Dossier 3: Andromeda Shun
Dossier 3: Andromeda Shun
Tuesday, 1987/08/18 -- 6:30 a.m.
"Ohayou gozaimasu!" Himiko chimed. She had gotten up early as usual and already prepared breakfast. Singing merrily, she put the miso soup and rice onto the low table and poured green tea into the cups.
Makoto sighed. Not only since their trip to Greece she preferred coffee and toast in the morning, so she decided to prepare something for herself.
Hyoga entered the kitchen and looked around. Even though Makoto's coffee and toast beckoned, he decided to eat what his new mama served. If it was good enough for her, it should be good enough for him, too.
"Did you sleep well?" Makoto asked him.
"Sure. A Saint sleeps wherever he can," he said diplomatically. After the soft bed in Kido Mansion, the futon needed getting used to. But then, in the hut in Siberia he didn't have much luxury either.
"Fine," Makoto smiled. "You can furnish your room however you like, though."
"Thanks, but I think it's fine just as it is."
"I think it's a bit to spartan for my taste."
"You probably haven't lived in a wooden hut in Siberia for years," Hyoga laughed. "Compared to that it's paradise here. I mean, you even have a bathroom in the house!"
"Oh dear, I don't even want to imagine a house without bathroom!" Makoto gulped down her coffee. "Darn, we have to hurry or we'll be too late at work!"
"You're right," Himiko said in alarm. "Hyoga, will you accompany us?"
"Sure."
They went to the Graude Foundation Research Labs right away. Himiko and Makoto slipped into their lab coats while Hyoga was looking curiously around.
"And what can I do here?" he asked. Somehow he felt a little out of place.
"Help me," Himiko replied. "I can't lift those heavy Cloths!"
"If you find it too boring in here, you can jog a little around the block," Makoto suggested.
"Oh, I think I will watch what you are doing," Hyoga decided.
"Okay, who is next?" Himiko asked.
Makoto consulted their list. "Andromeda Shun."
"Fine! He's such a cutie!" Himiko said. "I hope he'll be on time."
As on cue, a spinach green head peered into the lab. "I hope I'm not late?"
"Nope, absolutely punctual," Makoto smiled. "Hello Shun."
The boy returned the smile. "Why do you want to examine me again?"
"Well, a lot of things happened since the last examination," Makoto answered. "Athena wants to make sure you're in perfect condition, and we are the ones who are to find out."
"Hello Shun," Hyoga greeted his friend.
"Hyoga! Are you being examined, too? By the way, Saori-san was a little upset that you weren't at the mansion last night."
"Indeed? Well, I decided to move in with my new mama."
"Mama? Interesting..." Shun looked curiously from Himiko to Makoto and back.
"Don't look at me -- he means Himiko," Makoto laughed.
"I see. -- Your new mama, huh?"
"Sure!" Hyoga told him. "It's not what you think again!"
"And what do you think it is that I think?" Shun asked innocently.
"Only the worst, as usual. And of course you manage to hide everything behind your highly innocent face."
Shun looked back at Hyoga as if he had just obtained a freshly polished halo. "But I would never do such a thing!"
"I don't believe you," Hyoga grinned.
"Pah." Shun stuck out his tongue at him. Unfortunately they knew each other much to good after all of their battles.
"Hey Shun, cut it out, I want to begin with the examination," Makoto told him. "First thing is to take your measurements..." She took her tape measure and wrote down the results. "1.70m! You have grown a bit since the last time!"
"Well, I hope I'll grow even a little more. Although I'm now a bit taller than Seiya!"
"Well, this can change over time... -- Please step onto the scales!" Makoto looked at the result. "52kg... This is not enough for your size. You really have to eat better."
"I do eat well. I just don't put on much weight, I'm afraid."
Meanwhile, Hyoga helped Himiko weigh the Andromeda Cloth. "Puh, 22.5kg! It's far heavier than the Pegasus Cloth."
"Well, there's more material to it, after all," Makoto commented.
"True, but still I'm amazed that a little boy like Shun has no problems carrying it around."
"I'm stronger than I look," Shun said proudly.
