The New Heroes walked and explored around the base.
Aaron spotted something in the distance. "Everyone, hold on! Stop," he demanded.
Everyone halted.
"What is it," Pepe asked.
"I saw a figure in the depths of the trees. They're approaching," Aaron claimed and pointed.
The New Heroes turned and braced themselves.
The figure stepped out. It was a woman, with orange, messy hair and blue eyes. She wore an old and torn military uniform. She was barefoot and limping. Filled with dirt and injuries, she weakly greeted, "Hey."
Hafen was suspicious, and he queried, "Who are you? What were you doing with The Evil Cyborgs?"
"She's injured," Matteo pointed out.
Pepe raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Are you one of their prisoners?"
The woman nodded and explained, "I'm a survivor of General Lance's army. Yes, I was held as a prisoner."
Pepe was relieved. "I thought for a second cyborgs figured a way to disguise themselves. What is your name," he asked.
Aaron was astonished. "Bridget. Her name is Brideget," he responded for her.
Stark, confused, questioned, "Do you know her?"
Aaron affirmed and reminisced about one of the last times he saw her. He, as a young adult, sat on the same bench. His eyes were teary, and he sniffled.
Bridget approached him. "Hello, Aaron," she greeted and sat down next to him. She looked up at the sky and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Aaron solemnly divulged, "I overheard that you wanted to join the military."
Bridget nodded.
Aaron looked down dissatisfied and murmured, "I should have known. You and all our friends always dreamed about that."
Bridget agreed and smiled. "I will become a great soldier just like the Three Legendary Heroes," she declared.
Aaron wiped his tears. He glanced at her and noted, "It will be hard for you."
"Yeah, it would probably take a long time for me to become like them," Bridget relented and sighed.
Aaron looked at the horizon. "Would you like to become famous like them," he asked her.
Bridget nodded and chuckled, "I'll try to be." She looked at him and tilted her head. "Aaron, will you miss me? Will you be sad if I left," she sought to know.
"I will. After all, we're best friends," Aaron stuttered and looked away. A slight blush covered his cheeks. "Please. Take care of yourself, and stay safe," he, feeling a heap of emotions, urged.
Bridget smiled, and she swung her feet back and forth.
Aaron expressed, "We've known each other since we were kids, and you have always been by my side."
Bridget blushed and nodded. "Back then, I was the only one nice to you," she remarked.
Aaron built enough courage to speak his mind. "Don't go, Bridget. I don't want you to risk your life," he requested. His eyes pleaded for her safety.
Bridget blinked and stared at him. She puffed up her cheeks and commented, "You should have more faith in me." She looked at the sky again. "It will be alright," she assured.
"You can't be sure of the outcome," Aaron retorted.
Bridget continued, "I learned something at a young age. War is not going to end. One might win a fight, but inside one's head or heart, there is a deeper war. The worst war, against monsters, leaves you dead. Still, that is nothing compared to the realization of your mortality, succumbing to your fears of the unknown, and letting it encompass your way of life. It is the war inside that drags you down. If you lose this war, it not just hurts you, but everyone else around you."
"What does this have to joining the military and dying in the middle of nowhere," Aaron interrupted.
Bridget smiled and gazed at the orange sky. "The only way to survive this deeper war is to stop. Relax. Realize that you may be small and weak, but that the sky is immense and beautiful. Accept that you are free, and a little strength can go a long way. Don't fear to take a breath and continue forward one step at a time toward your dream. But always remember, war never ends," she proclaimed.
Aaron was speechless.
Bridget looked down at the flowers on the ground. A blue flower caught her eye. "Who knows, maybe one day, true peace will come," she remarked and turned to Aaron. She smiled and caressed his cheeks. "Don't worry too much about me. I'm a strong woman," she reassured.
Aaron was touched by her words.
In the present, The New Heroes watched in anticipation.
Aaron slowly walked towards the woman. He stopped in front of her. "It is you," he whispered and confirmed.
The woman turned and looked at him.
"Bridget," Aaron stuttered her name.
Bridget, surprised, stared at him. She slowly reached out and touched his face. She gasped and quickly pulled back her hand. "I can't believe it," she stammered.
