FALLEN

Shun followed the two hurrying saints at a slower pace. Not already...not so soon! They had hardly had a chance to rest from their last battle. He hadn't got the chance to really...talk to Hyoga.

Up ahead he heard Shiryu find Hyoga and begin his explanation of the situation as he came into view. Hyoga's eyes flickered to Shun but he looked away immediately, face impassive, as he listened to Shiryu.

"Saori went to the Sanctuary to talk to the patriarch to find out if it was true she is Athena." Shiryu started.

"Only she got attacked there!" Seiya burst in sounding angry and sickened.

Shiryu looked at Seiya and continued more calmly. "The patriarch told us once we get there she will only have 12 hours left to live. Only he can save her. But he won't do this unless we defeat the Gold Saints."

Shun listened too and as the explanation finished he understood this was the beginning of their next great battle.

They had traveled to the Sanctuary as fast as was possible with their armor and clothes donned. They all had given each other looks of support before heading into the first temple and Shun wished desperately that he could hold Hyoga one more time.

"Welcome. I am Alderbaraan of Taurus." A heavily armored saint stepped into the light. "Defeat me and continue on your quest to your...goddess. If you fail...well you know what will happen don't you."

The fight was fierce but mercifully short Seiya defeating Alderbaraan with a volley of meteor punches. He had been no pushover they were all bruised and battered not looking forward to eleven more times of this. But...Saori. They had to save her.

Alderbaraan spoke from where he lay on the floor wounded. "I truly hope she is a goddess if you are all so willing to die for her. You may...go on."

They ran on to the next temple where they were happy to find that the occupant was absent.

"I'm glad Mu is still on our side." Shiryu panted running.

"I'm just glad he's not here. We need all the time we can get!" Seiya ran ahead of them all recklessly.

They all skidded to a halt and walked into the doors of the Gemini temple cautiously.

"Welcome. I am Saga of Gemini." The figure of a man walked forward from the darkness and stopped just on the edge of the light. "You know what you must do."

They all attacked together furiously but Saga laughed off their attacks without them seeming to even scratch him. "Come now. You can do better." He launched an attack and suddenly Hyoga was flying up through the air with a cry.

"Hyoga!" the others all cried their friend's name franticly but Shun was aware his voice had more than touch of desperation in it as he sent out his Nebula chains to grab him. But Hyoga suddenly disappeared into thin air with a shocked look on his face and the chains fell to the ground and retracted.

"Hyoga..." Shun whispered under his breath as fear clenched around his heart.

"What did you do to him?!" Seiya screamed.

"I simply sent him on a little trip." Saga smiled. "Who's next?"

Shun turned to face Shiryu and Seiya. "Leave us." He had a determination in his eyes the others had never seen before but they hesitated.

"I, myself have no problem with you two going on if...he would like to...avenge his little friend. You won't manage to save your goddess anyway."

"Go." Shun turned back to face Saga and waited until the other had walked past him and out behind Saga with one look back before speaking again.

"Bring Hyoga back." Shun shook slightly with silent fury at Saga's smirking face and fought the despair that threatened to engulf him, to tears.

"How about...no?" and he attacked.