Providence, Somewhere

Confrontation

"Emergency town hall meeting is now in session!" Eclipsa said, the residents calming down. Chairs were set on the stage, as usual, with Jake, Zelda, and the Rangers all seated.

"I'd like to take a moment to introduce Jake Long. Last night's events have led him to us, and I'd like to extend a warm welcome as winter sets in."

After the applause, Eclipsa guided Jake up from his seat, guiding him to podium to speak.

He sighed. "Name's Jake. I'm from New York, and hopefully we'll be able to get along." He awkwardly made finger-gun gestures, smiling. Kim seemed to be the only other person who winked, matching his gesture.

Another round of applause. He sat back down, and Eclipsa took the podium again. "With that settled, I must bring up the recent happenings of last night. I've been examining the reports of sightings of this 'Light Dragon', and I have come to report that there's been a breakthrough. The Dragon is a benign creature, but according to the investigations of Miss Ashi and Lapis, it seems this dragon was just a temporary creature."

"I kinda just realized," Danny said. "If anyone bothered to put two-and-two together, wouldn't it just be Zelda? She has the tail and horns, after all."

Lapis facepalmed. "Okay, and what if it wasn't?"

"Actually, Danny had a point," Zelda interjected. "I think it would've been rather obvious, considering I already had the features. If anything, I should've been the one to find that out myself."

"What do you mean by that?" Becky asked. "Are you saying you don't remember a thing?"

Zelda shrugged. "It's happened twice, three times at most."

"I've seen it happen to some of my friends," Marinette said. "I'm not surprised, but then again, they kept getting these things called 'akumas' and whatnot."

"We're steering off topic," Danny said, waving his hands. "Can we go back to what Eclipsa was saying?"

"But you—" Lapis groaned. "Nevermind."

"Anyway," Eclipsa continued. "Because of the assistance of the Light Dragon, the rangers have managed to breach the fog in the North."

An announcement that caused the room to erupt in joyous applause and cheers.

She raised her voice. "However, we would need to see what's on the other side, and whether it's safe to proceed. I will be convening with the rangers to decide on a team to go across and see what's out there."

The audience fell nearly silent.

"So we can't even leave?" Fink asked. "That sucks! You're sending people you choose to go? What if it leads home?"

"Not to be contrarian," N interjected. "But what if it doesn't?"

Fink stood up on her seat to talk back. "How about you shut it, robot boy?"

Venomous grabbed her, gently seating her back down. "That's enough."

"This is why we'll be sending an initial search party out," Eclipsa said. "We don't know how safe it is out there, and if it is a way home, then they'll come to us immediately with the news. No one is to remain here if and when the news is broken."

More applause and cheers; it seemed the news raised their hopes for the coming winter.

"Our announcement will come during the next meeting, which should be on the 25th of the month— er, season. So please expect a response by then."

"So, who do you think's gonna be a part of the diplomat group?" Aelita asked.

With her leg propped up on the bench, she sat in a booth at the Diner with Acht later that afternoon. No longer was the pink-haired girl's leg wrapped in a boot, but she did need to take much care.