GWB08E

**START**

**53. Chapter 8. Leval's Secret is uncovered**

Days passed and Roy conscientiously trained the boy, in a place isolated from curious onlookers both fought to exhaustion and recovered with a bean. Day after day. Beruche cared deeply for both, especially the boy and that had not gone unnoticed by Roy. Her boyfriend noticed that she was always watching the boy in a very inquisitive and one might even say strange way. In fact, Bertie had been very interested in him from the first day he showed up.  Perhaps captivated by his story, his personal drama, or something he couldn't quite figure out. The truth is that he didn't mind at first. Roy was intrigued by this mysterious boy too, but now he was becoming increasingly annoyed by him. It was nothing that could be called suspicious in his girl's behavior, but he had a strange feeling that increased day by day. He watched the looks between the two of them, the growing sense of empathy the two seemed to have for each other, and sometimes he felt out of place when he was standing next to them. He told himself mentally that none of this was happening, that it was his imagination, but little by little his thoughts were being dominated by an increasingly pronounced jealousy. Until one afternoon something happened that could be perfectly defined as "the straw that broke the camel's back".

-I'm a paranoid jerk, it's clear that Bertie feels sorry for him. That's all. And I'm not surprised. - He kept repeating himself over and over with little success. -

After a hard day's training Roy was more nervous than usual. The growing bad thoughts that plagued him were heightened by his upcoming departure, he would have to go on tour with his team for several days and leave them alone. Despite proposing to his girlfriend that he could use instantaneous translation, she refused, claiming they had agreed not to.

-But that's relative to our normal lives, this is different. - He argued. -

-It's not. If you're going to play games, that's part of normal life. - His interlocutor argued. - And think how terrible it would be if one of your teammates, or people who might be nearby, discovered you. How could you explain it?

           To that argument, full of logic and common sense, he could not object. However, he couldn't stop thinking about it. Meanwhile, the boy next to him was sweating profusely after the fight. He had taken off a weighted shirt that his training partner had lent him and was still breathing heavily. Bertie came over to them as he usually did whenever the two of them allowed themselves a break. With towels in hand, she offered one to each of them and Roy had that unpleasant feeling again. His girlfriend gave him hers with a smile but offered the other to the boy with an overly inquisitive look, with which she allowed herself to roam his chest and torso down to his well-marked abs, which dropped and rose wildly in rhythm with his breathing.

-Here. Would you like a towel? - She offered very kindly, holding it out to his hands. -Yes, thank you very much. - The boy said again, grabbing it as his hands met Beruche's under the complicity of the fabric. -

The girl smiled broadly, intertwining her hand with his and instinctively caressing his hair with the other. Leval felt a shiver run from his neck to his back. That's what his mother did, (her). Whenever she saw him depressed or tired Of course, Beruche was his mother, or would be. If only that girl in front of him, oblivious to that future, didn't think of him any other way! Roy, who was just a few meters away, noticed all this perfectly and a burst of fury took hold of him.

-What the hell did that brat think he was doing; he wouldn't even stop under my nose!

Unable to restrain himself, he approached them with great strides. Leval, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to his future father's suspicions, he was only looking at Bertie and she was returning his gaze with an indeterminate expression of tenderness and affection, or was it more than that?

-That's enough rest!" - Roy shouted at him, slapping him away so hard that he threw him to the ground. -

The boy came out of that kind of reverie when his body hit the grass. He did not understand this abruptness, unless of course his father was testing him to see if he was progressing in his ability to notice the opponent's movements. He didn't give it any more importance, but Beruche gave her boyfriend a reproachful look. Even more so when he told her rather unkindly.

-Get out of the way. We will go on and we won't fight as a joke.

She didn't know what to answer, she noticed Roy was angry and she didn't know why, lately he was very strange. He was not himself, many times he answered with monosyllables or with bad manners without justification. Surely the pressure of knowing he was responsible for the future or the future of his family.

           So, she decided to let it go. The fight began, Leval attacked with good disposition to show that his progress was remarkable, but his opponent did not return the attacks as he expected. With a quick instantaneous translation, he reappeared at his opponent's back and hit him without looking at him crashing him against a concrete wall that the unsuspecting boy shattered with the impact.

-But what is Roy doing?" - Bertie asked herself, between surprise and concern, pleading indignantly. - You can't use that trick, it's not fair.

-You must not take anything for granted. If your opponent has any advantage, he's sure to use it. You'd better be ready for the unexpected," - her boyfriend responded abruptly. -

-He's right," - Leval admitted. -

He knew better than anyone that his enemies in the future stood for nothing and lacked scruples, from that point of view, it was good for him to be trained that way. However, he was beginning to sense a feeling of hostility from Roy towards him, and he did not quite understand why. Therefore, he wanted to cheer himself up and added.

-Fight as you see fit, I must adapt to anything.

The alluded said nothing and started to stand on guard. Leval imitated him. At that moment Tom and Cooan arrived. They had arranged to meet there to continue discussing the next steps. As they parked the SUV they brought with them, the fight continued, and it was he who could see that this was beginning to be more than just a training session.

-They fight hard. - Cooan declared naively, oblivious to what was happening. -

-At least Roy. - Tom said, really surprised by his friend's attitude. -I'd say too much.

Indeed. Although Leval was only backing away, blocking the blows as best he could. His father was angry, he had never fought like that before, surely, he had decided to move to a more advanced stage of training.

-Hello Bertie. - Cooan greeted her sister, who was also watching the fight with growing concern. -

-I don't know what's wrong with Roy. - She replied, observing the fight with visible concern, and sentencing him. - I think he is going too far.

-Yes, that's what I think too. - Tom agreed without hiding his concern. -He's pushing that boy too far.

Leval, for his part, was calling for a break. But his trainer wouldn't give it to him. The boy had to ask for a truce in the middle of the battle without bothering to admit it.

-Enough, I'm not up to your level yet....

- No, you are not. - Roy responded with fury and sentenced him. - You'd better not forget it.

The boy did not quite understand the reason for this defiant tone and broke away to join the others. His appearance was deplorable since he had taken several blows to his face, which now bore a string of bruises and bruises. He could taste the blood in his mouth and had to spit to get rid of some of it.

-What a barbarity, how he left you!" - Beruche smiled at him, hurrying to wipe the wound with a clean cloth. -

Tom and Cooan watched the natural scene without a care in the world until they could see Roy approaching. Just as Bertie was approaching the lips of the boy, who had submissively lowered his head so that she wouldn't have to stretch too far, given the great difference in height. But from Roy's perspective that position seemed a very different thing and the most absurd ideas ran through his head. Situations that anyone would have immediately dismissed as ridiculous took control of his mind, given the aggressiveness that ran through his body because of the fight.

-Hey Roy, you're training too seriously, aren't you," - Tom commented when he saw him approaching him walking at such a fast pace. -

To his surprise his friend ignored him completely and attacked the boy. Leval had distanced himself a few meters away from Bertie and was turning to look towards the area of the fight when the punch of his aggressor hit him squarely throwing him dozens of meters in the air until he fell on the ground where he bounced several times until he was lying down without being able to get up. The faces of the others went from surprise to fear in the case of Cooan and Tom, and even more to bewilderment and indignation in Beruche, who turned to her boyfriend, who, panting and twitching with fury, remained on his feet, staring at the place where his rival had fallen?

-Have you gone mad, Roy? What have you done to him? He was unprepared!

Leval was spitting blood more abundantly and Cooan did not take long to run to him to help him. Tom himself approached the boy and was horrified. The beating he had taken was excessive.  This was no training match. It was more like a fight to the death against an enemy. What the hell was Roy up to? He was going to kill him if he kept it up.

-Quick, give me a bean," - he asked his friend who didn't even seem to hear him. -Roy, for God's sake, this boy's badly hurt!

