Disclaimer: I still don't own Saint Seiya. I don't really know what else to say at this point.
READ & REVIEW ACKNOWLEGEMENTS:
M-Lyria – I explained in the last chapter that Hyouga didn't take on Ikki for two reasons. One, Ikki's Cosmo has been increased in the months since the other Bronzes died, and as we already know he was already one of the most powerful Saints they knew. So if Hyouga took him on there wasn't a guarantee that he'd win. And two, even if he did win against Ikki no matter how easy it may be he'd have an entire island of guards, Saints and Saints-in-training, and Black Dragon himself to deal with. Not to mention the danger he'd put Shun and Nachi in by doing so, considering Shun is traumatized and depowered and Nachi is only a minor Bronze Saint. Basically, there would be a lot of repercussions that would extend beyond his own safety he has to consider before doing something as brash and reckless as attacking Ikki.
Yukie-sempai – Sorry killing Marin killed your day, but would you rather have the image of her having killed an innocent person to save her own ass? Me neither. And no, that's not the mask from the movie. I follow the continuity in which the movies didn't happen.
Axya – I'd offer to write that fanfic for you, but I have a lot on my plate as it is, lol.
Loveshun – You're sadistic when it comes to Shun? I'm the one writing the fanfic, lol.
Sayaka minamoto, BlackRoseVixen05, Guest, Aynslesa, and kiera – Thank you all for the reading and reviewing! Your support means a lot, and I apologize for the long time between updates. If you've ever read any of my other fanfics, you'll know that this isn't nearly the worst I've ever done. Please keep reviewing!
Chapter 3
Hyouga expected ridicule. Pointing, staring, whispers behind his back. After all, he was wearing a mask, a trait of female Saints. What reason did men have to hide their faces? What he didn't expect was the startled stares and utter avoidance of eye-contact. Why was everyone acting as if they were looking at a ghost? He didn't object to the fact that it effectively distanced anyone who would recognize that he didn't belong, though.
Nachi was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs, arms folded, casually talking to a couple of guards. His back was to Hyouga, so he was confused when the two guards stopped talking suddenly and excused themselves, running off as if chased by the Phoenix Saint himself. He turned his own head to glance behind him, and jumped, hand flying to his chest plate. "Mother of Athena!" he yelped.
Hyouga skipped the last few steps, landing at the bottom and bringing his face in close to the frightened Bronze Saint. "What the hell's wrong with everyone here?" he hissed. "You'd think they'd seen a ghost."
"Hyo- Yakov," Nachi caught himself, regaining his breath. He didn't realize he'd been holding it. "Where did you get that?"
"The mask? Ikki gave it to me," Hyouga shrugged, touching the smooth face. "Said he was saving it for someone else, but gave it to me instead. I fed him a story about burning my face, didn't actually expect him to buy it."
"Gods, I thought I had seen a ghost. No wonder those guys took off."
"Will you tell me what's going on already?" Hyouga asked impatiently. "I've got to go meet Black Dragon. Ikki 'volunteered' me to train for a Black Cloth."
"Really? Geez, nothing about any of this is making sense. No way out of it?"
Cygnus shook his head, running a hand through his blond hair. "No, if I don't do it he'll get suspicious. I couldn't suppress my Cosmo enough."
"Actually… this is good. You'll be able to get in closer to the Black Saints' leader than any of us have ever managed. I'll see if I can get word out to the others," the Wolf lowered his voice. "And if you wanna know why everyone keeps jumping just… go find a mirror or something. Seriously, it's freaky." He leaned back again. "I've gotta go on that patrol to investigate the island. You know I won't find anything, I know I won't find anything, but if I don't do it anyway Phoenix will get suspicious."
"Yeah, and I have to go get fitted for a training uniform. Where're the training grounds?"
"Right down that road, past the living area. It's the huge open area, you can't miss it."
"Thanks. I'll see you after training, I guess." Hyouga turned to leave, but stopped mid-step. "Hey, wait," he lowered his voice again. "I managed to convince Ikki that I was down seeing Shun because I hated him or something like that, but he's forbid me to go down again. I suspect the guards will be informed to keep an eye out for me. Is there a way you can find a way to get me down there?"
