GWB10E

**START**

**55. Battles are finally fought.**

Ail and Sapphire covered the distance that separated them from Australia in just a few hours, reaching the Great Barrier Reef. During the journey they talked about some things related to their lives. Thus, Sapphire commented.

-Well, Petz and I want to get married as soon as all this is over. We have realized how fleeting happiness can be. Well, we already knew that judging from our past experiences, but it's clear that you can't put off certain things.

-It's true. Annie and I can't wait to get back to our lives with Giaal, to finally go to a nice, peaceful planet where we can plant our tree for good and live without fear. -The alien replied. -

-But once again, we will have to fight to get it. - His companion sighed. -

-Happiness doesn't come cheap. - Ail declared, who was rummaging through his combat uniform. -

- You can say that again! - his friend laughed affirming. - I want to buy her a wedding ring worthy of her, but the prices are prohibitive.

- Ring? - Ail, who didn't seem to understand, asked him. -

-You see, in many parts of the world it is customary that when a man asks a woman to marry him, he gives her a ring first. As a symbol of his love.

-It's a curious custom. And does it have to be a ring? - The alien asked. -

-Yes. -At least I think so. In this twentieth century it's the most common. In the thirtieth century and in Nemesis I think those customs were almost entirely lost. Although I remember my parents did have rings on their fingers. But of course, my mother came from the Moon, which at that time followed many of Earth's traditions. - Sapphire told her. -

           Ail nodded as he took out a detector that had been given to him before he left. It showed heat traces to the southeast. A sure sign of a recent impact.

-Let's follow the trail," - he indicated to his companion. -

They both flew in that direction and soon discovered a large crater that marked the area where the meteorite had fallen. The atmosphere was still charged with suspended dust. From it emerged two forms that resembled humanoids with large ovoid heads. As they approached them, the boys saw that they had no mouths, and that they were of a kind of electric gray color. Sapphire pointed them out to Ail.

-Look, those must be them, remember," - Sapphire warned Ail with a cautious tone. - Don't use too much power, we'll use the disruptor to confuse them, so they won't be able to track us.

The two strange androids watched them without attacking, they seemed puzzled or perhaps they were not programmed to take the initiative, but it was not appropriate to be careless.

-They must be trying to analyze our strength," Ail conjectured, - "maybe as long as we don't attack, they can't counterattack.

- Look, there's their base! - Sapphire pointed looking towards the crater and began to accumulate energy carefully so as not to be too easy to track while sentencing. - I will destroy it.

-I'll take care of them in the meantime, but be careful,"- his partner said, looking at the two androids. -

They finally reacted, launching a low-powered beam at Ail, which he dodged.

- So, they could really start! - the alien thought who counterattacked with another one of the same intensities, with that he got their attention completely. - Here's my answer!

His companion moved away from him slowly, with his life force at a minimum, so as not to attract those robots, and apparently it worked. Now he had to wait for a second chance, and his friend wasn't going to take long to give it to him.

- Hey, you pile of junk! - Ail exclaimed. - "Come and get me if you dare," - he challenged, throwing two more beams at them. The two followed the alien who led them away from the place. - Let's go!

In the meantime, his companion waited, thinking.

-I must wait for the right moment. I must not use the disruptor unnecessarily or those cyborgs might adapt to their pattern. From what we've been investigating, that's a possibility.

On the other hand, though, he was worried about his friend. Ail couldn't distract those robots indefinitely. He took advantage of the meditation lessons he learned at the Nook to lower his energy as much as possible. And it worked. The enemy gave the impression of having completely forgotten about him and focusing solely on Ail. It was time! Sapphire took the opportunity to enter the heart of the base.

- Perfect! - He said to himself, accelerating in just a few hundredths of a second and accumulating energy, ready to act. -

          But without expecting it, he was attacked by energy beams that wounded his arm.

- Damn them! - He shouted between astonished and furious. -

          However, he soon recovered and took cover as close as he could to the core of that device. As he approached, he observed a cylinder that gave the impression of being armored, and inside it, shining with shades of mauve and reddish, he saw a kind of crystal.

-I know this. - He thought with astonishment. -

Although some long metal tentacles emerged from the walls of that ship trying to reach him. He barely dodged them and, in response, launched a powerful blast of energy against what seemed to be the controls, immediately going outside. A series of explosions followed inside the place, chaining themselves together until the whole complex was blown up. That would deprive the Junker’s harassing his partner of their telemetry support and more energy supplement.

- That was easier than I thought! - The boy said to himself animatedly, now activating his disruptor. - This way they won't be able to receive information from the other places. Now I'm going to help Ail. And that crystal. I swear it's the same as us....