             Bertie gave her partner a furious and incredulous look and wanted to take the bag where the beans were kept, but he stopped her by grabbing her arm.

-What are you doing?" - she rebuked him, astonished. -

-What are you doing?" - he asked in turn with an accusing tone. -Let him learn to suffer like a real warrior. He's not a child, or haven't you noticed? - he replied with marked sarcasm. -

-What are you insinuating?" - Beruche replied, meeting his gaze with genuine indignation. -

Leval had struggled to his feet, helped by Tom, and they both directed an astonished and fearful look at Roy, who faced the boy.

-You're too slow, boy, and too weak. And you call yourself a super Saiyan? You wouldn't last me two minutes in a real fight. I've been too soft on you so far, but get ready, because I'm going to fight for real.

-I... I don't understand, what... what... have I... done... wrong?" - the boy stammered, visibly devastated, and physically damaged. -

-You know that for a fact! - His attacker accused him, glaring at him with a glare, while giving another one to Bertie. -

                She began to fully realize what was going on there. Tom noticed it too, and his mouth dropped open. The only one who didn't notice was Cooan, who had run to get some bandages to cover the poor boy's blood.

-What are you saying, Roy? The girl grabbed him by the arm. -What stupid things are going through your head? You don't think I do?

He didn't answer but his anger, far from subsiding because of this reproach, increased. More so when Bertie went to help the boy to whom he could finally offer a bean. Leval could barely chew it since his jaw was seriously damaged, so she gently put it in his mouth without bothering to stain herself. That put Roy out of his mind, and he was already preparing a new blow. Fortunately, the closeness of his girlfriend dissuaded him long enough for Tom to intervene.

-We need to talk. - He urged his friend.

-Mind your own business! -he spat at him. -

-You don't know what you're doing. -Tom reproached him. - And I assure you that you're going to regret it.

-You dare to threaten me when I'm seeing it with my own eyes," - Roy shouted, pointing at Bertie and Leval. -

The boy was stunned, he hadn't understood anything until then, but now it was clear, how awful. He could not allow this situation to continue or perhaps he himself would be in danger. Both now and in his future birth, but what could he do? He just opted for the only way out he could see at that moment, he rose into the air and disappeared from there....

-Wait," - Bertie begged her in vain. -

Then the young girl burst into tears and ran away, her sister had just time to see her and run after her. Tom had read the anguish in Leval's eyes. And he said to Roy with a mixture of disapproval and despair....

-You don't know what you've done!

-I do know," - he replied angrily. - You're the one who doesn't know anything, idiot. Haven't you seen how they look at each other?

And he was turning around to leave when Tom, in a fit of rage, grabbed him by the arm and spoke.

-This has gone too far. You're going to listen to what I have to say, you stupid idiot! ....

And Roy let go easily, throwing his friend to the ground. But he was soon able to control himself enough to realize that he could have hurt him. Tom was not a saiyajin like that boy and he had not measured his strength. Luckily, he got up unharmed.

-I'm sorry,"- he was able to say, lowering his eyes and trying to temper his fury. -

But his friend did something he didn't expect, he went to him and slapped him with all his strength, hitting him between the face and the forehead. It didn't hurt Roy, but it made him raise a look of rage and surprise. Nevertheless, he restrained himself, after all he deserved it. But he would never have expected that reaction from Tom, who was usually very calm. But it didn't stop there.

-And you're going to be even sorrier! - His friend assured him, visibly angry. - You're a fool, I would never have expected it from you. Do you know who you were about to kill? Hey, do you know who?

Roy gave him a look of surprise and bewilderment; the anger had been displaced and he even began to feel fear. He hadn't seen Tom in such a desperate tone of voice since he'd been crippled.

-I've only seen a boy and my girlfriend flirting under my nose. I don't care if he's from the future. As much as I want to save the Earth, Bertie is not included in the lot. - He explained more focused to his friend but still with a definite tinge of menace as he added. - And I'm not going to let this go any further or I'm capable of killing him, let him go back to that time he claims to come from, and we'll take care of everything here and now!

His interlocutor shook his head, he was angry and could not understand Roy's blindness. Everything would be ruined; they would fail and be exterminated! And why? Because of some stupid unfounded jealousy.

-I never thought you were such a creep! - Tom insulted him with contempt. - Not even when Armageddon possessed you did you act like that.

The alluded one grabbed him by the breastplate in a reflex action, he almost had his hand raised to hit him, and he demanded.

-Be careful what you say, I don't allow anyone to talk to me like that, take it back or ...!

-Or what, you'll kill me too," - his interlocutor challenged him with the courage of one who knew he was on the side of the truth. - What else are you capable of? Go ahead! - He provoked him, then sentenced him out of his mind with a mixture of bitterness, sadness, and disappointment. -I wouldn't be at all surprised if you did if you've threatened the life of your own son.

Roy shuddered inwardly, what the hell had Tom meant, was Bertie maybe pregnant? And they'd had few relationships lately because of all that. He shook his head as if to shake off the idea that had flared up in his mind. No, that couldn't be! He now looked at his interlocutor with total bewilderment. The latter immediately guessed the surprise in the countenance of his enraged friend and far from stopping, he finished off without looking at him, confirming this.

-Where do you think that boy comes from? He'll never tell you even if you kill him. But he did tell me. He comes from the future and he's your son.

The man was paralyzed. He couldn't believe it. He shook his head and, letting go of his friend, feigned an ironic smile, and replied.

-What are you saying? My son, that's absurd!

-Is it? - Tom answered, refuting him at once. - How many living Saiyan do you know, huh? -How many bear such a strong resemblance to you? Well, not so much, the eyes are deep blue, what a coincidence! - He exclaimed with sarcasm to rectify it with rotundity and subtle irony: "Better said than coincidence, they're like Bertie's, the same eyes as hers, because she'll be his mother.

Roy couldn't stop shaking his head, but the truth took hold of him by the moment and a rush of desperation and guilt swept away all other emotions. He fell to his knees and hands on his head as soon as he heard the last. Into his head flashed more memories of that talk with his master Trunks. The two of them, sitting in an aside of the Corner. Roy commented to him.

-It must have been hard to travel back in time to try to stop that.

-Yes, but I was really looking forward to meeting my father. In my timeline I couldn't do it. He died when I was a baby. And well.... When I finally got to fulfill my dream, I was disappointed at first. He didn't seem to care about me at all. What's more. He treated me in the worst possible way....

-Well, I don't want him to hear me. Vegeta's not one to have much of a sense of humor.

-No, of course my father is like that," - his companion laughed. - "I know that at first he was more jealous of my strength than anything else. But in the end, he did show that he cared about me. Cell almost killed me in that tournament I told you about and he wanted to avenge me then. I could tell when I was half unconscious.

-I don't know," - Roy commented reflectively. - "If I had a son, he'd be the most important thing in the world to me next to Bertie. I would try to be to him as my own parents were to me...I wish your father had taken that chance!

Trunks nodded approvingly. Now all that was going through Roy's mind, and he could only groan as he knelt on the floor.

-My God! - he said repeatedly. - "What have I done?

          His friend felt sorry to see him like this and softened his tone, adding in a more conciliatory but perhaps even more lacerating way.

-For God's sake, Roy! That poor boy escaped from a nightmarish future with two hopes, one to avoid that atrocious world in which he grew up and the other to know his father. He is the son you and Bertie will have. He even showed me some photos he brought with him," - he added with misty eyes and a voice filled with pity for the poor boy. -Some of you from when you were supposed to play on the team, and the poor boy spoke of you with such admiration.

From his companion came only a hoarse sob.

-No," - he was able to say, sunk in the misery that now gripped his soul, repeating incessantly, between sobs. - What have I done, my God? Please try to understand me. I didn't know anything. - He added with such bitterness that it moved her interlocutor. - This is crazy. How was I supposed to know? Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't you tell me? Damn it, you're my friend!

