GWA17E

**START**

**Valnak's Revenge**

Tom had finally returned from seeing his friend, who had taught him many things. He returned to the Golden after a brief visit to his parents and brother to reassure them. However, there was almost no one at the university, so he inquired.

-I don't know what happened here, but I don't like it. – He thought. -

While visiting his home in Kansas, his parents expressed their concern. His mother commented to him with a worried look on her face just before he had to leave to catch the bus.

-Son. We heard on the news that something is going on in New York. There's a lot of unrest.

-Well, Mom, don't be afraid. That's just a common occurrence. People protest about things.

-Yes, but martial law is not usually declared. - He remembered his father's reply. -

-By the time I got back, I'm sure everything would have calmed down. - He assured them. -

-Be careful, Tommy. - His younger brother, who was also concerned, asked him. -

He was a little taller than him, with the same colour hair and eyes, although without the grey hair that was beginning to decorate part of Tom's own hair. The latter responded by resorting to humour to lighten the mood.

-Relax, Dany. So you can continue to occupy my room.

-Well, I wasn't going to let it stay empty, being so big and so well lit. - The boy smiled in turn. -

Although his father, more seriously as was his custom, said to him after putting a hand on his shoulder.

-Son, you are already a man. It's up to you to decide what to do with your life. We only ask you to be very careful.

-Yes, Dad. I will. I promise. - He agreed. -

And after hugging his family, he said goodbye to them. He walked slowly, strolling through the barley fields that surrounded his parents' farm. He loved that place.

-"I wish I could bring you here one day to see it, Connie - He thought, although he immediately felt a little guilty and said to himself.  - When we get Roy back, of course.

           He finally boarded that bus and after a long trip of several hours he arrived at his destination. He was a bit anxious in spite of everything, waiting for what he might find there. Fortunately, events seemed to prove him right. After the chaos of the last few days the things in the city seemed to have resumed to their normal course. Assaults were mitigated and martial law was finally abolished. Still, many students had not yet returned. The newcomer was pleased to get the phone number of the girls in town from the faculty secretary and especially when, upon calling them, they told him that Roy was well again.

-Yes, he's at his apartment. - Bertie told him who was the one who answered. -

-I'll be right there. I'll meet you at his apartment then. - He replied with obvious joy, thanking them. - Thank you girls, you're great!

-We don't get all the credit, some friends helped us. - Bertie confessed. -

-I hope I get to meet them too. - He said, wanting to know right away. - How is your sister?

-Connie is very well, thank you. She's at the university now to rehearse with the cheerleaders. - His interlocutor told him. -

-Well, call that punk Roy. Or better yet, don't tell him anything. And we'll show up to see him. - Tom proposed. –

Beruche smiled amused to hear that, it wasn't a bad idea. At last she said goodbye to her friend.

-I hope Cooan comes back soon," - the girl thought. - I'll have to tell him that Tom is back.

Her sister was rehearsing, just as she had told her. Together with the cheerleading squad she was making up for lost time. At last Melanie had returned to take charge of leading them again. The captain seemed to have recovered. But she had announced a change.

-From now on, I'll be leading the football team. April will take over basketball.

Her second nodded. She could well understand the reason for the change. In fact, they all knew why. Even if none of them wanted to talk about it. At the end of the rehearsal, Melanie even approached Cooan and asked politely.

- How are you doing? I haven't seen you for many days.

-I was with my sister and some friends who came to visit. We had to take care of them. It would have been very rude not to. At least in my country that's the custom. -Cooan justified herself. -

-Of course, I understand. – Her companion smiled slightly. - Say hello to Bertie for me. Will you?

-Of course. - Cooan replied, surprised by this. -

Although she didn't ask, she was evidently no stranger to the run-ins her sister had had with the cheerleading captain. Perhaps now, after what had happened with Roy, Melanie had realized that Bertie had nothing to do with it. Nor that she was the cause of the boy's estrangement from her. She walked away to go to the locker room and as Cooan was about to do the same she was approached this time by April.

-I'm glad you're both well. You had us worried, were you sick? - She asked her. -

-Thank you, but we were fine. - Her interlocutor smiled. -

- Aren't you going back to college, Connie? - her companion asked. -

-Not at the moment. Maybe later we will. When my friends go back to Japan. - She replied. -

- Are you staying nearby? - April asked. -

-Well, you know Golden is out of town. But we are not far. - Cooan commented. -

-I'd like to pay you a visit, in case you need anything. - Her interlocutor smiled. -

-You are very kind. I'll give you our address. - Her companion replied affably. -

April smiled, grabbing soon a small notebook she had, to write down things about the cheerleading squad. Cooan wrote her directions, commenting in the meantime.

-Come by anytime. We'll introduce you to our friends.

-I'd be delighted. - Her partner agreed. -

And without further ado, they went to shower and change. Cooan returned to the apartment she had rented with her sister, who informed her of Tom's call.

-Great, so we'll all be together again! - She exclaimed with joy. - We have to tell the girls.

-To tell you the truth. I don't know where they are. The two of them are behaving rather strangely. They're going here and there, and they're always looking around. - Bertie told her. -

-It's only natural. The poor girls have come to help us defeat those scoundrels. - Cooan pointed out. -

            Her sister nodded, although she was thoughtful and did not hesitate to share her thoughts.

-It's that Ami, for example, she is very reticent. We usually talk about everything and now she hardly tells me anything about what they do. I get the impression that she's hiding something. She and Rei hardly come to see us these days.

- Ami and Rei hiding things to us? No, I don't think so. - Cooan rebutted, in a more carefree way, to add. - It's just that they're in a place they don't know and they'll want to get acquainted with it. Besides. You know Ami has a lot of studying to do. And, either I don't know Rei, or she'll be restless thinking about the shrine. You know, she'll say...- Cooan commented paraphrasing her sailor friend. - "I can't leave Grandpa and Yuuichirou alone. I'm sure they'll do some of their own" ....

Bertie chuckled in spite of herself nodding!!!, she was possibly being overly paranoid. Now that Roy was safe and back and her friends were there, things were much better. Her enemies seemed to have evaporated. So she agreed in a more relaxed tone.

-It's true...the poor things will be taking the opportunity to do some sightseeing and they will also be worried about what might happen at home. Well, I told you I'm meeting Tom at Roy's apartment. We should go right away. - She explained to her sister. -

            It didn't take them long to come. They came first. Roy opened the door for them with a wide smile.

-My favourite warriors. Come in. - He offered them with affability. -

The two girls hugged him and entered. It was Cooan who declared amused.

- What more could we want! Our friends are very special.

-Of course they are. - His interlocutor nodded. - I hope they'll let us invite them to something to thank them.

- Oh, they will, no doubt about it. - Bertie smiled. -

And just before his interlocutor could answer anything, they heard a noise. Someone was calling.

- Hey, it's Tom! - He announced himself loudly, rapping his knuckles. -

- Tommy! - A happy Roy exclaimed. - I'm coming. - the owner of the house added, he opened the door with a broad smile. - Hello, my friend.

They both hugged each other tightly. Tom was so happy he could hardly utter a word, at last he could say.

- What a joy, thank God it's you again! - After a few moments to calm down and seeing the smiling faces of the girls and his friend he added more seriously. - I have quite a bit of news to tell you, you can't even imagine! There are many things I have learned. And all of them very important...

The girls also embraced the newcomer, visibly happy.

-We asked him to come here, to surprise you. - Bertie told her host. -

-Well, he has. I'm very happy to have you all here. - Roy affirmed. -

        And inviting everyone to sit down, he sat on a sofa and turned to his friend.

- Don't keep us on tenterhooks. Tell us everything you've been doing, Tommy.

- You will see. - The questioned responded immediately beginning his narration. - The thing was not easy, I went to see a friend whose name is Anthony, don't ask me his last name, I don't know it, he doesn't usually give it. He is a very special guy, he is devoted to investigate all kinds of paranormal activities and does not like publicity. He prefers to stay hidden.

