Episode 2

The knock echoed down the narrow basement corridor- sharp, impatient, very Crimson.

“Myskai…,” Roselyn called, knocking again. “Hellooo, Myskai?? Don’t make me keep knocking or I’m gonna just come in.”

From inside the room came a crash, a hiss, and frantic wing-fluttering.

“Okay, okay!! Coming,” Myskai yelled back. “Butter Snips won’t chill!”

Roselyn pinched the bridge of her nose. “I thought bats were your specialty? That’s why we went with them instead of doves!”

The door cracked open just enough for a swarm of tiny black wings to burst out, circling the ceiling like overexcited confetti. Myskai stepped into view, hair slightly messy, jacket half-zipped, a tiny bat clinging stubbornly to her shoulder.

“Ugh, they’re still in training,” Myskai grumbled. “They aren’t all like Nocturne.” She finally managed to settle the bat back onto a perch and looked up. “Is Ryder already here?”

“Yeah,” Crimson replied. “He’s waiting outside.”

Myskai exhaled in relief. “Phew…okay, I’m here.”

She opened the door fully and Crimson called, “Ryder, you can come in now.”

Ryder stepped inside with an easy grin, hands in his pockets like he hadn’t just walked into a covert operations hub. “Hey, sis… Batman.”

“Finally here, are ya, cat?” Myskai smirked, crossing her arms.

“You’re the one I was waiting on,” Ryder shot back smoothly.

“You can’t rush a lady.”

Ryder raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you Batman?”

Myskai leaned closer, grin sharp. “You crazy kittycat—”

“Guys,” Crimson cut in sharply. “We’ve got more important matters to discuss right now.”

Ryder straightened instantly. “Right.”

Crimson turned serious, the air shifting with her. “So. The status on the two non-relations?”

Ryder nodded. “Most of it you already know. We’ve got Ash Pierce—well-known around campus. Social, loud, always in the middle of things.” He paused. “And then there’s Elias. Friends with Ash, but way more withdrawn. Stays on the outskirts. Not popular.”

“Right,” Crimson muttered. “So we’ve got an annoyance and a wallflower.”

“Wallflowers don’t spread rumors or engage with many others,” Myskai added thoughtfully, now chewing on gum “Which is good for us. But this other guy might be a hassle.”

“Exactly,” Crimson said. “Ryder, you’ll have to keep an extra eye on him. This isn’t some regular academy. He’s popular and he’s here. He can’t be here for no reason.”

“Understood, sis.”

Crimson’s gaze snapped to him. “Drop the ‘sis’. I’m Roselyn only while we are here.”

Ryder smirked. “Sure thing, Rose. I’ll be going then”

She glared. He smiled wider before turning to leave.

“Myskie,” Crimson said, turning away before she lost patience, “can you go tell all the agents to meet at 4 a.m.? It’s time for assignments.”

Myskai whistled low. “Ruthless as ever. Maybe show your sweet side a little more? At least to your own brother? Or…” she tilted her head teasingly, “…maybe you’ll even meet someone here.” She says as she does a weird dance with her eyebrows.

“You know I can’t do that,” Crimson replied coolly. “I can’t disregard the mission.”

“Right. It’s always the mission this, the mission that,” Myskai said. “Don’t you want a life?”

“An agent’s life is their work,” Crimson shot back. “Agents don’t have normal lives- especially if they don’t have rich families backing them. So really-”

“Boss!”

The door slid open again. Stra stood there, slightly out of breath, with Kosmo right behind her.

“Stra? Kosmo?” Crimson frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Something got into the academy,” Kosmo said quickly. “You might want to come see for yourself.”

Crimson turned instantly. “Bat—”

“I’ve already got the bats doing a layover,” Myskai said, all humor gone now, eyes sharp. “Sky surveillance is active. I reached Ryder—he’s got agents keeping people inside. Amber, Elara, and Birdie are working on keeping everyone calm and distracted.” She paused. “But it seems like this villain is getting into people’s heads.”

“Dreams too,” Stra added quietly.

Everyone moved at once.

“We’ll get back on the field!” they said in unison, already heading for the door.

Crimson lingered, glancing at Myskai. “Myskie… you remember this one, don’t you?”

Myskai’s jaw tightened as Nocturne shifted uneasily above them.

“All too well.”