GWA11E

Chapter 11. Weekend at the Beach.

The four remained alert for the next few days but nothing abnormal happened. Soon they had to put aside their fears because they had to deal with the first exams. There were days of much study in which they hardly saw each other after classes. Beruche and Cooan were both excited and nervous. Having come out relatively well from their experiences with the children were the first evaluation tests they faced there. They should get good results. The boys also did not neglect this time. Both Tom and Roy wanted to get away with that. Roy very especially and apparently fate helped him, on the one hand he got a breather. Melanie and the rest of his companions did not do anything but study. On the other, the demons seemed to have forgotten them. At last, they were done, and Roy resumed what he had talked to Jack about the inclusion of the girls in the Brotherhood. They remained for the candidates to appear the following day. Cooan was looking forward to the moment of introducing herself, she would love to be admitted and thus have the opportunity to be closer to that boy. However, Beruche was not so willing. Despite this, between her sister and Tom had convinced her to at least submit her candidacy.

-I hope this is worth of trying- said the girl in her room, shortly before leaving for the ceremony.-

-Yes, do not be silly! It will be a lot of fun.

Bertie repeated, not without a good deal of scepticism.

-Well, I do not know - her sister said now, in a slightly more uncertain tone. - Maybe that's not the word. But it will be a big step for us.

-The most important step I gave in my life was when you hugged me that time.-  Her partner smiled remembering the way in which Cooan risked to save her from that barren attempt of suicide.-

-You do not have to be remembering that all your life. –Smiled Cooan.-

-I was going to say that for that, I'll go with you wherever you were. - Her sister said, returning her smile.-

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

-What delights me is that we're together. We lack only of Petz and Kalie, and our friends to be perfect.

-I try to imagine them here and...

Bertie could not continue, she laughed. Her sister laughed with her, while the young woman was finally able to add.

-Ami-chan, I can imagine that she would be in her element. But Usagi! Or our sisters arguing ... with Miss Parker trying to separate them...

-Yes, in that you are quite right. - Cooan agreed with amusement at imagining that picture. -

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

-How about you with the children? - Beruche wanted to know as they walked. -

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

-The toys? - Her sister was surprised.-

-No, children, silly! - Laughed Cooan.-

Bertie laughed with her. She loved to see her sister so cheerful and so vital. She remembered her as being like that in their childhood in Nemesis. Unfortunately then their lives were distorted. But there they were, ready to regain those lost years. And so far things were going very well. Exception made from those damn demons. And of that mysterious individual who knew their past lives. That darkened their mood. Nevertheless Cooan was quick to remove that from the mind. At least Bertie wanted to try to be as enthusiastic as her sister. So things both met with Roy on the way out.

-Hi girls. This is what I like, you are punctual to the appointment. - He declared that he was already waiting.-

-I cannot believe it! - There are already two times in a row that you arrive in time. - Bertie smiled with a certain tinge.-

-You see, little cube! - He laughed more openly. -

-Did not Tommy come? -  A surprised Cooan wanted to know.-

-No, he does not belong here, he is not part of the red ribbons. But we'll see him later. – His interlocutor told them, adding with joviality. - We are late, let’s go...

And without further ado the young man guided them to the headquarters of the Golden Eagle. A room that was in one of the buildings near their faculty. Once they arrived they knocked on the door. A boy wearing a blue ribbon tied to his arm came out and asked.

-What do you want?

-These two ladies want to present their candidacy to be members of our brotherhood, - replied the boy solemnly, so much that he impressed Bertie. -

-And who are you? - Asked the watchman in a formal manner. -

-Brother Roy, - he replied, showing off his red ribbon, which made the other boy immediately granted them the entrance. -

The three of them passed and they walked down a corridor to another closed door. As they waited for a moment before her, their host said to them in a cheerful tone.

-You'll see, this will be piece of cake. Surely they will accept you.

-Do you think? - Cooan asked hopefully.-

-Of course Connie, - he said resolutely, explaining. - Now I am going to enter, in a few moments we will make you pass and expose the reasons for which you believe that you must be accepted. And take it easy. At the meeting of the red ribbons the decided they are companions that you already know and my friend Jack who supports you it is the purple ribbon, so that means he's the Big Brother. Ossy will be there too and he has promised me the same thing. Also Roberts who likes you and I am. Well, there's Melanie too.

