Chapter 11: Bronze vs. Silver
Fun fact: The English DVD release for the canon version of this arc is titled "Silver Linings", and the next one "Golden Opportunities."
Ugh. Saint Seiya just cannot catch a break when it comes to English adaptations, can it?
A low rumble awakened Seiya as the rubble covering him was hauled away, letting in the cool night air; a moment later, a pair of hands hauled him up out of the wreckage.
"C'mon!" June barked, setting him down on his feet and shaking him until his eyes fully opened. "We need to get moving…whoever attacked us probably thinks we're dead. Let's get out of here and keep it that way."
"Wait…" he mumbled, taking a step back from her. "Where's Shun? He was…"
"He can take care of himself!" she insisted, putting a hand on his arm to stop him running back. "There's no time!"
"There were probably people in those buildings…some of them might still be alive, we should—"
"Actually, nobody around but four renegade Bronze Saints," came a voice from behind. "I cleared the area first…I'm told I'm quite fast. I prefer to avoid unnecessary casualties when I can…"
A tall, red-haired man stood atop the pile of broken concrete, arms folded, looking down at them. His blue-tinted armour, though sparse, shone with a vibrancy that put theirs to shame, and a high-collared cape hung about his shoulders.
"Who are you?!" Seiya demanded. "What's your problem, attacking us outta nowhere like that?"
"I have a suspicion," June said, still rubbing her head. "I warned you Sanctuary wouldn't be happy with what's been going here…they sent Isaac to stop you already…"
The man nodded. "But not only did Cygnus fail, he joined you in your self-indulgent circus-show. And now the situation's got even more out of hand…Phoenix dragged the Black Saints into this mess." His eyes narrowed. "You've made a mockery of Sainthood with your petty infighting…and my comrades and I will wipe your stain from our history!"
He jumped down off the rubble, facing them and indicating himself with a sweep of his arm, his cape billowing out behind him. "Silver Saint: Aquila Toma!" Now he was closer, his face more distinct, they noticed something odd—he looked eerily like an older Seiya.
"Silver…Saint…" June mouthed. She shoved Seiya away, standing straight. "Seiya, run! I'll slow him down!"
"But—"
She shot him a terrified glance. "Run!"
The next second, Toma was between them, jerking them back by their collars. "A brave gesture…unexpected, I'll admit. Futile, though."
"Grh—!" Seiya jumped away, June following. "You said something about comrades…how many of you are there?" she asked.
"A full five-man squad," Toma explained with a shrug. "And a second in reserve. Really, it's unnecessary…I could probably clean up by myself, but the Pope wants you eradicated, and he does like his overkill."
"These orders…they're directly from the Pope?!" Seiya shook his head. "That can't be right…when I earned my Cloth…the Pope I saw was a kind and just man…"
"So he is," Toma replied. "And now his justice is being enacted on you, criminals. I'll make this quick…we're also under orders to investigate the claims of a Gold Cloth being involved…" He pointed to them each in turn. "You have only one path now—death by my hand. I suggest you at least face it with dignity."
"Please, listen!" June stepped in front of Seiya, stopping him as he prepared to lunge. "These battles aren't what they seem. The situation is more complicated—"
"It is not," Toma said simply. "The law has been broken. The decision has been made. I am but the instrument of Sanctuary…you cannot negotiate with me any more than you can bargain with a sword or a bullet."
"Fine. Then…" June sighed. "Before I die, though, let me say this." She took a deep breath. "Now, Seiya!"
She was already moving as she spoke, dropping close to the ground to give Seiya a clear shot, her leg snaking out to trip Toma.
Seiya saw the opportunity and took it, throwing what strength he had left into his right arm. "Thunder Claw!"
As the bolts neared Toma, however, they were swept away with an upwards swing of his arm, blurring out and catching each strike in turn. At the same time, he turned his leg to catch June's, intercepting her attack.
"Clever," he said, shoving them away. "Quick thinking, indeed…but comparing a Silver Saint to a Bronze is like comparing the sun to a matchstick. Even at your best, you're barely exceeding Mach 1…a Silver Saint's speed starts at Mach 2—as a bare minimum. Some of us can reach over twice that…"
And he did destroy all those buildings…his power must be…! Seiya backed away. "Uh…June, any more plans?"
"It's your turn," she mumbled.
"Actually, I believe it's mine." A faint blue light surrounded Toma's right hand. "Try and follow this…Ryu Sei Ken!"
What appeared to be a barrage of shooting stars slammed into Toma's opponents, hurling them away through the air; he advanced slowly towards them as they tried to pick themselves up.
"This strength…is crazy…" June hissed. "Even Shun wasn't like this…"
"Yeah," Seiya agreed. "The only other person I've ever met…who was at this kind of level, was—"
"Shaina!" Toma blurted out.
