GWA32E

Chapter 32. Farewell brave warrior.

At eight-thirty in the morning they all met at an agreed place the day before. The warriors, Tuxedo, the Justicieras, Tom and of course Roy. The latter spoke to everyone.

- Well, I hope you're lucky in the attack. I will take care of the devil. I trust you, I know that you will succeed. - He smiled, convinced that he would. -

- I'm sure you give him a good beating, too. - Agreed Usagi showing a V with her fingers. -

-Kill him, Roy! – Cooan screamed without being able to contain her jubilation. -

- But be very careful, eh? The other demon put you in a serious predicament. - Beruche reminded him with a shy smile of uneasiness. -

-Calm down, I've increased my strength a lot, this one has the minutes counted, - he assured her confidently. -

The only one who did not speak was Karaberasu, she looked at Roy who was chatting with her sister Bertie, Tom and Cooan and felt that something was not right. It was rare to explain, for some time she had been able to perceive things that seemed to escape others. And this seemed quite serious. So she decided to take Petz by the hand to whisper to her in a separate place.

-He lies, he's very scared! - He knows he cannot beat that demon.

-You must be mistaken. -  Petz said incredulously. - He's stronger now than before. Besides, how can you know that?

- I do not know. It's a terrible feeling, - Karaberasu confessed. - I feel Roy is lost...

-Kalie please! Do not say that - her sister asked her with concern. - If Bertie and Cooan could hear you.

-That's why I tell you instead. - She whispered to her stunned interlocutor. - Roy does not want them to suffer in vain. I feel that he is having a bad time, he is distressed. Surely he does this for some reason so I too will pretend for the good of all.

Her sister did not want to believe those words, besides Karaberasu was still very strange, possibly this was another of their strange reactions. She let it be and along with her younger sister came to Roy to cheer him up. He thanked both of them, but he understood from Kalie's gaze that she knew it. He was thoughtful, he could not speak to her and only made a mute gesture of supplication that the girl understood nodding gravely without Petz noticing. Now it seemed that the world around them was an absolute silence, deaf to the spirits and conversations of the others. This way the girl left and Roy looked for Beruche with the look, Petz and Karaberasu had united to her and to Cooan. The boy felt faint, he needed someone to be honest. But Tom already knew it and did not want to make him lose that false animation that he hardly showed before the others. At last he saw the only person who could hear him, and it was none other than Ami, that girl was Bertie's best friend so he discreetly called her.

- Ami, I want to tell you something, can you come for a moment, please?

-Yes, of course, - she said with a smile. - What is it, Roy?

He pulled her away from the group. The girl came closer and the boy commented in a low voice.

- You are Bertie's best friend, she really appreciates you, I know.

- Thank you, I appreciated her too, but. What is the point now? - Inquired her interlocutor without understanding. -

- You must support her as much as you can, please! She'll need it. When I am not here anymore. Please, you have to help ... her and the others. I count on you and the rest of the warriors, you will be the only thing they will have.

-But Roy. Why do you tell me that? - Ami replied with a look of surprise, giving him an alarmed look. -

- I can tell you, you're really the only one with whom I can be honest. You will see. The demon I am about to face is terribly powerful, I have no stand a chance against him. He far surpasses my strength.

-Maybe you're worried and you think that, - the girl tried to encourage him with a gesture of restlessness she was trying to eliminate. - But I sure is not so terrible. It is normal to be afraid before the battle, we all have fear. - She added, no doubt her friend pessimism was due to that. -

-I wish you were right. However, I have calibrated his strength. - His companion explained, telling her to horror of the girl, the details of the agreement made by Tom and him. - Do you understand now? I must fight, then, even if I lose and he kills me, at least I will force him back to Hell. That will give you some time to destroy the Sect and prevent them from invoking the evil that will destroy the world.

-Do you want us to fight next to you? - Ami offered him that now she believed him, feeling anguished about the boy. - I'll tell my friends and Tuxedo. We will go with you, we may support each other

-No Ami, thanks, - Roy shook his head. – But not even all together could stand against him. You would lose life and you have a vital mission to carry out, the fate of the world depends on it - He sighed for a long time and looked at Beruche who, unrelated to this talk, was talking with Makoto and Minako distracted now. - What hurts me the most is not to see her again. -  He lowered his head and took the hands of the girl who looked deeply distressed by those terrible words. But the boy insisted with a pleading expression. - Help her please! But do not tell her anything yet, I do not want to break her heart. Not now! She must ignore it until the end.

Ami returned a compassionate glance and nodded with pity. What could she do! What could she say! Nevertheless she did not have much time to think about it. Beruche noticed that both were talking and approached them. Before the girl arrived, he smiled weakly and whispered, leaving his friend in awe.

- The show must go on, Ami.

And without giving her time to the respond, Bertie came to the boy, she reproached him with amusement.

-Can you tell what are you doing, Roy? Is not enough for you with me? Are you already trying to bond with my best friend?

