(Back at the jungle, during the aftermath of that confrontation with Flare and Focus, Gauntlet traverses through the area with a subtly disappointed expression on his face. After a while, he meets up with the rest of the Ironclad Response Unit soldiers, who are equal parts disappointed and baffled, silently following his lead. An awkward silence ensues for a while, but then Gauntlet sighs deeply in disappointment.)

  Gauntlet: (sighing deeply) Would anyone else like to break the news to the commander?

  The Soldiers: (in unison) No.

  Gauntlet: Okay, okay, I’ll do it myself! Jeez!

  IRU Soldier 1A: (frustrated) Why did we even back off to begin with?! We had them on the ropes!

  Gauntlet: (rolling his eyes) Trust me, this was for your own good, random soldier. Wanna head back there and see how it goes? Huh?!

  (The soldier grits his teeth but then relents and silently follows Gauntlet, who reaches for his communicator and activates it. Elsewhere, Commander Locke sits down at his office with a grim expression, twiddling his thumbs and waiting for news. The communicator beside him receives a signal, and he immediately reaches for it, only taking a moment to regain his firm expression.)

  Commander Locke: (via communicator, firmly) This is Commander Locke. Any updates?

  Gauntlet: (grimacing nervously) Yeah, so we… uh… I don’t know how to put it.

  Commander Locke: (sternly, stressing on the question) What happened?

  Gauntlet: They… got away again, and this time, I’m not sure we can track them down anymore. We’ll probably have to call off Operation Crosshair.

  (Commander Locke receives the news, and it’s clear that he isn’t taking it well, clenching his fist and gritting his teeth while seething in anger. Gauntlet awkwardly awaits a response with an anxious expression, but the moment he’s about to speak, the transmission is abruptly cut off, adding to his shock. As it turns out, Commander Locke has crushed the communicator with his bare hand, panting heavily in pure rage. He then strikes the table with his fist and swipes away all the paperwork and stuff on his table in fury. It remains that way for a while, the only sound breaking the silence coming from Locke’s furious panting. Gauntlet remains tense as he continues walking after what happened.)

  Gauntlet: (thinking to himself, surprised) Oh, boy, he’s gotta be pissed. (sighing deeply, placing a hand on his forehead) I’m starting to regret a lot of stuff. (addressing the soldiers) Let’s head back, shall we? I’m tired of this. (linking up with another group of soldiers, via communicator) We’re heading over to you guys now. We’re leaving. Prepare our exfil.

  (Several other IRU soldiers, who are standing by for aerial escort elsewhere, receive this transmission, and they nod in acknowledgement. The other IRU soldiers that accompanied Gauntlet are feeling as anxious as he is, but they remain silent. Elsewhere, Locke remains furious for a while, gritting his teeth in anger, but he sighs deeply and sits down in his chair once again and pulls out another communicator to link up with another group of soldiers, specifically those keeping tabs on Aegis Headquarters for the last couple of hours.)

  Commander Locke: (via communicator, panting, still trying to calm down) All units. Stand down.

  (The soldiers receive this transmission and exchange nods, promptly leaving the training ground. Some other soldiers all around the HQ depart as well, as if finally sparing Aegis. Jax, Proxy, and Pulse see that unfold, feeling baffled, relieved, and yet also wary.)

  Jax: (warily) What now? They just… left. They enter without elaboration and leave without elaboration.

  Proxy: But at least they’re gone now. Does that mean Aegis is no longer on thin ice?

  Pulse: That’s a definite maybe. Let’s just see how it goes from here.

  (Commander Cromwell steps out of her office and glances around, finding the IRU soldiers taking their leave, feeling subtly relieved as well but still grim and skeptical. She places her hands behind her back as she watches in silence.)

  Commander Cromwell: (thinking to herself, grimly) It’s not over yet.

  (Meanwhile, back at Larkspur, which is damaged by the recent fire but still standing, the townspeople spread around the area to assess the damage, joined by Flare and Mr. Gallagher. The two glance around with blank expressions, still looking for Focus, who hasn’t shown up until now.)

  Flare: (grimacing) Where is he? He was supposed to be back by now.

  Mr. Gallagher: I’m sure he’s grand. Don’t be frettin’ about him.

  Flare: (sighing deeply) I mean… he is Focus. (glancing around, frowning) But look at what happened. The whole festival’s been ruined.

