Pantheon / Darkness and Shadow

House of Nature Index
Darkness and Shadow | Earth and Rock | Electricity | Elemental Pairings | Fire and Heat | Ice and Cold | Light and Brightness | Metal and Minerals | Nature Preservers | Poison And Toxicity | Water and Moisture | Weather | Wind and Air | Elements and Nature: Other

The Hall of Darkness and Shadow is covered in constant darkness, choking out any source of light that tries to enter it. The plants are withered from lack of sunlight. Creatures of the night make their home here during the day, waiting patiently for the sun to go away so that they may go out hunting once more. However, the dark side is not always evil. The endless darkness, frightening it can be, can also be comfortable and gentle and is a sanctuary for those who desire to sleep. Not to mention that even some dark creatures can be docile.

The moon is always up and full, providing moonlight to all. As the sun never rises here, lunar eclipses are impossible. Strangely shadows are present even without a light source. It's a haven for vampires and the undead, and some in the House of Demons. The perpetual full moon strengthens werewolves visiting at the cost of locking them in that form until they leave.

Greater Gods

Chernabog

Chernabog, God of Malevolent Darkness (Chernobog, Black God, Lord Of Darkness)

His Fantasia depiction.

^{Click here} for his Battlefield of the Gods depiction.

• Greater God
• Symbol: Bald Mountain itself
• Theme Music: Night on Bald Mountain, the Slavic theme of Smite (shared with other Slavic folkloric figures who fight on the Battlefield of the Gods)
• Alignment: Neutral Evil (possibly Chaotic Evil if he were more proactive, Lawful Evil in the Battlefield of the Gods)
• Portfolio: Satanic Archetype Named After A Slavic God, Being Vile For The Fun Of It, Dark Is Evil, Eldritch Abomination, Being Sealed In His Mountain By Day, The Main Character Of His Segment, Evil Overlord, Reality Warper, Absolutely Massive Gargoyle, Devouring The Scenery Without A Single Line, Sadist, Playing with Fire, Creepy Awesome, Weakened by the Light
• Domains: Darkness, Evil, Demons, Fire, Night
• Heralds: His many legions of demons and ghosts
• Allies: Xehanort, Hades (usually), Maleficent, Ghatanothoa, Ah Puch, Griffith, Apophis, The Grand Duke of Owls, Nightmare Moon, Zs'skayr, the Dark Matter Horde, the Shadow Queen, Alien Empera, Grogar, Chuck Shurley
  • Fellow demonic beings: Dis, HIM, Melkor, Zorc Necrophades
• Odd Friendship with: Satan (South Park)
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork with: Chernabog
• Rivals: Nox (Classical Mythology) (his end), Satan (Castlevania), Tezcatlipoca, Dark Gaia, the Dark Star
  • Friendly Rivalry with: Aku
• Enemies: Mickey Mouse, Yen Sid, Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy, Riku, Amaterasu, gods of light (even if they're evil) like Ezalor, Frollo, Homer Simpson, the various capital-G Gods (most of all The Love That Moves The Stars), Samurai Jack, Chanticleer, Goliath, Meat Boy, Isaac
• Opposes/Opposed by: Anyone who demonstrates Dark Is Not Evil or Light Is Good traits, all heroic Disney characters
• Sitcom Archnemesis with: King Sombra
• Darkness is one of mankind's most primal fears, alongside death. So it's unsurprising it is seen as a force of evil, and the demon living on Bald Mountain certainly lives up that reputation. Chernabog revels in his own evil at night, raising the dead only to damn them, turning beauty into horror and whatever his twisted mind can think of, simply for the fun of it. In all, a dark and imposing force.
• For what it's worth, unlike Hades the Chernabog in the pantheon is primarily the Disney version and not the one from Slavic Mythology, who'll be referred to as Chernobog to differentiate the two. That said, he can transform into the more accurate version in the Battlefield of the Gods. Despite being able to move around freely in this form and becoming a Long-Haired Pretty Boy, he doesn't like doing so because he goes from an outright God of Evil to a god of Necessary Evil, a Noble Demon who's duty is to rule the aspects of darkness and fortune rather than revel in it. Ironically this incarnation disrespects Ah Puch, despite him helping the demon gain this transformation.