At this, the sailor looked somewhere else, feeling like she was about to cry and very stiff, Bertie was not looking at her now.

- Well, she was just giving a little cheer, do not be jealous. - Roy smirked. -

-I, - Mercury interjected, forcing a smile that was already frozen. - I leave you, I'm going to chat with my friends. – So she left and Beruche interpreting that in a very different way, laughed. -

-Poor Ami! I may not have had too much delicacy, ha, ha. - And she added cheerfully. - Well, Roy, when you get back from the battle, I'll make it up to you, I will not say anything about our wedding plans right now.

- Better that way, I have to study a lot to graduate, but I'll be happy if that's what I have to do for you. - He said giving her a light kiss on the lips, while stroking her hair. - Never forget I love you...

He wish he could have hugged her and kissed her hard, but that would make her suspicious. Bertie was not stupid. So that would be his last farewell. The one he kept in his heart.

- Be careful huh? - The girl asked him, now caressing his cheeks with affection.-

And Roy, how couldn´t be otherwise, continued with the comedy with the broken soul inside and exclaimed.

-Quiet, I'm a saiyajin! - Underlining his statement he became a golden warrior leaving everyone stunned. - I do not know what that will be, but look at the strength I have!

All were impressed by the power his friend shown, his glow blinded them and even raised stone shards in the air. He laughed, gave a kiss to the girls, his hand to Tuxedo and tightened his grip on Tom, giving him a hug and taking advantage of that moment whispered his goodbye.

-Take care of them, my friend! I leave them in your hands.

-Good luck, Roy, may God bless you, - his companion wished with tears in his eyes that he quickly wipe out so the girls would not notice them. -

-Are you boyfriends or what? - Cooan laughed at her own joke. - Roy, that Tom is only mine! Be with my sister.

- All right, I'll leave him in your hands. - He jokingly accepted. - I'm leaving, I do not want to provoke a fight of lovers. - Everyone laughed, celebrating the joke except Ami and Karaberasu and of course Tom himself. Then Petz told her sister, letting herself be carried away by triumphalism. -

-Do you see Kalie? - She commented excitedly watching Roy's display. - You're scared for nothing. See what strength he has, who on Earth could beat him?

-I still think he does not stand a chance, - the woman said quietly, though she added with a tinge of hope. - But may God make me wrong.

Roy greeted everyone with his hand and flew off toward his appointment with the demon. Beruche watched him fly away full of pride and then she told Cooan, full of enthusiasm.

-Surely he will win, look at him, he is the strongest man in the world!

-Yeah. - Her sister nodded, sharing her optimism. - He'll finish with all those demons.

Ami attended that with her soul torn apart. On the point of crying she could not bear it and took Usagi's hand away with her.

-Roy is lost. He entrusted it to me. We have to do something for him.

But the expression of her friend overwhelmed her even more. Usagi shook her head and could barely grumble seriously.

-There is no hope for him in this fight.

-Let's do something then. - Her friend urged her. -

-We can only pray that he does not suffer too much. However, the show must continue. He himself has told you. And we must fulfill his desire.

Ami shook her head, she could not believe it! How did Usagi know? Now she was looking at her friend Bertie and her heart was breaking. Then she heard her comment with lively optimism.

- I think he will fight near a moor where he trains, on the outskirts of the city, he says that it is uninhabited. So he will have planned to take that demon there. We can go and encourage him, - proposed Beruche. - The warriors could teleport us.

-Good idea! - Exclaimed Cooan. - But we are many for that. - She objected looking at the whole group. -

-Well, I´ll go first! - Bertie said reasoning- that's because he is my boyfriend, and then you.

So she approached to Sailor Moon and exposed her idea to her. Usagi, acting like nothing happened, nodded very enthusiastically, to Ami's horror and disbelief.

- Okay, we will. - She called the other warriors and indicated the plan. - Girls, let's get ready for the "sailor teleport"

-I do not think that's a good idea, Usagi. - Ami objected with a serious expression that contrasted with the giggling, confident expressions of the others. -

-And why not? - Minako pleaded. - Roy is going to win for sure, we will not be at peril.

- Absolutely, besides I want to see how he fights! - Exclaimed Makoto euphorically. - From what you tell and what he has done here, it must be spectacular when he fight seriously!

Ami wanted to reply but simply did not dare. If her friend had given her that reply, she did not want to think about what could happen if they started a discussion about it in front of the sisters. No, it would be too cruel for Bertie. So she let herself be convinced ... And another thing that left her petrified was the look that Usagi herself gave her, the eyes of her companion exuded sadness but nevertheless smiled, declaring when she sentenced with an ambiguous tone that only Mercury could understand.

