Chapter 02: Mock War

"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for waiting!
We present you…
Cygnus VS Hydra!"

It was the tensest battle of the day, after all Cygnus Hyouga came late and announce ominous threat of eliminating his fellow saints for their heresy. While whether or not Hyouga was going to kill them all, he had effectively killing the mood.

Ichi, the Hydra saint was not amused even though he was also laughing at Hyouga. "You think you can kill us all? You must be delusional, Hyouga…"

Hyouga was ticked, why no one here checked cosmos capacity of their opponent before talking?! [Hey, can I go all out?]

Tenma wondered why Hyouga even bothered to ask, [No, the restriction is the same… no fatal injury, no breaking their cloth.] Their squad leader reminded him.

He wanted to break Ichi, cloth and dignity both. [Che.]

[Unless of course you're going to drag the cloth to Jamir yourself.]

[Fine.]

Hyouga cut the mental link, eyeing Ichi who had taken a snake like stance and circling him like a feline predator. 'Oh right… Hydra Saint.' Hyouga snorted, "Actually I'm also here for the prize Graude Foundation keep, it belongs to us so it's just right for us to take it back. It's just convenient to fight for it, just so we won't look like a thief to the world…"

Ichi clicked his tongue, "Killing us all? Taking back the gold cloth?" The Hydra saint repeated, "I really hate an arrogant people like you…"

"Oh? What're you going to do to stop me then?"

"I will send you straight to hell!" Ichi roared as he brought down his claw.

Back in Audience Seat…

Tenma was ticked, tapping his feet impatiently. "Hyouga… you waste too much time posing." Seriously, the battle had begun and they wasted three minutes just to piss each other off?!

Camus was going to hear this!

Back to the arena…

Hyouga shuddered as he dodged Ichi's attack. 'Did I just get myself in trouble?' He wondered mentally. His moment of distraction cost him, a little. Ichi caught him, delivering a punch to his solar plexus.

"Ugh!"

"Got you!"

That was just sad, Hyouga supposed as he parried Ichi's attack with his arm guard, and the Hydra saint revealed the nasty surprise that was curved claw that latched on his armor.

"Hi hi hi… my claw is sharp enough to pierce your armor." Hyouga was not impressed, pulling the claw off of his armor. "And of course, it's also poisoned." He added as if it was an afterthought.

Hyouga narrowed his ice blue eyes at Ichi, "And what are you going to do? Walk away or wait until I succumb to your poison?"

"No, that would be boring, right?"

Since he supposed to be terrible executioner of sanctuary Hyouga was not going to give Ichi even a taste of superiority over him, dodging the incoming punch before kicking the Hydra saint with enough force to make Ichi hurl.

"Gah!"

He stretched his arm open towards Ichi, "Let's see… Hydra Cloth, designed based on mythology of The Lernaean Hydra that lives in a swamp. A many headed snake that couldn't be killed because its head regenerated infinitely… so I guess your cloth could regrow its claw too huh? Maybe there's other part of your armor that could grow the claw too… Hydra have many poisonous heads after all."

Ichi halted at that, not expecting Hyouga to learn the secret of his cloth so quickly. "How do you?"

"Knowledge about Greek mythology is second to knowing cosmos and Saint code, idiots…" Hyouga wondered if other Bronze saint was all just brawn without brain, they didn't even learn the myth to learn secret of their opponent.

"So what? You're still poisoned! Another dose of my poison and you're dead!"

Hyouga smirked, catching Ichi's fist. "Do you know my constellation is associated with water and ice? So… even though I can't burn the neck of Hydra to prevent it from regenerating I can do this!" The ice saint declared, freezing the fist he caught all the way to Ichi's elbow.

Ichi yelped in pain, holding his freezing arm. "Argh! You! You… your touch is ice cold! How could you-"

-100 degree Celsius said the temperature indicator on the screen above the ring.

"That's so cold!"

