GWA17E

Chapter 17.The Revenge of Valnak

Tom had finally come back to see his friend who had taught him many things. He returned to the Golden after a brief visit to his parents and brother to reassure them. However, there was hardly anyone in the university, so he inquired. After the chaos of the last days, the things in the city seemed to have returned to their course. The assaults were mitigated and martial law was finally abolished. Even so many students had not yet returned. The newcomer was glad to get the phone number of the girls in the city and especially when they called, they told him that Roy was fine again. The boy was so happy and met with his friends to meet in Roy´s apartment, which was completely restored. He ran there and knocked on the door.

-Hello, it me, Tom! - He announced loudly, pounding his knuckles. -

-I'm coming - Roy's voice answered, and he opened the door with a broad smile. - Hello my friend.-

They both hugged each other tightly. Tom was so happy that he could hardly speak, he could finally say.

-This is wonderful, thank God you are here again! -After a few moments to calm down and seeing the smiling faces of the girls and his friend, Tom added more seriously. - I have news to tell you, you cannot imagine! There are many things I have learned. And all very important...

The girls also hugged the newcomer visibly happy. Roy invited everyone to sit down and he settled himself on a couch addressing his friend.

- Do not worry about me. Tell us Tommy.

-You see - replied the interpellated, immediately beginning his narration. - It was not easy, my friend's name is Anthony, do not ask me his last name, I do not know, he does not usually give it. He is a very special type, he is dedicated to investigate all kinds of paranormal activities and does not like the publicity. He prefers to remain hidden.

-And how did you get to meet him? - Beruche wanted to know. -

-He passed by my house once, stopped to rest, but rather was battered by one of his investigations and I helped him. My parents were not there and my brother Dany was in high school. At first he was suspicious, but I must have liked him and he told me about his activities. At that moment I paid no attention to him and when he was recovered he kindly said goodbye to me by giving me his card. There came a number of his own, he told me that if I ever needed his help I would call him and I did. When I spoke to him on the phone, I summed up our situation and he indicated me that I should go and see him quickly. He gave me his current address, although I think he has already varied it. – Tom added with a slight smile - ...

- He's a really slippery guy. - Roy declared visibly surprised. -

- Yes, but most important of all is that he was aware of your problem. He actually knew more about the subject than anyone else. - Explained his friend leaving them all stunned. -

Roy stared at him open-mouthed, just like the girls, and immediately, before being asked, Tom explained to them ...

-He was part of the group in charge of protecting you, in fact he's the only survivor. I, of course, hurried to his place of residence and he received me after checking who I was ...

The boy knocked on the door, and a tall, gray-haired man with a scrutinizing gaze in sharp gray eyes opened it.

- Hello Anthony, I've come as fast as I could. - Tom greeted him. -

- Pass in. - He pointed out this one to close the door just after his guest. -

- You told me all this was familiar to you. What did you mean? - Interrogated his interlocutor. -

- So it is. Even now I realize that getting to know you has not been a fluke. You were destined to be a friend of Roy.

With the inquisitive look of the boy on him, Anthony told him:

- Me alongside other people, unfortunately missing, we were in charge of protecting your friend since he arrived in this city. He was sent by the leaders of that accursed sect, since he possesses in his interior a terrible demon that must develop in him and when he reaches his maturity, to be summoned to resurge with a terrible power able to destroy the world. We try to prevent it at all costs by stripping them, removing the child and sealing their evil part with magic. But the followers of the sect broke up with my companions. I was saved by staying in the strictest anonymity and also, unfortunately, I lost track of Roy. But from what I see, they have managed to revive Armageddon, despite all the efforts we've made in the past to avoid it.

-And how can we free my friend from that monster? - Tom wanted to know with growing anxiety and concern. -

- It will not be easy. We will need sacred elements and we will have to act in conjunction. For everything is intertwined, the demons have, as I suppose you suspected, a physical and an astral part and we must be able to eliminate them in both, at least in this dimensional plane.

- I have some friends who will help us, one dominates rites of oriental white magic. - Commented the boy in allusion to Connie. -

- That could be very helpful to us because both the Eastern and the Western, and many more types of white magic that exist, despite being of different origin, are all valid against our enemies, since they have in common their source of power . They come from what we might call the Force of Good.

-The Force of Good, you mean God? - Asked Tom in astonishment. -

With a cryptic gesture and an enigmatic tone, Anthony answered.

-It's more complicated, but now is not the time I can explain it to you, so you can call it that. - And after a brief pause for his interlocutor to assimilate his response, Anthony added. - Any ritual or technique against the powers of darkness and its manifestations, whatever they may be or come from one culture or another, are based on the help of very high spiritual entities and great power. In order for them to be effective, one must, if so, perform them accurately and trust them fully. They will also affect the entity against which they are used based on the potential and power of the latter. The one who owns your friend is very strong and it could take a lot of work to finish him off. In fact, with the combined influences of that girl's rites and those I will teach you, you could do harm to that demon through the body of your friend in order to make his living in it unbearable and forced that entity to leave him. And thus destroy him when he would be more unprotected and weakened ...

-That's what happened!  - Confirmed an impressed Cooan interrupting the narration. -

- Your friend really knows these things. - Roy acknowledged gratefully. -

- Yes, he is a real expert, consecrated in the fight against evil. An admirable person, - said Tom resuming his story. -

Listening carefully to the words of his mentor the boy inquired ...

-How can we destroy him once he leaves my friend´s body?

- I have already told you. With faith in God and sacred weapons. - Anthony reiterated that he added. - And it is indispensable that all who face him are of the pure heart.

- I have no doubt about that.-  Tom added with concern. - The bad thing is that he is not alone, there is another one named Valnak that claims to be very friend of his.

-Valnak! - Anthony repeated, looking at Tom with wide eyes, as if someone had stabbed him in the back. - That demon is very dangerous! He was really the best comrade of Armageddon and will do anything to defend him. He will not stop at anything. We must be very careful with him. He is powerful and cruel and above all, very intelligent. That they have invoked him means that the sectarians play their best tricks.

- Looks like you knew him. - The boy could say with the gesture marked by the astonishment. -

- That's right, I met him. That's why I warn you. You must be very careful. - He replied with an enigmatic tone and at the time of alarm.-

-How can I face him? - Tom wanted to know. -

- You must learn many rites and forms of exorcism against evil spirits. - But once we free your partner. - Maybe he...

-He? - The boy was interested, but his mentor was silent, pleading immediately. -

- No, nothing. You simply have to get him out of the way. Maybe if we finish with Armageddon Valnak wants to take revenge on him...

Roy stood up cutting the tale and exclaiming resolutely with a raised fist and defiant look.

-He can come if he dares! I'll be here. I'm looking forward to kicking that asshole.

- You're a normal man now. You could not do anything against him. - Beruche dissuaded him with visible concern and fear. - May God prevent him to return ever again.

-What I do not understand is why they did not expel that demon from me when I was a child.-  Roy added now more reflectively, to add with a clear sense of guilt. - They would have avoided many problems.