"He's so adorable," Himiko said soulfully. "Maybe I should adopt him, too."
"Oh dear, I hope you will not adopt all motherless Saints," Makoto groaned. "That would be about all of them..."
"Oh, only if they are cute," Himiko said and stood at the tips of her toes to tousle Hyoga.
"You will not adopt any more 'children'!" Makoto warned her friend.
"Well, at least I have my kawaii Hyoga-kun..."
"He's more than enough."
"Are you finished with me?" Shun wanted to know.
"No, I need some more data," Makoto told him.
"But when I marry my Camus-sama I want some children with him, too," Himiko said.
"Oh, I'd love to have a little sister," Hyoga said wistfully. "After all, I have more brothers than I really need..."
"I'm sure you wold be a perfect big brother," Makoto said amused.
"Of course," Hyoga nodded. "Now we only have to convince my master..."
"Convince Camus? To do what?" Shun asked curiously.
"You see, Himiko s deeply in love with my master, but unfortunately he hasn't found his love to my new mama yet."
"I see," Shun said thoughtfully. He didn't remember Camus well. After all, he had seen him only very briefly during the Sanctuary battle and knew him mainly from Hyoga's tales.
"My Camus-sama is such a wonderful man," Himiko sighed and a fresh heart appeared right above her.
"What is that?" Shun was amazed.
"A pink heart," Hyoga explained. "She produces them whenever she thinks of my master."
"Strange. Since when is she able to do so?"
"Since she discovered Camus. -- And now give me your arm, Shun. It's time for blood pressure and a blood sample."
"I'm sure this has to be true love," Hyoga stated.
"It's definitely unique," Shun admitted and tried to catch one of the hearts which burst on contact. "Oh, they seem to be very fragile!"
"They are like soap-bubbles," Hyoga nodded.
Makoto sighed and dragged Shun back to the examination table. She still needed his blood. "Be a good boy and stay here," she ordered.
"Okay..."
"Shall I help you?" Himiko volunteered.
"Do you think you can hold him?" Makoto wanted to know.
"I'll try." Himiko joined her at the table. "Just try to keep still," she soothed the boy and tousled his green hair. "Makoto will be careful."
"Somehow I don't believe this." Shun eyed Makoto and her syringe suspiciously.
"It won't hurt," the doctor promised as all doctors do.
"Shhh, Shun, relax," Himiko cooed.
"I don't like this," Shun complained and tried to get away, but Himiko put her arm around his shoulder.
"There, there, little one. Be a good boy and let the doctor do her work." Himiko tousled his hair again. Shun looked sulkily at her, but complied. Somehow this was a totally new experience for him.
"I wonder if you will comfort me like this when it's my turn," Hyoga mused.
"Sure I will. I adopted you as my son, didn't I? Too bad that Makoto won't allow me to adopt Shun, too. He's such a helpless, cute little baby Saint."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hyoga said wryly.
Shun smiled contentedly and leaned against Himiko. Why shouldn't he get a mama, too?
"Be brave, Shun!" Himiko said when Makoto came with her syringe.
"Yes, mama," he grinned.
"See, Makoto? Why can't I keep him as well?"
"Because then it wouldn't take long and we have all the others with us, too," Makoto sighed.
"Indeed. You can't get Shun without Ikki weasling around," Hyoga pointed out.
"Ikki? That's this Phoenix Saint, isn't he?" Makoto asked.
"Yes, that's my nii-san," Shun nodded.
"I really don't need him to be around..." Makoto put her syringe away. "I'm finished now." She tousled his hair.
"But they are all so cute!"
"I don't think anyone could consider Ikki as cute," Hyoga laughed.
"According to my information he's dangerous," Makoto pondered. "But Shun is cute."
Immediately, the green-haired boy strived to look especially cute and fragile.
"Yes, I'm sure he'd be a very nice and obedient little son, won't you say?" Himiko smiled at him and he smiled back particulary sugary.
"Somehow I have the feeling that Shun isn't as nice and obedient as he acts here right now," Makoto frowned.
"Shun? He's absolutely sweet and innocent," Himiko was sure.
