GWA11E

**START**

**Weekend at the Beach.**

The four of them remained alert for the next few days, but nothing abnormal happened. Soon they had to put aside their fears because they had to deal with the first checks. They were days of much study in which they hardly saw each other after classes. Beruche and Cooan were both excited and nervous. After having come out relatively successful from their experiences with the children, those were the first evaluation tests they faced there. They had to get good results. The boys were also not careless this time. Both Tom and Roy wanted to come out of such a trance with good. The latter especially and apparently fate helped him, on the one hand, he got a break. Melanie and the rest of her classmates didn't do anything other than study either. On the other hand, the demons seemed to have forgotten about them. Finally, they finished, and Roy then resumed what he had talked to Jack, about the inclusion of girls in the Brotherhood. They were left for the candidates to run the next day. Cooan was eagerly waiting for the time to come, she would love to be admitted and thus can be closer to that boy. Beruche for her part was not so willing. Despite this, between her sister and Tom, they had convinced her to at least present her candidacy.

-I hope this is worth it. -The girl said in her room, shortly before leaving for that ceremony. -

-Yes, don't be silly!  – Cooan encouraged her. – It will be a lot of fun.

- Fun? - Bertie repeated with a good dose of skepticism. -

-Well, I don't know. - Her sister replied now, with a somewhat more insecure tone. - Maybe that's not the word. But it will be a big step for us.

-The most important step I took when you hugged me that time. – Her sister declared, recalling the way Cooan took a risk to save her from that sterile suicide attempt.

-You don't have to be remembering it all your life. - The alluded girl smiled. -

-I was going to say that, therefore, I will go with you anywhere. – Her sister said returning the smile. -

Cooan rewarded her with another hug. After separating, she said full of joy.

-What makes me most excited is that we are together. All that would be missing would be Petz and Kalie, and our friends to make it perfect.

-I try to imagine them around here and...

Bertie couldn't continue, she laughed. Her sister laughed with her, while the young woman was finally able to add.

-Ami-Chan Yes, I imagine her without problems. She would be in her element. Playing chess games with me, going to the library to study. But imagine Usagi!... Or our sisters arguing... with Miss Parker trying to separate them...

-Yes, you're right about that. - Cooan agreed, prey to hilarity when imagining that painting. -

And after a few fun moments, the two focused. They left their room for their appointment.

- How about you with the kids in the practice? - Beruche wanted to know as they walked. -

- Great!  I had a great time, with songs and making drawings with them. And then we went to see a toy museum. They could even be used... there were two or three who were really very cute...

- The toys? - Her sister was surprised. -

-No, the kids, silly!  - Cooan laughed. -

Bertie laughed with her. She loved to see her sister so cheerful and vital. She remembered her like that when she was very young. When she dressed up in some of their mother's clothes and came to see her. Then Bertie would read her some stories from Earth. Even then her sister wanted to be a great dancer and put on makeup like their mother. The same as Bertie and her other sisters! Unfortunately, then their lives were twisted. But there they were, ready to make up for those lost years. And so far, things were going very well. Except for those damn demons. And of that mysterious individual who knew their past lives. That cast a shadow over her spirits. However, she was quick to get rid of that from her mind. After several days whoever it was had not reappeared. So, she took that away from her thinking. At least she wanted to try to be as excited as her sister and enjoy that reunion. So, both met Roy at the exit.

-Hello girls. That's how I like it, punctual to the appointment. - He declared that he was already waiting for them. -

- I can't believe it! It is already twice in a row that you arrive on time. - Bertie smiled with a certain retintin. -

- “For you to see, Little cube! - He laughed more openly. -

- “Hasn't Tommy come? - Cooan wanted to know. -

- “No, it does not correspond to him, he is not part of the red ribbons to be able to vote. But we'll see him later. - His interlocutor explained to them, adding jovially. - It's getting late, on the move...

And without further delay the young man guided them to the headquarters of the Golden Eagle. A place that was in one of the buildings next to the faculty. Once they arrived, they knocked on the door. A boy came out carrying a blue ribbon tied to his arm, asked them.

- “What do you want?

-"These two young ladies want to present their candidacy to be members of our brotherhood." - Roy responded solemnly, so much so that he impressed even Bertie. -

- And who are you? - The watchman inquired in a protocol way. -

-"Brother Roy," - he answered, showing his red ribbon, which caused that boy to immediately pass through the entrance. –

-"I hadn't recognized you. You may pass, brother. - That boy kindly asked him. -

The three of them passed by and walked down a hallway to another locked door. While waiting for a few moments before it, their host said to both with a spirited tone.

-"You'll see, this will be a piece of cake. I'm sure they will accept you.

-"Do you believe so?" - Cooan asked him hopefully. -

-"Of course, Connie," - he said resolutely, and he explained to them. - "Now I'm going to come in, in a few moments we will make you pass and explain the reasons why you think you should be accepted. And quiet. In the meeting of the red ribbons that we decided are companions that you already know and of notary my friend Jack who supports you. And he's Big Brother. Also, Ozzie who has promised me the same, there is Roberts who likes you and there is me. Well, there's Melanie, too.

-Then I better leave here. Let us not waste any more time, because, I think, to accept a new member the vote must be unanimous, right? – Bertie questioned him. –

-That's just to appoint someone as a test member. Not for yellow ribbons. Those are given by a majority vote. You will see how nothing happens. - He answered confidently. – Well, now wait a moment here.

And Roy went inside, leaving the girls there. Inside, the rest of his fellow red ribbons awaited him. It was Jack, the one who as a purple ribbon and leader asked him.

- Are they willing?

- Yes. A little nervous perhaps. – He told Jack. -

-"They're good girls. Roberts commented that, he added without a certain sarcasm. – For once and without serving as a precedent, I agree with you, Malden.

-It's a detail on your part. – The boy replenished with the same tone to look at his partner Ozzie who nodded to rivet. –

-For me no problem. I would even directly name them green ribbons.