"I'll see what I can do," Nachi slapped his shoulder. "Seeing you… Shun seemed so much calmer when you were there than he usually is. Batty as ever, but calm. I think it'll be good for him."
()()()()()
The Cygnus Saint found the training grounds twenty minutes later. The guards standing at the open field, a very nice way of referring to an expanse of wasteland where nothing probably had grown since Death Queen Island rose from whatever stretch of Hell it came from, reacted almost violently when he approached. He found their swords in his masked face, looking unsure what to do. He hadn't yet heeded Nachi's advice to find a mirror, since he felt he should do as he was told by the Phoenix Saint quickly to keep him satisfied.
"Who are you?" one of the guards demanded, warily. "Only trainees are allowed on this field."
"I'm Yakov, I was sent by Lord Phoenix to train in hopes of baring a Black Cloth," he replied, hoping Ikki had sent word ahead.
The guards looked at each other, then nodded. "Very well, the Black Dragon is expecting you." They withdrew their swords, stepping to their respective posts again. "I'd hurry, he's not known for his patience with trainees."
Hyouga nodded to them, hurrying in. He gazed around the field, but didn't see anyone there. He didn't like the looks of such a thing. Open spaces were a prime place for…
The Cygnus Saint reacted reflexively as a figure dropped from seemingly nowhere, jumping to the side as an armored heel dug into the earth where he'd been standing less than a second before. He vaulted off of the ball of his foot as he landed, springing forward with a fist primed. However, as soon as he saw who his attacker was, he faltered. It was the Black Dragon himself, the man who killed Shiryu and Seiya in this world. The man he was sent to for training. This was a test.
As soon as he hesitated, Black Dragon's knee impacted his mid-section, sending him flying. He could feel at least two of his ribs desperately bend under the strain, but not break, his structural integrity having strengthened over many battles. However, it didn't stop him from gasping as his back impacted the hard ground, coughing against the mask that still clung impressively to his features. He pushed himself up on his elbow, straining against the feeling of nearly cracked ribs and what would surely for any normal man have been several ruptured organs. He was impressed that without his cloth he could even still move after that assault.
"You stopped attacking when you saw who I was," the Black Dragon approached, metal armored greaves clicking menacingly with every step. "Was it fear that held you back, or perhaps respect? Whichever one, it doesn't matter. That was the first mistake you've made since walking into my grounds." He reached down and Hyouga let him grab the front of the guard uniform he was still wearing, hauling him off of the ground so their faces were inches from each other. "That will also be the first lesson I will teach you. Never hesitate in this arena. Whether you are facing me or your fellow trainees, you will be shown no mercy and are expected to give none."
"Y-yes, sir…" Hyouga coughed out, hands grasping the arm holding him. He then kicked out, nearly impacting with Dragon this time, but the warrior turned teacher let go, jumping back.
The Black Saint looked impressed. "Very good, Yakov. You learn quickly." He placed his hands on his hips, scrutinizing the seemingly aspiring Saint that stood before him. "Tell me, how is it someone with a Cosmo like yours hasn't been called to a cloth yet?"
Cygnus looked away, even though Dragon couldn't see his face, and quickly tried to suppress the Cosmo he let flare despite his careful control.
The Dragon chuckled, stepping forward again. "Try as you'd like, you can't fully hide your Cosmo. You reacted to my trap as a man who has been fighting for years would, surviving a blow that would have killed any normal man and most trainees. I don't know why you fight so hard not to let anyone know your power, or how you have not been called to be a Saint if you do not have a Cloth already. Maybe it has something to do with this mask you wear," he reached forward and nearly touched Hyouga's covered face, but a hand shot out and grabbed his arm.
Hyouga twisted around, wrenching the Black Dragon's arm behind his back, finding some amount of satisfaction at the startled sound the other man made. He lowered his voice. Fear and ignorance worked on Phoenix, but wouldn't here. The Black Dragon may not have been as powerful as Ikki, but he had darkness in him that caused him to understand better the dark secrets people hid behind their masks. So if he wanted darkness that was what he would get. "It doesn't matter why I wear a mask, does it? All that matters is that I was selected to train for a Black Cloth, and you are the one who is going to teach me to get one."
