Palutena

Palutena (パルテナ Parutena) is a fictional goddess from Nintendo's Kid Icarus series of video games. She first appeared as a non-playable character in 1986's Kid Icarus. Palutena was also included in the game's sequel, Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, published in 1991 on the Game Boy.

Character history
Palutena is the benevolent Goddess of Light, ruler of the kingdom of Angel Land, and guardian of Three Sacred Treasures (the Pegasus Wings, Mirror Shield, and Light Arrows). Before the events of Kid Icarus and its sequel she shared sovereignty with Medusa, the Goddess of Darkness. Palutena used her powers for the good of mankind, to warm the earth and make crops grow. However, Medusa hated humans and used her power to undo Palutena's work. As punishment, Palutena transformed Medusa into a hideous monster and banished her to the Underworld.

Medusa, consumed with bitterness, swore revenge on Palutena. By forming an alliance with the evil monsters and spirits of the Underworld she was able to gather enough power to overwhelm Palutena's army. A surprise attack on Palutena's forces set the precedent for the war between the goddesses, with Medusa winning decisively at the final battle. Medusa captured Palutena and seized the Three Sacred Treasures, entrusting them to her most powerful servants.



Kid Icarus
Realizing that the only hope for her conquered people was the courageous angel, Pit, Palutena used the last of her power to free him from Medusa's prison in the Underworld and bestow upon him a sacred bow with limitless arrows. Pit was able to subsequently retrieve the Three Sacred Treasures, defeat Medusa, and liberate his queen.

Of Myths and Monsters
Palutena then had a prophetic dream of her beloved Angel Land being attacked by an army of demons. She rushed to the oracle, who confirmed that the army was led by Orcos, a demon of terrifying power. Palutena quickly summoned Pit and told him of the impending crisis. She then sent Pit on a mission to obtain the Three Sacred Treasures and to become strong enough to oppose Orcos' evil might. After defeating Orcos, Palutena thanked Pit for once again protecting the peace and prosperity of her kingdom.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In the upcoming installment of the Super Smash Bros. series, the stage set in the Kid Icarus series called Skyworld contains a statue of Palutena as a background element. Palutena also appears in Pit's Final Smash, "Palutena's Army." In the Subspace Emissary, Palutena gives Pit his bow and orders him to embark on a life threatening adventure.

Role
Palutena's role in the Kid Icarus series is that of the damsel in distress, similar to Zelda in the Legend of Zelda series. The conclusion of the original Kid Icarus involves Pit defeating Medusa to save Palutena, who then gives him a reward based on the player's performance (the best result implies a romantic relationship between the two characters).

Trivia

 * Palutena governs parts of nature that are divided among several figures in Greek mythology, including Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture, and Apollo, the God of Light.
 * The character's Japanese name can also be translated as "Parthena," a name that has the same root as the Parthenon and with which Athena is associated, in particular with her cult-title "Athena Parthenos." Also, "Parthenos" is Greek for "chaste" or "virgin," applicable to both Athena and, presumably, Palutena.