GWA36E

**START**

**A Legendary Master.**

After a time that felt very long to Roy, he saw a figure walking slowly towards him in the distance. At first it was just a little black dot. Later, as he got closer, he could make it out better. After a while, he was only a few meters away. Then he was able to get a good look at him. He was a guy of about 5'9" or so, with long, dark, spiky hair, with a few long locks sticking up to make him look taller. He wore a smiling face, which fixed the boy with sharp, big black eyes. He wore red kimono with a black symbol inscribed on a white background on its back. He could see it as the man had turned to pick up staff that he had dropped. Once he had attached it to the back of his kimono, he walked closer to the boy and greeted him in a very relaxed tone.

- Hello!" - he said waving a hand. - You're Roy if I'm not mistaken, nice to meet you.

- Thank you, same here," - he said surprised, - "but how do you know my name? Who are you? - he asked in turn. -

- Sorry I didn't introduce myself! - the man exclaimed, scratching his neck. - The truth is that socializing is not my strong point. My wife always tells me so.  She'll never forgive me for standing her up at that interview for that Gohan school. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!

However, seeing that the boy was looking at him with a puzzled look on his face, the guy decided to get down to business and introduce himself.

-Well, you obviously don't care about that. My name is Son Goku and I'm a friend of a remote ancestor of yours. Maybe he's even your ancestor too. I don't know, I don't remember it very well, and I've heard it explained to me...

- Whaaaat? - Roy exclaimed astonished. - I beg your pardon... Friend of my... who...?

- Well, friend, what you call a friend, maybe not. - Corrected his interlocutor thoughtfully. -Vegeta has a very particular concept of friendship, but after so many centuries he's not as surly as he used to be, heh, heh.

- What does it mean that he's my remote ancestor, or that you are, too? Why did the wizard say you were going to take care of me? Because you're the one who's going to take care of him, aren't you? What did he mean by that?  - His companion wanted to know, without holding back the questions that were swirling around in his head. -

- Calm down, man," - his companion asked him, making space with both hands. - Now I will answer all your questions, but one at a time.

Roy noticed a detail that he had not noticed before, on the head of this Goku there was a faint yellow halo, a kind of little crown that floated a few centimetres away from this individual...

- What is that on top of your head? - the boy asked again. -

- Wait man, that's too many questions at once. - repeated that peculiar guy with a patient tone. - Do you like it? - He added pointing to his halo - it's pretty, isn't it? It means I'm dead, you're wearing one too, look. - He pointed a finger at the boy's head. -

He tried to look at it, but when he raised his head, the halo followed him backwards. He tried to adopt the most improbable postures, but that irritating little ring always followed him instantly, no matter how fast he moved. Finally, he looked up and managed to catch a glimpse of her.

- It's annoying, isn't it," Goku smiled, explaining casually. - It was the same for me. I always wanted to see her, but she kept slipping away. I kept trying for ages. And in the end, I got bored. But my wife found the solution. With a simple mirror you can observe yourself. She's very ingenious.

Roy looked at him as if he were gawking. His companion, who must have thought that he was uneasy about such an ornament, added jovially, to de-dramatize the situation.

- Don't worry, you're dead now, but that'll be sorted out soon!

- Yes, it will. It's one of those easy things to do. Like ordering a pizza or eating a cake. - His astonished interlocutor agreed, forcing a smile of circumstance as he thought. - This guy is out of his mind, where did I go?

But his new host did not allow him to continue this train of thought as he was folding his arms and pacing around him, scrutinizing him from all angles. It didn't make Roy feel very comfortable, but he didn't know what he could do either. He would wait for the lunatic to make the first move. And so, it was when this Goku commented to him.

- I saw your fight against that demon. It wasn't bad, but he beat you easily. You should train more, but I can help you with that.

- Listen, my friend," - Roy replied, annoyed at his self-respect. - I don't know who you are or what you're about. But I can assure you that that demon was anything but easy to beat. I would have liked to see you in my place! What a beast he was! I bet your fight wouldn't have lasted ten seconds.

          His companion merely shrugged his shoulders as he did a handstand and jumped back to his feet.

- Not bad. - He said almost to himself and seconds later turned his attention back to the boy who was looking at him as if he were crazy and said without giving him much importance. - That's true, I would have beaten him in about two seconds.

             There was an awkward pause of silence. Roy, whose face looked like the picture of annoyance and surprise at hearing such a thing, replied.

-You're delusional, mate! I don't know what fight you mean. But now I assure you I'm not joking, OK? Look, it was a huge demon. - He dramatically raised his hand high above his head to add. - With gigantic horns, hooves, and a lot of nastiness...

           Goku listened attentively as the young man vented his frustration and finally replied in a conciliatory tone.

- Yeah, that's the one I meant. Don't get mad, man. I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you're going to have to work hard.