"The air is misty…"

Hyouga smirked, "By the way about your poison you're waiting to finish me off…" Hyouga waved the arm that was pierced, showing the smooth surface of his ice like armor. "It never reached my skin in the first place, this is armor of ice… your poison freeze before it could harm me."

"Damn you, Hyouga!" Ichi scowled, backing away.

Hyouga smirked, [Now then… for the closing show~] He pulled his fist, "Diamond Dust!"

All eyes were wide in shock when Hydra Ichi was no more, replaced by an ice sculpture likeness, immortalizing his horrified expression. Hyouga walked towards the sculpture, a smirk painted on his lips.

Jabu howled, "Don't you dare Hyougaaaaa!"

Hyouga waited for the announcer to declare him the winner, grabbing the frozen Ichi and rushed pass other saints. Jabu and Shiryuu moved to stop him, but as soon as Hyouga was out of sight from public he destroyed Ichi to pieces.

CRASH!

Hyouga smirked, "One down…"

Jabu, Nachi and Shiryuu stared in horror at what left of Ichi. Pieces of ice, gleaming under the light of the coliseum.

"Hyouga… you! YOU!" Jabu sputtered in horror and anger. "How dare you!"

The ice saint harrumphed, "I told you… this is an order from Sanctuary, no hard feeling… I simply obey." He told Jabu as he walked pass the fuming saint. "You're next… remember, this is the iron clad law of Athena's saints. Turn back from this tournament and beg for forgiveness… perhaps you will get some mercy."

"Law you said…" Nachi repeated, trembling in anger. "You killed Ichi! A comrade!"

He eyed them coolly, "Are you even listening, Nachi? Where did you think the order come from? You guys are deemed outlaw already, you're no comrade of mine…"

Shiryuu gritted his teeth, "So I am next, huh? Berenice Coma Akira?"

Jabu and Nachi turned to Mei with shocked expression. "You?"

Mai sighed, "Arara… I was hoping my cover could hold on until the next day at least…" He turned to Hyouga. "You even come fashionably late to this tournament to alleviate suspicion."

"I come late just because I feel like it." Hyouga corrected.

Jabu growled, "Don't think you can get all of us as easily you get Ichi! You damn traitor!"

Hyouga and Mei burst to laughter, "Traitor? Right back at you, Jabu… You're the traitor here, rogue saints who has betrayed saint' code of honor."

All of them except Shun froze at that, doubt began to creep up to their heart.

Shiryuu stepped forward, "My master… he let me go to fight in this, are you saying-"

"…Well…" Mei began, "Who knows when it comes to Libra Dohko… Roushi perhaps has his own purpose to let you go joining this farce."

Hyouga nodded, "Well… you, Akira and I are different from others. We're disciple of Gold Saints after all."

That revelation shocked other Bronze saint, "Disciple of Gold saints?" Jabu recalled distant memory, in which Hyouga introduced his 'grand' master. "So, what?"

Mei gestured towards Shiryuu, "About whether you're next or not, well… it's troubling because we can't have you eliminated as we please."

Shiryuu narrowed his eyes, "You don't want to get in trouble with my master…" He deduced, of all things that made him spared was politic?! The idea sickened Shiryuu, Saints are honorable and chivalrous defender of humanity! That they would dabble in politic was just sickening!

Hyouga and Mei exchanged glance, wondering if Shiryuu had any idea of Sanctuary's political climate for the last few years. Most likely not, Roushi had distanced himself from sanctuary after all. "Old master or not he still has to answer to the Pope and sanctuary…"

"And we're no murderer…" Mei added, "We're simply here as enforcer of our law, and regardless of what you think about where your loyalty should lies…" He gave meaningful glance at Jabu and general direction of Kido sisters, "The moment you become a saint, it belongs to Athena, Sanctuary and the world…"

"Fighting in this tournament…" Hyouga trailed off, "Is an ultimate betrayal."

