GWA27E

**START**

**Karaberasu versus Iama.**

The she-devil entered the alley after her target, but to her astonishment she saw no one, there was no trace of the Justiciera. If she hadn't flown away or teleported, there was no way to escape from there. Were they capable of doing it?

- How is it possible, Iama wondered. - She came in here, I saw her myself and I followed her a few moments later, she couldn't have left! I don't know that they have that kind of power. I don't like this.

She was thinking about the importance of this mission. She had been meeting with that acolyte just a couple of hours ago.

-That stupid bitch assured me she had done her research. - She thought with discomfort. - I was there before I went to see her...well, that better half of hers who claims to be her pathetic sister. It's ridiculous, having to play along with that nutcase.

Iama went to the hovel where that human lived with her baby. Of course, the she-devil looked like a beautiful young girl with brown hair and green eyes. She was even approached by a couple of guys with malicious intentions. Those idiots thought they could abuse a defenceless girl, but they paid for it when she sliced them open with her razor-long fingernails. The bad thing was that she had to hide the bodies.

-It's an unforgivable delay, and besides, they ruined my skirt with their blood. - She said to herself in disgust. - And I liked this skirt!

She had those stains on her dress and stockings. At least the shoes were not damaged. Therefore, as soon as she knocked on the girl's door and the girl opened it, the human looked at her with that astonished and frightened face.

-Don't ask. - Iama ordered her, entering quickly and demanding at once. - Leave me some clothes. I'm taller than you, but it'll have to do.

-Of course. - Her interlocutor hastened to answer with a servile tone. -

While the woman was looking for something, the she-devil kept looking at the sleeping girl.

-Meriak saw something when we were here. She didn't want to reveal anything to me, though. The bitch! She wanted to keep it to herself to take advantage. Look what it got her! Now she's been eliminated for being too smart. Just like that presumptuous Saila. It won't be the same for me. - And she called that individual, to ask her. - Did you get what I ordered?

-Yes, it took me a while, but I did it. - Her companion replied. -

Thanks to her relations with some members of the sect, Paige was able to get in touch with some recent additions. Some students had been attracted by the promises of good life, pleasures and the beauty of darkness. Among these lures was the young woman herself, who had to sleep with some of them on the orders of the cultists. One of them gave her information about these girls. And he also got her some addresses. Now she went to get them and after returning from another room with a pair of corduroy pants and a sweater, which she offered to the she-devil, the latter insisted.

-I want all the information you have gathered.

-I had to wait, but I located them. The women you told me about are older sisters of the targets. - She told her, showing her some photos. -

-Yes, we already knew that. These two are their older sisters. They are here, an informant we have infiltrated at the university told us. He even gave me an address, but what he hasn't been able to find out is where the Yalmutud sphere they are hiding is. - An irritated Iama answered, who did not want to reveal to that stupid fool that the informant was her own sister. -

- The what? - Paige asked without understanding. -

- The stone, you damned idiot! - the disgruntled she-devil said. - Where do they have that damned stone?

-I haven't been able to find out. - The human responded sheepishly. - I'm sorry.

                Iama grabbed her by the neck lifting her up with hardly any effort and delighting in the glazed expression of fear she saw in her eyes.

- You're useless! I told you to look for her. - She spat turning her green eyes into blood-colored ones and baring her fangs and sneering as she set them ablaze with her other hand. - What do I want these ridiculous photographs for?

Then that miserable baby began to bawl. The she-devil ordered her interlocutor to let go.

- Shut that pathetic creature up or I will!

- No, I beg you! - The visibly terrified woman exclaimed. -

Paige ran desperately to the crib, taking her baby in her arms.

-Now, honey, now... Marla, honey, don't cry anymore, please! -She wailed in dread. -

        And so, after rocking the child, she finally fell silent. Iama then declared.

-That's much better. It seems that neither my companions, nor our anonymous informant, found anything in that university. I suspect therefore that the stone is in the possession of the other two. I will go and check it out. I hope for your sake that I do, or I'll come back quite angry. Do you know what I mean? - She snapped with a perfidious demonic smile, returning to her fully human appearance to sentence with glee. - If you don't understand, you can go to the wasteland near your house, to see how the last two assholes who have made me angry have turned out. Well, I assure you they'll be favoured compared to how you and your slimy little daughter will look.

-I've told you everything I know, I swear! -The girl mumbled in fear. -

Without answering and after dedicating a contemptuous and fleeting glance to that pathetic human, Iama left. Already in the headquarters of the sect, it was the Wiseman who provided her with updated images of their targets through his ball. And also, before sending her after them, he told her something that surprised her.

-By the way, Iama. Don't bother that human baby.