-I asked that too, but Anthony told me they did not want to hurt you. Being a child would have been very dangerous for you. They thought that, sealing Armageddon with magic would suffice. - His friend replied.

-Well, now we'll have to think about defeating these guys anyway. - His partner agreed. -

-And there's the issue of those stones, too. - Cooan said. -

-Yes, what do they want them for? - Bertie asked aloud. -

- I am going through it now, there are still more. - Tom stated as the attention of the others returned to him and he continued the story recalled Anthony's words. -

The young man sat in a sturdy leather chair and listened in astonishment to what his mentor was saying.

 - What these demons are trying to create is a passage between our world and yours. For that they need to obtain five mystical stones called Yalmutud and arrange them aligned in pentagon form. I do not know where those stones come from or what they symbolize, but that is their main mission. Armageddon and Valnak are only a patrol. They will be in charge of gathering them and pave the way for their companions.

-Then those biblical allusions about the coming of Armageddon. - Tom could actually say in astonishment. -

-They were no doubt referring to this demon. He will have the mission of opening the doors of our dimension to the evil that dwells in the Averno.- Sentenced Anthony adding.- Perhaps in Megiddo the final battle is released. But other versions extend it to the whole Earth. Against the kings of the Earth!

They all nodded visibly worried. Despite not knowing who these enigmatic kings would be now they understood the importance of those spheres, but the story continued....

-And if they get them all, how will we stop them? - Asked Tom very frightened. –

-I do not know if they've gotten them yet, though they must have started to get them together by the last news I have. - Anthony replied. - They have been scattered throughout the world, hidden in sacred places that act as a seal. At the moment, four of its locations in different cities have already been razed. I suspect they have been there and unfortunately they must already have four of the five stones. If they had gotten all of them, God forbid, it would be a bad affair. But they should still wait for a planetary conjunction to occur.

-And when will it be? – Tom wanted to know asking anxiously to his narrator. -

- I do not know yet. Give me time to figure it out. - Anthony answered in a measured tone. -

Then Beruche interrupted the tale again between resigned and dejected.

-Unfortunately they already have the last stone, the warriors and we were unable to prevent it.

-That does not matter. -  Tom replied with a reassuring gesture. - Anthony told me later that he did not believe that alignment would occur for a while, but he kept calling me when that happened. So, for now, we should not worry about that.

-Yes, - Roy muttered, his tone full of resentment. - Now we have to deal with that damn Valnak and his henchmen. Unfortunately I do not remember anything from when I was there. I know he led me to his base, but I do not know how he did it, damn it! -He lamented, leaning his head between his entwined hands. - If only I remembered something.

- Do not worry. – Tom encouraged his friend trying to relieve him. - The main thing of all is that you are well. - He nodded more calmly, and his companion concluded with the story. - Anthony gave me a few magical defenses and amulets, similar to Connie's. He explained how to use them and then said goodbye promising to call me when he knew something new.

Tom pulled out of the pocket of his shirt bags that he delivered to each of his friends.

-I'll call Ami and Rei to tell them.  Rei, besides being a priestess is medium and dominates spells anti spirits, which will help us. - Said Cooan putting the bag in one of the pockets of her blouse. -

-While you coordinate with Rei, I'll take care of talking to Ami. - Beruche added - with her computer and her knowledge, we'll find out where they are hiding more quickly.

-Well, then Tom and I will take care of investigating what we can on our own. - Roy interjected. -

- We have to go and tell the girls, there is not a moment to lose. - Cooan retorted as she and Beruche got up and said goodbye with a hopeful – See you boys.

The two boys were left alone and when Tom made sure they were gone he revealed to Roy.

- My friend also told me that he was a psychic and when I told him about you, he told me that you have a great hidden power. He advised me to train you. What's more, it gave me an address to go where nobody bothered you. Now we will go there

-What power do you mean? Will not be what has happened to me since those demons appeared? - Asked the boy remembering his ability to fly and increasing his strength. -

-Yes, that's what it is, - said his interlocutor. - Anthony did not give me too many explanations but insisted that you should improve and train your skills. He thought that with them you could become much stronger than that Valnak.

- I would not want the girls to know, not for the moment. - Commented his partner. -

- No problem for me, so among other things I have waited for them to leave. If they knew, they would want to dissuade you at all costs.

-So, if they ignore it, we can protect them too. – Said Roy.-

Tom agreed giving and advice to his friend.

- The best thing is to keep it secret and especially that the enemy does not know.

And without further delay he picked up Roy's phone and called for a taxi, the car arrived in fifteen minutes and drove them half an hour later to the room Tom had mentioned.

-We've arrived. - He indicated to his friend as he got out of the car and opened a door. - We have to go up...

So they did, several floors to the top Roy was watching with some disbelief. His guide unlocked another broken wooden door and entered. There it was an ample room on the top of a roof and with many windows closed by thick patches of agglomeration. It was practically empty, only a kind of tatami covered it. The only object that adorned the room was a wooden chest. Tom opened it with a creak of his hinges and laboriously pulled out a kind of blue sweater.

-Anthony told me you should wear this for training. - He explained to his friend offering him the pledge. -

-Are you mad bro? - Roy exclaimed with a gesture of disbelief as he tried to hold him. - How can I wear it? This must weigh a ton. - He added weighing the effort he had to do just to hold it in his hands. -

-Anthony had a vision, - Tom said, his face serious. - He saw you, in a uniform similar to this one and training hard. You were in an empty place, white and you were very strong, more than you can imagine. He thought he saw something in the color of your hair, but he could not remember what it was.

- OK, OK. I'll try to put it on - his friend agreed, but he objected immediately with a better judgment. - But getting used to such a heavy vest will take time. How much does it weigh? It is just out of curiosity.

- Over a hundred pounds. - Tom calculated nonchalantly. -

-Over a hundred pounds! - Roy's face was a poem. - Well, what can I do! - sighed and helped by Tom managed to put it - I can hardly move! - He complained grumbling. -

-Well, the boots you must carry weigh about thirty pounds each - added his companion with a half-hearted sarcasm. -

From the chest and also with an appreciable effort, he pulled out a pair of boots that looked like a diver. Roy was increasingly scared as his colleague was adding things...

- These wristbands weigh ten pounds each. In all they are about two hundred pounds or so. From now on you will have to take it whenever you can to get accustomed, and you must be able to move with normality. -Tom said, adding condescendingly. - Easy, Anthony told me you could do it.

His partner looked at him as if he were crazy, though he compromised and put on the whole team. He could scarcely stand, tried to walk, but his feet seemed to tread on a surface full of glue because he had to make a superhuman effort to move them off the ground.

-Do I have to wear this all the time? - Asked Roy, who on this occasion gave his companion a pleading look.-

-No man, to sleep you can take it away. -  Tom smile amused added. - You can only use it here, in this room. At least until you become familiar with it. Then you can train yourself outside.

- Well, I'll try it. Said the boy resignedly, not believing himself too capable of overcoming such test.