- Of course," - his colleague responded with arms raised and a sarcastic tone, - "and you're going to teach me, aren't you? Look, man, I don't know what it means, but I'm a Saiyajin, the Golden Warrior. - By way of demonstration Roy transformed himself into solar, he could still do it, but of course if he could do other things, he didn't see why not this. - Do you see? - He said with conviction and even boasting when he added. - Look at the strength I have! When have you ever seen anything like it, huh?

The guy watched him without flinching and declared with a thoughtful expression and a hand to his chin. Just as if he were being tested in some sort of exam.

- Super Saiyajin level one, not bad for a beginner and you've achieved it with such simple training, I admit you have a lot of merit.

- But what are you saying? Level one? - Roy exclaimed, unable to believe his ears. - What the hell do you mean, are you capable of achieving more strength?

- Of course, I can, man! Take a good look. - Son Goku asked with an amused air, transforming into a golden warrior exactly like Roy to Roy's surprise and adding with a tinge of master class. - Let me explain. I am now like you, at the first level. - This said, he increased his energy to a tremendous intensity.

          His interlocutor was dumbfounded, he felt a force that was much greater than Nagashel's. Goku was throwing tremendous energy. Goku was throwing out tremendous golden flares and his body volume had increased considerably. Even the buzzing sound he was emitting had intensified.

- This is the second level; this is where you'll have to go at least. - He indicated as if it were the most normal thing in the world. -

- What? But that's impossible! - Roy stammered in bewilderment. - It's a beastly force!

- Well, I'm not finished yet," - Goku said, raising his power even higher. -

It emitted such a force that if the boy hadn't ducked, he would have been thrown off by the energy emanating from that individual. Now several metres around his companion glowed in the same golden hue that he was emitting and created around him a kind of energy sphere of colossal proportions for Roy's senses. Though Goku still didn't care for it in the tone of his words when he said.

-This is the level three threshold, there are several more, but that's enough for now, don't you think? - And he instantly returned to his normal state. - It's not necessary to reach the God level either.

-To, you can still increase your energy even more! - Roy exclaimed in bewilderment. -

- Well, yes, a lot more. This is nothing. But there's no need to go any further for now. - Goku replied without making a big deal out of it. - We'll just work to at least get you to the level of energy I've shown you to defeat that demon. Cheer up, kid! It's not that complicated," - he mused for a moment and then corrected himself, a little embarrassed. - Well, it is, but I think you've got what it takes, and you can do it, in fact, you've got to do it. But don't rush, first I want to see how you fight with me, to correct some mistakes.

- You want us to fight, but I don't stand a chance! - the boy said in disgust. - I can't reach those levels.

- You didn't stand a chance against that bug either, still you fought. - His interlocutor rebutted him sounding more reassuring now as he assured him. - Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you or anything. Besides, come to think of it, you're already dead, what do you care? Don't be afraid, it'll be a little warm-up fight, just for practice. And I'll stay at the first level.

Roy had to agree with him, obviously they weren't going to kill him again. At least that's what he hoped. Anyway, this guy seemed nice even though he looked like a real pain in the ass. He could only dare to ask him.

- I hope it doesn't hurt either. It doesn't hurt, does it?

             Goku looked at him without paying much attention and without replying, he began to do some stretching exercises.

- Well, here I go. - But what are you doing? - He asked him astonished when he noticed the strange gestures that his companion was making. -

- I was stretching a bit," - Goku replied nonchalantly. - You must warm up before the fight, it's important. You might get injured.

- But you say you're as dead as I am! What difference does that make to you? - his astonished interlocutor objected, returning the previous argument. -

- You're right, I always forget. I guess it's just habit," – Goku laughed, holding a hand to his neck. - It doesn't matter! Besides, I still have some things to tell you. But first, let's fight a little. Come on, attack me!

           Roy was certainly reluctant to do that. But his companion insisted impatiently.

- Come on, man! Even if we have all the time in the universe, I'm going to get bored if we don't start now!

- Well, here I go! - he announced. -

             And swallowing saliva he launched himself against his opponent trying to hit him with several punches that his adversary dodged even without moving from the place, also transformed into a sun warrior. It was useless, no matter how hard he tried to reach him, his opponent simply avoided him without seeming to make the slightest effort.

- That's not possible! - Roy, who was already panting with exhaustion, exclaimed. -

- But start fighting for real! Snap out of it boy, you're a super warrior! - Goku urged him. -

         And that guy hit Roy with a couple of punches that sent him to the ground so fast that he couldn't even notice until he fell.

-I didn't... I didn't even see it coming. - He was able to say stunned after struggling to get up. - But I won't give up. - He harangued himself, attacking again. -

At all this his mentor merely stroked his chin thoughtfully while the boy tried to hit him with a blow without being able to do so at all. And the worst thing was that his sparring partner kept criticising him all the while...