- And how did you get to know him? - Beruche wanted to know. -

- He passed by my house once, he stopped to rest, although he was rather battered as a result of one of his investigations and I helped him. My parents were away and my brother Dany was at school. At first he was suspicious, but he must have liked me and told me about his activities. I didn't pay too much attention to him at the time and when he recovered, he politely said goodbye to me and gave me his card. He told me that if I ever needed his help I should call him and I did. When I spoke to him on the phone, I summarized our situation and he indicated that I should go see him quickly. He gave me his current address, although I think he must have changed it by now. - He added with a slight smile....

- He's a really slippery guy. - Roy declared, visibly surprised. -

- Yes, but most important of all, he knew about your problem. In fact, he knew more about it than anyone else. - His friend explained, leaving them all dumbfounded. -

Roy looked at him with his open mouth, as did the girls, and immediately, before they asked him, Tom explained...

- He was part of the group in charge of protecting you, in fact, he is the only survivor. I, of course, rushed to his place of residence and he received me after checking who I was....

           The boy knocked on the door and a tall, grey-haired individual with a scrutinizing look in sharp grey eyes opened it.

- Hello Anthony, I came as quickly as I could. - Tom greeted him. -

- Come in. - He indicated him laconically to close the door as soon as his guest crossed it. -

- You told me you were familiar with all this. What did you mean? - his interlocutor asked him. -

- That's right. Even now I realize that meeting you was no accident. You were destined to be Roy's friend.

With the boy's inquisitive gaze on him Anthony told him ...

- Other people, unfortunately missing, and myself, were in charge of protecting your friend since he arrived in this city. He was sent by the leaders of that damned sect, since he possesses within him a terrible demon that must develop in him and when he reaches maturity, he will be summoned to resurface with a terrible power capable of destroying the world. We try to prevent this at all costs by misleading them, taking the child from them and sealing his evil side with magic. But the minions of the cult finished my companions off. I was saved by remaining strictly anonymous and also, unfortunately, I lost track of Roy. But, as far as I can see, unfortunately they have managed to reactivate Armageddon, despite all the efforts we made in the past to prevent it.

- And how can we free my friend from that monster? - Tom wanted to know with growing anxiety and concern. -

- It won't be easy. We will need sacred elements and we will have to act in conjunction. For everything is intertwined, the demons have, as I suppose you suspected, a physical and an astral part and we must be able to eliminate them in both, at least in this dimensional plane.

- I have some friends who will help us, one of them masters oriental white magic rites. - The boy commented in allusion to Connie. -

- That could be of great help to us because both, the eastern and western, and many other types of white magic that exist, despite being of different origin, are valid against our enemies, as they have in common their source of power. They come from what we could call the Force of Good.

- The Force of Good, you mean God? - An astonished Tom asked him. -

With a cryptic gesture and a somewhat enigmatic tone, Anthony answered.

          The young man was sitting in a sturdy leather armchair and listened to what his mentor was telling him, both astonished and frightened.

- What these demons really want is to create a passage between our world and theirs. For that they need to obtain five mystical stones called Yalmutud and arrange them in a pentagon shape. I don't know where these stones come from or what they symbolize, but that is their main mission. Armageddon and Valnak are nothing more than advanced pawns. They will be in charge of gathering them and paving the way for their companions.

-So, those biblical allusions about the arrival of Armageddon. - Tom could say really astonished. -

-They undoubtedly referred to this demon. He will have the mission of opening the doors of our dimension to the evil that dwells in Avernus. - Anthony added. - Perhaps the final battle will be fought in Megiddo. But other versions extend it to the whole Earth, against the kings of the Earth!

Everyone nodded visibly worried. Although they did not know who those enigmatic kings were, they now understood the importance of those spheres, but the story continued ...

- And if they get them all, how will we stop them? - Tom asked, very frightened. -

- I don't know if they've got them yet, although from the latest news they must have started to gather them," - Anthony replied. - They are scattered around the world, hidden in sacred places that act as seals. At the moment, four of their locations in different cities have already been razed. I suspect it was them and unfortunately they must already have four of the five stones. If they had all of them, God forbid, it would be a very bad thing. But they should still wait for a planetary conjunction.

- And when will that be?  - his colleague anxiously wanted to know. -

- I don't know yet. Give me time to calculate it. - Anthony asked in a measured tone. -

Then Beruche interrupted the story again with a resigned and dejected tone.

- Unfortunately they already have the last stone, the sailors and us were unable to stop them.

- That doesn't matter," Tom told her with a reassuring gesture. - Anthony told me later that he didn't think the alignment would happen for some time, but he said he would call me when it does. So, for now, we don't have to worry about it.

- Yes," - Roy mumbled with a tone full of resentment. - Now we have to take care of that damned Valnak and his henchmen. Unfortunately, I don't remember anything from when I was there. I know he led me to his base, but I can't figure out how he did it, damn it! - he lamented, resting his head between his clasped hands. - If only I remembered something.

- Don't worry. - His friend encouraged him, trying to soothe him. - The main thing is that you're all right. - The latter nodded more calmly and his companion concluded with the story. - Anthony gave me a few magical defences and some amulets, similar to Connie's. He explained how to use them and then he left. He explained how to use them and then said goodbye, promising to call me when he knew something new.

Tom pulled from his shirt pocket and handed them to each of his friends.

- I'll call Ami and Rei to tell them. Rei, besides being a priestess, is a medium and has mastered anti-spirit spells, that will help us. - Cooan assured, putting the bag in one of the pockets of her blouse. -

- While you coordinate with Rei, I'll take care of talking to Ami,"- Beruche added, - "with her computer and her knowledge, we'll find out where they're hiding faster.

- Well, then Tom and I will take care of investigating what we can on our own. - Roy intervened. -

- We have to go now and tell the girls, there's not a moment to lose. - Cooan responded as she and Beruche got up and said goodbye with a hopeful - "see you guys later.

         The two boys were left alone and when Tom was sure they were gone he revealed to Roy.

- My friend also told me that he was a seer and, when I told him about you, he told me that you have a great occult power. He advised me to train you. What's more, he gave me an address to go to where no one will bother you. Now we will go there.

- What power does he mean? - Not what has happened to me since those demons appeared? - the boy asked, remembering his ability to fly and his increased strength. -

- Yes, that's what it's all about. - His interlocutor affirmed. - Anthony didn't give me too many explanations, but he insisted a lot that you should improve and train your abilities. He believed that with them you could become much stronger than that Valnak.

- I wouldn't want the girls to know, not at the moment. - His partner commented. -

- That's not a problem for me, that's why I waited for them to leave, among other things. If they knew, they would want to dissuade you at all costs. This way, if they ignore it, we will also be able to protect them. -His colleague agreed, moreover. - The best thing to do is to keep it a secret and above all not to let the enemy know about it.

            And without further ado he picked up Roy's phone and called a cab, the vehicle arrived in fifteen minutes and drove them, half an hour later, to the room Tom had mentioned.

-We have arrived. - He indicated to his friend as he got out of the vehicle and opened a door. - We have to go up...

So they did, several floors up, Roy watched in disbelief. His guide opened another rickety wooden door and they entered. It was a large room on top of a rooftop with many windows closed by thick chipboard protections. It was practically empty, only a kind of tatami covered it. The only object that adorned the room was a wooden chest. Tom opened it with a creak of its hinges and laboriously pulled out a blue sweater.

- Anthony indicated to me that you should wear this for training. - He explained to his friend, offering him the garment. -

- Are you crazy, man? - Roy exclaimed with a gesture of disbelief as he tried to hold it. - How am I going to wear it? This must weigh a ton. - He added, weighing the effort he had to make just to hold it in his hands. -

- Anthony had a vision -" Tom said with a serious look on his face. - He saw you, wearing a uniform similar to this one and training hard. You were in an empty place, white in colour and you were very strong, stronger than you can imagine now. He thought he saw something in the colour of your hair, but he couldn't quite remember what it was.