Although, hearing the humming of the remaining enemy machines he forgot that. Without wasting a second, he headed towards the heat of battle. His friend was defending himself against the attacks of the androids. He did not dare to increase his energy too much, for he feared that destroying them would cause them to regenerate. He could only hold his own, but sooner or later he would tire and would have to raise his power. If only his companion had succeeded.

-I won't be able to withstand them much longer at this low level. - He thought with growing fear, trying to dodge the onslaught of these beings. -

          Then he saw his companion arrive and showed him a thumbs-up gesture. Without a second's hesitation, Ail launched a powerful beam at one of his enemies, destroying him. His relieved friend did the same with the other one.

-It was very easy, don't you think? - Sapphire said to him satisfied as he took a bean to heal his wounded arm. -

-I hope the others find it as easy as we did. - Ail wished. -

- I don't know. From what I think we must have been the first to find them.

- Why do you think that? - his interlocutor wanted to know. -

- You see. -I consulted some experts in computer science and robotics of the Masters, and as an engineer I have a suspicion. Those androids are cybernetic mechanisms. When we encountered them, they didn't know if we were a threat or not.

- That's why they were slow to attack us at first. - Ail deduced -

- Yes, but then, after analyzing us, they began to adapt. The bad thing is that they were able to send information about us to their other bases before we destroyed them. They must be learning about their enemies on an exponential scale.

- That means the rest could be in trouble....

- Considering what Leval told us, apparently, they must have transmitted information about their enemies and adjusted the precise amount of energy to eliminate them. Since we were the first ones, they did not have that data. Maybe that's why, in their future, they killed us all. We gave them too much information during that battle. They were able to perfectly register our energy increases and store it.

-I do understand. - His interlocutor nodded reflexively. - It's not so much the strength they have as the information they have. They look for weaknesses in their opponents and exploit them. Now they had no data on us, and they were helpless.

-That's just it. - His colleague agreed. -

- Then we must go as soon as possible to help the others," - Ail declared. -

- They have their disruptors; I hope they can inhibit that system. Even if only for a few seconds. That way they will destroy them without problems. And if we fly there increasing our level to get there in time, we could be supplying data to those guys. I think we'd better get back to base. - His partner encouraged him. - Maybe our buddies got lucky and are already waiting for us there.

- And if not? - Ail asked with concern, to which his friend shrugged his shoulders and finally replied. -

- In any case, we must report and maybe they will know something there. Let's go!

His companion agreed. Without wasting an instant, they flew back to the island. In the meantime, Diamond and Nephrite arrived in Tierra del Fuego. They arrived chatting with their usual exchange of pleasantries. As if this tense moment was not with either of them. Nephrite had reproached him for copying him with the farewell, alluding to the return for dinner and Diamond defended himself by claiming that he was going to say it anyway. After which they moved on to the friendly exchange of reproaches for not visiting each other at their respective homes, given that they lived close if compared to each other.

-I've told you. You must come to London. I have a new shop about to open there..." - Nephrite affirmed. -

- London? But weren't you still living in Japan? - his interlocutor asked. -

-Officially, yes, I do. However, I've been traveling to England quite a bit. Minako told me that it was a good place... At least after... after saying goodbye to Naru.

Diamond's jovial gesture saddened a little, he lightly patted his companion's back and was able to add.

-I'm sorry, my friend. I know how hard it is to have to give up someone you love.

-Don't worry about me. The sailors were very kind. Makoto even made me a chocolate dessert like the one I ate with Naru when I met her again. -She sighed in confession. - The truth is that sailor Jupiter, when she adopts her civilian identity, is a beautiful and very nice young woman. You'd be surprised how homely she is.

- Wow! I didn't know about her and you. - His interlocutor was surprised. -

-No, that's not it. - Nephrite smiled faintly to explain. - We have a good friendship. The truth is that I find it strange. It's as if we have met before, at some time or place. Maybe in past lives. Besides, I met Amanda soon after. She is a wonderful woman. That's why I want to start my new life away from the old memories and together with her. At least exploring to see if our relationship can take us far.

-I wish you all the best. The same goes for Emerald and me. She has adapted very well to Earth. More quickly than I have, I must admit. - The prince smiled, adding amused. - Which leads me to offer you and Amanda to visit us as well. I have suggested the same to Roy's drone. For when he decides to marry Bertie.

-We'll have to get these damn invaders out of the way quickly, so he'll make up his mind to ask her now. Or he'll always have some excuse, don't you think? - his companion commented, displaying that recently acquired English humor. -

- Of course! - Diamond laughed. -I think he's more afraid of her when she gets angry than he is of Master Piccolo himself.