- Let's see. You're too slow and a bit clumsy, this is not going to be easy and on top of that you're too weak.

- You haven't beaten me yet! - Roy exclaimed and launched a succession of his most powerful lightning bolts.

            These thundered through the place, but when it all dissipated, Goku was still there scratching his chin without a scratch. Meanwhile the stunned boy was panting and sweating profusely from the exertion.

- But am I dead? - he asked himself, his voice cracking with exhaustion. - How can I be sweating, this is absurd!

- Come on, don't get distracted," - Son Goku grinned, launching a lightning bolt at him with the palm of his hand that sent his opponent at least a thousand meters away. - Come on... you must be more attentive.

Roy could barely move aside; the blast went a long way before it exploded into a huge mushroom of energy. The boy watched with wide eyes and barely stammered.

- But what! That was an atomic bomb!

-Come on, use your best attack. - His opponent encouraged him. -

And the challenged one didn't think twice, he fired a few energy shots in a row at his opponent. The latter just brushed them aside indolently. However, Roy smiled to himself. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Moving as quickly as he could, he got behind his opponent's back and built up all the strength he had in a great emission of energy. That gave the impression of having caught Goku off guard.

- Huh?" - the attacked one exclaimed when he saw that coming. -

To Roy's astonishment, though, he merely clasped both hands together and placed them against his hips as he shouted.

-Kamehamehaaaa....

And then from between Goku's bowl-shaped hands came a great flare of blue energy that rushed at the horrified Roy, sweeping away his attack and sending him hundreds of metres away. It felt like being swallowed up by a huge wave that shook him from all sides as it burned and hurt him badly.

- Oh, I'm sorry, I went too far. - Goku apologised immediately, appearing at his side in a matter of milliseconds. -

            After a few seconds in which the mighty individual sighed with some resignation, he helped Roy to his feet. And while he tried to maintain his uprightness as best, he could after that beating, his companion watched him without even flinching. And he said to encourage him, placing a hand on the shoulders of the defeated, battered, and demoralised boy.

- Look. As I told you before, the good thing about being dead is that they can't kill you again...

- What a mess! - the boy who looked as if he had been pulled out of a centrifuge, groaned. -

-You weren't so bad. As inexperienced as you are, you came up with a pretty good ploy. You even surprised me. If I hadn't emitted a powerful Kamehameha, you would have hit me...

- A what? You mean that energy wave? It sounds like a Hawaiian name to me..." - his conversation partner commented. -

-Yeah, well, it's a technique from a master of my named Mutenroshi. - Goku told him, explaining. - Actually, it's a concentration of your life energy. Used well, there is no more powerful weapon.

- How are you going to concentrate life energy? Didn't you say we were dead? - the puzzled boy asked him. -

-Well, yes, it's a figure of speech, I'll explain later. It's just that being dead here is relative. - Goku replied. -

-That must be why I'm a wreck. And that brings me to another question. Tell me, why does everything hurt? - Roy asked him in annoyance, adding mockingly. - I was beginning to think that dying wasn't such a bad idea. At least I thought you'd be spared the damage this does.

- Don't be such a whiner! - his interlocutor exclaimed jocularly, giving him a slap on the back that sent the boy face first to the ground. - Oh, I'm sorry...

          And while his pupil got up mumbling oaths of all kinds, his host explained without paying much attention to him.

- Here we are allowed to tire and hurt ourselves to progress, but the good thing is that you can also eat. - And without further ceremony he took out a small bag and from it he took out a bean, offering it to his pained companion, assuring him unequivocally. - Here, this will make you well again!

- A bean? - Roy shrieked, examining the ridiculous vegetable sample. - After the beating you've given me, you want me to recover with a simple bean!

- You're such a grumbler! - Goku replied in amusement, only to clarify in an instant. - It's not a simple bean. It's a magic bean.

              The boy looked at him again like he was watching a moron, but reluctantly agreed to eat it. He didn't trust such claims at all, but to his surprise he immediately noticed how he was fully recovered.

- This is fantastic! - he admitted in amazement, exclaiming. - I wish I'd had them before!

-Don't get excited, these beans help you recover, but, for example, they don't cure diseases. Believe me, I know that very well. Nor would they have done you much good if you didn't know how to fight. But they do increase your strength if you're special, like our kind. - He added, attaching the pouch to his belt with a small string. - I don't even want to tell you how many times they've saved me in tight situations.

His interlocutor was still surprised, he had no trace of the blows he had received and indeed he felt even stronger than before.

- What do you mean about our race, why does it make us stronger? - the boy wanted to know -

- I'll explain what's going on. - Son Goku added, enjoying the boy's astonished face. -It's not that those beans make you stronger. But you're a saiyajin, or Saiyan as they sometimes say more colloquially. Well, the thing is, you carry the blood of our people. We are sometimes nicknamed the Space Warriors. You can become let's call you a "super warrior" for that reason. And you possess, like the rest of us, the "Zenkai Power".

