"Here's Whitley White reporting live from City Hall in San Zucchini, two months after the historic victory against the tomatoes."

The reporter stood in front of the camera. Behind him, one of the town's streets could be seen, with cars driving by. On the sidewalk, pedestrians were walking around normally. It was a sunny day, and everything seemed peaceful.

"The streets of the town are once again bustling, and families displaced during the war are returning to their rightful homes. The return to normalcy is constant, even if repairs are advancing slowly."

In a video inset behind the reporter, a building under construction appeared, filled with workers wearing safety helmets. A crane was in the process of lifting a large beam under the supervision of the foreman. Suddenly, Tomato Guy appeared walking among the workers.

"Tomato!"

All the workers shouted at the same time, dropping their tools and fleeing in desperation. The crane dropped the beam, and it fell with a loud crash, raising a thick cloud of dust. White watched the scene furiously.

"Can you stop doing that?! They're rebuilding my studio."

But Tomato Guy was already fleeing the construction site with a satisfied smile. White looked back at the camera, muttering some threats under his breath before returning to the public.

"Of course, the panorama is similar around the world. And although reconstruction is advancing, there's also the issue of all the tomato sauce scattered around the planet. The process of getting rid of it is quite extensive."

The video inset showed several people walking down a street stained red. They were carrying machines similar to vacuum cleaners, which they used to suck up the remains of the mutant enemies. Once the containers were full, they emptied the contents into a large truck.

"These trucks you see on screen are taken to different dispatch points."

In the inset, several trucks could be seen being taken to cargo ships and planes. There, they left their containers to be deposited into the large vehicles.

"And the final stage of the distribution process is the same for all cases. The heart of Africa. "

A very lively music was heard as the tomato worms' village appeared in the inset. There were several tables with punch bowls filled with a red soup, and a large pool with the same content. Several worms were jumping into it from a slide, while in the background another group was dancing the conga to the rhythm of several drums.

"During the final battle, the worms stayed in San Zucchini to protect it in case things went wrong. And after the war, they returned home, but showed willingness to continue collaborating with humanity."

The inset disappeared.

"And as for San Zucchini, today is a very special day. The City Hall was located in the most dangerous part of town during the occupation. Tomato incursions came through this area, and as a result, it remained uninhabited for months. Nor was its repair considered a priority, as efforts were focused on public services. But today, for the first time in a year, we will reopen its doors. And this reporter will be the first human to walk through the City Hall again."

White turned towards the building's doors and slowly opened them. In front of the camera, the ruined lobby appeared, with broken windows, part of the ceiling fallen. Its scarce furniture covered in dust. The reporter stepped inside, followed by the camera, and with each new step, he discovered more signs of destruction.

"Ugh, this place undoubtedly saw better... slightly better days."

White stopped in front of an oak door. His face turned serious as he turned towards the camera.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I ask for solemnity at this moment. We are about to enter the office of the late Mayor Leonard Earwax. Most likely, devoured right here. He was not found in any of the tomato prisoner camps. Nor are there any records of him among enemy reports."

He placed a hand on the doorknob and pushed gently. A creak disturbed the silence of City Hall.

"The greatest respect for the memory of this great man."

He finished opening the door, and the equally deteriorated office appeared before him. And so did the mayor, who was leaning on his desk, covered in a coat of dust... and snoring loudly.

"Mayor Earwax?" said an incredulous White.

The mayor moved slightly as he stopped snoring. He mumbled a few words and half-opened his eyes. He immediately noticed the camera. He stood up with such speed that he shook off the coat of dust covering him.

"Ah, yes... uh... I was just… resting my eyes. Yes, that is. How can I help you, citizen?"

"Mayor Earwax, were you asleep during the entire tomato crisis?"

"Tomatoes? Oh, I thought it was something important. Please, tomatoes aren't as big a threat as everyone thinks."

White looked at him, resisting the weight of his own jaw, which wanted to drop to the floor.

"They took over the world!"

The mayor became excited at this comment, confusion evident on his face. He quickly composed himself, becoming serious and firm as he raised a finger.

"Of course, and as mayor of San Zucchini, I promise immediate action against these round, red enemies."

"We already defeated them!"

Earwax sighed in relief and dropped his shoulders.

"Oh, see. It wasn't that serious." He looked at the camera with a bright smile. "I want to thank all citizens for their bravery in such... "

A group of people appeared in the office, making all sorts of comments against the mayor. Before he could say more, they lifted him up in their arms and, approaching the nearest window, threw him out without hesitation.

"There you have it, folks, this reporter has just covered the first democratic act in a post-war San Zucchini. This was Whitley White reporting for KRUD TV. Soon with a new studio."

Wilbur turned off the TV.

"I can't believe I voted for that guy twice," Floyd said from the armchair he occupied in the living room.

The KTTF was gathered at Finletter's house.

"I can't believe it either, Floyd. But it seems that won't be a problem anymore."

"Either way, there will be elections in San Zucchini soon," Sam said from the triple sofa. "Someone will have to take charge of this town to stop its people from killing each other."

"What about you, Wilbur?" Mary Jo suggested. "I'm sure you'd do a great job."

This surprised the paratrooper.

"Me? I'm not a politician. I'm a soldier. And there's still a lot to be done in this fight."

"You can say that again. There are reports of isolated incidents around the world. All related to tomatoes."

"And Gangreen is still missing."

"Yes, I have a feeling we'll hear from him again," Wilbur said somberly. "Not all the killer tomatoes were destroyed. He'll surely try to fill the power vacuum left by Zoltan and the gang of five."