-Well, let him not be so frightened. And, besides, looking at the advantages, Beruche is certainly much prettier! - Nephrite laughed too. -

              The prince of Nemesis let out another laugh in turn and was about to reply to the joke. But his heat detector began to emit very clear signals and both he and his companion fell silent.

-It must have fallen near here. - Nephrite finally affirmed. -

-Yes, the readings indicate so, but where? - His companion asked, looking around fruitlessly. -

            They were above the estimated point, but nothing could be seen there, apparently everything was normal. Then, from nowhere, a multitude of energy beams emerged, which both were able to dodge at first thanks to their reflexes and then with difficulty. Diamond replied with several attacks that exploded in the vicinity. A large rocky-looking object was thus exposed and three humanoid figures with oval heads and a circular eye closed in on them. Without further ado, they attacked them with fresh bolts of lightning. The prince of Nemesis replied by destroying two of them.

- Be careful! - Nephrite shouted to him amidst the noise of the explosions. - Remember that they will regenerate even stronger, don't destroy them," - he shouted as he finished off their base.

-Okay, I've started up the disruptor. - His partner agreed as two more androids materialized in front of them and attacked them with more power. - Shit, this thing doesn't work! - His friend protested, more annoyed than worried at that moment. -

-We are too close. - His comrade answered him, dodging the attacks. - Maybe the signal emitted by their base is so powerful that we can't limit it from here.

-I'll take care of them, you destroy their base, now! - Diamond urged him and began to counterattack with low intensity rays to not destroy them, but to throw them off, as Leval explained to them. - Hurry up!

Nephrite nodded and for his part entered the crater, he was immediately attacked by numerous energy beams. He couldn't dodge them all and one hit him in the chest, knocking him down. Fortunately, his combat bib cushioned the damage, although he was seriously wounded. Nevertheless, with his usual calm, he took out a bean and ate it while recovering.

-These spawns are going to ruin my wardrobe. - He sighed in the purest style of English humor. -

            However, he feared the worst in case he was hit again, his breastplate was shredded and would not cushion such a shock again. But the lightning stopped, so he looked to his side.

-Sure, I'm in a vital spot. - He thought calmly analyzing the situation. - They won't attack me so as not to damage it.

He could see a kind of console and next to it a large cylinder containing a kind of black crystal, connected to a series of wires. That seemed familiar to him, but he could not remember where he had seen it. A few seconds passed and he discovered that, indeed, the defensive weapons of that base did not shoot at him, especially when he was right between that cylinder and the aiming point of the cannons. He concentrated his energy while smiling triumphantly and blurted out.

- I'm so sorry to spoil your party!

            The boy caused an explosion by releasing his energy destroying the place, he left at full speed before the whole meteor exploded, which was already shaking with terrible internal explosions.

Meanwhile, his companion was not having a good time at all. He was fighting the androids and losing ground. Despite his dynamism and his concentration in the fight, they were harassing him too much.

-Kaio-ken! - He exclaimed emitting a powerful reddish aura to unload a powerful blow on one of those androids, destroying it. -

However, shortly after doing so, another one appeared in its place. Diamond was perplexed.

- Where the hell did it come from? - He was able to ask aloud without getting an answer. -

The only retort was a coordinated attack of those two cyborgs that pierced his shoulder, making him scream in pain. Taking his hand against it, he flew away towards the nearby ocean followed closely by those machines. The prince did not think twice, he threw a ball of energy into the water. When it exploded, his pursuers seemed to be disconcerted for a few moments.

-They must analyze all the energy sources they detect. They can't tell whether they come from an intelligent being or not. - He reflected. -

                Although he was getting more and more tired and due to the hurry of his situation, he couldn't eat a bean. Then Nephrite arrived.

- Did you make it? - Diamond shouted with an impatient and hurried tone. - Can I really fight now?

For all answer his partner attacked one of his enemies, disintegrating it with a lightning bolt.

- What do you think? - He answered with mockery. -

-Now you're going to see, you damn machines. - His interlocutor smiled with rather bad intentions as he fixed his gaze on those androids, which indeed produced a strange metallic buzzing sound, just as Leval had told them. - I'm going to put an end to your irritating little noise!

He launched another beam destroying the second humanoid, the remaining one fled to the north. Surely trying to join his companions. But neither of them was in the mood for him to succeed and they chased after him. The android was fast, and it took them a while to catch up. Finally, they did. Diamond cut him off, the robot pulled out two antennas from its head and began to emit a discontinuous sound tone. It sounded like an alarm signal.