- Why do you say that? I haven't bothered her. - She replied, also asking with perplexity. -Besides, since when have you been concerned about a human creature?

-My concerns do not concern you, just obey my orders and take care of finding the Yalmutud sphere. - The Wiseman replied abruptly, to finish off: - "And don't upset her mother any more either. You have very clear instructions in that regard.

The she-devil did not understand this. If it had been up to her, that madwoman would already be dead. However, her superior had instructed all the members of her group not to comment on her particular behaviour. Although she did not understand the reason, Iama knew it was not wise to disobey. After all, as long as she could fulfil her mission, she didn't care what that madwoman did in her double life. So she said before disappearing.

-Whatever you say, sir.

          And so she set off. In spite of detesting him, it was not convenient for her to defy this powerful hooded man. She was aware that he had a lot of influence with her superiors. Therefore, she had no choice but to obey. She supposed that it was all part of one of his twisted plans. In any case, it was certain that she didn't care about all that. So she headed for the area he had indicated on his ball.

-They must no longer live where my confidant reported. - She meditated. – What an Idiot, when I succeed in my mission, I'll settle the score with that bitch.

        So at least she was glad that the Wiseman had more precise information. She waited and stood by until she saw that woman, the Justiciera.  In fact, she allowed her to walk part of the way to make her feel safe. Then, after following the trail of her prey, she landed in the alley and began to search it. But she was nowhere to be seen.

- She can't have vanished! - she blurted out in dismay. -

           In turn, Karaberasu was hiding behind some boxes stacked in a corner and transformed into a Justiciera. She came out of her hiding place, surprising the she-devil from behind.

- Hello, were you looking for me? – The Lady of Thunder asked her with a twinkle in her eye, while she wrapped her whip around her neck. - "Well, here I am, pretty girl!

- Damn you," - the succubus hissed, who grabbed the whip with enormous strength and, to the astonishment of her rival, unwound it from her neck. - I'm going to finish you!

         She counterattacked with a bolt of lightning that she launched from her eyes, wounding the Justiciera in one arm. The latter, surprised by this unexpected retort, had no choice but to drop her weapon, holding her damaged arm with her opposite hand. Karaberasu tried to escape, but the she-devil blocked her way. Taking a wooden stick, the Justiciera struck the she-devil struck in the head, causing a wound from which blood gushed yellowish as sulfur. The she-devil replied with a punch that knocked her opponent to the ground. Iama lifted her up with an arm around her neck and smirked.

- You're not so sure of yourself anymore, are you, human?

- Go to hell! - she scornfully shouted at her. -

Her rival gripped her more tightly, squeezing her throat until she almost couldn't breathe, the Justiciera was shaking in pain and gasping, trying to catch her breath while her rival took the floor.

- If you don't want me to kill you right now, you'd better tell me where you've hidden the stone. Speak! - the she-devil commanded, loosening a little the pressure on her victim's neck. -

Karaberasu smiled, licking her bloody lip from the previous blow...

- What if I tell you? What's to stop you from killing me anyway? No, you'll have to look for it yourself. -She replied with a defiant expression. -

- You're bold, I congratulate you, you humans are usually such miserable cowards. It's nice to see some courage in your pathetic species for a change. But that won't help you much. However, since you are a worthy enemy I will be merciful and let you choose, either you tell me now and you will die a quick death, or I assure you that you will suffer horribly. - The succubus threatened her with a perfidious smile. -

- It won't be easy for you to get rid of me! - The Lady of Thunder said, breaking free from the she-devil's grip after hitting her with the stick she was still holding behind her back. -

That reaction took her enemy by surprise and she had not expected so much resistance. Kalie rolled away from her grasp, but unfortunately her rival was very quick to rebound.

- Now you've really pissed me off! You're going to die, bitch! - The succubus hissed. –

       She was clutching her injured arm with her other hand in imitation of what her rival did before, only in this case she was emitting repairing energy at the same time she was healing the injury.

- Long after you, Satan's bitch," – Karaberasu answered, jumping back and retrieving her whip. -

- I haven't had that honour yet, but I don't lose hope ha, ha, ha! - Iama laughed throwing lightning bolts at her enemy who was hit by a ricochet of lightning and fell to the ground. - Now you will know what real pain is, miserable human, where is the stone? - She insisted with no courtesy. -

- Who told you I was here? - Kalie asked in turn. -

- Ha, ha, ha! We have informers. -Her interlocutor answered, taking pleasure in seeing her in such a bad condition. - In the very university where your dear little sisters study.

- Damn you! Leave them out of this! –The Justiciera responded, gritting her teeth. - They have nothing to interest you.