Tom took a deep breath, looking up at the sky, and at last was able to reply in a patient, even sympathetic tone.

-I couldn't tell you. He made me to promise it. Don't you understand that it wouldn't be the same for him? He wanted to meet you and learn from you, like two good friends. How could he tell you that you would be his parents? He would have marked you; his very existence would have been in danger. Roy, you have put him between a rock and a hard place. Now instead of a father, he thinks his enemy is a jealous madman trying to kill him. What will he think of you?

His interlocutor felt terribly bad. He had possibly shattered all the boy's hopes. He had shattered his confidence...

-I won't be able to look him in the face. - He wailed in tears. - I'm a goddamn son of a bitch, I know! But I was afraid, Tom. What if Bertie falls in love with him?

-Do you think Leval would allow it? He knows she's meant to be his mother. -His friend replied, calmer now. -

-That's his name. -" Roy managed to say, trying to get back on his feet and meet his embarrassed gaze with that of his companion. -

-I didn't want to tell you anything, his safety was at stake. God only knows how bad I've had it during these days. So, I beg you, I beg you, to fix things without telling him that you know.

-I do swear!" - Roy hastened to reply, eager as anyone to make amends for his shameful behavior. - I may be able to make him forget it, but Bertie will never forgive me.

-Don't tell her either. - He shook his head, imagining what a temptation it would be for his friend to do so to unburden his conscience. - Connie doesn't know anything about who that boy really is. Now you're the only one besides me.

-I won't do it. I've done enough damage to him already. - His interlocutor promised in a whisper and walked away crestfallen, but Tom stopped him by placing his hand on one of his shoulders and encouraged him: "- Even if Bertie hates me...I'll try to apologize any way I can.

-Everything will be all right. Leave Leval to me," - Tom tried to encourage him. -

His partner smiled gratefully, fortunately he could count on his friend. But things would never be the same again.

-No, thanks Tommy. - Roy replied calmly. - I must be the one to solve it since it's all my fault. - I'll go find him. I have his energy and I will transport myself to him. Fear nothing now and thank you very much for being a much better friend than I deserve.

           And Tom nodded complacently, eager for everything to be settled. Meanwhile, Beruche was unburdening herself to her sister and Cooan was trying to cheer her up as best she could.

-I've never seen him like this, he looks like he's possessed by a beast! It's even worse than when he was dominated by that demon. -She sobbed. -I just can't understand what he imagines about me!

-That's because he loves you. - Cooan told her gently. - It is necessary that you two talk and clarify this situation. You can't go on like this.

-Maybe it's not a good idea for us to go on," -her sister asserted, leaving Cooan stunned as she confessed with a voice tinged with fear. -I don't know, it's different, since this boy arrived, he's not the Roy he used to be. Sometimes I think that he considers me as a possession, that that damned warrior heritage dominates him to the point of not being able to control his actions and I'm afraid of him.

Cooan cradled her sister with all the affection she could muster and whispered to her.

-You love him, and you have been through much more difficult things together. You must give him a chance to explain himself. I know that deep down you are the most important thing to him and maybe Roy is the one who is afraid of losing you. You shouldn't give up at the first serious difficulty in your relationship. Remember what Usagi and Mamoru went through. And our sister Petz and Sapphire.

Bertie sighed separating from her sister, she paced with her hands clasped as if she wanted to be able to decide. She remembered indeed all the troubles and trials that both their friends and they had overcome to get back together. She wasn't going to let something like this drive them apart. She nodded slowly and muttered.

-You're right, but please, I need you by my side. - Bertie begged. -

-You know you'll always have me for anything. - Her sister assured her, leading her back to the place where the others were. -

Leval had been flying for a while trying to get as far away as possible. He was not afraid for his physical integrity, but he was in a state of emotional collapse. He had failed. He could not go back again. He was deep in thought when he landed next to a nearby boulder. He sat with both hands on his head trying to decide what to do. He would fight, at least he could die with dignity and not see the horror that awaited them in the future. It would be the only way to join his father and the others in battle. His father! He never thought it would be like this. Though perhaps he had made a very serious mistake. Roy didn't know anything about it and surely thought he was interested in Bertie. What a great irony of fate! He himself had contributed to the fact that his parents might never have fathered him.

Boy. - He then heard Roy's voice a few meters behind him. -

Leval reacted by standing up quickly, but not to defend himself, he felt defeated. In his depression he would not be able to return a single blow, if that was what his father intended. He could barely look at him and mentally prepared himself to be punished again, nothing mattered to him anymore....

-Forgive me, I'm sorry. I've gone too far. - The newcomer then apologized, confessing to him with concern. - "I'm so scared! The pressure of all this overwhelms me. Perhaps I have pretended to accelerate your training beyond your current possibilities, and I have become enraged at my own mistake, making you responsible for my frustration. I have no excuse, I know I have disappointed you, but I beg you to give me another chance!

The boy could hardly believe it, if only that were true! His father seemed very worried, hurt, and ashamed of his previous behavior, so he looked at him and tried to cheer him up.

-It's all right, it was my fault too, I'm not prepared enough. And you are right. The enemy is not kind, gives no rest and fights to kill. The fate of the world is in our hands, and we must not fail.

Roy smiled at last and was able to look into his eyes gratefully and gaze into those pupils truly as blue and clear as Bertie's.

-You are very brave, boy! I'm sure your parents would be very proud of you if they saw you. I would be if it were a son of mine. - He declared in all sincerity, though his tone appeared to be unconcerned. -

The poor boy didn't know what to say. He wanted to cry, to hug him and confess so many things... but it was not possible. More, when Roy insisted.

-You must tell me many things and I you. Because like you, I also lost my parents years ago. I know how it feels.

Leval nodded, overcome with emotion. His interlocutor noticed and, avoiding testing him further, added serenely.

-Let's go back, it's too late to continue training and we must go back home.

-I, I'm very sorry, I hope I didn't make trouble for you and Bertie. - The excited boy stammered, remembering again that vexed affair. -

-The only asshole who's been making trouble here is me. I've managed to put my foot in my mouth. - Roy confessed smiling to add in a tone that was more truthful than it seemed. - Now I'm very afraid to stand up in front of her. More than against any demon or android. When she gets angry you don't know what she's like, not even a super Saiyan is safe! And I've made her very angry and she's right to be. - He smiled to add in a tone of complicity. - She'll make me suffer, but in the end, she'll forgive me. She always does, deep down she's a very good girl, if only I´d tell you about the stupid things, I used to do to her at the University!

Leval made a gesture of great interest. His mother had once let slip how Roy was when they first met, but now he had a chance to hear directly from him.

-I'd love it if you did. - He was able to say full of genuine curiosity. -

His interlocutor smiled more broadly at him, patted him on the back and they both lifted off towards the training camp. Tom and Cooan were already waiting there with Beruche, the latter restless and very worried. She was therefore very surprised that her boyfriend and the boy arrived in such good company, even laughing at something Roy was saying.  Now they seemed like a pair of old friends. What had happened between them to make her boyfriend's chest change so much?

-Yes..." - He commented to the boy who laughed when he heard. - And she slapped me upside the head! But you can't imagine how she got when I threw her dressed in the pool, ha, ha, ha!  The mark of the slap she gave me stayed on my cheek for a long time....

However, when they landed next to each other, Roy turned serious again and walked over to Beruche. There were no words, just a tight embrace between the two and the affected whisper of a "forgive me" from him. This time there was no room for the tantrums or the anger she adopted when the disputes were less important. The girl could not help crying and he pressed her even more tightly to his chest. The others prudently stayed out of the way.