The Black Dragon let out a laugh, wrenching around the opposite way Hyouga had twisted them, throwing the Cygnus Saint off balance and spinning them around so that he was now behind Hyouga, arm around his throat. "I like your spirit, Yakov. You have so much potential. It's no wonder why Lord Phoenix allowed you to wear that mask," he hissed in the blond Saint's ear. He shoved Hyouga forward, letting him go. When the younger Saint whipped around, fists up, he was holding a training uniform. "Go put this on. Let's hope you don't disappoint our Lord's expectation." He tossed Hyouga the uniform, then turned and leapt upon a rock formation that stuck out over the field and allowed him to monitor his students. The conversation was obviously over.
()()()
Hyouga sighed in relief as soon as the guard's uniform was off, reveling in a moment where he stood in his own skin, alone in the weapon closet. He'd decided to change in there in case he accidentally knocked his mask off, revealing even part of his face. He was becoming paranoid, though he knew that only a few people on the island would recognize him. However, if word got to Ikki that he wasn't scarred as he claimed, suspicion would become prevalent. He stretched and sighed, knowing the moment had passed and he should dress before someone came by and questioned why he was naked in a weapon cache.
As he pulled his pants on, he glanced to the side and caught his reflection in a freshly cleaned shield. The Cygnus Saint started, backing into a row of spears with a crash. He at that moment understood why everyone reacted so exaggeratingly to his appearance. He was feeling dèja vu. Once again, he swore he gazed upon Shun's face when he turned, though one deathly white and decorated with golden patterns. However, when he thought of how she had been described so often by Ikki, of looking just like Shun only with hair of gold instead of green, he suddenly understood why the Phoenix Saint had given him the mask. With his own blond hair, it created an illusion, at least upon his head, of Esmeralda.
The thought made him sick, wanting to tear the mask from his face. He was expected to be a replacement for the girl Phoenix fell in love with, the one whose death caused all of this. He likely had been planning on giving the mask to a female Saint whose hair was golden like Esmeralda's, but grew impatient. Seeing Hyouga's long, blond locks underneath the helmet he'd worn, feeling the Cosmo which indicated a potential Black Saint who would be loyal and stand by his side, gave him the idea to give the mask to him instead.
Hyouga grasped the mask with shaking hands, but stopped himself before he could rip it off. If he took the mask off, he would be exposed to an island of enemies. Black Dragon or Ikki would recognize him and he'd have the entire island after him. While he could take Black Dragon or Phoenix in a fight one-on-one, both of them at once, or worst everyone on Death Queen Island, would give him no chance. If he wanted to find a way out of this hell, a way to the world he was supposed to be in, or more importantly to save the Shun of this world, he'd have to continue playing Phoenix's game. Train with Black Dragon, try and figure out what happened to his own Cloth, keep in contact with Nachi and the other Saints through him, and even allow Ikki to see him as the girl he lost. Surely, since he wasn't female, the Phoenix wouldn't try anything. And even if he did, Hyouga would draw the line there. He wasn't going to sacrifice his dignity to this monster that imprisoned and tortured his own brother.
Hyouga took a breath and removed his fingers from the mask, picking himself up and pulling the top part of his uniform on. He had to do this, if not for himself, for Shun. For the boy who wasn't willing to defend himself against his older brother.
()()()
Hyouga stood in a line with the rest of the Black Cloth trainees, each looking as determined as the next. It was apparent they would all do whatever it took to get a Black Cloth, no matter the consequences. It was like Sanctuary, where the females trained separately from the men. They were on the other side of the field, being commanded by a woman he was told was Black Eagle. He hadn't been aware there were Black Cloths besides for the ones for the Bronzes, but he was told there was a Black Cloth for every Athena Cloth. The possibilities of this revelation were staggering.
"Trainees, we have a new recruit among us, if you haven't noticed," Black Dragon announced from his perch. "Though judging by the fact that you had spent a good deal of time fighting over who had to stand next to him, you already have. This is Yakov, and despite the fact that he bares the face of the Marble Lady, you will treat him with every bit of respect and restraint you do each other. That is, none."