- Damn pile of junk! -  Diamond exclaimed, who was now able to eat a bean. -

Fortunately, that got him back on his feet immediately. He didn't hesitate, throwing himself against the cyborg and destroying those antennas with a rain of punches. He stepped back and let his partner finish it off with an energy beam. That robot exploded and fortunately no other one appeared to replace it.

-Matter settled. - Diamond gasped, visibly satisfied. - I've made myself comfortable. Now let's get back to the island before it's time for dinner or our girls will kill us.

- And there's no disruptor for that! - His friend smiled, not without mockery. -

- Well, they could invent one. It would be very useful to avoid a fight.

- Don't tell me Emerald is already lecturing you! - Nephrite laughed. -

- That's what it's like to take confidence, my friend. In Nemesis she would never have thought of it. - The prince added, with a smile of satisfaction. - But she has other things that more than make up for it. You know what I mean. I suppose it will be the same with Amanda. She'll make a scene for you.

Nephrite nodded with another complicit smile, affirming.

-Well, she's not the type to yell at you, or make a scene. But she certainly knows how to let you know when she's angry.

-Anyway, in Emerald's favor, I must say that she rarely gets angry with me. She's even busier than I am with her modeling and designing costumes for that witch of a boss. - Diamond laughed. - She told me she wants me to meet her one of these days.

- It's that Madame Deveraux, isn't it? That woman has a real fashion emporium.

-Yes, and for some reason she's become very fond of my girlfriend.

- Isn't that woman...? - his companion insinuated, observing him with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. -

-I don't think so. At least, from what Emerald has told me about her, she's more of a demanding kind of aunt than anything else.  But she treats my girlfriend like a daughter.

-That's not bad. Who knows? Emerald could become an icon too. She's a very good model, and some of her collections are magnificent. At least, that's what Amanda tells me. She's very fond of that scene. - Nephrite commented. -

His conversation partner listened with interest. He was glad that his girlfriend's work was so well known. So, he declared.

-I hope we will be very happy. I am satisfied with that. My friend, neither she nor I aspire to anything else. - And the prince added with relief: - "I hope that the others will do their part so that we all have the opportunity to consolidate our new lives without any more worries like these.

            His interlocutor nodded and they both flew to Masters Island, ready to report success. All that remained was Roy and Leval. They would have to do perhaps the hardest part. This is what Ami told the others in the control center.

-We have detected a powerful electromagnetic current loaded with trillions of bits of data. Possibly these are the measurements of these machines on the combat strength of their opponents.

- But the good news is that we have successfully blocked them. - A beautiful woman with reddish hair, wearing a white lab coat intervened. -

- Kaori! - Emerald exclaimed, visibly happy to see her. -

The two gave each other a warm embrace. The red-haired woman nodded, commenting.

-I'm very happy to see you, but I wish it had been under better circumstances. - She added in a more serious tone. -

-Yes, we haven't seen each other since your honeymoon in Paris, at least a month ago. - Her companion calculated. -

Her friend nodded, commenting in a low voice.

-You know that, thanks to Sapphire, Mr. Masters hired Souichi and me. And that I was able to make him fall in love with me as much as I was in love with him. But after the wedding and our honeymoon, when we went to your city, he didn't take long to summon us along with other of his scientists, to put us to work on this.

- About the meteorites," - Emerald was surprised. -

It was strange that that millionaire had been aware of something that they found out thanks to the arrival of that boy from the future. Although she didn't have much time to stop and think about it. The others approached and her friend didn't want to talk about it any further. More so when her husband, the famed Professor Tomoe, took the floor to comment to the group.

-We hypothesized that these devices were communicating through a distortion in space-time. Or an interdimensional shortcut. But it turned out to be something much simpler and more obvious. They use the equivalent of a Wi-Fi network.

That technology was in its infancy on Earth in the late twentieth century. Although over time it would be greatly developed to connect to the Internet. These devices simply amplified in an incredible way the power that a normal terrestrial server could reach and thus transmitted an infinite amount of data. It was evident that their technology was far ahead of human technology.

-At least, until Sapphire collaborated with us. - The professor summed up. - His work, with many elements of the thirtieth century, has allowed us to advance very quickly. And my wife's knowledge, too. Darling. You are brilliant. - He praised her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. - You realized the first time that the material we detected was a magnificent conductor of energy.

The woman blushed, but after separating slightly from her husband, she whispered to Emerald.

-I'll explain it to you.

- Material? What material? - Petz wanted to know with visible curiosity. -

-Remains of a capsule. The enemy sent a scout while you were fighting the cultists. - Makoto told them. -

-Yes, we had to stop him and eliminate him. - Haruka added. - We took samples from that ship to the lab.