- That's a lot to say. –Melanie intervened and she commented in turn with a seemingly dispassionate tone. – For Connie there is no problem. She has proven to integrate very well; she is an outstanding cheerleader and a popular girl...

-"Bertie is also a very appreciated girl– Roy dared to reply, adding, in addition. – And she has represented our University in the chess tournament.

The boy said it in an enthusiastic way, which his interlocutor did not like at all. But it was true. Days after her first game, the one that ended in draws, Bertie competed in five more and won them all without problems. Her other opponents didn't have anywhere near Sophie's level. And this girl could not continue since her father had become ill. When Beruche found out, she called her to wish her well.

- Do you see it? Bertie is noble. And she told me that she was looking forward to playing against that Saint Paul girl. - Roy added in reminding the rest of that. -

-"At least she's competitive." - Ozzie said. -

And since that triangular tournament between the Golden and two other universities of the State ended with victory and one more trophy for the showcases of the College. Everyone warmly congratulated the champion. Even the head of cheerleaders had to do it. Not in vain that was a triumph of the university. For her part, the winner downplayed that and focused again on her studies. Anyway, that was a relevant merit. Not even Melanie could oppose anything to that. Although she immediately smiled in a somewhat perfidious way to declare.

- “The bad thing is that she spends so much time with Hank Williams, that guy is a nerd. It gives chills just to have him around”.

-"We are not valuing Williams here." - Roy responded, on the other hand, did agree with her to admit. - As nerd as he is.

- Of course. I'm not opposed to her being yellow ribbon. - Melanie claimed. -  But in the case of her sister Cooan, I think Ozzie is right. I vote to give her the green ribbon directly. What do you think about that?

The others looked at each other not without certain surprises. Above all, Roy had hoped that he might have had to convince Melanie to admit Bertie even as an aspirant. But this was a detail on the part of her partner. To tell the truth, the young woman smiled savoring that triumph. She had thought about it carefully, at first, she wanted to have categorically refused to let that Japanese girl enter and only admit her sister to humiliate her. But that would have been too much against her and technically Beruche had done nothing to her. This was much better. She would admit her along with the others to show that she did not have any kind of resentment, but Melanie offered Connie the possibility of even being a test member. Instead of interpreting this gesture as disdain for Bertie, others would think she was very considerate of Cooan, and in fact by having her on their cheerleading team and publicly congratulating her on her performances, which were certainly very good, everything fell into place. Even Roy would see that she was not jealous at all and would have to thank her for her generosity. And to top it all off, it had been Ozzie and not her who proposed the green ribbon for Connie. So, she waited for the retort of the others and gave a wide smile when she listened.

- I do agree. – Roberts claimed that he alleged. – It is not that Beruche is not a great girl, but her sister has meant more in the activities of our College.  I think that would be the right thing to do.

- I do agree too. Connie is much more open and outgoing. She has connected more with people. She has quite a few friends among the cheerleaders. - Ozzie said. – She gets many more points for admission.

-"And I. - Jack sighed. He, as a leader, also had the possibility of vetoing decisions. -Well Roy, What do you say? - He asked. -

-"I would like the green ribbon to be given to both. Really. I think Bertie deserves it too. She is a very good girl. The only thing that happens to her is that she is shier. That's not a sin...

But in full view of the faces of the rest he finally had to give in, and sighing affirmed.

- Okay. Green ribbon Connie, yellow ribbon Bertie.

-"Very well," - Jack, who climbed into a kind of armchair that was somewhat higher and behind the row of chairs where the others sat asked Roy. - " Make them pass then and let's hear them. -

He obeyed and brought in both girls. As they marked the rules for those who wished to be accepted the two greeted with slight bows and it was Ozzie, who showing great theatricality, addressed them exclaiming.

- Aspiring members of the Brotherhood must state their reasons!

Everyone then looked at both girls and it was Cooan who was the first to speak:

-"You will see brother directors," she began using a formula that Roy had previously indicated to her. -"I would be very excited to be part of the Brotherhood. As I have been explained, it has a lot of tradition and is a way to feel even more united to the University. Since I arrived everyone has been very kind to me, and they have welcomed me. I am very happy to study here, to be part of the cheerleading team. – By mentioning this she got a smile of approval from Melanie.  - And having made so many friends.

She ended her plea obviously without saying that being at the same club as Roy would be great. After a few moments of silence, it was Bertie's turn to speak.

-"My sister has said almost everything. Although I am not a cheerleader, I am very honored to belong to the Golden. Companionship here is highly valued and that is something that some very good friends taught me a long time ago. For that reason, I would mainly like to be part of the Brotherhood.

Everyone looked at each other, although it was clear that Connie's allegations had been much more enthusiastic. The group of red ribbons whispered between them for a few moments and in the end, it was Jack, who, getting up from his armchair and descending to the ground, took a box that was on a table at the back of the room and opened it. He took out a pair of yellow ribbons and with ceremonious bearing knotted them to the right arm of each girl declaring solemnly.

-"Having Listen to your reasons and know your merits, we officially accept you as candidates to be part of our brotherhood.

Both girls smiled, Roy also got up signaling to that they could leave, although then Roberts' voice sounded that indicated to them.

-The candidate Connie must stay for a moment.

The girls looked at each other in surprise. Although Beruche just shrugged and walked out. She had managed to get her accepted as a candidate, which she never thought possible having the head of cheerleaders there. For her part, her sister breathed heavily. She was nervous. What would they say to her? Although Roy reassured her smiling. It was Ozzie who took the floor to say something. Meanwhile it was Melanie herself who got up and went to that table at the back of the room and took something out of the box.

-Candidate Connie. Having already tested your enthusiasm as a representative of our University and seen your efforts to help and contribute to its prestige, we judge that the yellow ribbon does not correspond to your merits.

- So. – Melanie smiled at her as she took the girl's arm by knotting another ribbon. – We think it is fairer that from now on you wear the green color as a member to test.