-Let's go there, we'll cheer him up and he'll win. It is a spectacle that we cannot miss. We cannot do it…

For his part Tom did not want to look at them because he was sure he could not contain the tears. He had to go unnoticed praying that Cooan would not offered him to go. Luckily she was busy talking to the sailors. The only glance he crossed was with Karaberasu, and they both understood instantly that the other knew it, but they did not say any more. Ami still struggled with herself. She had to keep the promise she made, and she hoped that despite the bad omens, Roy would win. Above all, Usagi's expression made her silent. She accepted resignedly, nodding, and they transported Beruche to the moor. Then they returned for Cooan and the others. Tuxedo with the cats headed there on their own. Tom argued that it would be best if he returned to college to do some spells of help. The rest was surprised, but judging that it had to be something important they did not impede him. The sailor transported him in a moment to a desert place of the campus and soon returned with the others, but before the boy crossed a sorry look with Ami.

-Goodbye and good luck. - He could say before the sailors left. -

A few hundred meters from there Roy arrived at the place agreed for the duel, there was nobody. He stopped being a golden warrior to save energy. He had become to that just to cheer his comedy in front of the girls. But without knowing it, those who had already been transported, watched him from afar with the aid of binoculars. They approached him little by little. Bertie, after seeing him there, just and waiting, could not help but laugh and joke.

-That demon will be so frightened that he has not even come, hey. He has left the poor man standing all alone! For once that he arrives punctual.

- Yes, and I do not blame him, if I was that devil I would have done the same. - Rei smiled adding with admiration. - Of course, Roy is awesome when he becomes the Golden Warrior...

- Hey, Rei. What do you mean by that? - Minako blurted out visibly amused. -

-I, nothing, - she said, hurriedly to reply. - I'm just saying it's amazing to see him.

- Yes, it reminds me of an old boyfriend I had. - Makoto added putting both hands together at the height of her chin and putting the eyes of a slaughtered calf. –

- Well, you can forget about him, he has already a girlfriend. - Usagi reminded her, pointing to Bertie who was laughing at those jokes. -

But suddenly everyone was puzzled and even worried, Ami cut that with a tone between hard and almost indignant, with wet eyes and a really desolate rictus in her expression.

-Stop it, shut up!  For God´s sake.

Her stunned companions stared at her blankly. It was Makoto who approached her with caution and asked.

-What's the matter, Ami?

She did not respond, but taking advantage of the moment of silence of the rest, she gathered the courage to confess to her friend the truth after muttering a painful.

-Forgive me, Roy, but I cannot keep silent any longer. It's too cruel ... I cannot take it anymore...

And both Beruche and the others devoted their attention to her when she told them, addressing her friend the Justiciera.

-Bertie, I would not want to tell you this, but Roy's probably going to lose.

-Do not talk nonsense, woman! -  Her friend retorted with a smile of total disbelief. - If his enemy has not even appeared. The only thing that he is going to lose is time.

But it was not yet the appointed time, they got it just then, and after a couple of minutes when nothing happened, a great dark, dense fog covered the place. The girls sheltered behind the rocks that appeared in the landscape, surprised and expectant. They could contemplate how a huge silhouette materialized with two terrible and brilliant red eyes, bull's head, muscular body and black with two legs like hooves. He shook them all. It was Nagashel who held in his right hand an hourglass which he laid on the ground to face Roy afterwards, which seemed almost insignificant in comparison to his. The boy still held his gaze as the demon told him.

-Sorry to keep you waiting! I had to sort things out in my domains before I leave them. -  Nagashel laughed. The devil, who seemed to be in a good mood,added. - Maybe that's why I left you alive for a while longer. And you can count on that time.

His rival was transformed again into a golden warrior, this time ready for battle, while responding to the demon looking as confident as he could.

- Thank you for the detail. But now you will see that I do not need you to give me any advantage. I'm going to tear you apart!

The demon did not seem at all impressed. His opponent watched him and realized that he was not even in combat position.

-If I attack him by surprise and with all my might I may have a chance - he thought hopefully. - It's okay, enough of talking! - He shouted then attacking at great speed. He struck the demon by throwing it at a mountain that collapsed with its impact and buried it between a Rock pile - Well, you may not be as hard as you looked! - Roy exclaimed excited by the result of the blow. -

Nagashel came out of the rubble without seeming to acknowledge the shock or the punch. His rival attacked him again, striking him in the stomach and head. The demon rose in the air and the Solar also continued to beat him. He seemed to have touched him seriously since his adversary did not respond. Beruche was looking at the girls and clapping her hands with enthusiasm, she declared satisfied, especially by addressing Ami

-There you are!  Roy is crushing that monster. Did not I tell you?

The aforementioned and all the others smiled, she thought that Roy had exaggerated, frightening her for no reason. Karaberasu also thought she might have been mistaken, until she stared at the demon, and a chill ran down her body, startled, and ran to meet Beruche.

-No, he's just pretending! He's playing with Roy! His real strength has nothing to do with this, he has not yet deployed it. He waits for Roy to exhaust himself that demon is giving him hope and then he will fight cruelly.

- But what are you saying? - She asked, not believing anything at all to her pessimistic sister. - Roy is giving him a good beating, look at him! - She pointed to the boy who was bombarding his enemy with ever-stronger beams of energy, burying him in a crater that opened on the ground thanks to multiple explosions of energy. - He'll end him right away if he continues this way.

