Episode 5

 The courtyard still smelled like burnt ozone and panic.

Crimson stood with her hands on her hips, eyes fixed on the air where the portal had oddly begun to shrink.

“Ace,” she said flatly, looking over at a girl on the other side of the courtyard. “Who is she?”

Ace shrugged, far too casual for the moment. “Who knows?”

Crimson turned slowly. Dangerously. “You do.”

Ace grinned. “You know too much, boss.”

“Ace,” Crimson said through her teeth. “Who is she?”

Ace sighed, defeated. “An academy student. A privileged heiress with proper training. Future head of a big agency or whatnot.”

Crimson groaned. “Yay. I love inexperienced rich kids who think they can do whatever they want.” She paused, eyes narrowing. “I bet that Pierce guy is one too.”

“Rose, I’m here.”

Myskai’s voice came from behind her. Crimson turned instantly.

“I thought I told you to rest.”

“I’m fine now,” Myskai replied, snapping her gum once. “S filled me in.”

Crimson nodded. “So—”

“Who’s the girl?”

“Some privileged princess.”

“What’s her name?”

“I don’t know actually,” Crimson admitted. “Ace—Ace? She left? C’mon.”

Birdie appeared like she’d been summoned by gossip alone. “Her name is Vienna Cross. Daughter of Darius and Jeanne Cross.”

Aziza added, “She just transferred here. Apparently things didn’t work out at her last school.”

Myskai frowned. “I’ve never heard of her.”

“She’s from another country,” Aziza continued. “Small one. Her parents basically control most of it.”

Crimson blinked. “Huh. We can dive in later—we need to close this portal—”

She stopped mid-sentence.

“…and it’s closed?”

Myskai stared. “Did she just-”

“…close it?” Crimson finished.

Ryder crossed his arms, impressed. “Maybe there’s more to her than being some preppy rich girl?”

Crimson shot him a look. “Who’s side are you on?”

“Yours,” Ryder replied easily.

“A brave girl,” Arthur said. “Throwing herself into battle.”

“And a pretty girl,” Kosmo added.

“Will y’all cut it out?!” Crimson snapped.

Myskai sighed. “I’ll go talk to her.”

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

Vienna Cross stood alone near the scorched stone where the portal had been—calm, composed, not a speck of dirt on her uniform. Too calm. Too clean.

“Hello,” Myskai said. “I’m Myskai.”

“I’m Vienna Cross.”

“How’d you close the portal?”

Vienna hesitated just long enough to notice. “Um… a family secret. Not really something I can share.”

“I see,” Myskai said slowly.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

“Well, well, well. Isn’t that something?” the Headmaster’s voice echoed as he stepped forward. “Bravo, Miss Cross.”

“Greetings, Headmaster,” Vienna said politely.

“Miss Crimson. Miss Bat.”

“Headmaster,” Crimson and Myskai replied—Crimson through gritted teeth.

“I would like to speak to Miss Cross in my office. Miss Crimson, Miss Bat, can you and your crew clean up this mess and return the students to their dorms in an orderly manner?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Miss Cross, you go on ahead.”

“Yes, sir.” Vienna turned and walked away without a backward glance.

The Headmaster’s gaze snapped back. “Roselyn Crimson. What is the meaning of this?”

Crimson smiled tightly. “Haha. I would like to ask you the same. I thought the academy was impenetrable?”

“It is.”

“Then how did a villain get inside like it was nothing?”

“That is your job to figure out, is it not?”

“Why, of course, sir.”

“Speaking of which—where is the ghastly villain?”

“…Gone.”

“Escaped?” His tone sharpened. “An agent let a villain escape?”

“I—”

“Don’t worry, sir,” Ash Pierce cut in smoothly. “The villain is right here.”

“Pierce, my boy!” the Headmaster beamed.

“Ash, what—” Arthur started.

“Good job, lad.”

“Mmph—mm—MMM!!”

Mirabelle Hale was dragged forward, hands bound, mouth taped, eyes blazing.

“Tape,” the Headmaster nodded approvingly. “Good thinking. Now I’ll be going.”

“Stra, Echo, Amber,” Crimson ordered, “take her down below and get out whatever information you can.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t worry, Mirabelle,” Amber said gently. “We won’t hurt you.”

“Mmphhh!!”

“All she needs to do is comply,” Echo added calmly.

They disappeared down the corridor, dragging her with them.

“It’s a lot easier to stop her from using her powers when she’s distressed and can’t speak,” Pierce added casually.

Crimson scoffed.

“Oh?” Pierce smiled. “Did I offend you, Crimson?”

“How do you know Rose?” Myskai snapped.

“And you are?”

“Myskai. Who are you?”

“Ash Pierce.”

“Oh,” Myskai said flatly. “You.”

“You know me? How—”

“Myskai,” Ryder cut in sharply, glaring at Pierce. “You’re needed over here.”

“Coming.”

“Watch it, Ash.”

“Did you say something, Ryder?”

“Nope,” Ryder said easily. “Arthur, we need to get everyone back to their dorms.”

“On it.”

Pierce chuckled softly as the space cleared. “Just us again, princess.”

“Watch it, Pierce.”

“You remind me of Ryder.”

“And that surprises you because…?”

“Wait,” Pierce tilted his head. “What’s his last name again?”

“Can’t even remember your own dormmates’ names?”

“Right. Crimson,” he said slowly. “Is he your brother?”

“Hm.” She hummed as if this was the most boring moment of her life.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He smiled. “First night here too?”

“Don’t you have something better to do?”

“Nothing better than figuring out your secrets, Crimson.”

“I have none.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, boss.”

“Roselyn!” Birdie called. “You’re needed to clear a few things.”

Pierce smirked. “Clear things? What could a girl with no secrets possibly have to do?”

She glares at him. “Nothing, Pierce.”

Silence.

“Um—Roselyn?” Birdie tried again.

“Right- yes. Lead the way.”

Crimson quickly ends up in front of Birdie as they walk away quickly, as if she couldn’t stand being there for one more second.

From the shadows, Elias stepped out, leaning casually against the wall.

“She knows everything,” he said quietly. “And what she doesn’t know.....she’ll find out.”

Lil Bill and S.S. Water joined them.

“Hey boys,” Lil Bill said lightly. “You might wanna watch what you say out in the open.”

“Or things might get messy,” S.S. Water added.

Ash let out a breathless laugh. “Just how many people does she have on her side?!”

High above them, Vienna Cross stood at the office window– watching everything.