But the days passed and indeed his friend was right, little by little he was making progress, every time he moved with greater ease. Tom was fighting him to teach him some punches and Roy practiced with motivation. The sect in the meantime was preparing for the day of the conjunction. For his part Valnak had invoked another demon named Igmodian whom he sent to spy on the movements of the boys. The demon spotted Bertie walking through the city. He followed her in human form to a secluded park and at that hour, a desert of people, where he had stayed with Ami and Rei. He informed Valnak telepathically that he had ordered them to be attacked. When Beruche arrived with her warrior friends, there was also her sister Cooan.

- Come on, Bertie, it's about time! - Rei said reproving her impatiently. - You're starting to act like Usagi.

- Sorry, I was late, I did not clarify myself with the bus combinations - she apologized with embarrassment. -

-Tom called me a while ago, after you left. - Cooan informed her sister. - His friend has told him when the planetary alignment will be.

-And when it will be? - Ami asked. -

-In six weeks – replied the girl. -

- We have little time. - Rei said thoughtfully, as if calculating something. - According to the present situation of the planets...

She could not finish the sentence, the demon, pretending to be a man with long dark hair and deep red eyes, came out of his hiding place and attacked them. Ami pushed her friend Bertie at the last second, who was Igmodian's first target, causing him to err in stabbing her with his clawed hands. The girls dispersed, the sailors transformed and faced the demon. Their opponent dodged them and began a hard battle. Finally Cooan intervened throwing a spell that immobilized him. In turn Rei finished with her bird of fire causing him to explode.

-That was one of Valnak's henchmen, I'm sure. - Said Cooan still gasping for the effort. -

- Yes, those demons watch us, we cannot lower our guard for a moment. - Rei agreed that she recapitulated the thread of what she was meditating when the attack occurred. - If my conjectures are not mistaken and judging by that planetary square will have to carry out that rite near this same city. Then they must arrange the stones in order and in the shape of a five-pointed star.

- In that case we must trace the surroundings of New York and locate the right point. That way we would still be able to prevent them from carrying out their plan. - Ami added. -

- It will be difficult and very laborious. - Beruche objected justifying her pessimism straight away with a more realistic argument. - This city has an immense metropolitan area.

- But surely we will discover them, we are more intelligent than them! - Cooan encouraged with her classic and overflowing optimism. -

- The sooner we start, the sooner we will get some results. - Rei said then. - Ami and I will take care of that. You two stayed with Roy and Tom. You must be united in case that Valnak tries something new against you.

Both sisters nodded, they had a very recent example in this last match. Surely that demon would be furious and sooner or later he would seek revenge. They decided to take precautions and separated from the warriors. A few days later things seemed calmer, classes resumed and they decided to move back to campus. They were busy picking up things in her apartment. Beruche was in charge of carrying some cardboard boxes with some of her things, when she found the bedroom door closed. This was a nuisance since these boxes weighed heavily and bulged, she did not dare leave them on the floor to open and have to lift them again.

- Cooan! She called to her sister in imperious tone. - Open the door, please!

She must have heard her, and she obeyed, for the door squeezed wide open, and Bertie was able to retrieve the boxes.

-How heavy they are! - She groaned, trying to move with them until she felt her burden relieved. Her sister would have held the boxes underneath. Beruche smiled, adding recognition. - Thanks Cooan, if not for you....

The sentence stuck in her throat without being able to be finished and her face contracted in an expression of horror. Ahead of her was Valnak, who floated the weight in the air as he watched her with a look of malignant amusement and hissed at her.

-Moving, miss? - Can I help you?

Bertie tried to look for her sister. She was very worried and frightened. Although the demon anticipated pointing the ground behind him, there was Cooan lying and seemingly unconscious.

-Damn monster! What have you done to my sister? - Beruche snapped, grabbing an ashtray of thick glass and preparing to throw it at her enemy. -Answer back!

Valnak smiled shrugging as he dodged, the ashtray crunching to the ground. The demon then responded with indifference as the boxes fell to the ground with a dry roar...

- More or less this. - Sentenced throwing against Bertie a barrage of energetic waves at low power, although enough to knock her to the ground without knowledge.-

When the girl regained her senses, she found herself in the middle of a room that was completely alien to her. There, too, was her sister, tied to her. Cooan awakened in turn looking bewildered in all directions.

-Where are we? - Beruche muttered, still half stunned. -

- I do not know, oh, my head hurts! - Answered complainingly her interlocutor, also under the effects of the shock. -

The mocking voice of the devil brought them the answer...

- Welcome to my humble dwelling, at least the one that I have been in order to be in this miserable world ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! I hope you are not comfortable at all...

The two recognized the voice terrified and when their vision cleared they could see their enemy before them.

-What are you going to do with us? - Beruche asked in a trembling voice, but still trying to maintain her poise. -

-Now scum, you are in my power! - Laugh Valnak with a truly demonic laughter to hiss threatening then. - You will pay dearly for your betrayal, the death of my comrade Armageddon, and the humiliations you have made me suffer! - Meanwhile in his right hand he materialized a crystal ball adding with sarcastic amiability. - But a little patience, now I have to talk to your little friend.

Thanks to the ball managed to communicate with Roy. He was lying in the room, resting from his exhausting training when, before his surprised eyes, the figures of Beruche and Cooan materialized. Both are tied to chairs and next to them the figure of Valnak that looked at him smiling contrasting with the terrified eyes of the two girls. The young man jumped up in spite of his fatigue.

-Hello Roy Malden - the demon smiled sinisterly. - I'm so glad to see you again. And look how well accompanied I am. Do these faces ring any bell to you? He pushed the girls' chairs closer to each other so they were more visible through his ball.

-Of course Valnak - Roy smiled incredulously. - It's another of your cheap illusion tricks.

-Yes? Do you believe so? - The demon taunted, unleashing Beruche from the chair and caught her by a rough arm, he brought her closer to the ball and demanded ... Speak, bitch! Tell your stupid companion if I am lying or not ... Tell him that if he does not come here he will see how I kill you live, eh, Roy Malden? You can see how your two bitches die and without paying monthly fee, with TV Valnak, in a broadcast just for you ... ha, ha, ha, ha.

Roy's face faded with surprise and horror, his heart making him see that this was no trick. The pleading and terrified looks of her two companions could not be simulated as well.

-Do not come, Roy, it's a trap, he wants to hurt you, please do not come! - Beruche pleaded, but Valnak knocked her to the ground to silence her. -

-Of course it's a trap, Roy! - Valnak groaned, falsely imitating the tone of his prisoner with a sneer. -But take it easy man, I do not just want to hurt you. - He added with false melody to change into a hissing hiss. -I want to kill you!

The two sisters trembled with terror, the demon, amused by it, now proceeded more calmly in a tone that even seemed condescending...

-Though I will give you a chance, so that you may see that I am generous. A fight between you and me, to the death, if you win I will let them go.

-And how do I know that you will do your part? - The boy snapped at the image. -

- You do not know it, stupid ... that's the fun - The devil gloated. -

-You better release them now, and I'll go and confront you! You can trust my word. - Roy proposed with desperate tone.-

-I know you will kept your word, but don´t be silly, things are not like this, where's your sense of drama? - If I let them go now, I would not have any fun. Besides, I want them to see how I wreck you with my hands. - Valnak rebutted that he was enjoying the moment very much, he knew he had the enemy completely at his mercy- what do you say? Does the idea amuses you?