Mary Jo jumped up from her seat with a olympic gymnast's agility.

"Then there's no time to lose. We've already helped enough with the reconstruction of San Zucchini. It's been a good vacation, but it's time to get moving."

"Vacation? That wasn't a vacation," Sam said, looking at his hands. "I have blisters on my blisters from all the hammering and mixing cement."

"Try doing it wearing a scuba gear," Floyd complained, rubbing a sore arm.

The athlete crossed her arms and sighed disappointedly.

"Stop whining."

"Mary Jo is right," Wilbur said. "We all have something to do in this war. We can't let our guard down for a moment. We didn't do it last time, and we still ended up in a world dominated by tomatoes."

"Well, in that case, I think it's time for us to go," Sam said, looking at his wristwatch and standing up. "Our planes leave in an hour, and on the way to the airport, I have to drop Floyd off at the dock."

Wilbur's spirits sank at these words. Suddenly, he remembered why all his friends were wearing their uniforms while he was in civilian clothes.

"Oh, how I wish I could join you. There's still a lot of juice left in this soldier to keep fighting."

"Hey, no problem, buddy. We all know you're needed more here. Let's just say... you'll be holding down the fort for a while."

Floyd and Mary Jo nodded in agreement with honest smiles. None of them held it against him for staying in town. They knew how tough things were for him at home.

A few minutes later, Wilbur watched as his friends drove away in Sam's truck. The athlete and the master of disguise waved at him sticking their arms out the windows, while Floyd waved from a bathtub in the cargo bed. He saw them drive down the street and then turn a corner. And just like that, they were out of his life... for the time being.

The veteran closed the door and, sighing, went up the stairs to the first floor. He approached Chad's room and knocked before entering. The inside was lit by the light coming from the window. It was the typical room of a ten-year-old boy, with posters of action movies, a bookshelf next to a small desk, and all sorts of sports equipment scattered around the floor. And at the edge of the bed was Chad, with F.T. at his feet. And in his hands, he was holding a common and ordinary tomato.

"Chadboy, how are you feeling?"

"Hey, Uncle Wilbur," the boy said, barely smiling. "Sorry I didn't come down to say goodbye. I wasn't feeling up to it."

"It's okay, Chad. No one blames you."

Wilbur sat down next to his nephew and put a hand on his shoulder. His eyes fell on the tomato and then moved to the model of the solar system on the desk. He noticed that Mars was missing. He remembered all the times he had thought the replica of the planet looked too much like a tomato, despite Chad's denials. It was no mystery where he had hidden Tara during the nights. The boy's voice brought him back to the present.

"Why did this have to happen, Uncle Wilbur? Tara didn't deserve it."

"I know, Chad. She was a great friend, not just to you, but to anyone who knew her. I think she's the real reason the Pizza Palace had so many customers."

"It's my fault. I should never have trusted Gangreen. I know him better, I should have known he was planning something."

"None of that. Tara didn't hesitate to offer herself for Gangreen's plan. She decided to take her chances to save us from the tomato threat. And she would have done it no matter what. That's the kind of person she was. She wouldn't have wanted you to blame yourself for this."

"But it's not fair! She deserved more... and I could never give it to her."

" I didn't know Tara as well as you... but I know she was happy as your friend. And you made it possible by being her best friend despite everything."

F.T. rubbed against Chad's leg, emitting a series of squeaks that indicated he agreed with his uncle. Although he couldn't hide a hint of sadness in his tone. Wilbur crouched down and petted him gently.

"You see, even F.T. agrees. And he knew Tara's secret from the beginning."

Chad smiled with a bit more enthusiasm.

"Thanks, uncle."

Wilbur returned the smile.

"I'll be here for whatever you need. Making pizzas. In fact, I'll make your favorite for dinner right now."

Wilbur stood up and approached the door. He turned to look at his nephew one last time and smiled at him once more before leaving the room. Chad placed the tomato that used to be Tara in the bed and sighed sorrowfully. F.T. jumped up and started rubbing against her, squeaking sadly.

"It doesn't matter what Uncle Wilbur says, I should have suspected something."

He pulled out an old notebook from under his pillow and began to flip through its pages. It was full of scribbles, messy handwriting, disorganized calculations, and written-out evil laughs.

"Just look at his notebook. Nobody who writes like this can be trusted."

The notebook was part of the evidence recovered from the scientist's makeshift laboratory in San Zucchini. There was a box full of it in the basement, whose contents they had hoped would give them clues about his whereabouts. But it wasn't so. Chad kept the notebook close because it dealt with everything related to that tower that had condemned his friend. He spent weeks studying it and deciphering it.

Now he understood the truth about that experiment. The machine had drained all of Tara's power to combine it with Larry's life force, causing that red rain. However, Tara didn't have that much power, and the scientist's invention had ended up leaving her... dry. Now she was just an ordinary tomato. Powerless and unable to turn back into a human no matter how much pepper he threw at her.

Chad began to reread the notebook for the millionth time, hoping to discover something new. Something that could give him an answer. Thirsty for even the smallest drop of hope. This search could end up driving him crazy. If his uncle found out, he would have gotten rid of the notebook. F.T. knew it, and that's why he started to complain every time he saw Chad lost in the pages. Worried about the idea of losing another of his loved ones.

"I know, F.T., but I have to do this. I need to believe there's a... Hey! What's this?"

F.T. stood next to Chad, intrigued by his tone of voice. The boy had a page between his fingers that were actually two pages stuck together. With great care not to damage them, he separated them. It took half a minute, which seemed eternal to both of them. But finally, he managed to do it.

And they read their content.