• Why does Chernabog normally like Ah Puch? Long story short they found they had a lot in common; dark, dreaded deities who enjoy playing with and perverting whatever souls they possess. It's worth noting Ah Puch isn't a case of a non-Christian god being labelled as demonic; he was legitimately horrific in the original mythology. Hades when in "Disney" mode likes hanging out with Chernabog and scheming in general, however when he's more mythologically accurate he only hangs out with Chernabog's Smite incarnation. Maleficent is a more consistent friend of the dark fiend, what with her being the "Mistress of All Evil"...except for that one time.
• Chernabog usurped this position from King Sombra. When asked how he did it, he said that he was... pathetic, to say the least. To his bemusement, Sombra returned, and is salty about those remarks. He then pointed out to the Black God that given his imprisonment in Bald Mountain, he has no room to call him pathetic. He then revealed he has a rather embarrassing secret. Chernabog has sworn to pay Sombra back for the humiliation tenfold. By contrast he likes one of the trope's prior holders, Zorc Necrophades. As winged demon gods of darkness, the two seek to blacken the Earth and destroy all that is virtuous...starting with the ones who make fun of Zorc for having a "dragon dick"; it's the closest to a Pet the Dog Chernabog is gonna get. Then he'll wipe out anyone claiming to be smarter than Chernabog, especially Homer Simpson. Apophis can join him in destroying the light.
• There is no temple for Chernabog in the Pantheon, but rather Bald Mountain itself is in the Pantheon. By day, there is nothing to fear. But at night, Chernabog awakens and begins commanding his ghosts and demons to do whatever he pleases, or he just smothers them in lava. Many times, he does both. Despite the magnitude of his sheer presence, and the power he wields, Chernabog does not have as much clout in the Pantheon as one would expect, because he mainly keeps to himself. He will have his nightly "session" with all of his underlings, but will not do much else. The GUAE is interested in him, but messengers have a tendency to get killed, and sometimes brought back as ghostly minions for Chernabog.
  • As Sora (and later Riku) can attest, he will attack anyone who comes near his mountain while he is awake, so the GUAE's plan may not be going anywhere for now.
• Chernabog boasts to be the lord of darkness, and anyone claiming otherwise is a poser. This pride goes so far as to claim Nox stole the darkness from him, but in his heart of hearts he knows that darkness is not inherently evil and hers is far older and far greater than him; hence she pays no attention to him. He's more comfortable trying to claim supremacy over Tezcatlipoca or Aku for the title of "lord of darkness". When it comes to Aku it's more about showing off than anything as the two enjoy each other's company; they're gods of evil who like nothing more than dicking around with people's lives For the Evulz, and looking very expressive doing it. Vile beings of darkness who wish to spread like the Dark Matter Horde and the Shadow Queen can count on his full support by comparison, since there's less of an contest of ego.
• Technically he's a gargoyle, which Goliath is fully aware of and privately it worries him. As an archetypal evil Chernabog is generally scorned by heroic Disney characters. That said even he has a more lighthearted side, and he genuinely enjoys the luaus South Park's Satan hosts. Sombra immediately mocked him for this, only for Chernabog to finally remind him he is still a demonic god and used his Reality Warper powers to turn him into a crystal sculpture. Sombra was powerful enough to turn back to normal once Chernabog was away during the daytime, but he's been making fun of the guy far less.
• His one weakness (other than a Keyblade to the face) is the light of day, preferably with church bell accompaniment. When people are a little too nervous of Chernabog, Amaterasu (or her son) is called in to Cue the Sun and put Chernabog back in his mountain. Amaterasu has sensed power emanating from Chernabog that is quite similar to that of Yami, the source of all darkness in her home world. Since Chernabog is considered to be the devil himself, some wonder if they're somehow connected. He routinely curses not just her, but all forces of light. And yes, this includes deities who prove Light Is Not Good; he does find the irony hilarious, though. Him and Grogar bonded over their weakness to the bells and have sought to overcome it together so their evil is close to unstoppable. Alien Empera seeks to purge all light, so he believes it's in his best interest to aid the two.