Karaberasu decided not to speak anymore. In spite of appearances she could feel that monster was perfectly well and the boy was already panting because of the effort. The fatigue was beginning to make a dent on him, but Bertie was not aware of it.

-Go and get him Roy! - She shouted delightedly making horn with her hands. -

But he turned surprised to hear her, while his rival stood up as if nothing had happened, smirking.

-What are you doing here? - He shouted, looking at Beruche, surprised and angry. - Warriors! Why did you bring her, damn it. Get her right away out of here!

He was so engrossed in giving those instructions that he did not notice that Nagashel was at his side until he hit him by throwing him to the ground. Despite this, Cooan jokingly reproached her sister.

-You see what you've done, silly? You've distracted him and that monster has hit him.

-Do not worry, Roy's going to hit him a lot more - Bertie said, fully confident. -

-Oh no! -Karaberasu cried with horror, she seemed to feel better than anyone that the aura of the demon was growing and added. - Roy is lost! May God have mercy on him!

The others looked at her in amazement and disbelief. But unfortunately Kalie was not mistaken. Nagashel decided to fight for real, leaving the comedy aside. Roy got up trying to hit him but he could not do it anymore. Only after a few moments did the demon allow to be beaten by him, but he could not move even a millimeter, even though he struck him with all his might.

- No, it cannot be. He has being playing with me! - The boy stammered gasping with exhaustion and horrified to realize it. -

Nagashel gave a malevolent grin and countered by giving Roy a terrible punch in the stomach and other in the face. He even grabbed his neck and threw him against the rocks, breaking them with the head of his enemy.

-Let's play!  Ha, ha, ha! - That monster howled, filled with destructive euphoria. - Here, see how you manage...

Having said this, he sent a bolt of lightning at the boy, who, asphyxiated and badly wounded, barely escaped. Beruche's face began to shift from confidence to concern, turning pale and the fears of Ami and Karaberasu began to be confirmed.

-Are you having fun? - The devil demanded, attacking again. -Take this...

That monster crossed his opponent's face with a swipe that made the blood leap out of his mouth and nose. Exhausted and too much punished by the blows of his rival, the golden warrior fell on his knees to the ground, while the demon slowly descended towards him without appearing to be in any hurry.

-Get on your feet Roy! - Beruche shrieked desperately. -Come on!

But the young man could not, he was thrown against a wall of stones of a kick, now he was badly supported in the hole that he did when hitting against them. Nagashel kept moving toward his battered opponent with a mocking grin. At the same time he was joking.

-And you're already done? Did you give up so soon? We have only just begun. Get ready because your agony is going to be long! I want to have fun. Ha, ha, ha, ha. - He bellowed, rejoicing in the painful state of his rival. -

All the others watched the scene petrified by terror. Karaberasu was shaking her head desolately and the sailors were clenching their fists feeling powerless. Petz trembled with fury but the fear was still stronger. The same as Cooan who could barely move from panic and horror to see what was happening to her friend, but still she hoped that all was just a trick of Roy. Beruche, on the other hand, was not so convinced and she became more frightened.

-Oh my God! I have to go and help him! - Bertie shrieked between sobs of anguish and trying to run there - I must go! ...

-No. Are you crazy? - Karaberasu shouted, holding her arm tightly. - You would not last a second! Against that monster what could you do?

-I do not know, but I have to do something, I will not let him to die like this! - replied desperately to her sister with all her strength, then Kalie let go her and ran despite the shouts of Ami, Petz and the others. – Resist, Roy hold on!

Roy was exhausted and that demon was in the fullness of his power, now his evil aura seemed to expand in such a way that made the ground tremble.

-We must run away from here or he kill us all, - Karaberasu added in alarm to the others. –

-I'm not going to leave them alone. I have to help Bertie - said Cooan, who, overcoming the dread, rushed to her sister's aid. -

-We cannot leave them alone, cover them! - Petz ordered. -

All the warriors and the girls nodded decisively and bombarded this enemy with their best combined attacks, but they could not tear out of him anything but a frown of contempt and rejoicing. The sisters dispersed before a gale that the demon emitted towards them.

-Ha, ha, ha! Do not bother insects. – He laughed with delight - I'm busy.

Although the sailors were able to cover themselves in time. Despite that, they were unable to approach and continued to watch in horror as the beast punished his friend hard. At last Minako could not help it.

- Girls. - Venus told her companions. - Let's unite and use the attack of the planets.

-Yes, it's a good idea. - Ami agreed. - If we do it to the utmost power, we could make a dent in that monster...

However, her leader did not respond. She stared at the ground, clenching her fists and teeth helplessly. As if she were engaged in an internal struggle. Minako insisted.

-Come on, Usagi!

-Come on, hurry up!  - Makoto added uniting hands with Venus. -

Ami and Rei took their turn from the hands of their friends, but to the surprise of the rest Sailor Moon did not move.