Tears welled up in Aaron's eyes. "Bridget, it really is you. I found you," he asseverated.
Bridget continued to stare at him. Her lips were slightly parted, wanting to speak. "Aaron," she asked.
Aaron nodded.
Bridget immediately embraced him.
Aaron wrapped his arms around her. As he hugged her, tears rolled down his cheeks.
"It has been such a long time. I'm so sorry," Bridget expressed.
Aaron questioned, "What are you sorry for? There's nothing."
Bridget interrupted, "I abandoned my duties as a soldier, a long time ago." She trembled in shame and elaborated, "I gave up after my comrades were eaten alive by monsters. I'm sorry, for I have lost my reason to fight." She cried.
"Hey, it's okay. You have nothing to be sorry for," Aaron comforted. He patted her back and whispered, "You're safe and alive, now. That's all that matters to me."
Bridget sobbed, and she held him tighter. She was relieved to see him. After a moment, she sniffed and caught her breath. "Why are you wearing a military uniform? I thought you hated the idea of joining," she inquired.
"It's because of you. You went missing, so I had to join to search for you. I can't lose you," Aaron answered. He asked, "Have you forgotten of our promise to each other?"
Bridget shook her head. She hugged him tighter and cried.
Aaron hugged her back. He cried, too. Tears flowed down his cheeks like a ravaging river.
In the middle of the forest, Bridget and Aaron were reunited.
Happy for them, The New Heroes observed.
Pepe smiled.
Lucius, hearing Bridget's story, muttered, "War is harsh. Because of it, people either died a gruesome death or lost loved ones. Why does the world have to be so cruel?"
Aaron carried Bridget and helped her. He walked and informed, "I'm going to take her to get treated."
Pepe affirmed.
A while later, The New Heroes, along with Bridget and Aaron, returned to Ritopia City.
Everyone was ecstatic for their safe return.
"Well done, guys. Our efforts proved to be successful. We are victorious, today," General Bobby commended.
Stark stood proudly. His chest was puffed up, and his hands were on his waist.
Behind him, Matteo followed and copied his stance.
Hafen laughed and snorted.
In the meantime, Bridget was taken to the infirmary, and her wounds were tended to. She was bandaged and given new clothes. She changed and stepped out of the infirmary.
Aaron was waiting for her.
Bridget smiled and greeted, "Hello."
Aaron, worried, questioned, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm better," Bridget, embarrassed, mumbled.
They looked at each other for a moment of awkward silence.
"Um, are you going to continue your service? We can go back home if you want," Aaron suggested.
"You'll be punished for desertion," Bridget commented. She thought for a moment and revealed, "Actually, I still want to do something important, and I won't abandon my duty, again."
"What is it that you want to do," Aaron inquired.
Bridget stared up at his eyes. "Let me fight beside you, Aaron. After this war, we can go home together and fulfill our promise," she implored.
Aaron was taken aback. He blushed and looked away. "I feel embarrassed for some reason. Sorry," he noted.
"You're cute when you're embarrassed," Bridget teased and smiled.
"Stop it," Aaron huffed and scoffed at her. His whole face was red.
Bridget giggled.
After a few seconds, Aaron and Bridget stared into each other's eyes. They held each other's hands and smiled. They walked and entered a room, where The New Heroes were waiting.
Pepe was surprised, and he approached them. Concerned, he asked, "How are you feeling, Bridget?"
Bridget responded, "Me? I'm fine. I've been meaning to ask. Is the military recruiting kids, now?"
Aaron coughed and interjected, "Bridget, this is our leader, Pepe. For a kid, he is as strong as a hundred soldiers."
"Ah, okay," Bridget murmured and blinked. Her eyes widened. In realization, she bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry, kid. I mean sir."
"You can be more casual to us, Bridget. I practically already know you from Aaron," Pepe laughed.
Bridget nodded and raised her head.
"How about you join us," Pepe suggested.
"I was actually thinking of that. I would be glad to," Bridget agreed and smiled. She was now a member of The New Heroes.
The New Heroes have recruited a new member, Bridget. Will they have a bright future? Or will their lives be cut short? How will they stop The Evil Cyborgs once and for all?