-And there, Kaorinite and Professor Tomoe, along with more scientists from the Masters Corporation's development division, analyzed them. - Setsuna concluded. -

-The story that Leval told you finally gave us the idea. A crystal-like material, black in color. It condenses energy in an impressive way. That's why it can store the energy emitted by the warriors and even replicate it by transferring it to those machines. -

           So declared Kaorinite, who approached a nearby table, opened a drawer and showed them a crystal box containing a fragment of that strange material. They all looked at it carefully and then it was Cooan who said in surprise.

- I know this!  It looks very familiar to me. It's the same as the black crystals that powered our ships in the thirtieth century.

-That's right. - Her sister Petz agreed, adding perplexed. - And in Nemesis it was used everywhere as a power source.

The sisters looked at each other in astonishment. What could that mean? Did another civilization know and use the same kind of material?

-That's the least of it now. - Bertie intervened with visible concern and, at the same time, hope, changing the subject. - What matters is that, thanks to these advances, Roy's group, Leval and the others will have a much better chance of succeeding. Isn't that, right?

-That's right. - Ami smiled, trying to calm her in that regard. - Our disruptors have been acting as disruptors of those signals, making it difficult to receive them.

           And those devices designed by Masters' team had not been so ineffective after all. They managed to prevent the three ships from communicating with each other by triangulating positions and regenerating the robots of the others that were destroyed. It seemed that, by being in those strategic locations, those devices intended to have coverage for the entire planet. And thanks to the devices developed by the scientific division of that great company, that had not been possible. But, as Sapphire suspected, somehow those robots were getting stronger and learning. Unaware of this detail, the girls had jumped up and down shouting with joy when they learned that Ail and Sapphire, Nephrite and Diamond had won the victory and would be back in a short time. Now, all eyes were on the last of the pairs. And also, on locating the whereabouts of Karaberasu. In fact, they had been trying since they arrived, but not even with the help of Masters' computers, connected to all kinds of government agencies, could they locate her. Petz looked at the console where all kinds of women's names were scrolling and commented despondently.

- Where could she be?

-There is no woman named Karaberasu Malinde. - One of the technicians denied. -

- What if he tried Kurozuki? - Cooan suggested. -

- Sure, our mother's surname, it's a good idea! - Beruche affirmed optimistically. - She would never use our father's. It reminds us too much of our old life.

-And she must have wanted to start over, either that or I don't know her. – Petz finished the conversation. -

They did, but they didn't get anything either. To which Masters, approaching them, commented.

-After that war against the demons, many files were lost in the city. If she was registered in Tokyo, we can look there. However, I'm afraid that won't mean that she is in that city or that they know of her current whereabouts.

Discouraged at this point the three sisters held a small council and Beruche said, as spokesman.

-We thank you for your efforts. But leave it for now. The first thing is to defeat this menace. If Roy and Leval manage to do so with the remaining ship, there will be no more problems and my sister can go on living her life in peace.

           And everyone nodded silently wishing that this would be the case. For their part, the two hopefuls were flying over colder and colder landscapes, approaching Alaska.

-I hope everything goes well," - Leval sighed nervously with each passing moment. -

-We'll win, that's for sure," - his interlocutor encouraged him. -

-After all I've been through, I find it hard to believe that I'm going to win so easily. - The boy commented with a tremulous smile of uneasiness. -

-Nobody says it will be easy. Nothing important in life is easy, believe me," - Roy replied. - But we'll make it, if we fight with all our strength and put our hearts into it.

That strengthened the boy's morale, he remembered the time spent with his father in the Corner of Soul and Time. That was very hard, as soon as he entered, he almost felt crushed by the conditions of that place, but he quickly adapted. And if that wasn't enough, Roy forced him to fight with a very heavy suit. Leval thought he couldn't handle it, but his trainer encouraged him day after day and made him believe in himself and his possibilities.  He remembered one of the conversations they had during one of the few breaks they allowed themselves.

- I can't take it anymore!  - The boy gasped, no longer being a super Saiyan, but lying down on that white surface. -

-Don't put out the "Fire of San Telmo" yet - Roy smiled meaning its golden glow. -

- What does that mean? - the boy wanted to know. -

-It was a glow due to chemical effects produced in old ships. - His interlocutor explained. - Bertie's friend Ami told me about it. Isn't she a clever girl! She told me that when I became a super warrior, I reminded her of it. And I occasionally sang her that old song with a similar title. Listen to it. - He asked her while she was honking with her hands, shouting upwards from that endless whiteness....

-Come on Landar, play us this song....

And immediately his request was granted, music began to play and Roy himself accompanied the song. Teaching the boy in the meantime to transform into a level higher than super Saiyan one.