Seiya paused, blinking a couple of times. "Uh…yeah. My teacher, Shaina. How'd you know—" He finally heard the footsteps behind him, realised what Toma had meant. "—oh uh right okay yeah."
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Toma snapped. "Squad 2 hasn't been ordered to mobilise yet!" He folded his arms. "And they won't be, at that. We have everything under control."
Shaina gave a short laugh. "Do you? I wonder." There was a hiss of movement, and she was behind him; a tremendous impact followed, and Toma went flying into the remains of the nearest building. "From one Silver Saint to another," Shaina said, lowering her leg, "you're far too confident—you let your guard down too easily."
"Sh-Shaina!" Seiya sprung to his feet, running up to his teacher. "I'm so glad you—"
"I'm with the second execution squad," Shaina said bluntly. "They don't know I'm here, but in any case…what makes you think I came to save you? Maybe I just wanted to kill you myself."
She would, too… "I-If that's the case…" Seiya managed a bow. "Then please fight me without holding back! I don't want to die with regrets!"
"And you?" Shaina turned her unreadable gaze on June. "Will you fight to the last?"
"In the past few days…" June said, wearily making her way over to them, "I have seen unimaginable bravery and kindness from this young man. I am proud to call him friend, and it would be an honour to die by his side."
Shaina gave them both a silent stare, before finally answering. "You've satisfied me…you're not the type to fight without cause. The charges are false…you both get to live."
"Even if it means going against Sanctuary?" Seiya asked.
"I obey the law," Shaina replied. "If someone higher-ranked than me chooses to disregard it…if all of Sanctuary throws it out…then naturally, I will come into conflict with them. But the ideals of Sanctuary, of Athena…I will never stray an inch from them."
Seiya spent six years with her as a teacher? June thought. She's pretty intense…I'm surprised he survived.
"Now, I'll get the two of you to safety, then we can form a plan," Shaina said, turning towards where Toma was digging himself out. "But give me a moment…I have to beat down a dog who can't tell the letter of the law from the spirit."
She and Toma vanished, moving faster than the Bronzes could see for a few seconds, circling each other before dashing in, readying their attacks and firing simultaneously—
"Thunder Claw!"
"Ryu Sei Ken!"
There was an explosion of power between the clashing Silver Saints, and the shockwaves rolled over Seiya and June, both of them losing consciousness—as their vision faded, they caught the hazy image of a great shining eagle, wrestling with an enormous serpent.
Isaac and Jabu had also been confronted by a cloaked figure in silver—this one blond and hauntingly beautiful. "Greetings," he said, walking across the bay towards them, his feet always suspended a few inches from the water. "My name is Lizard Misty, and I'll be your executioner for today. If you do not wish for me to kill you, then you may kill yourself now." He paused. "No? I see. Well, you had your chance."
"So, you're my replacement," Isaac said with a small laugh. "Sanctuary are taking this seriously." His smile vanished. "Get to the Coliseum, Jabu. Get everyone out, find them somewhere to hide. There'll be more assassins—probably in the city already."
"And you'll meet up with us, right?"
Isaac grimaced. "Jabu, I don't think I can defeat this man. Even if I was rested and uninjured, and I'm far from either of those."
"I can't just leave you to—"
"GO!" he barked, giving an icy glare.
Jabu gave a silent nod, turning and fleeing the docks. Damn it! I hate running, but…the Coliseum…Miss Saori's there…she doesn't know yet!
Misty gave a cruel grin. "You think you can escape? I don't think you understand the situation—"
"Koltso." With the flick of a finger, Isaac formed three rings of frozen air around Misty's body, holding him in place. "I'm your opponent, Lizard. Forget about him."
"Kuh…" By the time Misty, with a brief two-handed strain, had broken free, Jabu was gone. "Have it your way."
Isaac took a step back. So easily…I hoped it'd hold him a little longer…
Misty sighed. "But what was it you said…you'll be 'my opponent'? You can't be serious. A Bronze means to fight a Silver?"
Isaac made fists, flaring up his Cosmos. "Did I stutter?"
Seiya awoke to the sound of breaking waves—he lay on a beach, he realised when he opened his eyes. He sat up and immediately regretted the sudden movement, clutching his head in one hand while steadying himself on the ground with the other.
"You woke up fast," Shaina commented, walking over and sitting next to him. "You always were resilient, if nothing else."
"Lies, lies and slander," Seiya muttered with a chuckle, rubbing his eyes. "I'm impulsive and stubborn too." He looked around. "Where are we? And where's my Cloth?"
"Near Mount Fuji," she answered, indicating the peak in the near distance. "The caves underneath will be useful for your training. And your Cloth was severely damaged—almost useless. It's been sent off for repair."