This revelation seemed to relax the other trainees a bit, though they still looked nervously at Hyouga. He couldn't blame them. He was suppressing his own Cosmo as best as possible, and the highest among theirs was still less than half his own power. He'd achieved Seventh Sense. Absolute Zero. He defeated Gold Saints, fought Gods. What chance did these boys have against him?
"We're going to start in pairs, no weapons. Avel, Jan, you will fight each other…" He went about listing names, pairing off eight sets of young men to fight each other as he watched from his naturally formed platform. As each boy's name was called, they relaxed; relieved they wouldn't have to fight the powerful newcomer, while the remaining tensed more. Finally, he looked to the last remaining trainee, a boy who had to be at the most 12. "Fedele, you will fight Yakov."
The Spanish boy clenched his fists and put on a brave face, though his body shook. "Yes, sir!" he called. Hyouga was impressed, his voice didn't waver.
The trainees spread out across the field, the men on their side and women on the other, facing their sparring partners. This was a disaster. If Hyouga didn't hold back, he could seriously injure the boy before him. But if he did, Black Dragon would surely notice. He couldn't do what the remaining Saints who infiltrated Pope Ares' ranks did. He couldn't kill someone just to keep his cover up.
His thoughts were cut short as Fedele charged forward, yelling. It was sloppy and desperate, a beginner's move. The dark-skinned trainee probably hadn't been there long before Hyouga landed on Death Queen Island. What kind of man was the Black Dragon, knowing how powerful Hyouga was and pitting him against someone so young and inexperienced?
In order to not harm him, Hyouga stepped out of the way. He had to attack, however, so he shot a hand out, grabbing the boy as he passed by the front of the shirt and throwing him to the ground. It was a move he knew would humiliate Fedele, but it was better to have a broken ego than a broken spine. And if Black Dragon wanted someone with a dark mind, he faced enough evil men to know how to give him that.
"Yakov!" the aforementioned Black Saint jumped from his perch, landing next to the disguised Saint. "What are you doing? In one-on-one you are to fight to your full potential, not toss them around as if you were playing."
"Then why do you give me the new blood?" Hyouga challenged. "Give me a challenge, if you want to see how well I fight! Don't set me upon children!"
Black Dragon stared at him a moment, then smirked. He then grabbed Hyouga by the front of the shirt and almost punched him in the face. However, he stopped himself from damaging the mask of their leader's beloved Esmeralda and instead struck for his midsection. Hyouga, however, saw it coming and ducked down. The shirt in Dragon's grasp slipped off easily and his fist just barely missed Cygnus's head. He struck forward with both palms, a move Shiryu had taught them, striking Black Dragon in the abdomen and causing him to stagger back.
There was a giggle from the other side of the field, and Hyouga became aware that all of the other spars had stopped, the trainees staring at him. Apparently the girls here weren't given the same lesson as the ones in Sanctuary, not to show attraction to a male, as they seemed to almost all be ogling his shirtless torso. The men, on the other hand, were all stunned that he had so easily struck their teacher.
"It seems you're right," the Black Dragon straightened up. "I was wrong to pit you against someone inexperienced if you can get the drop on someone like me. It makes me curious why none of the Black Cloths have reacted to you yet." He glanced at the other side of the field, glaring at the women.
Black Eagle clapped her hands. "Back to work, ladies! You have a long ways to go if a shirtless man is going to keep you from performing as required!"
At a glance from the male Black Saint, the men didn't need any encouragement to continue their own sparring. "Fedele!" he snapped at the boy who had picked himself off the ground.
"Yes, sir!" the Spanish boy saluted.
"Continue your training with the others as we did before Yakov came. First person to be knocked down you will replace, and he will replace the next, and so forth. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" he repeated, seeming relieved that he no longer had to fight the scary man in the mask.
"Yakov," their teacher nodded towards the side. "Come with me."
Hyouga's chest clenched in nervousness, though he did his best not to show it. He had to shake this paranoia that constantly plagued him in this place. He had to get away from these boys, couldn't risk hurting them. They didn't know what they were getting themselves into, weren't evil. They simply wanted a Cloth, and were willing to do whatever it took to get one, even if it meant the hard and corrupting training of the Black Cloths.
()()()()()
"Shun…"
No, no, no, no, no, this wasn't happening.