  Mr. Gallagher: (chuckling a little) Aye, I can see it, but I’d fancy lookin’ at the brighter side. It could’ve been a whole lot worse if it wasn’t fer ye.

  (Flare glances at Mr. Gallagher with a soft frown, which then turns into a small smile, one that the latter returns. After a while, Focus finally shows up, still feeling troubled and confused by his earlier meltdown, and he glances around at the damaged town, seeing the townspeople teaming up to repair what they can. He comes across Flare and Mr. Gallagher, the two finally taking notice of him and approaching him, Flare being especially annoyed.)

  Mr. Gallagher: (hurriedly approaching him alongside Flare) Focus! Ye okay, lad?!

  Focus: (blankly) Oh, Mr. Gallagher. Yeah, I’m fine… I guess.

  Flare: (annoyed) What took you so long?! And what the hell just happened?!

  Focus: (backing away a bit, awkwardly looking away) This whole mess got sorted, and I think that’s quite enough. I’m not in the mood to go into details at the moment.

  Flare: (baffled) Why are you acting weird?

  Focus: (still looking away) It’s… nothing. (trying to hide his blush) And please back off a bit.

  Flare: (stepping back a bit) Huh.

  (An awkward silence ensues among the trio, with Focus being noticeably more nervous and tense around Flare, while the latter remains ever so oblivious. Shay glances at Focus and immediately picks up on what’s going on with him, chuckling a bit. Flare and Focus glance around at the damaged town and the people working hard to repair the damage done, frowning in silence and feeling rather solemn. They instinctively head over to help out however they can, but before Focus can join in, he’s grabbed by the back of his tracksuit and pulled over into a corner out of sight. He turns around in surprise, finding none other than Mr. Gallagher.)

  Focus: What’re you — ?!

  Mr. Gallagher: (muttering quietly) Shush now, lad.

  Focus: (muttering in annoyance) What do you think you’re doing?!

  Mr. Gallagher: (chuckling heartedly) So what’s the craic wit’ ya? You’re actin’ all strange outta nowhere.

  Focus: (looking away, scowling) Don’t you start.

  Mr. Gallagher: (grinning) Yer doin’ a terrible job at hidin’ it, lad, an’ she’s doin’ a terrible job at pickin’ it up.

  Focus: What’s that supposed to mean?!

  Mr. Gallagher: (letting out another chuckle) Ye’ve got a wee thing fer her, haven’t ye?

  Focus: (blushing uncontrollably) Now where did that come from?!

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  Mr. Gallagher: It’s as clear as day, me lad. I’m old enough t’know what’s behind yer wee antics.

  Focus: (gritting his teeth, feeling embarrassed) It’s… the point is… it’s not — !

  Mr. Gallagher, Just give it a rest an’ let’s have a chat about it. I just wanna help. Begorrah, I thought ye were th’ type o’ lad who’d say what’s on his mind.

  Focus: (grimacing) That’s not on my mind, and there’s nothing to talk about!

  Mr. Gallagher: (sighing deeply) Ah, well now. Another pair o’ socially awkward, hopeless teens at it again, eh?

  (Focus looks away, still blushing uncontrollably, and Mr. Gallagher simply crosses his arms with a shrug. An awkward silence ensues between them, and Focus crosses his arms, still feeling uncomfortable, and then after a while, he breaks the silence.)

  Focus: (muttering nervously) I don’t know, okay? I just… I don’t. I’m not supposed to feel that way.

  Mr. Gallagher: (calmly) Ah, ‘tis grand, really. I won’t be judgin’ ye. It’s only natural at your age, y’know. Maybe some other bits piled up and made it a wee bit more awkward than usual, but the point is, we’ve all found ourselves in that boat. If it makes ye feel any better, I reckon she might feel the same way ’bout ye.

  Focus: Say… what?

  Mr. Gallagher: The lass is more tied to ye than she lets on, y’know? I’m surprised ye didn’t pick up on that yerself. Remember when we shared a meal that first time we met? I couldn’t get her to relax, no matter how hard I tried. It was only when ye stepped in that she opened up. Even when ye pointed out what she needed to work on, she had faith in ye to help her along. That’s why… I don’t want ye to shatter her heart.

  Focus: (sighing deeply) What are the chances anyway?