Roy was boiling with anger, he felt powerless and had no choice but to accept the conditions, whatever they were. But he was convinced Valnak only wanted him. He had to take the risk and he decided. At that moment Tom arrived and watched the scene with a horrified gesture. But luckily he knew where to locate the girls. The amulets he gave them also sent a signal he could pick up. The demon, oblivious to this, continued with his sinister speech to assure his position of superiority.

- I hope you do not try anything, because I will take one hostage and the other will remain prisoner. If you do not do what I tell you and when I tell you, I will send one of my demons to kill her. So you know, I have the reins of this matter and if you do not obey me your friends are going to be very bad.

-It's okay! - The boy roared mad with rage and fury against his rival. - Wherever you want and when you want, damn bastard I'm going to destroy you!

-Ha, ha, ha, we'll see that stupid! - Retorted his enemy shaking his head. Valnak's laughter echoed through the room, when he calmed down a little, he added. - In two hours, on the Manhattan Bridge, and you must come alone!

-I'll be there, and I'll make you regret it! - Roy said, looking defiant and tense. -

The image of Valnak disappeared with the echoes of his laughter. During the challenge Bertie wanted to have tried to dissuade his partner without succeeding. She could not move with her wrists tied behind her back. She could barely get down on her knees. But the demon lifted her arm again, returning her to the chair, and, after tying her up, she smiled cruelly at triumph...

Roy sprayed a huge table with a single fist with which he ventured his rage. Tom stepped in to reassure him.

- Listen, I can locate them, the amulets that I gave you emit a signal that will lead us to them. At least until that demon leaves there.

- All right, Tom. - Roy sighed trying to dominate himself because he knew that it was useless to be carried away by the fear or the fury so he continued more calmly giving instructions to his companion. - You go to rescue the one that is hidden, I will take care of the one that uses Valnak like hostage. I hope this training was worth it. - And without further ado he divested himself of the equipment he was carrying and flew out the window. -

- Good Luck my friend. - Muttered his companion rather to himself, after watching Roy move away with great speed. - Now it's my turn. - He also left, following the trail of amulets as fast as he could. -

Valnak, meanwhile, staring at the two girls with one of their mad looks while declaring with a sinister smile.

- Now I will look for him, but I will take one of you to see how I killed him live. Which one will I choose? - He looked alternately at both. That's it, you of course! - He exclaimed untying to Bertie again and hanging her to the shoulder in spite of her paws. -

-Let her go! - Cooan implored trying to get up to hinder the demons progress. -

            Without any hesitation, Valnak knocked her down with a slap and flew off with Beruche.  Cooan wept over helplessness and terror for what might happen to her and was unable to get up...

-Why do you do this? - Bertie shouted at the demon, who was flying high over the city with her. -

-What a stupid question! - Says her interlocutor sadistically. - You should know why I do it, precious. I want to break up your fiancé.

-Roy is not my fiancé. - She rebuffed, however, surprised by such a statement. - We're good friends, that's all.

- Ha, ha, ha! ... It is the only reply that her abductor did to her, placing it under him, fastened between his two arms, tight to the waist of her as if they were claws.

The girl was stunned and bewildered. There was something that Valnak knew but had not told her. On more than one occasion he had addressed her in terms that Bertie herself did not know. With phrases and statements that did not say anything to her, or maybe yes? Something happened to her when she heard such things. However, they had to be so confusedly engraved deep inside that she could not bring them to light.

- At least tell me one thing. - She asked him trying to withstand the speed that the demon printed to his flight. - What do I have to do with all this? Is it something that happened in Nemesis and does not remember?

-No - Valnak replied dryly, though at once he seemed to think better of it and added. - It was not in Nemesis. Although I bet Roy does not know that interesting stage of your life.

- No, he does not. - Beruche admitted, suddenly shaken by a shudder. -

She was silent, now wishing she had not said too much. Her captor seemed to rejoice over her sense of guilt.

In the prison room where Cooan was, after a time that had become eternal, the door jumped broken. Tom had kicked her out and just released Connie. The girl hugged him, sobbing unrestrained until she was able to calm herself enough and told him in sobs.

- He's taken Bertie. God knows what he will do to her! We have to help her, Tom!

- I know, do not worry. Roy is taking care of that now. - He whispered gently, helping her walk, since the nerves and the bonds had loosened the girl's legs so much that she could barely stand. - Come on Connie, This is over!

They both left immediately, eager to be able to join their friends in a car that Tom had rented previously to go find the girl. Meanwhile, Roy had arrived at the place. On the bridge was a kind of slum of abandoned houses adorned everywhere with remains of building materials and detritus in a peripheral area of ​​the city. The boy waited, pacing nervously. At once he saw the demon appear before him with Beruche held in his arms.

-Coward, leave her be. This is between you and me! - He snapped. -

-Do not be such a spoiler - said the devil. - First let's have fun. Look, let's see if the lady can fly, huh? - Would not you like to fly like before, Ayakashi? - And added to her horror, in her native tongue. - Uragirimono Hisan'na! Miserable traitor! Well now you will fly! - He snapped throwing Beruche from the air. -

Roy was horrified and ran hastily to the place where the girl was going to fall. She screamed in terror as she saw the impending impact approaching and closed her eyes, ready to accept her end. His partner was about to take off to rescue her, but Valnak was faster and grabbed her before she reached the ground. The demon, visibly pleased, exclaimed.

-No, no, no. You would not think it was going to be that easy. True?

Bertie was knocked unconscious by the sudden acceleration and his captor. Landing again with her in his arms he addressed his frightened and enraged rival to say with false cordiality.

-I'm going to teach you to concentrate, but this is going to be very boring. Listen to that beautiful song. Turn off the light, close your eyes, feel the energy inside ... Chilli bow, chilli bow ... Fire! - He exclaimed.

And suddenly he rose in the sky flying and doing that. Roy did not hesitate and began his pursuit. They both flied quickly through the skies. The boy tried to reach him but it was in vain. The demon was faster than him, he mastered the flight better and also threw lightning bolts of energy that his rival had to dodge. The boy did not dare to strike back for fear of hurting his friend. Valnak was clearly playing with him in roaring laughter. He also threw projectiles of energy against everything he saw, Roy tried to divert some to the sky, but was impotent to do it with everyone. Those fireballs set fire to numerous houses, and in a moment panic reigned in that part of the city...

-Fire, Fire! - shouted the demon rejoicing with the destruction that provoked. - Now we are going to have a good time! - Sentenced as he sang at full lung.

Okay, fine tune the mix, get the pressure...

You had the time to rest

That has come to an end

We have to start over

Come back to the family,

A guaranteed emergency,

The radical HP, MC has the melody.

-One, two, three, fire!  - Exclaimed throwing another flaming ball that destroyed a house.-

-Bloody hell! - Roy mumbled trying unsuccessfully to stop him. -

It seemed that Valnak was delighted to perceive the anguish and fear of his opponent. Thus he continued to sing with demented joy.