- Okay, okay. I'll try to put it on, - his friend agreed who however objected immediately now with better judgment - but getting used to such a heavy vest will take time. How much does this weigh? I'm just curious.

- More than a hundred pounds. - Tom calculated indifferently. -

- Over a hundred pounds! - Roy's face was a poem. - Anyway, what can I do! - he sighed and with Tom's help he managed to put it on - I can hardly move! - He complained grumbling. -

- Well, the boots you have to wear weigh about thirty pounds each," his companion added with covert derision. –

          From the chest, and also with considerable effort, he pulled out a pair of boots that looked like diving boots. Roy was getting more and more aghast as his colleague added to them....

- These wrist straps weigh ten pounds each. In total that's about two hundred pounds or so. From now on you'll have to wear it whenever you can to get used to it, and you should be able to move normally. - Tom informed him and added condescendingly. - Don't worry, Anthony told me you could do it.

His partner looked at him like he was crazy, but he compromised and put on all the equipment. He could barely stand, he tried to walk, but his feet felt like they were treading on a surface full of glue as he had to make a superhuman effort to move them off the ground.

- Do I have to wear this all the time? -  Roy, who on this occasion gave his companion a pleading look, asked. -

- No man, you can take it off to sleep. - Tom smiled amused and added. - You can only use it here, in this room. At least until you get familiar with it. Then you can train outside.

- Well, I'll try. - The boy said resignedly, not believing himself too capable of passing such a test.

But the days passed and indeed his friend was right, little by little he was making progress, moving more and more fluently. Tom fought against him to teach him a few blows so that Roy could practice. The sect meanwhile was preparing for the day of the conjunction. For his part Valnak had been waiting for more information. The subject of his main mission almost didn't bother him anymore, he was much more focused on preparing his revenge.

-At least that stupid girl is going to be more useful than I thought. - He said to himself. -

            And for some reason unknown to him, his partner Armageddon had insisted that this girl was important. That he should provide her with whatever information she asked for in payment for her help. Valnak did not question the motives of his eliminated comrade and after being telephoned by that girl telling him she had the whereabouts of her companions he agreed to see her. In his appearance of an ordinary man he met her in a park.

-I have the address of these two girls in the city. It cost me, but I got it. - His informant repeated with an almost triumphant tinge in her voice. -

-Very good, you have kept your word. - The demon nodded with approval. -

- Please, now I'd like you to tell me where my sister is. - April asked him with a pleading tone. -

After remaining silent for a few moments, Valnak nodded, commenting nonchalantly.

-If that's all you want, no problem. Here.

And in turn he passed a card to the girl. On it was written an address.

-Thank you. - She mumbled. -

-You are welcome. - The demon smiled. -

April stared at that card, reading that address to learn it by heart. Finally, she wanted to add.

-Well, I hope that...

          However, she immediately shut up when she realized that she was now alone on that bench. That guy had vanished without her noticing. She could not understand how he did it. Perhaps she had been so focused on her thoughts that she didn't even notice him leave.

-I'll be right there. - She said to herself, eager to see her sister. -

       Valnak for his part took the opportunity to disappear when no one was around. Without wasting time, he returned to his headquarters and summoned another demon by the name of Igmodían, whom he sent to spy on the movements of the boys.

-Search for these individuals. - He ordered him to show the images of both of them in a ball. -

-As my master wishes. - He bowed and disappeared. -

            After tracking them for a few hours, the demon located Bertie walking through the city. He followed her in human form to a secluded park and at that hour, deserted of people, where she had met Ami and Rei. He reported this telepathically to Valnak who ordered him to attack them. When Beruche arrived along with her sailor friends, her sister Cooan was also there.

- Come on Bertie, it's about time! - Rei said impatiently rebuking her. - You're starting to act like Usagi.

- I'm sorry I'm late, I just couldn't figure out the bus combinations. - She apologized with embarrassment. -

- Tom called me a while ago, after you left. - Cooan informed her sister. - His friend told him when the planetary alignment will be.

- And when will it be? - Ami asked. -

- In six weeks - the questioned one answered. -

- We have little time. - Rei affirmed with a thoughtful expression as if calculating something. -According to the present situation of the planets...

She could not finish the sentence, the demon, appearing to be a man with long dark hair and deep red eyes, came out of his hiding place and attacked them. Ami pulled away at the last second her friend Bertie who was Igmodian's first target, causing him to miss stabbing her with his claw-like hands. The girls scattered, the sailors transformed and fought the demon. Their opponent dodged them and a fierce battle began. Finally, Cooan intervened by casting a spell that immobilized him. In turn Rei finished him off with her firebird, making him explode.

- That was one of Valnak's hitmen, I'm sure. - Cooan declared, still panting from the effort. -

- Yes, those demons are watching us, we can't let our guard down even for an instant. - Rei who recapitulated on the thread of what whe was meditating when the attack occurred agreed. - If my conjectures are not wrong, and judging by that planetary quadrature, they will have to carry out that rite near this same city. Then they will have to arrange the stones in order and in the form of a five-pointed star.

- In that case we should scour the vicinity of New York and locate the right spot. That way we would still be able to prevent them from carrying out their plan. - Ami added. -

- It will be difficult and very laborious. - Beruche objected, justifying her pessimism immediately with a more realistic argument. - This city has a huge metropolitan area.

- But we'll find them out, we're smarter than them! - Cooan encouraged with her classic, overflowing optimism. -

- The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll get some results. - Rei then said, -  "The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll get some results. - Ami and I will take care of that. You two stay with Roy and Tom. You must stick together in case this Valnak tries something new against you.

          Both sisters nodded, they had had a very recent example in that last fight. Surely that demon would be furious and sooner or later would seek revenge. Possibly he was already planning it. They decided to take extreme precautions and separated ways from the warriors. However, a few days’ later things seemed calmer, classes resumed and they decided to move back to the campus. They were busy packing up their apartment. Beruche was carrying some cardboard boxes with some of her things, when she found the dormitory door closed. That was a nuisance since those boxes were so heavy and bulky, she didn't dare leave them on the floor to open and have to pick them up again.

- Cooan! - she called to her sister with an imperious tone. - Open the door for me, please!

She must have heard her and obeyed instantly, for the door swung wide open and Bertie was able to take out the boxes.

- How heavy they are! - She complained, trying to move forward with them until she noticed that her burden was relieved. Her sister would have held the boxes underneath her. Beruche smiled, adding acknowledgment. - Thank you Cooan, if it weren't for you ...!

The sentence stuck in her throat without being able to be finished and her gesture contracted into an expression of horror. In front of her was Valnak who floated that weight in the air as he watched her with a look of evil glee and hissed at her.

- Moving, miss? Can I help you?

Bertie tried to look for her sister with her eyes. She was very worried and frightened. Although the demon anticipated her by pointing to the floor behind him, there lay Cooan lying apparently unconscious.

- Damn monster, what have you done to my sister? - Beruche spat at him, grabbing a thick glass ashtray and preparing to throw it at his enemy. - Answer me!

Valnak smirked with a shrug as he dodged effortlessly, the ashtray clattering to the ground. The demon then responded indifferently as the boxes also fell to the ground with a dry clatter....

- More or less this. - He sentenced by launching against Bertie a barrage of energy waves at low power, although enough to knock her to the ground unconscious. -

When the girl came to her senses she found herself in the middle of a room that was completely alien to her, there was also her sister, tied up next to her. Cooan awoke in turn, looking in all directions in bewilderment.

- Where are we? - Beruche mumbled, still half-stunned. -

- I don't know, oh, my head hurts! - Her interlocutor answered querulously, also under the effects of shock.  -

The mocking voice of the demon brought them the answer...