- What does that mean? - Roy asked with his mouth open. -

- It means that the more severely injured you are and the more you recover, the more your power increases. That is one of the main secrets of space warriors. You must train, suffer, and fight. Feelings like anger also help to multiply our strength.

His perplexed interlocutor nodded, so many things now made sense to him! He understood that this was what Valnak refused to tell him. That was why he was so coveted, and why that demon, Armageddon, wanted to possess him. Although apparently, they themselves were unaware of the degree of power his body was capable of.

- Yes," Roy agreed at the memory. - I became a sun warrior, I mean super warrior, when...

- I know when you thought your girlfriend was killed, right? - Goku anticipated him with an amused and complicit smile, as well as another pat on the shoulder that almost dislocated his interlocutor. - I saw it in the crystal ball of a witch friend of mine. And the truth is that your girlfriend is a very cute girl. And with a strong personality! No wonder you got so angry. Something similar happened to me the first time I was transformed, when my best friend was killed for the second time. Or was it the third? I don't even remember; the poor guy was killed so many times! The point is that you reached the barrier of a super warrior and crossed it. Now, with a few months of training, you will surpass that level. I assure you.

- Do you think so? - Roy asked him hopefully. -

- Of course! Besides, time doesn't run here like it does on Earth, and you will train in the last hours on Earth in a special place, together with other warriors.

- Along with more...? - the boy asked him, surprised to hear that. - Who other warriors?

- You'll meet them. My friend Piccolo has been taking care of them since they arrived. They were still a lot weaker than you. But they've improved a lot in that time. They still have a lot to learn, though. But be patient.

- And where are they? - his worried colleague insisted, for he feared the worst as he enquired with growing concern. - It's not the warriors and the girls, they didn't come here. They're all right, aren't they?

- It's not them, don't be a bore. - Goku answered in a weary tone, adding in a more conciliatory tone. - Your friends are fine, back on Earth. And you'll meet those warriors. But forget about that now, we have a lot of work to do. - He added more animatedly, putting himself on guard and without warning launched a lightning bolt at his new disciple, who was able to dodge this time to receive the congratulations of his, from that moment on, trainer. - See, you're getting better already.

The boy nodded with a smile of triumph. The truth is that this guy was kind and even funny. Besides, with the strength he possessed and the many combat techniques he mastered; he was an exceptional warrior. He could teach him a lot. So, he was willing to put in the effort, Goku nodded with approval and the two of them got back to fighting...

- Let's go! I'm ready! - A more animated Roy said.

On Earth it was night, and the girls were asleep except for Karaberasu. The poor girl was shaken awake by horrible nightmares about the demon and her rape. She thought she had begotten a horrible creature with demonic features. Desperate and in a cold sweat she got up and locked herself in the bathroom. She could not bear it any longer! She would not allow her body to give life to a monster! So determined in her despair she decided to end it all. She turned on the taps of the bathtub and climbed into it. Sobbing, she grabbed a razor, ready to slit the veins in her wrists. She was about to do so, but a strange force, rising from within her, prevented her from even bringing it near her arm. She burst into tears there, helpless, and curled up in the bathtub. Petz, who was a light sleeper and had the door to her room open, heard dripping and got up. Water was escaping through the cracks in the closed bathroom. She tried to open it, but it was locked from the inside.

- Who's in there? - She asked knocking, but there was no answer. Worried, she fetched a card, which she used to jump the latch, and entered, discovering her sister. - Karaberasu, what's wrong? - she asked scared. -

           Beruche and Cooan who had felt the struggle with the door had also woken up, getting out of bed they left their rooms and went in after her.

- What's the matter? - Bertie asked between yawns. -

- It's Kalie,"-  Cooan said, noticing her before her sister did. - She's in the bath, but what's wrong with her?

Karaberasu sobbed and moaned hugging her knees. Beruche turned off the tap and Cooan and Petz helped her up.

- But what's wrong with you? - Petz questioned her, frightened as soon as she saw the blade, exclaiming between astonishment and anger. - What the hell were you trying to do?

At that word the girl went into a fit of hysterics. Screaming and kicking to the horror and fear of her sisters. They had to restrain her together to calm her down and carry her to her bed. She was barely out of her soaked nightgown and wrapped in a towel. Cooan then noticed her gaze, lost and at the same time full of fear and anguish.

- What's wrong, Kalie? - she asked, very frightened. - Please, we are your sisters, we love you, trust us, tell us!

- Yes, please," - Beruche added, visibly worried. - If it's something that's tearing you so much apart, you'd better get it out.

- I wish I could, but I can't! - Karaberasu stammered, totally unhinged, repeating endlessly - I can't, I'd like to tear it out of me, and I can't!

