Chapter 4: Tragic Reunions

Previously: The Underworld is under attack and Cheshire is reunited with his lover on the opposing side.

Disclaimer: Meme12 does not own Saint Seiya or any of their characters. She does however owns the following OCs: Sorako, Cain, Heros

AU- Everyone is alive, what if Hades and Athena form a treaty? Contains shonen ai, F x M pairings and OCs

Heinstein Mansion

"It's been a while Cheshire." Cheshire could only stare blankly in disbelief as his old comrade stood before him. "It can't be… Is that you, Drakon?" The male chuckles. "I suppose it is quite hard to believe after all, Lord Hades couldn't believe that Sorako returned." Cheshire felt his heart stop at those words as his gut feeling was finally confirmed. "That means…" Drakon nods. "Sorako has found a way to revive us. If not, Heros would not be before you." Cheshire immediately focuses back onto Heros who was hunched over. "Heros!" Drakon immediately grabs his hand. "It's best if you don't go closer." Before Cheshire could ask, Heros releases a roar as flames erupted from beneath his kneeling form. "Heros!" Cheshire screams as Drakon stands in front of him blocking him from Heros. When he looks forward, his eyes have gone completely white and he was almost frothing at the mouth as a symbol of flame framed by an inverted crescent appeared on his forehead. Drakon steps forward casually pushing a shell-shocked Cheshire behind him before nonchalantly heading towards the berserk Heros before him. "Enough Heros." Heros growls, ignoring the words and leaping towards Drakon to deliver a fist. Drakon barely flinched as he catches the flaming fist and slams Heros into the ground, causing a mini crater. "Drakon, stop you will kill him!" Drakon seemingly ignores Cheshire as he pulls out an amethyst pendent. He hovers the pendent over the snarling male, unblinking at the dark flames that swirled around his arm. The pendent begins to glow and the snarling dies down.

Drakon stands as Cheshire rushes forward, turning Heros over to check on him. "He will be fine." Cheshire was barely listening as he placed his head on Heros's chest, his keen senses detecting a slow steady heartbeat which brought a fresh wave of relief to the cat like male. Cheshire eventually stands, facing Drakon with a rarely seen glare, his cosmo swirling around him dangerously. "What is Sorako doing, Drakon?" Drakon stares impassively as Cheshire's energy swirls around him, waiting to strike. Drakon barely flinched as rocks suddenly flew up as deep gouges similar to claw marks appeared right next to him. "I will not ask again… What is his end game Drakon!?" Cheshire's eyes have formed slits as his cosmo expanded massively. If one were looking at him, they would have seen the figure of a large cat with a flaming white patch on its chest staring back at its opponent.

Brown orbs stares back impassively. "We have returned to take care of Lord Hades once again." Cheshire's glare sharpens. "What do you mean Drakon?" The sandy haired male was silent as he turned to stare at the fallen Specters around them. "Lord Hades has suffered greatly without us. We have returned to right the wrong that has been done." Cheshire's glare sharpens. "By attacking the younger Specters who have done no harm? What would Basil have said about that?" Cheshire barely restrain a flinch as the trees behind him exploded into flames as the male cast a steely gaze into him. "Do not bring him into this." Seeing the anguish in his gaze, Cheshire felt a pang of guilt as he lowers his head, shuffling his feet slightly. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…" Cheshire pauses as he sees Drakon place one hand, covering his eyes while the other in front in a 'stop' gesture. Drakon continues breathing slowly as his eyes flickered from brown to black under his hand, unbeknownst to Cheshire. When his hand was lowered, his eyes regained his usual brown colour. "…It's fine… I am here to complete my mission. Drakon states before holding out his hand towards the Caith Sith Spectre. "Would you join us, Cheshire?"