"You bet!" Hyoga laughed.
"You are just too credulous." Makoto shook her head.
Shun kept quiet and simply looked at Himiko with especially large, deep bluish green eyes.
Hyoga leaned against the wall and put his hands into the pockets. "Before we went to Sanctuary, Shun came late," he told them smugly. "And guess why? He had a girl with him..."
Shun gave Hyoga a dark look.
"Yeah, yeah... Cute and totally innocent," Hyoga teased.
Shun had difficulties to keep up with his cute face. If he told off Hyoga he would totally ruin his act.
"Don't say such nasty things about Shun," Himiko scolded him.
"Nasty? It's just the truth!"
"Is not," Shun sulked. "You are only jealous!"
"I'm not. After all, Himiko is my new mama."
"I want a mama, too," Shun sniffed.
"Why don't you adopt him?" Hyoga asked Makoto. If she didn't want Himiko to adopt another child, she might consider adopting one herself.
"Do I look as if I want to become a mother?"
"Oh yes!" Shun beamed at her.
"Forget it! And now we should go on with the examination." She wanted to get rid of Shun as fast as possible before Himiko got really some ideas. She fetched a tape recorder and gave the micro to Himiko. "You do the interview."
"Interview?" Shun asked.
"Yes. Your curriculum vitae." Himiko gave him a dazzling smile. He was so cute!
"I think I might become a little jealous after all," Hyoga muttered in a low voice only Makoto could overhear.
"Poor boy," she said. "So soon turned away by your new mama." She tousled his blond mane.
"No, she would never do that," Hyoga contradicted. "This little weasel tries to pry her away from me!" He pointed at Shun.
"But Shun is sweet, one can't deny that," Makoto mused.
"Well, he works hard to make all people believe it. And moreover, he usually succeeds."
"Obviously."
Himiko started the tape recorder. "When have you been born and where?"
"September, 9th, 1973 in Osaka, Japan," Shun answered.
"And where did you grow up?"
"We moved around a lot while I was a child. I was told my mother took us to a lot of foreign countries -- Italy, France, Germany..."
"Us? Ikki and you?"
"Yes. I didn't have a father, though. Ikki told me that mom raised us alone, but she had an accident when I was little. He said we were given to many different people, but then there was some assault at the village we were living, and he had to flee with me. He must have carried me many kilometres, but eventually some strange guys in black intercepted him and we were taken back to Japan and put into the orphanage where Seiya, Shiryu and the others lived, too."
"This sounds indeed weird. Have you ever found out who was behind this assault?"
Shun shook his head. "Ikki has some suspicions, though. Arythar told him about some weird things that supposedly go on in the world, but I think they are a bit too gross for my taste."
"Arythar? You mean this Albatross Saint with the self-made Cloth?"
"The same," Shun nodded.
Makoto made a mental note to ask the Albatross Saint about it when they examined him. If she remembered it, that is.
"Okay, so you came back to Japan," Himiko continued. "What did you do here?"
"Nii-san, Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, I and the others were taken to the Kido Mansion every day to train there. It was really hard." Shun's eyes filled with tears at the memories. He had always been the smallest and most fragile, and so the others usually had used him as punching ball. Of course, only as long as Ikki didn't watch. "If nii-san hadn't looked after me there, I would probably never have made it."
"And when did you get to your training place?"
"One day, Tatsumi called all of us boys together and let us draw lots. I was supposed to go to Death Queen Island, the most horrible of the training places, but nii-san intervened. He took my place there, while I was sent to Andromeda Island. Not that that training place was much better... But of course, I had a very kind teacher, while Ikki went through a living hell with his master, as he told me."
"Who was this teacher of yours?"
"Cepheus Albiore. He was just and kind. If it weren't for him and June, I wouldn't have attained my Cloth!"
"Who's June?"
"Chameleon Bronze Saint June. She was the only girl at the island and my only friend during the gruesome training. The other boys only beat me up all the time because I was smaller than they and I didn't like to hurt any of them."
"The more I hear of the Saints' training, the more I have severe doubts about Athena..."