With that as parting words, Hyouga and Mei left the colosseum. Later they found out that Geki was missing from hospital, much to Jabu's anger and horror.

Kido's Manor

"You have to disqualify them, Saori-ojousama!" Jabu presented his case, "They killed Ichi and Geki!"

Saori closed his eyes, "Geki and Ichi would have killed Akira and Hyouga when they have the chance…" Jabu stopped at that, "Are you upset that Akira and Hyouga came not to fight as your rival but… as executioner?"

Jabu couldn't deny that, he felt betrayed but in the same time he couldn't defend himself… Hyouga and Akira was right he had broken the code of saints. But in the first place his loyalty was with Saori-ojousama not with Athena or Sanctuary!

"Not to mention…" Kido Seika added from her position beside Saori. "There's no rule about killing your opponent in this tournament, and we can't disqualify Hyouga and Akira just because they come with their own agenda. Especially on mission from sanctuary… if anything I think it would be wise to give up everything."

Saori frowned at her sister. "Oneesama! How could you?"

"if the rest of the boys go back to Sanctuary and repent they may have a chance to be pardoned!" Seika argued. "I watch your match! Akira and Hyouga were just playing with Geki and Ichi!"

Jabu tensed when Seika turned to him, "And you said they're direct disciple of Gold Saints?' The Unicorn saint nodded tensely. "From what I know difference between bronze to silver rank and silver to gold are like heaven and earth… and from what I see it's obvious Akira and Hyouga are much stronger than you all."

Jabu protested, "No! I can beat him!"

Saori and Seika doubted that very much, "Have you figured out Hyouga's ice attack and Mei's telekinesis then?"

The Unicorn saint stopped at that, "I…"

SS Hotel

"That went well… not as smooth as I liked but I can't complaint." Tenma nodded to himself, sitting cross-legged on his bed while his team scattered on the floor, bed and chair before him.

Hyouga snorted, "Of course you can't, you're just watching."

Mei agreed, "And doing a good job at it."

Shun sighed at them. "Guys…" He cut the incoming argument, "Don't start, please."

Tenma gave Shun a grateful look before turning towards two cages like one used to house circus animal beside them with reproachful glance, "Anyway… these two-"

"Let me out of here!"

"Why can't I use my cosmos?! Damn it!"

Came the muffled shout of their prisoner but none pay any heed to them, trapped inside the cage that had been enhanced by the same seal from cape sunion. "Two down, three to go." Namely Nachi, Jabu and perhaps Shiryuu. Though the dragon saint's fate was still up to debate. Sanctuary would issue a warning to Roushi about his misbehavior, but whether the Libra saint would heed it was up to the oldest saint.

"I am not pulling that Houdini like trick ever again." Hyouga growled, recalling how he had teleported Ichi away after knocking the Hydra saint out, replacing the idiot with ice sculpture likeness and made it as if he had killed Ichi. It was a split-second move, and no one had looked closer to the sculpture that was just barely resemble Ichi.

Shiryuu was so shocked, he didn't pay close attention at all. Which was a relieve, because out of everyone Hyouga was sure Shiryuu would figure it out if he was calmer.

"Are we keeping them here until Galaxian War is over?" Shun wondered. "Or we're shipping them to Sanctuary?"

Hyouga scowled, "I vote for the second option!" Even if they had Sanctuary private soldiers stationed to guard Ichi and Geki he would feel much better if these idiots were kneeling before his grand-master to take responsibility for their idiocy.

Tenma disagree, "They're not going anywhere anytime soon… and as for when this farce of a war would be over… soon. We're not wasting time any longer."

Mei frowned, "As you wish, leader…"

"I need to go, return to our hotel and rest." And with that Tenma vanished from sight.

A temporary silence filled the void he left, and Shun spoke up. "Something is bothering Tenma."

"Why do you think so?"