- Welcome to my humble abode, at least the one I've earned to be in this miserable world, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I hope you don't feel at all comfortable...

The two recognized the terrified voice and when their vision cleared they could see their enemy before them.

- What are you going to do with us? - Beruche asked him with a trembling voice, but trying to keep her poise. -

- Now you scum are in my power! - Valnak laughed with a truly demonic laugh and then hissed threateningly. - You will pay dearly for your treachery, the death of my comrade Armageddon and the humiliations you have put me through! - Meanwhile he materialized a crystal ball in his right hand adding with sarcastic kindness. - But a little patience, now I have to talk to your little friend.

Thanks to the ball he managed to communicate with Roy. He was lying in the room, resting from his exhausting training when, before his surprised eyes, the figures of Beruche and Cooan materialized. Both are tied to chairs and next to them the figure of Valnak who looked at him smiling contrasting with the terrified eyes of the two girls. The young man jumped up despite his tiredness.

- Hello, Roy Malden. - The demon smiled sinisterly. - It's so good to see you again. And look how well accompanied I am. Do these faces look familiar? - He pulled the girls' chairs closer to himself so they would be more visible through his ball. -

- Sure Valnak - Roy smiled incredulously. - It's another one of your cheap illusion tricks.

- Yeah? Do you think so? - The demon responded mockingly, untying Beruche from the chair. Grabbing her by the arm he roughly pulled her even closer to the ball and demanded... - Speak, bitch!  Tell your stupid partner if I'm lying or not.... Tell him if he doesn't come here he can watch me kill you live, eh, Roy Malden? You'll be able to watch your two little bitches die and without paying a monthly fee, with Valnak TV, in a broadcast just for you? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

Roy's face was demodulated by surprise and horror, his heart made him see that this was no trick. The pleading and terrified looks of his two companions could not be simulated, just like that.

- Don't come Roy, it's a trap, he wants to hurt you, please don't come! - Beruche implored him but Valnak slapped her to the ground to shut her up. -

- Of course it's a trap, Roy! - Valnak moaned imitating in falsetto the tone of his prisoner with mockery. - But don't worry man, I don't just want to hurt you. - He added with false melosity to change into a hiss of hatred. - I want to kill you!

The two sisters trembled in terror, the demon, amused by this, continued now more calmly in a tone that even seemed condescending....

- I'll give you a chance, though, so you'll see that I'm generous. A fight between you and me, to the death of course, if you win I'll let them go free.

- And how do I know you'll keep your part? - The boy said to the image. -

- You don't know, stupid... that's the fun of it. - The demon gloated. -

- You better let them go now and I'll come and face you! You can take my word for it. - Roy proposed desperately. -

- I know, silly, but that's not the way things are, where's your sense of drama? If I blurted them out now it wouldn't be funny. Besides, I want them to see how I tear you apart with my hands. – Valnak rebutted who was enjoying the moment very much, he knew he had the enemy completely at his mercy-... What are you saying, are you amused by the idea?

Roy was boiling with anger, he felt impotent and had no choice but to accept the conditions, whatever they were. But he was convinced that Valnak only wanted him. He had to take a gamble and he made up his mind. At that moment Tom arrived and watched the scene with a horrified look on his face. But fortunately he knew where to locate the girls and stayed out of his enemy's line of sight.

-Thank goodness the amulets I gave them also emit a signal I can pick up. - The boy thought with at least that feeling of relief in the midst of his fear. -

           The demon, oblivious to this, continued with his sinister speech to rivet his position of superiority.

- I hope you don't try anything, because I'll take one as a hostage and the other will remain a prisoner here. If you don't do what I tell you and when I tell you, I will send one of my demons to kill her. So you know, I have the reins of this matter and if you don't obey me your little friends are going to have a very bad time.

- That's right! - bellowed the boy crazed with rage and fury against his rival. - Wherever and whenever you want, you fucking bastard, I'm going to tear you apart!

- Ha, ha, ha, ha, we'll see about that, stupid! - His enemy said shaking his head. Valnak's laughter echoed throughout the room, when he calmed down a bit he added. - In two hours, over the Manhattan Bridge, and you come alone!

- I'll be there and I'll make you regret it! - Roy answered with a defiant and tense look on his face. -

             Valnak's image disappeared in laughter. During the challenge Bertie wanted to have tried to dissuade her partner without succeeding. She could not move with her wrists tied behind her back. She could barely get to her knees. But the demon lifted her by one arm again, returning her to the chair, and after tying her up he gave a cruel smile of triumph....

Roy pulverized a huge table with a single punch with which he vented his rage. Tom stepped in to reassure him by telling him what he had been thinking.

- Listen, I can locate them, the amulets I gave you emit a signal that will lead us to them. At least to the one that demon left there.

- Very well, Tom. - His companion sighed, trying to control himself because he knew it was useless to get carried away by fear or fury, so he continued more calmly, giving instructions to his companion. - You go rescue the one in hiding, I'll take care of the one Valnak uses as a hostage. I hope this training was worth it. -

And without further ado he stripped off the equipment he was carrying and flew out the window.

- Good luck my friend. - His companion mused rather to himself, after seeing Roy flying away at high speed. - Now it's my turn. - He also took off following the trail of the amulets as fast as he could. -

Valnak meanwhile, gave the two girls one of his crazed looks as he declared with a sinister smile.

- Now I'm going to look for him, but I'll take one of you to see how I kill him live. Which one will I choose? - He looked alternately at both of them. At the same time, he mockingly hummed. - Dick, dick... That's it, of course! - He exclaimed untying Bertie again and slung her over his shoulder despite her kicking. -

- Let go of her! - Cooan implored him, trying to get up to stand in her way. -

              Valnak unceremoniously slapped her down with a hand, giving her a fleeting contemptuous glance and flew away with Beruche. Her younger sister was crying with helplessness and terror for what could happen to her and was unable to get up...

- Why are you doing this? - Bertie shouted at the demon who, at a great height, was flying over the city with her. -

- What a stupid question! - Her interlocutor laughed sadistically. - You should know why I'm doing this, beautiful. I want to kill your fiancé.

- Roy is not my fiancé. - She rebutted, surprised, however, by such a statement. - We are good friends, nothing more.

- Ha, ha, ha! - This is the only reply her kidnapper made to her, placing her under him, clamped between his two arms, tightened around her waist as if they were pincers. -

The girl was astonished and bewildered. There was something going on here that Valnak knew but had not told her. On more than one occasion he had addressed her in terms of which Bertie herself was unaware. With phrases and statements that told her nothing, or perhaps they did? Something was wrong with her when she heard such things. However, they must have been so confusingly engraved inside her that she could not get them out.

- At least tell me one thing. - She asked him, trying to support the speed at which the demon was flying. - What do I have to do with all this? Is it because of something that happened in Nemesis that I don't remember?

- No. - Valnak responded dryly, although he seemed to think better of it and added with a tone full of sarcasm. - It Wasn’t Nemesis. Although I bet Roy doesn't know about that interesting moment of your life.

- No, he doesn't. - Beruche admitted, suddenly shivering with a shudder. -

She was silent, now wishing she hadn't spoken too much. It seemed that her captor was rather rejoicing at her sense of guilt.

- Oh, my God, first of all let him not sacrifice himself for my sake. - The troubled young woman thought. -

           In the prisoner's room where Cooan was kept, after a time that seemed to take forever, the door burst open. Tom had forced it with a kick and as soon as he saw Connie, he released her. The girl hugged him, crying unrestrainedly until she could calm down enough to tell him between sobs.

- He's taken Bertie; God knows what he'll do to her! We've got to help her, Tom!

- I know, don't worry. Roy is taking care of it now. - He whispered kindly to her, helping her to walk, as the nerves and restraints had loosened the girl's legs so much that she could barely stand. - Come on Connie, it's over!