"But she's our Goddess!" Shun contradicted. "It's our duty to fight for her and with her for the peace and continuation of the world."
"Hm." Himiko decided to change the subject. "And how did you get your Cloth?"
"When I thought I was ready I demanded that Albiore let me undergo the Sacrifice. He was worried and at first he didn't want me to try it, but it was the Test of Cloth for the Andromeda Cloth since the dawn of time and so finally he complied. You see, Ikki had taken my place at Death Queen Island, and so it was the least I could do, to bring the Andromeda Cloth back to Japan."
"Why bring it back to Japan, by the way?"
"Well, when Tatsumi send us away, he told us to bring back a Cloth or die trying. And I had promised Ikki that I would succeed."
Makoto, who listened to the interview with great interest, decided to swallow her comment about Athena's methods. The Saints wouldn't let anyone criticize her, it seemed.
"Okay, but now back to that Sacrifice. What exactly did you have to do to obtain the Cloth?"
"Do you know the story of Andromeda?" Shun wanted to know.
"Yeah, wasn't she some King's daughter who was chained to a rock to feed some sea monster?"
"Sort of... She was given as a sacrifice to atone for her mother's sin... And just like Andromeda was chained to a rock, I was chained to a rock, too, with the chains of the Andromeda Cloth. When the flood came, the water slowly rose, and it was my Test to master the chains of the Cloth to free myself of I would have drowned. And I did it," he said proudly.
"That must have been horrible!"
"It was," Shun admitted. "But every Saint has to under go some Test to attain his Cloth."
"Okay, and when you got it, you immediately returned to Japan?"
"Yes. I was taken to the Kido Mansion where Tatsumi told me and the other boys who had returned as Saints that they were to take part in a tournament with a Gold Cloth as prize. Actually, I didn't really want to fight the others, but Tatsumi insisted."
"Ah, yes. The Galaxian Wars. Seiya told us about it, too. Some fights were fought, and then Ikki stole the prize."
Shun merely nodded. The memory of his brother turning against him was still traumatic.
"I guess the following stuff until you got to Sanctuary was just the same as with Seiya..."
"Sure. We were together all the time. We were only separated when we reached Gemini Temple."
"That was real horror," Hyoga joined the talk. "I really hate to fight illusions -- you just can't grab them by the neck and punch them. The Gemini Saint threw us into Another Dimension with the idea to let us float there for all eternity."
"And how did you get out of it?"
"I used my chains," Shun took over again. "I shot them back into the temple and around a column, and so I could get back. But I lost Hyoga! I couldn't grab him, and so he floated away. It was terrible! I was so near, but not near enough to save him. Anyway, I managed to overcome the illusion of the Gemini Saint, and we went on. In Cancer, Leo and Virgo temple I couldn't do much, but when we reached Libra Temple, we found Hyoga in a Freezing Coffin. After Shiryu shattered it with one of the weapons of the Libra Cloth, I stayed and revived him with my Cosmo."
"Why was Hyoga in a Freezing Coffin in Libra Temple? I thought he floated in Another Dimension?"
"Obviously he fell out of it, and then he met Camus in the seventh temple and the Aquarius Saint simply froze him."
"Why should my Camus-sama do such a gruesome thing?" Himiko asked.
"My master did this to teach me a lesson. Sure, I was upset, too, in the beginning, but in retrospective I have to say, he just did it for me to make me achieve the ultimate Cosmo. That I failed him at first wasn't his fault," Hyoga explained.
"I think he just loves to show off and turn everything into ice cubes," Makoto surmised.
"That's not true! My master just didn't want me to be killed by any of the other Gold Saints."
"Well, at least he doesn't need a fridge."
"But didn't everybody say a Freezing Coffin made by my Camus-sama is unbreakable?" Himiko asked. "I mean, except for Makoto's hair dryer..."
"Theoretically, yes. But Shiryu used a weapon of the Libra Cloth, and he activated his ultimate Cosmo. -- By the way, how did this go with the hair dryer?!"
Himiko told Shun the story.
"Amazing." Shun gave Makoto a thoughtful gaze. The doctor looked at her watch.
