Episode 4

 The world had very abruptly stopped making sense.

A fractured shimmer hung in the air above the academy grounds- half light, half shadow- like reality itself had been torn open and forgotten to be stitched back together. Students staggered around in confusion, some shaking off lingering dreams, others already braced in defensive stances.

Crimson stared at it.

“What the actual—”

“Rose,” came a sharp warning beside her, “there are younger people present.”

Crimson didn’t look away from the distortion. “Right. So not the problem right now though.”

Myskai popped her gum with a crisp snap, eyes narrowed, posture already combat-ready. “I agree. Anyways-”

“Rose.”

Crimson turned. “Ryder, you’re here.”

He stepped through a fading blue glow of a teleportation portal behind him, boots hitting the ground like he’d done this a thousand times. “That portal?” he said calmly. Looking up at the increasingly glowing thing in the sky.  “Yeah, that’s a good question. I was hoping you might have some answers for me. Everyone was caught up in those dreams and then—boom. This.”

“And the agents?” Crimson asked immediately.

“Fighting.”

“Who.”

Ryder hesitated.

“I asked you who, Ryder.”

“Ace?” Crimson snapped, already turning.

Ace landed beside them, blades still humming faintly. “Mirabelle Hale.”

Crimson swore before she could stop herself. “Holy sh—”

“Oh—right. Sorry,” Ace said quickly. “Habit.”

Myskai blew a bubble, popped it. “You were saying.”

“Right. Birdie said she got some intel.”

Myskai squinted. “Are you sure that’s her name?”

“Yes—Mirabelle,” Ace replied. “But you can ask Birdie. Though she’s a little busy pulling people out of nightmares right now.”

Crimson’s jaw tightened. “So it’s not-”

“There’s still a chance,” Myskai cut in.

“But if it’s not-”

“NO.”

“Myskie-”

“Rose,” Ryder stepped in smoothly, placing a hand on Myskai’s shoulder, “I’ll take care of her. You go take care of it.”

Crimson hesitated for just a second.

“…Fine. Give me ten minutes. This won’t last longer than that.”

Ryder smirked. “Overconfident much?”

“At least she can back it up,” Myskai muttered, snapping her gum again.

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The air near the portal was thick—heavy, buzzing, like static crawling over skin.

“Agent Crim—Roselyn, you’re here.”

“S.S. Water.” Crimson nodded. “Fill me in.”

“I flew over,” J said, landing lightly. “It’s just Mirabelle for now, but the portal’s expanding. Slowly. Like it’s… preparing.”

“Preparing?” Crimson’s expression darkened. “No. It couldn’t be.”

She turned sharply. “J. Go alert everyone. We stop that portal from opening at all costs.”

J nodded and took off.

Two figures appeared in a flash of light.

“Arthur. Kosmo.” Crimson actually looked relieved. “Perfect timing. I need you to evacuate all civilians and academy students. Either off campus or far from the portal—worst-case scenario planning.”

“Understood,” Arthur said instantly.

Kosmo cracked their knuckles, already glowing faintly. “On it.”

They vanished.

“I’ll alert Myskai,” S.S. Water said.

Crimson exhaled. “Thanks, S. You knew what I was thinking.”

“What’s going on here?”

She turned sharply. “Who are you? You shouldn’t be here.”

The boy standing a few feet away looked entirely too calm for someone near a reality-breaking portal. Tall, effortlessly confident, hair slightly messy in a way that was very clearly intentional. He smiled like this was all mildly interesting, not dangerous.

“Pierce. Ash Pierce.” He smiled slightly. “And you are?”

“Crimson. Roselyn Crimson.”

“Well, Rosy—”

Her eyes narrowed instantly.

“—it’s not very safe here right now. You might want to find a safe place.”

“One,” Crimson snapped, stepping closer, “don’t concern yourself with me. If anything, you need to leave. You’ll get in my way. And two- don’t call me Rosy.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ash said easily. “Now-”

“Boss!”

Aziza rushed up, skidding to a stop. “We’ve secured-” she paused, eyes flicking to Ash. “Who is this?”

“I was about to ask the same,” Ash replied, glancing between them. Then, slowly, back to Crimson. “…Boss?”

Crimson ignored him. “Aziza. Status.”

“Right. Portal’s secured. But an unknown individual took it upon themselves to start closing it.”

Crimson stiffened. “Who?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Hello?” Ash waved slightly.

“Let’s go. Now,” Crimson said sharply.

Aziza nodded and followed instantly.

Ash was left standing there alone, portal light reflecting in his eyes.

“…Who is that woman?” he murmured.

Above them, the sky pulsed red.