Underworld

Hades's eyes widen in shock at the scene before him. Flocks of harpies were attacking the Underworld residents the dead and Specters alike while causing mass destruction. "What is this...?" Hypnos questioned just as a harpy came straight for them, her claws raised. Instinctively, Hades sends an energy blast that knocks the Harpy aside. The harpy crash lands onto the ground before his feet, snarling weakly. Looking down, Hades's eyes widen in shock as he registers the marking on the Harpy's shoulder. "Lord Hades are you alright…?" Hypnos asks while Hades stares at the Harpy before him. Trembling pale fingers brushed against the M shape symbol as memories formed of a certain Specter with reddish brown hair and a cheerful smile. "Impossible…it can't be…" The words abruptly died in his throat as he registers the strong familiar burst of cosmo that could have only belonged to said Specter. Without a word, Hades immediately teleports to the source of the cosmo burst only to be met with a terrifying scene.

Large gouges and dents littered the battlefield and Harpy Valentine was lying on the ground, barely conscious and his surplice cracked and destroyed in certain areas. Balrog Rune wasn't fairing any better as his Surplice had been utterly destroyed, his whip torn to shreds as a familiar figure stood over him, her bloodied fist raised in position to end him. "Aria!" Hades screams as the figure froze before slowly turning to face him. The girl continues snarling but all Hades could see was the memory of her grinning back brightly at him and a casual salute. Hades was roughly pulled out of his musing when he hears Lune groaning. "L…Lord…Ha…des…run…!" Lune coughs as the grip on his throat tightens as the girl prepares to end him. Hades grits his teeth tightly as he summons an energy sphere. "Let him go Aria!" The girl sensing the energy, leaps away from Lune avoiding the blast from the energy sphere as she refocuses on the enemy before her. "Please…wake up. Aria!" The newly dubbed Aria screeches and charges towards Hades as he immediately summons his cosmo to deflect her attacks. "Lord Hades!" From the corner of his eyes, he sees Hypnos gathering his cosmo to strike. "Do not interfere Hypnos!" The God of Sleep falters. "But…" Hades grits his teeth. "Do not strike her!" The God of Sleep lowers his arms as he watches Hades face off with the enemy before him. Hades eyed the young lady before him trying his best to will away the memories of a rather cheerful Harpy Specter as he summons his sword. Her words echoing in his mind alongside her bright grin: "Where shall we go for our next adventure, Lord Hades?"

Heinstein Mansion

"Would you join us, Cheshire?" Cheshire stared wordlessly at the hand stretched out before him as Drakon continues. "It will be like old times once more, isn't that what you have always wanted?" Cheshire remained silent, his hands tightening into fists. He wanted it…no…he desired to go back to those times where the Underworld had never engaged in any wars…where Lord Hades and Lady Pandora still laughed and smiled… Where the only misadventures were locating missing apprentices or stopping the strange curses from the items that Aria brought back…Where he…would not lose Heros… Without even realising, his tanned hand stretches out to take Drakon's hand. His fingertips barely grazed the hand when a memory came to him.

"Cheshire…Cheshire, always remember. There will always be a price for anything. A price that might hurt you and anyone more then anything else. That's why…we must cherish each moment so that when we have to say goodbye…that we can do so with no regrets. Can you promise me to try that Cheshire?"

Immediately, Cheshire drew back his hand as Drakon raised a brow questioningly. "Cheshire?" "…I'm sorry Drakon… I want to go back to those days… I really want to but… If it is at the price of hurting my friends or Lord Hades… I can't do it." There was a moment of silence as Drakon lowers his hand with a soft sigh. "Guess I have to go back and tell everyone I tried. Vince was waiting for you to come back and Angel had prepared a feast… It's a shame Cheshire."

Cheshire looks up as he senses Drakon's cosmo expanding. "However, Sorako does need a lot of souls and your skillset…can halve the work so… I will have to take you forcefully." Cheshire immediately grounds himself, fully prepared to fight back when a familiar cosmo appeared. "Greatest Caution!" Drakon was enveloped in the bright sphere that exploded against him as a large shadow lands before Cheshire. "L-Lord Rhadamanthys…" The golden eyed wyvern glanced at the carnage around before his gaze lands on Cheshire. "…Evacuate my men back to the Underworld now." Cheshire opens his mouth to argue when a cough resounded and both of them watched as Drakon casually waves away the smoke as he steps out unharmed. "What…?" "Impressive. I suppose it is my turn now." Drakon gets into stance and Rhadamanthys watches in shock as the cosmo rises, taking the shape of a large Wyvern. "…Greatest Caution."

