The Mad Banana Presents:
SAINT SEIYA ALPHA/OMEGA: YOU'RE JUST MY LOVE
(NOTA BENE: For those who have read the first chapter and reviewed it, commented it, the Mad Banana would like to express her gratitude. She is now bringing you the second chapter!)
Chapter 2:
SING WITH ALL YOUR HEART!
AWAKEN, OMEGA PEGASUS!
"I am the voice of the Pony Constellation! EQUULEUS ALPHA! In the name of Athena, I will punish you!"
Everyone was surprised when the pop idol Alpha suddenly called and don the Equuleus Cloth, known as the 'Cursed Cloth' since anyone who wears it either dies or suffers great misfortune. But it didn't bother her at all. She's angry at the Latonian for ruining her autograph-signing event.
"You're a SAINT-!?" asked Koga-
"Talk to the hand please!" Alpha said. "Right now I wanna kill this bastard first then YOU - for ruining my virgin life!"
He knew it.
But what made him shocked and curious at the same time is how Alpha acquired the Equuleus Cloth. He would understand that, being with a Silver Saint, she may have been trained aside from managing her singing career. But why is it just now that she showed up? The Fates may have planned to let him meet the new master of the Equuleus Cloth for reasons that only they know.
Eden was as shocked as Koga. Aside from having the same face as the one he had once loved, she also has the Cloth owned by someone he also regarded as a friend and comrade. If he could only talk to the Fates, he may have already asked multiple times what these things mean.
Meanwhile Painter Etoile couldn't help but to shake his head and sigh. "I told her not to wear her Cloth without putting her mask first-!"
Then later he finaly noticed Shaina, who donned her Cloth – but not her usual Ophiuchus Cloth, but rather a Gold Cloth, much to his awe. As far as he remembered, she was with the late Aquila Saint, Marin, and another female Saint...who once owned his Cloth. Etoile remembered those three, because one of them happened to be his master before he decided to move on his own after his own master disappeared.
"How did you-?" but before he could even get an answer, the brown soldiers attacked them. Scorpio Shaina has no time to explain the situation.
"We need to clean up this town first," she said, "and I'll be more than happy to explain it to you. You owe me an explanation too!"
"Of course, of course," and the two started to work together for the meantime, at least to clear out the soldiers and help the people escape while figuring out how to remove those light bombs attached to dipperent places in the town plaza.
Patrasche, however, doesn't feel threatened at all (or does he?). "So what can a princess Saint do for this town, eh? Once you hurt me a bit and a part of this town will-"
He didn't notice Alpha's unbelievable speed as she hit him in his stomach with her heavy punch that threw him away. But as he had mentioned, one of the bombs exploded, this time behind him, in one part of the store.
"What the heck are you doing!?" Etoile was shouting at her. "Don't be too reckless! If you do that-!"
"Let her do that for the meantime," Shaina said.
"So you want her to destroy the entire town!?"
"For now, let's focus on evacuating these people. I know what you mean, but unless you have greater ideas that will save this town, sure I'll help."
But he didn't answer, obviously he doesn't have greater idea at the moment to save the town without any damaged property, for Shaina has a point. The safety of the people is what is most important right now. As for the town, though, it can still be repaired, but not a person's life. For this, they focused instead on the people, while Alpha focused on killing the Latonian who ruined her tour.
00000
Koga was as speechless as a doll.
He watched Alpha fight from afar, not giving the enemy a chance to strike. Her moves may not be as fluid as Ryuho's, but her punches were as solid as Soma's and her kicks as deadly as Yuna's, like watching two of his friends fight in one person. And imagining Aria if she could do these moves as Alpha does right now, he can only gulp his own saliva. This convinced him that Aria and Alpha are two different individuals; one cannot be the other, they only happened to have the same physical features.
Eden also watched Alpha fight like he was watching a battle game. He had never felt useless in his life while watching a girl in Cloth fighting a new kind of enemy. What if suddenly she got hurt? Who can help her? He noticed the two other Saints being busy evacuating the people while getting rid of the enemy's men...
Then he just noticed: One of them is a Gold Saint. On top of that...
Scorpio...?
He suddenly remembered his own sister, the fallen former Hornet Sonia, who also once donned the Scorpio Gold Cloth upon his mother's help. But the power of the said Cloth was so great that it consumed her, both her body and Cosmo, out of her sworn loyalty to his father, Mars. Now, seeing the Cloth back in action, Eden could imagine his own sister brought back to life just to help them fight.
For this, it motivated him to help. Never mind the damage he got in his left arm, he can still fight anyway with the Cosmo he has. But as he was about to enter the battlefield...
"Eden!? What happened to you!?"
Finally, Koga noticed him and his damaged arm. He got it when he tried to push him and Alpha away from the incoming bomb. Apparently, his actions a while ago made them kiss each other in an accident. Yet...
"I'm fine," he looked away. "This is nothing."
"But..."
"Help the Painter and the Scorpio evacuate the people. I'll try to find a way to diffuse the bombs."
"Scorpio...? Wait, Eden-!"
Before he could ask why he mentioned 'Scorpio', Eden went off to check on the bombs himself, much to Koga's worry since he is injured. At the same time, it made him confused, so he thought of doing what he was told for the meantime. As he was about to help the other two Saints...
He was surprised. Eden is right: one of those helping the people is a Scorpio Saint. But who will that be? He remembered that Etoile and Shaina are the only Saints who can fight, at least, and he already saw the former who wore his Painter Cloth which he saw for the first time. And regarding the latter...
He just felt his jaw drop.
M-Miss Shaina is a—
00000
"T-that's a nice move, princess," the Latonian coughed blood a bit. "You're helping me out wiping this town clean. Thanks!"
"Shut up and let me kill you," it's not yet enough for Alpha. "I know that you have put bombs on each area in this town, and once I hit you one of the bombs will explode. So what...?
This town's as good as dead, anyway."
They have just noticed the town: it was a bit quiet. Patrasche noticed that there's no single person left. He gritted his teeth. He almost forgot that he is not dealing with the Equuleus Saint alone.
"This ain't fun," he snorted. "Someone's smart enough to move the people away. But," he looked at Alpha, putting his grin back, "think about it, princess. If you decided to kill me without thinking what will happen to this town, then carry on! Destroy this town for me! You're right, it's as good as dead anyway! People will even 'credit' you for doing that by throwing tomatoes at you! I can imagine the headline now: INTERNATIONAL POPSTART DESTROYED THE TOWN IN A DAY AND WAS DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA. How does that sound?"
Patrasche was chuckling, thus aggrivated Alpha more, but part of what he said is true. She is starting to trember in anger. She had just noticed what she did: the town is filled with smoke and rubble due to multiple explosions. Then she noticed the townspeople's faces while watching their homeland explode bit by bit: full of sadness, anguish, fear. Too many negative emotions in one scenario. She can't sing in front of these people especially in this situation.
She started to feel fear too. Will she be the cause of their sadness?
Meanwhile Eden was trying to figure out how to detonate those bombs without causing any sudden reaction. But then he noticed something as he watched Alpha's fight. Surely one hit anywhere in his body will make a bomb or two explode, but he saw a connection from his body to the bombs. When Alpha lands a punch on his left side, the left side of the town where Patrasche stands will explode. A kick on his right part will affect the right side of the town, and so on and so forth. But there is one obvious flaw in his technique...
He let Equuleus hit him anywhere. But why is it that he is dodging it everytime she tries to hit his face?
This gave him an idea.
"Equuleus!" he called. "Try to hit him in his head!"
"What!?"
"You've probably noticed that he keeps on dodging his head! It's his weak point! Try to punch him directly in his face!"
Finally, someone's smart enough to help her realize the flaw, which made Patrasche gulp.
"But do you think you'll be able to hit my head just like that?" he smirked. "You have good moves, princess, but you're just striking without thinking! I was about to credit you for making this town in ashes!"
