Pepe, Matteo, Hafen, Stark, and Lucius returned to where they heard about the grim news. Except now, they believed it to be fake.
Should they depart on this perilous final mission?
"The only change was having to rescue General Bobby," Lucius commented.
Hafen affirmed and pointed out, "It's still a mission sending us to our deaths. It's too risky."
"We have to save General Bobby," Stark murmured and frowned.
Matteo asked Pepe, "What are your thoughts about the new orders? You'll have the final say."
Pepe stared at the paper in frustration. "I don't know our next course of action. I need some time to think," he muttered with purpose.
Matteo nodded.
Later, Stark, Matteo, Hafen, Pepe, and Lucius attended General Bobby's funeral.
Hundreds of people showed up and stood for the ceremony. They all had believed in General Bobby at one point, and they wept.
Witnessing this, Pepe sighed and pointed out, "A lot of people trusted General Bobby as their protector. Can I really leave General Bobby to die, and have everyone really lose their last ounce of hope? But should I send my squad to die? I will feel guilty regardless. Both choices are difficult to make. What should I do?" He groaned in frustration and clutched his head.
Among the people was Bob, General Bobby's son. He held his dog, and he stared at the closed coffin with sorrowful eyes.
Bessy whimpered with her head down. Her large ears covered her eyes.
Stark and Matteo stood on the left and right.
Pepe glanced at them.
Next to Bob, Matteo comforted him by patting his back. He smiled and reassured, "Don't worry. Your dad is alive."
"What do you mean," Bob questioned, and a brow rose.
On the other side, Stark raised his fist. "We're going to save him," he announced.
Dumbfounded, Bob looked at them both.
Following the funeral, Pepe stood in the middle of the cemetery. He stared at his mentor's grave. "The people of Stribora still need General Bobby. My duty as a soldier of humanity is to protect them. So, I've made my decision to depart for the rescue mission. General Bobby, you must survive until then," he proclaimed and smiled.
Eventually, the news, in the middle of street, played from speakers, and the reporter revealed, "The New Heroes will depart to reclaim Hopeshire Fort. With reports of Claudius of The Union and many others taken there, will they be able to save those lives and possibly, the world? Let us hear Claudius' final speech recording before his capture."
"For 100 years, we have been fighting malevolent genocidal monsters. War is all we've know. Now, we face extinction, but that ends, now! We will stop The Evil Cyborgs here, and we will reclaim our superiority as a species! Soldiers, prepare to fight," Claudius' voice commanded.
Riding a military vehicle, Adrius, a dejected soldier, sat in silence. He listened to the news on the radio and glanced at it. A glimmer of hope evoked from his eyes.
At The Capital, a large crowd gathered in anticipation, conveying their faith.
The same kid with light green hair appeared and clasped his hands together. His eyes were watery.
Across Stribora, humankind heard the news with hope for the future. They believed in The New Heroes.
Two teenager brothers looked at their television with amazement. With elemental weapon props in their hand, they cheered.
"Stay tune to this channel to find out what awaits us. This news was brought by Wheelstead Media Network. Praise our land, Stribora," the reporter urged and saluted.
A camera recorded The New Heroes' departure from the sky.
On one of the rooftops, The New Heroes stood on a helipad. They were prepared to leave The Capital for their final mission.
Matteo looked up at the news' helicopter and asked, "Is that our helicopter?"
Hafen also glanced up. "I don't think so. It looks like the news to me," he informed.
Aaron approached Pepe with concern. "Pepe, are you sure about this? I mean what is our plan," he interrogated.
"We'll sneak inside the port from an unexpected point. From the sea," Pepe divulged.
Stark raised an eyebrow and queried, "What is a sea?"
Hafen and Matteo were also intrigued.
Lucius chuckled and answered, "The sea is a beautiful place to behold. It's an infinite amount of water that covers the rest of the world."
The eyes of the three brothers glimmered with excitement.
"Well, hopefully, those cameras don't follow us, or our cover will be blown," Aaron interjected with a frown.
A helicopter finally landed.