-I can see that. It seems you were the one who kept it. - Iama smiled. -

To tell the truth, she had been directed there by the Wiseman. And neither that acolyte she threatened, nor her foolish sister, gave her the impression of knowing the whereabouts of the Yalmutud sphere. Or even knew what it was. But that Justiciera was aware of it, and what was more, she had presumably hidden it nearby.

- I'll never tell you, I'd rather die first. - The Lady of Thunder answered resolutely, looking at some boxes. -I'll never talk!

The truth is that Karaberasu was in a very tight situation. Her rival had healed herself from the wounds she had inflicted on her. But she could not say the same. If she kept it up, that she-devil would kill her. She had to think of something, and fast. But what? And she continued to cast a fleeting, intent glance at the pile of boxes in question, giving the impression that she was trying to think.

- Ha, ha, ha, ha! - Iama laughed as he realized it. - You are stupid, you may not speak, yet you have betrayed yourself by looking. I know where you've hidden it. Anyway, I'm going to check before I kill you, lest you want to get smart.

              She began to search the boxes and discovered the sheet hidden there wrapped around something round, it was soft and smooth to the touch and heavy.

-Well, well, what do we have here? - The she-devil wondered with glee. -

- Don't touch that, damn you! - Karaberasu shouted at her, crawling towards the succubus. -

Iama smirked, ignoring her opponent she unwrapped that, removing the sheet and some sort of plastic that covered the object in tears. Nevertheless, she shouted an exclamation of disgust, even uttered a painful shriek at the sight of it. Her hands had burned as soon as she touched it.

- I hope you like the fishbowl with holy water. A souvenir from St. Patrick's Cathedral we visited the other day. I warned you not to touch it. - Karaberasu declared with her usual sarcastic sneer. -

- This is not the Yalmutud stone. Damn bitch, you tricked me! Where did you hide it? - The succubus out of her mind because of the pain, as well as the rage of being mocked demanded. - Answer me!

But the Justiciera had realized by then that about two meters above her enemy there were some power cables that were quite deteriorated.

- Did you think we were stupid? - Kalie told the she-devil with a cynical smile. - That will be your last mistake. - She sentenced by twisting the whip around the neck of the succubus who did not object. - Here goes this!

- Do you think you're going to do any better this time? - Iama scoffed, regenerating her hands and using them to grab the whip with one of them as she sentenced. - I'm going to use your own whip to strangle you.

- Is that so? - the Thunder Lady grinned. - "Well, here, subsonic blast! -she shouted. -

         She threw her weapon upwards, managing to twist the wires at the same time that her whip made the ground rumble, thus producing a powerful current of energy, this caused a great short circuit that scorched the she-devil. Iama began to burn with howls of pain and her enemy took the opportunity to finish her off with a lightning bolt without giving her time to recover. The succubus exploded with a horrible scream. The whip came loose from the wires and the vigilante recovered it after letting it cool.

- It's over, now I'm going home. - Karaberasu said to herself, getting up with difficulty because of her wounds, and at the same time she adopted her normal identity to get out of the alley while she muttered. - Is it possible?  That bitch made a mess of me, I'll have to put on a lot of make-up to cover up these bruises...

The whole combat had been witnessed by the Great Wiseman and the remaining succubus. The latter turned to her with a warning tone.

- Have you seen what happens for belittling your enemies? Now you must go after the missing vigilante, surely she is the one who guards the stone, and don't fail me! This time you know for sure who has it.

- Yes, Great Wiseman. - The she-devil nodded and, as the others had done on previous occasions, said with conviction.  - I will not make the same mistake as my stupid companions. I am not as stupid as them and I will attack using cunning instead of force brute. I promise you that I will get the sphere and kill those damned humans.

Without further words, the she-devil disappeared. Her superior, as soon as he saw her vanish, decided to summon another demon, as he no longer trusted succubus at all. But this time the ceremony was carried out with much more paraphernalia and a special ritual.

- Come to me, I conjure you, Karnoalk, demon of the anti-virtue category of the sixth circle, Baron of Hazel's Darkness. Appear in my presence and slay the enemies of the Master.

A great sulphurous red mist materialized in the room, from it stood out two bright reddish dots that when the mist dissipated resulted in two eyes and the figure of Karnoalk, dressed in red armour and with two inverted pentacles engraved on each side of his shoulder pads. He was very tall and stout, with ash-brown hair and piercing blood-colored eyes. With them he scanned the room he was in, looking surprised and even annoyed. Finally, he noticed his invoker and asked the Great Wiseman, in a guttural and cavernous voice.

- Here I am. How dare you call me to this pathetic world?

- Forgive me if I intrude, mighty Karnoalk, but the situation has become very difficult and we need your help to successfully carry out our mission. -  The Wise One responded, in a tone quite considerate for his usual manner. -

- Are wretched human beings capable not only of defeating you, but also of mocking you? - the demon asked him, visibly irritated. - Shame on you!