-"Really?" she exclaimed with joy. - " I can't believe it! -

- "You have to know that this is an honor reserved for very few." - Roy explained visibly happy for her, to add. - To be granted two ribbons at once is something that even I did not achieve when I was proposed as an aspirant.

The others nodded benevolently. Cooan even hugged Melanie, who reciprocated full of satisfaction. She only regretted that the insidious Connie´s sister couldn't see them now. Meanwhile the excited girl asked.

- Should I carry both tapes at the same time or only one?

This provoked everyone's smiles, although it was the head of cheerleaders who commented jovially.

-For today you can wear both. So, everyone will see the honor that has been bestowed upon you. From tomorrow, when you must take one, of course the green one. Now, go to rest.

And the girl nodded and after making another slight bow of the head she came out very happy. Outside was waiting for her sister who, seeing her like this, asked her what had happened. To the amazement, and even Beruche's smile, Cooan told her what had happened.

- Congratulations! - Bertie replied sincerely, even though all that ribbons thing did not concern her in the slightest. -

-I am very sorry that they have not done the same to you. You deserved the green too. – Cooan said almost apologizing for it. -

- Oh, don't be silly. It is true that you have moved more than I have, and you have integrated much more. Don't worry. - Bertie replied without giving it much importance. - It is already a miracle that I have been accepted as an aspirant.

-They have all been very kind, but above all, Melanie has supported me a lot. – Her sister confessed to him. -

Beruche nodded with a smile of circumstance. She didn't want to make Cooan feel bad if she knew the run-ins she had with her cheerleading boss. But she quickly understood what was happening. Anyway, she said something very different to praise her.

- Sure. And it's natural, you're her best cheerleader! She must be very happy with you.

- You'll see how they will give you the green right away! – Her sister encouraged her or so she thought. –

The questioned nodded, even if that mattered very little to her. After a while Roy met them. Together they returned to their faculty. Tom was waiting for them at the door and became interested in what happened. When he saw the ribbons in the arms of both girls he smiled. And even more so seeing the green ribbon tightly tied above Connie's elbow.

-Of course, I congratulate you. - The boy praised her unreservedly. - It's not easy to get two ribbons on the same day. And congratulations to you too, Bertie. – He added not wanting to be impolite. –

-Thank you, Tom. - She was able to respond with a dispassionate tone. -

- What do you think if to celebrate it we go to the beach tomorrow? - Roy proposed jovially. -

- To the beach? - Beruche was surprised. –

Although her sister was already clapping her hands and very smiling replied.

- I think it's great! Tomorrow will be good, and we have not been going to the sea for a long time. Right Bertie?

-Well. - She could say, who really didn't care. -

Although she had to admit that when they visited the city they had a great time, especially looking at Cooan's expression that squeezed her lips and took her by both hands to insist with a more mellow tone.

-Come on, Bertie... Let´s go to the beach, since we were with our sisters and the girls almost a year ago, we have not returned.

Her sister sighed and nodded smiling. Cooan was referring to a getaway they made together with the sailors to a quiet place. Where for the first time they could enjoy bathing in the ocean and admiring its immensity. It was clear that everyone was excited to go. So, she agreed with a somewhat livelier tone.

- Why not?

-"And you'll be able to swim a lot there." - An enthusiastic Cooan added. -

-"Well, we are leaving, tomorrow at nine o'clock in the morning!"- Roy told them with obvious good mood. -

They agreed on that. They went to the classes that passed with nothing to review. These ended and the group separated to take care of their respective activities that in those days passed through the studio. Cooan went to the library.

-"Luckily today it's not Miss Rose's turn." - She breathed a sigh of relief. -

On the way she came across some colleagues who greeted her congratulating her.

-Congratulations, green ribbon. - Most of them told her. -

- Thank you very much. - The young woman responded, full of satisfaction. -

Her cheerleading friends also came her way, it was Susy who greeted her jovially before she arrived at the library building.

-Connie. Congratulations, girl! Melanie has already told us.

The captain left shortly after and while Cooan and her group talked about their plans to go to the beach went to the local cheerleading club breaking news to the others.

-"Girls, I hope you celebrate Connie as she deserves." - She asked. -

-"Of course, I do, Serena nodded. -

-She's a great girl. -  Brooke, a young woman with black hair and eyes in tone, agreed. -

-"We could go buy a cake." – Susy proposed then. -

-"I think it's a great idea." - Melanie nodded. -

-"Yes, I'm signing up," - Cinthia added. -

- “I will take care of that! - Susy declared enthusiastically. -

She was the one who had made the most friendship with that girl, although April joined in intervening.

-I will accompany you.

And after going to a nearby pastry shop and getting hold of an appreciable cake, they quickly took her to the place. Luckily there they had fridge for ice and isotonic drinks.

-"Here it will be kept cool until we eat it." - Serena said with a visible desire to do so. -

-"Now we have to bring Connie," - Susy said. -

-"Well, let's go get her as soon as possible," - Brooke suggested. -

And without delaying for a moment, they went to look for her. Seeing her go towards the library they rushed to intercept her. After congratulating her effusively, April commented with a laughing gesture.

- “We have prepared a small celebration for you.

-"For me?" - the perplexed girl exclaimed, placing one of her hands on her own chest. -

- Of course! You are already one of our... well, I mean. - Serena qualified. - You already were, but now you belong totally to our group. We are all members of the brotherhood.

- Brooke, Cinthia, and I are green ribbons, like you. - Susy told her. - And Serena and April, being more veterans, are blue ribbons already. Not to mention Mel who, of course, holds the degree of red ribbon.

-You have a lot of merit. You've been given two ribbons at the same time! – She was praised by the second captain. -

-"I don't think I've done anything extraordinary," - Cooan modestly replied. -

And in fact, if she thought about her friends in Japan or how difficult her own life had been and the effort she and her sisters had put into living like normal people, it really was. Therefore, she added.