• He furrows his brow in contempt to the holy, and the almighty most of all; why do you think church bells repulse him? His contempt is directed especially towards the Love, and it's probably why he is one of Dis' few friends^note assuming that has any meaning to him. The Emperor of the Kingdom Dolorous is a great imprisoned evil that wants to break free, and Chernabog wants to break him out. The Beast feels similarly, and is glad that unlike other demons he takes the Beast's boasts of being the true Devil without snark. All this pleases Melkor, who considers the lot very useful for the Grand United Alliance of Evil. HIM agreed, but he also wanted to rock out and have "fun" with Chernabog.
• Frollo holds nothing but the most venomous contempt for Chernabog, for being such a Satanic Archetype. The dark god bellowed in laughter since despite what Frollo believes, he is as much of a demon in mind as Chernabog is in body. Though he's named after a non-evil Slavic god, Chernabog acts and certainly seems to be based off of Satan. Disney himself has been heard quoting him as a stand-in for the Devil, and likely only named him Chernabog to prevent a moral panic. Satan himself had made no comment on the relation between himself and Chernabog, but has noted the beast is a sorry excuse for a demon: more interested in having those "juvenile raves" rather than using his power "productively".
• One of Chernabog's goals in the Pantheon is to bring forth The Night That Never Ends; an attractive prospect for the Grand Duke of Owls and Nightmare Moon. This isn't just For the Evulz, but because he wishes to eliminate one of his major weaknesses. Zs'skayr agrees with this, and Chernabog has promised to leave much of the Earth to him. When Zs'skayr asked what he wanted in return, the Black God simply smirked "oh, you'll see". For Chanticleer and those in charge of the sun, there's no universe where that's good.
• Along with his role in the Pantheon, he also holds a position of power in the alliance of Disney villains known as the Friends from the Other Side. He also ended up being part of "The Satanic Spirits of Pure Evil" with Nyarlathotep, Griffith and Diablo. For whatever reason, Nyarlathotep made him the Team Pet. Many believe he is intended to be the ultimate evil of Disney canon, and though Chernabog promotes these claims there's nothing concrete to prove it.
• As you might expect from his interaction with Frollo, nothing outside of pain is more hilarious when God Himself turns out to be the bad guy. YHVH is the most infamous example, and Chernabog can actually be a Law-aligned demon in the SMT multiverse (albiet named Chernobog). However if there is any God who has his favor, it is Chuck Shurley. Chuck regards His creation as His plaything, a story which he puts people through Hell just to get the result he wants. Not all that different from how Chernabog plays with whatever lives he gets his grubby mitts on, is it?
• He had tried to reach out to the Dark Star and Dark Gaia, as he wants them to help him spread darkness across the pantheon. While they're all for it, neither possessed the rationality and/or camraderie to join him. The Dark Star would prefer assimilate Chernabog into itself, and Dark Gaia wants to infect Chernabog with its will. He believes they're missing out by doing this. One entity who accepted Chernabog's offer was Ghatanothoa, but only as Gatanozoa, Master of Darkness.
• Chernabog is well-aware of the Aryan Brotherhood and their little Slavo-Aryan Cult. He knows they're interested in him, as he's technically a Slavic god, and they regard his role as a Satanic Archetype as some sort of "Jewish deception". He's chosen to play along with their delusion to spread his influence over Russia, but regards them as utterly pathetic, only meant as a means to an ends. Privately he muses "it seems man can be even darker than I".