-Then I'd better get out of here. Let's not waste time anymore, because, I think, to accept a new member, the vote has to be unanimous, right? - Bertie asked him. -

-That's just to name someone a member to test. Not for the yellow ribbons. These are by majority vote. You'll see how nothing happens, - he said confidently. - Well, now wait a moment.

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

-Are they ready?

-Yes. A little nervous maybe.

-They're good girls. - Roberts remarked, adding with some sarcasm. - For once and without precedent, I agree with you, Malden.

-It's a detail on your part, - the boy said in the same tone to look at his partner Ozzie who nodded to smile. -

-No problem for me. I would even directly name them green ribbons. - Said the boy.-

-That's a lot to say. - Melanie said in a seemingly dispassionate tone. - Connie, there's no problem. She has shown to be very well integrated, she is an outstanding cheerleader and a popular girl...

-Bertie's a pretty much appreciated girl too - Roy said, adding. - And she has represented our University in the chess tournament. She was champion!

The boy said it in a really enthusiastic way, something that did not please her interlocutor. But it was true. Days after their first game, the one that finished in tables, Bertie competed in five more and won them all without problems. That triangular tournament between the Golden and two other universities of the State was settled with victory and one more trophy for the showcases of the College. Everyone effusively congratulated the champion. Even the chief cheerleader had to do it. Not in vain that was a triumph of the whole university. For her part, the winner downplayed that and focused again on their studies. Anyway, that was a relevant merit. Even Melanie herself could not oppose that. But she smiled a little perfidiously to declare.

-Of course. I am not opposed to her being a yellow tape. But in the case of her sister Cooan, I think Ozzie is right. I vote to give her the green ribbon directly. What do you think guys?

The others looked at each other, surprised. Especially Roy, he had hoped he might have had to persuade Melanie to admit Bertie even as an aspirant. But this was a detail on the part of his companion. To tell the truth, the young woman smiled, savouring that triumph. She had thought it over carefully, at first she wanted to have categorically refused to let this silly Japanese enter and only admitting her sister. But that would have meant too much against her and technically Beruche had done nothing to her. This was much better. She would admit it to the others to show that she had no resentment, but she offered her sister the possibility of even being a member to the test. Instead of interpreting this gesture as of disdain towards Bertie, the others would think that it was very considered with Cooan, and in fact to have her in its team of cheerleaders and to congratulate her publicly by her performances, which certainly were very good, everything fit. Even Roy himself would see that she was not at all jealous and would have to thank her for such a generous gesture. And on top of that, it had been Ozzie and not her who proposed the green ribbon for Connie. So she waited for the others to reply, and she smiled broadly as she listened.

-I agree. - Roberts claimed. - Not that Beruche is not a great girl but her sister has been more meaningful in the activities of our College. I think it would be fair.

-Agreed. Connie is much more open and extroverted. She has been more focused on people. - Ozzie said. -

-And I am in too - said Jack, who as a leader also had the possibility of vetoing decisions. -Well Roy, what do you say? - He asked. -

-I would like the green ribbon to be given to both of us. Really. I think Bertie deserves it too. She's a good girl. The only thing that happens is that she is a little bit aloof. That's not a sin...

But looking at the faces of the rest finally he had to give up and sighing said.

-Alright. According. Connie green ribbon and yellow ribbon for Bertie.

-Very well, - Jack said, climbing up to a somewhat higher chair and behind the row of chairs where the others sat, he asked Roy. - Then let them pass and let us hear them.

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

- The aspirants to members of the Brotherhood must declare their motives!

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

-You'll see brother directors - she began, using a formula that Roy had previously indicated to them. - I would be very excited to join the Brotherhood. As I have been told, it has a lot of tradition and is a way of feeling even more united to the University. Since I arrived everyone has been very kind to me and they have welcomed me. I am very happy to study here, to be part of the cheerleading team. - At this mention she got a smile of approval from Melanie. - And made so many friends.

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

-My sister has already said most of it. Although I am not a cheerleader, I feel much honoured to belong to the Golden State. Here exists a great appreciation for fellowship and that is something that some very good friends taught me a long time ago. For that reason, I would mainly like to be part of the Brotherhood.

They all looked at each other, although it was clear that Connie's allegations had been much more enthusiastic. The group of red ribbons whispered between them for a moment and in the end, it was Jack, who, rising from his chair and down to the floor, took a box that was on a table at the back of the room and opened it. He pulled out a pair of yellow ribbons and with ceremonial bearing he tied them to the right arm of each girl stating solemnly.