-I promise you, I swear to you on the memory of my parents that I will never act like that with you again. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I doubted you. - He mused. –

          Bertie didn't know what to say, it was too much to reproach him. That had been a great test for their relationship and they both knew it. Besides, the sense of pain and remorse in Roy's eyes helped her to forgive him sincerely. But she was still very intrigued by the sudden change. Maybe later she could ask him about it, but she would have to give time to time. So, after a while alone together, without saying anything more to each other, they returned to where their friends were. No one wanted to comment on the incident again. Things were fine and they returned to the house. Cooan offered to help Beruche with dinner. Tom and she had been invited to stay. Their presence was needed as support and mediation to heal the wound. But Bertie was amazed, and above all astonished, at the sudden climate of complicity and camaraderie that had arisen between Roy and the boy. Together with Tom they were now talking animatedly as if what had happened that afternoon had never happened. Bertie was glad that this was so, that the misunderstanding between them had been cleared up, but she still did not understand such a radical change. It could be that space warriors were that way. From being on the verge of killing each other to smiling and sharing jokes in a matter of minutes. Still, she sensed there must be more to it. Cooan watched her, surprising her in these reflections, and asked her.

- Is something wrong with you?

-Look at them. - She said thinking out loud. - So alike and yet so different. And when I look at that boy, I feel something beautiful and very strange inside me. I can't explain what it is...

- You haven't fallen in love with him, have you? - Cooan asked her fearful that, deep down, Roy's suspicions were true. -

               But her sister was quick to refute her in her reply and there was certainty in that denial when she added.

-No, it is not that. I can't express it. It's more like .... - She seemed disoriented and unable to find the words, then she looked at Cooan and inspiration struck her. - It's like what I feel for you or our other sisters?

- Like sisterly or motherly love? -  her companion suggested in an insightful way. -

-Something like that, besides, I see so much sadness and longing in his eyes. - She confessed, trying to explain to her sister. - He is like a child in need of love. Like a little brother.

-Be careful. - Cooan warned her, drawing on what she had learned in her psychology courses in college. - You might be attracted to him, but, knowing that's not right, your own subconscious would be sublimating it.

-No, I love Roy, I know that. - She said, objecting more relaxed. - Even if sometimes he behaves like a jerk. And he changes his attitude so quickly. - She remarked without hiding her surprise. - I don't understand what has happened to him.

Cooan observed her inquisitively, she had also noticed that, and it surprised her as it did her sister. Nevertheless, she conjectured.

-Maybe he realized he was treating that poor boy unfairly. You know how he is. He acts on impulse, but when he's wrong, he admits it quickly and tries to make things right.

Although her sister nodded slowly, she didn't seem too convinced with that simple explanation, there had to be more to it. That was very strange even for Roy's behavior.

-Tom must have told him something. - Beruche mused. - He knows him like a brother. But what? - She added with that rhetorical question. -

-Don't ask me. - Her younger sister shrugged it off. - He hasn't told me anything. If they have talked at all. The truth is that these two have been very strange lately.

                 Her interlocutor agreed with a slight nod and without further comment they finished preparing dinner and served it. They all sat around the table. It would have been comical had it not been to gawk at the way Roy and Leval ate the dishes. Conversation was sparse at first because of hunger, then because of no one's inability to break the ice, until it was Beruche who perked up.

- Are you making progress? - she asked, without giving any hint as to what the question was about. -

-The boy is very talented. - Her boyfriend took her back to the field of training. - He's progressing well. And he will do even better.

-Roy has taught me to concentrate my energy more effectively. - He added proudly. -

- And now he was telling you about some funny tactic! - Bertie questioned him again with her usual amused cynicism, which this time she revealed with a pleased smile. - I saw how you were laughing.

-Well. - The embarrassed Leval responded. - To be honest, he was telling me some of the things he did to you in class.

-He had an inexhaustible repertoire! - Tom said to liven up the conversation, getting a laugh from Cooan who nodded in corroboration. –

-You will need days to hear them all. - Beruche's sister assured, waving a hand. -

-It wasn't that bad. - Roy justified himself by putting a hand to the back of his head and blushing, adding with a tone of comic complicity. - Stop slandering me, you redneck from Kansas! If I remember correctly, you did some of them to me as well.

- Yes, that's true. But always in response to one of yours. - Tom laughed. -

        And his laughter was now seconded by the girls', while the boy watched them in astonishment and amusement.

- What can I say? – Roy gave up admitting that. - Touched... and you boy have come to the right place, besides training you I am going to teach you many of my favorite jokes.

Beruche shook her head in mock reprobation. And even more so when her partner added, placing a hand on the boy's right shoulder.

-And I must tell you tricks to pick up girls. Or do you already have a girlfriend in your future?

         Everyone noticed that the boy's face darkened. Roy cursed himself for his slip.

-I screwed up again, I'm an idiot! - he lamented. -

-No," - Leval said, brightening his countenance again. - It's just that I didn't have much time to worry about such things. - He added now with visible embarrassment. -

- So, you don't have any special girl? - Cooan asked him with obvious interest. -

- No well, I liked one or another, but I didn't make up my mind. - The embarrassed boy admitted thinking about that brunette girl he met in what was left of New York in his future. - Anyway, there was one...

- Was one girl then? - Bertie inquired with visible interest, though almost more in the realm of gossip. - What was her name?

-She... her name was Jane. - Leval sighed visibly flushed now. -

- Blonde, brunette, redhead? - Cooan also wanted to know with obvious intrigue. -

-Brunette, and with very blue eyes. - The embarrassed boy declared. -

That didn't alter the future at all, so, he could even confess something embarrassed.

-Just before leaving, she kissed me. I would never have dared.

- Well, you must be more determined. - A histrionic Roy pointed out to him, trying to encourage him with humor. - You're a handsome boy, not as handsome as me, of course, but you're not bad. The girls must like you. I tell you what, when we get this thing settled, I'll take you around....

- Cut the crap! - Bertie admonished him and now nobody couldn't tell if she was joking or serious when she added with a disapproving look. - Don't even think of filling the poor guy's head with the nonsense you've got in yours....

- Okay. Don't get mad, little cube. - Her boyfriend was able to reply as he looked at the boy and shrugged his shoulders to whisper to him, but in a good-natured way, as if Bertie wasn't in front of him. - We'll be on our way without her knowing.

His girlfriend couldn't help but smirk and shake her head in amused resignation. Before she could add anything, though, Cooan already had another no less interesting question ready.

- How does it feel to travel through time? What's it like?

- As if you didn't know! - Tom smiled. -

-No, I don't think it's the same for me as it is for you. - Leval commented. -

- Didn't you come in a spaceship? - Beruche asked, confessing without hesitation. - My sisters and I did it that way.

-No." - The boy smiled, shaking his head, to explain. - I was sent with the sum of the powers of several people. I was wrapped in a kind of enchantment. If I can call it that. I had nothing to protect me. Except this kind of mystical energy.

- And did you notice anything then," - Roy wanted to know. -

The boy glanced at all the diners and sighed, trying to find a way to explain something so strange.

-At first, you hardly notice anything strange. Then you start going around and around yourself, faster and faster. Things become blurred and you find yourself floating in a sea of indescribable colors, like iridescent kaleidoscope. But the best thing is the soft tinkling you can hear. It is something like a beautiful music that goes beyond time itself, as if the centuries are sighing and lulling you along the way. And you can feel it with every fiber of your being. In the end everything is back to normal, things move at a dizzying pace, but they slow down. You stop spinning until you stop and it's just like spinning on yourself. Everything keeps moving slowly around you until it stops, and you are back to normal. But you're already in a different time and place from where you started. And that song. I still remember it...

- Song?" - Roy asked, as surprised as the rest.

-Yes, one that my teacher used to play sometimes. He always said it was very sad and beautiful. It was called Season´s end. From a band...I don't remember the name, but it started something like....