They both left immediately, eager to be able to join their friends in a car that Tom had previously hired to go in search of the girl. In the meantime, Roy had arrived on the scene. Over the bridge, a sort of slum of abandoned houses was visible, adorned everywhere with the remains of building materials and detritus in an outlying area of the city. The boy waited, nervously strolling along. Immediately he saw the demon appear before him with Beruche clutched in his arms.

-Coward, leave her alone, this is between you and me! - He shouted at him. -

- Don't be such a spoilsport,"- the demon laughed. - Let's have some fun first. Look, let's see if the lady can fly, eh? - Wouldn't you like to fly like before, Ayakashi? - And he added to Bertie´s horror, in her native tongue, "Uragirimono Hisan'na! Wretched traitor! So now you'll fly! - He hurled Beruche out of the air. –

             Roy was horrified and hurriedly ran to the place where the girl was going to fall. She screamed in terror as she saw the imminent impact approaching and closed her eyes ready to accept her end. Her companion was about to rise to rescue her, but Valnak was faster and grabbed her before she reached the ground. The demon, visibly pleased, exclaimed.

-No, no, no, no. You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?

             Bertie was knocked unconscious by the sudden acceleration and her captor laughed. Landing again with her in his arms, he turned to his frightened and enraged rival to say with false cordiality.

-I'm going to teach you to concentrate, otherwise this is going to be very boring. Listen to that beautiful song. Turn off the light, close your eyes, feel the energy inside...Chilli bow, chilli bow...Fire! - he exclaimed. -

And suddenly it soared up into the sky, flying and sprinting. Roy didn't hesitate and took off in pursuit. The two of them sped through the skies. The boy tried to catch up, but in vain. The demon was faster than him, had a better command of flight and also threw energy rays that his rival had to dodge. The boy did not dare to counterattack for fear of hurting his friend. Valnak was clearly playing with him amidst thunderous laughter. He also threw energy projectiles at everything in sight, Roy tried to deflect some of them into the sky, but found himself powerless to do so with all of them. Those fireballs set fire to numerous houses, in a moment panic reigned in that part of the city....

- Fire, Fire! - the demon shouted, rejoicing in the destruction he was causing. - Now we are really going to have fun! - He said as he sang at the top of his lungs. -

***All right, fine tune the mix, get the pressure...***

***You've had the time for the break***

***That's come at last***

***Gotta start all over again***

***Back to the family,***

***A guaranteed emergency,***

***The radical HP, MC has the melody.***

***-One, two, three, fire!*** - He exclaimed throwing another flaming ball that destroyed a house. -

- Crazy bastard! - Roy mumbled trying unsuccessfully to stop him. - Enough!

Valnak seemed to delight in sensing the anguish and fear of his opponent. Thus he kept chanting with demented glee.

***-Sharpen the mix, for our kind of mix.***

***-Get the pressure on, feel the kicks.***

-You love the sound, you gotta go. - He riveted as he destroyed another area of the city raising a great roar. -

-Up and down. Chiti boo, chiti boo, chiti boo," - he laughed, rising and falling to avoid ledges and other obstacles, with the lifeless Beruche in his arms. -

Roy was really furious, but he was even more terrified of what this unbalanced man might do to Bertie. And the demon, spurred on by those feelings he could so clearly perceive, repeated his malevolent refrain.

***Back to the family,***

***A guaranteed emergency,***

***The radical HP, MC has the melody.***

***Back to the family,***

***A guaranteed emergency,***

***The radical HP, MC has the melody.***

***-One, two, three***

***Fire, fire!***

***Hey, hey!***

**(Fire. Scooter, credit to author)**

And just like that and after a few terrible minutes he returned to the starting point and dropped a still fainting Beruche on the ground. Roy landed four meters away from them. He looked at Valnak with an expression of rage and hatred, but said nothing.

- Hey, relax a little. - The demon smiled, showing off his cynicism once again. - The girl is perfectly fine, just a little dizzy, you see...

-Let her go, she's innocent, she has nothing to do with this. You're only looking for me and here I am! - His enemy answered, fixing his eyes on his in a clear challenge. -

-Okay, okay... calm down. - His opponent smiled to ask him a question, even amused. - Hey, don't you know what the chanting means? That HP thing, MC...

- Why should I worry about your crazy stuff? - His interlocutor responded with patent anger. -

- Ha, ha! I'm sure your little friends know about it. - The demon laughed to reveal. - Hell Power and Master Chaos.

-They don't know anything about this. Leave them alone! - The young man demanded, looking at the unconscious Bertie with obvious concern. -

His adversary immediately noticed this, smiled perfidiously and commented.

- You love this girl, don't you, poor idiot! - The demon added shaking his head with a mock tone of regret. - You have no idea who she really is.

- What are you saying? - His adversary asked with surprised anger. -

- You don't know, of course. - Valnak declared in what sounded like a sympathetic tone to declare with a tinge of mystery in his voice. - Don't worry, I'll fill you in right away.

- To update me on what? - Roy asked him visibly puzzled this time. -

In the meantime, Tom and Cooan had run to call the warriors. Together with Rei and Ami they rushed to the site of the challenge. They managed to track the large amount of energy and the trail of destruction left by their friend and the demon without difficulty and were arriving just then. Valnak noticed that, but simply smiled a mischievous smile. He seemed to have been waiting for them. He waved a hand at them adding amusedly as Bertie slowly came back to himself.

- Now that the auditorium is full, we can begin. Take a good look at this ball. Here are the answers to your questions Roy Malden. - Out of nowhere he brought up his crystal ball and materialized images that the warriors and the two girls recognized much to their chagrin. -

Conjured out of the mist appeared the two sisters, but they looked very different. They wore strange clothes and were mercilessly attacking a girl. Their eyes glowed with unrelenting cruelty. Cooan looked like a bizarre witch attacking a defenceless little girl. Another image appeared, it was Beruche with an expression of icy indifference. The visions changed and were replaced by those of both fighting against Mars and Mercury themselves.

- Here they are, our servants of the Black Moon. The Ayakashi sisters of Nemesis. Also known by their aliases, the Evil sisters, the Pursuit sisters or the Phantom sisters. What do you prefer me to call you traitorous bitches? Or is that a lie? - Valnak proclaimed shaking now the sobbing Beruche, who could not stop looking horrified. -Speak, bitch, is it true or not what I say? - He ordered her before the girl's guilty silence. -

- Leave her alone, you bastard! - Roy shouted at her out of his mind. - I'll never believe those lies! It's a trick. I don't know what you're up to, but it won't work!

- I'm not lying to you. Why should I? - The demon said with visible complacency and a strange tone of cordiality. - Isn't it? - He added, glancing at the girls with his gaze. -

- Onegay... Please. - Beruche mumbled with a look full of pleading, but the demon was far from being moved, he rather lashed out in his imprecations. -

- Our special envoys from the thirtieth century. They came here with a very specific mission. Correct me if I am wrong. To destroy the future of the realm of Crystal Tokyo. That was the first step to dominate the entire Earth.

- Shut up you, liar! - Roy spat visibly furious at what he considered a vile slander. -

- If you don't want to believe me, ask their little friends then! - The demon responded to address Rei and Ami who seemed petrified. - What do you say to that, warriors? Am I lying? - Come on, deny me if you can that you had to face these two in combat on several occasions...!

For a few agonizing moments none of those present said anything. They seemed too distressed to utter a word. Both Roy and his friend, stunned, looked at them silently demanding an explanation. And it seemed at last that Ami was about to speak, but it was Tom who beat her to the punch....

- That can't be! - the boy rebutted, placing one of his arms on Cooan's shoulders. - We know them well and they couldn't have been capable of something like that. You're using some kind of hallucination. And who are you to reproach anyone for their behaviour? - He finished off indignant and furious. -

- I'll tell you who I am. - Valnak smiled even more amused. - The one who controlled their mission from the shadows. And who, when these traitors and their useless cronies failed, had to intervene with his comrade.