"Anyone here who is hungry? It's time for a second breakfast."
"Yes, you two have to eat," Himiko agreed. "You are far too thin for your height. But still, first we have to finish the interview. Hyoga can start eating, and we'll join you soon. -- So what happened after you thawed Hyoga with your Cosmo?"
"Dunno. I was a little dizzy, I fear. Seiya told me he carried me all the way up to Sagittarius Temple, and there I regained consciousness. We fought our way through the temple against some tests Aiolos left there. Next was Capricorn Temple, but Seiya, Hyoga and I just passed it while Shiryu stayed to fight Shura. The same with Aquarius Temple -- Camus wasn't interested in fighting Seiya and me at all, and we went on, while Hyoga stayed to fight him."
"Huh? Aren't the Goldies supposed to guard the temples? How comes that Camus just let you pass?" Makoto inquired.
"My master wanted to test me," Hyoga mumbled with his mouth full of toast. "Seiya and Shun weren't his disciples."
Shun continued. "Then we reached Pisces Temple where I dueled with Aphrodite. It was a hard battle, but I managed to defeat him. Unfortunately, he struck me down with his final attack, a life force sucking white rose, but Athena revived me. We went to the Kyoukou's temple, and together we fought Saga. With much luck we managed to defeat him and his good side took over in the end. Then he took his own life before Athena, as he couldn't live on with his crimes, and he was afraid his bad side might take over again."
"This sounds very tragic," Himiko said and a tear run down her cheek. She wondered how Saga was today, as he had been revived by Gaia, too. Was he still divided in a god-like good side and a demonic evil side? She hoped not.
"Next we fought against Hilda and her God Warriors who challenged Athena -- but we were stronger. Then there was Poseidon who was defeated within 12 hours, too. Hades was a bit more difficult, but in the end we triumphed, too. And now I'm hungry." Shun went to the table were Makoto put all of the stuff she had brought along.
"Well, I guess this was the short-short version," Himiko said amused. "But we can't let you starve, ne?"
Shun grinned and munched on a sandwich. Hyoga had reached the finger food now and dipped a maki sushi into the soy sauce before it disappeared in his mouth.
"I want to move in with you, too, when you always make such yummy food," Shun said.
"And what about me?" Another familiar voice could be heard. "I was to report here for some examination..."
"I knew it," Makoto sighed. "As soon as there is food around, you will be there, too!"
Scorpio Gold Saint Milo grinned broadly and snatched a sandwich from the table. "Delicious! -- So, where exactly do you want to move in, Shun?"
"Where Hyoga already moved in."
"If it's with Makoto and Himiko, then this is right where I will stay during the time of the examination."
"You are dreaming!" Makoto said incredulously.
"Well, in Sanctuary, you occupied my temple, so it's only fair that I stay in your house while I'm in Tokyo."
"I don't run a hotel!" Makoto protested.
"My temple isn't a hotel either, but still you occupied it," Milo shrugged. "So where can I put my things?"
"We don't have enough space!"
"I don't need much."
"But Mako, next to Hyoga's room there is some space left," Himiko pointed out.
Makoto gave Himiko a deadly stare. "We didn't rent a house to have a dozen Saints live with us."
"But they are sooo cute... And we even could accomodate my Camus-sama, too."
"We could put him into a wardrobe, sure. The house isn't that large!"
"No wardrobe! My Camus-sama will stay with me of course."
"Not if he has a say in it, I'm sure."
"I will convince him. You'll see!" Himiko produced some new pink hearts.
"This is truly amazing," Milo marvelled. "I thought it would stop after you left Sanctuary."
"No such luck. It just got worse."
"Fascinating. -- So Hyoga and Shun stay at your place?" Milo asked.
"Actually only Hyoga."
"But I want to move in, too," Shun told her. "It's definitely more interesting than living at Kido Mansion."
"Only if Ikki doesn't move in with you," Himiko warned.
"I'm sure he'll stay where he always stays," Shun promised and looked at Makoto and Himiko with a pleading look.
"Can't we keep him, too?" Himiko begged.
"Okay, I give in," Makoto moaned. "But that's it! No more!"