  Mr. Gallagher: Listen now, ye’ve gotta be honest with yerself ‘bout how ye feel. I’m not sayin’ to rush yerself, right? Just… take yer time. When ye’re ready, make yer move. I just… don’t want ye to wake up to how ye feel when it’s too late… and end up regrettin’ not bein’ honest with her sooner.

  (Focus glances at Mr. Gallagher with a stunned expression then bows his head with a troubled expression, and Shay faintly smiles reassuringly at him. Meanwhile, Flare does her best to help out with repairs, helping the townspeople carry out the rubble and fix the damage done to several houses. Their efforts are interrupted when several kids excitedly arrive at the scene asking for everyone’s attention.)

  Boy 1A: (loudly and enthusiastically) Hey, everyone! You gotta see this! Follow us!

  (Flare and the rest of the townspeople notice the kids, and back at the corner, both Focus and Shay also show up to see what the matter’s all about. Upon grabbing everyone’s attention, the kids enthusiastically head off, signaling the others to follow them, and they reluctantly do so. After a while, the kids lead them back into the giant tent they set up earlier, the one where they created and stored their lanterns, and to their surprise, they see that it’s still standing, undamaged at all.)

  Flare: (surprised) Woah. It’s… still intact?

  Girl 1A: (excitedly) Yeah! And the lanterns are still there too!

  (The people of Larkspur head into the tent and around to collect the lanterns they initially created, the revelation cheering them up and giving them hope once again. Even Mr. Gallagher heads to collect his lantern, a warm smile on his face as he inspects it, finding it still intact. Flare too heads over to pick up her lantern, and as she kneels down to grab it, Focus arrives as well to hold it, to her surprise. With the two holding the lantern together, their hands inadvertently touch, and upon noticing that, Focus immediately pulls away with a blush. Flare too blushes a little, but she sheepishly laughs it off, which only leaves Focus even more stunned and embarrassed. She then grabs the lantern and extends it to him.)

  Flare: (softly grinning) You hold it too. We did this together, didn’t we?

  (Focus’s pupils widen in awe at this, stunned and struggling to respond with anything. After a while, everyone steps out of the tent in a large gathering; all of the town’s people march on with their lanterns in hand, creating a feeling of warmth and unity. Even as they walk through their damaged town, their sense of togetherness and optimism remains firm. Flare and Focus are among the crowd, both holding the lantern they created together in warm silence. Shay watches them from a distance while holding his own lantern, a small, soft smile on his face. As the crowd arrives at the middle of the town, one of the townsfolk pulls out a matchstick and ignites a small flame inside the lantern then lets go of it, watching as it shines and floats into the air.)

  (The others then go at it, lighting up their lanterns and letting them float away one by one. Everyone is involved in this: kids, adults, the elderly, everyone. The floating lanterns create a wonderful pattern of golden light in the night sky, complementing the stars and the full moon, and the townspeople glance at the scene in wonder. Even Gauntlet and the Ironclad Response Unit soldiers get to witness this sight as they continue traversing the jungle and eventually head back to their vehicles, glancing at the sky in admiration.)

  Gauntlet: (a faint smirk forming on his face) You know, I’m glad this town’s still okay. It would’ve been a shame otherwise.

  (Gauntlet sighs deeply and steps inside into one of the armored vehicles, and the IRU soldiers do so as well, some taking the wheel and then driving off. Meanwhile, several more townspeople launch their lanterns into the air, including Mr. Gallagher himself. Flare and Focus’s turn eventually comes, and the latter takes off the red ribbon he received previously and wraps it around the lantern, then he gently hands it over to Flare.)

  Focus: Just a small spark at the bottom. Don’t overdo it.

  (Flare grabs the lantern and glances at it in astonishment, and then she glances around, the townspeople stopping just to watch her with warm, welcoming smiles. She forms a small flame with her finger and carefully lights up the little fuel pad at the bottom then lets go of the lantern, watching as it joins the other lanterns floating in the sky. Seeing that brings out an inexplicable feeling of warmth within her, and her expression gradually beams with joy.)

  Flare: (her expression beaming) It’s… beautiful.