-Afila the mix, for our mix class

-Do the pressure, feel the kicks.

-You love the sound, you have to go. – He sang while destroying another area of ​​the city raising a great rumble. - Up and down. Chiti boo, chiti boo.- He laughed going up and down to avoid cornices and other obstacles, with the  unconscious Beruche in arms.-

Roy was really furious, but he still had more terror for what that mad demon could do to Bertie. And that devil, spurred on by those feelings he could so clearly perceive, repeated his malevolent refrain.

Come back to the family,

A guaranteed emergency,

The radical HP, MC has the melody.

Come back to the family,

A guaranteed emergency,

The radical HP, MC has the melody.

-One two Three

Fire, Fire!

Hey, hey!

(Fire Scooter, credit to author)

And in this way and after some terrible minutes he returned to the point of departure and left on the ground a still faded Beruche. Roy landed ten feet from them. He looked at Valnak with an expression of rage and hatred but said nothing.

- Hey, easy. - The demon smiled, flaunting his cynicism once more. - The girl is perfectly, just a little dizzy, you see? ...

-Let her go, she's innocent! She has nothing to do with this. You only look for me and here you have me - answered his enemy, fixing his eyes on his in a clear challenge. -

-Well, well ... easy man. - He smiled his opponent to ask what would be fun. - Hey, why do not you know what it means?  That from HP, MC...

-Why should I care about your follies? - Replied his interlocutor with patent anger. -

-Ha, ha! ... Surely your friends will know. - The demon laughed to reveal. - Hell Power and Master Chaos.

-They know nothing of this. Leave them alone! - The young man demanded, looking with unmistakable concern at the unconscious Bertie.

His adversary immediately noticed that, smiled perfidiously and commented.

-You love this girl, do not you?  Poor idiot! - Added the demon, shaking his head with a pretended tone of regret - you have no idea who she really is.

- What do you say? - Inquired his adversary with surprised annoyance. -

- You do not know, of course. - Valnak answered in what seemed a sympathetic tone to declare with a hint of mystery in his voice. - Do not worry, I'll let you know.

-About what? - Roy asked visibly disconcerted this time. -

Meanwhile Tom and Cooan had run to call the warriors. Together with Rei and Ami they went quickly to the place of the challenge. They managed to trace the great amount of energy and the trail of destruction that left their friend and the devil without difficulty and they arrived just at that moment. Valnak realized that but simply smiled perfidiously. He seemed to have been waiting for them. He pointed at them with a hand adding fun as Bertie slowly came back to herself.

- Now that the auditorium is complete, we can begin. Watch this ball well. Here are the answers to your questions Roy Malden. - Out of nowhere, his crystal ball appeared and materialized images that the warriors and the two girls recognized very much to their regret. -

Invoke in the mist appeared the two sisters, but they looked very different. They wore strange clothes and were ruthlessly attacking a girl. Their eyes shone with ruthless cruelty. Cooan looked like a bizarre witch attacking a helpless little girl. Another image appeared, it was Beruche with an expression of icy indifference. The visions changed and were replaced by those of each of the two battles against Mars and Mercury itself.

-Here you are! Our servants of the Black Moon. The Ayakashi sisters of Nemesis. Also known by their alias, the Malignant Sisters, the Chase or the Phantom sisters. How do you prefer me to call you, treacherous bitches? Or is it a lie? - Valnak proclaimed, now shaking the sobbing Beruche, who could not help staring in horror. – Tell me bitch! Is it true or not what I say? - He said it to the girl's guilty silence. -

-Leave her alone, bastard! - Roy shouted at him. - I will never believe those lies! It's a trick. I do not know what you're up to but it will not work for you!

- I'm not lying. Why should I? - replied the demon with visible complacency and a strange tone of cordiality. Right? - He added, glancing at the squirming girls. -

-Onegay ... Please. - Beruche muttered, with a look full of supplication, but the devil certainly was far from moving, rather grew in his imprecations. -

- Our special agents since the thirtieth century. They came here with a very specific mission. Correct me if I'm wrong. Destroy the future of the Crystal Kingdom Tokyo. That was the first step to dominate the entire Earth.

- Shut the fuck up! - Roy snapped visibly furiously at what he considered a vile slander. -

 -If you do not want to believe me, ask your friends - the demon replied, addressing Rei and Ami who seemed petrified. - What do you say to that, warriors? Am I lying? Come on. Deny me if you could that you had to fight with these two in mortal combat on several occasions! ...

For some agonizing moments, none of those present said anything. They seemed too embarrassed to utter a word. Both Roy and his friend, stunned, watched them silently demanding an explanation. And it seemed at last that Ami was going to speak but it was Tom who came forward...

-That cannot be! - Said the boy, putting one of his arms on Cooan's shoulders. - We know them well, and they cannot have been able to do that. - You're using a kind of hallucination. And who are you to reproach your behavior to anyone? - He shot back indignantly and furiously. -

- I'll tell you who I am. - Valnak smiled even more amused. - The one who controlled their mission from the shadows. And that, when these traitors and the useless of their associates failed, the one who had to intervene with his comrade.

And in the thread of his words projected more images, this time appeared Bertie and Cooan accompanied by two other women who also wore some extravagant attire. Next to four a girls was a red-haired man in uniform with overalls and a vest. He crossed his arms. The five of them looked out over a few windows at the view of a city from the perspective of a great height. Roy and Tom watched in astonishment, even more when they heard Cooan say with contemptuous indifference.

- So this is twentieth-century Tokyo. I imagined it bigger. Although it does not matter, we can now destroy point crystals and fill Earth with the power of darkness.

- But first. - Beruche added with a funny but malicious tone of voice devoid of human sensitivity. - We'll have to find the girl and kill her.

Both boys were open-mouthed. They could not believe what they had saw and heard, but the sobbing faces of Bertie and Connie were plausible. They admitted their guilt without having to confess it by word and Valnak, aware of it, regaled and pressed Beruche once more.

-Can you deny this? Can you say it's a lie? Come on, talk about it, you fake.  Show your dear Roy your true face. Let him see how innocent and good you really are ...  -He added sarcastically. -

-Is that true Bertie? - He could ask her with such a shock that he could barely speak. -

The girl, with desolation reflected on her face, could barely lift her gaze from the floor and gather enough dignity to answer.

- It's ... it's true. - She confessed between whispers, unable to suppress her tears. - Forgive me! But it is true, we came to Earth to fulfill a mission...

-It is true? Were you like them? - Asked a stunned Tom to Cooan, who also lowered her head in embarrassment, not wanting to meet her gaze to his.

- Yes, we were, but we were also very young. We were deceived and in the end, thanks to the sailors, we realized that what we were doing was not right. - She sobbed, daring to cross Tom with an imploring look and adding - and we changed.

-It's the truth, Roy. - Beruche could barely look at him, her eyes fogged up, completely overwhelmed by shame and pain, two tears rolling down her cheeks and she stammered. - We did not know what we were doing.