- Hear your motives and known your merits we officially accept you as candidates to be part of our brotherhood.

Both girls smiled, Roy stood up also motioning to both of them that they could leave, but then Roberts sounded the voice.

-Please Connie can you stay a moment.

The girls looked at each other in surprise. Although Beruche simply shrugged and left. She had gotten her accepted as a candidate, something she never thought possible having the cheerleader boss there. For her part, her sister breathed heavily. She was nervous. What would they tell her? But with a smile Roy eased her. Soon it was Ozzie who took the floor to say something. Meanwhile, it was Melanie herself who got up and went to that table at the back of the room and took something out of the box.

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

-So that. - Melanie smiled as she took the girl's arm by tying another ribbon. - We think it is fairer that from now you have the green colour as a member to test.

-Really? - She exclaimed, full of joy. - I cannot believe it! -

-You must know that this is an honour reserved for very few. - Roy explained visibly pleased looking at her to add. - That they grant you two ribbons at the same time is something that even I did not achieve when they proposed to me like aspirant.

The others nodded benevolently. Cooan even gave Melanie a hug that she corresponded full of satisfaction. The chief of the cheerleaders only regretted that the insidious sister of her pupil could not see them now. In the meantime the excited girl asked.

-Should I carry the two ribbons at once or just one?

This provoked the smiles of all, although the chief of cheerleaders commented.

-Let´s say you can wear the two of them today. Thus everyone will see the honour that has been bestowed upon you. Starting tomorrow, when you have to take one, of course the green. Now go and rest. You deserve it, Connie.

And the girl nodded and after another slight bow of her head came out very happy. Outside, her sister was waiting for her to see what had happened. To the astonishment, and even the smile of Beruche, Cooan told her what had happened.

-Congratulations! - Replied sincerely this one, although all that roll of the ribbons did not concern her in the least. -

-I'm sorry they did not do the same to you. You deserved the green too, -her sister replied, almost apologetic about it. -

-Oh, do not be silly. It is true that you have moved more than I have. Do not worry, - retorted Bertie without giving any importance to that issue. - It is a miracle that I have been accepted as an aspirant.

-They've all been very nice, but most of all, Melanie has been very supportive. - Confessed her sister. -

Beruche nodded, a smile of circumstance. She did not want to make Cooan feel bad, but she quickly understood what was happening. Anyway, she said something very different to praise her.

-Of course. And it's natural, you're her best cheerleader!

-You'll see how they'll give you the green right away! - Your sister encouraged her or at least she believed so -

The interviewee nodded, though that it mattered little. After a while, Roy joined them. Together they returned to their faculty. Tom was waiting for them at the gate and became interested in what had happened. When he saw the ribbons in the arms of both girls, he smiled. And even more to see the green ribbon tightly tied over Connie's elbow.

-Of course I congratulate you Connie - the boy praised without reservations. - It's not easy to get two ribbons the same day. And congratulations to you too, Bertie. - He added not wanting to be rude. -

-Thank you Tom, - she answered dispassionately. -

-What do you say if we go to the beach tomorrow to celebrate? - Roy said cheerfully. -

-To the beach? - Beruche was surprised. -

Although her sister was already clapping and very smiling replied.

-I think it's a great idea! Tomorrow will be a nice weather and we do not go to sea. Right, Bertie?

-Well - she could say, to which she really did not care.-

Although she had to admit that when they went to visit the city they had a great time, especially looking at the expression of Cooan who pressed her lips and took her with both hands to insist with a more mellow tone.

-Come on Bertie ... we have not gone to the beach, since we were with our sisters and the girls almost a year ago.

Her sister sighed and nodded smiling. It was clear that everyone was excited to go. So she agreed with a slightly more lively tone.

 - Ok. Why not?

-Why do not we go tomorrow at nine? - Roy said with obvious good humour. -

They agreed on that. The afternoon passed with nothing to report and at night after dinner they went to get some rest. The next day it was Saturday and they took advantage of a bus that, from college, left them in the city, and, after taking the subway from Manhattan they arrived at the beach of Coney Island in Brooklyn. There, near the ferries wheels and other elements of a nearby amusement park they camped with their umbrellas, chairs and mats. The boys installed everything in a lending way as they told the girls.

-This beach was very fashionable until the end of World War II. - Roy said explaining them. - Then it went into decline but some years ago have begun to renovate the rides, to put more showers.

