chuckled at the thought, envisioning Berserker slaughtering the Gods responsible for harming his family.

(Within Faust’s realm.)

A sense of dread shot through Faust, making her shiver. She didn’t understand why that happened, nor why she should feel worried. “What’s the meaning of this…?” She asks herself, a frown forming on her lips. “Why do I feel so… Afraid?” This troubled her, and she wasn’t the only one feeling it.

“Whatever this feeling is, I may have to watch out for it.” She stated, trying to figure out why this feeling came to her. “Just who or what could have such power and will, to make me feel this way? To produce such malicious intentions within one’s heart, mind and soul?”