Underworld

Hades panted as he eyed Aria before him. Despite the slashes on her arms and legs, Aria was still rearing to go and he himself was also the worst for wear with his tunic shredded and a claw mark on his cheek."What did Sorako do to you, Aria?" Hades thinks to himself as he blocks another attack before pushing the girl back and kicking her in the stomach. He watches in guilt as Aria was flung against the boulder, coughing blood as she lay there struggling to stand as Hades approaches her. "Lord Hades!" Hypnos shouts but Hades raises a hand to stop his advisor as he walks slowly towards the rabid young woman. Slowly he kneels before her, staring into the whites of her eyes and frothing mouth. Gently, he cradles her face in his hands. "Aria, look at me. Don't you remember who I am…?" Aria paused for a moment, her snarls slowly dying down as she stared into those crystal blue eyes. "Aria, it's me. It's Hades…It's Crow…" The snarls stopped as Aria seemed to just stare blankly at Hades, the glow in her eyes died down revealing dark black orbs. "C-Cr…ow…?" "Aria!" The female blinks, her dark orbs flashing to pinkish red and back to black. "R…io…Mi…a…" Hades's felt his heart stop at those names as Aria started screaming in anguish. The shockwaves flung Hades back as Aria stood up, holding her head in her hands in agony. "Mu…st…fii..nd…trea-sures…Mii…a…Ri…o…" Hades stands watching as Aria's cosmo started fizzing in and out of control. Her harpies that moved seamlessly started turning on each other. As she screamed, a black mark of an inverted moon followed by a flame symbol appeared on her forehead.

"Aria!" Hades screamed as he tries to get close to her but to no avail as her cosmo continues to restrict his movement. As things seemingly worsen, an antique door abruptly appears behind Aria. The door opens and a shadow immediately hugs Aria from behind and promptly covers her eyes with one hand. "Sleep." Aria immediately falls limp and the winds died down. "Oh my. I guess Aria went a little bit too crazy. Then again, she wasn't too stable yet. Guess we did learn something after all." Hades slowly stands, as he registers the cosmo before him and the voice that he just heard. "Anax…?" The cloaked figure glanced up before pulling the hood over his head, revealing short wind swept blue hair. "Hi Lord Hades. Have you been well?" Hades continues to stare speechlessly at the smiling male who just laughs. "I guess it's kind of a shock I mean we were suppose to be dead…ah about Aria, so sorry about that. She wasn't too ready yet but seriously though she did such a great job. All of these life forces are going to contribute to Cain's revival!"

"Cain's revival?" At that moment, the male playfully slaps a hand over his mouth. "Whoops, it was suppose to be a surprise…Ah Angel will hit me again!" The male exclaims before sighing loudly. "Ah well…time for me to bring Aria back and regroup…" The male was roughly cut-off as he realises that his movements were restricted. Squinting slightly, he grins as he sees the almost invisible threads restricting his movements. "Oh wow, this is nostalgic… Hello Griffon Specter." Hades looks up to see Minos appear before him. "Milord are you alright?" "Minos…" The white haired judge turns to face the male before him who was just looking the strings with interest. "Ah it's been so long since I was bounded by these strings… Such wonderful memories are coming back to me." Minos smirks: "How interesting. Normally one should be screaming and begging for mercy under my cosmic marionette. Or do you just have a death wish…?" Ananx beams and Minos feels a chill run through his spine. "Nah, it's just weak." Before Minos can even respond, Anax grabs the threads with one hand and tugs roughly. Minos taken aback by the sudden force, was flung into the air and crash lands into the ground. "You…!" Anax grins. "My turn." Anax tightens his grip on the cosmic threads before infusing it with violet coloured cosmo. The cosmo quickly transits through the strings and Minos begins screaming in pain.