Alpha knows that fact. However, if she didn't do anything to stop the enemy, the whole place will be completely turned into ash. She didn't ask this in the first place. Most of all, she didn't even wished to be chased by some people who is after something that she doesn't have an idea at all. And in all of her travels that she did with Etoile, this is by far the worst.
Try to punch him directly in his face!
She remembered Eden's words. He had probably noticed Patrasche's flaw that she didn't notice at all. She thought how stupid she was to think about it while she is attacking him. So why not listen to this cute stranger for once?
She concentrated her Cosmo on her right fist, then directly to the Latonian's head. She can only do it once if she wanted to put him to sleep just to stop these senseless explosions. She doesn't want to see homes and establishments get wrecked anymore. These people love their town, and everything will be put to waste if she will just vent out her anger at someone that will cause the people's happiness.
I'm supposed to be here to sing for these people and give them happiness, not to fight like this, she felt like crying. I didn't become a Saint just to fight anyone! I want to protect their smiles and to preserve what they cherish! Not like this! This is too cruel!
That is why... I'll give everything in this one punch... I'll just thank that cutie white-haired weirdo later. He's much better than the red one!
As she prepares her fist, Patrasche grinned in secret.
00000
When Eden mentioned to Koga that there's a Scorpio Gold Saint helping the people out, he decided to help the people to confirm it himself. As he tried to fight his way to the two other saints who were almost done cleaning the mess that those Latonians did, he did confirm:
Shaina is not an Ophiuchus Saint anymore. She has been recently promoted to a Gold Saint. [1]
"This is incredible!" Koga looked at her from head to toe. "You've finally become a Gold Saint-!"
"There's no time for that," Shaina said as she made a direct hit on an attacking Latonian. "Help the people get out of here!"
"I want to fight too!"
"I told you, at this rate you CAN'T! You can't use your Cloth anymore! Don't you remember how it was destroyed!?" [2]
He knows that fact, and he is aware that he cannot use his Cloth anymore unless he'll have Kiki to repair it. This made him became more anxious as he saw the people's faces while trying to escape, and also this town...
The world was able to achieve peace for that long, in fact, longer than they have anticipated. And judging by how the town looks the first time he and Eden have arrived, it didn't have any spoils of war, and it probably never experienced this kind of crisis. Just today. So if this town will be destroyed all because of what Patrasche called the Mystic Crystal, whatever that is...
He couldn't help but to clench his fist. He may have the Pegasus Cloth with him in his travels, but due to its heavy damage from battling Saturn, he was not able to use it for a year, that made him extremely helpless. He can still fight without a Cloth, but the new enemies are different.
He then looked at Alpha and started to think. He admits he has no idea that someone like her will be able to use the Equuleus Cloth. Plus knowing now that her manager is a Silver Saint, does this mean that he trained her to become one? And the fact that it's the first time seeing them since he enrolled at the Palaestra, whatever her reason for staying as an idol than to be trained formally is already something beyond his knowledge. But the question is, does Athena - his Mama Saori - knows about their existence?
There are many questions about Etoile and especially about Alpha that needs to be answered. But now, what Koga wants to do at this point is to lend a hand to the female Saint as his way of payment for that kiss. But...
"Don't you just stand there!" Shaina caught his attention. "Get the people out of here! Quick!"
For the meantime he has no choice but to follow. He asked the people not to panic and follow him to safety, then they will just think of a way to fix the town after they are done with those Latonians. But as he was about to lead them to their escape...
He noticed the town mayor looking for someone. "Everyone!" he called. "Have you seen my daughter? Does anyone here have my daughter!?"
He gritted her teeth. So they have not able to get everyone out of the area yet. But how could that happen? Koga needs to find the mayor's daughter as soon as possible, but he has to do it without Shaina noticing. He led the people out first, then he turned to the town mayor.
"I will try to find your daughter," he volunteered. "What does she looked like?"
"S-she's this tall, around eight, she has honey pigtails, she wears a jumper skirt, and she's blind! My maid came to me and she has been looking for her too for hours! I don't know what to do! I don't know what's happening either!"
He thanked the mayor for the information, and as he secretly headed to the battlefield, where Alpha and Eden are trying gto figure out how to put Patrasche to sleep at least. He was able to hear their conversation a bit and there Eden mentioned that they can try hitting his head to see if it works...
Yet Koga noticed something strange about Patrasche. If he is trying to protect his head from getting hit, then why isn't he moving? Out of fear? He felt more than that.
He was able to just notice what Eden has noticed a while ago. One punch in any part of his body will be equal to one exploded part of the town - except for his head for some reason. If Eden is right that the Latonian's head is some sort of a bomb diffuser and he's trying to protect his own head from doing so, why is it that he deliberately lets Alpha hit him till she reaches for his head? Did he intentedly let Alpha do so so Eden will be able to notice it, or is there a deeper reason behind it...?
A diffuser, his head said. Just like an ordinary bomb, if you take off the wrong combination of wires, it will lead to its worse case scenario: either it will speed up the countdown or the bomb will explode right away. Either way, it will be dangerous...
Could it be that's the case?
Then for some reason, his ears heard someone crying. Could that be the mayor's daughter? He searched everywhere, thinking that she was just trapped somewhere, especially knowing that she is blind, according to the mayor's description. He relied on his ears to pinpoint her, taking advantage of the time while there are no following explosions.
Meanwhile Alpha prepares her attack. While Patrasche, despite the bruises, still manage to stand up confidently to catch her possible attack combinations. "Come and get me, princess," he provoked her. "Wanna hit my head? Come on! What are you waiting for? Whatever you do, you will never hit my head! I'm still fast enough to catch you! Do you really think I'm that stupid!?"
He is really provoking Alpha to hit his head, while Eden was shaking in anger. He is no ordinary enemy after all, since he deliberately told her his weakness. Wrong move, he thought...
But Koga thought otherwise, when he caught the Equuleus Saint who was about to punch the enemy's head.
"Prepare yourself!" and with the blink of an eye, Alpha charged at Patrasche, her fists aiming for his face. As she is about to land her most powerful punch yet...
Koga ran to them, blocked Alpha's attack, and it hit his face instead.
What!? Both fighters were surprised by his move.
"Why did he..." Eden was shocked.
"KOGA!" Shaina screamed. "How did you-!?"
He was thrown at the town hall itself and he hit his back on its closed doors, losing his consciousness.
00000
"Koga..."
A baby of around two or three was playing with a pegasus stuffed toy was sitting beside a rocking chair. The room was filled with the music from a shining carillion with a miniature crystal pegasus in the center spinning while giving off kaleidoscopic glow in the middle of a night filled with stars.
A beautiful woman with long lavender hair and white dress picked the baby up along with his toy and sat on her rocking chair, carrying him in her arms while humming a familiar lullaby. It was a quiet night, and the Milky Way Galaxy is so visible that the night sky looked like a sea of glowing pebbles visible in the deep. It was peaceful, with no threat, which almost lulled him to sleep.
"Look, Koga," she let him see the beautiful night sky. "The constellations are there to protect us. See that form over there?" And she pointed at the far end of the sky. "That's Pegasus, the legendary winged horse. That is your guardian constellation. I can feel in your Cosmo that one day he will protect you...and help you become strong. One day his wings will become yours. You will become the Pegasus who can glide in the vast galaxy, bringing light of hope that sprung from blood spoiled by evil. If you will believe in your Cosmo, you will become the light itself...
One day...the wings of Pegasus...will stop these senseless wars..."
Her voice was so sweet and cool, gentle as her pure Cosmo, still as the bright night. Her lullabye gave him protection and assurance. It may have been three years since he got the Pegasus ClothStone the first time during that fateful moment, but right now he felt like he had just learned something new about being a Saint. The Pegasus, sprung from blood, yet became a symbol of hope and glory, is just a testimony on how a spark of hope can be their biggest salvation. Its wings spread across the galaxy, spreading light to the vast darkness, detonating possible fuses of senseless wars...
Detonating?
00000
"Hey! Wake up! Wake up, mister!"
Koga opened his eyes when someone was trying to wake him up. He then saw Alpha and Eden who went to him when he was thrown away by Alpha's own punch that sent him flying to the doors of the town hall.