  (Focus glances at her with a stunned expression, staring at her for a little too long than usual, and Flare notices that. However, even though Focus immediately looked away, awkwardly placing his hands in his pockets with a blush, Flare reacts with a warm, genuine grin and giggles a little. Focus’s pupils widen upon seeing that, as if touched by it, and he sighs deeply before glancing up at the sky as well, a small, relaxed smile forming on his lips. Mr. Gallagher watches the two gazing at the scene together with proud eyes, stepping back even further to let them have their moment. And so, the duo and the townspeople all enjoy the view in silent awe, showing that despite what happened, the town of Larkspur remains strong and united, especially during this Lantern Jubilee.)

  (This emotional and warm night has finally come to an end, and the sun rises once again on a brand new day. Flare wakes up in her travel bed, yawing and stretching her arms. She glances around, noticing that morning has arrived, but to her surprise, she glances at the other travel bed and doesn’t find Focus there.)

  Flare: (surprised) Huh? Focus?

  (She immediately gets off her bed and keeps looking around the room searching for Focus, even searching behind the door, but it’s only a while until she notices the window a little too open, with a red arrow drawn on the floor explicitly pointing at the direction of the window. Baffled, she jumps out of the window and lands outside the house, seeing another red arrow on the floor pointing to the right, and she follows it.)

  Flare: (thinking to herself, baffled) What’s going on here?

  (She keeps cluelessly following the arrows, which leads her all the way into the edge of the town, specifically a place surrounded by several bushes. It’s there that she finds Focus, who sits on a chair in front of her, crossing his arms and closing her eyes, to her surprise. She sees a red ‘X’ mark on the ground a few steps ahead of her, only adding to her annoyance.)

  Flare: (annoyed) Okay, now what’s the meaning of this?!

  Focus: (opening his eyes, slightly surprised) Oh, you’re here already? I thought I’d have to wait a bit more.

  Flare: So it was you! What’s all the arrows for?! (groaning) This is ridiculous!

  Focus: (deadpan) You already went straight to ‘this is ridiculous’. Wow. I thought it should be preceded with seven or eight lines of dialogue.

  Flare: (unamused) Someone’s feeling in the mood.

  Focus: (blankly) What? I just thought about doing a treasure hunt.

  Flare: I’m sorry, what?

  Focus: Don’t question it.

  Flare: (standing on the red ‘X’ spot) So that’s where the treasure is? What’s it gonna be? Money? Candy? Maybe some — ?

  Focus: (cutting her off, urgently) Unleash the Trap-puccino Protocol!

  Flare: (raising an eyebrow) Trap-puccino?

  (Suddenly, several kids emerge from the bushes and latch onto Flare’s legs, holding her still with everything they’ve got, and then several more kids jump at her arms and latch onto them as well, making sure she doesn’t get to escape. Before Flare gets to comprehend what’s going on, two girls latch onto her neck, giving it their all to hold her head still and forcefully keep her mouth open. Another boy then quickly hands Focus a warm cup of coffee, and the latter stands up and deeply inhales the odor of the coffee, reveling in its quality.)

  Focus: (exhaling deeply in satisfaction) Yes, this will do it.

  Flare: (her voice muffled) What the — ?!

  Focus: (rolling his eyes) I have to do this the hard way, Flare. You can thank me later. Now come on. Say ahh.

  Flare: (yelling with a muffled voice) Ahhhhhhhhhh.

  Focus: (blankly) That’s… not what I meant. Oh, well.

  (Focus slowly approaches Flare, holding the cup of coffee in hand with an unbothered expression, while she struggles to break free [more precisely, without inadvertently hurting the kids holding her still]; she can’t even close her mouth with the kids forcefully keeping it open. Focus finally reaches her and carefully pours a bit of the coffee right into her mouth, and upon getting a taste of it, her eyelids jolt upwards in shock.)

  Flare: (thinking to herself, shocked) What… is this feeling?

  (She experiences an indescribable sensation: happiness, surprise, warmth, all in a caffeinated package. Her heart beats even faster, and a huge wave of energy flows through her. This cacophony of emotions and nerve signals overwhelm her, and she suddenly emits a giant cloud of steam, sending the kids skidding back and forcing them to release her. She then falls on her knees with a lopsided, glassy-eyed expression, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed, to Focus’s bafflement.)

  Focus: (baffled) So… mission… successful?

  (The kids giggle in joy, apparently believing that they’ve gotten the mission done, and they release a balloon behind Focus shaped with the phrase ‘mission accomplished’. They also release a wave of confetti all around the place as Flare remains dazed and Focus remains baffled beyond words.)