"With who? June?"
"No, I left her at the Coliseum with your other friends. Your Cloth is in good hands. Don't worry about it for now…if you can survive the next few days, everything will be explained."
"So…training?"
Shaina nodded, shouldering her Clothbox, standing up and motioning for him to follow. "You realise how outmatched you were?"
"Well, yeah, he was like…y'know, like you!" Seiya replied, hopping over a rocky ridge, panting a little to keep up with her. "So, uh, did you beat him?"
"There are only two Silver Saints that I fear," she answered. "Perseus Argol…and Aquila Toma." Seiya noticed that her left shoulder-strap was completely severed, a thin trickle of blood running down the arm. "Our fight was…inconclusive. I had you and June to worry about, after all. I got Toma to agree to fight you in a few days, once you're ready."
"So you're training me to beat him. Which means…"
"You must surpass me," she confirmed. "And quickly. The more pressure is placed upon you, I have found, the faster you improve…let us hope we do not reach your breaking point. Oh, and…there were conditions," she added.
"Go on," he said, now a little hesitant.
"Toma will not harm you or any of your comrades without provocation until your rematch, on these two conditions. The first is simply that we do not run from the fight. The second…is that I consider this a substitute of my own fight with him. If he wins, I won't attack while he's tired from fighting, but rather return with him to Sanctuary to accept my punishment."
"And you'd do that?"
"I have promised to do so. What I will actually do if my student is killed before my eyes…that, I cannot say."
"Heh…" He rubbed the back of his head. "That's about the most human thing I've ever heard you say, Shaina."
She grumbled something unintelligible.
"What was that?"
"I said your training begins now! Climb the mountain! Every time you drop below Mach speed, you add another lap!"
"Gah! What?! You're a monster!"
"I do not deny this."
"Diamond DUST!" Isaac rocked back with the recoil as the icy wind surged towards his target.
Misty's smile twitched slightly, and he simply held both hands out, palms forwards; the attack diverted its course and parted around him, freezing great swathes of the water around him but leaving him untouched.
"I did warn you," he said, giving a sad shake of his head.
"Grh…" Isaac leapt at Misty, arcing down and swinging his fist out. "Aurora Thunder Attack—!"
"Hm." Misty flexed his fingers slightly, remaining in the same position, the same invisible wall of force causing Isaac to rebound back onto the docks, tearing up the wooden surface as he skidded back. "Don't mistake me for an opponent on your level…I'm not some simple Black Saint you can impress just by pulling out your strongest attack. But it seems you're going to be difficult…I'll finish you now." He held up one finger. "With just this. You have ten seconds to live, in case you wish to pray."
"Don't bother. If we're going to end it…" Isaac's foot drove into the splintering plank beneath as he rose. "Let's just do it now." He drew back his right arm again. "Diamond…"
"If you insist." Misty thrust his index finger forwards, a beam of pure force rushing at Isaac. "Mavrou Trippa!"
"…Dust!" Isaac finished, their techniques clashing in the air between them. For a brief moment, the Diamond Dust surrounded and enveloped the Mavrou Trippa; then, it was smashed aside, Misty's attack ploughing into Isaac, slamming him back into the concrete barrier surrounding the docks and carving out a crater in the rock around him.
Isaac gave a weak cough, tasting blood as it passed out of his mouth with the action, his head ringing, his body still shuddering from the impact. It took him almost a minute to make himself move.
"Not dead?" Misty sighed as Isaac staggered back towards him. "Shame. I prefer a clean kill…having to repeat myself is so dull." He raised his finger again.
Isaac took one more deep breath, steadied his shaking—and laughed.
Misty paused. "…what are you…?"
"This battle…is over." Isaac returned Misty's gesture, pointing back at him. "Misty—you've lost."
Why yes, I must end this chapter on a cliffhanger, why do you ask?
Q:So Shiryu didn't die? Misteries, misteries... I so love this fic!
A: We'll see, aheh...
Q: One thing I can't wait to figure out is what your plans for Juna and Isaac are, since (As far as I know) they are not actually related to the others, so they are the odd ones out in the group, unless you're putting your own twist on that as well.
A: They're not related to the others, I'm not changing that. I think in a way that makes the bond of friendship with this group even stronger...you know how they say you can't choose your family but you can choose your friends?
Q: Awesome chapter once more. I have various points I would like to ask: Are you going to develop the Black Saints and Silver Saint (the characters) more? How are you going to do with Shun being the purest soul on Earth? After all, he supposedly is Hades reincarnation?
A: Some of the Black and/or Silver Saints may well get bigger roles here, yes. And yeah, if due to all this Shun is no longer quite so pure...Pandora and co. are not gonna be happy.