"Minos!" Hades exclaims as he swiftly raised his sword to slice the cosmic Marionette thread while Anax pouts. "Aw, I could have played a little longer. Why did you server the connection?" Hades points his sword straight at Anax. "…Why…?" The blue hair male tilts his head. "Hmm?" "Why are you doing this…?" Hades stares at Anax, anguish in his crystal blue eyes. Anax's gaze grew apologetic. "You are right. It's not my style. But I guess you can say it's a selfish whim of mine. I just want to be with everyone again and if I have to betray my beliefs for it… I will." Hades was speechless at the determined gaze present in the normally carefree soul. "Anax…" The blue hair male plasters a grin on his face which froze slightly when a familiar voice echoed throughout the Underworld. "Did you enjoy my surprise Lord Hades?" "Sorako…!" The black haired god didn't have to look any further as a familiar being materialises right beside Anax who just smiles sheepishly at the male. "I was heading back soon Sorako…" The male smiles warmly. "I believe you Anax but I just needed to see Lord Hades's response to my surprise…" He trails off, his eyes softening in worry as he notices the beat up Aria in his arms. "Yeah…she got a beating but there are a lot of souls that she got." Sorako glances around at the surrounding harpies with a smile. "Yes…she did wonderfully. Soon Cain will return and everything will be as it is…a peaceful world…"

Sorako refocuses his attention back on Hades. "Sorako…" "I brought everyone back Lord Hades…well almost everyone but it's great to see familiar faces isn't it?" Hades steps forward. "Sorako, please stop this." Sorako tilts his head curiously. "Why Lord Hades? Didn't losing everyone cause you to go down the path of no return? Didn't it force you to go down the path that you promised Cain that you wouldn't go?" Hades fell silent as Sorako approaches him, gently grasping his hand that weld his sword currently. "Didn't it force you to enter the violent wars which you never wanted to…?" The black hair god gritted his teeth as he felt the guilt overwhelm him once more as Sorako smiles sadly. "Don't worry Lord Hades… Like I said. We are here to right a wrong so let's do that. By erasing the people involved." Hades's head snapped up in response as several glowing spheres emerged above the group. His eyes widened when the spheres reflected Sanctuary, Saori's mansion in Japan, the Solo mansion and Poseidon's Underwater Temple. "What are you doing Sorako…?" The male beams brightly, a rare sense of ruthlessness reflected in his gaze. "They stood by when you needed their help. They forced you to stain yourself with warfare so we are getting rid of them first." Sorako raises a hand as Hades watches the familiar doors materialises at each location. "Sorako no!" Sorako smiles and snaps his fingers as the doors at each location flew open. "Ashes to ashes…dust to dust."

To be continued

Omake

Yakumi: Oh my god where is that woman? (Pacing around)

Meme12: I'm back! (Kicks open door with a mask on her face)

Yakumi: Thank god! I thought you were dead! (Grabs meme12 by her leg)

Meme12: Bro, social distancing! (Sprays him with spray bottle)

Yakumi: Evil woman! (Hissing)

Cheshire: I thought I'm the cat here. (Casually lazing on the sofa)

Meme12: Wait how did you get into my room?

Cheshire: Erm...he let me in...? (Points at emoing Yakumi)

Cheshire's flashback: Cheshire meowing to his cat friends who unpick the lock on the window with their claws and letting Cheshire in.

Meme12: Hmmm, oh well just don't scratch the walls.

Cheshire: Of course. (Takes pillows to hide the scratch marks on the wall behind him)

Hey everyone, Meme12 here. I hope everyone is staying well. Unfortunately I'm in a line of work where I cannot work from home so yes... I still have to work. Thus, my updates are slow as I only have one rest day per week and I'm working full days half the time. Regardless, I thank you all for all the patience and I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter. Please read and review. This is Meme12 saying さよならまったお。