-"I'm just enjoying all this. Being able to dance and be part of the cheerleaders is enough reward for me. And, above all, to have you as companions and friends.

She won the spontaneous applause of her interlocutors who held her in their arms surrounding her with affection.

-"Very well said, Connie," -Susy said. -

And all together they entered the room reserved for cheerleaders. Melanie herself was there. She greeted her with a smile declaring.

-We are very proud of you. You have proven to have integrated yourself wonderfully.

-"Thank you all very much." - An excited Cooan smiled. -

-You must keep training us so that we have the best form in the league. - Serena encouraged her. -

-Count on it. - Cooan promised. -

And after eating that cake and toasting with some juice, due to the rules against alcohol consumption of the faculty, they were chatting about their future. Although in the very short term, Cooan revealed that excursion they were going to make to the beach.

-"Wow, how interesting!"- Melanie commented wryly. -  And are the four of you going?

-"Yes, my sister, Tom, Roy, and I, of course. – Cooan listed. -

The captain didn't say anything, anyway, other girls were nearby, and she was not going to signify herself, who did look at her with a dismayed expression was April.

- You are lucky! With handsome guys like those two. - Susy jokingly intervened, adding. - I'd love to go, but it's clear it's a four-way out...

Although she immediately kept a stranded silence when she realized that Melanie was there and had heard her. Luckily for her, Cooan was oblivious to those details. After a while she said goodbye to her companions, she had become late, and she was tired.

-It was a great day. - She thought full of satisfaction and contentment as she made her way to her room. -

Bertie had meanwhile been studying. Seeing her sister arrive, she commented with some ironic and funny condescension.

-"I'm glad to see that you're back. Your books and notes missed you very much.

-"The girls wanted to give me a little party. – Cooan commented candidly.-

And seeing the stunned expression of her sister, Cooan told her what happened to conclude.

-"When I wanted to realize I saw that it was late. Although there are still a couple of hours until dinner. I can study a little in that time.

Bertie did not say anything, on the one hand, she was glad that Cooan had fit so well with that group of girls, although she was sad to see that gradually the two were separating. She had a harder time making friends, despite everything, she also related to some colleagues, although certainly not as closely as her sister.

-"It's great that Cooan is already so integrated, that's what we wanted. Besides, we will go on an excursion together, tomorrow. - She thought encouragingly. -

And when the time came, they went to dinner. Then it took them a short time to go to rest. The next day was Saturday, they met Tom and Roy at the entrance of the campus, equipped for their departure.

-Good morning, girls. – Roy greeted them jovially. – Are you ready to go to the beach?

-We are more than prepared. - Bertie agreed. -

-Today is a good day, and quite hot for this time of year. We will be able to bathe. - Tom estimated. -

-"I'm not very dip-in, although my sister loves that," - Cooan replied. -

At those words Bertie couldn't help but smile slightly. And for this time Roy was careful not to say anything, so as not to remember that other unwanted dip that he "gave" to his partner.  They left and took the opportunity to take a bus that, from the faculty, left them in the city. After taking the subway from Manhattan they arrived at Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn. There, near the waterwheels and other elements of a nearby amusement park, they camped with their umbrellas, chairs, and mats. The boys installed everything on loan while they were told.

-This beach was very fashionable until the end of the Second World War. – Roy declared explaining to them. – Then it went into decline, but a few years ago they have begun to renew the walks, to put more showers.

-Yes, it's nice. Cooan commented by observing the attractions, especially the famous carousel cutting against the sky. –

- “Next time it would be nice to go to Long Beach. –Tom suggested. –

- “But there we must pay entrance and now I think it is closed. - Roy objected. –

- “Well, what can we do? – his friend sighed placing the umbrella. –

The two sisters walked away a few meters while chatting. Now luckily, they had not suffered those demonic attacks again for many days and so they commented.

-"Everything is very quiet now." - Cooan said. - "Let's hope it continues like this. - She wished to adjust her violet two-piece swimsuit a little together at waist height. -

- I hope so too. - Beruche replied that he was wearing a blue swimsuit, evoking her old uniform. - But I can't get out of my head what that voice said, he seemed to know us very well. As if he knew everything about our old lives.

- Forget it, Bertie! I don't think so, otherwise he would have already attacked us. I already told you that he must have wanted to scare us. "- She was reassured by her sister."

- “I hope you're right. - Beruche sighed trying to remove that from her mind. –

- “We are lucky and all of us are going to be alright. - Cooan sighed. -

-"I hope so," - Bertie agreed with that same hope. -

The truth is that those days of calm seemed to prove her sister right. Bertie felt motivated by the first exams, wanting to focus on them. In a way, that helped reinforce the impression that they were just another student.  And even that nonsense of the ribbons helped to give things a less serious vision.

- “I hope all those demonic threats are over. -Bertie meditated, commenting to her sister. - Now I understand Ami well. The poor girl would give anything to be a mere student and achieve her dream of being a doctor. Without having to be fighting the forces of evil.

- It's true. The same thing happens to Rei. She already has enough to take care of the sanctuary and with her own studies. - Cooan agreed, sighing in a slightly guilty way to add. - And to think that we were one more problem that they had to solve, to continue with their lives!

- That's right. Although I am very glad that they did it, and in passing they helped us. - Her sister told her, sentencing. - We have been able to have another opportunity thanks to them. And we are taking advantage of it. - Now, after that reflection, she observed the boys and smiled changing the subject. - Look at those clowns, they look like two children!

Tom and Roy built a sandcastle between them, helped by a group of children with whom they seemed to get along.

- Of course, it is impressive how well children are at it, but it is logical. They are even more childish! - Cooan opined funny. -

- I think so, ji, ji, ji! - Her sister agreed. -

They both watched as Roy picked up a girl in volleys and made the plane with her to the satisfaction of the little girl.

- Well. - Cooan sighed. - At least we have these moments to rest. More tasks are coming next week.