Intermediate Gods

The Dark Star

The Dark Star, God of Audible Darkness (Dark Bowser)

^{Dark Bowser}

• Intermediate God; Overdeity as Dark Bowser (or the dark version of any other villain stupid enough to seek its power)
• Symbol: Itself
• Theme Song: Destroy the Dark Power!, along with The Grand Finale and Swirling Shadows
• Alignment: Chaotic Evil
• Portfolio: Sound of Darkness, Eldritch Abomination, Would Destroy Everything Just Because, Made of Evil, Knight of Cerebus, No-one Knows What It Is, Flunky Boss, Casting a Shadow, Shielded Core Boss, Not To Be Messed With, Dark Is Evil
• Domains: Evil, Destruction, Stars, Darkness
• Allies: Outside of Dharkon and The Shadow Queen, none
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork with: The Grand United Alliance of Destruction
• Rivals: SCP-1548, Hajun, Chernabog, Light of Destruction, The Dark Matter Horde
• Potential Unwitting Pawns: Black Mage, Dimentio, Ganondorf, Metal Sonic, Dr. Eggman, Zs'skayr
• Enemies: Everyone and everything. On top of that list, are Super Mario Bros. deities (especially Bowser), The Life Entity, Ezalor and the House of Light and Brightness as a whole, The SCP Foundation, Linkara, Galeem, Necrozma, Devola and Popola, Gamera
• Gambit Pileup with: Fawful, Light Yagami, Master Xehanort, Izaya Orihara
• The Dark Star arrived in the form of Dark Bowser, spewing dark smog that enveloped all around it and causing a massive gale of dark wind to blow away all who opposed it. Bowser, recognizing the attack, confronted and defeated it, and a team of heroes with power over microscopic scales destroyed all traces of Bowser's DNA.
• It actively seeks to find new villains greedy for its power, in order to copy their DNA. It has tried to get back Bowser's DNA, but some Enemy Mines have allowed some powerful heroes to shut off the Dark Star's access. Fawful, aware of the Dark Star's agenda, is still attempting to absorb its power, but is aware that it could use him to become effectively invincible with the Dark Star Core.
• Since it seeks to envelop the universe in darkness, it is theorized that it is the only thing capable of permanently destroying or at least usurping Nekron, the darkness from before, if it becomes all darkness. Of course, there would be no point after this, making it impossible for good guys to exploit, but the threat is enough for Nekron to strong-arm it into keep a long distance from the GUAD's base of operations, only used as muscle to bring about the end of everything. Something the Dark Star only accepted because it can't destroy everything on its own...at least not yet.
• Has almost no interest in allies, only pawns. It is similar to Hajun in being too omnicidal to have any allies whatsoever, though it does recognize the mad Hadou God as noteworthy competition. It has more of a rivalry with SCP-1548, mainly because they're both hateful stars. The SCP Foundation are trying to contain it to ensure nobody can use it.
• Many wish to exploit the Dark Star, cocky enough that they can control it. Which goes into the second reason it has no allies; Evil Is Not a Toy, pure and simple. On the flip side, the Dark Star is genuinely interested in those who have dark sides such as Jin Kazama and his Devil Gene. It's an interest solely out of wanting to exploit that dark side and power, but at least it's something beyond the pure disdain it feels towards all of existence.
  • Black Mage wants it. It also wants him, and it's only the card carrying enemies who have prevented the two from creating an all-powerful being of pure evil and destruction.
  • Ganondorf is confident he could control the Dark Star, but it could turn him into Ganon and take the DNA from the beast, becoming even stronger than it was as Dark Bowser.
  • It thinks Tarquin's philosophy is amusing, and aims to take advantage of it by the first stage of its plan to be copying and devouring him before he can finish his stage one by manipulating it.
  • Eggman's success with the Time Eater has made him confident he stands a chance with the Dark Star, but... well, come on. It would chew him up and spit out a duplicate in no time flat. Metal Sonic would rather adapt its duplication abilities into itself, which can not end well if put into motion.
  • Dimentio would love to use it to obliterate everything, regarding it However, his delusion that its power would let him create a new world is just that: a delusion.
• Light Yagami, much too intelligent to be used in the Dark Star's usual fashion, intends to use the Death Note to force someone else to "claim" it, then convert it to a form Light can use. However, Master Xehanort has his own designs upon its darkness, and the two are fighting a covert war over the Dark Star's possession. Izaya plays games with it, trying to understand how to manipulate and/or Troll it. So far, he has had no success in doing anything but almost getting copied.
• Chernabog was smart enough to know that, as much as he likes the idea of a world of darkness, the Dark Star would try to hijack him. As such, he has settled on being the thing's rival. Assuming such emotions exist within the Dark Star, he might respect Chernabog for being and embodying absolute darkness. Zs'skayr was more foolish, thinking he could utilize the Dark Star to bring about a dark world where light is no longer a weakness for him and his world domination.
• Aku isn't impressed by the Dark Star because he feels it lacks creativity for something Made of Evil. Why be an Omnicidal Maniac when you can dominate the world and cause tons of suffering that way, if you want to be really evil? Linkara opposes it for the obvious reasons and was quick to snark at it for ultimately being a boring villain since it just wants to destroy everything because it's literally evil and pointing out it'll have nothing to do if it succeeds. The Dark Star just ignored this and goes on its evil ways; it is not the Entity.
• Fears the Life Entity, as the White Light has some kind of detrimental effect on its darkness and Dark Satelmites. Kyle Rayner outright terrifies it, as in its weaker form he could wipe it out in one attack. It loathes the House of Light and Brightness, particuarly Ezalor for being an Overdeity who embodies benevolent light.
• Despite his hatred of light, the Dark Star holds a begrudging respect for the the Light of Destruction, as like the Dark Star it's an Eldritch Abomination bent on the destruction of the universe. The Dark Star is also keenly aware of the irony of a being of blinding light like Necrozma having a history of leaving worlds in darkness. An alliance of convenience was considered, but Necrozma has moved away from that. Plus even then Necrozma had reasons for leaving worlds in darkness, while the Dark Star has no reason whatsoever beyond it being part of its nature.
• Initially didn't think of any allies at all due to the desire to destroy everything and shroud existence in darkness. And similar enough beings knew the Dark Star would try to usurp it. That was, until Dharkon. As a dark, chaotic Eldritch Abomination who sought the end of everything, it was the closest anyone came to being alike the Dark Star. And unfortunately Dharkon agreed they had so much in common not becoming proper allies would be a wasted opportunity. Despite being as cataclysmic as Dharkon, the Dark Star shares its hatred for Galeem for being so closely associated with light. The Light of Destruction was at least of the same alignment, but the Dark Star finds Galeem's Order Is Not Good nature unworkable.