-Yes it's pretty. - Commented Cooan observing the attractions, especially the famous carousel leaning against the sky. -

-Next time, it would be nice to go to Long Beach. - Suggested Tom. -

-But there you have to pay entrance and also I think it is closed now. - Roy objected. -

-Well, what are you going to do?  - sighed his friend placing the umbrella. -

The two sisters walked away a few feet while they chatted. Now fortunately they had not suffered those demonic attacks for many days, and they said so.

-It's all very quiet now - Cooan said.  -Let's hope it continues like this. - She wished while she was adjusting her two-piece violet bathing suit at waist level. -

- I hope so too - replied Beruche, who was wearing a blue bathing suit, evoking her former uniform. -But I cannot get out of my head what that voice said, it seemed to know us very well. Like he knew all about our old lives.

-Forget it Bertie! I do not think so, otherwise he would have already attacked us. I told you he wanted to scare us. - Her sister reassured her.-

-I hope you're right - sighed her interlocutor trying to push it away from her mind. -

- With a little luck we can rest easy. Cooan sighed. -

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

The truth is that those calm days seemed to agree with her sister opinion. She herself felt relaxed after the first exams. And even the nonsense of the ribbons contributed to giving things a less serious vision. Now she watched the boys and smiled changing the subject.

 - Look at those clowns, they look like two kids! -

And it was that Tom and Roy built a sand castle between them, helped by a group of children with whom they had made a quick friendship.

- Of course it is impressive how well they deal with children, but it is logical. They are more kids still! Cooan said with amusement. -

- I believe that too, ha, ha, ha ... - agreed her interlocutor.-

They both watched as Roy lifted a girl in tow and made the plane with her to the satisfaction of the little girl.

- Good. - Sighed her sister. - At least we have these moments to rest. More homework is coming next week.

-Yes, - Bertie said. - I did not think this was going to be so exhausting. We will have to get down to work with a psych pedagogy and prepare a test of procedures! But it's worth it! As I said at the Brotherhood meeting. I feel very happy to study here! -She remark.-

And she kept watching Roy out of the corner of her eye as he left the baby on the ground laughing with her and the other little ones.

-More, more! - Asked the funny little girl to an exhausted boy who answered him on his knees to be like that.

-Give me a break, baby. Please! ... - He begged, thinking that same phrase reminded him of another situation with" girls "but certainly different, both the circumstance and the girls in question, much more grown up, so he added. - Then when I got rest, we'll play a little longer in a little while. -

The girl, about five years old, allowed herself to be convinced, content to hug his neck. Tom for his part finished directing the works of a moat in the sand. Both were having a good time. It was an uncommon moment, it oxygenated them of other type of relations with the professors, companions and especially the demons. But the tranquillity lasted little and the group did not realize that they were observed from the distance by a pair of sinister hooded with binoculars.

- I have already located them - said one of them keeping them in their field of vision – they are on that beach.

- We must notify the Masters. - Added the other who took out a Walkie-Talkie and communicated with his base. - We have them at point h-2, with a group of children.

- Stay vigilant. Report any new developments. Now we'll send someone to take care of them – It was the answer. -

At the seat of the sect, Valnak was promptly brought up to date.

- So on the beach. How good are these guys! - The demon smiled affirming with his usual sneer. - Well, I have something in mind to have more fun.

-What did you intend to do, sir? - One of the Masters asked with lively curiosity. - It will be difficult for a devil to occupy a suitable body. According to our reports, they are only accompanied by a group of children.

-Perhaps you will try to own the girls who are with him? -Guessed another of the masters.-

-Not to them, - the demon denied arguing. - Their particular situation makes them impregnable for an adequate control. And I do not want to do it that way. His other friend was already the victim of another. His mind would now be stronger. Do not ... leave it to me.

-But then what man can you turn to our puppet? - He wanted to know the third of the Masters. -

- And who has talked about using a human? - Smiled the fun demon adding then - That was your problem, the lack of originality. Let me work and you will see!

Among the logical curiosity of the masters he invoked himself to another demon called Manarask and ordered him to attack by sea. The devil departed, entered the ocean and possessed a large shark, leading him to the beach.

The kids were gone now, their parents told them not to do so without first thanking Roy and Tom for their kindness in entertaining them. Then they both turned their attention to the girls, encouraging them to swim.