- Do not underestimate the power of our enemies, Karnoalk," - the Wiseman patiently advised him. - "All those who did it before you are now destroyed.

- It takes much more power than those worms have to destroy me. I am a demon of the sixth circle. I guard the gateway to the most powerful. And I own vast territories. - He asserted with enormous smugness. -

- The last succubus that was destroyed also believed that it would not be possible for humans to defeat her, but she was wrong. - The Wiseman warned him. -

- A succubus? Bah!" - he spat with a sneer. - Those crawling furies are only good to enjoy for a while. But even they wouldn't let themselves be defeated so easily. Least of all by mere mortals. - He qualified in a more reflective attitude, questioning the Wiseman with greater interest. - Tell me who specifically are our enemies?

- I will show you. Starting with the last defeat, impossible according to your subordinates, that we have suffered. - The Great Wiseman answered him with irony - watch, - on his ball appeared the images of the last combat between Iama and Karaberasu. –

              The demon looked excitedly at the Justiciera, listening to her with that confident and provocative tone, mocking even her enemy when she enjoyed superiority. Karnoalk was chuckling as she admitted.

- She has great qualities, she is determined, with great style and I like her teasing character, she has to be mine. I will enjoy taming her very much.

- Don't let your lust divert you from the mission you must accomplish. Other virtues less have paid dearly for it. - The Great Wiseman reminded him with patent irritation, although he was careful to temper it as he reminded him. - You must put an end to all the Justicieras, yes, but above all to the Golden Warrior. He is the most dangerous of all.

- And who is that? - Karnoalk asked now without much interest. -

The Wiseman materialized images of Roy with his hair shining in all gold. They could see fragments of some battles in which the boy had destroyed previous opponents. Karnoalk, however, merely smirked.

- So what? Those demons were nothing but trash, none of them were worthy of even licking the ground where I stepped on.

- Well, if you're so sure, finish him off. - The Wiseman replied as if challenging him to it, finishing off his provocation with a twist in his voice when he added - Or should I summon someone even more powerful? -

- Don't bother, I'll kill him myself! - Karnoalk exclaimed touched in his pride, although he immediately returned to his other thought declaring. - But no in a hurry, first I want to satisfy myself with that human female you have shown me, I will order my faithful to bring her to me. Then there will be plenty of time to kill them all.

- All right, then. Do as you wish," - the Wiseman conceded reluctantly. - But then you will take care of that warrior.

- That's fine with me," - Karnoalk laughed as he disappeared. - Both will give me great pleasure...

For her part, Paige, true to her commitment, had been digging around. At least, after sleeping with some college student recently enrolled in the sect. From one in particular she got information about these girls that she hoped would be more reliable than the previous ones.

-I'll have to run it by April for confirmation. - She said to herself with fear. - I don't want to make another mistake or that she-devil is capable of killing us all.

She called her sister at her extension, but she wasn't there. Although someone answered, it was a female voice. Just in case she tried to camouflage her voice so as not to be recognized.

- Who was it? - she wanted to know. -

-Ho, hello. - She mumbled shyly. - Is April here? -

-No, she's not. Who's calling? - That voice asked, introducing herself. - I'm Melanie, her roommate.

-Well, I'm just a friend. I'll call her back, it's not important. - Her interlocutor hurried to answer. -

The call ended, Melanie held the receiver in her hand, looking thoughtful.

- Who could it be? She looked very familiar.  Maybe that girl I was with. Or maybe someone else. Anyway, I shouldn't be the one to judge April for that. It must be hard for her, very hard, of course, I didn't believe that excuse that she was controlled by any demon.

She decided not to give it any more thought. When she saw her again she would inform her about that call. Although she hadn't heard from her for most of the day.

-I don't know what she's doing, she's missing more and more rehearsals and I don't even know if she's going to her classes. - The captain of the cheerleaders thought with concern, especially when she said to herself. - Whatever is going on with her, and whatever sexual tastes she has, she's my friend. I hope I'll be able to help her. Poor April! What are you up to...?

The one alluded to in Melanie's concerns was indeed away at the university. She in turn was doing research. She stealthily tried to follow the areas where the Justicieras had been seen.

-I have to do anything to get my sister out of that pact. I'm sure, she volunteered in my place to serve that cult. I can't allow it!  She has a little girl...

For that reason, she had been dodging her companions, even Mel, for several days in a row now, and focusing on investigating those fighters. Though she discovered she wasn't the only one on campus on their trail. And that scared her.