"Well…" Shun trailed off, emerald like eyes looked up in memory. "During our previous missions… Tenma is not exactly the calmest leader or a patient one." He was very emotion and more often than not Shun had to stop him from charging in blindly. "But in this mission, I feel he is holding back a lot and struggle with impatience for some reason I can't comprehend…"

Hyouga and Mei exchanged glance. "If it's not detrimental to our mission shouldn't we leave him be?"

"I am worried."

"You always worry, Shun."

Kido's Manor

She didn't show it to Jabu but she was shaken that someone died under her watch, by the hands of another orphan her grandfather took in. Someone who should be in the same boat as Ichi and Geki but… they turned their back on everything she believed in. Her grandfather gave them a purpose, she thought it was enough to make them loyal or at least believed there was a merit in Galaxian War.

Hyouga and Akira disagreed, their loyalty belonged to Sanctuary and they called the others traitor instead. Saori was not there but she saw the look on their eyes after the tournament ended for the day, they had doubt in their eyes… Like they had been snapped awake from a bad dream.

They said, her grandfather had driven the others to ultimate betrayal as a saint.

"Saori…" Seika called her, snapping her out of her thought. "You will catch a cold." Chided the older sister as draping a warm knitted wrap around her shoulder. "Why don't you rest now, it's been a hard day… and staying in the terrace so late is not healthy for you.

The lilac haired beauty nodded, "Thank you, Onee-sama… you should go to bed yourself. I want to finish this pot before I rest." She gestured towards the still steaming pot of tropical tea, in which the fruits soaked in tea had lost the vivid color and the amber liquid had delicate of fruity sweetness she loved.

Seika sighed, "Alright." Saori always loved staying as long as she could outside, watching the night sky. It was calming to the younger Kido and after what happened today Seika supposed she needed this quiet moments. "Just don't stay too late, I will fetch you myself once it's midnight." That would give Saori another hour of serenity under the star.

"Hai, Onee-sama." Saori returned, glancing briefly at retreating back of her sister. And now, she was alone in the terrace…

The silence was comforting and the tea soothed her nerves, she won't get a good sleep tonight but her frayed nerves needed this. "Haaa…" She let out a long sigh.

"There's a saying that when you sigh, a happiness also leave you together with the air you exhale?" A masculine voice said, snapping her out of her musing.

Saori was in the middle of putting her cup to the saucer on the table, shock travelled from her spine to her hands and so the tea spilled over the saucer. Her eyes were wide in surprise as she saw a boy around her age sitting on the railing of their balcony. He had spiky dark brown hair and eyes in lighter shade, his skin had healthy tan that suggest he spent a lot of her time indoor. He was also fairly tall for his age and muscular, in overall pretty plain in appearance.

The cloth he wore was pure white with silver tint, he… was a saint!

Saori stood up in anticipation, "Who are you?" Strange, this man could be an assassin send to kill her by Sanctuary but she couldn't bring herself to be scared. True, this saint didn't look intimidating but even Shun had proven looks means nothing for saints when power was concerned.

He walked towards her and took the unoccupied seat across hers Seika had vacated. Then he poured himself a cup of tea. "Do you mind, milady? I think I need a cup of tea for this."

Saori blinked at the young saint, her heart pounded against her ribcage. Could she take this as a gesture that he was not her for her lives? "You may have a cup of tea." She would chide him for taking the cup before asking for permission, but at least he asked. Though Saori had that her opinion on courtesy didn't matter to him.

She licked her lips nervously, "Who are you?" The question she uttered felt alien to her, as if she shouldn't ask. She should have known… know what?

He took a sip of the tea, licking her lips before drinking the rest in one gulp. Saori frowned at the inelegant way of drinking, forgetting her confusion. "Well…" He poured himself another cup. "I am Pegasus saint of this generation…"

Pegasus saint?

His brown eyes gazed straight at hers, "Tenma… Pegasus Tenma."

She blinked at the name and on reflex brought her fingers to her lips, surprised to find them curved up in amusement.