-Come on, the water's great! - Roy said.-

-I thought there was a cold current in this area. - Cooan responded not too eager to take a bath there. -

-No! Do not be mean, Connie! - He denied this between fun and tiring. –She is wonderful, don´t you think so Tommy? - He added, asking for help from his friend.

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

-let´s go little ice cube! Here you will be in your element! - Roy urged Beruche to grab her by the arm to lift her. -

- I'm going, wait a moment - she asked her smiling amused.-

            The truth is that she wanted to swim and she had always liked cold water, it would be the costume.

-Come on Connie! - Tom insisted in turn to the other dubious girl. - You're not going to be any less...

The girl finally let herself be convinced and with her sister they got into the water, it was freezing! Cooan wanted to turn back, she certainly was not as enthusiastic as her sister when it comes to cold, but it was impossible mission. Tom and Roy sprinkled it in the rear and also entered the sea, dipping to avoid the prolonged suffering of the cold waters. Around them, the beach had been deserted, now it looked like a newly discovered island, just for them. The day was also cloudy, and that gave a steely and mysterious grey tone to the sea.

-Oh, well, now the water will be tempered a little. - Tom commented as he saw the clouds. -

-It is so cold! - Shivering Cooan standing static with short strokes. -

- You have to swim or you will freeze. - Advised her sister smiling jovially - Pay me attention. This is my thing!

And this one already gave some elegant lengths of "croll" and soon without effort it changed to back sliding on the salads and dense waters that maintained her practically on the surface.

-Let's go girls! - Roy proposed toward them. - Let's make a race! That way we'll warm up quickly. -Tom agreed to this by following him at a good pace. -

-I do not think it is fair, - replied Beruche, approaching him. - We swim well, but you look like torpedoes.

-Come on, Bertie! - Said Cooan, who was trying to reach Roy as she was feeling glad to be able to get rid of that paralyzing cold. -

Roy was deliberately slow and when she thought to reach him he sped up abruptly splashing a lot of water towards the girl who remained behind with a jet streaming through her mouth. Beruche, who had gone unnoticed in the meantime, betrayed treacherously from behind, submerging the boy by placing her hands on his shoulders. Then Roy emerged looking for his attacker...

-You're going to see now! I'm going to turn you into a submarine! - Threatened amusement when he discovered her, taking the chase in turn.-

And smiling Tom came behind him. He went to Cooan who coughed, seemed to have drunk some sea.

-Calm down, I'll save you!

Though halfway through, his expression turned to terror as he saw the shark's fin heading towards her. He picked up the rhythm, quickly reaching the girl and pulled her toward the shore.

-But what are you doing, Tom? -  The girl asked in surprise. – I am ok! , I just swallowed some water.

-A shark! - He shouted, pointing to the sea.-

In the meantime Roy had caught up with Beruche, and with one hand on her head he tried to sink her, but the girl was slippery, and she was no caught at any attempt that he made for sinking her, laughing at his surprised face.

-You're really good at swimming, but it will not serve you. - He assured her by retrying it again until the warning of his friend arrived. -

-Roy, Bertie, get out of the water!  - shouted the boy pointing in their direction as the shark had changed course heading towards them. - A shark goes to you!

-Come on, Tom! -  Roy laughs incredulously, who obviously, had not even looked back - That is a very old trick...

But Bertie did turn to see the shark approach. The boy then appreciated it too. In the distance a great fin and rising from the waters the terrifying head of a great white shark. All were paralyzed with terror until Roy said, taking Beruche away to the shore.

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

-Do not be crazy, it's going to destroy you! - Tom shouted desperately. -

-You take the girls away from here, - he replied.

-Have you lost your mind? - Beruche shouted uselessly, but he was now far away and the girl could not do anything but escape from there. -

Tom and the girls managed to reach the shore and run out of the water. Roy, seeing them safe, also went ashore in an area he knew well. He was swimming at full speed, but the shark was approaching dangerously. For a few centimetres the animal did not grab his prey and was stranded on a sandbar just as his alleged victim had calculated. So the boy managed to get out. Once safe, he stared with fascination at the huge animal, helpless in its porch.

-I do not understand, - he gasped at the effort. - He came for me as if he knew me, he had a strange look in his eyes!

Responding to his words, a dense black mist emerged from the shark, consolidating itself in the form of the demon Manarash, a species of humanoid with a shark's head.

