Press Release

"Wow, I can't believe we were actually invited as well! It feels like we're detectives that solved a case!"
"And I can't believe I'll get to stand so close to Gaia!"

'Well, those two seem excited.'

After I told mom I was gonna spend the afternoon with two other friends of mine at the HQ she suggested I bring them somewhere to eat first, so I decided to meet with Aya and Tomo in a Café to talk and relax for a bit before we have to go join and see the press release happen.
From the start the two of them were excited, which is more than I can say about my club.
'"What do you mean you can't make it? Your attendance has become so spotty!"
"He just hates your leadership."
"Hey now, that's not true, a press release from HQ is happening, and I was invited, that's all."

Well, they won't mind after they learn what it's about.'

"So when is it happening?"
"Yeah, it should be soon right?"
"Hm, we should start heading over, better to be early than to have Gaia annoyed at us for being late."

...

We arrive at the HQ, very quickly noticing the many news vans parked outside, with plenty of people still scurrying over, and Echo out by the entrance.
"Hey there Echo."
"Oh? I recognize that voice, hello there Kazu, here for the press release?"
"Yeah, with two friends as well, Gaia invited us to watch."
"That's us! Hey hey!"
"Hello!"
"My greetings to you too, head on inside, it shouldn't be too difficult to follow the news people that are hurrying over."
"What about you?"
"Don't worry about me, just go on ahead."

We go inside, and as he suggested, it wasn't that difficult to follow the trail of journalists. We soon arrive at a fairly large room with a bunch of seating, most of it already taken, and cameras lining the edge trained at the podium in the front, and from it we see Gaia waving us over.
"You've arrived in time, good. So my little Kazu, are these the two accomplices of yours?"
"Hello! I'm Aya, thanks for inviting us! I've never been inside the HQ, it's super cool!"
"You're welcome!"
"..."
"Uh. Hey glasses, you ok?"
"Yes! I'M ALRIGHT NOW! A nickname given to me by Gaia herself!"
"Uhh, can anyone tell me what's going on?"
'Of course Tomo would go ahead and embarrass himself.'
"Sorry, he's just a huge fan. Don't worry, he'll be normal now. Right?!"
"Ah, sorry Kazu..."
"Right... Well, always a pleasure meeting a fan."
"So where do we sit?"
"I'll be the one talking, you three will sit to my left."
"In those four chairs? Ok, thank you~"
"Yes, tha-"
Tomo doesn't have time to finish before Aya starts pulling him to sit down.
"A lot of heroes around."
"Yeah, but no sign of Neptune yet, I don't know how much longer I can wait though."
"Is he even here? Maybe he's out there somewhere?"
"No, he's inside, I made sure that I would be let known of when he arrived. I also made sure to tell everyone not to let him out, but he hasn't attempted to do so yet. I don't know what he's up to."
"Did you send anyone to find him?"
"Yeah, there's no time to do a thorough search without starting this first, but I did send someone, Thunder came back with nothing."
"What do we do now then?"
"I'll wait a little longer, as much as I can to see if he gets spotted, but I can't wait forever, eventually I'll have to push through, I also got several heroes inside as you can see, and more on standby for the start, so we'll do what we can."

With that I go to sit down, Aya is still excitedly chatting, as is Tomo, though about a different subject, eventually almost twenty minutes pass with who knows how much longer she had already been waiting. Unable to wait any longer she goes to take the stand, causing everyone to quiet down.
"Hello, thank you everyone for gathering today.
As much as I'd like to continue the pleasantries, I think it's better to get to the point.
The reason I called for this press release is to accuse a fellow hero of conspiracy."

Suddenly a murmur starts among all the news people, with some audible gasps as well from some of the heroes on the side.

"Conspiracy, and betrayal.
The first evidence we would like to present is a video taken of Neptune seemingly colluding with several villains. Villains, I might add, that should currently be in prison, and yet somehow were out there. I'll let you judge the video for yourself."

She plays the video, a large screen behind her coming to life, showing everybody the truth. As this happens more murmurs start happening, with a lot of flashes as photographs are taken. The heroes that were inside to protect us also watch intently, some with pure shock shown on their faces, clearly not expecting their fellow comrade to be doing such things.
Eventually the video stops, and Gaia continues.

"As you can see, clearly something suspicious is going on with him, but this is not the only piece of evidence we have, if it were we wouldn't have brought you all here yet.
I'd like to invite a key witness to please come to the front and speak."

With that, a door behind us in the corner opens, and out of that backroom comes Light Show, and with her, loud gasps now from most of the people in the room. I can see basically all the heroes have their eyes set on Light Show, making sure she doesn't do anything suspicious, as that's likely another reason why they're here.
"Wait, her?! She's a witness? Did you know about this Kazu?"
'A fair reaction.'
"Yeah... I guess I didn't tell you, sorry Aya."

Gaia steps aside as Light Show takes the stand. The following moments are filled with a calm and thorough explanation of events from her perspective, almost uncharacteristically calm.

'Woah, Gaia did a great job with her... To think she's not yelling, and actually remaining calm.'

After she's finished she comes to sit on the last of the four chairs, next to us, with Gaia once again returning to the stand.
"As you can see, he is clearly guilty of conspiring against us, and attempting to form his own evil team. Any questions?"

A flurry of voices and arms come forth, hoping to be the one picked.
"You, with the orange shirt."
"This is shocking news! Have you arrested Neptune yet? If not, then why?"
"Actually, we are about to, as you probably saw when you walked, or ran in, there were heroes by the entrance, well rest assured there were more on each entry and exit of this building. The moment this press release started, they immediately began blocking them.
No one has entered or left since, that includes Neptune who is currently inside."

'...Echo... That's probably why he wasn't coming in.'

More voices come, even louder than before.

"You, with the blue skirt."
"Does that mean we're currently trapped inside with some sort of evil hero?!"
"You need not worry, this is why I've made sure to surround this room with plenty of protection. Each of these heroes inside will do their best to make sure not a single hair on your head is harmed!"

'Every time she speaks, it feels like the journalists are even louder in wanting to ask questions.'

"To reiterate, before anyone asks again, Neptune hasn't left the building yet, and several heroes that were on standby are currently thoroughly checking every part of the HQ.
He WILL be found!"

As more and more questions keep being raised, Gaia continues answering them doing her utmost to keep the peace. It was all running smoothly, until a large explosion is heard.
The whole building seems to shake as panic sets in, the roof cracking all over as bits of debris start falling, some of the heroes immediately move to protect the civilians from anything falling on them, as the rest dash towards the exit, likely to find the source.

I'm standing there, frozen, until I finally get words out.
"W- What?! Gaia what's happening?!"
"I- I don't know...!"