***Growin' up, you don't see the writing on the wall***

***Passin' by, movin' straight ahead, you knew it all***

***But maybe sometime if you feel the pain***

***You'll find you're all alone, everything has changed***

***Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won***

***Soldier on, only you can do what must be done***

***You know in some way you're a lot like me***

***You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free***

***I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky***

***I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher***

***Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels***

***Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire***

            Listening to this, Leval smiled with contagious enthusiasm. It certainly seemed as if someone had written that song dedicated to both. He now realized the intensity, vitality and overwhelming strength of his father and wanted to be like him. He could not and would not let him down. There was too much at stake. And that was what scared him the most. Failure and not being able to measure up when the time came.

***Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go***

***(Just how far I go)***

***Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road***

***I can make it, I know, I can***

***You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man***

***I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky***

***I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher***

***Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels***

***Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire***

they both exclaimed. The boy was beginning to understand what that meant. It was a hymn to hope, to the warrior's spark he had inside him. He would have to make it shine like never before to save everyone's future, starting with his own. And thinking of all his loved ones in the present and in his future, he felt as if, indeed, something was burning inside him. Something was igniting inside him....

- Come on, Leval," - Roy encouraged him as he continued to sing.-

***I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea***

***I can feel St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me***

***Just once in his life a man has his time***

***And my time is now, I'm coming alive***

***I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly***

***Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high***

***Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels***

***Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire***

***I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky***

***I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher***

***Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels***

***Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's fire***

              And sentencing this last stanza, the two lit up like super saiyajin raising their arms. And clapping their palms together. Roy even affectionately slapped the boy's chest with his open hand and nodded, raising a fist to conclude singing.

***I can climb the highest mountain, cross the wildest sea***

***I can feel St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me***

***Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin'***

***Ooh, burnin' inside of me***

**(San Telmo's fire, John Parr, credit to author)**

        Leval felt euphoric. He wanted with all his heart to make these lyrics his own and fulfill his mission. But that feeling faded as the song came to an end. So, after resting for a few moments, he immediately turned his expression serious, sat down on the floor, while his training partner did the same next to him and looked at him with interest when the boy confessed.

-I haven't told you everything. You see, about those machines...I... the truth is that, after the horrors I saw, I'm afraid, afraid of not being able to react. Of being paralyzed. I can't get those terrible images out of my head. And, besides, every time I attacked them it was useless, they reappeared stronger than before and defeated me. - He confessed with shame and desolation. - I always ended up running away, like a coward!

              Roy didn't let him finish with those self-reproaches. He quickly stood up and put a hand on his right shoulder and said confidently.

-When the time comes, I'm sure you'll do what you must do. And listen to me well and never forget what I'm going to tell you! I know you are no coward. I think I understand what you feel. On those occasions you had to escape to live and fight another day. Well, that day has come. So, if that should happen to you again, look inside yourself and you will find the strength you need. You are a Saiyajin, remember this song. The Fire of San Telmo burns within you....

         The boy smiled gratefully. Those words were an enormous source of encouragement and comfort. His own father was speaking to him, showing his confidence in him.

-I will never forget it. I give you, my word. - He assured him with great recognition. -

-That's enough for me. - His interlocutor smiled. -

          After that brief pause, they rested little more, the trainings awaited and returned to them once again. Now, in his mind, Leval was battling against that feeling of fear of disappointing his future father, and above all failing in this mission. They finally reached the area and encountered a group of androids blocking their way, the boy's expression paled in terror.

- It's... them! - he stammered in fear as he recalled the sight of those creatures. -

-I'll take care of the base," - his interlocutor responded in a calm tone. - You cover me.

His father headed for the entrance that could be seen through the ice, but more cyborgs blocked his way. He fought them off by transforming into a super warrior, destroying one, but another one immediately came his way. Roy was able to get away from it, managing to penetrate through the hollow. More androids that had appeared followed him. Leval was left alone outside, paralyzed with fear. Memories of the cruelty of those beings invaded his head again, despite his efforts. It was like remembering that song his father played for him, about the machines....

- Damn it! - the boy said to himself, trembling in the presence of those terrible beings. - Not now!...

For his part Roy attacked the vital points of the ship releasing much of its energy, it exploded into pieces. Most of the androids were destroyed, but there were still some left. He was pursued by them. Exhausted, he tried to defend himself, but the androids hit him, punishing him severely.

- Leval! - he shouted urgently, looking at him from a distance - help me!

The boy witnessed the scene overwhelmed with fear. He wanted to do something, but the memories of his mother and his friends bombarded him, the pain of the innocent and the chaos, the despair of a destroyed world with no future.