"Why the heck did you do that!?" Alpha yelled at him. "I told you I'll deal with you later once I'm done with that bomb freak-!"
And then he remembered why did that. He suddenly got up, and looked at the entirety of the town hall. "This," he pointed the hall, "is the reason why..."
Then they noticed the huge light bomb attached at the back of the building, waiting to explode - if he didn't block Alpha's punch. And seems like it's getting bigger like a live thing.
"What in the world is that...?" the Equuleus Saint turned pale. Later on Koga heard a girl's cry again, this time it's clearer.
"Papa...? Marta...?" the girl was calling her father and her nanny. "Papa...? What's going on...? Someone has me but...!"
And Patrasche's laugh echoed in the whole town. He was laughing so hard like a madman that made the whole town go silent, as if he had already won. Especially that he has one little girl hostage, much to the town mayor's shock and fear.
"Beatriz!" it turned out that she is the mayor's daughter. "Beatriz!" he was crying and starting to lose his wits. "How did he got you!? Somebody save my daughter!"
But no one dared to answer, not even the two Saints who were too shocked to move.
"Nice move, little guy," he turned to Koga. "How nice of you to save me! Is it because of that little girl up there...?
Or because you've just figured out that it will be the end of this town?"
He went on laughing.
The townspeople looked at each other with puzzled faces, while these made the other Saints' faces looked paler, especially Eden's, when he figured out why Koga did it after noticing the huge bomb attached to the town hall.
Gods, he fell to his knees, that was so foolish of me...!
Even Shaina felt weak after figuring out everything. You may not be able to notice because of her mask, but her gesture would surely run your imagination that she is in total shock right now.
"Impossible," she muttered. "These Latonians are really heartless!"
"Definitely heartless!" and Etoile was about to attack if not for Patrasche's hostage.
"Go! I'll even let you hit me!" he taunted him. "Go, so this whole town will be history!" and he laughed again. "Oh gods, who could ever thought that these Saints are sooo stupid!? You heard me? S-T-U-P-I-D? If not for this little runt here you won't figure out that this town will be BOOM without your Cosmo realizing it! Man, sometimes use your brains too!" He went on laughing that no one could hear anything or anyone but him.
Alpha was shaking again. Should she thank Koga later for doing that (assuming that they will survive) or should she yell at Eden for being that dumb? Either way, since they have just figured it out, they have therefore conclude that Patrasche is an opponent impossible to beat.
As Patrasche was still catching his breath from laughing too much, this gave Koga an opportunity to ask him. "So you let her hit you till she gets your head," he shook. "You purposely did that because you thought we might never find it out...
Your head serves as a lock to a bigger hydrogen bomb you made, and that bomb is currently attached to the town hall! And you're just waiting for Alpha to punch you in the face so she'll be able to activate it without knowing this will happen! You're far worse than all of I have fought!"
"I never thought you're that smart for a runt," Patrasche smiled evilly. "Very smart. I should credit you for that. But if not for that brain of yours, though..."
He sped up towards Koga and landed a kick in his stomach while carrying the blind girl with him.
"It would have been the most beautiful part of the bargain!"
He made him flew directly towards one of the cracked walls.
"Koga!" Eden decided to fight without thinking of what might happen next, probably a lucky shot against the enemy. He created a thunder shock from his fists and about to punch him in a surprise, but—
"And I even thought you're smarter than him because of your looks," Patrasche caught his fists. "But I guess looks can be deceiving, huh?"
And he kicked him in the stomach too, and sent him flying.
"You're even more stupid than my looks!"
"Eden!" Shaina tried to help using her attack but Etoile stopped her.
"Sorry Sister," he said, "but please focus on the people for now, otherwise-"
"Are you ordering a Gold Saint!?" she yelled.
"No time for arguments!" and he charged at the enemy. "COLORFUL CLASH!"
Painter Etoile used his specialty technique against Patrasche. Using his fists and upper torso to create a catapult bullet mixed with his Cosmo, he landed a hit towards him. However...
"Nice," he just caught him with just one hand. "I can use you as my disco ball!"
And with his strength, he spun Etoile's body and threw him up in the air before he landed a hit on his back and drop him directly below.
"Etoile!" Alpha called him. She cannot move anymore in shock, giving the enemy a chance to catch her and kick her from upfront.
"Now..."
Alpha bumped into the wall, just a few meters from Koga, and in a second Patrasche was already close to her and grabbed her hair.
"Hand over the Mystic Crystal," he demanded.
"I don't even know what you're talking about!" she insisted, that cost a burning sensation in her scalp from too much tugging on her hair like he cared if he is a girl or not.
"Still lying about it, princess?" he lifted her in her hair. "I wouldn't bother chasing you if you really don't have it - but don't underestimate us, Latonians. Just be a nice little girl and hand it over. Otherwise..."
He looked at the town hall and to the blind girl which he held hostage with a grin.
"You don't want to be held responsible for the destruction of this town, do you?"
Alpha looked at her surroundings. First, to Koga, who was still lying cold, then to Eden who was still struggling to get up, to Shaina who can't do anything but to use her Cosmo Barrier to protect the townspeople, and to her manager, Etoile, who was also unconscious. She looked at the whole town. When she came hours ago, it was a lively place, and just twop hors ago everyone was chanting her name and singing with her while she was performing at the town plaza...
But what is happening now?
She couldn't help but to remember the first time she donned the Equuleus Cloth which, for some reason, came to her just last year. She was, back then, running for her life, as these people called Latonians started to chase her since birth because of a certain artifact that they believe she has: the Mystic Crystal. Up until now she doesn't have any idea what that is for, but with the sound of it it seems very important to them, that they can use to oppress the world. This made her decided back then to become a Saint to defend herself after being saved by Etoile when she was young, despite her ambition to become a superstar. Now that she have achieved international fame while juggling her duties as a Saint of Athena, she was able to get used to it. Etoile is the best teacher she has, setting aside his peculiar looks, and she wanted to repay him one day to become the strongest Idol Saint ever lived...
But this fight right now is the hardest yet. She may have defeated numerous Latonians, but this Patrasche is of a different caliber: more sinister and cunning, someone whom she can't beat all by herself...
"SCARLET NEEDLE!"
Suddenly a flash of red light hit Patrasche's wrist, causing him to drop Alpha and the blind girl, and with a speed of light she was able to retrieve the girl to be returned to her father...
But caused two of the bombs to explode in the process.
"What the hell...?" and he glared at whoever did it. There he noticed, to his surprise...
"You have really forgotten that a Gold Saint is here!" Shaina declared.
"Oh..." he narrowed his eyes on her.
"You have have deceived us, but that will not happen to us twice! You may have the town under your control, but you will never hurt these people! I don't know what your purpose is. You need the Mystic Crystal to kill Athena? Then if that will be the case..."
She charged at him.
"You will NEVER have the Equuleus!"
"That's interesting," and he decided to leave Alpha alone and forget about the hostage when Shaina finally decide to attack him. "So you don't care anymore if this town will be turned into ashes!?"
"I won't let that happen! Might as well turn you numb and force you to detonate all these bombs and tell me your purpose!"
"If. You. CAN!" and he showed his tongue, provoking the Scorpio Saint, and both started to fight.
Alpha tried to get up. At least she's safe, thanks to that Gold Saint. Yet she couldn't do anything for the people who are now a few miles from the plaza proper for their safety. Plus good thing that the mayor finally has his daughter. But this has not stopped from here, for as long as the enemy is still alive and standing, they won't stand a chance.
She noticed Koga, who was just beside her and remained unconscious, who have been brave enough to face Patrasche. From the looks of him and the way he fought a while ago, he is no ordinary human. She could actually feel his Cosmo flowing from his body despite his immobility. His background made her curious, especially that he and that white-haired cute stranger knows about Saints. They maybe Saints in Training under that Gold Saint who saved her...