And to the thread of his words he projected more images, this time Bertie and Cooan appeared accompanied by two more women who also wore extravagant outfits. Next to the four, a red-haired man in a uniform of bloomers and a vest, with his arms crossed. The five of them were gazing out of large windows at a cityscape with the perspective of a great height. Roy and Tom watched in amazement, even more so when they heard Cooan say with contemptuous indifference.

- So this is the Tokyo of the twentieth century. I imagined it bigger. Never mind though, now we can destroy the dot crystals and fill the Earth with the power of darkness.

- But first. - Beruche said with an amused, yet malicious and analytical tone of voice devoid of human sensibility. - We'll have to find the little girl and kill her.

Both boys were open-mouthed. They could not believe what they saw and heard, but the sobbing faces of Bertie and Connie did not fail to lend verisimilitude. They were admitting their guilt without having to confess it by word of mouth, and Valnak, aware of this, gloated and pressed Beruche once more, tugging at her braid to force her to look up.

- Can you deny this, can you say it's a lie? - Come on, speak up, you phony. Show your dear Roy your true face. Let him see how innocent and good you really are..." - He added sarcastically. -

- Is that true, Bertie? - He could hardly articulate a word when he asked her. -

The girl, with desolation on her face, could barely look up from the floor and muster enough dignity to answer.

- It's... it's true. - She confessed between whispers, unable to suppress her tears. - Forgive me, but it's true, we came to Earth to fulfil a mission...

- Is it true? Were you like them? - asked an astonished Tom to Cooan, who also lowered her head in shame, not wanting to meet his gaze. -

- Yes, we were, but we were also very young. We were deceived and in the end, thanks to the warriors, we realized that what we were doing was not right. - She sobbed, daring to cross an imploring glance with Tom as she finished - and we changed.

- It's the truth, Roy. - Beruche who could barely look at him, also with her eyes clouded over, totally dejected by shame and pain, two tears rolled down her cheeks and she stammered. - We didn't know what we were doing.

- Don't lie! - Valnak rebutted with an implacable tone full of glee. - Of course you knew. Your mission was to kill a girl! You said so yourself and you were eager to achieve it. - He stressed crudely. - You had to please your masters, and you were more than willing to do whatever it took to succeed and prosper. Right? To raise the prestige of your family.

And to underline those words in the ball, images of both of you attacking that calf appeared. In one of the visions they had her cornered on the stairs of a bridge. In another, Cooan had her pinned to the ground, one hand on her head, ready to stab her with long, dagger-sharp nails. Roy was perplexed at the sight; despite hearing Beruche's own confession he could not believe it. Now his rage against Valnak had given way to a great feeling of pain. It was as if he had suffered a betrayal from which he could not recover. Tom stared in disbelief and fear at Cooan, who was only crying and unable to look up from the ground.

- Wait a moment," - Rei said, trying to defend her friends. - That's not the whole truth, Roy, Tom listen to me, it's true that they were our enemies, but what they tell you is true. They were being used and when they found out they changed. It's a very long story that can't be summed up like that, with half-truths and scenes taken out of context.

- Rei is right. - Ami corroborated. - They have a good heart, they already had it then.  They were vilely manipulated. Now they are our best friends. Don't judge them for what they did when they were dominated by evil. We can all make mistakes in life and change. You know what we are talking about.

- Don't compare. - The demon smiled arguing not without reason. - He was possessed and was not responsible for his actions. On the other hand, they knew perfectly well the scope of their mission and nothing and no one influenced them inside their body.

- That's not true! - Cooan shrieked, rebelling against it between stammering and tears, drawing strength from wherever he could. - There was that dark energy of the black crystal. We were only taught that we had to hate and kill the sailors because they had caused the death of our king and queen and the disgrace in our world. We were told that we had only this path to regain peace. But Rei and the others made us see that this was not so. And I swear to you that when we understood what was happening and what the truth was, we truly regretted it. We still have a guilty conscience for everything we did.

- And Sailor Moon purified us with the power of her Silver crystal. – A sobbing Beruche was able to add. - Roy, Tom, please. We know well what we did and we don't want to be let off the hook just like that. We just wanted to live a normal life and make amends to this world by caring for and protecting children just like the little girl we once wanted to kill.

- And that little girl is now Cooan's best friend. - Rei emphasized, resting a hand on the shoulder of the dejected girl. - Her name is Chibiusa...and she is the daughter that our friend Sailor Moon will have in the future.

The boys looked at each other in amazement and excitement. It was beautiful, very beautiful. They saw that both girls had truly purified their hearts with great suffering. Roy above all understood now the extent of Beruche's fear and concern in that pit when he believed that this lost child was in danger. And to think that he had planned it all and told her nothing just to be there with her. Now he bitterly cursed himself for his selfishness and he wanted to make amends. He was not one to censure anyone, least of all Bertie and Connie who had fought so hard to recover him from the clutches of evil, so he declared.

-I don't care what you did before, or who you were. I only know two wonderful girls who have taught me to take life seriously and face my responsibilities. You are two good people who were probably victims of a twisted deception.

- That's true. - Tom added in complete agreement with his comrade and adding another definitive and devastating argument. - If the Moon warriors accepted you, how could we reject you? - And upon hearing this, Cooan hugged him and cried full of relief, unburdening all her restlessness. -

- How touching! - Valnak hissed with a sneer. - Very well, if you love these bitches so much, keep them! - And unexpectedly he threw Beruche against Roy who held her gently hugging her too, but the demon threatened them. - Anyway, soon you will all burn in hell. And the first one will be you Malden, we made a pact. I promised you that I would not harm them if you stood up to me. I've kept my word. You keep it too. Come and fight if you dare! ....

The boy nodded, pushed Beruche aside, even though she resisted without wanting to let go of him. The young woman looked at him with her eyes full of tears and her face contracted with fear.

- He will kill you! Roy please, he's a demon and you're just a normal man now. It's not worth it, let's go, we'll find a way.

He smiled at her and gently took her chin and whispered to her.

- If I don't deal with him he will haunt us all our lives and I don't want that to happen. Besides, I'm the reason he captured you. No. Leave it to me! I'll know how to beat him.

- We will help you. - Rei and Ami offered at the same time, transforming into sailors. -

- You're a coward, Malden! Are you really going to hide behind the miniskirts of those two? - The demon insulted him with a provocative gesture, adding instead with a softer and more conciliatory tone. - Come on, come here. I'll fight at your level, no magic tricks, it will be a fair fight. Now there are no cards to hide. If you are able to cause me harm, I will allow you to leave with them. Anyway, we have won anyway and soon this world will be ours. I don't care if you live a little longer. And you have no choice either, if anyone interferes I will kill him without mercy. You know I will! Is that what you want?

- No, I don't want that. We will do as you wish, Valnak. - Roy affirmed, preparing his fists and adding sharply in the direction of the warriors. - Whatever happens, I don't want you to interfere! If anything happens to me, run away with the girls and Tom!

- You can't be serious! - He replied. -

- Tommy, get out of here! - His friend said sternly and then added more confidently. - Please. You know I can do it.

The questioned nodded, albeit somewhat hesitantly, and the girls looked at him in surprise. Even more so when the boy pulled Cooan away from the scene of the impending combat. Ami and Rei likewise took Beruche despite her pleas and stepped aside. Neither wanted to do so, but they had no choice. The demon smiled visibly satisfied and encouraged his opponent by crossing his arms.

- Come on, you should be furious with me, Roy. I kidnapped your friends and threatened to kill them. Don't hold back, come and get me. Didn't you want to free them from danger? You know perfectly well that as long as I am here they will be threatened. Come on, I assure you that, win or lose, my problems with them will be over and I will leave them alone. You'll get what you want anyway. I'm sure you're not unaware that I'm only interested in taking revenge on you. They are of no importance to me.