Nightmare Moon

Nightmare Moon, Goddess of The Eternal Night (The Mare in the Moon, Nightmare Rarity)

^{As her brief second coming, Nightmare Rarity}

• Intermediate Goddess
• Symbol: A moon littered with craters forming a unicorn head
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• Portfolio: Eternal Night, Twisted Goddess, Sealed Villain, Shapeshifting and Self-Duplication, Product of Jealousy, Darker side of Luna, Really Hammy (though less so than her good side), Bringing About Her Own Downfall, Affably Evil, Alto Villainess, Variable Origins, Fangs Are Evil, Hellish Horse, Repressive, but Efficient
• Domains: Darkness, Night, Moon, Space, Evil, Jealousy
• High Priest: Malomyotismon
• Followers: the Children of Nightmare cult, The Kingdom Come!Calcite, Louhi, the Night Lords and the planet of Nostramo, the Starscource, Machestro
• Allies: Yami, David Zappa, The Grand Duke of Owls, Nightmare, Mr. Scratch
• Enemies:
  • The Protectors of Night and Day: Princesses Celestia and Luna, Volcarona, Utsuho Reiuji, Amaterasu, Helios and Selene, Solaire of Astora, Volcarona, Chibiterasu, Chanticleer, Nebby
  • Others: Tirek, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, Megan Williams, Zhao, Necrozma, most Light- or Sun-based deities, those who would attack the moon, Niko
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Queen Umbra
• Hardly had Celestia and Luna ascended to the Pantheon when an unknown god or goddess somehow reawakened Nightmare Moon, Luna's resentful Superpowered Evil Side previously thought destroyed by the Elements of Harmony. There are three current culprit theories going about; Parsee, Bernkastel, and Terumi, though nothing has been proven yet. Laughing wickedly, the dark mare promised to bring upon the Pantheon an era of eternal night before being subdued by the promptly summoned Elements of Harmony. Unfortunately, they failed to function to their full effect and thus Luna is now in the same situation as Sayaka Miki/Oktavia von Seckendorff, her normal self still acting as co-Goddess of Winged Unicorns while her Nightmare Moon personality fills the role of Goddess of Eternal Night.
  • Months later, an unknown god or goddess (it's not known if it's the same one) managed to remove Nightmare Moon from Princess Luna completely... only for it to be plunged into Rarity, turning her into Nightmare's second coming. A fierce skirmish between Nightmare and her allies against Luna, Celestia, the remainder of the Mane Six, Spike, and all of their friends (including some gods whose followers were Equestrians), which eventually became a skirmish between forces in the Grand United Alliances of Good and Evil. Eventually, the Nightmare was purged, and Rarity was saved. Unfortunately, Nightmare Moon was revived by unknown means and provided a new body so she can continue her "crusade" against the Day.
    • As for how that was possible, it's because of the fact that Nightmare Moon has varying origins. One source says she's the product of something possessing Luna, while another says she's a dark part of Luna gone berserk. Either way, she's her own entity now.
• Nightmare and Maleficent deny any and all connections to each other. The Pantheon is not fooled, though.
  • Twilight Sparkle however seems to disagree on the two having any similarities whatsoever and provided a good enough counter-argument.
• The Grand Duke of Owls became a fast ally of hers, as they both shared a desire for eternal night, and they eventually joined a group that comprised of themselves, David Zappa, and Diana, The Bringers of Eternal Night. Yami would eventually replace the Precure villain as co-Big Bad. That said, the other members defer to Nightmare more than him, especially since he doesn't speak, but Nightmare herself is aware of Yami's power.
• She's aware of the other villains that threaten Equestria, and does oppose some of them too as they threaten ponykind, such as Queen Chrysalis and Tirek.
  • Speaking of the latter, she also found another nuisance by the name of Megan, who doesn't like her for her desires of eternal night, just like the Tirek she faced.
• Nightmare Moon expresses interest in Utsuho Reiuji. Due to the singular nature of Equestria, she desires her help in comprehending the complexity of stars in other worlds. Utsuho herself, for her part, says she really likes Nightmare Moon's mane.
  • However, once she joined the Sun Quartet, the two of them became enemies. Utsuho still likes her mane, but the tengu gets distracted by Volcarona when she tries to stare into it too long.
  • And then when the Titans of the Sun and Moon ascended during a skirmish between their groups, she's come to despise them as well (especially when they joined the Sun Quartet…and reform it into the Protectors of Night and Day), Helios for his dominion over the Sun, and Selene for being able to wrest the Moon from her control.
  • Still, as someone who has the Moon as her domain, she will oppose anyone who would put it to harm.
• Some folks (incuding villains) have expressed concerns for her plans to bring forth eternal night, given all the potential consequences for all life on the planet and have suggested contingencies and alternatives like getting crops that can grow in moonlight, make a second moon to replace the sun yet maintains the sun's purpose of granting light and warmth, or even just turning ponies into a nocturnal race so that they'll sleep through Celestia's day as they had through her night as a sense of Irony. Unlike other villains, Nightmare is actually taking these into consideration. After all, she wants her ponies to appreciate the night.
  • Given one of the Bad Futures Starlight Glimmer ended up making, it was rumored that hers wasn't that bad of a place to be in, so she must've done something right.
• When Necrozma first ascended, it was said that she had more than pleased to hear of another who plunged worlds into eternal darkness. Until its true form proved to do the opposite, which was infuriating for her, to the extent that she has declared it her personal archenemy in the Hall of Light and Brightness. The House of Fighting and Combat is gathering popcorn for the inevitable epic clash. Except for her despisal for the Pokémon, none of that is true.
• She would like to point out that eternal darkness and eternal night aren't one and the same. There is still light in the night, just not as much as in the day. As such, she'll also stand against those who would desire to snuff even the moonlight out.
• It's true that she also has power over dreams (nightmares, so to speak), but she doesn't tend to focus on that these days. But when she got an invite from Nightmare to join their group, she was eager to plague the Pantheon with nightmares and join others who have the same goal. That said, since the little group was all but already assembled by the time she joined up, she found herself in a low-rung position.
• Being both incarnations of someone's inner darkness, Nightmare gets along well with Vanitas, even if he might not actually be a case of this.
• It's true that she's employed the use of Heartless in her battles, but she's more cautious with them than most other villains. After all, she doesn't want to sink her world into eternal darkness, where even moonlight is absent.