-I don't want them to come to any harm. I'm only doing this to protect my sister and my niece. But that other one..." - She sighed, shaking her head. -

Meanwhile, at the university, Roy and Beruche had been waiting for April to show up. But the girl showed no sign of being there. Cooan and Tom were busy in turn so they postponed talking to that girl. The two went to the library and were studying, (finally). Preparing in advance for the end of term exams. In a break he confessed to the girl.

- Do you know something? I never thought I would be able to study at this point for the end-of-year exams.

- Well, you won't regret it. - She smiled with conviction. - It's the only decent way to pass the course and with good grades.

- Yes - Roy sighed with his hands behind his neck and leaning back with the chair to declare. - Senior year, and if I pass I'll be teacher Malden by now. I never seriously considered it until now, I might even become a professional player. What about you? - he wanted to know as he stared at his classmate. - What do you plan to do when you're done?

- I guess my sisters and I will go back to Japan. Karaberasu and Petz will have to reopen the store and we'll have to look for teaching positions.

- And you haven't thought about it? – He wanted to know, trying to find the most appropriate way to propose it. - I mean, if you wouldn't like to live here in New York. There are plenty of openings for teachers. A lot of children need education.

- Yes, perhaps," - Bertie admitted, for it was an attractive idea in principle. - Although the threat of that damned cult should be ended first anyway. - She objected with concern. -

- Don't worry!" he smiled encouragingly, taking her affectionately by the shoulders. - Between the Justicieras and that glow-in-the-dark guy, they won't leave a single demon behind. If we've been able to finish off a few of them, imagine what they'll be able to do. What's more, I think they should join forces. - The boy said, thinking at once. - If you only knew how close you are to the golden warrior.

- Yes," - Beruche agreed, smiling to herself. - If Roy knew... - and she replied more optimistically - they would surely win without any problem.

- What about us? - he added, bringing his face closer to hers. - Bertie, do you think we should...?

- What? - the young woman mused inquisitively, approaching him in turn. –

Before Roy could answer, Cooan's voice called out to them, indeed the girl was approaching them and that made that intimate moment disappear.

- Beruche, I have a message for you. Kalie called me on the phone, she wants us to come to the apartment as soon as possible.

- Did she say why? - Her sister asked her, quickly separating from Roy. -

Cooan made an accomplice gesture with her eyes and Bertie understood that they couldn't talk in front of the boy.

- I'll tell you on the way, it's our sisters' business," she said to Roy's curious look. - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, by the way, could you go get Tom? He must be about to finish his rehab classes.

- Sure, that's no problem, don't worry Connie! - he assured her jovially, figuring the girls might have had some family mishap. - I'll go get that redneck....

Cooan nodded and her sister asked her to wait outside for a moment. She came out of the library and Bertie asked her partner.

- Roy, before my sister came in, were you going to tell me something?

- No, forget it, it was nothing," - he smiled resignedly, who, after the moment in which the two of them had gotten so close, had lost the necessary atmosphere to declare himself. - See you later. - He added more jovially. -

           And turning around, he got up and walked away. Bertie sensed that he had tried to tell her something that was surely important and sighed resignedly. She had no choice but to let it go for the moment and re-joined her sister. On the way to the apartment Cooan told Beruche about Kalie calling her room from a booth. She had been fighting a she-devil looking for the stone and presumably Petz might be attacked as well and she was uneasy as she had called to warn her and she did not answer.

-We must hurry; we must come to her aid. - Bertie said. -

-And when we get this sorted out, we'll go after April. - Her sister added. - She has a lot of explaining to do.

             Her colleague nodded, but now they had to hurry to meet Petz to help her if necessary. Karaberasu herself was already on her way to the apartment.

-I must hurry back. My sister could be in danger. - The Lady of Thunder said to herself, sighing and thinking. - I wish Usagi, Minako and the others were here!

          She remembered all the times the warriors had helped them over the years. Starting with their conversion into normal humans. In her and Petz's case it happened when they were both throwing Bertierite and Kermesite's abandonment in each other's faces. From the high windows of her ship she could watch them spending an afternoon at the Hikawa shrine. Bertie sweeping leaves and Kermie stroking a girl's silky hair. They were standing next to a group of girls.

-I can't believe my eyes. Those two are the disgrace of the family! - Petz exclaimed. -

-If we don't do something fast, no one will ever trust our loyalty again. - Calaverite responded to her sister. -

At that moment they heard the voice of their boss behind them.

-That's right. Now your loyalty is also in question.

This outraged Calaverite to no end. Perhaps on some occasions she had been reluctant to fulfil her duties, but it was simply because she did not feel like doing so or because of a certain amount of revenge towards Rubeus who, after having been her lover, left her postponed and forgotten. Never out of a desire to openly disobey or not be loyal to her prince's cause. Now she realized that her master had tolerated that because in the end they always fulfilled their duty. But this was different. She hastened to protest with patent anger.