His bravery – and his stupidity – somehow awakened her senses as a Saint. She may have been chased by these Latonians over the past years, but now that she has the ability to save herself and other people, why hesitate now? She stood up, and looked at the two fighters who are currently engaging in a combat.
I still don't know why they are after me, she said to herself, and I don't even know what this Mystic Crystal is... But if I will let this pass, more and more people will suffer...! If I'm the cause of this..then...
She clenched her fists. She had finally made a decision that, hopefully, will turn things around.
00000
Young Saint...
Koga found himself floating in the middle of the universe, in front of the Pegasus Constellation itself. And to his surprise, the group of stars became the winged horse itself as it spoke:
What, to you, is Omega?
He was surprised by its question. He is not sure if it is a trick question or a philosophical one which tests his understanding of things happened to him way back. He admits he is not good at these kind of deep talk. The question sounded simple, yet it forces even the wisest to think, even to those who have at least an idea on what Omega is as a legendary thing.
Is the Pegasus testing him?
"Are you asking that to me because you know that I was able to achieve it?" Koga dared to ask it.
What, to you, is Omega? The Pegasus asked again.
"To be honest," he answered, "I don't know. All I know is that it's a kind of power that I got because I wanted to protect something... Someone... So I wouldn't encounter the same mistake again."
How did you get it?
Question number two. Quite easy. But he just can't tell to the Pegasus that he got it because of Subaru's determination to fight alongside them (who turned out, sadly, to be Saturn) and due to his belief in miracles. How can he answer the question without being too obvious or sarcastic that might offend the Pegasus itself?
Why did you get it?
The Pegasus threw another question without waiting for Koga's answer to the second question, and it's as hard as the first one. This time, it is asking him why. As if it's testing him if he really deserved the power of Omega or not. As far as he knows, he needs it especially today that the people and Alpha are in trouble. But why does the judgment have to be now at this crucial moment?
He was shaking. This time, he is running out of possible answers, and he admits those questions are harder than his written exams way back at the Palaestra. He couldn't think of the best answer that will satisfy the Pegasus at the very least, but one wrong answer and it will cost his Cloth and his title as a Bronze Saint—
You're being too cocky only because you have a new Cloth...
The fallen Libra Saint Genbu's words stucked on his mind.
He was silent and looked at the Pegasus' stern red eyes. Is it telling him something to realize his unknown flaw? Are all Saints, especially legendary ones like Ryuho's father, went into this stage where their capability as a Saint has been questioned? Does it want him to realize something way beyond reaching the Omega?
"Are you," he asked the Pegasus, "trying to tell me...to realize what Omega truly means?"
It didn't answer. It was just staring at Koga, probably its own version of 'Yes'.
He clenched his fists. He wanted to answer, but he is not sure if his answer is concrete enough for the Pegasus to accept. If he answered without thinking, he has to say goodbye to the Pegasus Cloth. If he still has to think, he won't have enough time to save the others. He's between a tough question and a tough answer, and it can only lead to two possibilities...
Unless it will force him to create a third possibility.
"I..."
00000
He suiddenly woke up due to an explosion.
He just saw Equuleus Alpha, who used a Cosmo shield to protect him from Patrasche's bombs and Shaina's uncontrollable needles. Meanwhile more brown-clad soldiers came to oppress the citizens who are starting to run for their lives, and no matter where they go they are still caught by these soldiers.
The town was seem to be under a barrier where no one can escape.
He saw Eden, just woke up fighting those soldiers with just one hand, and Etoile who was about to regain his consciousness. He also saw Shaina, currently battling Patrasche. He has been lying unconscious for a few minutes and many things have already happened.
"You better help your white-haired friend there if you can," Alpha said. "Take some time to escape with those people. I have already decided..."
"What do you mean 'you decided'?" he got confused.
"This town is so precious to those people, that's something that I didn't even notice while I tried to kill that bastard," and she looked at him, with tears already filled in her eyes. "That's why I don't want to have this town destroyed because of me. If they are really after me, so be it."
"But you said it yourself: You don't know what this Mystic Crystal is and yet they've been chasing you because of it-!"
"I know! I still don't have any idea about it! But rather than having this peaceful town destroyed because of me..."
"You're planning to sacrifice yourself!?"
She just nodded.
Upon hearing that from Alpha, everything suddenly came back to him like it just happened yesterday. It was just like a repeated scenario, only a different situation.
Three years ago, when his Mama Saori was taken prisoner by Mars. [3] And three years ago as well, when Aria risked her life to take all of them to Planet Mars to stop the god of war before she fell to her death. In those two incidents, he didn't do anything to save them. Not even a single thing. And now another will sacrifice her life just to save everyone but might end up in vain, despite having a Cloth. In this dire situation where a stranger with the face of someone he was fond of, would he be finally convinced that history truly repeats itself?
Will I be doing nothing again? Will I become pathetic again and will only become stronger when it's too late? Those are the questions that kept on haunting Koga's heart. Despite achieving Omega, the highest form of Cosmo that even Gold Saints have difficulty to obtain, his heart still wavers. Probably due to being young and still lacking experience in the arts of war. But is that all that hinders his true strength?
Believe in your Cosmo...and someday... You will achieve the highest power that created the universe...
The Omega...
The fallen Libra Genbu's words still etched in his heart. It was his belief in the strength of his Cosmo that let him achieve what the others thought legendary and it even evolved his Pegasus Cloth along with Eden and his other friends. But if he believes in his Cosmo, why can't he do a thing? Are Genbu's words about being too relying on his Cloth still bothers him?
I am entrusting Athena to you...
Another piece of wisdom came across his mind. Someone said that to them. The fate of the Earth has been entrusted to the new generation of Saints...
By whom?
Time runs out for them as Patrasche is still gaining an upper hand. More and more brown soldiers start to appear. Eden has already reached his limit. Etoile cannot do anything, too, despite regaining his consciousness since he cannot do everything all at one. Shaina couldn't give all her potential despite being a Gold Saint because of the bomb that attached to Patrasche's life force. They are all facing a big crisis, and all he could do is to be protected by someone whom he had stolen her first kiss with.
The red-haired Saint's body shook by the fact that at this point, there is nothing he could do without his Cloth, but for him, that doesn't matter anymore. There are still more ways for him to save everyone without a need to wear something that can protect him. As long as he still has Cosmo...
I don't give a damn anymore.
"Sorry, miss," he said to Alpha, "but what you're planning right now is bullcrap."
"What-!?"
"I've been in situations when I couldn't do anything. Twice. And this time," he looked at her, "I don't want that to happen for the third time."
"What do you want me to do!? Let him annihilate the whole town without doing anything!?"
"All it takes," he smiled, "is belief in the Cosmo."
With those words, Koga's body shone. While Alpha stepped back and was stunned by the power of the Cosmo he has despite not wearing a Cloth. It was beautiful, shining, glowing pure white, pristine and untainted. His Cosmo is supposed to be that simple, but she could see something greater than what she sees now. But the question here is...
Who really is he...?
00000
At this point, Shaina still showered Patrasche with her Scarlet Needles, I cannot unleash my power for as long as that bomb exists! I must admit, despite his stupid looks, he is really a powerful enemy, and even cunning. Even Gold Saints cannot do anything, unless we don't care what happens to this town anymore...
But we're not here to destroy towns, of course! Athena won't like that to happen! And besides, we've already achieve the peace we've wanted! Why does this have to happen now!?
"So you're giving up, Miss Gold Saint?" Patrasche decided to stop a bit.
"Who says so!?"
"You're doing the same thing to me! I thought Gold Saints can do something spectacular...like destroying this town in one blow?"
"We're not like you. We vowed to protect everything in this Earth: living or non-living, as long as people cherish them. What about you? What are you fighting for? Why are you doing this for someone who only wants destruction?"
Patrasche just yawned. "What kind of question is that? So boring."
This shook the Gold Saint in anger for underestimating her question.
"I'll answer you, anyway. Why are we summoned here in the first place? Of course, to get what we want. We're powerful enough to kill anyone who will question us. In my case, there's no need for me to do something stupid as your doctrine just for me to be powerful because I already am. I'm just doing this just to give someone a favor.