- I can't hold out much longer! -- Roy exclaimed, visibly backing away from the onslaught of the androids. -

The boy watched helplessly as they beat his father, his future father! But no! This time he was not helpless, nor should he be afraid! He was a space warrior, a Saiyan. He had a duty to fulfill and all the misfortunes he had suffered in his life could not turn him back, but only strengthen his determination and his hatred towards those damned robots. And, above all, he had given his word and his mother always told him that the word of a Malden was sacred. That his father never broke his and he wasn't going to be the one to disgrace it.

- All because of you, you damned androids! - He thought, noticing how his fury was growing by the second- Damn you, I won't let you kill my father again!

            Shaken with rage, he concentrated an immense amount of energy surpassing the second level of super Saiyan, the androids gave him their attention leaving Roy for a few moments. While Leval shouted at them, shooting sparks from his eyes. Coming out of his trance and his terror.

- It's over, do you hear me? Ahhhhhh!

With a powerful scream that thundered the surroundings and his energy that raised huge blocks of ice and stone, the boy lashed out at the androids who didn't even have time to defend themselves, smashing one with a single punch.

- This for my father and his dead friends!

                 Another android attacked him with several beams that hit Leval without causing him the slightest damage.

- This is for the other innocent victims of the future, and for all the suffering you caused to my family and friends! - He added, smashing another one with a lightning bolt. -

Roy was amazed, Leval had surpassed his level of strength by far! Actually, and before Leval himself confessed it to him, he knew that the boy suffered from that blockage. He always knew it since he saw him suffering from that terrible nightmare and then, when the poor boy told him about it in the corner of Soul and Time, he realized what he had to do. He knew he must allow himself to break it to escape from that nightmare. What he did not imagine was the tremendous power the boy would unleash. He far surpassed the second level of super warrior. All he could do was stare at him with his mouth open.

- And this," - the boy added with a powerful howl. - It's for me, disappear!

              With this last shout he launched a powerful energy beam against the last android and what was left of the base that exploded with a tremendous shockwave devastating entire kilometers. The gust of hurricane wind resulting from such forces swept across the frozen plain as the boy looked up at the sky and declared that he was overcome with a great sense of joy and peace, letting some tears flow, and returning to his normal state.

- Now we are free at last! It's all over!

On the island, the energy that Leval unleashed was so powerful that it could be detected, the whole ground shook. The group was astonished.

- Did you feel that? - Ail asked the others. -

-Yes, it was an incredible force. - Sapphire declared. -

-That's right. - Usagi smiled nodding with approval, as she looked at the millionaire who did the same as the girl sentenced. - They have succeeded, the future is safe again.

Meanwhile, back in those latitudes of the Arctic Circle, the boy apologized to Roy who was still looking at him in amazement.

-I'm sorry, I was late in reacting, you could have been killed because of me. - The boy affirmed with a great feeling of regret. -

But his future father encouraged him by putting his arms on his shoulders and told him with a kind conciliatory tone full of satisfaction and pride.

-I understand, it was a shock for you to meet them again, but you responded like a true super warrior. You can be very proud of yourself! I told you, you've got that San Telmo fire in you! ...like all your Saiyajin ancestors.

Leval smiled gratefully as Roy proposed to transport him to the base. The boy shook his hand and his interlocutor concentrated on the energies of the group.  None of them seemed to see that strange black silhouette floating a few meters from their position and carrying a large book under one of his arms...he glanced at some pages in which some letters seemed to materialize as if by magic and then disappeared.  Completely oblivious to this, the two super warriors reappeared on the island of Masters in just an instant after concentrating on the energy of their friends. Right in the control room. Bertie, seeing them, ran to hug them.

- Thank God you're both okay! I was so scared, you beat the androids, didn't you?

Her boyfriend kissed her again and declared proudly.

- This boy saved my life! It was amazing how much strength he showed! He's way ahead of me!

-No, it's no big deal. - Leval replied shyly, blushing amidst the general admiration. - I only did what I had to do.

-Of course, you did," - Roy smiled, patting him on the back to declare with satisfaction. - I couldn't have a better successor as a warrior in the future.

-Yes, he honors the blood of super Saiyan. - Tom agreed. -

-Thank you, everyone," - the visibly moved Leval sobbed. - For me this is a dream come true..., to hear these words, I have wished it so many times. Now we will be free!

-I don't want to spoil your party. - Diamond, who had already returned with Nephrite and talked for a few moments with Ami, with whom he discussed the subject he now commented. - But what about the androids of your future?

-It's true," - Leval admitted, realizing this with concern. - I must return to destroy their base. But I didn't think how to do it - he remembered feeling dejected. - As I came here in desperation, I didn't think about my future but about this one. And I don't know how I could return. Well, in fact, I knew I couldn't do it.