- We were not to blame for their treachery!

-Listen, Rubeus. You know we're not as dumb as those two. I assure you that we will defeat the warriors, kill the girl and punish the traitors. - Petz added decisively. -

Her interlocutor observed them with apparent scepticism. But then he asked with a hint of interest, addressing the eldest of the sisters.

- Do you think you can do it?

- Of course I can! - Petz reaffirmed emphatically. -

-Very well. - Her boss replied, passing a kind of sceptre to her. -

- What is it? - She wanted to know as she looked at it with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. -

-This staff will increase your power. Use it to kill the warriors and the traitors. Both of you go. I remind you that this is your last chance. If you fail, you will not be allowed to return. Is that clear?

-Yes." - Petz replied emphatically. -

           But Calaverite looked at her sister with a demurred expression. That promise was very difficult to keep. As soon as Rubeus left, she told Petz so. But Petz accused her of being inept. She became angry and wanted to examine the staff, but her interlocutor refused. They ended up turning their backs on each other angrily. But they had no choice but to collaborate. It was not at all difficult for them to surprise their younger sisters and capture them in a ball of energy. They took them with the intention of luring the warriors. Calaverite, however, was sceptical. She told Petz so, while her two renegade sisters remained unconscious, floating inside that sphere of energy. It was already getting dark over the large suspension bridge where they had set their trap, when she commented.

-Listen Petzite. I don't think the warriors will bother to come and save this trash, do you? We'd better finish them off at once.

-Don't be hasty, wait a little longer. - She replied. -

Her sister didn't seem to be in a hurry, she was caressing that staff with an absent expression and that attracted Calaverite's attention, who commented to her.

-That sceptre seems to have a lot of power; it even seems that your skin has become softer. Can I borrow it?

- No way! - her interlocutor exclaimed, giving her a shock. -

- Don't be so selfish, Petzite! - She reproached her sister while hugging herself, still recovering from the cramp. -

-Now that Kermesite and Bertierite have betrayed me, I can't trust you. - Her sister replied coldly. -

The truth is that she seemed to be very strange. In spite of her temper, she never used to behave like that, in such a dry and abrupt way. Even for her it was too much. But Calaverite could not continue to think about it. She saw how her two hostages had woken up.

-Apparently those two fools have already recovered. - Petz commented with an evil smile. -

-But Petzite. Why are you doing this? - Kermesite asked her with a worried and sad tone, which was overshadowed by the fact that he was inside that bubble. -

- That's enough, do you want to stand in the way of our promotion once again? - Calaverite reproached them. –

-No, we tell you this for your own good. - Bertierite declared with the same tone and expression as her younger sister. -

- In this fight there is only one winner and it is evident that you will never be. - Petz reproached them angrily. -

- Please! You have to stop fighting against the sailors. - Kermesite asked them. -

- Oh, come on! What happened to you? - Calaverite wanted to know with a mixture of irritation and disbelief. -

-We have realized that the Black Moon is extremely selfish. - Kermesite told them. -

-The Black Moon is composed of a terrible family that thinks only of its own welfare. - Bertierite added with a tone of supplication. - Trust us.

- Petzite, please! - Kermesite asked them in desperation. -

- Enough of this nonsense! - The questioned one angrily retorted to sentence while she pointed her scepter at them. - You will die.

At that moment the voice of Sailor Moon stopped her. Calaverite saw with astonishment that the warriors had indeed come to save the two prisoners. Moreover, they had asked them to return their dear friends to them. However, her sister seemed to have been transformed, she was much more powerful and single-handedly fought a short battle against all her enemies, defeating them. Then she asked her almost without thinking.

-We'd better eliminate the traitors.

-You are right. - Petz agreed watching them malevolently as she shouted. - Lightning strike them down!

To Calaverite's surprise and horror, she herself was also the target of the attack. She shuddered with that shock and, stunned, could only ask.

-Why are you doing this to me?

-The time has come for you to suffer my dear sister; I'm just getting ahead of your dark intentions. - Petz replied undaunted. -

Her interlocutor looked at her almost with more perplexity than fear. But what was she saying? She hadn't thought of that at all. Although she blanched when her sister sentenced, invoking again the power of that terrible weapon.

-You must die too. So that you won't betray me. Destroyer ray!

            Another tremendous discharge knocked her out of the air. Calaverite barely stopped her fall, although the bubble that imprisoned her sisters broke. Kermesite and Bertierite fell plummeting to the ground and she was unable to stop it. Fortunately, two of the sailor warriors were able to take them in their arms and prevent them from crashing. For her part, she landed prostrate on the ground, still wondering with horror and disbelief, but above all, with great sadness.