So...next question?"
Shaina already had it. She will forget about the needles anymore, she will kill Patrasche by aiming at his heart if that can be possible. As she was about to make her ultimate move to aim for his heart...
They noticed one's Cosmo, shining brightly. And they both guess whose Cosmo it is.
"Oh my..."
They noticed Koga coming towards them, shining, though his Cloth is absent, yet they could feel the greatness of Cosmo he possessed, almost one-third of Athena's. Eden could feel his greatness, too. These incidents may have forced him to push every drop of Cosmo he has to fight the said Latonian alone. But will he able to do it without protection?
"Koga!?" Shaina called. "Get out of here!"
"So," Patrasche smirked, "you decided to fight me for good with just your Cosmo? Really? Are you mocking Hydrogen Patrasche or what?" [4]
"Stop it," Koga said.
"Huh?"
"You won't hurt these people anymore. Nor destroy this place. You will go through me."
"Cocky kid," and he decided to abandon Shaina and give the Pegasus Saint something that he will surely regret. He punched him in the face...
But he remained standing. His Cosmo still shining. His glare remained sharp, which Patrasche thought it was annoying.
He punched him again, this time in the stomach, and even kicked him and pushed him away. But he didn't even fall. He stood straight, still glaring at him. So the Latonian did it again, this time a combination. He fell, but he stood up right away, and glared at him again.
This time, it was Patrasche who was provoked. "Don't look at me like that, okay!?" and he gave Koga a straight roundhouse kick in his face. It did made him fly away straight to one of the store ruins.
"Koga!" Shaina called, while Alpha covered her mouth in shock.
That Cosmo didn't escape Eden's eyes either. Despite offering himself into a punchng bag for reasons that only Koga knows, Koga's Cosmo remained intact, in fact, the light he emits is stronger and steadier than before. He couldn't help but to wonder.
What are you trying to do...? But somehow he was able to get his intention when Koga stood up again, walked towards Patrasche with the same undaunted Cosmo...smiling. From there...
He remembered that time.
By the time that they were about to achieve the power of the Omega, they did the same exact thing as what Koga was doing now when they fought Hyperion. Despite bringing them down multiple times, they remained standing, because they were fighting for someone they knew. Now that Koga is doing the same thing, but his intentions are different, yet his resolve is the same...
You're still willing to fight without a Cloth? He tried to ask him. I don't know if you're really that stupid or you're really are the son of Athena. Somehow you have made me realize what I have been lacking. And for that...
He clenched his fists.
For that...I don't think I'll be able to defeat you one day...
Patrasche had enough. "I really hate it if my opponents won't fall right away. It made me think I'm that weak! Why won't you die already!?"
He landed another punch at Koga's face. But despite those bruses, he was still standing, and still managed to look at him as if he pity him for having such a stupid reason to destroy the world.
"What the hell," so he decided to stop for a while and there he noticed the people who were still in one corner since they cannot move at all because of those soldiers. For this, he made an idea which can be considered the most sinister than just putting a large bomb on the town hall...
It made him smirk.
"Let's see then," and he created another light bomb, "if you can still smile after THIS!" and then, "GIANT HYDRO BOMB!"
He threw it at the people.
Alpha was able to get into Patrasche's plan right away that made her shocked. This triggered her senses and will to protect the people by coming towards them to block the attack in her power at least.
Koga also saw what Alpha was planning to do, as he sped up towards the people and her to prevent it from happening.
"Oh my gods!" Shaina gasped.
"ALPHA!" Etoile screamed.
"KOGA!" Eden shouted.
The people were shrieking in fear as the bomb was about to land to them, which made Patrasche laugh. "Serves you right for being too righteous!" he said. "That won't apply in this world anymore!"
No one had a chance to move when he did the despicable all of a sudden. But Alpha tried to be as fast as she can to protect the people and to activate her barrier, hoping for it to work. Meanwhile Koga tried to be quick, too, to move the people and Alpha away from the explosion, because even in her own Cosmo alone she cannot handle a big bomb like what Patrasche threw at them.
And from there, everything in his world turned slow.
Look, I want to fight! These people need me! But I admit, since that day that I got the Omega, I've become too attached to you... I've completely forgotten that I was able to fight without you, and those were the times where all I'm thinking back then is for me to do something. I was able to defeat gods like Absu and Saturn without you. That is because...
I have truly believed...in my Cosmo...!
His time turned slow, that he found himself talking to the Pegasus again. But this time, he intended to share what he thought about the answer that it seeks.
"So to simply put...believing in one's Cosmo is the true meaning of Omega itself and what it stands for. For the long time I have believed that miracles are still eminent in us humans if we firmly believe in what it means and what that really is. That was something that...I...I have forgotten in the past year... I have never felt such peace in my entire life while I'm traveling with Eden...learning something... With no threat to think about... And now..."
He didn't notice his tears, being too guilty about not knowing that he had already done something incredible way back, because of the peace he had experienced for the first time in a long while. He still wanted to achieve this kind of peace, and wanted to share this with his friends back at the Sanctuary. And he knows that this is what Athena - Mama Saori - wished for in a long time.
"If you think you cannot fight with me anymore because of my cowardice," he said, "that's okay. I know that you just want me to grow up. So... I decided, I'll continue to fight. With or without a Cloth. I will fight for the love and peace that Athena wished for many years. After all..."
And his time turned back, this time, with newly-found determination and the resolve that was lost to him for a year came back.
I am Koga. A Saint of Athena. With or without a Cloth!
His Cosmo shone brghtly than minutes before. As he finally reached the crowd and the ball of light bomb about to hit them, both Cosmos collided and it created a huge unexplainable explosion that shook the whole town. The explosion was so intense that they cannot hear each other's screams and even Patrasche's pathetic laugh anymore...
At the same time, a flash of light suddenly emitted from the boys' hotel and it came straight to the battlefield.
You have proven your worth as a Saint. You have given the correct answer.
With the voice of the Pegasus resonated in his mind, his whole world shone like millions of stars in the sky.
Meanwhile, as the light faded, Patrasche's laughter still echoed all over the place. But his laughter gradually faded as he noticed the light which surrounded Koga, Alpha, and the people. It remained as it is.
"Hey," he blinked. "did I overdid it...?" he even thought.
The light remained. In fact, it shone brighter.
Shaina can still feel their Cosmo behind that light, indicating that they are still alive. "This is a miracle," she muttered. "But...how...?"
"Alpha!" Etoile tried to call her. "Alpha, baby, can you hear me!?"
"The light from the hotel," and Eden looked at the hotel building, then back to the light. "This means..."
As the light slowly faded, the faces of the townspeople have slowly become clearer and more visible. Alpha's presence was also there, whose face was in a combination of shock and amazement. But the question now is...
"What happened to Koga!?" Shaina asked. But no one dared to answer her, because they don't even know either. Until...
Gazing at the sky with the moonlight
All I see is your face
I close my eyes
And whispered your name quietly [5]
They heard someone singing behind the light. A young man's voice. They looked at each other, while it made Patrasche's eyebrow rise. Whoever that is, why is he singing?
My tears are just like ripples of crystal
The feeling of loneliness fills up my heart
As the light slowly faded, they finally saw Koga, but his bruises from a while ago disappeared into the light that enveloped him and the people minutes ago. In addition to that, his usual red shirt and jeans were gone, revealing his body that has been toned from the past wars he joined, and replaced with just glowing white pants, and he was holding something close to his chest. And above all...
He was the one who has been singing all the time.
A Saint will always be a Saint, for as long as his Cosmo remains burning. You have proven your worth many times in your battles, and I have become wary of your feelings and movements after your last war. Remember, for as long as there are threats, it will be a neverending war, and those who wish for peace like you must be ready to fight for it, to protect its importance. You have awaken the Omega, and now you know of its essence, it will now be easy for you to manifest it...
Therefore, arise, Young Saint. Fulfill your destiny. Stand and shine, Saint of Hopeful Light...