           And then the boy hummed a few verses, and he had a beautiful voice. The girls listened to him spellbound. Even Roy and his friend did so in awe.

Getting close to seasons end

I heard somebody say

That it might never snow again

In England

Then Tom added....

-I know that song. I love it! It denounces climate change. The ruin we're bringing the Earth to by our evil deeds.

-Yes." - Roy agreed. - "It's familiar to me too...

-My teacher always said that, although it was dedicated to what you say, the situation of our world reminded him of it. It was as if that music and those lyrics reflected our feeling of pain and sadness for the loss of the world at the hands of those monsters. For all the evil and destruction, they had brought.

                Now it was Bertie who was crying uncontrollably... Her sister soon followed suit. They both felt truly sorry for that boy and for those who would have lived with him, in that terrible future. Then it was Roy who got up from the table and looking through his CDs he found the one he was looking for.

-This is it. - He announced, putting it on the music chain while he asked them: - "Listen to it well, because it is very beautiful....

So, everyone could listen to that song and during those minutes that it lasted, no one spoke...and indeed, after an instrumental interlude, it began.

***Getting close to seasons end***

***I heard somebody say***

***That it might never snow again***

***In England***

***Snowflakes in a new-born fist***

***Sledging on a hill***

***Are these things we'll never see***

***In England***

***We'll tell our children's children why***

***We grew so tall and reached so high***

***We left our footprints in the Earth***

***And punched a hole right through the sky***

***We'll tell them how we changed the world***

***And how we tamed the sea***

***And seasons they will never know***

***In England***

***So, watch the old world melt away***

***A loss regrets could never mend***

***You never miss it till it's gone***

***So, say goodbye, say goodbye***

***We'll tell our children's children why***

***We grew so tall and reached so high***

***You never miss it till it's gone***

***So, say goodbye, say goodbye***

***To seasons end***

***We'll tell our children's children why***

***We grew so tall and reached so high***

***You never miss it till it's gone***

***So, say goodbye, say goodbye***

***Say goodbye***

             Then, the final part of the song, only with the instrumental music, made the boy cry, and he barely mumbled, closing his eyes.

-That tinkling sound. It's something like that, traveling through time... you hear something like that! It's like time itself is lulling you to sleep. At least that's what I heard when I came here... It's wonderful!

Although the theme was not yet finished, and as if it were more and more distant echoes, the voice of the artist was declaiming to conclude...

***So, watch the old world melt away***

***A loss regrets could never mend***

***You never miss it till it's gone***

***So, say goodbye, say goodbye***

**(Seasons End. Marillion credit to author)**

                 Everyone kept an admiring silence. The girls were amazed by the description. They had never experienced anything like that, of course, as they had said, they were traveling in a spaceship and this boy had been transported by enchantment. Surely, he felt all that being deprived of a vehicle to isolate him. Roy and Tom were equally amazed. Especially the former who realized the mixture of pain, sadness, beauty, and serenity that those life experiences and that journey seemed to have conveyed to the boy, the boy who would be his son!

- It's unbelievably beautiful! Your journey, your bravery, and your reasons. But, while that's all well and good, I think it's about time you told us a little more about yourself. - The still excited Beruche intervened gently so as not to corner him. - If it's not problematic. Something you can say.

-Yes. It wouldn't hurt to say your name. - Tom agreed, also eager to atone for one of his indiscretions. -

The boy sighed a long sigh. He saw in the eyes of all his interlocutors that plea for some light on his own person. Nodding at last he replied with a half-smile.

-My name is Leval.

- How nice," - Bertie exclaimed. - I remember that word, Hope, in the language of the old world, is the perfect name. If I ever have a son, I'd like it as a name for him.

Only Tom and Roy noticed the tremor that shook the boy.

- Really? - the boy asked and was answered by a nod and a luminous smile from Beruche. -

- Could you tell us something about your parents? - Cooan asked. -

            And this time the boy controlled himself admirably well to answer without qualms.

-I never knew my father. I remember my mother as a fighter, a very brave woman who raised me in an oasis of peace amidst the chaos and horror of the world around us. She was so beautiful and so sweet! The only thing that marred her face was the pain, the tiredness and all the suffering she had to endure. But she was always there for me, when I felt depressed or without strength, she comforted me. She always caressed me and stroked my hair, comforting me with her words and her love. - His eyes had clouded with tears when he finished. - She sacrificed everything for me, as well as the rest of my family and friends, so that I would have the opportunity to come to this time. For that...I can't let them down.

There was no one at the table who was unaffected. The girls could barely keep from crying and both Tom and Roy felt a knot in their stomachs. Especially the latter, who kept cursing himself for his stupidity. He now fully understood the pain of that boy deprived of parents and hope. By all that was most holy he would help him!

-Your mother is or will be a wonderful person. - Roy affirmed without daring to look at Bertie so as not to denounce himself. - That's for sure.

- It's so sad and yet so beautiful! - Beruche sobbed, wiping away some uncontained tears. - You must have suffered a lot, having to leave your family to come here.

-I had no other choice. - Leval replied in a calmer tone, full of resignation. - This is the only way I can save them and, above all, meet my father. Maybe I can do it. That's what I want most. I pray for it, since I was a little boy, every night.

Roy felt as if a huge dagger of guilt was stabbing into his heart. He didn't look at the boy or anyone else to keep from breaking down. Luckily for him, like a ringing bell, the phone rang. He immediately got up to answer the life-saving call. Although it was far from reassuring.

- Hello?

After a few seconds of listening, he added...

-We're ready, don't worry. ....

He hung up to explain to the expectant audience....

-That was the federal agents. They've detected them, they're coming!  I have been informed that meteorites like the ones you indicated, Leval, are heading towards Earth. They are on an unequivocal collision course and will take approximately two months to arrive.

-They are coming. - The boy repeated with a pale face. - God help us, I will destroy them or die trying. So that history will never repeat itself.

-There is no time to lose now. - Roy agreed. - We'll go to the Corner of Soul and Time to train, and I'll teach you the Instantaneous Translation technique I learned from Master Son Goku.

-I will warn the others. - Tom added. -

So, they agreed. They finished dinner and taking advantage of a moment in which, he could be alone with the boy, Tom told him.

-If I remember correctly, you told me that I was your teacher in that future. And that I helped send you here. Do you know how I did it?

-It was spell. I'm not quite sure, it was too complicated for me. - The boy answered somewhat evasively. -

Tom nodded slowly, he wanted to understand why Leval answered him that way and he himself concluded.

- It's logical. Even if you knew exactly how I did it, you couldn't reveal it to me. It would affect the future. Although, come to think of it if I sent you here, it's because I knew. So that wouldn't change anything.

-I don't know. - His interlocutor answered. - All I know is that my cousin Mazoui helped you, you did research in a book or books, I can't remember. The truth is that I was never very interested in those things. It was about you and the she-devil. A succubus called ILaya, who helped you.

- ILaya? I don't know anyone by that name. Least of all a she-devil. - Tom replied, shaking his head. -

-Maybe the events after the attack changed and you were able to meet her because of that. - Leval mused. -

-No, that would be impossible. - Tom corrected him, arguing. - "The demons had to return to Hell after their defeat. All of them! It's not possible for a she-devil to be left here. Unless...

He was trying to imagine a possible exception to the rule, in his esoteric books there was certainly something, he thought he remembered certain passages that spoke of that possibility. However, he could not remember exactly which ones and he did not have those volumes here. In any case, there was no point in wasting time on that now. Much more serious and urgent things were calling for them. And it was getting a bit late.