-Can you tell what you're doing? - Rei asked, not understanding that strange reaction. -

-We cannot do anything. This is how it should be. - Her friend mourned somberly. - The chalice must be filled...

-What? - The others cried, looking at her in astonishment. -

-Are you kidding? Right? - Rei asked with visible disbelief and anger. -

-I not going to wait, he'll be crushed. -  Minako said trying to concentrate to go to her eternal phase.-

-No! - Snapped Usagi, leaving them all perplexed. -

-Please ... Usagi-chan. Mercury pleaded her while sobbing. - I beg you...

Although her partner's expression was one of great sadness, all she did was shake her head in the negative. Ami froze, she did not know what to do or say.

-I cannot believe it! - Makoto could babble with eyes wide open. - You're going to stand there, watching...

-Are you going to allow that monster to kill him without doing anything? - Exclaimed Sailor Mars trying to materialize her bow of fire. - He is our friend ... I will not consent it.

However, Sailor Moon grabbed one of the arms of her companion and in a tone harder and sharper than Rei had remembered heard from her, she order.

-I said no, Rei!

Sailor Mars was stunned, watching the stern face of her friend. Although that time she did not seem to be Usagi. Rather it reminded her of the majesty of Queen Serenity. And it was scary to face that look even though the face of her partner was crossed by tears. Not knowing what to answer, she lowered her arm, but she could not stop observing her with her mouth open and an expression of astonishment, disbelief and fear.

-Can you tell us what's going on? Why do you keep us from helping him? Why have we come here? - Venus intervened in anger-filled tones. -

There was no possibility of a reply. At that moment the demon counterattacked with a wave of energy that swept them down to the ground all tens of meters back, except for Beruche who clung to a few rocks. Nagashel in the meanwhile lifted Roy from the neck as if he was a pelt.

-You can choose pathetic creature! - He spat the demon with sarcasm - I let you die with a prolonged agony and you gain time or I kill you right now and I finish with your pain. But the more you stand, the more time you'll give your friends. What do you prefer? Will not you say I'm not generous? - He grinned at the question. -

- I'd rather ... to endure. - Roy stammered, leaving an appreciable trace of blood on the floor. - Until the end…

The boy hurt everything, it was a global feeling of lax heaviness, and he felt deaf whips around his arms and terrible cramps at his waist. Although he was so overwhelmed by the blows that he could barely feel most of his body nor the warmth of his own blood and strength were so depleted that it ceased to be a Solar.

-Ha, ha, ha. - Nagashel mocked him. - You look like a broken doll! You're just a toy in my hands! I warned you but you thought you could beat me. Foolish idiot! You wanted to play with me, eh? Let's play! - He exclaimed visibly delighted. - It's time to have fun! ...

He was going to hit his defenseless victim again when he felt a few imperceptible pricks behind him. He turned and watched between a curious and amusing little human face against him, it was none other than Beruche.

-Let him be fucking monster! - She demanded that he brandish her sword in defiance. -

Nagashel looked puzzled at first, but soon burst into a horrid laugh that was returned by the echo of the place.

-Who are you? - Inquiring looking amused to that little human, narrowing his terrible eyes - his mother, his sister or his girlfriend?

-Leave him alone or you'll regret it! - She repeated, shivering literally with fear but surpassing herself with all her courage, while not avoiding that dreadful look. - I swear I'll kill you...

-Get out of here! - Roy could say with a whisper when, despite the blood-soaked sight, he could see her - go!

-No, I will not leave you! - She sobbed, frantically shaking her head. -

The devil, casting an indifferent glance at the girl, then he released his prey a few feet away. All the others who were beginning to recover from the attack suffered contained their breath. Bertie was even about to run toward Roy, but Nagashel paralyzed her in that gesture, putting one of his legs on his wounded enemy.

- Not so fast. Do you think I'm giving him to you? - The demon sneered, crushing Roy and reveling in his cries of pain. -

-Coward, I'll kill you myself! - Beruche cried, sobbing and raging against him with her sword. - Die!

But his enemy did not flinch at all. Letting her in and attacking him, he held the blade on Bertie's first attempt to wound him and broke it without difficulty, throwing the girl a few feet away. But she straightened to counterattack.

-Ice crystals attack! - She screamed throwing her best weapon. Countless needles of ice were directed at her carefree adversary, who with his only breath took care of melting them. -

But Ice Lady was tenacious and took advantage of a small neglect of that beast to ram it on, managing to nail the remains of her sword to him in a paw and hurt her rival whose indifferent gesture became furious towards the human.

-You're already dead miserable rat! How dare you touch me? - Nagashel roared at Beruche who now retreated really frightened. - I'm going to tear you apart! - He snapped pointing one of his hands to disintegrate her -

She covered her face in a reflex act, ready to die, but Roy was still strong enough to hold his foe´s leg and shout.

-No! You swore to me not to harm anyone but me...