"That's the kind of reaction my Japanese comrades have when they learned my given name…" The newly revealed Tenma said before taking a sip of his tea, his eyes never leaving hers.

Saori tensed, not because of fear but because she felt Tenma was… 'assessing' her? It as if he was expecting her for something…

But what?

"Te-"

"I didn't give you permission to call me by my given name." He cut her off before she could complete the name. "You should call me by my constellation…"

Saori bristled before she caught herself, why she felt irritated he didn't let her to address him familiarly?! This was a stranger, one that might be her to kill her! "Pegasus then…" She tried the name and she felt it was so cold. She addressed the other saint in Galaxian War by their constellation name so why… "Are you… a Japanese?"

He certainly could pass as one, and his name… "No, I am a Greek… but I am named after a Japanese."

"Do you come to kill me?" She asked, there was no emotion whatsoever in her voice as she said this. Instantly she regretted asking, he looked hurt.

Tenma frowned at her, his expression somber. "Is that what you think of us? That we would come to kill you at the dead of the night like an assassin?" She stopped at that, "Are my fellow saints showing no dignity and benevolence for you to think that I am here to lower myself to that level, Kido Saori-san?"

Saori faltered before regaining her composure, "I mean no insult, but I think it's a fair assessment since Hyouga and Akira are joining this tournament for no other reason to wreck it for heresy against Sanctuary… as the sponsor and supervisor of this tournament I don't think the idea that my life is in danger from you is ridiculous. I would be a fool to think otherwise."

He blinked at her before his eyes narrowed, "True…" He conceded, eyes closed as he took another hearty gulp.

Saori glanced at him, eyes widened when she saw that pool of brown of his eyes gazed at her with something akin to doubt and disappointment. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest, she felt her ling constricting and struggling to breathe. She felt fear… not for her life, strangely even now she didn't fear for herself.

'Don't…' her heart cried out, but she didn't know what it wanted. 'Please don't!'

The Pegasus saint swirled the cup gently, and the amber liquid it contained spun lazily. He was so absorbed by it, he didn't notice the goddess-incarnate's internal turmoil. "I suppose even if I ask kindly for you to cancel the tournament, you won't listen…"

She almost shook her head, but caught herself. Was that denial that she won't as he said, or she would if he asks, she had no idea.

'Don't…'

"It's my grandfather's last wish." A line she repeated over and over again for the last few weeks, whenever her sister tried to change her mind.

His lips pushed to a grim line as his eyes narrowed sharply at her, once again her heart ached. "A dying wish hm? Your grandfather's will is… your reason to insult us with this mockery of a war?!" He asked in indignant tone. "Such a petty reason… preposterous!"

It was her turn to feel insulted, standing up to her full height and glaring down at him. "My grandfather was a great man! Don't you dare to insult him! He-"

"I don't care of a dead man like Kido!" He hissed, standing up from his seat. "What I care about is you!" Pegasus declared, pointing his index finger at Saori.

She flushed red, "Me?!"

"Yes! You!" He confirmed, "Kido Mitsumasa started this plan… sending orphans all over the world to get his hands on our sacred cloth, and you know what?! We don't care! The children were welcomed to try earning them fair and square! Through sweat and blood! It's never a problem to us!"

What?

"But this tournament… Galaxian War is completely different kettle of fish!" He continued, eyes blazing with anger. "This farce… pitting our comrades in battle without honor! Without righteous cause! An entertainment!" He listed on, ignoring her flinch at each of them.

"You start this tournament on behalf of a dead man who has no idea what he was doing! They're fresh out of their training ground! They shouldn't be here to compete for a gold cloth they have no right for! You condemn them with dishonor that we're forced to put them down!"

Saori trembled, unable to return any of it. "I…"

"And that's not even the worst thing!" He was raising his voice now, his breathe came up short as if he was releasing every pent-up frustration he felt since this mission began. "You!" He pointed at her again, and Saori recoiled. "You didn't start this on your own will! And you have no resolution to see this stupid tournament through!"