- What can't I do? - Petz asked her, looking at her with an expression of fear and astonishment as he stroked his sister's face trying to calm her down. - What's wrong with you?

- That monster raped me, he raped me! When I was captured! – The poor girl in tears shrieked. -

They were all shocked, unable to utter a word. It was Beruche who was the first to mumble in horror.

- Who had done it?

- That time at the headquarters of that sect, a demon! - As best she could, she told them what had happened, regaining some composure to finish off - the one I killed.

              Beruche and Cooan wept in deep despondency and horror, now understanding her disproportionate reaction at the time. Their poor sister had truly been through hell and never would that expression have been so aptly used. At the cost of an enormous effort, Petz kept herself calm and hugged her with tears in her eyes.

- Don't worry, sis, it's going to be all right, my God, but why didn't you tell us? - she whispered in a kind and compassionate way. -

- I didn't think it was necessary for you to go through this. - Kalie slowed down; her eyes fixed on her hands clasped on her belly. - I thought I would get through it, but I couldn't imagine that this nightmare would continue.

- What do you mean? - Cooan wanted to know in anguish. -

- I'm pregnant," - she announced in a trembling voice, leaving them frozen. - The other day I didn't go to buy Petz, I went to a doctor's office.

- Oh, my God! – Beruche whispered, covering her mouth with her hands. -

- What... what can I do? I don't want to give birth to a monster. - Karaberasu stammered, teary-eyed and trembling with despair. -

- We'll call Tom, maybe he can cast a spell to exorcise it and make sure it's a normal child. - proposed an equally horrified Cooan. -

- No, please, I don't want anyone else to know. I couldn't bear the shame and humiliation. - Karaberasu shrieked. -

           She was beside herself, shaking her head nervously, so much so that they all had to calm her down again.

- Calm down, sis," - Beruche asked, mastering her own desolation, and taking her sister's hands in hers. - We won't call anyone for now if you don't want to but calm down and think about it.

- Tom has studied a lot and could help you, you mustn't be afraid, he's reliable. You know him. And he has suffered as much as anyone at the hands of those monsters. - Cooan assured him, stroking her sister's trembling hands. - He'll understand...he's with us on this.

- All right," - Karaberasu stammered, broken and exhausted from the tension, finally giving in, "Being Tom… I trust him. Call him... please.

Cooan hurried to phone her partner. She sighed as the sad memory came to her mind of the time when she had warned the warriors in the same way to try to protect Sapphire, when they had just become normal women. On that fateful occasion her friends could do nothing despite their best efforts. If only it were different now! And she had had enough of suffering. Could they never be happy? Was this the price to pay for all their past mistakes? Were they so evil that they deserved to be tortured like this? She thought better of it and decided against it. This was a huge disgrace, but they had to get through it, as they had always done. And she counted on her boyfriend, he could do something, for sure!

-He'll help us. He's a great guy and he's learned a lot. - she said to herself cheerfully. - Together we'll get Kalie out of this pit.

          The phone rang in the flat where the boy was staying. Tom was alone. His mother had lived with him until he learned to cope. She didn't want to leave him and, like his father and brother Daniel, offered to let him come home whenever he wanted, but he always refused. He wanted to prove that he was capable of living without being a burden, and for the moment, although it was a great effort, he was succeeding. So, it took him a while to pick up the phone until he was able to crawl from the bed to the bedside table where he had the phone and answer it. For a moment he thought it might be his parents trying to tell him something. They were old-fashioned in many ways and perhaps, despite assuring him that they trusted him, they were not comfortable leaving him alone. But when he heard Connie's anguished voice, he became very worried, especially when she told him of the critical situation without any greetings. He was stunned and admittedly very frightened, though trying to keep his composure.

- That is way beyond my capacity. I will do my best to help your sister, but I will also need the help of a friend.

- All right, but please come quickly, my sister is unhinged. - Cooan whispered over the phone so that Karaberasu could not hear her. -

- We'll be right there; I promise as soon as I can reach him. - Tom assured her, the girl thanked him and hung up. -

And the boy hurried to call. He phoned a priest who was also a friend of Anthony's, the guy who taught Tom himself. That priest was always ready to fight the forces of evil at any hour and in any place or time, his mentor had explained to him.

-Reverend Harper. - the boy asked when the call was answered. -

- Who is this? - A man's voice asked with a deep and somewhat suspicious tone.

-I'm Thomas Rodney, Anthony's friend. - He said, pleadingly. - He told me I could come to you if I had any trouble....

-Yes. Anthony told me about you, and about your friends. Tell me son, what can I do to help you? - the clergyman asked. -

             The boy filled him in on everything and the priest agreed to come and help him as soon as possible. But first he would have to take care of other matters that he and a group of colleagues had pending. Nevertheless, he advised Tom that he could alleviate the girl's suffering until he arrived....

-O.K. – The boy assured. - I'll do everything I can. Thank you...