-Oh really? - The demon answered by grabbing him by the neck to raise him to the height of his head and adding with false resignation. - It's true, what a nuisance! I did not remember. But you're right, a covenant is a covenant. Although they attacked me. And that could break the oath I made. - He remarked on the boy's anguish grimace and adding now with a fake reassuring tint. - It was a joke. Do not worry, my word given to my lord is law. Although as I did not promise in your case you will be the one to pay in her place.

-Yes, that's fine, - he said weakly. - But please, do not hurt her, I beg you.

-Your wishes are orders to me, - said the devil sneering through one side of Roy with one of his claws, while holding him with the other. Asking with cruel sarcasm – Are you satisfied?

The two screamed, the boy for the terrible pain and Bertie of pure horror. The demon taking out his bloody claw, released his prey that collapsed on the ground bleeding quickly. The terrain turned red around him in a dizzying, deadly rush. Beruche ran towards him, forgetting the danger and his enemy. Seeing Roy in that terrible state she only thought of succoring him and held him in her arms on her knees. Nagashel looked at them with disdain and ended the fight by picking up his hourglass.

-Half an hour, - he said nonchalantly. - That means six months of this world, is the time that you have. You still have a few minutes left but I gladly give you them. So do not you say, I am not generous am I? And do not worry, as soon as I return the first thing I will do is to gather your female whore with you. – Then Nagashel laughed and without giving any time to his enemies to answer, he disappeared. -

Nevertheless, Beruche did not even look at him, she was shocked, her eyes flooded with tears and she tried to help Roy, but it was useless. His blood escaped in her hands despite the girl's efforts to plug that terrible wound. Petz, Cooan and the others rushed in, terrified at what they had seen. Ami and Mamoru who had basic knowledge of medicine, checked the boy and sorely crossed two desolate glances and they shook their heads to the others behind Bertie's back. She tried to comfort Roy, who said, mortally wounded.

- No, I did not want you to see me like this. I cannot stand it. - He groaned and the girl shook her head trying to smile despite being unleashed in tears. -

- You'll be fine, I'll take care of you. Just like you did with me, remember? Then we'll graduate and we can get married. - Bertie smiled hopefully, despite not being able to stop crying. -

-No, not this time, - he muttered, straining to speak. - I have ... deceived you, as always ... and you have believed it ... silly. Always ... you'll be a ... silly, huh? I've ... made fun of you ... until the end. - He tried to laugh, but only spat blood that made him cough. – Have courage, you must ... destroy ... the Sect. - Bertie cleaned some of his blood stains, she herself was soaked but she did not seem to notice it or if she did it mattered nothing to her. She did not care anymore about that. - Sorry, it will be ... the first and last time ... that I break ... my word...

The girl's tears flowed non-stop, she felt impotent, desperate, in vain tried to cling to Roy, but he was leaving.

-Do not cry ... for ... please. - He asked her to stroke her hair and cheeks with a trembling hand. -I wanted to remind you ... with a ... smile, although you ... you're so ... cold, my little…ice… cube.- Beruche struggled to smile one more time for him, despite feeling shattered. - I ... want ... - gasped the boy with hardly any strength. - I will love you ... always and never ... I will leave you, always ... you will have me at ... your side.

-Of course! We have all our lives ahead of us, honey. - She whispered to him sobbing, caressing him with tenderness the face as if with that it could return the life that escaped from him. -

The others were mute with terror and pain watching the scene. Cooan was crying non-stop, completely out of her mind. Only Petz could hold her to try to contain her.

-Please do something! - Cooan begged them desperately to Usagi and the others - you have to help him!

But the sailors stared at the ground with tears in their eyes and did not respond. Although Sailor Venus had an idea then.

-We can take him to a hospital!

- No Minako. There is no salvation for him. - Said Mamoru visibly downcast. -

-Maybe if we try. - Usagi muttered with deep regret. - Maybe we can do that ...

But her dismayed boyfriend approached, whispering just so she could hear him.

-You know as well as I do that we cannot do it. Let him say goodbye to Beruche. There are their last moments.

Sailor Moon could not help crying in silence as well as her friends, cursing the situation in which they were. And they all had their hearts broken when they listened to Bertie to gather all her courage to keep talking to him.

-You have to go back to class with me and play some stupid joke on yours! - She was asking Roy to start losing consciousness.

- No ... for ... me ... finished ... the ... jokes. I would only ... wish ... to be with you. I no longer see - he whispered in a voice when his eyesight finally cleared by the massive hemorrhage. –It's dark ... Bertie, it's cold ... - He grasped her hand and confessed to her shivering. - You know ... now ... I'm afraid ... of staying ... alone, not ...  leave me ... please... Embrace me! At least ... until I can ... meet ... with ... my parents.

She hugged him by rocking him gently in her lap. Roy took a deep breath in one last effort, gathering the few energies he had left.