Lesser Gods

Dark Link

Dark Link, God of Living Shadows (Link's Shadow, Shadow Link)

• Lesser God
• Symbol: A black version of the Master Sword
• Theme Music: Dark Link (Triforce Heroes remix)
• Alignment: Chaotic Evil
• Portfolio: Those Made of Evil, Evil Twins, Shadow Archetypes, Enemies Without, Living Shadows, Mirror Bosses, Puzzle Bosses
• Domains: Combat, Darkness, Emotion
• Followers: Darkside (previous dethroned holder of this trope), Peter Pan's Shadow
• Allies: Cia, Bernkastel, Vanitas, Dark Samus, The Psycho Rangers
• Enemies: Link, Princess Zelda, The Investigation Team, Rika Furude, Naruto Uzumaki, Yuma Tsukumo, Jeanne, Rayman, any and all hammer users, Aurora
• Opposed by: Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy
• One of the most enigmatic beings in Hyrule, it's unknown how precisely Dark Link (also known as Shadow Link) came to be, as multiple origins for him have been seen throughout Hyrule's history. Sometimes he's Link's literal shadow given physical shape to test his strength; other times he's a reflection of Link made that antagonizes him throughout his adventures; in some occasions he's one of many, created as pawns by Link's foes. And then there's times where there's no explanation to his presence. It's unknown if all of these beings are the same or share a connection, regardless, all of them share a common aspect: to strike Link down, no matter the cost.
• Is one of Link's most formidable foes in direct combat — though he mostly lacks the higher brain functionality to be a true villain, whenever he spawns from within Link he proves exceptionally difficult to take down, able to match Link in swordsmanship move for move. Unfortunately for him, he has yet to figure out how to copy Link's wide array of other weapons, though he is trying. He's never gone forever though and will usually be reborn a few generations of Link down the line. Is particularly weak against hammers and being stabbed in the knee.
  • The Investigation Team sympathize with Link in this regard, as they all know what an encounter with one's own Shadow Archetype is like.
• Oddly, he and Link's Arch-Enemy Ganondorf have never been direct allies, Dark Link usually acting of his own accord and Ganondorf only indirectly being involved with his creation once. Ganondorf has reportedly tried to contact Dark Link to hire him as a minion, but his messages haven't been returned.
  • There are theories that he is an aspect of Demise.
• Has taken a habit to sneak in the Super Smash Bros. tournaments to beat Link, ever since the second one. During the events of Super Smash Bros. Brawl he teamed up with Dark Samus, who was mistakenly referred to as Samus' dark side. She's not but Dark Link was content with whatever help he could get.
  • Ever since those events, all incarnations of Link present in the tournaments have been granted costumes that change their appearances to that of Dark Link. While seeing it in a form of spite, it has allowed Dark Link to further enter under Master Hand's radar for a chance to strike any of the Links down.
    • It appears to have become a habit for Link to dress up as Dark Link within his own series.
• Vanitas's ascension made Dark Link rather nervous. Not only did Vanitas have the higher brain functionality that Dark Link was somewhat lacking, but he is technically the enemy without of TWO separate people. Vanitas has made it clear he isn't after Dark Link's position, and the two now share a mutual understanding and respect for one another.
  • However, after Vanitas was stripped out of most of his tropes, leaving him with just Enemy Without, Dark Link vanished for a bit... and then reappeared after he had brutally killed a Darkside for this position.
• Enjoys the greater power allowed by his new master, Cia. She regularly summons him to her side, sometimes with several copies of himself. Though some gods are creeped out by the implications of Cia summoning multiple clones of Link...
• Some of those who theorize that Dark Link is an aspect split Link believe he's still capable of redeemable deeds. The biggest supporters of this point out the one time when Shadow Link helped the other Links to defeat Vaati, even if he had to sacrifice himself for that.
• Dark Link recently took control of Link, and attacked Donald Duck and Goofy for an unknown reason. This got Sora's attention, which led to him clashing with Dark Link. Sora won the battle, saved Link, and the four teamed up to fight some Heartless. Right now, they are trying to find out if Master Xehanort is allied with Dark Link.
  • And because she's often gotten in her way, since her ascension, Dark Link has also dispatched heartless to attack Aurora, and even on occasion going after her himself.
• While it was theorized before, the existence of a Dark Zelda was first sighted during the incident of Hyrule's multiple timelines colliding and ultimately confirmed during the time a NecroDancer interferred in Hyrule. Any relationship Dark Link has with her, if any, is unknown, as they haven't been seen working along each other.