- Yes. - Bertie said. - I didn't think this was going to be so exhausting. We will have to get down to work with a work of psychopedagogy and prepare a test of procedures. As I said at the Brotherhood meeting. I am very happy to study here! – She declared. -

And she continued to watch Roy out of the corner of her eye when he left the little girl on the ground laughing with her and the other little ones.

- More, more! - the funny little girl asked an exhausted boy who replied on his knees to be at his height. -

- Let me rest, baby!  please! ... - He begged that same phrase reminded him of another situation with "girls" but certainly very different, both the circumstance and the girls in question, much more grown. He thought with some rejoicing, to add. - " We play a little more later.

The girl, about five years old, allowed to be convinced by contenting with hugging her neck. Tom for his part finished directing the works of a pit in the sand. They were both having a great time. It was that an unusual moment, it oxygenated them from other types of relationships with teachers, classmates and especially with those infamous demons. But the tranquility was short-lived, and the group did not realize that they were observed from a distance by a pair of sinister hooded men with binoculars.

- I have already located them. - One of them said keeping them in their visual field - they are on that beach.

- We must warn the Masters. - The other added. He took out a "Walkie Talkie" and communicated with his base. - We have them at point h-2, with a group of children.

- Stay waiting. Inform of any news that occurs. Now we will send someone to take care of them. - It was the answer. -

At the sect's headquarters, Valnak was promptly brought up to date.

- So, on the beach. How good these guys have a good time! They take advantage of the touristic low season well. - The demon smiled affirming with his usual sneer. - Well, I have something in mind for them to have even more fun.

- What have you thought of doing, sir? - One of the Masters asked him with keen curiosity objecting. - It will be difficult for the devil to occupy a suitable body. According to our reports, they are only accompanied by a group of children.

- Maybe you will try to own the girls who are with him? -  Another of the masters guessed. -

- Not them - The devil denied arguing. - Their situation makes them impregnable for proper control. And I don't want to do it that way. His other friend has already been the victim of another. His mind would now be stronger. As for the target, he cannot be possessed by his condition. No... leave it to me.

- But then which human can you turn to? - The third of the Masters wanted to know. -

- And who talked about using a human? - The funny demon smiled adding below - That was your problem, the lack of originality. Let me work and you'll see!

Among the logical curiosity of the masters, he conjured another demon called Manarask, who appeared as a strange shadow of form halfway between humanoid and beast, which he ordered to attack by sea.

-"Wait, I forgot one very important thing, Valnak told him before his servant left."

-"Name it, my master and it shall be done." – The questioner obediently spoke -

"-Be careful with this one." - He pointed out showing a picture of Roy. - I want him alive. I don't care what you do to others. But avoid harming this human too much.

-"As you command, my lord." – That entity responded. -

And after those words the devil departed, penetrated the ocean, and entered a large Jaqueton, taking him to the beach.

The children had already left, their parents urged them to do so but not before thanking Roy and Tom for their kindness for entertaining them. Both then turned their attention to the girls by encouraging them to swim.

-"Come on, the water is great!" - Roy said. -

- I thought that a cold current passed through this area. - Cooan refuted. -

- Don't be a whiner, Connie! - Roy denied between funny and tired. - Is wonderful. Right Tom? - He added asking his friend for help. -

This one, who did not know if his partner was referring to the water or the girl, nodded with a smile.

- Come on, little cube! Here you will be in your sauce! - Roy urged Beruche, grabbing her arm to get up. - This pool is huge. Come on, I let you throw me inside and we will be at peace. - He dared to remind her now. -

- I'm coming, wait a minute. - She asked him to smile amusedly. -

The truth is that now that uncomfortable memory even began to seem funny to the girl herself. And, above all, she was fascinated by looking at that endless surface of water before her. She could remember those stories her grandmother Kim told them when she and her sisters were children.

- That what is called the sea is so big? - Asked her not being more than seven or eight years old. -

-"Yes, honey." - Her grandmother's warm voice answered.  - It's immense! There is only water as far as the eye can see.

-Then it is much bigger than the lake that Dad and Mom have next to home. - An admired Kermesite intervened. -

-"It might even be bigger than the whole planet Nemesis! - Petzite commented, truly amazed. -

- Really, Grandma? - Inquired Calaverite. - So huge is it!

That old lady nodded smiling. Beruche remembered her somewhat wrinkled features and that kind expression. Their grandmother loved them very much, as did their mother. Although the latter changed and became much harder and more demanding with them when they grew up, then they barely saw her again when they went to live in the Court and then they were corrupted by that evil energy ...

-"Are you okay?" - Roy asked her, looking at her with some strangeness. -

The girl came out of her thoughts then. She must have shown a nostalgic expression on her face. She immediately smiled and nodded, she wanted to swim and had always liked cold water, it would be the custom.

-"Yes, of course, I just thought."

-Surely in the exams. Go on, little cube!  Stop being so cluttered and enjoy the moment. - She was jovially advised by her partner. -

-"You're right." she admitted, going to the water at the same time as he indicated.  - Let's go swimming!

- Go ahead, Connie! - Tom intervened by encouraging the other hesitant girl by gently shaking her hand to help her up. - You're not going to be less...

The questioner was finally convinced and along with the others finally got into the water, and as she had been feared, it was frozen! Cooan wanted to back down, she certainly wasn't as enthusiastic as her sister, but it was mission impossible. Tom and Roy splashed it from the rear and entered the sea, diving suddenly to avoid the prolonged suffering of the cold waters. Around it the beach had been deserted, now it looked like a newly discovered island, just for them. The day was also getting cloudy and that gave a steely and mysterious gray tone to the sea.

- That's great, now it will temper a bit. - Tom commented when he saw the clouds. -

- How cold it is! - Cooan Shiver staying static with short strokes. -

- You must swim, or you will freeze. - Her sister advised her to rivet jovially - Listen to me. This is my thing!

And this one already gave some elegant lengths of "Crol" and then effortlessly changed on her back sliding on the salty and dense waters that supported it practically in volleys.