And in the meantime, in the girls' flat, they were all trying to calm their sister as much as possible.

- Now try to rest. - Petz said, stroking her cheeks tenderly and offering her a glass of water in which Beruche had dissolved a tranquilizer pill. - Take this, it will help you sleep. -

Karaberasu nodded slowly and took it submissively. She could barely manage to say with a broken and totally exhausted voice.

-Thank you, girls, thank you so much for taking care of me.

-What a thing you said! - Petz smiled cheerfully as she took one of her sister's hands in hers. - We are family. We love you and you will always have us by your side.

-Of course, we will. - Beruche agreed, hugging her sister as warmly as she could. -

             Cooan returned from the other room after talking to Tom and whispered warmly to her big sister.

-Don't worry, Tommy will be here soon and I'm sure he'll help you. You'll see, Kalie. It'll be all right.

              She could barely muster a faint smile, even as tears rolled down her cheeks. The other three couldn't help but look at their poor sister, saddened and filled with pity. They stood around her and supported her until she fell asleep after a while. Petz kissed her lovingly on the forehead and left the room last, switching off the light on the bedside table. Luckily, the next day was Saturday, and the girls had no school. They could all be with her. That's what they talked about as they took their seats in the living room.

- What are we going to do? - Cooan asked, visibly desperate now. -

- Help her in any way we can, we're all she has. - Beruche replied, her face still pale from all that had happened, but firm in her words. -

- Yes, but for that we must try to rest. - Petz told them with more aplomb - let's try to sleep. -

The girls agreed, although they had a hard time falling asleep. Each spent most of the rest of the night awake, watching for any change or awakening in Karaberasu, but fortunately Karaberasu was able to sleep without further incident. Meanwhile, the cultists, under Fantoy's command, continued their rampage throughout the city. Macabre acts of vandalism, disorder and ritual murder were taking place before the helplessness of the authorities, all in preparation for the coming of their evil master. The outlook was very dark, and the four sisters needed now more than ever to be united. Fortunately, that did not extend as far as Philadelphia. After a full day, April slowly opened her eyes. She was in her bed, at home. At first the girl didn't know what had happened to her. Her mind refused to remember.

- How did I get here? - she wondered aloud. -

A few moments later the bedroom door opened. Her smiling mother came in and sat down on the side of the bed, she kissed her daughter on the forehead and asked in a jovial tone.

- How are you, my dear? You came home so tired from your trip that you went to bed right away.

-I can hardly remember anything, Mom. When did I get here? - The disoriented young woman wanted to know. -

-Yesterday afternoon. - Her interlocutor said. She added encouragingly. - Now take a nice bath and I'll prepare breakfast for you...

And Sabrina Sinclair could sigh with relief. Her daughter seemed to have no memory of anything wrong with her. The medication prescribed by that psychiatrist must be working.  She remembered very well the doctor's instructions to her and her husband, Ethan, when he told them in a categorical tone.

-First of all, don't do anything to feed these obsessive, paranoid fantasies. Your daughter needs to see you in a totally normal light. In due course arrange for her to have an intensive medical check-up. It is important to test my hypothesis.

And of course, she would do everything in her power to follow those instructions. But now she just wanted to have her little girl by her side.

-Honey. This time your father and I will not be careless. If you take your medication, you will be cured and you will be able to lead a normal life, won´t you?

         On the other hand, although her companions were not forgetting her friend, they were some distance away. Melanie and Malcolm were now on their way to her parents' house. She wanted to introduce them to her boyfriend. But of course, during the trip, they chatted about April.

-I don't know. - Melanie sighed. - I hope that poor girl finally gets some peace. And she can live in peace. But I'm really worried about what that psychiatrist said.

- Do you really think she could have done it? - her partner asked her, not daring to finish the sentence. -

-I have no idea, and I really don't even want to think about it. - The young woman sighed. - If half the things we've been told are true, I'm afraid April has led a double life and that even she is not aware of many things her other personality may have done. And then there are these strange events. Somehow, she could have been affected by them.

-The one who knew a lot about those things was Rodney. - Roberts commented now. - We could talk to him.

-I don't think this is a good time. After what happened with Roy and his own misfortune. - Melanie sighed, pleading in a quiet voice. - We'd better leave them alone.

And her boyfriend nodded, as they both looked out the window of the train they were on. Meanwhile, many thousands of miles away in Japan, it was three o'clock in the afternoon. At that hour there were hardly any people at Hikawa Shrine. Although you could hear the tenant's annoyed and admonishing tone of voice.

-Yuuichirou, I have told you more than a thousand times to clean the mud from the entrance. Then they put it inside the temple, and it gets all messed up.

-Yes, Rei. -He hastened to reply in a fearful tone. -

             The priestess sighed, shaking her head. This boy had no idea! But she immediately heard him exclaim in a voice somewhere between surprise and concern.