Riddick

Richard B. Riddick, God of Dark Vision

• Lesser God
• Symbol: His eyes in the darkness
• Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
• Portfolio: Anti-Hero, Cool Goggles, Genius Bruiser, Last of the Furyans, Noble Demon
• Domains: Vision, Survival, Crime
• Allies: Dominic Toretto, Guts
• Enemies: Judge Dredd and the House of Law and Justice, Boba Fett, Graboids
• Opposes: Jack the Ripper, Dexter Morgan
• Odd Friendship: Groot and the Iron Giant
• Riddick may have made a temple for himself later than most, but he insists that he has been around for much longer. With his natural night vision, he has been hiding in the darkness away from various monsters, police officers and bounty hunters after him. It was only when the Guardians of Figure decided to make a case for him that he went out in the open. It was decided that he would stay under their observation for the time being.
• The Eyeshine gives Riddick's eyes night vision quality, allowing him to see and detect objects and people even in pitch darkness. As a drawback though, his eyes are highly sensitive when it comes to light. As a result, he requires goggles to operate in bright locations. As a result, he forbids any light inside his temple. His followers don't mind of course, but onlookers would have to find other means to see.
• Though an unrepentant murderer, Riddick does not kill for the sake of killing but to survive. He's not going to kill those who isn't a threat to him or those he cares about. Regardless, Jack the Ripper has tried to get Riddick to join his side with little success.
  • Another odd encounter was with Dexter Morgan. While he is wary of the man's body count, he came by with a proposition. He would let Riddick go to do his business as long as he focuses on killing other criminals instead. Riddick stated he could not guarantee that and turned down the offer. Besides, he doesn't like the idea of killing to keep sane. Dexter replied that this would be the only time he will visit peacefully; next time that they meet, he won't hesitate to put him down.
• Regardless, he has a huge list of people who are after him. Boba Fett and his followers have been after him for quite a while. Not that they are against his practices, but the price of Riddick's head is too high to simply ignore. Even with the truce, Fett hopes to claim the ransom.
• He is also wanted among the various officers in the House of Justice, headed by Judge Dredd himself. Dredd has made sure that Riddick won't have it easy in the Pantheon, waiting for an opportunity to send him in the Cube.
• Was deeply shocked to see that there is a god who looks just like him including the bald head, making him wonder if he had a twin brother he never knew about. After the initial shock, Riddick seems to get along with Dominic.
  • While they don't look the same, he does share the same voice actor as the likes of Groot and the Iron Giant. Groot doesn't mind his presence. He already deals with anti-heroes among the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Iron Giant on the other hand is interested that Riddick doesn't fit the mold of superheroes that he has read. Riddick for his part has made sure that the Iron Giant doesn't imitate his lifestyle. Still, the Iron Giant has had a tendency to protect the criminal if in danger.
• After his previous encounter with underground creatures, it's safe to say he's not a fan of such creatures. The closest thing to them in the Pantheon are the Graboids and he can be found having to fend himself from them.
• It's no surprise that the place where Riddick is most welcome in is the place where people are nearly truly good or evil. Guts took a particular liking to the man and welcomed him in with open arms. To Riddick, it was nice to have one mercenary that isn't obsessive with taking his bounty.