"Shu~un…"
Not again. Why were they here? What did they want? Shun closed his eyes and put his hands over his ears. It never helped. They spoke right through them. "Go away, please…" he whimpered. He was so tired. He wanted to sleep but then he would relive that moment Seiya died over and over. And when he was awake they came to remind him of it anyway. He wasn't sure which was worse anymore.
"But Shun," one of the voices echoed in his head. "Don't you miss us? I thought we were your friends."
Shun opened an eye and regretted it as he found himself staring into the lifeless dark eyes of the Pegasus Saint. Like when it had happened he wanted to close them again but couldn't. He was almost entranced by the dead gaze. Seiya's hands, darkened by the poison that had taken him, reached up and took Shun's shaking hands. He pulled them away from his ears and held them between them, almost comfortingly. "We're your friends," the ghost repeated. He brought the hands to his lips. "We love you." He kissed Shun's knuckle, and the darkness spread into the Andromeda Saint's hands.
He yelped and pulled back, scrambling away. "Please, go away! Leave me alone!" the frightened boy pleaded, trying to will the hallucination away. This time he just wouldn't disappear.
It got worse as well, as a voice behind him asked, "What's wrong, Shun?" The boy jumped and turned, face-to-face with the bloody, laceration-covered Shiryu. "Why are you afraid of us? We want to help." He reached out and took Shun's face in his hands. Blood smeared across Andromeda's cheeks. "Let us help you."
"NO!" Shun shoved himself away, sobbing loudly. "Why won't you leave? I want you to leave!"
"Don't you hear him?" Hyouga's voice penetrated his hysteria. His heart skipped in relief. Hyouga was here. Hyouga was real.
"Hyou-!" he turned but stopped cold. The gentle smile on Hyouga's face should have been reassuring. The gaping hole in his chest oozing with blood was decidedly not. This wasn't the real Hyouga. It was the ghost, the hallucination.
"Shun doesn't want our help. And why should we give it to him?" He spoke the cruel words softly, as if still comforting him. "He didn't help us. Your brother killed me Shun. Your brother. And you did nothing."
"I… I didn't… I wasn't…"
"You didn't help Shiryu, who you left alone to fight while he was mortally injured."
"I didn't-!"
"You didn't even help Seiya, whom you abandoned Shiryu to do."
"I'm sorry! I tried! I tried!" Shun was sobbing uncontrollably.
"You didn't try hard enough. It's okay, we understand." Hyouga ran a hand down his cheek, the tears turning to icy trails in the wake of his cold fingers. The green-haired boy shivered, both from cold and fear. But he was so tired of running from them. So tired of hiding in the darkness of his prison.
He was just so tired…
"I know Shun. You're so tired. Go ahead and rest."
"Sleep, Shun. It's okay. We'll watch over you."
"Sleep, we'll be right here."
That was good. He needed sleep. He was so tired…
So tired…
()()()
Nachi nodded to the guards at the top of the prison steps. Different ones this time, which was lucky for the previous guards. It hurt that he couldn't stop the torture and pain Phoenix inflicted upon his helpless little brother. Despite his argument he adamantly held about how strong Shun was for not giving up, he wasn't blind to the fact that he had been rendered powerless. Separated from his cloth, which was housed in Sanctuary with the other confiscated cloths. And if that weren't enough, he was broken as well.
He shook his head. No, he couldn't think like that. Shun was strong. He'd been wrong for all those years. He didn't understand the kind of person that was hidden behind those sad, green eyes. Didn't want to then. But ever since he'd found him there on the island, down in his cell, he felt nothing but regret for everything he'd ever said or done to the Andromeda Saint. He would help him in any way possible, however. To whatever extent of power he had.
"Shun?" the Wolf called, sliding the key into the lock of his cell door. He always let Shun know it was him before going in. He was almost afraid that someday he'd go in there without warning the younger boy that he was coming and he'd panic. He couldn't stand the thought that he'd cause Shun fear. As he opened the door he scanned the cell, almost expecting another dead Saint to appear like Hyouga before. However, he didn't see anyone but Shun. And when he did he gasped, running in. "Shun!"