-Thank you very much, Leval. Thank you very much, Leval. Good night. - He said goodbye. -

          The young man nodded, wishing him a good night's rest. He went up to the room that had been prepared for him. He smiled slightly, after several days of training, his future parents had bought a mattress and a bed along with other furniture. It was as if this was really his room. The one he would have had in that house if he had been born and raised there, being part of the family.

-I love you, mom, dad. - He sighed before getting into bed and turning off the light. -

             The others didn't take long either. Tom and Cooan took the guest room next to their friends.

-He's an admirable boy. - Cooan commented as they were getting into bed. -

-Yes, he is. - Her husband agreed. - Very brave and generous.

-Of course. - His bride declared, adding amused. - And very handsome.

- Hey! - he reproached her jocularly. -I remind you that technically he hasn't been born yet.

-Then don't get mad, Ji, ji! - she laughed, adding in a honeyed voice. - No need to be jealous. You're my boy. The pilot who came to take me away. Like in that song my mother and grandmother used to listen to.

- What song? - He wanted to know. -

-I don't remember the title, but since Leval told us today about that beautiful song he heard in his future, I remembered another one my grandmother Kim heard in mine. It said something like a girl was waiting for someone to come and get her to take her to the moon and back.

Tom thought that sounded familiar, although he was a little too tired to think about it. So, he merely replied.

- I'll see if I'll do some research tomorrow and find out what song that is.

That sounded good to his girlfriend. She was also exhausted, so it didn't take long for them to fall asleep. For their part, Bertie and Roy made peace in the best possible way, after releasing some tension, she rested on her boyfriend's chest, and sighing, she commented.

-We must help Leval. It is imperative that we succeed in winning. For him and for all of us.

-Of course, I give you my word that I will do everything in my power to achieve it, cube. And you know I always keep my promises.

-I do know. - She smiled, caressing his chest. - But I don't just mean defeating those invaders, or whatever they are. I mean we must make his stay in this time as pleasant as possible for him. He has suffered a lot, don't you think? And I understand him, separating from your family and traveling to another era different from the one you were born in is hard.

Roy had to wait a few moments to be able to reply without getting emotional, at last he whispered in his girlfriend's ear.

-I can put myself in their shoes too, losing your parents is terrible. And I'll do my best to be as close to one as I can get.

In this way it was as if he was confessing to Beruche that secret he had stuck in his soul without really doing it. She rewarded him with a kiss and at last they both fell asleep. At about four in the morning Bertie woke up. She was thirsty and went downstairs to get a drink of water. She heard a voice as she came upstairs, the door to the boy's room was ajar and she approached slowly. She opened it and could hear more clearly, it was indeed Leval stirring in his sleep. Or what must have been more like a nightmare.

- No, damn you! I will not allow you to harm these people. - He affirmed waving his arms. –

          The boy remembered; he was immersed in that terrible bad dream. All around him the remains of countless victims. Filled with horror and rage, he tried to protect the few survivors by attacking those terrible creatures. He launched balls of energy that destroyed several of them, but in a moment, others reappeared projecting a shield that prevented any damage that he, in his desperate attempts, made to eliminate them. His rays now crashed harmlessly against this protection. He then turned when he heard laughter in the background behind him.

- Who are you? - Leval asked, looking at a strange individual with a bluish complexion, dressed in a kind of dungarees and wearing a strange colored monocle. -

-I am the commander of the troops of the great Gralas. Wretched human. - He smiled in amusement. -

              To the boy's horror the androids under his command fired a multitude of lightning bolts at the few remaining survivors incinerating them in seconds.

-Nooo! Bastards, murderers! - The boy shouted and attacked the despicable guy and launched himself to hit him.

              Although he couldn't reach him, two of those machines, emitting that unpleasant buzzing sound, blocked his way, throwing two blows that threw him to the ground.

- Pathetic! - that alien spat - And you call yourself a warrior? You're ridiculous, ha, ha, ha!

            Full of rage, Leval turned into a super Saiyan, but that only provoked a sneer from his interlocutor who simply ordered his robots.

-Finish with this garbage...

Out of that nightmarish world, the boy was shaking, moving his arms and legs as if he was defending himself from an invisible attack, Beruche worriedly went in search of Roy, whom she woke up immediately despite his resistance.

- What's wrong? - he murmured half asleep. -

-It's Leval, he must be having a nightmare and talking in his sleep. - She told him, provoking his curiosity and concern. -

Her fiancé girded on a robe and accompanied here. Tom and Cooan must still be sleeping and were not aware of it. They both approached carefully, entered slowly, and listened to that poor boy babbling with increasing desperation.

- Damn you! How is it possible? No matter how much I destroy you, you appear again. What are you going to do? For God's sake! Everything is full of skeletons. You didn't even take pity on the children. I can't stand it!

Bertie, horrified, covered her mouth with her hands, unable to stop her tears. Roy hugged her tightly, unable to bear it without being moved. She wanted to wake him up then, but her partner refused, holding her arm, and shaking his head regretfully. It would probably not be good for the boy, and as painful as it was, they had to know more. But Leval was still sobbing incessantly, while he added now crazed during his nightmare....

- I won't let you! - He was almost feverishly mumbling. - I will die first!...

He was barely defending himself from the blows and energy rays of his rivals, luckily a big explosion illuminated the place and blinded everyone, at that moment the boy noticed that someone grabbed him and dragged him towards some ruins.

- Damn it! - he then heard the voice of his cousin whose eyes glowed a reddish color. - I told you not to expose yourself. Good thing I detected your aura.

-I couldn't let them keep slaughtering innocents. - He was able to answer. -

- You know there's nothing we can do! - His interlocutor replied with manifest anger and regret. - Neither you. Neither can I, nor ILaya, nor her daughter, nor Jane and the others... Exposing yourself like this puts us all in danger. I know it's very hard, but you must understand, you are our last and only hope! You must survive...

             And without giving him time to answer he forced Leval to run and hide inside the sewers. There the few remaining survivors were huddled together. Leval sighed in relief, but as soon as he could see them up close, he shuddered in horror, the sight had stuck in his mind. Now both Bertie and Roy could hear him screaming during this nightmare.

- What have they done to you, little girl? - Mazoui look at her, she has no eyes! They've gouged her eyes out! My God those bastards. I hear their buzzing, they're here! They've discovered us! Help me, they're going to finish me off!

Beruche was frozen with horror, Roy didn't utter a word either until the boy jumped up shrieking and waking up abruptly. Leval, bathed in cold sweat, gasped violently, and could only cover his face and vent his tears while she hugged him.

-It's all right. It's all right. You're safe here. - The girl consoled him as sweetly as she could, while still crying. -It was only a dream.

The boy was able to control himself enough to look at them, even with his eyes clouded over, and mutter.

-I'm sorry, I guess I must have said some horrible things, but this nightmare keeps repeating itself repeatedly. I can't get what I saw out of my head. - He gnashed his teeth, adding in identical fashion. - And that whirring of those damn machines! I don't know if I'll ever get rid of it.

-It's all right. - Roy encouraged him firmly. - You're safe here, and I swear, together we won't let those bad dreams come true!

-There was another song. - The young man was able to say with a trembling tone. - Another one I remember... From my father's favorite band... My mother listened to it because it reminded her of him, but I, every time I heard it, I remembered all that horror, in the end I stopped listening to it... I couldn't stand it.

- What was her name? - Roy wanted to know. -

The boy whispered it in his ear. Roy went to his CD area. Of course, he had that disc.

-Don't worry. It's going to be all right. We'll never let that happen. - Beruche told him sweetly. -

Leval nodded hopefully as the young woman cradled his head gently in her lap and it made him shiver. It was the same feeling he had when he woke up in his time and his mother comforted him. It was her of course, but now he was just a stranger to Beruche who still wouldn't have even considered the idea of having a child. Slowly he calmed down and whispered in embarrassment.

-I'm sorry... I'm sorry I woke you up, that's why I didn't want to be around. I...