"And what about me?" Milo put on his best 'lost puppy' gaze.
"You are old enough to live on your own."
"But I want to stay with you, too!"
"Move into Kido Mansion. There are two vacant spots now."
"No way. I'm going to stay with you. You didn't ask me when you moved into my temple either."
"I did ask," Makoto contradicted. "You just said 'no'."
"So where's the problem? You said no, but I will stay anyway."
"I fear I can't hinder you..."
"Exactly. So where can I put my stuff?"
"Wherever you find some space. But not in my room!"
"I'll show you where you can stay as soon as we have finished here," Himiko promised, while Makoto didn't stop grumbling.
"And what about me?" Shun wanted to know.
"You will stay in Hyoga's room. There is still enough space for a second futon."
"Fine. I'll fetch my things right away," Shun beamed.
"Wonderful!" Himiko exclaimed. "All the cute Saints stay with us. If only I could convince my Camus-sama..."
"That'd be my dream come true," Makoto muttered.
"No mine," Himiko chimed.
"Bye-bye nice quiet home..."
"I won't disturb you," Shun promised.
"Me neither," Hyoga nodded.
"Let's wait and see," Makoto sighed and tousled Hyoga's hair. That was definitely something she could get used to.
Milo positioned himself next to Hyoga and looked expectantly at Makoto.
"Do you want something?"
"I feel neglected."
"That's your problem."
"You start being cruel again," Milo accused her.
"I never stopped."
"I really think you should be a bit more friendly to your man."
"My man? Who would that be?"
"Me of course."
"Wow! Two happy couples? How romantic," Shun exclaimed. "Now we do not only have Himiko and Camus, but also Makoto and Milo."
"That's absolutely none of your business," Makoto told him off. "I'm single and intend to stay that way."
"That's what my Camus-sama says, too," Himiko grinned. "But still he'll become my husband."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Maybe you'll reconsider."
"Never." Makoto crossed her arms. "And now we should finish this examination. We still need Shun's attacks for the record. Let's go to the test range."
"Whatever you say," Shun said merrily. Now he would also live in that house with a real mama and nice food and everything!
They went outside. The area was still frozen from Camus' attacks.
"What am I supposed to do now?" Shun asked.
"Show us all of your attacks, so that we can put them on file."
"Really all of them? That can take a while..."
"Well, Athena wants it, Athena will get it..."
Shun shrugged and demonstrated everything from Nebula Chain to Nebula Storm. Still Camus' ice held.
"Cool," Himiko commented. "This means we don't have to rebuild the range after every Saint!"
"But it's slippery," Milo, who already sat on his backside, complained.
"You're here at your own risk," Makoto grinned.
Finally they had filmed all of the attacks. It was quite an amount -- far more than the others had. Asked about it, Shun shrugged. "I'm more creative than the others, I guess," he said with an insolent grin.
"How many attacks do you have, Milo?" Himiko wanted to know.
"Two. But I don't need more to defeat my opponents," he said haughtily. "One to immobilize them and one to strike them down."
"And you, Hyoga?"
"Five. -- But I like some variety..."
"I think it's amazing that the amount of attacks differs so much between you," Makoto pondered. "Is there someone who invented them and taught them, or do they come with the Cloth?"
"Partly," Milo said. "The Scarlet Needle attack, for example, is just the Scorpio Saints'."
"Many of my attacks work only with the chains of my Cloth," Shun said. "Although I have some where I just activate my Cosmo. I guess they could be learned by others, too, if they reach my power level."
"Hm... Are there different Saints with the same attacks?"
"Well, my masters Camus and Crystal both use about the same attacks as I do. After all, Camus taught his attacks to Crystal, and Crystal and Camus both taught me. So we all can use Diamond Dust and Aurora Thunder. Camus and I both use Aurora Execution."
"I really have to put together list after we're through with all of you Saints," Makoto said.
"May I go now?" Shun asked. "I need to fetch my things from the Kido Mansion."
"Sure. Milo is next anyway."
"Ja mata!" Shun left the test range and jogged towards Kido Mansion.