- Rei, come here at once!

- What's the matter? - she asked in an indignant voice. - Is it not clear to you?

            But her interlocutor insisted with a tone full of fear. The priestess then ran to meet him. Hoping it wasn't another demon. Luckily it wasn't. It so happened that the boy was just finishing piling up some leaves when behind him he heard someone, in a cracked voice, pleading with him.

-Help me... please!

It was a woman's voice, it sounded young. Rei came immediately to see a girl who seemed to be dragging her feet, staggering around with hardly any strength. She was holding something in her arms, an almost cylindrical shape wrapped in a blanket. The priestess immediately realised what it was.

- Oh, my God! - she exclaimed, running towards the girl as she asked her. - What's the matter with you?

The questioned girl could barely look up, those almond-shaped eyes and that brown hair looked very familiar to Rei who could barely stammer.

- Annie, is that you? Where did you come from? What happened to you?

The other girl was barely able to hold her gaze and then collapsed in exhaustion. Fortunately, between the priestess and Yuuichirou one of them caught her before she fell, securing the package she was carrying as well. That was none other than a baby wrapped in a small blanket and looking sound asleep. The boy took the girl in his arms while Rei did the same with the little creature and they were taken inside the house. Yuuichirou laid Annie on his boss's bed. The priestess, carefully picking up the baby, placed it on a cushion.

- Can you talk? What happened? - She insisted, trying to prevent her interlocutor from losing consciousness. -

-E... energy..." - The other girl managed to whisper desperately. - I can't take it...anymore...

-Yuuichirou, quick. Go call Usagi and the others. - She asked him, to which the boy nodded, going at full speed. -

As best she could Rei grabbed her hand and her interlocutor absorbed some of her aura, but Annie was instantly knocked unconscious. The priestess was startled at first, however, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the girl was only asleep. She must have been exhausted to have fallen like that. She opted to let her rest and await the arrival of the rest of her companions... Fortunately, they came soon.

- Rei, Yuuichirou was very alarmed. Tell us what happened? - Ami, who was the first to arrive, wanted to know. -

Her friend didn't need to say anything. Seeing Annie asleep in bed and the baby, the Mercury Warrior exclaimed in astonishment.

- How did she get here? Where's Ail...?

-I don't know. She barely got two words out before she fainted. - Her interlocutor replied. -

Soon, both Makoto and Minako made their presence known...

- What's going on? - Makoto wanted to know, commenting in turn. - Yuuichirou looked very scared.

And just like before, the priestess didn't need to explain. Her companions immediately took notice when they saw that scene.

- What about Usagi? - Rei asked. -

-I don't know. Maybe Yuuichirou didn't warn her. - Ami conjectured, taking Annie's pulse, and commented with relief. - She seems to be a little weak, but she'll recover...

Then they heard someone else enter, along with the shrine attendant came Usagi. He invited her in as he withdrew, leaving them alone.

-Thank you. - The newcomer said. - I'm sorry I'm late. - She affirmed with a rather serious tone addressing her friends. -

-Don't worry about it. - Rei said this time, as the jokes were now overdone, especially when she asked in a stern and concerned voice. - Tell us something. Did you know about this?

- Know about what? - Her interlocutor asked in turn, looking at her strangely. -

However, she immediately saw Annie asleep there and the baby. Usagi's face was showing surprise, she was as astonished and bewildered as the rest.

-No..." - She said emphatically. - I knew absolutely nothing about this...

The girl was already quite frightened by the last revelations she had had. She woke up almost screaming and sweating profusely when she perceived the terrible trauma that Karaberasu was carrying. Worst of all, she could not say anything to the others. However, she had not expected this. She decided not to say much and to keep an eye on her former friend's progress, along with the rest of the girls. So, when Annie came to her senses, she found herself surrounded by the worried faces of the sailors.

- My son! Where is my son? – It was the first thing she could muster with patent fear. -

-Calm down," - Minako whispered in a sweet tone of voice. - He's right here, still sleeping.

- What happened? - Usagi asked her just as softly. - Where is Ail?

Ann couldn't help but cry when she heard her companion's name. All the girls looked at her with sorrow and a lot of concern.

-Drink some water. - Rei offered her a glass, which the poor girl could barely hold in her trembling hands. - Don't worry. You're safe here..." - The priestess assured her gently. -

            After taking a few sips and calming down a little, Annie told them what had happened.

-We came to a new world...We were going to settle there and plant the Makaiju. Then someone came... It was more like a group of soldiers. Yes, they were soldiers. They were very strong! Ail wanted to reason with them, but they were mean and cruel. Even our cards couldn't do anything. I left him behind, he told me that... I would have gone to help him, but I had to look after our son. - She sobbed her heart out. - And he...

-Calm down..." - Minako asked, looking at her with the same regret as the others, to add softly. - Take your time...