-Petzite, why did you do this?

Though to her surprise it was Sailor Moon herself who knelt down beside her, and placing a hand on her shoulder, asked deferentially.

- Are you all right?

That puzzled her. How was that possible? Her mortal enemy taking an interest in her condition. Perhaps it was a trick, but to what end? She couldn't help but ask in utter disbelief.

- What are you up to? We were enemies until just a moment ago.

-It is natural to take an interest in someone who is wounded. - Her companion smiled at her. –

-Calaverite, that's love. We didn't have that on the Black Moon. - Kermesite then said, leaning on the shoulders of Warrior Mars. -

-They only taught us there, that we should hate the sailors. - Bertierite, who in turn was being held by Sailor Jupiter added -

And then she understood. These sterile struggles for power, for control, over what? For what? She could sense in the tone and expression of her sisters that they were both happy and felt loved and supported. Those warriors of the White Moon were not her enemies. On the contrary. It could not be that they were the cause of the ills of their home world. It was clear that they had been deceived. Their whole life had been full of lies....

-Then we have always been wrong. - She was able to say through tears. -

She remembered that with a certain nostalgia. Then they had to work hard to defeat Petz and get her out from under the influence of that damned staff. That's what she told the warriors. Her sister was not so cruel. She was possessed. As she herself had been. Only on an even grander scale. She finally saved her older sister from being swallowed up by that hole that weapon caused. When the evil Rubeus appeared and showed his true face. Poor Petzite was so remorseful that at first she wanted to sacrifice herself for the rest. She still remembered the stunned and confused expression on her older sister's face when, about to be absorbed by that kind of discontinuity they faced, she held her with her whip and saved her.

- You? - Petzite exclaimed. -

-I won't let you be the only heroine of this story. - Calaverite replied, using her sense of humour and typical sarcasm as she tried to hold her own against that absorbing force. -

               Of course, it would have been worth it just to see the look on her sister's face when she rescued her, helped by Kermie and Bertie. Fortunately, they all came out of it safely and learned a valuable lesson. The power of love and friendship. And the sailors, whom she later met in their civilian identities, were great girls she could always count on. Once, shortly after becoming ordinary humans, she had a chat with Minako and Artemis. In fact, they helped her solve a serious problem for her and the rest of her sisters. Gathered at Sailor Venus' house, they chatted about it.

-You see, Mina-chan," - Kalie commented to her friend. - It is very beautiful to be human, to enjoy the affection of your loved ones and to live without hate or fear. But we have a serious complication.

-You tell us if we can help you in any way. - Her blonde interlocutor gave her a look between curious and worried. -

-We want to open a small cosmetics store. Not the little stall we started with, but a bigger place. You know, it was our cover when we worked for the Black Moon and it's what we do best. But there is a serious problem. We don't have any legal documents. In order to do those procedures, we should at least have birth certificates, be registered. Things like that...

-I understand,"-  Minako mused, now looking sideways at Artemis to agree with her friend. - Yes, that's a serious problem. I don't know. I'd have to talk it over with the others. Let's see if we can do something about it.

- Well," - the cat said, now with a less uneasy tone than the two humans when he declared. - Both Luna and I have access to the computers at our headquarters. From there I think it would be feasible to create identities for you and enter them into the system.

- Could you really do such a thing," - Karaberasu was surprised.

- Give us a few days and we will see what can be done. – Artemis said. -

- You're a sweetheart. Thank you very much. - Kalie smiled taking the cat with both hands and giving him a heartfelt kiss on his crescent. –

           The feline in question reddened his cheeks at the laughter of both girls. And of course he kept his word. None of the sisters knew how this could be possible, but, after giving them some names and the surname Malinde (this last one was Bertie's idea and they all subscribed to it), the cats took care of providing them with everything they needed, including driving licenses! Mamoru himself gave them some lessons to become expert drivers. Or at least to be able to drive a car without any problems. Although, since they didn't have a car, that didn't worry them too much, but you never knew. Now, after remembering that, Kalie smiled, thinking about returning as quickly as possible to the apartment to meet Petz.

-We won't let you girls down. We have so much to thank you for this new lease on life. Now it is our turn to help you fight evil.

Roy went to look for his friend. When he picked him up they talked about Tom's progress and the subject turned to the girls. In fact, the two of them talked about them for a long time. Actually, Roy was a bit uneasy, he kept thinking that lately his companions had too many secrets from each other, despite appealing to their status as family matters. And that was precisely what bothered him the most.

- Don't you notice anything strange these last few weeks, Tom? - he asked his friend almost in a whisper. -

- I don't find anything special about them," - he replied, shrugging his shoulders and wanting to know in turn. - Why do you say that?