- You swim very well, - the demon cheerfully praised to him - let's see if you fight alike. - And without giving his adversary time to react with a very quick blow he threw him several meters against the sand. -

Tom came to the aid of his friend, hitting the demon in the back with the umbrella stick, but he broke that weak weapon in two. His enemy turned unscathed towards him, smiling with huge jaws and stammering in an ironic sneer.

- Wow! , how brave men are there on this beach today! Do not worry, I'll take care of you later.

And without further pushing that human, he threw him contemptuously but even so, the demon sent him several yards away. Ignoring Tom completely, he again made his way to his target, still on the ground, trying to recover. At last Roy got up when the demon came to him...

-Now you're going to find out how I fight! - Roy snapped.-

The boy managed to beat his opponent with a karate kick in the head as Tom had taught him. He could even knock him down. Though Manarask stood up quickly, his jaws opened as if he were smiling with amusement.

-Well! You're making this more interesting, - he teased. -

For their part, the two sisters desperately sought something to defend themselves against the attack of that devil. But Cooan had left the amulets in the university and Beruche no longer had holy water. Meanwhile the demon had hit Roy again, making his lips bleed, Tom yelled at them both urgently from his position.

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

The two frantically scanned the beach to find the required object, carried away by urgency, but they could find none.

-I do not see anything Tom! - Shouted Cooan with a desperate expression. -

-Well, we have it difficult, - said the latter. - But with or without a weapon, I go, I cannot leave Roy alone. - He declared decisively assaulting the demon and pushing him away from his friend. -

-Let's get him!  - Roy encouraged Tom to get up off the ground - we are two against one.

-Well, well, - laughed Manarash, instantly recovering from his jostling and mocking them both. –

-Do you really believe that two miserable humans are going to be able to defeat me? Get ready, I'm going to finish with you! -

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

- Attack the girls - this provoked a surprise of the demon that for a moment stood still - do as I say! - Demanded Valnak. -

-If this is your wish, master - he replied aloud to his opponents, and with great rapidity he moved to the position of the two sisters. -

-Stop there you coward! - Tom scolded him, worried about the girl’s safety. – Come for us!

Bertie and Cooan watched him approaching. They chose to throw each one aside to confuse him. For a few moments it worked. Bewildered Manarash hesitated to attack first but finally decided on Beruche, who had stumbled when she tried to get up and was on the ground. Roy, too quickly, got in the way of the devil. Nevertheless, this one, laughing in a burlesque tone  took him away of a blow. He was about to attack his prey, who was still trying to get up and run away without succeeding. It was then that the boy returned to the charge holding one of the legs of Manarash and causing him to lose the balance giving it to the ground. Furious, the demon got up and started beating the boy and ignoring Valnak's orders. Tom sneaked up, throwing his enemy a handful of sand into his eyes, managing to blind him. He stood up and raged angrily as he tried to take it off. Everybody took advantage of the opportunity for fleeing, running to hide in some nearby beach huts. There was a line of thirty or more, each one hiding in a different one, being able to go on from one to another.

-You'll pay me for it!  - roared Manarash who had already managed to remove the sand off his eyes. - I will find you no matter how much you hide and I will tear you to pieces.- He affirmed approaching the huts. -

Tom crawled into the Cooan shed, she made a hurried gap, but with the raised sand she began to suffer the typical spasm that precedes a sneeze. The boy, as is always done in these cases, quickly placed a finger under her nose. The girl managed to contain herself and both sighed in relief. Beruche watched from a slit as the demon approached her house, it was destroying all to find them! Roy also saw it from his own and only thought how to get him away from her classmate. An idea came to him, ripping off two planks of wood, tied them together with a piece of cloth from the wardrobe.

-It's not a very decent cross - he told himself hurriedly, - although I hope it will serve. - Thus gathering courage, he left the booth and challenged the demon. - Hey you, stupid head of sea bream! Why do not you come to get me? Look, how do you like this? - He exclaimed trying to look intimidating as he raised defiantly the sticks before him. -

Nevertheless, to his astonishment, he obtained from his enemy a reaction quite different from what he expected.

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

The aforementioned discovered that the fabric with which he tied the timbers had torn and one of them had fallen. He tried desperately to rebuild them, but the devil, with a dizzying speed, took the boards from him with a swipe. Drawing a stupid smile on his face Roy ran out, but his rival flew over him intercepting him.

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

-OK, buddy! - said the boy trying to intonate his best and most street accent. - Come with me! Come on, fagot! Come on, a fight, I challenge you, face to face. A fist fight, just you and me! Why do not you dare? Coward, son of the great bitch.