- Let's go girls! - Roy proposed swimming towards them. - Let's make a race! So, we will warm up quickly. - Tom agreed to it by following him at a good pace. -

-"I don't think it's fair," - Beruche replied, approaching him. - We swim well, but you look like torpedoes.

That's right, obviously the boys had greater physical strength and were excellent athletes. She possessed a much more refined technique but still could not be compared. Despite this, it was paradoxically her sister who harangued her amusedly.

- Come on, Bertie! we lose nothing by trying. - Cooan said that she was trying to catch up with Roy and glad also to be able to get rid of that paralyzing cold. -

He was deliberately going slowly and when she thought she caught up with him he accelerated sharply splashing a lot of water towards the girl who stayed behind releasing a jet through her mouth. Beruche, who had gone unnoticed in the meantime, treacherously attacked him from behind by submerging the boy by resting her hands on his shoulders. Then Roy emerged looking for his attacker...

- Now you're going to see, cubito! I'm going to turn you into a submarine! - He threatened amused when he discovered it, in turn undertaking the chase. -

Tom who was going behind went to Cooan who was coughing, he seemed to have drunk some sea.

- Quiet, I will save you! - He said jokingly. -

Although halfway his expression turned to terror when he saw the fin of a shark heading towards Cooan. He squeezed the pace arriving quickly next to the girl and pulled her arms towards the shore.

-" But what are you doing, Tom?" -The surprised girl asked. - It's not so much! I've just swallowed some water.

- A shark! - He shouted pointing to the sea - and it is very big...

Meanwhile Roy had reached Beruche and with one hand on her head tried to sink her, but the girl was elusive and got away from any attempt by laughing at his surprised face. Not in vain was water her element, the same as Ami. The two enjoyed swimming together as much as playing chess. She thought about it as she skillfully dodged that boy.

-Ami- Chan is an excellent swimmer, she also surpasses me in that. Although she once told me she competed against a friend of hers, a certain Michiru, I think her name was, who is as good as her. I hope one day she will introduce her to me!

- You are really very good at swimming, but it won't do you any good. I will catch you! - Roy assured her precisely by trying again until he received the notice from his friend. -

- Roy, Bertie, get out of the water! - The boy shouted pointing in his direction because the shark had changed course heading towards them. - A shark is going towards you!

- Come now, Kansas hick! - Roy laughed incredulously, who obviously, had not even looked to respond. - That is a very old trick ...

But his companion did turn watching him approach. The boy then appreciated it too. In the distance a large fin and emerging from the waters the terrifying head of a great white shark. Everyone paralyzed in terror until Roy said, pushing Beruche away to shore.

- Come on, I'll entertain him, get out of here, Bertie! - And he headed towards the shark swimming at high speed. -

-"Don't be crazy, it's going to tear you apart!" - Tom shouted in a desperate tone. -

-"You take the girls from here,” -he responded. -

- Have you lost your mind? - Beruche shouted at him uselessly, but he was now far away, and the girl could do nothing but escape from there. -

Tom and the girls managed to reach the shore and get out of the water. Roy, seeing them safe, also went ashore through an area he knew well. It was swimming at full speed, but the shark was getting dangerously close. Fortunately, the shark was a few centimeters away from grabbing its prey by stranding on a sandbar as its alleged victim calculated. So the boy managed to get out. Once safe, he stared with fascination at the huge animal, helpless in its dry dock.

-"I don't understand," - he gasped for the effort, and still scared, he said. - It came for me as if It knew me, it had a very strange look!

Responding to his words, from the shark came a dense black mist that upon reaching the shore was consolidated in the form of the demon Manarash, a kind of humanoid with a shark's head.

- You swim very well, - The demon praised treacherously. - Let's see if you fight the same. - And without giving his opponent time to react with a very fast blow he threw several meters against the sand. -

Tom came to his friend's aid by punching the demon in the back with the umbrella stick, but he split that flimsy gun in two. His enemy turned unscathed towards him smiling with huge jaws and declaring with ironic derision.

- Wow, how brave there is on this beach! Don't worry, I’ll take care of you later.

And without further ado, he pushed the human contemptuously, but, even so, he threw him several meters. Ignoring him completely afterwards, he again headed towards his target which was still on the ground trying to recover. At last, he got up when the devil came with him...

-"Now you're going to see!" - Roy said. -

The boy managed to hit his rival with a karate kick to the head as Tom had taught him. He was even able to knock him down. Although Manarask got up immediately half-opening his jaws as if he were smiling amused.

- Oops! I didn't expect that. You're making it interesting for me. - The demon sneered. -

For their part, the two sisters were desperately looking for something to defend themselves from the attack of the devil. But Cooan had left the amulets at the university and Beruche no longer had holy water. Meanwhile the demon had hit Roy again making him bleed from the lip, Tom shouted at them both urgently from his position.

- Hey, girls, get me something hard, a stone or whatever.

The two frantically scrutinized the beach in search of the required object, carried away by the urgency, but they found none.

-"I don't see anything, Tom!" - Cooan squealed in a desperate expression. -

"Well, we have it bad," he replied. -But with or without a weapon there I go, I can't leave Roy alone - He declared decisively ramming into the demon and pushing him away from his friend. -

-"Let's go get it!" - Roy encouraged to Tom getting up from the ground. - We are two against one.

- Wow, wow! - Manarash laughed instantly recovering from the nerd and mocking both.  - Do you really believe that two miserable humans will be able to beat me? I admit that you have courage, but get ready, I'm going to finish with you!

Although when he was about to attack them, he received a telepathic order from Valnak that made him stop.

- Attack the girls - this provoked a gesture of surprise from the demon who for a few moments stood motionless - do what I tell you! -  Valnak demanded -

-"Yes, master," - he replied aloud. –

And to the surprise of his opponents and with enormous speed he moved to the position of the two sisters.

-Stop, coward! - Tom rebuked him frightened by them - attack us!