           Annie could barely nod as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her friends couldn't help but cry too, even more when the narrator finished her dramatic tale, sentencing with regret.

-Ail sacrificed himself to protect us.

         The others were shocked and dismayed. Struggling not to cry too, Ami told her, trying to cheer her up.

-Don't be afraid, we will help you. You and your son are safe now.

-Stay here if you want. - Rei offered kindly. -

-But you must eat something," - Makoto interjected. -You're very weak, and so is the baby.

Almost as if he heard her, the child began to cry. Minako took him in her arms to try to calm him down, but the baby wouldn't shut up.

-Poor baby," – Annie whispered. - He hasn't eaten anything in months, he's been in hibernation with me.

-You must eat something so you can breastfeed him. - Rei advised her. - If that's how you feed him.

-Normally I do. But eating will be more difficult for me now. I'd have to wait to digest food to feed myself. My human system is not as efficient as the one I have in my natural form, let alone after this long journey. I had to maintain my original body to minimise energy consumption. - The girl was able to say between sobs. - I don't have much left, but I can give some of it to my son, please pass it to me. - She asked Minako who handed the boy to his mother. -

Annie placed a hand on his little forehead and passed a faint bluish aura over him. The baby seemed to calm down, but his mother's vision blurred.

-I need energy..." - She stammered as she was about to lose consciousness. -

-Take what you need from me. - Ami offered immediately. -

- And from me! - Makoto seconded with equal alacrity. -

They both gave her their hands and Annie absorbed a small amount of each, enough to clear her head and be able to say:

-Thank you very much, girls.

- Can't you eat something? - Usagi asked her worriedly. -

-I'd have to vary my metabolism for that. - Ann objected. -

-But we've seen you eat once. - Rei reminded her. -

-I can do it to keep up appearances. But I'd have to change my genetic make-up to really feed myself. It'll cost me, but it'll be better for Giaal. I'll make it. For my child! Our child..." - she sobbed again at the thought of Ail. -

- Come on, Annie! - Minako encouraged her. - We are with you. We're your friends and we'll help you.

- Everything will be fine. You'll see! - Usagi seconded her with her characteristic optimism. - Nothing bad will happen to you again. We'll take care of both of you.

Her interlocutor nodded, feeling more relieved and grateful. She was immediately offered to take more energy from the rest of the warriors. After doing so, she was able to breastfeed the child who at last felt much better and was able to sleep peacefully. She explained to the astonished girls that, having conceived him in the human way, it was more efficient for him to be fed that way. After that Yuuichirou entered the room shortly after. Rei instructed him to go and buy everything necessary for the care of a new-born. The boy hurried to carry out that command. For her part, exhausted despite the recharge of strength and with broken nerves after reliving her drama, Annie fell asleep next to her son. The girls now looked at each other with a mixture of disbelief and concern. It was Rei who, rather tactfully and tactfully for her custom, asked Usagi.

- So, you didn't know about this, then, did you?

-No... I can assure you that I didn't expect this. I'm as lost as you are. - Usagi insisted with complete sincerity. -

-Maybe it has something to do with that strange sighting, that entry into the atmosphere that our companions detected a few days ago. -And that scout that was destroyed. And that scout they destroyed earlier. - Ami pointed out. - Those other possible enemies.

-What's clear is that those beings that attacked Ail and Ann can't be demons. -Makoto said with visible unease. - Unfortunately, this confirms it. It's a different problem. Other hostile beings.

-The question is. - Minako interjected. - Will we have time to take out the ones threatening us now?

-When Annie wakes up, I hope she can answer some questions for us. - Usagi said who, however, smiled as she watched Annie and the baby sleep peacefully now. - They should rest and recover now. She and her little boy.

-It is late. You'd better go home; I'll stay with Annie and the child without any trouble. - The priestess declared. -

Her friends nodded, agreeing to return the next day to help. Usagi left in thought. That really wasn't meant to be. At least as far as she had been told. Maybe she didn't have to know everything, but she didn't like the idea of finding herself adrift. She would discuss it with Mamoru. This made it even more compelling for the two of them to carry out their plan. She was also counting on her good friend up high to be taking care of the other phase of the operation. Now, unfortunately, she couldn't find out about that either.

-I'd like to go to him, but it's not possible. I know I can count on him and his group. They'll do a great job. - Usagi thought, trying to at least relieve herself of that worry. -

           So, for the time being, she would wait for further events, for she was not unaware that, in America, things were about to accelerate, and they would have to be ready when the time came.

-It's all coming at us. This poor girl. What's happening to our friends in America. I don't know where to start! At least I hope that, until we face our new enemies, we have time to finish these others... I trust you my friends, prepare our boy well. After all the suffering we and the girls have endured and will yet have to endure, it must be worth it....

And so, she thought as she returned home. She, too, could do with a good rest to clear her head after all.

**START**