Hello all, this is the last chapter of the Bronze Saints arc, and the chapter before the Winter Hiatus. I will begin posting again in January, and then it shall be fortnightly (every 2 weeks) as I am helping my friend with a project. Other than the first part, a majority of this chapter is written by my talented friend. Enjoy the end of the Galaxian Wars, and the appearance of an old friend.
"Forgive the intrusion, I mean you no harm," stated Daisuke, breaking the glare with his sister and crossing over to a nearby chair.
Naturally, Daisuke meaning no harm had in no way been entitled to Tatsumi, who probably annoyed the other Kido when he had attempted to bar his path.
"What do you want?" asked Saori, once more sitting back down but still staring at her brother.
"I'm sure you know of this 'predicted Evil' stated by our Grandfather, and the changes going on at the Sanctuary? They are one in the same," stated Daisuke, gesturing with both his hands. "This new Pope is obsessive on a singular goal and it has made him a recluse, guarded by the Gold Saints none can reach him to put an end to him before he does something... tragic."
"How do I know that you're not here on behalf of the Pope hoping to drag me for my... heractic crimes?" asked Saori, and Daisuke made a wicked smile.
"Well, if I was going to do that then Tatsumi would be dead and I'd be taking to the Pope right now," smirked Daisuke, and a shiver went up Saori's back. "Instead, I'm willing to offer you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"Do nothing," stated Daisuke, standing. "Do nothing, live your life and stop watching out for threats," and he calmly walked behind and past Saori's chair. "And when the time comes, you and I shall draw out the Pope together!"
Saori turned her head to stare in annoyance at her brother.
"And then what?"
"Then I kill him," stated Daisuke.
"Just like that?" asked Saori, insecurity filling her.
"Just like that," agreed Daisuke, reaching out his open hand to his sister. "I'm a man of my word, Saori. I make a deal and I keep it, the question is... is the deal acceptable?"
Without needing to answer, Saori reached out her hand and took that of her brother into her own.
The tournament continued with the spectators unaware of the bargaining going on between the brother and sister. The second round was between Cygnus Hyoga and Hydra Ichi.
"Heh. Sounds like you're popular, too" Ichi commented as they entered the ring.
Hyoga scoffed, unimpressed with the cheers coming from the stadium. He had no interest in girls, especially not the type that made shrieking nuisances of themselves. He felt a bitter sting of tears behind his eyes, but held them back. Again he was struck with the thought that Isaac should be in the cloth and not him.
"Let's just get this over with."
Ichi looked surprised at his cold tone, but quickly recovered. He launched himself at the Cygnus saint, striking him.
Hyoga frowned. Not because he was in pain, though the strike did hurt.
He couldn't believe Ichi didn't notice his arms slowly freezing over.
Again and again, Hydra struck. More and more ice formed until Ichi's attacks became useless.
The match ended quickly after that, with Hyoga as the victor. The blonde Cygnus saint left the arena feeling sick, though he was unsure if it was because of the poison coursing through his bloodstream or the knowledge that Ichi would likely never learn from his mistakes.
Round three was between Ikki and Geki, and was over in ten seconds. It wasn't due to lack of skill on Geki's part-the Bear saint might have won against a different opponent, but against Ikki, he was no match.
Ikki put Geki in his Phantom Devil attack and once he was in the Bear Saint's mind, it was over.
Ikki got an honorable mention that day for finishing a fight the quickest anyone had ever seen.
Deafening shrieks filled the arena as round four started. Andromeda Shun and Unicorn Jabu entered the ring to calls of "Oh, my God! He's so pretty!" "Marry me, Shun!" and the like.
"Maybe you should become a movie star."
Jabu's amused tone bothered Shun for some reason.
"Jabu, doesn't this bother you at all? Don't you find these battles pointless?" Shun asked.
Jabu frowned.
"Don't tell me you want to quit on me."
"No" Shun replied. "It's just-"
He was cut off as the Unicorn Saint came charging at him. The Andromeda chains of his cloth lashed out and shoved Jabu away.
Jabu caught himself and charged at Shun again. Again the chains shot out and shoved him away.
Cheers erupted from the audience.
"Quit hiding behind these things!" Jabu snapped through grit teeth.
"That's what they do." Shun replied.
Jabu reached out to grab the chains.
"Then I will just have to take them away!"
"Jabu! Don't!"
Too late, the Unicorn Saint's hands closed around the chains.
A shock pulsed through his body, and abruptly, without warning, he was tossed from the ring.
Shun peered out and smiled apologetically.
"I tried to warn you."
Of all the opponents he could have been assigned, Shiryu was the last person Seiya wanted to go against. As children they had been the best of friends, and in the short time he'd been reunited with the Dragon saint, their friendship had rekindled immediately. At the same time, he knew, because they were friends, that he owed it to Shiryu to give him his all. Anything less was unacceptable.
Shiryu smiled a confident grin, the green of his cloth drawing out the color of his eyes. He looked so at peace, so different from how Seiya felt.
The Dragon Saint offered a hand and Seiya shook it.
"Good luck, Seiya. May the best man win."
Seiya felt a smile come on.
"Thanks. You, too."
The battle officially started.
The first thing Seiya noticed was that his friend was fast. He moved as though dancing a graceful dance, easily dodging the punches and kicks aimed at him.
There was no way Shiryu and Seiya could last much longer. The two were literally throwing everything they had into the fight. Both boys had lost their Cloth and were fighting shirtless and barefoot. While Daisuke appreciated the view, especially Seiya's tanned, toned, muscular chest, he knew someone had to intervene soon.
As though reading his mind, Tatsumi said "Miss? Perhaps we should call this battle a tie."
Saori shook her head without even considering what her bodyguard had suggested.
"No. The battle will continue."
Tatsumi's face paled.
"But they could die if you don't stop it."
"I said the battle will continue!"
Daisuke stood, ready to talk some sense into his sister.
A streak of golden light shot onto the podium where the Gold Cloth was on display.
A young man with short, curly hair appeared. The spectators all gasped and pointed.
In a quick, fluid motion the man grabbed the Gold Cloth and hauled it effortlessly onto his shoulder.
Saori ran down from her perch, Tatsumi right behind her.
Daisuke sighed, questioning the intellect of his sister. Couldn't she tell neither she nor Tatsumi could stop the man? He followed behind at a leisurely place. The thief didn't seem like he wanted to hurt anyone.
Saori stepped onto the podium. The man stopped and stared at her.
"You need to put that box down." Saori spoke confidently.
"She's right."
Two new men stepped onto the podium. The taller of the two took a step towards the young man.
"Do as she says, Aiolia. Don't do anything foolish."
The young man's eyes widened and he stumbled back, away from the man.
"No way" Aiolia gasped. "It's impossible!"