The words from the Pegasus, itself, has echoed in Koga's heart as he kept on singing. The light that came from the hotel began to form in his hands. The rest looked at each other, while Alpha looked at him in awe like she just saw an angel descended from the sky to save them.
His voice is so beautiful, she said with her face blushed. But...who really is he...? Why does he have this Cosmo so gentle, yet so powerful...?
And that song... I think, I have heard that before...
"What the hell," this only annoyed Patrasche, as he tried to hit them again with another bomb, but this time, Koga easily deflected it using the thing that he has in his hand, and even dissolved it: a compact-like thing the size of his palm. It is a white, red, silver and gold-encrusted compact with design similar to a Pegasus' face and with wings. A diamond-shaped white crystal which resembled his old ClothStone is at the center, just in the middle of the Pegasus' forehead, and seems detachable. All in all, it just looked like what the Pegasus Cloth really looked like, only more compact and convenient, without the need of Pandora's box, and can be worn as his belt buckle.
Eden was shocked to see the said compact-like thing shining on Koga's hand and it continues to shine as he continues to sing. It can't be, he muttered. He was able to modify his Cloth by himself!?
Alpha stood up, and with an instinct, she decided to sing with Koga.
By your side, I want our gazes to meet
Please, grant my wish...
With you in my arms, holding you closely
I want to sleep
Shaina was stunned to hear that song, which is obvious that it's familiar in her ears. "That song," she muttered, "that was...from Saori's..."
"Wow," Etoile became quite energized when he heard the two singing. "I never thought he has that talent...!" he pertained to Koga. "Should I make him an idol, too?"
"It sure is soothing," Eden smiled. "It made the people at ease..." which is true. The townspeople's smiles came back one by one when they heard Koga singing. And adding up Alpha's voice, both able to give everyone a peace of mind despite the situation. Especially, when they didn't expect them to do a sudden duet..
Sharing at night the same sad feelings
Because I want to believe in our love
Whatever distance there is
Separating us, my love
Our spirits now shine brightly together as one
Whatever pain that there is
Or how much I cry, my love
When we're together, my face changes into a smile
You're just my love
Alpha didn't even realize that she started singing, too, with Koga, creating such a melodious wave of Cosmo that made everyone smile.
"Such a beautiful duet," Etoile was in tears.
"I couldn't believe this," Shaina remained stunned. Their duet has reached everyone, even the skies. And that is just a part of a miracle that is about to take place especially when one of the children noticed something about the bombs...
"Mama, look!" he tugged at his mother's skirt, pointing at something. Shaina followed the child, and gave another surprise...
"The bombs...!"
The hydrogen bombs that Patrasche created as part of his scheme started to shrink, as if the melodious Cosmo coming from the duet caused those bombs to deflate and disappear just like that. Later on other bombs followed. The clearer the song, the lesser the bombs, and the biggest bomb attached to the town hall began to shrink too.
The song, too, also made the Latonian weaker. "Impossible...!" he shook. "My bombs...! My body...! They're detonating them using their voices...!?"
Eden watched the two singing, as the two finally met each other's eyes, despite the ease and joy the people felt when they heard their duet, he couldn't get why his heart was starting to become tighter. He should have convinced himself a while ago that Alpha and Aria are different individuals, yet, seeing her singing with Koga is something that he doesn't understand at all...
Why does it remained painful?
"I'm getting...sleepy...!" Patrasche's eyes are getting heavier as he struggle to stay awake just to fulfill his task of getting the Mystic Crystal. But probably, his heart has shown its evil side that their voices weakened him and making him sleep.
When the last of the bomb has finally been dissolved, both stopped singing, but they still looked at each other.
"You know that song?" Koga asked.
"Somehow," Alpha said. "The first time I've heard it, I was still small. Since then, it was my favorite."
He smiled. "Mine too. My mom loves to sing it."
"Really...?"
Yet, with that song, their gazes didn't fade. They kept on looking at each other's eyes. Alpha's dark sapphire eyes are as sparkling as the night sky. Koga's golden eyes, meanwhile, were as shining as the Pegasus's brightest star, Enif [6]. Despite the beginning of understanding each other, both still couldn't comprehend as to why and how it happened.
"By the way," and she noticed his new Cloth in his hands. "What's that?"
Before he could answer, they have forgotten about Patrasche who is about to attack both of them using his bombs. If not for Eden who had just noticed it—
"RUN!"
But instead of running, "Stay back," he told Alpha, and obeyed. He prepared the mysterious compact-like thing to use it - for the first time after a year...
"Shine! PEGASUS CLOTH!"
He pushed the diamond-shaped ClothStone and emitted a flash of Cosmo from it as it detaches from the base. Later on, the whole compact collapsed and the pieces grew into parts of his new Cloth, while the light surronded Koga. The ClothStone attached to his chest as it grows bigger while parts of the Cloth began to attach to his body, unknowingly forming a red protective garment underneath to help absorb physical shock in battle. It formed a white, lightweight armor, topped with shoulder plate encrusted with white diamond-shaped crystal charms, his lower torso covered in sheets in adorned white, red and gold sheets of oraehalcon metal. Arms covered in breathable gloves of metal with red and gold streaks like what he had in his previous Cloth, but this time doubled the protection by adding white and red metal paddings, same thing happened to his legs and even formed little half-wings on both ankles. Finally, a small diamond-shaped gem attached to his forehead, forming a combination of a tiara and a headgear, with little wings sprung in the ear area, and his shaggy red hair became somehow shaggier, longer, as magnificent as a horse's mane.
As he opened his eyes, fully armored and laced with powerful Cosmo, he landed on his feet and showed his signature moves.
"The Shining Saint of the Winged Horse Constellation...
OMEGA PEGASUS... KOGA!"
As his introduction ended, metal wings sprouted on his back, completing his transformation in his new Cloth. But what he has right now is way different from the Omega Myth Cloth he donned during their fight with Hyperion.
"The Pegasus Cloth," Shaina muttered, "forged from the power of Omega... It evolved again...! But how did he..."
The new Cloth was a bit different from the one he had before: lighter, more compact, but knowing that it is still laced with Omega due to its gold streaks. It was just like his very first Cloth and the evolved real Cloth combined, making him looked more invincible. And it just gave a demonstration when Patrasche threw another hydrogen bomb on him: it didn't leave even a single dent.
The townspeople stared at him and his new Cloth, no one could guess what is going on, except for Shaina and Eden who remained speechless and for Etoile, who somehow got an idea on who Koga really is.
"Did he just say..." he muttered.
"P...Pegasus...?" it even rang Alpha's bell. "It can't be...! He's..."
"THE GOD-SLAYER!"
Patrasche didn't give any second thoughts anymore as he charged at the Omega Pegasus Saint. "It will be an honor to kill you RIGHT NOW!"
But Koga didn't falter. With just one hand, he stopped Patrasche's fist.
"Wha-!?"
Before he could even utter a curse, Koga twisted the opponent's arm and kicked him in the open, sending Patrasche in the air.
"N-no...!" he started shaking in the midair. "N-not a single bomb...!"
He realized that none of the bombs responded since they all got dissolved with his duet with Alpha minutes ago. But he didn't notice Koga, who also went midair, just to give him a quick elbow at the back and sent him dropping face down.
The crowd started to cheer.
Alpha was so stunned to see the Pegasus Saint fight for the first time. She had heard numerous stories about him, especially on how he defeated several gods. She also knew that the very first Pegasus Saint once fought the god of underworld himself, thus the Cloth became such a prize for those who wanted to become a Saint...
And to think that the one who stole her first kiss is the famous God-Slayer, her cheeks suddenly became red, as red as Koga's hair.
BA-DUMP!
She suddenly held to her chest. What's going on...?
00000
Patrasche struggled to stand up. He never thought he will be defeated like this. "But not until I got my aim...!" he still doesn't want to give up. "Do you think...you can defeat me...with that showy Cloth of yours...?"
"Tell me something about the Mystic Crystal," Koga asked. "What is that for?"
"Why would I tell it to someone like you!? That's already highly classified!"