-It doesn't matter. - She smiled at him, advising him with true motherly affection. - Now you must try to sleep...

-Yes, that's right. - Roy agreed with the same kindness. - Tomorrow will be a hard day. You must rest, boy. You'll need it.

- I want to make progress. Please! - he asked almost between sobs to his moved instructor. - Help me. I must be worthy of my father; I must fight them and defeat them.

- Don't think about it now, sleep and get your strength back. - Bertie replied with gentleness in his voice and visible compassion in his countenance. -

The latter nodded meekly and went back to bed tucked in by his interlocutor. Roy let her do it, he even saw how she kissed him on the forehead and noticed the grateful look and the tears that assailed the poor boy. Now it all fit him, that scene was more like a mother's love for her son, and it made his own remorse and shame surface again.

-You don't have to be worthy to call yourself my son. It is I rather who must make myself worthy to be your father. You are far better than I will ever be. - He said to himself with the firm purpose of achieving it and to banish once and for all that terrible guilt complex. -

He went to his room and Bertie followed him once he had put the boy to rest.  Already in bed Roy was unable to fall asleep. All he could think about was the boy and what lay ahead of them. She asked him...

- What's the matter with you?

-I can't Bertie. - He confessed in a quiet voice. - I think of his face when he woke up. He was terrified! What could he have seen to look like that? What are those damn androids like? He's no coward, I'm sure of that. But he's so traumatized.

-He must have had a terrible time. - His girlfriend said to him, full of compassion. - Poor boy, we've talked about it before, so far away from his family.

-I'm so scared, knowing the horror that awaits the world if we fail. - His partner confessed. -

-Don't even think about it. - Beruche rebutted him, sentencing him with determination. - You will not fail; I am sure you will win, and this nightmare will never happen.

-Yes, that's what I want to believe too. - The boy commented who had that CD in his hand. -

- Is that the song you were referring to? - Bertie asked.

-Yes, it's here. - Her boyfriend admitted. -

-Please, I'm curious. Play it without turning it up too much....

The boy nodded, on a mini system they had in their bedroom. Soon after searching for the track, the music started to play, and so did the lyrics, which, as it could not be otherwise, were very beautiful and touching. And despite perhaps not having much to do with much of it, it was very revealing in some of the verses that brought tears to both. Especially Roy, who knew that song well....

***I don't want to sleep with you***

***I don't need the passion to***

***I don't want a stormy affair***

***To make me feel my life is heading somewhere***

***All I want is the comfort and care***

***Just to know that my woman gives me sweet mother love, ah-ah***

***I've walked too long in this lonely lane***

***I've had enough of this same old game***

***I'm a man of the world, and they say that I'm strong***

***But my heart is heavy, and my hope is gone***

***Out in the city, in the cold world outside***

***I don't want pity, just a safe place to hide***

***Mama, please, let me back inside***

***I don't want to make no waves***

***But you can give me all the love that I crave***

***I can't take it if you see me cry***

***I long for peace before I die***

***All I want is to know that you're there***

***You're gonna give me all your sweet mother love, ah-ha (mother love)***

***My body's aching, but I can't sleep***

***My dreams are all the company I keep***

***Got such a feeling as the sun goes down***

***I'm coming home to my sweet mother love***

***(Mother love, mother love, love, love, love, love)***

***God works in mysterious ways***

***Eeh dop (eeh dop)***

***De dop, dep dop***

***I think I'm going back to the things I learnt so well in my youth***

**(Mother love. QUEEN, credit to the artist)**

-Mother, please let me go back inside you! - The boy repeated, choking back a sob, and moaning as soon as he mumbled to himself. - My God! That's how he feels....

- Are you all, right? - Bertie wanted to know, looking at him worriedly. - Come here. - She asked, offering her arms to him for support.

Roy hugged her comfortingly, he could sense the kind of mother she would have been to the boy and that made him love her even more. He couldn't help but burst into tears full of compassion for the boy and real contempt for himself, his future son! He had gone through time to warn them of all that horror, giving up his life and his only known family to live among strangers... Yes, strangers who would take years to be his parents! And he almost killed him, accusing him of something that had only existed in his jealous imagination. He felt he had failed him, even if they achieved victory, the image that boy would now have of him would have shattered that of his dreams and longings, the ones he would have forged for himself since he was a child, the ones Bertie would have remembered talking to him about these very years he was helping to create those ideas in his mind! The same woman who was now hugging her in bewilderment and trying to encourage him. Now he understood, she was so much stronger than he could ever be! He, if anything, fought and died against those bastards. That was going to be what happened unless they could stop him. But if so, his suffering would end. He could no longer be resurrected and would go into eternity. Instead, Bertie would raise and care for that magnificent boy amidst those nightmarish horrors and not only would he do so without breaking down, but she would also give strength and presence of mind to Leval. The same that the poor boy had shown in the face of the situation his irresponsible and stupid father of tomorrow had put him in today.

- What's the matter, honey? - she asked gently and worriedly, holding his head against her chest with both hands. - Calm down, please....

Roy could barely respond with a moan. He was breaking down by the minute and Beruche's sweet, affectionate tone was the final straw, he wish he could share all those thoughts with her, but he had promised Tom and he wasn't about to hurt that boy anymore. Totally overcome with guilt he could only reply.

- I'm so ashamed! I'm a wretch! Forgive me! I've failed you all, you, the boy, Tom!

Bertie stared at him, between astonishment and emotion. But she overcame it and caressed her boyfriend's cheeks gently and tenderly to respond conciliatingly and encouragingly.

-Don't worry. You've had to endure a lot; I know it's very hard for you to have to fight again. But I am convinced that together we will succeed. If we are together, nothing can defeat us.

-I love you. - He mused visibly grateful when he was able to look up and wipe away his tears, adding. - You are my true strength! Everything I can do; I do thanks to you.

Beruche said nothing, there was no need, although she also felt like crying, she controlled herself, she had to be strong for both, so she only smiled cradling him lovingly, with half of his body in her lap. She gave him that expression of tenderness and serenity that she knew how to adopt as if she was capturing his thoughts and sharing them. Whatever the problem was she would not leave him alone.  And Roy knew that he was now completely sure that he could face anything. She would always be there, she would remain there and if fate repeated itself again despite his efforts, he would have the consolation that his girlfriend could become the best of mothers, like the same one he had on Earth. Only in that way did he dare to ask his partner.

-If I didn't make it. Remember me as I was. Even in my stupidity. -He stated with complete seriousness despite an attempt at humor in those last words. –

But the girl shook her head, dismissing this statement as unimportant. Roy was in a sinking mood, perhaps the immense pressure that had fallen on him had crushed him. This was worse than the battle against the demons. On that occasion he died leaving them to fight until he could resurrect. Even if he didn't know he could. At least then he had faith in the final victory, in preventing that summoning and giving the others time with his sacrifice. When he also returned, he did so with his friends from Heaven and prepared to face his enemy. It was different now! He knew the consequences of his defeat and the inability to return to life. They had to win or die, no second chance, dying would only serve to destroy everything! She knew that her boyfriend was torturing himself just thinking of a fate worse than death itself for the survivors of that battle. Bertie couldn't afford to break down with him, she had to be strong and pull! And above all make him strong as the boy was asking.

-Don't even think that you can go to Heaven on a perpetual vacation. - Beruche told him with a joviality and fortitude that astonished the boy, even made him smile at last, when she added with a feigned threatening tone. - I'd go after you myself and drag you in by the ears, Robert Malden. You won't get away as easily as you did when it was our turn to study or do some work.

-Cubito, I know you'd be capable. - He managed to answer with renewed courage. -

-So don't forget. You'll finish with those cans, and you'll be home soon. - She commanded him with all her wonderful determination and her singing laughter finishing off the sentence. - And that's all there is to it. Ji, ji, ji... Now go to sleep, you have a lot of work to do with Leval tomorrow.