-Do not lie! - Valnak said in a relentless and full of joy. - Of course you knew. Your mission was to kill a little girl! You said it yourself, and you were eager to get it done - he remarked harshly. -You had to please your masters, and you were more than willing to do whatever was necessary to succeed and thrive, right?

And to emphasize those words in the ball appeared images of both attacking that child. To which, in one of the visions had cornered in the stairs of a bridge. In another, Cooan held her to the ground, one hand on her head, ready to stab her with long, dagger-edged fingernails. Roy was perplexed to see that, despite listening to the confession of Beruche herself he could not believe it. Now his rage against Valnak had given way to a great sense of pain. It was as if he had suffered a betrayal from which he could not recover. Tom looked between disbelieving and frightened at Cooan, who only wept, unable to look up from the ground.

- Wait a moment - intervened Rei trying to defend her friends. - That's not the whole truth. Roy, Tom, listen to me! It is true that they were our enemies, but what they have told you is true. They were being used and when they discovered it they changed. It is a very long story that cannot be summarized like this, with half-truths and scenes taken out of context.

- Rei is right. - Ami corroborated. - They have a good heart, they already had it. They were vilely manipulated. They are our best friends now. Do not judge them for what they did when they were dominated by evil. We can all make mistakes in life and change. You know what we're talking about.

- Do not compare. - The demon smiled arguing not without reason. - He was possessed and was not responsible for his actions. Instead, they knew the scope of their mission perfectly, and nothing and no one influenced them within their bodies.

-That's not true! - Shouted Cooan, rebelling against that between babbling and tears, drawing strength from where she could. - There was that dark energy of black crystal. We were only taught that we should hate and kill the sailors because they had caused the death of our king and our queen and the misfortune in our world. They told us that we had only that way to recover the peace. But Rei and the others made us see that it was not like that. And I swear to you that when we understand the truth we truly repent and we still have remorse for everything we did.

- So is indeed. And Sailor Moon purified us with the power of her Silver crystal. - A sobbing Beruche could add. - Roy, Tom, please. We know well what we did and we do not want to be released from guilt without further ado. We just wanted to live a normal life and compensate this world by caring for and protecting children equal to the child we once wanted to kill.

- And that little one, now she is the best friend of Cooan. - Rei emphasized placing a hand on the shoulder of the depressed girl. – Her name is Chibiusa ... and she is the daughter that in the future eventually will have our friend Sailor Moon.

The boys looked at each other in amazement and emotion. It was beautiful, very beautiful. For they saw that both girls had indeed purified their hearts with great suffering. Roy, in particular, now understood the extent of Beruche's fear and concern in that pit when she believed that the lost child was in danger. And now he remembered with remorse how he had planned everything and did not say anything just to be there with her. Now he cursed bitterly for his selfishness and wanted to make amends. He was not the one to censor anyone, even less to Bertie and Connie, who had fought so hard to recover him from the clutches of evil, so he declared.

- I do not care what you did before, or who you were. I only know two wonderful girls who have taught me to take my life seriously and face my responsibilities. You are two good people who were surely victims of twisted deception.

- It is true. - Tom added in full agreement with his comrade and added another definite and devastating argument. - If the sailors accepted you, how could we reject you? - And when Cooan heard this, she embraced him and cried with relief, venting all her restlessness.

-How touching! - Valnak hissed with a sneer. - Very good. If you both want these bitches, stay with them! - And suddenly he cast Beruche against Roy, who held her gently, holding her, too, but the demon threatened them. - Anyway, you'll all burn in hell shortly. And the first one will be you Malden, we made a pact. I promised I would not hurt them if you faced me. I have kept my word. You do too. Come and fight if you dare! ....

The boy nodded, set aside Beruche. The young woman looked at him with tears in her eyes and the gesture of fear.

-He will kill you! Roy, please, he's a demon, and you're just a normal man now. It's not worth it, let's go!  We will find the form.

He smiled at her and took her by the chin, softly whispering.

- If I do not face him he will chase us all for our life and I do not want that to happen. Besides, I'm the reason he caught you. No. Leave me! I'll know how to beat him.

- We'll help you. - Rei and Ami were offered at same time they took advantage to transform into sailors. -

-You're a coward, Malden! - Are you really going to hide behind the miniskirts of those two? - The demon insulted him with a provocative gesture, adding instead a softer, more conciliatory tone. - Come on, come here. I will fight at your level, without magic tricks, it will be a fair fight. Now there are no cards to hide. If you can do me harm, I'll let you go with them. Anyway we have won equally and soon this world will be ours. I do not care if you live a little longer. And you also have no choice, if someone interferes I will kill him or her without mercy. You know I will! Is that what you want?

- No, I do not want that. We will do as you wish, Valnak. - Roy stated, preparing his fists and adding sharply in the direction of the warriors. - No matter what! I do not want you to get involved! If something happens to me, run away with the girls and Tom!

-You cannot be serious! – Said the astonished Rei.-

-You're gone! - His friend snapped harshly, adding more confidently. - You know I can do it.

Sailor Mars nodded, though in a somewhat hesitant way. Tom did the same and the girls looked at him in surprise. Even more so when the boy pulled Cooan away from the scene of impending combat. Ami and Rei took Beruche equally despite her entreaties and turned away. None wanted to do it but they had no choice. The demon smiled visibly satisfied and encouraged his opponent by folding his arms.

-Come on!  You should be furious with me Roy. I kidnapped your friends and threatened to kill them - Do not hold back, come for me. Did you not wish to free them from danger? You know perfectly well that while I am here they will be threatened. Come on, I assure you, whether you win or lose, I will have finished my problems with them and I will leave you in peace. You will get what you want anyway. Surely you know that I'm only interested in getting revenge on you. They are of no importance to me.

- I know. - He agreed, although his gestures were far from expressing aggression. - However as much as I despise you, I am incapable of wanting to kill you. Deep down, I'm sorry for you. You are only a poor wretch who does not know what love and loyalty are.

Those words startled everyone, especially Valnak, and the demon seemed to rage and replied with a howl.

-Stupid miserable mortal!  What do you know about oaths of loyalty?  The demons follow a very strict code and we have comrades. Armageddon was my closest and faithful companion and I had an oath to him. We were friends for centuries. Can you compare that to your short, sterile, ridiculous lives?

Roy stared at him in astonishment, he could not believe that even that demon had in the most hidden of himself a posture of dignity and appreciation towards someone. That, however strange and paradoxical it was, made him respect and even lessen his desire to fight. The rest of the audience were also watching the scene with great surprise. But Valnak was not ready for the fight to end like this and smiling again, he added.

-Fight or I'll start killing you all without compassion. - He said with a lightning strike at the feet of his rival that despite not touching opened a big gap with him. But the boy did not move. - I see ... - Added the demon with a sneer. - You do not have enough encouragement to hate me, but do not worry. I'll give you one ...

And to the expectant attention of all, Valnak pointed to Roy and smiling revealed to him.