- I thank God ... for ... making me stumble with you ... that day. I am very ... happy to have you ... known ...my little...ice...cube ... - He said nothing else, gently his head fell to rest in her lap. -

-Roy? Roy? - Beruche called, paralyzed by the incredulity of feeling dead - Roooy! ... - she screamed hysterically moving him with all her strength but got no answer.-

His eyes were open, lifeless, staring into infinity. The girl screamed in pain and the distressed sailors tried to lift her to separate her from the body, but she resisted hugging him. Petz, crying too, stopped the sailors with a gesture. These, deeply shaken, let Beruche lay a hand on the boy's eyes and closed them gently. She remembered all the moments they had shared, ever since they met. Her anger, laughter, caresses, until that morning, when she saw him smile turned into an invincible warrior. Then Ami intervened, and with tears said to her friend slowly and calmly.

- He did not want you to see him die, he would have wished you had remembered him as he said goodbye to you.

-But why? - Shouted Beruche. - Why?

The pain-ridden girl was holding her hands to her head as if she wanted to tear off her hair that floated loose and undone at the mercy of the cold wind that now ravaged the region.

- He had to do it in order to try to protect us all, to give us a second chance to win. - Usagi muttered between sobs. - It should be like this ... I'm really sorry.

No one could add anything more to this atmosphere of consternation. But then something surprising happened, Roy's body shone in a luminous white glow and disappeared. Everyone was speechless, until Mamoru could say with admiration, overcoming regret.

-Goodbye brave warrior! Your sacrifice will not be in vain, you can always count on us.

-God help us! - Petz muttered helplessly as she shook her fainting sister Cooan in her arms. - What are we going to do now?

Karaberasu stared at the floor with tears moistened. Like the others, Cooan and Beruche were shattered, the latter even gone. The warriors, gathering all their determination to overcome that tragedy, had to take her back home, helped by her older sisters. Bertie couldn´t take anymore and fainted. They had to lay her down, and the shattered Cooan was still veiled. Then they were able to take the other two sisters to their apartment. When they arrived Petz was very bad too, but seeing the state of Karaberasu all of them were worried. It was Minako who, in the girl's room, could talk to her.

-I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. - The sailor told her friend. - I wish we could have done something!

-Oh Lord! When will all this end? - Kalie could stutter as she hugged Minako who was watching her really saddened. -

But the sailor did not expect the next words of her interlocutor, who really left her petrified with astonishment.

-Please ... is not enough what they did to me? ... Why do my sisters also have to suffer like this?

-What's happening to you? What did they do to you? - Her friend was eager to know really astonished. -

And between tears Kalie entrusted to her that terrible and traumatic experience that she had suffered. Minako could only cry in horror as she hugged her friend and begged her forgiveness over and over again for not being there to save her from that awful torture. When they had finished speaking and the sailor left the room, leaving a traumatized and exhausted Karaberasu, she was pale and with tears in her eyes, totally demented and even trembling. The others noticed this and watched her in awe, but did not say anything. Usagi looked at her with deep sorrow. Nevertheless Venus observed to her companion in turn with patent reprobation and discomfort, even rage, although she did not want to say anything until they did not leave. For his part, and beyond, in the residence of the campus to which he had returned, Tom wept with impotence, anger, and pain, as he felt the tragic end of his friend.

-We should go. -Mamoru was able to say, as affected as the rest. -

-But we will return. - Rei added weakly. -

Petz, who was the only one standing next to them in the living room, nodded feebly. She had no strength to speak. The warriors holding hands and with Mamoru and the cats in the center returned to Japan with the teleport. Before they come back to the United States, they had to speak in the same way. Mamoru was going to tell them something, but it was Minako who, full of fury, came forward and snapped Usagi.

-Why? Why did not you want us to use the attack of the planets? Tell me. Why?

-It would not have helped at all - she replied in a low voice. -

-And since when is that an impediment to trying to save someone? - Inquired her interlocutor with visible anger. - Besides, how did you know it would not work? You didn´t even try!

- Minako calm down. – Ami asked her trying to mediate. - Please...

-You're right, - Makoto said as she stepped aside from her angry companion as she added. - We could have helped him more. We do not use all our power. Maybe if we had attacked in an eternal phase...

-We do not know that - Rei said. -

-Well, that's why, - Minako replied, looking at Usagi with real anger to throw an annoying question. –tell me, since when have we begun to surrender without fighting?

The aforementioned seemed to want to get out of the way and to leave that controversy for her companions, but Venus insisted grabbing her of one arm to add between tears and full of indignation.

-So is Kalie's. Did you know that? Neither could we do anything for her? The poor woman has no courage to tell her sisters. And that is destroying her inside ... She has not stopped suffering since that happened. In the end she could not take it anymore and she told me ... and she just moaned and stammered. Where were you? Where were my friends? Do you know the horror she has had to suffer? ... Eh? ...

-What are you talking about? - Ami wanted to know, as stunned and frightened as the others to see her friend in that state. -

-I'll tell you what happened. - It was Minako's bitter response. - One of those monsters abused Kalie and we were not there to stop it. She told me everything. And ... what could I tell her in return? That we were not on her side because we had to stay at home playing hide and seek with the non-existent demons here? For our beloved rulers decided that way

-I cannot understand, - Ami mused, now trying to talk to Usagi. - Please, at least give us a reason.