The two saw the demon approaching and chose to throw each other to the side to confuse him. For a few moments it worked. Manarash bewildered doubted who to attack first, but finally decided on Beruche, who had stumbled while trying to get up and was on the ground. Roy, also quickly, got in the way of the demon. However, the latter, laughing in a burlesque tone, pulled him away from a slap knocking him down. He was going to attack his prey that was still trying to get up and flee without success. It was then that the boy returned to the charge holding one of Manarash's legs and making him lose his balance by hitting the ground. Furious, the demon rose starting to beat the boy and ignoring Valnak's orders. Tom approached stealthily throwing a handful of sand in his enemy's eyes, managing to blind him. He, standing, bellowed furiously as he tried to take it off. Everyone took the opportunity to escape by running to hide in nearby beach huts. There was a line of thirty or more, each one hid in a different one, being able to pass to cats from one to another.

- You will pay me for this one! - Manarash roared, he had already managed to remove the sand. - Now you have made me angry! I will find you no matter how much you hide, and I will tear you to pieces! - He threatened approaching the booths. -

Tom crawled into Cooan's hut, she made him a hurry hole, but with the sand raised he began to give him the typical spasm that precedes a sneeze. The boy, as was always frequent in those cases, quickly placed a finger under his nose. The girl managed to hold back, and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Beruche was not happy as she watched from a crack as the demon approached her hut, he was smashing them all to find them! Roy also saw it from his own and only thought about how to get him away from his partner. He came up with an idea, tearing off two wooden planks he tied them with a piece of cloth from the closet.

- It is not a very orthodox cross, - he said in a hurry - although I hope it will work. - So, gathering courage, he came out of the hut and challenged the devil. - Hey, you, stupid sea bream head! Why don't you come for me? Look, what do you think of this? – He exclaimed trying to appear intimidating while defiantly raising the sticks before him. -

However, to his amazement, he obtained from his enemy a very different reaction from what he expected.

- Ha, ha, ha, ha! - Manarash watched him and laughed out loud replying. - You are so stupid that you don't even know how to make a cross properly!

Roy discovered in horror that the cloth with which he tied the woods had been torn and one of them had fallen. He tried desperately to recompose them, but the devil, with a dizzying speed, took away the boards in one fell swoop. Drawing a stupid smile on his face Roy ran away, however, his rival flew over him intercepting him.

-"Well, well, " - Manarash said amusedly as he creaked his knuckles. -

- Okay guy! - the boy replied trying to sing his best and the most daring accent he could adopt. - Come attack me! Let's go faggot! come on, a fight, I challenge you, hand in hand, face to face. A fistfight, just you and me! What is going to be? Coward, son of the big bitch.

- Okay! - Manarash accepted that he seemed very funny with that situation since he showed his jaws like a smile when he even conceded. - However, you want! I even let you start. Hit me as hard as you can.

Roy did not make him wait, gathering strength he hit the demon with his best left hook, he even made the demon stagger, but Manarash shook his head, although he admitted.

- Not bad for a human. Now it's my turn. - He declared delighted to shake his opponent a direct that sent him four meters back. -

- Alas, I see colorful stars. - This one babbled on the edge of the technical K.O with spiral-shaped eyes. -

-"Ha, ha, ha, ha! - Manarash laughed pointing at him with one arm at the end of which he extended one of his sharp claws. – You are very funny, what a pity not to be able to take care of you! You are for the master, I will take care of the others, of those I have no concrete orders to leave them whole.

The demon turned to look for the others, but in doing so he howled in fright and began to burn. Beruche, Tom and Cooan had seen what had happened, picked up the sticks and stealthily composed a cross in conditions taking advantage of their friend distracting the enemy. They lay behind him and got up when Manarash turned, stamping the cross on his nose. Tom finished him off by sticking a stake in his forehead and the demon burst out. Everyone turned away from him by throwing themselves to the ground. Afterward, they went to Roy who rambled on about the sight of Saturn's rings and little yellow chicks around his head.

-"He has hit him very strong." - Tom sighed -

-"Yes, we will have to help him to get back to college." - Cooan agreed while her sister nodded worriedly. -

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the evil sect, the demon responsible for the failure of the operation endured with quite stoicism the anger of the Great Wiseman.

- You are stupid, Valnak! I told you to go yourself, I am already starting to get tired of making a fool of yourself. - He snapped at -...

- As you say. - The captain of the Horde responded with a faint smile without looking too worried. - Next time I will personally take care of the matter.

Back in college, Roy was lying down, with a steak over his eye and an ice cube covering his jaw. The others surrounded him and Beruche between compassionate and funny, reproached him.

- How are you such a donkey and make such a flimsy cross?

- I had nothing else, alas! - he complained when articulating word. -

- I don't plan to go back to the beach for a long time. - Tom intervened. - What do you think if the next day, after the exams, we go to the mountains? There are no sharks there.

-"Yes, that would be great, I love the mountain!" - Cooan agreed enthusiastically. -

- Don't talk so much, please, my head hurts a lot! -  Roy lamented with moans. -

Everyone looked at him and couldn't help laughing. They had come out so well off that it seemed to them that these demons were no longer so terrible. Unfortunately, they couldn't be more wrong... very soon they would check it out. For her part, Melanie became concerned when she learned that Roy had returned injured. When he and his companions returned, some boys saw him in a sorry state and the word had spread immediately. She went to find him in his room in order to take an interest in him but stopped. When he arrived, the door was open and he could see that Japanese bitch inside, laughing beside him.

- Damn disgusting whore! - She snapped through her teeth. -

She turned around by retracing her steps. She was so angry that I didn't even notice that Tom and Connie were there too.

- I swear you're going to remember me! - Melanie snapped with obvious disgust. -

She barely noticed that Roberts was approaching her. The boy wanted to tell her something, but she ignored him going through the hall like an exhale.