They kissed for a long time, finally Roy calmed down enough, and they were able to sleep in each other's arms. The night passed without further incident and the next day Tom oversaw calling the others. They immediately showed up there with their respective girlfriends and partners. When they arrived and were filled in on the appearance of the meteors, Sapphire was the first to say.

-Millionaire Ian Masters has confirmed to us that the meteors are preferentially heading north. -

- Are you sure about that? - Roy asked. -

-They have the best operating and technological systems in the world. - His friend assured him that, once he had visited the facilities, he had to surrender to the evidence. -And these calculations are also endorsed by the greatest experts in these fields, including Professor Tomoe and myself.

- And can't you specify more? - Tom asked them, eager for details. -

-Not yet. - Sapphire denied, clarifying. - We must wait until they are closer to confirm and refine the calculations.

- What if we fry those bastards before they arrive? - Nephrite proposed. - Roy, you could do it. - He added in a tone that made it convincing to everyone. -

-It's not that simple. - Ail, however, rebutted, more knowledgeable in matters of a cosmic nature, and went on to argue against it. - The shockwave would affect the Earth and if it were to do so far away it would not have the necessary power or aim. Besides, if they are intelligent devices as the boy said, they will be protected, and their speed will make them difficult to hit. They might even make evasive maneuvers when they realize that we have discovered them. It would be too risky; we would spoil the element of surprise. Don't forget that they don't expect us to be aware of their attack.

Leval nodded approvingly, that was complicated. His friends Diamond and Sapphire thought so too, and even Roy himself saw it as an impossibility.

- We will split into pairs. - Diamond proposed now. - And we'll go around the Earth to be ready when the time comes for them to land. Maybe we can narrow the field of possibilities and familiarize ourselves with the terrain. That would be an advantage.

- But first we must train. - Roy reminded him and the others. - Leval and I will go to the Corner.

- You can do that later. - Diamond amended. - Remember, on an outside day, he spends a whole year in there. If you go in the day before....

- We won't hurry so much - Roy rebutted. - It will be enough to spend a month there. Then we'll rest here.

- We should discuss it with the warriors to coordinate the action. - Sapphire recommended. - Masters has told us that their help will be very valuable to calculate the trajectory of the meteorite.

- Let Ami take care of that, she's a mathematical freak, and whatever else they throw at her. - Annie said. -

- We must observe them without pause. To avoid surprises. - Emerald said. -

- There is no time to lose. - Added Petz, who was already dialing Sailor Mercury's phone. –

- There are still two months left. - Amanda sighed, looking at Heaven as if she could not believe that such horror would come from its limpid, celestial vault. - We will be prepared.

- We must not be confident. - Nephrite warned without losing his usual aplomb, crowned with his British sarcasm. - The stakes are high, and I certainly wouldn't like to die again. Nor would it be original anymore, and I don't like melodramas. I've had enough of one.

- I agree with that. - Sapphire corroborated with the approving assent of the others. - And. - She added, making public the fear they all had in their minds. - Now I remember that Landar told us that we would not be able to resurrect again.

- Well, when the time comes to go to Heaven, I will ask him. - Roy intervened who was trying to think of a possible "trap" in that in case they needed it. Although in the back of his mind he knew it would not be possible. Therefore, he changed the subject, haranguing the rest with his regained courage. - Now all we must worry about is working!

Everyone applauded that sentence as one man. Leval, who had been silent for a long time, looked around and was filled with satisfaction and hope. This was a formidable group of men and women! It had been worth it to endure all the hardships and sufferings since he had made the journey into the past just to feel part of them. Although in his future, he knew his aunts and mother well, their courage and fortitude, he now realized that they complemented and blended perfectly with their boyfriends and fiancés. He could only see the pale reflection of the unity he now shared. A group of strong, determined, and willing to do anything to save their world. No wonder they were able to defeat those demons. Against the Gbards of Gralas, they surely lost because of the surprise of the attack, but now, with God's help, it would be different. And he would fight on their side and from the beginning. He wished Mazoui could have been there too to witness it!

-You would have liked to have met them. - He thought with a smile. - You, cousins Alan and Idina and Robert's family and Ian's family. All together we would surely win...And now I'm beginning to believe it's possible. Thank you for your sacrifice, cousin. To you and the rest...

And while he was thinking about all this, the meeting was concluded. They all set off and after a month of training and calculations Roy and the others decided to go to Heaven. However, shortly after their departure, the sailors, who had been warned by the girls and had since dedicated themselves to investigating the threat in all areas, were to discover something very worrying. In the observatory that the special organization with which they collaborated had in the north of Japan, Setsuna scrutinized the skies. She paled when she checked her observations several times.

- It couldn't be! - She said aloud to herself, truly livid: - "This can't be happening...".

She ran to call the others, and immediately called Usagi. The girl arrived as soon as she could, accompanied by Mamoru. Next to them came a guy of medium height, in his early thirties and wearing glasses. He had fair hair and his blue eyes expressed concern. He was the first to ask Sailor Pluto.

-So, it has been confirmed. It's even worse than we thought.

-Yes," - she admitted, lowering her head. - It's not the same as what that boy told our friends.

-Then we should go to alert protocol one. - Her interlocutor declared. -

-Mr. Masters. - Mamoru said, addressing that individual. - It is clear at this point that the previous sightings were not a coincidence.

-No." - He agreed, declaring. - They have been preparing the ground, the previous ones were a mere reconnaissance force. Now we are getting the first serious expeditionary wave.

-Yes, this is the invasion force. - Usagi added in frustration. - I just hope we can take them on. The bad thing is that we still haven't managed to close the whole defense system around Earth. And that worries me... we won't be able to count on some very powerful allies we had in mind... If only we had had a little more time.

-With or without them, we'll have to do what we've always done. Fight for what we believe in and defend the innocent. - Her boyfriend encouraged her. -

The girl nodded slowly and turning to Setsuna indicated to her.

-We must summon all the others. The rest of my team is waiting in Tokyo. Will you take care of calling the others outside?

-No problem. - She nodded quickly and quickly left the room. -

-Miss Meioh is a valuable acquisition. - Masters commented when he saw her leaving. -

-She is a brave and loyal fighter, and an intelligent and very beautiful woman. - Mamoru agreed. -

- Hey!" - His girlfriend called his attention to her, frowning despite the situation. - Stop paying compliments to a girl other than me.

-Well. Don't be jealous. I won't do it anymore Usako. - His partner granted smiling amused, that was good despite everything to lower the tension. Although he added now with a more serious tone. - And she will be a key piece for the culmination of all our projects...

-Yes. If we come out of this well. - Usagi affirmed this time with seriousness, to sentence. - We will have to demand a lot from her. It will be a great sacrifice, but she is the most suitable and I trust her completely.

Mamoru nodded and Masters simply shrugged his shoulders, then they left that observatory room to join the rest... For his part, Leval could finally sleep without more nightmares. The effect his mother had on him whether it was in this present or in his future, was the same. And he dreamed of those last moments, just before he was sent to this time, when he remarked to his Uncle Tom.

-Please take good care of everyone. I know I can never come back. Whatever happens.

They were in doubt as to whether this trip would create an alternate reality in which he would be trapped, or whether it would eliminate the one in which he had been born altogether. At least that's what his uncle explained to him before he agreed to go on the trip. However, his decision was not altered. It was him or the fate of the entire planet.

-I will not let you down. - He said to himself in his sleep. - One way or another you will not have to go through that terrible fate. Even if it means I can never hold you again, Mama, Jane....

           And so, he finally fell into a deep sleep, ready to regain his strength. He had to be ready the next day because the moment of truth had arrived.

**START**