Quasideities

Vashta Nerada

The Vashta Nerada, Divine Swarm of Deadly Darkness (Piranhas of the Air, "The Shadows that melt the flesh")

The Vashta Nerada, "wearing" a corpse

• Quasideities individually (can affect Lesser Deities)
• Symbol: A second shadow
• Theme Song: Forests of the Vashta Nerada
• Alignment: True Neutral (just don't piss them off)
• Portfolio: Darkness Equals Death, Stripped to the Bone, Swarms, It Can Think, Shadows, Fear Of The Dark, The Worm That Walks, Paranoia Fuel
• Domains: Predation, Darkness, Paranoia, Fear
• Followers: the Grue
• High Priest: the Darkness Devil
• Allies: The Lorax, Captain Planet, Pitch Black, Freddy Fazbear
• On good terms with: The House of Plants
• Rivals with: The Tyranids, The Wig-Wigs, Gluttony
• On speaking terms with: The Doctor
• Enemies: Anyone who harms their forest, particularly Mr. Burns, Looten Plunder, Ragnaros the Firelord and Hexxus. Also Bright Man
• Almost every species in the universe has an irrational fear of the dark. But it's not irrational-it's Vashta Nerada. These alien predators are microscopic, mistaken for the dust in sunlight. But in swarms, they are deadly. Feeding in the shadows, they can strip you to the bone in seconds. Unexplained disappearances of animals and even people can be explained by them. Reports of them were found in the Trope Pantheon, and in order to control them they were put under the rules that all gods have to follow. That, and they've earned their title.
• There was a minor infestation of Vashta Nerada in the House of Knowledge, which caused some trouble. They've stopped causing issues now that they have their own temple and position as gods. But if you end up getting lost in their temple, run. For God's sake, run.
• They are a truly terrifying organism, however they aren't malicious. Normally they're like any predator, and aren't going to just chow down on people. However if they're rightly angered, they'll strip you to the bone. This was the case on The Library, a planet-sized library where they'd eat anyone in the darkness. Their forests were sifted and pulped into the many books there, however the Doctor managed to find peace and they were left alone. The Library now functions as their temple, however unless they permit it don't enter.
• Given what they are, they find it near-impossible to communicate with other members of the pantheon. To fix this, a corpse donated for science was given to them in a suit. They are capable of piloting it and use the donation as a means of speaking with other gods. As you can imagine, this just adds to their creep factor. Whenever they're "piloting" a body or about to eat someone, there will be a second shadow.
• The one house that has absolutely nothing to fear from the Vashta Nerada is the House of Plants. They dwell in forests, and they're meat eaters so it's comforting there. Trevenant has been especially kind in serving as a host to them, so long as they promise not to touch anything with flesh in his temple. The House of Plants usually employs swarms of them to fend off those who might try to destroy or pollute the forests, such as Mr Burns and Hexxus.
• They like the Lorax and Captain Planet. Having their forests taken down for massive library(when they could have just used futuristic computer libraries), they benefit from a good Green Aesop. That being said the Lorax and Captain Planet are creeped out by them and think they go too far, so the swarm has to behave around them.
• So long as it's meat, a swarm of the Vashta Nerada can eat just about anything. Its hungering way makes it a rival to the Tyranids and Wig-Wigs for who's better at devouring life like an armada of locusts. Sometimes they compete with Gluttony over meat, which often ends with hordes of them being swallowed by Gluttony while he gets eaten alive over and over, regenerating from his Philosopher's Stone. Pride is interested in having them work in tandem with his shadows, but they don't seem interested.
• They live in darkness, and as such the more light the weaker they are. Most gods make sure to have powerful lights in the presence of the Vashta Nerada. For this reason they dislike Bright Man. As Freddy Fazbear attacks in the dark, the Vashta Nerada sometimes help him out. Hey, he gets rid of "evil adults" and they don't chow on machines, while they get a free meal and some pizza.

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