Bridget piloted it and stuttered, "Sorry, I'm late. Come on!"
The New Heroes affirmed. Like multiple times in the past, they smiled even though they knew where they were heading. One by one, they hopped into the helicopter. They travelled east of Stribora to the nearest port.
At the nearest port, Hafen, Matteo, and Stark stared at the endless sea.
The blue sea stretched to the horizon. Waves ravaged and crashed against the rocky shore.
Hafen touched the water and asserted, "This water feels odd."
Matteo smelled the water and drank a handful. He quickly spat it out and fell back. Ignoring the rocks, he rubbed his tongue. "It's disgusting," he exclaimed and complained. His face was full of repugnance.
Lucius laughed and explained, "Of course! The sea is filled with salt."
Meanwhile, Stark stared at the horizon and muttered, "I wonder. What else is there to see in the outside world?"
Lucius stood behind him and grabbed his shoulders. Reminded of an old memory, his eyes widened for a moment. "Look ahead, Stark, and tell me. What do you think is beyond the sea and Stribora," he whispered into his ear.
Stark raised an eyebrow and peered back at him. "You think there's something else out there," he inquired.
Lucius chuckled and admitted, "I do, but I hear no one's been able to get past the sea due to hazardous disturbances." He sighed and let go.
"We should explore it after our final mission. Imagine seeing the outside world under our own volition," Stark suggested.
Lucius nodded and expressed, "It seems we have the same dream." His expression softened.
Hafen and Matteo overheard and stared at him.
"I'll tell the others. They might want to join," Stark commented.
On a boat, Pepe waved and called out, "The boat is ready! Let's get moving before it gets too late!"
Aaron, Bridget, and the rest of The New Heroes loaded their supplies for the trip.
The boat ran by a motor. It was small, so it could only carry a light load. Designed to avoid radars, it was ready for the long expedition.
Hafen, Stark, Matteo, and Lucius hopped on the boat.
"Let's go save General Bobby," Stark rallied and raised his fists.
Alas, The New Heroes, pumped up, voyaged to Starkport City.
On the way, Lucius was seasick. He vomited into a bucket.
Aaron sat with Bridget. He solemnly looked down and confessed, "If this is our end, let me tell you one last time. I love you."
Bridget smiled and blushed. "I love you more," she replied and embraced him.
Stark stared at the sea with Hafen and Matteo.
A breeze blew by their heads, and their hair swayed with the strong winds.
"Wow! Look at that," Matteo pointed out. His eyes sparkled due to the discovery.
Looking for a current to ride, fish-like monsters swam next to the boat and accompanied them.
Stark's mouth formed a circle. "Hey, fishies," he greeted.
Hafen stared at them in silence, and he smiled. "That one looks like you, Stark," he teased and chuckled.
"What! Hey," Stark grumbled. He huffed and crossed his arms.
At the same time in Starkport City, Commander Number 3 and The Evil Cyborgs menacingly rested on the shoreline.
Multiple cloaked figures brought supplies and handed them to Commander Number 3.
"Cyborgs, take these supplies to Hopeshire Fort. They're for our new base," Commander Number 3 ordered. He swung his large arm and signaled.
Cyborgs obeyed and carried the supplies to Hopeshire Fort.
Simultaneously, Number 4 stared at the sea and horizon.
Behind him, Number 6 stood with a serious demeanor.
Number 5 comforted and embraced her in a clingy manner.
Nearby, Number 7 walked and conversed with Number 8. He tripped and fell.
Number 8 laughed at him.
Number 4 narrowed his eyes and gazed at the sea. He clenched his fists. He smirked and declared, "Human extinction is coming." Raring to go, his determination burned with fury and vengeance.
In three years, The Evil Cyborgs proved to be a formidable force. With their leader, Commander Number 3, they successfully conquered a large part of the continent. They were unstoppable.
As they head for Starkport City and Hopeshire Fort, will The New Heroes finally put an end to The Evil Cyborgs' conquest? Or did certain demise await them? How will the war and fate of Stribora be decided in the upcoming and much anticipated encounter?