-We've been doing nothing when they crippled Tom, and now this. –The incredulous Rei also questioned. - I do not understand ... Please tell us.

-Yes, do not do this to us. - Makoto interjected. - We've always been friends. We have shared everything. The good and bad things. Why do not you trust us now? What do you know that you do not tell us?

However, the aforementioned did not respond. That irritated even more to Sailor Venus who looked at her then deducing what happened.

-Yes, that's you! You have known everything what happened from the very first moment. It is not like this? You knew this was going to happen ... Those strange words, the chalice of pain you said ... That's what it's about, am I right?

Her interlocutor did not take off her lips and wanted to avoid her gaze that drove Minako mad. She slapped Usagi hard, to the surprise and horror of others.

-I asked you a question! - Venus shrieked. - Damn you, answer it at once!

-Leave her alone! It's enough. – Rei said putting herself between the two of her mates.-

-No, it's not enough. I'm sick of this. What is happening here? Hey? Minako asked Mars now. - Do you know that?

-I didn´t know, - she replied, nodding nonetheless. - But whatever it is and how hard it is we have to rely on Usagi and Mamoru.

-All this is absurd, Rei. And you know. - Makoto intervened to declare. –There are only two possibilities, or we do something or we do not do it. I'm with Minako. Our duty as warriors is to support our friends. You have been there more times than us. Surely you know more. Why do not you say anything? Lately in Japan there are no more attacks. Why could not we join them and fight before? Why cannot we stay and fight now? They need us more than ever! For God's sake, do not you see it?

-It's not that easy. - Rei defended herself with dyes of consternation. - I'm sure there's an explanation. These are very powerful enemies. Much more than any of the previous ones we had.

- You're right. - Mercury supported her with a conciliatory tone. - Things are very complicated. We cannot act as usual. The fate of the whole planet is at stake. And surely there is a justification for all this ...

-Damn it, Ami! - Minako exclaimed, facing her now to question her. - Go and tell Kalie, Bertie, Tom or the others about justifications!

-That's not fair. - Mercury sobbed as she lowered her eyes and clenched her fists. -Bertie's my friend ... and Roy was, too.

-Well I think it is time for you to talk. What do you guys know that we do not know? - Venus insisted that she cornered her partner with a barrage of indignant questions. - Are we a team or are not we? I'm tired of so much secrecy. What did Usagi tell you? ...

-It's true, - Makoto supported her with the same anger and discomfort, as she said. - Is it now that we are going to be so calm watching our friends die one by one? Who's next, huh?

Her companions did not know to replicate, although there was no possibility for it. All fell silent when Usagi finally burst out screaming hysterically ...

-Enough! Enough! Enough! I cannot stand it anymore! Stop it! Stop it!

The rest of the girls watched her with a mixture of surprise and fear. Although their friend had not finished. Between tears, she stammered, looking at Minako and Makoto.

-Do you think this is not hard for me? What I do not mind seeing our friends suffering? Do you think that my heart is not broken knowing what they have done to Kalie without being able to intervene? Or to see Cooan suffer for Tom prostrate in his chair? Or to have to witness like Bertie watched Roy die in her arms without being able to do anything?

-Usagi, calm down. Please. - Ami sweetly tossing her arms around her waist and hugging her from behind. - I know there must be a good reason ... for what you decide to do.

Now it was the others who were about to cry looking at the ground. It was Rei who, in a more calm voice, told her companions.

-I do not know what's happening either. But there is something I do know. If Usagi asks us to do something, we must do it. After so much time and so many battles together I trust her fully. I agree with Ami. She will have her reasons for doing so.

-I am sorry. -Makoto could sigh as she wiped some tears. -

-Yes ...- Minako said moved as well, embracing her shattered companion to apologize. - I'm so sorry too, Usagi forgive me.

Her friend hugged her in turn and they both cried to vent so much tension. Mamoru, for his part, had watched them in silence, along with Luna and Artemis, who, having just arrived, had not spoken a word either. The boy had not wanted to intervene until then. But now he did.

-What we do, however, hard and terrible it seems to you, is part of something, something very important that must be carried out. It is not yet time to reveal it. But in this case we do not speak to you like Usagi and Mamoru, but as Serenity and Endymion. And in the name of the loyalty that you owe us, we ask you not to ask questions any more, nor to question our way of acting. Please. In due course we will explain what happens and why we proceed. Then you will understand everything ...

At that tone, soft but firm, the guardians bowed deeply and it was Makoto who sentenced her with a respectful tone of voice.

-That will be your Highness. I beg you to forgive us.

-It will be as you say, Majesty. - Minako barely agreed, still in tears. -

Both Usagi and Mamoru sketched a lukewarm smile, thus giving the incident by ended. However, everything was sadness and demoralization was plain to see among the group. The same was true about the sisters and Tom. Only in the seat of the Sect reigned the joy, with the triumphant laughter of the Great Sage.

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