"Then tell me what your goal is! Who really are you and why are you after Alpha!?"
"As if I'll ever tell you!" and Patrasche attacked again. "Better if you kill me first!"
But his hydrogen bomb attacks are useless to Koga's lightning punches. They just dissolved halfway. His last attack finally made him a bit discouraged as he fell to his knees and about to give up.
"I'll ask again," Koga demanded. "Who are you and what are your goals? Answer me directly or you'll suffer the consequences."
He is just silent, his head hung low. Seems like he will never talk, as he thought. But finally, Patrasche has to talk.
"We, Latonians," he said, "are loyal servants to the mighty Leto, goddess of marriage. And that Mystic Crystal is just our key..."
He clenched his right fist, forming something from it...
"TO KILL ATHENA!"
And he suddenly threw a very powerful hydrogen bomb directly to Alpha, much to the horror of all, especially Etoile. Before he could even scream her name, the bomb exploded. As if he had found his trumpcard. He cannot just surrender without doing something improper.
Patrasche gave a haughty laugh after succeeding in killing the Equuleus Saint in a split second like he still won despite losing his bombs. At least he was able to take a single life to bring everyone in despair. "Do you think I, Hydrogen Patrasche, will just surrender to you, insects?" he went on laughing. "Dream on! Well there's nothing wrong dreaming assuming that you still survive!"
This made Etoile go mad. As he was about to attack, one of the children saw something in the air...
"Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird!"
"It's a plane!"
"No, morons, it's a guy flying..."
"Wait, a flying guy!?"
Etoile's eyes popped at what he saw. It was Koga, carrying Alpha who seemed well, and about to land to the crowd.
"What!?" Patrasche's eyes also popped in disbelief. "How did he-"
Meanwhile, Alpha really thought that it was the end of her, but as she opened her eyes, she saw herself flying, and been carried by none other than...
"P...Pegasus...!?" her cheeks burned again. "You...saved me...!?"
"Better be quick than losing someone in my eyes again," and Koga winked at her.
BA-DUMP!
She could feel her heart pumping again strangely. Yes she knows that the God-Slayer, the famed Pegasus Saint, stole her first kiss, something that it's supposed to be unforgivable, yet her heart is telling her to forgive this guy...
And it's telling her to ask him to do something that can compensate with what he did.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH~!"
It was a great moment for the Saints and for the townspeople while this brought Patrasche in deep rage, as it helped his armor turned black and his Cosmo leaked with rage and terror. Traces of hydrogen gave him a foul smell that weakened the entire town.
"Don't breathe the air!" Shaina warned them. "It's poison!"
She then created a barrier to protect the people at least from its horrible smell. Meanwhile Patrasche went crazy, laughing like there's no end, as he engulfed himself in a swirl if dark Cosmo.
"If I won't be able to get my goal," he shrieked, "at least let me kill you all! Better if I die along with you, that will be more fun, don't you think!?"
He had lost his wits completely. He was just laughing like a madman while preparing everyone to be killed. As massive swirls of dark Cosmo engulfed him, Eden finally figured out what he is planning to do, especially when he noticed Patrasche getting swollen.
"He's turning into a suicide bomb!" he said. "He won't let anyone here escape!"
"Miss Shaina!" Koga said. "Please take everyone to safety!"
"I will!" and Shaina even pulled Etoile to the barrier.
"Didn't you hear me!?" Patrasche still went on berserk. "I said no one in this town will leave her alive! NOT ESPECIALLY YOU, SAINTS!"
"As if I would even allowed that to happen!"
He completely forgot Alpha, who, after landed, started to create a mass of powerful Cosmo drew like a planet...
"SUPERNOVA CONCLAVE!"
She hit her attack directly to Patrasche, and instead of smashing him, it formed a powerful anti-shock barrier around him, sealing him and his foul-smelling Cosmo in place.
"W-what is this!?" he looked around. It's pure blue and fragrant that he cannot breathe. The swirls of dark Cosmo are trying to escape but it couldn't make even a single dent. The said container made from Alpha's Cosmo is so strong from the inside that Patrasche's bombs are just deflecting against him.
"Pegasus!" she called Koga. "NOW!"
Koga suddenly knew what to do. He approached Partrasche in a familiar attack, but this is way different from what he usually did before...
"Pegasus...STARLIGHT FIST!"
Massive shots of more concentrated light Cosmo penetrated Alpha's Supernova Conclave, allowing it to hit Patrasche directly. Meanwhile he couldn't escape from the barrier anymore as the shower goes on hitting his vital parts, not even giving him a chance to defend himself.
The Equuleus Saint lifted the barrier up in the air, so in case it explodes, not a single building or person will be affected. As he was tossed up to his defeat, he finally couldn't help but to cry in anguish...
"Mistress Leto... SAVE MEEEEEEEEEEEH~!"
The barrier exploded in the air. The combination of Koga and Alpha's Cosmo showered like a gentle rain, and each drop that it lands slowly fixed every rubble left by Partrasche's hydrogen bombs...
Speaking of Partrasche, he's no more. The hat and the poncho he wore hours ago just dissolved into nothingness when drops of Cosmo touched them.
The combination of their Cosmos created a sort of a miracle. The almost-destroyed town started to repair itself, and even healed Etoile's and Eden's wounds.
"This," Etoile gasped, "is fantabulous...!"
"How did they," Eden couldn't finish his own question as he noticed Koga's form: it has been gone through many evolutions. And probably this is far more powerful than the last time. He couldn't help but to admire him and even...
Felt envious.
"Omega," he muttered with a smile. "The power of a Saint's miracle..."
Even Alpha's wounds and Cloth are healed too. As she tried to approach Koga to thank him, she couldn't control her heart from beating fast. She was a bit ashamed from what she said earlier, but she is ready to forget what he did a while ago and will thank him instead for saving the town and its people, including hers.
"Uhm..." her cheeks are still flushing. She tried to open her mouth, but probably at this moment her brain is scolding her for being too meek. Just a simple 'Thank You' should do, but why can't she do it in front of him? Is it because he's a God-Slayer? A famed Pegasus Saint? Powerful? Cool? Cute-?
Did her brain just said that?
"Yes?"
Then Koga finally noticed her. Too late to turn back now, but it also applies to him. His memories and lips are still lingering with that unexpected scene. At this point Alpha might finally able to punch him for stealing her first kiss, and as he was about to avert his eyes away...
His mind and eyes went blank.
In a split second, his body went numb, and his senses were blocked. His ClothStone shone, and it reverted to his civilian self as he suddenly collapsed, and his new Cloth Compact dropped from his hand. [7]
"H-hey!" she suddenly rushed to him as she caught him. "Ugh, you're heavy...! Hey! Wake up!" Alpha tried to wake him up. "Somebody help us! He just collapsed!"
This caught Shaina's attention and immediately rushed to Koga's aid.
As some of the townspeople tried to help them to take Koga to a nearby hospital, Eden didn't bother joining then for some reason. He just watched him and Alpha as they moved away. He didn't even asked himself why he didn't rushed to him by the time he needed help, but what was in his mind now is...
How Koga was able to acquire another evolution, all by himself.
00000
"My Lady?"
The Gemini Gold Saint, Integra, was tending Athena's untouched food when she saw the goddess standing near the window and looked at the starry sky.
It has been weeks since Athena confined herself in her room, allowing no one but Integra inside. She doesn't want to eat anything, and only taking lemon water. Her poor health has become evident with sunken cheeks and eyes, but still remained beautiful. Her attendants and Gold Saints are begging her to eat even a bit but no one could convince her because of something happened...
That no one remembered, except Athena, herself.
She was holding a red scarf the entire time. It probably is very important to her, but no one could guess who owns it.
For the first time in three weeks, she was able to stand up and gaze at the window. Whatever the reason is, Integra is just hoping that it is a good sign. But still, no one could guess what she is thinking at this moment, especially that she refuses to open her mouth and talk.
Athena just gazed at the night sky, smiling.
You've done it...Koga.
00000
Eight hours later.