-You thought your parents died in an accident, did not you?  Poor imbecile! Your parents died in an attack that we prepared! Yes Roy, I sabotaged the brakes myself, you poor thing! You should have seen your father when he tried to stop the desperate falling down that slope, and your mum muttering a prayer knowing that she was going to die ... and you know what most funny of all They were sure that sooner or later it would happen to them, they were just trying to save time and protect you. They resigned themselves to their fate like lambs on the way to the slaughterhouse. I loved it! I would do it a thousand times. Ha, ha, ha…

As Roy listened to those terrible words and the echo of that laughter the boy went from disbelief to the deepest rage. He felt as the adrenaline bombarded his mind and body and became twisted until he ceased to own himself. The others were paralyzed with terror and pain for the boy, but he could only say in a voice choked with fury.

-You ... you killed my parents ...? Damn son of a bitch! ...

- I myself saw them fall into the void and I laughed a lot when they crashed. If you saw that ball of fire was provoked. - Sentenced Valnak full of complacency - Fire! ... Ha, ha, ha!

That was too much for Roy who charged against him, knocking him to the ground with tremendous impact. His opponent struck the demon in the face with innumerable punches unloading all his hatred, but he ended up holding his fists and rose without barely accusing the punishment of his rival taking him off without difficulty.

- That's how I like it, - hissed Valnak who went on to counter attack returning each and every one of the blows to an adversary who did suffer in their true dimension. - You have already made me feel your hatred, it was not bad, but it pales compared to mine. And for your misfortune, idiot, I have to win!

Roy tried to respond with more kicks and punches but even though his opponent bleeding was not enough to affect him. Instead the boy if he felt like the impacts on his face and his abdomen hurt almost unbearably. There were some very violent blows that hit him on the floor with his knees. He could barely breathe as his ribs were badly damaged. His enemy then kicked him. The battered boy could only cover with difficulty to try to stop that torrent of aggressions and to endure the pain that ran to him.

-I told you I would not use any magic trick on you. And it was true. I could reduce you to ashes in seconds but I would not enjoy it as I am doing now! With the pleasure of shattering you with my own hands! - Valnak howled, holding his opponent by the neck and pressing to strangle him. -

-For God's sake we have to do something, he's going to kill him! - Screamed Cooan ready to help him, like her sister.-

Nevertheless Tom grabbed her and the Sailor Mercury did the same with Beruche. Shaking her head. Meanwhile the Sailor Mars pointed to the demon with an attack ready to intervene. And Ami said releasing Bertie and joining her partner.

- Leave it to us! Come on, Rei!

Both advanced with their attacks ready, they did not want to miss the target and  when Valnak saw them arrive, he smiled releasing his prey.

- Fire to the heart! - Invoked Mars using one of his most powerful spells.-

-Water Rhapsody to attack! - Mercury added. -

But their enemy merely wrapped himself in a magical aura that repelled the attacks, returning in turn a torrent of energy that sent the sailors several meters away leaving them battered.

-I do not have time to  waste with you, stupid idiots! I am in the middle of my revenge! – He claimed returning to fix his attention in his prey that barely was inclined on a near wooden tree. -What a pity Roy Malden! I think your life is going to end. But do not be in a hurry man, you can still fit into one more blow ...

Roy was indeed very ill, but his anger still kept him, he could not let that murderer go unpunished. Even if it cost him his life, he would avenge his parents. But he was not able to walk and less to defend himself. He could hardly react when the demon knocked him down with a fist in the face. Valnak looked at him with contempt and pointed a hand at him to draw a cruel smile and decide in a milder tone.

- I think that's enough. First, I will finish with you so that you can meet with your adoptive parents. Then the others will follow you ...

- You said you would not have anything against them anymore. - He could spit the young man with his lips full of blood. -

- I said yes, and it's true. I'll kill them just for fun! The devil raised his hand to his chest. - Now die! ...

He was going to finish Roy when he felt a blow behind him. Surprised, he turned. It was Bertie who, wielding a wooden stick of those which had jumped shattered during the fight, faced him trembling with rage. She had caught everyone by surprise since Tom, who had held Cooan was too far away and both Ami and Rei had not yet been able to get up after suffering the counterattack. Beruche had stayed closer than any and she was the one who, only armed with courage and that stake, attacked against her enemy ....

-Now I will completely correct my mistakes! I will not let you hurt him anymore! She asserted absolutely. -

-Wow, how brave the princess is! - Valnak smiled, asking her enigmatically. - Are you really willing to die with him again?

Bertie was stunned, she did not understand what he could refer to, but that did not matter now. She waved that stick ready to strike again. She moved in a circle so that she could stand between the boy and his enemy. Roy for his part got up with a great effort.

- Get out of here. - He asked in a soft whisper. -

- I will not leave you alone. - She replied, without turning to look at him, for she concentrated her attention on her enemy who watched them both amused. -... Together we can beat him.

Tom and Cooan also ran towards them to join Beruche, but the demon rejected them with a powerful energy barrier that sent them many meters back. Throwing them to the ground with violence ...

- This does not concern you. Valnak replied, sketching a sadistic smile to add enchanted. - Who  had imagined this?-  The story repeats itself. And you, poor fool, just like the previous time, you will sacrifice your life for nothing!

- No, not at all! - Beruche rebutted decisively. - If I have to die I will be fighting against the evil that once dominated me ...

-Poignant! - The demon spat, simulating a sarcastic applause to make her to the side of a swiftest put-down.-

            Then he turned to the boy and grabbing his victim from the chest. He was ready to culminate his attack. But Bertie reacted once more with the stake. However, now Valnak was waiting for her and held the stick by the point.

- You tried, I have to admit it, you have courage. Goodbye Princess. - He declared with a sneer and pushed the stick against her with tremendous strength, despite of the desperate shout of Roy that was impotent to avoid it .-

The stake, sharpened at both sides, slipped between Beruche's hands, unable to stop it and pierced the girl's side. The pain made her gasp. The girl's eyes darkened, and her body was inert. Valnak released the stick with a careless gesture and she fell laxly to the floor lying there. The blood began to flow through her mouth and her side to Roy's amazement and horror ...

-Bertie! - The boy could moan.

The others had barely joined in and could only witness the scene with total helplessness, horror, and despair. Only Valnak's laughter echoed as Roy fell to the ground with howls of pain and desolation, trying to hold Beruche and revive her.

-Noooo! - Bertie, please, talk to me!

Cooan, maddened with rage and pain, screamed and raced against the demon with another stick. Tom, wounded in an ankle as a result of the fall, was unable to stop her ...

-Damn monster, I'll kill you!

Valnak repelled her with an ungainly energy beam throwing her against a wall which the young woman struck being unconscious. Tom could only approach the girl to try to revive her. The warriors returned to the charge, but the demon, among sadistic laughter, harassed them with more rays of energy causing them both to cover themselves by falling to the ground ...

-Hahaha! Fire, fire. - The exulting Valnak howled. - You will burn!

Roy meanwhile tried to help his mate but she looked helpless. She was getting worse and her pupils were dilated. She had already lost a lot of blood, but even so she smiled trying to speak, muttering despite the pain of her difficult attempts to breathe.

- Roy, I'm sorry, I would have wanted to ... tell you everything one day. You... you must run away before ... He attacks you.