The youngest Saint was lying on the ground, not breathing. Fresh trails from tears ran down his cheeks from his closed eyes. That was the first thing that really alerted him. Shun rarely if ever slept. Plaguing nightmares kept him awake at almost all times. He figured that was part of what was causing the hallucinations and paranoia. This was different from any other time he'd found him getting the little sleep he managed. He was completely still. And not breathing.
"Oh, gods, Shun, don't do this!" Nachi pulled off his helmet, turning the green-haired Saint onto his back. After a moment of looking unsure of what to do, he finally took a breath, pinching Shun's nose and opening his mouth. He bent down and breathed air manually into the other boy's lungs, watching it cause his chest to rise and fall. He performed this action four times before running a hand through his hair, trying not to panic. "Why now, Shun? Come on, you're stronger than this…" he whispered to the unconscious boy. He placed both hands on his chest as if he was going to give compressions, but instead concentrated his Cosmo into that spot. He felt the flare of power transfer from himself into Shun, causing the other's Cosmo to respond with a sudden rise in kind. After a moment of this Shun's eyes suddenly flew open, taking a gasping breath.
"NO!" Shun screeched, lashing out and striking Nachi in the face. The dark-haired Saint fell back in surprise, not expecting a physical assault. "Go away, I don't want you here!" the panicking Saint continued screaming at him, pushing himself as far away from Nachi as possible, eyes the size of saucers.
The Wolf regained his composure, shaking his head. "Shun, calm down!" he pleaded, looking to the door. They hadn't seemed to alert any of the other guards, luckily. "Shun, listen to me! It's me, Nachi!"
The other boy sat shivering against the wall, wide eyes flashing with familiarity. "N… Nachi…?" he whimpered, knees drawn to his chest.
"Yes. Nachi. I'm your friend, remember?"
Shun shook his head violently at the words, covering his ears with his shaking hands. "No! No, it's a trick, it always is! My friends are all dead! How do I know you're not dead?!"
"Shun, shush, please!" Nachi hissed at him, moving forward. Whatever happened to cause him to be driven to near-death was causing the boy to lose it even more-so than before. He was becoming crazed, maybe even dangerous. He'd never lashed out before. What would happen if someone other than Nachi tried to come down here? What if that someone was Hyouga, whom was supposed to be dead?
"No, no, no! You killed me, you wanted me dead! I'm sorry I didn't save you! I'm sorry! It's all my fault, everything's my fault!"
"I'm not dead, Shun," the Wolf corrected gently. He cautiously reached out and put his hands on Shun's shaking shoulders. This time the boy didn't attack. He simply tensed, as if expecting to be struck. "I'd never want to hurt you, and nothing is your fault. You've been seeing things again."
Shun slowly removed his hands from his ears, looking back up at him again. "…Nachi…?" he choked out.
"It's okay, Shun. It's going to be okay."
Shun broke down crying, pushing himself off of the wall and into Nachi's waiting arms. He began sobbing incoherently. The older boy caught a few things about the other Saints and wanting to sleep. He didn't try to understand it, knowing it was the mad ramblings of a broken boy. He simply stroked his hair and rubbed his back, muttering soothing words. Assurances of safety and love.
Nachi looked to the door again, fearing what would happen if any of the other guards decided to check on them. Not knowing what he'd say. He was running out of excuses to come down here without the others getting suspicious, especially Phoenix. He'd nearly jumped out of his skin earlier when he'd seen Hyouga wearing the face of the Marble Lady. She was sacred to their powerful general, and anyone who had seen Ikki's little brother had asked about the resemblance. They didn't ask about it for long, however, as Ikki made a point to silence any words implying such. What was he playing at giving Hyouga such a mask, though?
He shook his head as he felt Shun's chest rise and fall slowly against him. The babbling had ended and the only sobbing that remained was the occasionally hitching of breath. Shun had fallen asleep in his arms, finally finding peace. Nachi tightened his grip on him, turning to lean against the dirty wall and pulling the young man into his lap. He decided he didn't care about Ikki or the other guards at the moment. If one of them caught him like that he'd think of something then. However, he wasn't going to deny Shun the few moments of comfort he had found.
Whatever Hyouga was doing to end the boy's suffering, however, the Wolf hoped he'd hurry.