- It's a feeling. - Roy explained confiding in his partner. - They both looked at each other strangely, as if they wanted to hide something. It's not the first time they've run off for no apparent reason.

- You're in love with Bertie, it shows! That's why you worry about everything." - Tom laughed, throwing his friend completely off balance. -

- No, I assure you it has nothing to do with that. - His companion defended himself. -

- Don't try to deny it to me, my friend. It shows, and it happens to you as it does to me, you fear for them. But they'll be fine, I'm sure. - His companion encouraged him too emphatically to be sincere. -

- Yes, it's true," - Roy acknowledged. - "I love Beruche as much as you love Cooan. But Tom, my friend, this is different, it has nothing to do with that. -He insisted proposing. - I think we should go to their sisters' apartment and talk to them and see if they're hiding something from us.

- Don't be ridiculous, man. It must be domestic problems, sister stuff. - He hastened to answer his interlocutor, downplaying the importance and even adding with a tone of some embarrassment. - What would happen if we showed up there and they were arguing about personal things?

- I'm not sure, but I have a feeling that they might be involved in some serious matter. That they are hiding something important from me and that makes me uneasy. - Tom, I don't know if you worry to that extent, but I'm afraid they might be involved in something dangerous.

- I don't know," - his friend said, beginning to doubt whether he was right to keep quiet. - I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to Bertie, Connie or any of their sisters. Even though they have...

             And he cursed his carelessness; he had said too much. He wished his companion hadn't noticed it, but this one had.

Roy noticed his friend was nervous, as if he was keeping something to himself that he didn't know.

- You're hiding something from me, Tom," - he said, scrutinizing him with inquisitive eyes, more so when he looked away. - There's something you haven't told me. What is it?

- No, no... I assure you I haven't, Roy - Tom stammered, he kept looking away so as not to meet Roy´s eyes. -

- Now you're the one who can't fool me," - his partner said, staring at him in appeal. - We are friends. Come on, please, I am the Golden Warrior. If they are in any trouble, I can help them. Who better than me? You can't let them expose themselves to unnecessary danger. Whatever you may know about them, if it involves anything concerning their safety, you must tell me so that I can help them. You must tell me so that I can protect them.

His friend took a ragged breath; he was struggling with himself. He had made a promise, but his fellow student was right. The girls' lives were above that, he sighed and took the floor.

- Connie is one of the Justicieras. - Tom confessed. - The Lady of Fire.

- What do you mean? - his interlocutor exclaimed, his eyes widening like saucers. - The ones they talk about in the newspapers and who also fight demons, the ones we saw at the concert!

- That's right," - his companion confirmed. -

- So, that means that..."- the boy who deduced the obvious, his mind had no trouble to do so mused. -

            Now he understood the curious coincidences between absences of the girls and appearances of the Justicieras. Without going any further at the concert, when they went to the service, the fighters appeared.

- Then if Connie is one of them - he repeated almost weighing each word -.... The other sisters are too, Bertie! - He exclaimed, still in disbelief. -

And he gave his friend a reproachful look. Why on earth would he have kept it from him?

- I couldn't tell you, Connie asked me to," - Tom tried to justify himself, reading those thoughts in his companion's eyes. - But I couldn't keep it quiet. Besides, I only found out recently, when that she-devil attacked us. And apparently we are not the only ones who could be aware of it.

- You should have said it before - Roy reproached him despite the apology. But then he added conciliatorily. - I understand that you were in a dilemma, luckily nothing has happened yet.

- Nor have I told them that you were the Golden Warrior and surely they would like to know, Roy. Understand, the same promise I made to you, I made to her. - His companion affirmed. -

- You're right. And you had to break it because I insisted. I'm sorry, thanks for trusting me, my friend. - His interlocutor apologized now, encouraging his partner. - Don't worry, I don't know anything about them. I will follow them discreetly and make sure they do not suffer any harm. I ask you as a personal favour not to tell them anything about me yet. As for who else might know....

-I suspect April knows something. Connie has seen her acting very strangely.

-Yes, and that takes me back to when we saw her go into the girls' room looking for who knows what. - His friend agreed, to add. - I think we should have a conversation with that girl, now.

-You know we agreed that they would take care of it. I wouldn't want to break my word twice in one day. - Tom sighed. -

-That's true. Besides, it's more urgent now to check if they're all right. Give me a little time, I won't be long. - His colleague assured him. -

Tom nodded and Roy said goodbye to him, leaving quickly towards the girls' apartment. Meanwhile, the succubus had arrived at the sister´s apartment, with a master key that she materialized, she opened the door and stealthily slipped inside, to Petz's room.

**START**