I tried coming alone to our usual park.
It's a feeling I've never felt.
Like a child, frightened by the sound of the wind
I ran back along the path home.
The sky outside the window is too vast. Where are you now?
Please, may this reach you...
Dear Lord, if you ever grant wishes,
grant my wish right now, please!
I want to hear your voice, I miss you! I want to see you now!
Why must you already be looking toward tomorrow?
Don't just brush it off, saying the time has slipped by.
Once more...
I love you, and yet it's been too late since long ago.
Even if I give up, it can't be like the past.
Don't just decide so simply there's no way, no choice.
Smile once more.
Professor Denton?
Hello?
Professor Denton wanted to know if you were here with me.
Hello?
So, what did you want to talk with us about?
Mr. Hughes, Professor Denton?
Well, it's kind of...
With the help of the NIA, I've looked into a bunch of things,
and we've confirmed we have a bit of a problem...
A problem?
What do you mean by that?
They're connected.
Everything is.
I'm getting a strong response...
How did they come so far so fast?
I must hurry!
Connected?
Yes, they are.
Including what happened last time at the coal mine.
As well as the series of incidents caused by your friend.
B-Busted...
Furthermore, the accident on the island was not unrelated either.
That vine monster?
Joey, I bet you've already got a hunch about it, right?
About the thing that connects all these incidents...
It's...
...the remnants of the Skrugg!
Hey, hold it a second!
It's true that the monsters in the coal mine resembled the Skrugg,
but didn't Joey and Heroman already defeat Kogorr?
Yes, Kogorr has been defeated.
But that explosion didn't wipe out everything.
The ones that Will is destroying and that I had are examples.
Well, what are you going to do, really?
Anyone would be interested in this hyper-technology, not just scientists...
Stop making excuses.
So then, Will was...
Yes. His goal is to destroy the remnants of the Skrugg.
He must be trying to accomplish something by doing that, yes?
I cannot allow traces of the Skrugg to be left on this planet.
What you see with your eyes is not everything.
Things have already begun to move underneath the surface.
In other words, Will is not our enemy.
Thank goodness.
You won't like what's coming next, though.
Because crisis is encroaching on the world this very second.
Preparations are complete.
All that's left is to take it back...
What do you mean, crisis?
Who is it, and what are they trying to do?
I don't have firm answers to everything, of course.
But it's only natural to think that the remnants of the Skrugg are trying something big.
Otherwise there'd be no other explanation for the people kidnapped at the coal mine.
That was the Skrugg?
Yeah...
It's just a guess, but I think what went on there was some sort of experiment.
And I'm thinking that the monsters that showed up were somehow connected.
Actually, similar incidents occurred all throughout the US.
And that's exactly why we must find out the truth behind what's going on without delay.
If not, we'll be in real trouble!
It begins.
We'll show them who the true rulers of this planet are!
All that's left is to take it back.
Those are...
Skrugg!
What are you doing? Open fire!
Is it here?
Do it.
Mr. President!
What is it?
Take shelter immediately.
Take shelter?
What in the world is going on?
There's been an accident in the bunker.
Or more accurately, I don't know if it's an accident or something else.
What are you talking about?
The bunker shouldn't be in operation now...
So then why did an accident happen?
The details can wait, sir. First evacuate!
No, you explain yourself first.
Well...
What's this?
Those are...
I'm too late?
No, it's not over yet!
I'll stop them, no matter the cost!
Anyway, we'll investigate what they are trying to do.
If you figure anything out, please contact us.
Right.
This is Hughes.
What?!
Understood. I'll be there soon.
It seems we're too late!
What happened?
The White House has been taken over by the Skrugg!
It seems it was a large scale attack.
We've already lost communications with the White House.
Get a helicopter ready.
You'll come with us?
Of course.
This battle may determine the fate of the United States.
I'd like you to keep that in mind.
Yes...
Then we should also...
No, we'd just be holding Joey back if we went with him.
And there's something else that we should be doing.
Like what?
I'm not saying we should sit on our hands.
