A couple of hours later, The New Heroes were flown over to Ritopia City. When they arrived, they were escorted to a military camp.
Ritopia City was a medium-sized city in the southeastern side of Stribora. It was known for its rich history, and it was built near an ancient ruin. It was also surrounded by a forest.
After a while, Aaron sat on a bench and rested. He had a flashback as he gazed at the sunset.
Aaron, as a kid, sat on a bench and stared at the sunset and the never-ending horizon. Flowers surrounded his feet.
"Aaron," a little girl called out. She had orange hair and blue eyes.
Aaron looked at her. "Bridget," he muttered.
"Come with me. Let's play soldier," Bridget urged and nudged.
Aaron sighed. "But I don't want to play soldiers. We always play it," he retorted.
Bridget frowned and assured, "It will be fun this time."
"It will not," Aaron argued.
Bridget puffed up her cheeks in frustration. "Why don't you like it," she asked.
Aaron turned to her and disclosed, "Being a soldier is scary. I don't want to fight monsters." He timidly averted his gaze.
"Are you scared of monsters," Bridget questioned and tilted her head.
Aaron looked at her and nodded.
Bridget pondered for a moment. "Then, I'll protect you. Come on," she insisted. She got up and pulled his arm.
Aaron reluctantly stood up.
Bridget smiled widely and grabbed his hand. "You'll be safe with me," she reassured and led him away into a field of flowers.
Aaron was stunned. Comforted, he smiled. "If we're going to play, then, I will be the one protecting you," he murmured.
"Heh, okay," Bridget giggled.
Aaron and Bridget ran through the bright city.
"Be careful, kids," a man yelled.
Currently, Aaron was in a daze as he stared at the sky. His eyes were glazed over.
"How are you feeling," Pepe suddenly queried.
Aaron snapped out of his trance. "I'm fine," he replied.
"So, what can you do with that elemental gun," Pepe questioned.
Aaron looked down on his elemental gun as it laid on his lap. "It grants me the ability to manipulate air," he informed.
Pepe smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "That's awesome! I'm glad to have you in our side at least," he praised.
"If you're trying to get me to help, it won't work," Aaron claimed and teased. "War will continue either way," he added.
Pepe looked down and took a deep breath. "This is only our first battle, yet we lost many already. I don't want lose anyone else. We need all the help we can get," he expressed.
Aaron thought for a moment and asserted, "You're just a kid, Pepe. A kindhearted kid. Sorry. I... I would like to fight." Hesitant of the future, he exchanged glances with Pepe.
"Thank you," Pepe muttered.
Aaron nodded. He stood up and stared at the orange sky. "It's so beautiful. I wonder. Is she looking at it, too," he murmured.
Meanwhile, Hafen, Stark, and Matteo were sitting at a table in the dining area. They had not eaten, but their plates of food were untouched.
"They probably had families or friends waiting for them," Matteo asseverated. He was saddened by the gruesome deaths.
"The Evil Cyborgs. What is their reason or their purpose for this war?" Hafen questioned.
"They're pure evil. We must continue our fight," Stark asserted. With a determined look, he began eating.
On the next day, The New Heroes prepared for battle again. Soon, they arrived back at the outskirts of the battlefield. It was the same place where they fought last. The New Heroes and their leader, Pepe, met with the survivors and their remaining forces.
Among them was General Bobby. "Pepe, these are your new orders. We have located The Evil Cyborgs' central base of operations. It's in the middle of the forest nearby. You and your squad need to destroy it. Are you capable of it," he surveyed.
Pepe nodded. With determination, he rallied his squad.
Afterwards, The New Heroes set off on their mission. They marched into the forest, and they began their search for the base.
The trees were spread apart, allowing for flowers to bloom. Small monsters scurried away to underground tunnels and high branches. The forest was brimming with life.
Hafen, Stark, and Matteo were amazed by its beauty. They had never seen anything like it before.
Pepe led The New Heroes through the forest.
Aaron was nervous, but he followed, behind his squad.
As they traveled, The New Heroes stumbled upon a clearing.
In the clearing, a group of cyborgs patrolled.
Pepe signaled his squad to quietly surround their enemy.
The New Heroes obeyed and spread out.
"Attack," Pepe shouted.
The New Heroes charged and ambushed the cyborgs.
The cyborgs were taken aback, and growled in frustration. They tried to fend them off.
The New Heroes were able to overwhelm them.
Before then, a cyborg alerted, "Our base is being attacked!"
Cyborgs came rushing from the trees, and the fight intensified.
As the cyborgs were shot, killed, and beaten, The New Heroes struggled to hold off the endless enemies.
Lasers soared through the air and incinerated the surrounding flora. The ground trembled, and pillars of rock erupted across the battlefield. An arrow pierced through a cyborg. It was shot from one of The New Heroes. Ice spread out and froze the cyborg in place.
Hafen and Matteo tried to beat down the cyborgs. Their hands, however, were starting to bleed. They were surprised by the damage they were taking.
A cyborg dropkicked Stark in the face.
Stark rolled back and stood up. "They are tough," he mumbled and wiped blood off his cheek.
Pepe was overwhelmed and surrounded.
A cyborg aimed his laser gun at him.
Pepe gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
In a flash, a gust of wind blew the cyborgs away.
Pepe turned and saw Aaron. He was stunned by his actions. He smiled and thanked him.
Aaron glanced at him and nodded. He helped his squadmates.
The New Heroes continued their fight against The Evil Cyborgs.
However, more and more cyborgs appeared. It seemed hopeless.
Hafen lunged and threw a punch.
His adversary, a cyborg, dodged and elbowed him.
Hafen flipped back to his feet and groaned in frustration. "We cannot give up," he proclaimed.
"Stand strong," Lucius exclaimed. He impaled a cyborg with his elemental trident. Then, he shocked her with electricity.
The New Heroes pushed through the cyborgs' formation.
The Evil Cyborgs were surprised by their strength and tenacity. "Who are these guys? They're not ordinary humans," one of them commented.
Pepe, with fierce determination, jumped into the air and elongated his arms. He grasped a cyborg and electrocuted him. Next, he launched him to the other foes. Lastly, he retracted his arms and shot a beam of water out of his hands. "We are The New Heroes. We will defeat all of you," he declared.
The Evil Cyborgs were thrown back.
Stark, Matteo, Hafen, Lucius, Aaron, and the rest of The New Heroes rushed in and attacked.
After a while, the cyborgs were defeated.
The New Heroes were exhausted. They noticed a few of their own were wounded and bleeding. They tended to them.
"Was that the entire army of cyborgs," Aaron inquired. He gazed at the battlefield riddled with corpses.
"It couldn't have been. I heard there were thousands of them. I think we only faced a hundred," Lucius pointed out.
Matteo raised an eyebrow and asked, "So where is the rest of the army?"
"They already left and moved on. With extermination of humanity being their goal, they could be anywhere in Stribora," Hafen concluded.
"Cowards," Stark grumbled and frowned.
Pepe placed his hands on his hips. "Let's investigate the base," he suggested.
What would The New Heroes find in the old central base of The Evil Cyborgs?