          Everyone looked at him in a hurry, if that boy's timeline still existed, the androids would still be there too. And the people of that time would be at their mercy. The group looked at each other with obvious uneasiness and regret for that brave boy, trying to find something they could do, but no one could think of much. Until Sapphire commented.

- Couldn't Landar help us?

- Wait a moment! - Leval then exclaimed, remembering the wizard's words. - That man asked me, when it was all over, to go and see him again.

-I'm sure he had already thought of this and will help you. - Sapphire encouraged him, glad to have brought up the name.  -

-Let's go see him as soon as possible," - Roy urged. -

- Of course, I understand. - Ail said, making public the reasoning that assailed them all. - If you don't come back, you will have saved the future of this timeline, but not the one you come from. There the androids will continue to exist and enslave the Earth. But now it will be different, you have the means to defeat them.

-You know that their base is to the north. - Tom added. - Take a disruptor and a detector, Masters and his team have improved it, now I'm sure you'll discover them right away.

-Yes," a young girl with dark hair, intervened. - My father has incorporated a genetic pattern disruptor. When these beings want to scan you, they won't be able to identify you.

Leval observed a tall man, with white hair, like Diamond's, although shorter, and with round glasses, made his appearance confirming the girl's words.

-My daughter Hotaru is right. Your bio-mark for them will be unstable. That way they won't be able to identify the energy you display with you.

-And they won't be able to attack you. - Ami added when she understood that, affirming: - "You are a genius, Professor Tomoe!

The man smiled shyly and said goodbye to ask the brunette girl as the two of them walked away.

-Daughter, will you have time to eat with me today?

-Of course, I will, daddy. - The girl smiled. -

The others in the room were equally ecstatic. Everyone's attention was still focused on Leval. It was Petz who said.

-Good luck to you, my boy.

- We are with you! - Ann added with a big smile of encouragement. -

- I'm sure you'll make it! - Emerald declared sympathetically. - "Good luck.

-Go see the wizard and listen to everything he tells you. - Cooan advised him with the same affection as the others. -

-And then, please come back to say goodbye to us before you leave for your future. You will, won't you? - Beruche asked him affectionately. -

-I will, you can be sure. - Leval promised them, smiling a big smile of gratitude and then added a more serious and concentrated request to Roy. - But first I must know how to return to defeat them, please take me back to Heaven.

-It will be a pleasure. We'll be leaving right away. - His interlocutor answered holding him by one arm and concentrating. -

And this time Roy had no trouble detecting the trail he was looking for. The two of them disappeared. Everyone else, except for the base personnel and the sailors who offered to keep watch in case there were any meteorites left in space, moved to Bertie and her boyfriend's house. There they would wait impatiently for the boy's return to prepare the farewell. On the island the Sailor Moon was now standing next to Uranus and Neptune. And she asked them.

- Are you sure then?

-We can't say for sure one hundred percent, but there is a good chance. - Michiru affirmed. -

- We detected security breaches. - Haruka commented, adding. - They were all scouring the west coast of North America.

- Do you want us to intervene? - Neptune asked Usagi. -

The latter shook her head and was able to say after a few moments of reflection.

-Not for now. Keep in mind that it may be normal that, under these circumstances, she was worried about the safety of her friend. We will wait and if that should happen again, I will personally take care of it.

The other two nodded in turn and Michiru asked her interlocutor.

- Is there any news of the Small Lady?

-Nothing yet. - Usagi sighed, adding in a better mood. - I hope everything goes well and that the space-time current will be restored soon.

-Of course, it will. Don't worry, it'll be fine. - Haruka smiled encouragingly. -

The two walked away after saying goodbye to Sailor Moon and commented once they were out of the room.

-I don't know. I'm worried. Things could get complicated. - Michiru declared. -

-I hope not more than they already are. - Haruka commented. -

- I'm worried about Setsuna. She is very fond of the Small Lady; you know how their relationship is. Since she was a little girl, the princess visited her in her space-time portal....

-I know our companion is worried, and I know she doesn't want to show it. But have faith, as we have told Usagi... well - she corrected herself even with an amused tone and expression, to add. - To the future queen Serenity. Everything will be fine...

- And what about the other matter? - Michiru asked. -

-I'm not so sure about that anymore. - Haruka sighed, affirming with uneasiness in her tone. -And things are likely to come to an unpleasant pass. I wouldn't want to be in her place if she was caught contravening orders.

Her companion agreed with a gesture and the two of them disappeared down a long corridor, on their way to the elevator. In the meantime, some were preparing a party and others were looking for answers...

**START**