- It must be because of that asshole!  Damn, Damn!  I don't know what happened to you, but it's nothing compared to what I would do to you. – He thought, with manifest anger, focusing now on the girl he liked so much. – Why do you keep insisting, Mel? – He wondered mentally.  - Why?

Although he didn't know for sure if that question should be asked of Melanie or himself. Filled with frustration he walked away down the corridor, hoping to have some reason to break that idiot's face. For his part, he crossed paths with April who saw him with that angry gesture.

- Are you okay, Malcolm? - She asked him with concern. -

The boy stopped watching her with surprise. Perhaps his mood was so evident that even that poor girl had noticed. Trying to calm down he replied.

-I am perfectly, thanks for asking.

He was going to go on his way when she placed one hand on another of his. Roberts was perplexed, especially when April sighed commenting with a tone halfway between resigned and saddened.

-Sometimes things are not as we would like them to be. You're a good guy. Don't hurt yourself anymore. That's no use. I know this from experience.

Malcolm thought he understood. That poor woman would have been one more victim of that conceited "Don Juan". Another trophy that he would have forgotten, just as he had done with Melanie, focused as he was on his last conquest. Although he didn't know what to say. He was finally able to mutter a...

-Thank you, April. I know you're her best friend. Please try to help her so that this unfortunate person does not hurt her anymore. He doesn't want to know anything about her. And Melanie insists on putting a blindfold on her eyes.

- I wish I could!  - April smiled faintly, her eyes fogged, sentencing. - But that is something that only Mel can discover. Only she can take that bandage off. The more we tried to make her see it, the more she would refuse to do so. Be patient. Only that we can do.

Roberts shook that hand of the girl between his own, nodded looking at her gratefully, let it go, and walked away at last. April watched as he got lost in the hallway. The girl had seen her roommate pass by before, Mel was about to cry and with that rictus of rage on her face. She saw how she passed before Roberts without even looking at him and how he made a point of wanting to tell her something, but he did not dare. Realizing the direction in which the captain of the cheerleaders came, it was not difficult for her to connect the dots.

-"At least you have a small chance, Malcolm. – She mused full of consternation and bitterness. - If you knew what it was like to have had to leave the room so many times for her to meet him... and smile despite being broken inside...

She didn't want to think about it anymore and left. She had a lot to study before the exams. Although she would take advantage as soon as possible to make a getaway to the city. She had to be careful, to go as far away from college as possible. She could not allow any of her fellow students, let alone her fellow cheerleaders, to know.

-"My whole life here is a big lie." -She lamented, " And the worst thing is that I dare not even think about what could happen if it were discovered. Maybe I would be able to bear it... if you didn't know, Mel.

Parallel to these events, in Japan, Mamoru and Usagi had a conversation in boy´s apartment. They were with Luna. The young woman declared.

-” I don't know. Things are going as we have been told so far.

-” Maybe even better. We have been a very quiet couple of weeks. – Mamoru said. -

-"But very soon everything is going to get worse. And that scares me. - Usagi sighed lowering her gaze. -

."In such a case we will have to act." - Luna commented. -

-They will have to let us know first. Until that happens, we will not be able to go. - Mamoru reminded him, asking.  - How are the others taking it?

- Not too good. - The girl responded by adding something more relieved. - But since we told Ami and Rei, both are waiting for the time to come and eager to help the girls.

- As for Jupiter and Venus, I don't know. - Luna added commenting. - Artemis has told me that Minako is worried. Although she does not want to externalize it. You already know her; she knows how to keep what she thinks well when she wants with that laughing appearance. And Makoto, well, she's kind of on the sidelines, but she meets Petz from time to time and when she chats with her. Mako-Chan doesn't like having to pretend she doesn't know anything about what's going on in the United States.

-"Maybe if we could tell them the same thing as our other two companions. - Usagi commented weighing that with a sad gesture. -

-"You know it's not possible, at least for now." - The boy intervened. - They don't have the affinity of Rei and Ami with Cooan and Bertie. In addition, they must stay here in case the enemy shows up again. We can't just count on the warriors of the outer solar system. And our daughter must stay in the future, at least for a while. There's a lot to take care of there. You know, we must prevent certain temporal paradoxes from occurring and allow others.

-"That we don't even know now." - Usagi pointed sharply, almost with a reprobate tinge. -

-"And so it must be, to prevent we from damaging them in an irreparable way. – Mamoru said. - That is why, among other things, we are not allowed to be aware of everything.

That was true. Chibiusa in turn had her own challenges and obligations. As Queen Serenity's successor, her efforts would be focused on ensuring peace and prosperity in the distant future. But that was something that, despite having a certain relationship with the sisters, had to be left aside by the very security and stability of the space-temporal fabric.

- Have you heard anything new from that other mysterious adversary? - Usagi asked him in the thread of that, with a restless tone. - It was not too clear to me what or who it was. We were not warned of this.

-"I haven't heard anything new. I talk to Setsuna recently and she told me that, for now, there had been no news, but that they kept their vigilance. - The young man replied, reminding his interlocutor once again. - You know that they do not have to tell us everything. We were warned that there are so many things that will need to happen. And we're not involved in all of them. That is why it is not for us to act in such cases.

-I know, and that is what makes me suffer the most. - Usagi confessed, riveting. - The moment is approaching, and they are not ready yet. And neither do we. I wish I could come and do something!

-"But you must mentalize about it, as hard as it is for you, Usagi-chan. This is not like when we were on the front line. - The cat commented wearing her whiskers. -

-"No, and I would rather be the one to face whatever it is that is behind all this. These poor girls no longer have any power. Why have they to be the target? - Usagi lamented. -

-"That's not something we can change. What we do know for sure is that it is not our struggle. - Mamoru reminded her by taking her hands to qualify. - At least, for now. We will have to allow events to run their course, no matter how hard and difficult they are, whether we like it or not.

        Usagi nodded with resignation. Then they said goodbye to go to meet their other companions and wait for events. Which, unfortunately, were not going to take long to happen.

**START**