Her eyes began to water, she wanted to defend herself but there was nothing she could say. He was right that the tournament was Grandfather's wish, and she felt obligated as his good granddaughter to fulfill it. She was scared when Hyouga and Akira came forward with intention to end it with force, because it was dishonorable… her grandfather wasn't that kind of man! He couldn't be wrong!

Tenma looked away, he looked pained and Saori felt it… all this time she knew she had been cruel and selfish towards the orphans. Seika taught her compassion and kindness, she regretted her action but that's it… she was just a child that didn't know better. It was a product of her upbringing. But this time, she really feel it. The foreign emotions called guilt, shame and regret.

"I… I…"

I am sorry…

"I can't acknowledge you…"

"Huh?!" It felt like thunder of Zeus himself had struck her, and Saori could hear her own heart pounding loudly. "What did you…"

He turned his back on her, walking away. "I can't acknowledge someone like you… You're just a foolish little girl who yearn approval of a dead man."

No, please don't!

"You're not her…" He declared before jumping over the railing and disappeared through the darkness of the night.

"NO!" She yelled as she fell on her knees.

Harried footsteps rushed towards her, and the door to the terrace slammed open by Seika and Tatsumi. "Saori?!"

"Ojou-sama?!"

Saori was catatonic when Seika pulled her to a warm embrace. "Saori?! What's wrong dear?"

Usually surrounded by Seika's warmth soothed her but this time Saori broke down in tears. "Huwaaa! No! No! This can't be happening! I am scared!" She sobbed and wailed to Seika's chest.

Seika was confused and fear for her sister, since their grandfather's death this was the first time Saori was this shaken. "You're scared…?" She repeated. "Saori… it's alright, your big sister is here for you."

"Please…" Saori pleaded, there was no dignity just a desperate and frightened girl. "Please don't leave my side."

That was when Seika realized, Saori's eyes were on her but the goddess incarnation was not looking at her. This plea was not for Seika but someone else.

"Please… don't."

Who was it? It was then Seika noticed there were two used cup of tea on the table, Saori had not been alone.

"Don't leave my side… please stay!"

My Pegasus… Tenma!

Please Review!

Yeah... I have been terrible to poor Saori. Sorry but this girl need to be taken down a peg or two during this tournament. It's not that Saori is a completely a terrible person as some fic portray her as, she is just a little girl who try her best to follow Kido's wish because she thought her grandfather know the best...
Unfortunately he DID NOT as Seika and Tenma pointed out repeatedly, the man thinks since Saori is Athena it would work out somehow and really... Saori in canon is so lucky Seiya and co are good boys, well at least Seiya and Shun, the rest just follow them because of friendship.

Not that Shiryuu and Hyouga are not as kind, but they're logical type of persons I can't imagine they will just follow Saori because she say she is Athena. In my opinion these two tagged along with Seiya and Shun because they can't leave the two on their own. Ha ha ha It's just how the mechanic of the team in canon works in my head...

Of course in this fic it shift a lot...

Tenma as you can see feels betrayed by Saori. While Sasha was taken by Sanctuary not by her own will, in the end she lead them not just out of sense of duty and do it WELL because she come to love her saints as Sasha. He didn't expect Saori to be Sasha of course, the same way he is not the same Tenma of LC. However finding out the disastrous tournament happen just because Saori is following a dead man's last wish is the last straw to him. Believe it or not Tenma would be happier if Saori said she start it because she feel it's the right thing to do. He won't question her much why... she is the Goddess of Wisdom after all, it works that way in LC.

He is a simple guy, and his devotion to Athena is equally simple. Saori of course failed spectacularly in this chapter, because her justification is someone else's will not hers and shaken to her core by Tenma's words. She didn't remember him, but instinctively I think all Athena's reincarnation know her Pegasus saint. So even though Saori didn't understand but in her very soul she know she had done something really wrong.