" Damn it! Why am I doing this?" Shun slammed the book he was studying shut. Leaning back in the chair he ran his hand over his face. Giving a sigh he looked back at his desk and saw all the medical books he was going through for his course to be a doctor. Seven years had passed since he and his friends had stopped the Great Eclipse that Hades, the God of the Underworld had tried to cloak the world in darkness. Not to mention use his body as a vessel for his soul. Thanks to his friend Seiya who suffered a great injury had defeated Hades himself. Now his fellow bronze saints have all gone their separate ways and continued their lives. His brother Ikki, was here with him in Japan, who was always encouraging him to continue his studies. But sometimes he missed the adventure. He was never one for fighting, and sometimes he had no choice. Still the adventure was and being alongside his fellow saints. Shaking his head, Shun returned to his book he had closed. Time to continue.
Ikki stuck his head in the door, knocking on the door. " Hey why don't you come out here and take a break? You been at this for a while now."
" Yeah. If I don't I will be at this all night." Shun got up from his chair and followed his brother into the living room.
" Surprise! Happy Birthday!"
Shun laughed as he saw his friends. Seiya and Shiryu stood with Lady Saori. Hyoga was holding the birthday cake, which he was placing on the table. Kiki was alongside him as well with a huge smile on his face.
" It's so great to see you guys! I can't believe I forgot my own birthday."
" Well this was all Ikki's idea. He said you had been studying so hard and we all hadn't seen each other for a long while. I was just glad I happen to be back in Japan." Hyoga said. He had gone back to Eastern Siberia. His mother had been cursed to stay asleep under the ice and unfortunately he had not been able to save her. But he still wanted to still stay close. It was still his mother. No one blamed him for his decision.
" Same for me. Shunrei and I happened to be here on a small trip. She would be here too but she felt under the weather." Shiryu spoke.
" I hope she feels better soon. But I thank you all for even being here. I still can't believe how I could forget my birthday." Shun turned to his brother. " And I really can't believe you even put this together."
" You're my brother. I wouldn't do this for just anyone. And it's not like I did much but get everyone together. Saori and Hyoga got the cake. Just be happy Seiya didn't try and eat it before it got here."
" Hey. I wouldn't do that. But I'll be more than happy to cut it for everyone." Seiya laughed.
Saori laughed and gave a smile. " We were more than happy to get it. We are so proud of you. We couldn't be happier to celebrate your birthday with you." Saori said, hugging Shun.
Shun laughed and just smiled,hugging Saori back. This is what he needed. Time with his friends. Having some fun and relaxing. Maybe this was his new adventure. Maybe being normal was going to be not so bad.
The Underworld
The collapsed grave and Temple of Hades crumbled more with a violent shake. The stone coffin broke into pieces. Hades stood looking at the stone coffin next to his. He ran his hand over it. As it opened, it revealed who was inside, his older sister, Pandora. She looked at peace. He face looked as if she was free. He leaned down to touch her face only to see his hand go through her. The he realized not in his body. His soul was alone again with no vessel. Damn it, he remembered now. The bronze saints came to his realm and attacked him. He was creating his world of darkness on the earth and they had stopped him along with their precious Athena. Unknowing to him his dear older sister had suffered along the way as well. He would not allow that to be. Even with no body he had his powers. Returning to his sister he reaching back down, pulling her soul back from the very depths of hell he carefully placed it back in her body. Several moments passed. No movement. Was her soul too far gone to return?
Pandora woke up with a sharp gasp. Jerking upward and breathing heavy. Clenching her chest. Looking around she felt fantic. Her gaze adjusting to her surroundings. Where was she? Was she not dead anymore? She remembered dying after helping Phoenix Ikki to aid in helping to stop...looking up she saw him. " Hades? How is this possible? You brought me back? "
" Dear sister. I am so relieved you are awake. How on earth did you die? You have always been by my side, but never in death."
Pandora looked away in shame. She had betrayed him. After all her years of taking care of him. Even looking after his very soul until the host vessel was able to accept his soul. " Thanatos took my life when I aided one of the bronze saints came for you and aid Athena. I had no idea they would have even harm you this badly. I had every confidence you would defeat them."
Hades took in that information slowly. So his former servant killed his sister. Thanatos was very fortunate his was dead for he would be taking his life for harming Pandora. Kneeling down he looked at his sister with eyes with nothing but love. " You have nothing to fear. You are forgiven. I trust you for always being at my side and for the protection. But I need your help once again. I need my body back, only it has been destroyed. That Pegasus saint destroyed me. I need my vessel. Can you assist me in this?"
Pandora wanted nothing more than to pull her brother in a hug. Only she couldn't. His soul would have gone through her arms. So she knew what she had to do to get his body back. For not only was he her brother, he had also brought her back from a nightmare she thought she would never get away from. He had forgiven her for the betrayal she never thought she could redeem herself. Now, now she had that very chance. She was not going to squander this opportunity. Moving with shaky legs she stepped from her resting place and faced her brother. " It will be an honor to help you little brother. No matter what it takes."
And she knew who exactly would be the perfect match for her Lord brother.