- No, no! - He howled with dismay. - I will not leave you, you'll get well!  Right now we're going to the hospital.

-At least ... although I cannot realize my dream, I ... I will die in a noble form. - She affirmed smiling slightly between tears. - I always wanted to adapt ... to this world and be a good person. That ... I wanted to help my sisters and educate children. To follow ... the example ... of the sailors. That way I would never reproach myself again ... She stopped very weak, trying to gather strength to continue, but her companion covered her lips with a finger. -...

- Stop it! Do not talk any more. Please. - He begged between sobs. - You're not going to die, do you hear me? You're not going to die! - He shrieked incessantly. - I care too much!  You will not leave me, no girl has ever left me and you will not be the first, little cube!

-How romantic!  - Valnak laughed turning to them. - Poor fool! , She has had to sacrifice herself to defend you, again, it is pathetic! But do not worry. I'll have you meet her soon.

- I feel the ... something warm and beautiful inside ... of ... me. Cooan-chan ... was ... right, it's a marvelous feeling. -She stammered in a weak smile. - Roy, I had wished ...that… you and I had ...

And she could say no more, her head fell gently to one side and her eyes closed. Tom and the warriors, already standing but wounded, were petrified with terror, unable to react from a distance. Roy tried to revive Beruche but he could not feel her breathing.

-Bertie, Bertieee, noooooo!  - He screamed howling with pain and rage with the laughter of Valnak in the background. -

Feeling helpless, he embraced the girl and to the surprise of his enemy he drew his strength to rise with her in his arms. Valnak gave him a look of astonishment and even some respect ...

-It's incredible! But you seem to want to die standing. -The demon cheered apologetically. -

But his opponent only stuck a glare of hatred on him as blood boiled in his veins. Roy then felt invaded by an indescribable sense of fury that shook him as he never thought possible. Something inside him overcame the pain and the wounds and tried to leave. But this time it was not like when he was possessed by Armageddon. This was no other entity trying to control him. It was every blade of his being that rebelled against that terrible injustice so full of horror and cruelty.

-I'm going to kill you, even if it's the last thing I do in my life! - Cried the boy, who was trembling visibly. But it was not fear, but a shiver of anger that could not dominate, was electrified by desolation and the desire for revenge. -I swear!

- I am petrified! - Valnak mocked at all these signs. - You going to hit me for killing that stupid bitch? Her life has been as useless as that of everyone around you. Yes, Roy. - He added fun - you take death with you ... for you and your friends.

-No! - His interlocutor howled with a tremendous power, so much that even his enemy was surprised and bewildered. - The only death I have is yours! You will die!...

Roy's brain was a kaleidoscope of images of Bertie since he first met her with all the jokes, conversations and experiences shared between the two. He saw her smiling, hopeful, angry, anguished, sad and especially always beautiful and vulnerable, with that expression of pain and finally there, inert in his arms. Evoking over and over again the terrible scene of picking her up from the floor with her graceful, untidy ponytail spreading her platinum hair through the rubble and with tears in her closed eyes. He gritted his teeth and could not think anymore. That something broke through his conscience and took control completely. The ground beneath her feet began to tremble. Valnak stopped laughing, passing into a gesture of fear and stupor as he realized the terrible power his enemy was unleashing. From the boy's body sparks began to leap, which seemed like a kind of electric shock of increasing proportions. The young man shouted louder and louder, making the whole area rumble, his face was broken. He opened his mouth as if to scream but what he emitted was more like a roar. Tears as they fell profusely fell on the blood that covered most of the cheeks.

-My God! - Exclaimed Tom, holding the unconscious Cooan in his arms.-

-Let's go out of here!-  Rei ordered. - Quickly!

Suddenly a thunderous explosion of immense golden glow wrapped the place around him. Everyone, including Valnak, recoiled in fear. As the glow dissipated before the astonished eyes of those present, someone emerged who did not look like Roy. His hair shone with that same golden glow, his eyes had turned emerald green and looked with such a look of hatred and fury at Valnak that the demon felt the blood freeze in his veins. The boy emitted a kind of rhythmic buzz that eclipsed the other noises. His muscle mass had increased tremendously and had exploded the few shreds that remained of his shirt. And he could only scream and howl desperately, holding Bertie against his chest ...

- No, it cannot be! - Valnak stammered, not believing what he saw as he stepped back in a moment of genuine horror. - The legend of the Sun Warrior was true!

Neither Ami nor Rei nor Tom could speak. They were astonished and even terrified. The sailors exchanged glances of perplexity and even dread. Never in all their battles had they seen anything like that. Roy's eyes were spitting fire, but he still left Beruche with tremendous softness on the floor. It was then that with his much sharper senses now he noticed that she breathed but very faintly. Looking to regain self-control for a few moments. The boy spoke, but in a deep, powerful voice that rumbled through the rubble, to order Tom.

- Take her to a hospital and go. In a few seconds I will release forces that will escape my control.

His friend tried to say something to him, but when he looked into his eyes, he stepped back in terror. The expression of hatred and the murderous instinct, the infinite fury about to unravel that reflected them left him frozen. Not even when Roy was possessed by Armageddon had he shown that look. And Valnak in the meantime did not seem to react, trembled with astonishment and fear and only had eyes for his terrible enemy, such was that, after entrusting Cooan to the Sailors, Tom was able to approach Bertie and take her in his arms, followed by Ami and Rei .

-Let's get out of here fast! - Help me with Bertie and Connie! - He snapped at them, who, observing the same thing, hastened to do as he told them. -

At last Tom and the sailors were safe with the girls. Fortunately the boy had the car with which they had come near there. They run as if they were pursuit by the devil (never better said), Then they left because Beruche had to be saved. Every second was precious to the life of her friend and that was all they could do now. Tom place her back and the sailors helped him to put into the fainting Cooan and secured her to the front seat with the belt. However, both Rei and Ami, insisted on staying there to try to control the situation by  watching from the distance at the moment ...

-It happened, what Usagi told us, - an astonished Ami whispered to her equally stunned companion.-

-We'd better get covered - Rei suggested. - This is not our business anymore. -

Her companion nodded and they both sought refuge. Roy watched and waited as the car drove away, but the demon decided that it was his time. Valnak concentrated all his strength and launched against his unprepared rival all his power, with a bombardment of balls of sustained and constant energy that lasted several seconds. The resulting explosion was so great that it destroyed an entire block of those abandoned houses. The demon then laughed with joy at his victory, no one could have survived that! ....

-It's over! I've defeated him! I've defeated the legend of the Golden Warrior! Ha, ha, ha! – He celebrated with great joy ... - Death to the Sun Warrior!

However, when the rumble and dust lifted and he could look over his position, the smile froze in his face and the most absolute terror took over him. Roy was a few feet away from his position and levitating unharmed, still looking at him with the same expression of immense hatred and shining in that blinding way, with that buzzing as strange as potent. He only told his enemy, in a paradoxically quiet voice.

- Savor your last moments in this world because I am going to kill you.

That calm tone preceded the storm that was about to unfold. And filled with an indescribable panic Valnak realized that he was lost.

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