- I know. - He agreed, although his gestures were far from expressing aggression. - However, no matter how much I despise you, I am incapable of wanting to kill you, not even you. Deep down I feel sorry for you. You're just a poor wretch who doesn't know what love and loyalty are.

Those words surprised everyone, especially Valnak, and the demon seemed to become enraged and replied with a howl.

- What would you know about loyalty oaths, you stupid, miserable mortal! - We demons follow a very strict code and we have comrades. Armageddon was my closest and most faithful companion and I had an oath with him. We were friends for centuries. Can that compare to your short, barren and ridiculous lives?

Roy watched him astonished, he could not believe that even this demon had in his innermost being a trace of dignity and appreciation for someone. That, as strange and paradoxical as it was, made him respect him and even diminished his desire to fight. The rest of those present also watched the scene with great surprise. But Valnak was not willing to let the fight end like that and smiling again he added.

- Fight or I will begin to kill you without mercy. - He urged throwing a lightning bolt at the feet of his rival that despite not touching him opened a big gap next to him. But the boy did not move. - I see... - The demon added with mockery. - You don't have enough incentive to hate me, but don't worry, I'll give you one...

And to the expectant attention of everyone, Valnak pointed to Roy and smilingly revealed.

- You thought your parents died in an accident, didn't you? - Poor fool! Your parents died in an attack that we prepared! Yes, Roy, I disabled their brakes myself, poor things, you should have seen your father when he tried to brake in desperation falling down that slope and your mommy mum mumbling a prayer knowing she was going to die.... And you know the funniest thing of all? They were sure that sooner or later it would happen to them, they were just trying to buy time and protect you. They resigned themselves to their fate like lambs on their way to the slaughterhouse. I loved it! I would do it again a thousand times. Ha, ha, ha, ha...

As he listened to those terrible words and the echo of that laughter, the boy went from disbelief to the deepest rage. He felt the adrenaline bombarding his mind and body, and he shuddered until he was no longer in control of himself. The others were paralyzed with horror and pain for the boy, but he could only say in a voice cracking with fury.

- You... killed my parents...? You, son of a bitch!...

- I saw them fall into the void myself and I laughed so hard when they crashed. If you saw what a fireball was provoked! - Valnak declared full of complacency howling. - Fire!... Ha, ha, ha!

That was too much for Roy who charged at him knocking him to the ground with tremendous force. Straddling his adversary, he hit the demon in the face with countless punches unloading all his hatred, but the latter ended up stopping his fists and got up without hardly accusing the punishment of his rival getting off him without difficulties.

- That's the way I like it. - Valnak hissed and went on the counterattack returning each and every one of the blows to an opponent who suffered them in their true dimension. - You've already been able to make me feel your hatred, it wasn't bad, but it pales compared to mine. And to your misfortune, idiot, I have the upper hand!

Roy tried to respond with more kicks and punches, but although his opponent was also bleeding, it was not enough to affect him. On the other hand, the boy felt how the impacts on his face and abdomen hurt him almost unbearably. He was taking some very violent blows that knocked him to his knees on the ground. He could hardly breathe because his ribs were seriously damaged. His enemy then kicked the battered boy who could only barely cover himself to try to stop the torrent of aggressions and endure the pain that was running through him.

- I told you I wouldn't use any magic tricks against you. And it was true. I could reduce you to ashes in seconds, but I would not enjoy the pleasure of tearing you apart with my bare hands! - Valnak howled grabbing his opponent by the neck and squeezing to strangle him. -

- By God we have to do something, he's going to kill him! - Cooan shrieked ready to help him, as did her sister. -

However, Tom restrained her, and Sailor Mercury did the same with Beruche, shaking her head. Meanwhile Sailor Mars targeted the demon with an attack ready to intervene. And Ami said releasing Bertie and joining her partner.

- Leave it to us! Come on, Rei!

Both advanced with their attacks ready, they didn't want to miss the target and Valnak saw them coming, he smiled releasing his prey.

- Fire to the heart! - Mars summoned using one of her most powerful spells. -

- Water Rhapsody to the attack! - Mercury added. -

But their enemy simply wrapped himself in a magical aura that repelled the attacks and returned a torrent of energy that threw the sailors several meters away, leaving them battered.

- I don't have time to waste on you stupid girls, I'm in the middle of my revenge! - He returned his attention to his prey, who was barely sitting up and leaning on a nearby wooden post. - Too bad Roy Malden, it seems to me that your life is going to end. But don't be in a hurry man, you can still take a few more hits....

Roy was indeed in a very bad way, but his rage still kept him going, he couldn't let that murderer go unpunished. Even if it cost him his life, he would avenge his parents. But he was unable to walk, let alone defend himself. He could barely react when the demon knocked him down with a punch in the face. Valnak glared at him and pointed a hand at him, then gave him a cruel smile and decided in a more tempered tone.

- I think that's enough. First I'll finish you off so you can be reunited with your adoptive parents. Then the others will follow...

- You said you would no longer have anything on them. - He could spit out the young man with his lips full of blood. -

- I said so, and it's true. I'll kill them for the fun of it! - The demon laughed and raised his hand over his chest. - Now die!...

He was about to finish him off when he felt a blow behind him. Surprised, he turned around. It was Bertie who, wielding one of the wooden sticks that had fallen to pieces during the fight, was facing him, trembling with rage. He had caught everyone by surprise since Tom, who had held Cooan was too far away and both Ami and Rei had not yet been able to get up after suffering the counterattack. Beruche had stayed closer than any of them and she was the one who, steeling herself and that stake, lashed out at her enemy....

- Now I will make full amends for my mistakes! I won't let you hurt him anymore! - She asserted emphatically. -

- My, how brave the princess is! - Valnak smiled and asked her enigmatically. - Are you really willing to die with him again?

Bertie was stunned, she didn't understand what he could mean, but that didn't matter now. She brandished that stick ready to strike again. She moved in a circle so that she could get between the boy and his enemy. Roy for his part stood up with an enormous effort.

- Get out of here. - He asked her in a faint whisper. -

- I won't leave you alone. - She replied without turning to look at him, because she was concentrating her attention on her enemy who was watching them both with amusement. -... Together we can defeat him.

Tom and Cooan also ran towards them to join Beruche, but the demon repelled them with a powerful energy barrier that sent them several meters further back. Throwing them violently to the ground...

- This does not concern you. - Valnak, who smiled a sadistic smile to add delightedly responded. - Who would have thought it? - History repeats itself, and you, poor fool, just like last time, will sacrifice your life for nothing!

- Not for nothing, no!" - Beruche rebutted decisively. - If I have to die, it will be fighting against the evil that once dominated me....

-Touching!" the demon spat, simulating a sarcastic applause to push her aside with a swift slap of his hand.

           Then he turned to the boy and grabbing his victim by the breastplate he was ready to finish his attack. But Bertie reacted once again by attacking with the stake, although now Valnak was waiting for it and held the stick by the tip.

- You tried, I have to admit, you have courage. Goodbye princess! - He declared with derision and pushed the stick against her with tremendous force, to the desperate cry of Roy who was powerless to prevent it. -

The stake, sharpened at both ends, slipped between Beruche's hands, unable to stop it, and pierced the girl's side. The pain made her gasp. The girl's eyes pointed to the void and her body went limp. Valnak let go of the stick with a careless gesture and she fell laxly to the ground, lying there. Blood began to gush from her mouth and side to Roy's amazement and horror....

- Bertie! - The boy groaned. -

The others had barely sat up and could only witness the scene with total helplessness, horror and despair. Only Valnak's laughter resounded while Roy fell to the ground between howls of pain and desolation trying to hold Beruche and revive her.

- Nooooo! Bertie, please talk to me!

Cooan, crazed with rage and pain, screamed and ran at the demon with another stick. Without Tom, injured in the ankle as a result of the fall, being able to stop her....

- You damned monster, I'll kill you!