"What...?"
The ferret Myron snuggled his nose on Koga's cheek, causing hin to wake up. He found homself in an unfamiliar place. He is in someone else's room, in a folding bed. But he could feel his surroundings moving. He peeked at the window, it's already dawn, and what is more...
He is actually moving.
Myron jumped to the nearby table where he noticed his newly-formed Cloth at the table, and decided to picked it up. He couldn't believe what happened back then. He clearly remembered what happened after seeing his new Cloth, which he can call the Cloth Compact from now on due to being 'compact' in size. But setting those thoughts aside, he tried to get up and find out where he is heading to, especially when he noticed that only he and Myron are in that room...
Until he heard Shaina's voice from the other room, along with Etoile and Alpha, which made the ferret's nose move. They were probably talking about something important, so he decided to take a peek. But...
"Finally awake?"
Eden went in to check on him, and he came just in time. Myron jumped back to Koga's shoulder and his fur stood up as his warning, but the red-haired Saint didn't mind him.
"Eden," he looked around, "what happened...to..."
"If you're asking about the town," he said, "all's fine. Everything went back to normal like nothing happened. The mayor actually wanted to thank you for saving the town."
He sighed in relief. But then he remembered where they are now. "Where are we?"
"In the Equuleus' trailer. We're heading back to the Sanctuary."
"What...?" and he looked around. He had never been inside an RV before. This is mostly what traveling idols use when they are on a tour, which he finds it cool. But then he noticed, and since he mentioned that they are heading back...
Now he remembered why Shaina went to the town to fetch them personally. Something is happening at the Sanctuary right now that may involve what happened eight hours ago, which made him worry the most, especially about Athena. Speaking of which, he thought one he had a chance to come back there, he would definitely thank the receptionist personally for letting him upgrade his Omega Cloth, but at the same time, want to blame her for meeting Alpha and stole her first kiss...
Which he didn't realize that it will be the start of a new adventure awaiting him as a Saint.
"Anyway," Eden interrupted, "the others have been waiting for you at the lounge."
Koga has no choice but to follow. Besides, it's the best time for him to talk to Shaina regarding what is happening to Athena and the Sanctuary at the moment.
00000
The two Saints caught Shaina, Etoile and Alpha talking over some matters. When they arrived, Alpha suddenly averted her eyes away from him. Etoile just shook his head. Upon entering the lounge with Eden, by the time Alpha saw him again, her cheeks burned again and averted her eyes on him. The same thing Koga did, especially when he remembered about the kiss, most of all.
Myron went back to his master's shoulder after the two Saints went in to greet the others.
"Anyway," the Painter Saint interrupted, "you may be the Pegasus Saint," he said, "but you cannot change the fact that you have stolen her first kiss. Do you have any idea how that is important for a maiden like her? You may have saved her, but I'm not sure if she'll be able to forgive you."
Koga's cheeks started to fluster again. He really want to say sorry again and even wanted to make up for what he did.
"PLUS, thanks to you, she decided to cancel the whole tour! Talk about revenue loss! What excuse should I tell to the TV stations? To the sponsors!? If this goes on-!"
"Stop it, Etoile," Alpha finally spoke, "it's my decision to quit showbiz for the meantime to join Pegasus and the others."
Koga couldn't help but to feel bad about Alpha. He suddenly remembered Haruto, who have found love in rock music and started to get famous too - if not only for the war with the Pallasites two years ago. Like him, she decided to leave the entertainment industry to follow her destiny as a Saint...
And now that a new threat is starting to rise, if this continues, will they be able to achieve true peace?
"He is right," he admitted. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
Alpha shook his head. "That can't be helped. Besides, I'm aware that being a Saint would require lots of sacrifices, so I didn't regret quitting being an idol for now. Because I know that I can surpass this once it's over."
Myron nodded at her reply, which made Koga smile a bit. If being optimistic is a contagious disease, he wished he could get some from the female Equuleus Saint.
"Anyway, sit down, Koga," Shaina invited him. "We need to discuss some things while we head to the Sanctuary."
"Which reminds me," Koga remembered, "you're trying to tell me something about Mama."
"Yes," she remembered too, "about Athena..."
The two new members and the ferret looked at each other. "Mama?" Alpha blinked. Since when did Athena became a mother?
"It's a long story," Shaina answered. "You will learn more about it when we get there. Anyway," turning to Koga, her expression became pained, "about Athena...
Her health is deteriorating... At the wrong time, too."
He was shocked to learn about his foster mother's condition. "What do you mean? Is this Leto trying to drain her Cosmo out!?" He suddenly remembered Pallas, the goddess of love and Athena's sister, who used a cursed ring to steal her Cosmo bit by bit which weakened her. He thought that this new threat named Leto is also using the same method against the goddess of war.
But Shaina shook her head. "It has nothing to do with Leto at all. Before her forces started to move, Athena has weakened herself. She doesn't want to eat anything nor go out of her room."
"But why!?"
"This has something to do...with Seiya."
The whole trailer became quiet. So even the great goddess such as Athena can feel such anxiety over someone. But this has not just bothered the adopted son, but for a simple yet strange fact that he realized...
"Who... Who the heck is Seiya?"
=0=
A goddess longing for a lost love. A curse that made her blind at the reality. A reunion with a twist that will lead to a deeper misunderstanding, a vague past that will strengthen a maiden's will, and a self-made decision to make the Pegasus feel responsible for the disgraced maiden. The search for the Missing Saint and for true love will start right now, an impossible task will be imposed to the mighty Gold Saints.
Chapter 3: THE CURSED HEART: REMINISCING THREE YEARS AND MISSING PIECES
(NOTA BENE on the following cited:
[1] It was cited in Wiki that Kurumada-sensei started to create a direct sequel to the original manga called 'Next Dimension'. There he mentioned about the existence of the 13th Gold Saint, the Ophiuchus. In this story, though, the Mad Banana decided to promote Shaina right away as the new Scorpio Saint.
[2] Despite achieving the Omega Myth Cloths, they were eventually destroyed by Saturn. At the end of the story, it was not clear how they were repaired and if they were repaired by Kiki. But Koga and Eden were shown bringing their Pandora boxes with them, yet, admit it, we don't know if they were been fixed or not, so she made a theory that can be found in the next chapter.
[3] Koga may have not regarded Athena or Saori Kido as a mother but rather someone who saved his life and therefore he owes her a lot, but she theorized about his relationship with her which had grown into a closer mother and son type, so in this story, Koga may have already regarded Saori as his mother.
[4] Patrasche was given a Latonian title Hydrogen Patrasche due to his Cosmo that can create powerful hydrogen bombs. Moving forward, each Latonian who will be featured in the future will have an element name attached to their actual name, such as Mercury Thomas, which will contribute their powers.
[5] You're Just My Love, sung by Kotono Mitsukushi and Tohru Furuya, part of Sailor Moon Image Album 'In Another Dream'. The Mad Banana used this as a titular song for this story, depicting Seiya and Saori's forbidden relationship, and in addition to that, Furuya did the voice of Seiya, both in the original anime and in Omega.
[6] Enif, arabian name of Epsilon Pegasi, the brightest star in the Pegasus Constellation, which is a close-to-giant star. Thanks, Wikipedia!
[7] The Mad Banana conceptualized the use of compacts in this story, thus instead of using simple ClothStones and Pandora Boxes for Omega Cloths, she fused it into one handy yet powerful device called the Cloth Compact. Just to clarify, the Cloth Compact is not a compact per se like you see in Sailor Moon and Pretty Cure, but rather a 'compact' version of the actual Cloth in its dormant form, combining with the ClothStone. Once the bearer pushed the ClothStone in the middle, the whole device will collapse and will be turned into its original Cloth size when fused with one's Cosmo, thus it will be easier to carry, as light as the ClothStone but as reliable-looking as a Cloth in a box.
MB: This is probably the longest that the Mad Banana wrote mainly because of the somehow detailed transformation. Anyway, she hopes for you to enjoy the chapters so far, including this one. Reviews are always welcome!)