-Agree! - Manarash agreed that he seemed very amused with that situation given that he showed his jaws as a smile when he even granted - as you wish !, I even will let you start. Hit me as hard as you can.

Roy did not beg to plead, gathering strength presented him with his best left hook, even made the demon stagger, but that creature shook his head although admitted.

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

-Oh, I see little stars of colour, - he stammered on the edge of the K-O technician with spiral eyes. -

-LOL! - Manarash laughed, pointing at him with one arm at the end of which he extended one of his sharp claws - you are very amusing, what a pity not to be able to take care of you! You stay for the master, I will take care of the others, and of those I have no specific orders.

The devil turned to look for the others, but as he did so he howled in terror and began to burn. Beruche, Tom, and Cooan had seen what had happened, picked up the sticks and slyly Composed a cross in conditions taking advantage that his friend distracted the enemy. They lay down behind him and stood up as Manarash turned, stamping the cross on him. Tom finished by stabbing him in the forehead and the demon exploded. Everyone turned away from him, throwing themselves to the ground. Then they went to Roy who wandered about the sight of Saturn's rings and chicks that poked around his head.

Meanwhile, in the headquarters of the evil sect, the demon responsible for the failure of the operation endured with much stoicism the grudge of the Great Sage.

-You are a stupid, Valnak! I told you to be yourself, and I'm starting to get tired of you making a fool of me. - He snapped -...

-As you want, - said the captain of the Horde with a slight smile, not looking too worried. - Next time I'll take care of it personally.

Back at the University, Roy was lying down, with a filet over his eye and an ice cube covering his jaw. The others surrounded him and Beruche between compassionate and amused reproached him.

-How dumb are you? Making a cross so feeble.

- I had nothing else, ay! - He complained when articulating word. -

-I won´t be back on the beach in a long time - Tom said. -What do you think if the next day, after the exams, we go to the mountains?

-Yes, that would be fine, I love the mountain! - Cooan agreed with enthusiasm. -

-Do not talk so much, please, my head hurts! - Roy whined. -

They all looked at him and could not help but laugh. They had come out so well that it seemed to them that the demons were no longer so terrible. Unfortunately they could not be more wrong ... very soon they would check.

Parallel to these facts, in Japan, Mamoru and Usagi had a conversation in the boy´s apartment. Next to the cat Luna. The young woman declared.

-I don’t know. For now things go as we have been told.

-We've been calm for a couple of weeks. - Replied his interlocutor.-

-But soon everything will get worse. And that scares me. - Usagi sighed, looking down. -

-In that case we will have to act. - Luna said. -

-They'll have to call us first. Until that happens, we will not be able to go. - Mamoru reminded her, asking his fellow guests. - How are the others taking it?

-Not too well. But since we told Ami and Rei, they're both waiting for the time to come and willing to help the girls.

- As for Jupiter and Venus, I do not know. - Artemis told me that Minako is worried. Although she does not want to exteriorize it. You know her, she knows how to keep what she thinks from us when she wants. And Makoto, well, is a little more out of the way, but she sees Petz from time to time and when she talks to her, she does not like having to pretend she does not know anything about what happens in the United States. –Affirmed Luna.-

-Maybe if we could tell them the same as our other two companions. - Usagi said. –Then…

-You know it's not possible, at least for now. - The boy interrupted. - They do not have the affinity of Rei and Ami with Cooan and Bertie. In addition, they must remain here in case the enemy appears again. We cannot count only on the warriors of the outer solar system. And our daughter must stay in the future, at least for a while.

-Did you know anything new about that other mysterious adversary? - Usagi asked him in an uneasy tone to add. - That was not very clear to me. We were not warned of it.

-I have not heard anything new. I spoke with Setsuna recently and she told me that, for now, there had been no novelty, but that they maintained the vigilance. - The young man replied. -

-This is not like when we were on the front line. - Commented the cat.-

-No, and I would rather have been the one who would stand up to whatever who is behind all this. These poor girls no longer have any power. Why do it have to affect them? Usagi lamented.-

-That's not anything we can change. What we do know for sure is that it is not our fight. - He reminded her to take her girlfriend hands. - At least for now. We will have to allow events to go on, whether we like it or not.

His listeners nodded in resignation. Then they said goodbye to meet their other companions and wait for events. Which, unfortunately, would not take long to occur.

                       previous                                                     next