Valnak, without flinching, received her with a reluctant energy beam throwing her against a wall with which the young woman was knocked unconscious. Tom could only approach her to try to revive her. The moon warriors returned to the charge, but the demon, between sadistic laughter, harassed them with more energy beams making them both had to cover themselves by throwing themselves to the ground...

- Ha, ha, ha, ha! Fire, fire! - The exultant Valnak howled - You will burn!...

           Roy meanwhile tried to help his companion, but he was powerless. She was getting worse by the minute and her pupils dilated. She had already lost a lot of blood, but she still smiled trying to speak, mumbling despite the pain caused by her difficult attempts to breathe.

- Roy, I'm sorry, I would have wanted to... tell you everything someday. De...you must run away before...before I finish you off.

- No, no!" - he howled, his face unhinged. -I won't leave you, you'll be all right!  We'll go to the hospital right now.

- At least..., even if I can't realize my dream, I'll laugh in a noble way! - She said, smiling slightly through her tears. - I always wanted to adapt myself to this world and be a good person. To ... my own and educate the children. To follow...the example...of the warriors. So that I would never reproach myself again.... - She paused very weakly, trying to gather strength to continue, but her companion covered her lips with a finger. -

- Stop it! Don't talk any more. Please! - He begged her between sobs. - You're not going to die; do you hear me? You're not going to die! - he shouted incessantly. - I care too much about you! You won't stand me up, no girl has ever stood me up and you won't be the first, cubby!

- How romantic! - Valnak laughed turning to them. - Poor jerk, she had to sacrifice herself to defend you again, it's pathetic! But don't worry. I'll have you re-join her in a moment.

- I feel the...go warm and beautiful inside...of...me. Cooan-Chan... was... right, it's a wonderful... feeling - she stammered with a faint smile on her face. - Roy, I wish... you and I had....

And she could say no more, her head fell gently to one side and her eyes closed. Tom and the warriors, already on their feet, but wounded, were petrified with fright, unable to react from a distance. Roy tried to revive Beruche, but to no avail, he could not feel her breathing.

- Bertie, Bertieee, noooooo! - he shouted, howling in pain and rage, with Valnak's laughter in the background. -

          Feeling helpless he hugged the girl and to the surprise of his enemy he pulled out the strength to get up with her in his arms. Valnak gave him a look of astonishment and even a certain respect....

- It's incredible, but it seems you want to die on your feet! - The demon clapped with mockery. -

But his opponent only stared at him with a maddened look of hatred while his blood boiled in his veins. Roy was then overcome by an indescribable feeling of fury that shook him as he never thought possible. Something inside him overcame the pain and the wounds and tried to get out. But this time it was not like when he was possessed by Armageddon. This was not another entity trying to control him. It was every fibre of his being rebelling against that terrible injustice so full of horror and cruelty.

- I'm going to kill you, if it's the last thing I ever do! - the boy, who was visibly trembling shouted. But it was not fear, but a tremor of anger that he could not control, he was electrified by desolation and the desire for revenge. - I swear to you!

- How scary! - Valnak mocked, oblivious to all these signs. - Are you going to beat me for killing that stupid bitch? Her life has been as useless as everyone else's around you. Yes, Roy, - he remarked amused - you carry death with you...for you and your friends.

- Nooo!" - His interlocutor howled with tremendous power, so much so that even his enemy was surprised and bewildered. - The only death I carry is yours! You're going to die!

Roy's brain was a kaleidoscope of images of Bertie since he first met her with all the jokes, conversations and experiences shared between the two of them. He saw her smiling, hopeful, angry, distressed, sad and most of all always beautiful and vulnerable, with that pained expression and finally there, limp in his arms. Reminiscing again and again the terrible scene of picking her up from the ground with her graceful ponytail undone scattering her platinum hair among the rubble and with remnants of tears in her closed eyes. He began to grind her teeth and could think no more. That something swept through his consciousness and took complete control. The ground beneath his feet began to tremble. Valnak stopped laughing and turned to a gesture of fear and stupor as he realized the terrible force his enemy was unleashing. Sparks began to fly from the boy's body, which seemed like a kind of electric shock of ever greater proportions. The young man screamed louder and louder, making the whole area rumble, his face was discomposed. He opened his mouth as if he was going to scream, but what he emitted was more like a roar. Tears were flowing down profusely, soothing the blood that covered most of his cheeks.

- My God! - Tom exclaimed holding the unconscious Cooan in his arms. -

-Let's get out of the way. - Rei ordered them. - Quickly!

         Instantly a thunderous explosion of immense golden radiance enveloped the place around them. Everyone, including Valnak, recoiled in fright. As the glow dissipated before the astonished eyes of those present, someone who did not look like Roy emerged. His hair shone with that same golden glow, his eyes had turned emerald green and looked with such an expression of hatred and fury at Valnak that the demon felt his blood run cold in his veins. The boy emitted a kind of rhythmic humming sound that eclipsed the other noises. His muscle mass had increased enormously and he had burst the few remaining shreds of his shirt. And he could only scream and howl in desperation, holding Bertie against his chest....

- No, it can't be! - Valnak stammered, not believing what he was seeing as he backed away step by step in true horror. - The legend of the Sun Warrior was true!

Neither Ami, nor Rei, nor Tom could articulate a word. They were speechless with astonishment and even dread. The sailors exchanged looks of bewilderment and even fear. Never in all their battles had they seen anything like it. Roy's eyes were spitting fire, but he still laid Beruche down with tremendous gentleness on the ground. It was then that with his senses much sharper now he noticed that she was breathing, albeit very faintly. Seeming to regain his self-control for a few moments. The boy spoke, but in a deep and powerful voice that echoed through the rubble, to charge Tom.

- Take her to a hospital and leave. In a few seconds I will release forces beyond my control.

His friend tried to say something to him, but as soon as he looked into his eyes he recoiled in terror. The expression of hatred and murderous instinct, the infinite fury about to be unleashed that they reflected left him frozen. Not even when Roy was possessed by Armageddon had he ever seen that look in his eyes. And Valnak meanwhile did not seem to react, he trembled with astonishment and fear and only had eyes for his terrible enemy, so much so that Tom, after entrusting Cooan to the sailors, was able to approach Bertie and take her in his arms followed by Ami and Rei.

- Let's get out of here quick! Help me with Bertie and Connie!  - He shouted to them, who, observing the same thing, hastened to do as he told them. -

Tom and the warriors got to safety with the girls. Fortunately, the boy had the car they had come with close by. He sped off like the devil (never better said) and drove away, for Beruche had to be saved. Every second was precious for her friend's life and that was now the only thing they could do and what really counted. The sailors helped her into the fainting Cooan and secured her to the front seat with the belt. However, they both insisted on staying to try to control the situation by remaining at a distance for the time being....

-It has happened, what Usagi told us! - An astonished Ami muttered to her equally astonished companion. -

-We'd better take cover. - Rei suggested. - This is not our place.

             Her partner nodded and the two of them sought cover. Roy meanwhile watched the car drive away, but the demon decided that this was his moment. Valnak concentrated all his strength and launched against his unsuspecting opponent all his power, with a sustained and constant bombardment of energy balls that lasted several seconds. The resulting thunderous explosion was so great that it shattered an entire city block of these abandoned houses. The demon then laughed with glee celebrating his victory, no one could have survived that!

- It's over, I've defeated him, I've defeated the legend of the Golden Warrior, ha, ha, ha! - He celebrated with great glee. -... Death to the Sun warrior!

However, when the roar and the raised dust faded and he could look over his position, the smile froze on his face and the most absolute terror took possession of him. Roy was a few meters from his position and levitated unharmed, still staring at him with the same expression of immense hatred and glowing in that blinding way, with that hum as strange as it was powerful. He only said to his enemy, in a paradoxically very calm voice.

- Savour your last moments in this world because I am going to kill you.

          That calm tone preceded the storm he was about to unleash. And filled with an indescribable panic Valnak understood that he was lost.

**START**