Then, what?
I have an idea.
Will you help me?
Well, I 'spose I could...
Um...
What is it?
How long do I have?
How much time until we leave?
60 minutes. Get ready by then.
Okay!
Hey, Joey! Where are you...
Get a clue, Psy.
Now, we should also get prepared.
I won't waver any longer.
I can do this!
Lina, there's something I have to tell you!
The mysterious force that invaded the White House
are even now still increasing their numbers.
We've received information that all communications from the White House have ceased
but there has still been no official statement from the government.
What's going on? Why the White House?
This is only a rumor,
but I've heard that the bunker under the White House isn't just a shelter,
it's also an unofficial research laboratory.
Like that island...
They're an independent research organization,
so I heard that neither the NIA or even the President himself know of its existence.
So it's a remnant of the Skrugg, as we thought.
Until we can get rid of it, there's no way to ensure the President's safety.
I hope we make it in time.
Yes?
Lina?
Joey?
Yeah. Do you... have a sec?
Yes. I have something I want to talk about, too.
Lina...
Lina.
I met my brother.
Will?
He said that he met you and the others.
Why didn't you tell me?
That's because...
I always believed in you.
No! It's because...
I thought that it would be really bad if you found out then.
Bad? Why?
Are you saying that my brother did something wrong?
No! You see, it was all a misunderstanding!
I don't want to hear your excuses!
Lina...
Go home.
I don't want to see your face right now, Joey.
Lina!
I... I...
I'll definitely...
...definitely protect you!
Huh? What?
Wait!
What did you say?
I can't hear you!
Joey!
Are you okay?
Yes.
I don't have any regrets anymore.
Or rather, I'm fully prepared.
So, what should I do now?
Read this.
After we get to the airport, we'll take a private flight to Washington D.C.
Take the time we're in the air to look through all that information.
NIA's tactical team have also come up with a number of simulations you can use.
You'll have whatever backup we can provide.
If there's anything you need, we'll get it immediately. Just ask.
Thank you very much.
And there's one more thing... A present NIA has prepared for you.
This is...
NIA developed it at the direction of Mr. Denton.
I'm sure it'll come in handy.
Are you sure about this?
Yes, we don't have any time.
Please get me as close to the center as possible!
Roger that.
Got it? Hold the plane steady!
Lower our speed as much as you can and drop them off!
Understood, but I can't guarantee anything!
Give it everything you've got!
Opening rear bay doors!
A new ability...
Plus power armor that the Professor helped create...
It'll be okay. I can do this.
Are you ready, Heroman?
Those are...
No one said they could do that!
Keep it up!
Don't go down until we drop off Joey and Heroman!
This is nuts!
Mr. Hughes!
What is it?
Please don't overdo it.
There's no point if you and the others get wrapped up in the battle!
Don't be silly!
The least we can do is...
I'm going.
Wait, Joey!
Damn it... Find some open ground!
National Airport!
Head there!
Heroman... Go!
We're counting on you, Joey, Heroman!
I knew it...
Their goal... is to resurrect Kogorr!
I want to get to know you better,
to go at each other with our true feelings.
Your tears and smile are both here.
No matter how hard it is, I won't be scared any more.
With both of us, we can go anywhere.
Since you're the one who taught me that I'm not alone.
Every time I mutter the words "I was born to meet you"
my unease disappears, and my heart burns stronger.
Thank you. We'll go on together with a sign only we understand.
Carve out this irreplaceable time!
I can't move away from here.
Because I live feeling the same heartbeat.
I want to protect you to the very last,
to protect the promise built up.
Thank you. We'll go on together with a sign only we understand.
We are carving out this irreplaceable time!
On the next Heroman:
Heroman's battle strength should be increased by the power armor that the Professor developed.
This is a battle that I can't afford to lose!
The White House, now turned into a Skrugg base,
continues to envelope the city and grow in size...
The remnants of the Skrugg have only one goal...
To resurrect Kogorr!
Next time on Heroman #24: Resurrection.
Heroman... Attack!