The storm finally broke. Rain fell in heavy sheets, lightning split the sky, and in the middle of it all, Moon stood trembling, violet eyes burning like fire. Then — she collapsed.
Mike's voice cracked first."Moon! No, no, stay with me!" He dropped to his knees, catching her just before she hit the ground. Her skin was ice-cold, her breathing ragged.
El hovered close, torn between distrust and pity, while Max rushed forward, helping Mike prop her up."She's freezing," Max muttered, panic in her voice. "We need to get her out of here."
Moon's lips parted, barely a whisper escaping."I… I'm not leaving yet…"
Mike's grip tightened on her hand. "You're not leaving at all. Do you hear me? You're safe."
Hopper barked from a distance, waving the kids toward him. "Move! Get her out of sight, NOW!" Behind him, headlights cut through the rain — Papa's vans regrouping.
Papa Retreats
Inside one of the black vans, Papa watched through the windshield. His face was expressionless, eyes locked on the trembling girl in Mike's arms.
"She's stronger than we ever imagined," he muttered.
A lab coat beside him shifted uneasily. "Sir, her output tonight nearly destabilized the dimensional barrier. If she keeps drawing from lunar surges, she could…"
Papa's lips curled faintly. "Good. That means she is ready."
The van door slammed shut, and the convoy retreated into the night.
Back at the Basement
The Wheeler basement had never felt so crowded. The group huddled together as thunder rattled the windows. Moon lay cocooned in blankets, damp hair clinging to her pale face.
Mike crouched by her side, offering a glass of water. "Drink. Please."
She managed a sip, violet eyes dull and tired. "I… I can't control it. The purple moon— it pulls me apart." Her voice broke. "I don't want to hurt you. I'd rather… disappear."
Mike grabbed her hand, eyes blazing."You're not disappearing. Not while I'm here."
El's gaze lingered on the two of them, jealousy burning under her calm expression. Max sat beside Moon, wrapping another blanket around her shoulders."Sorry, Moon," Max said softly, forcing a smile. "But you're stuck with us now."
Dustin leaned against the table, muttering, "We officially have too many superheroes in Hawkins."Lucas shot him a look. "Shut up, Dustin."
Nancy & Jonathan's Discovery
Upstairs, Jonathan and Nancy spread Papa's stolen files across the kitchen table. Pages of charts, diagrams, and moon phases overlapped each other.
Nancy pointed at one entry, her voice low and grim."Look. Every surge of Moon's powers happens during lunar phases. And the violet moon? It's not natural."
Jonathan frowned. "You mean…?"
"It's a beacon. A signal to the Upside Down. Her powers don't just respond to it—" Nancy swallowed hard. "They open the cracks wider. If Brenner gets her back, he won't just open the Gate. He'll tear Hawkins apart."
The Purple Moon Rises
By midnight, Hawkins trembled. The purple moon glared overhead, staining the rain clouds in eerie violet light.
Street lamps flickered, dogs barked, and the very air seemed to vibrate. At Hawkins High, a hairline crack zigzagged across the gym wall. In the Byers' living room, Christmas lights sparked, glowing ominously.
"Uh, guys?" Dustin's voice cracked in the basement. He pointed toward the window, where the sky itself seemed to pulse. "This is not normal."
Lucas groaned. "Nothing's normal anymore."
Moon stirred, clutching her head. "It's… happening again. I can feel it. Something's coming through."
Mike gripped her shoulders. "Then we'll fight it. Together."
But outside, the ground quaked. A jagged tear ripped open the night sky above Hawkins, glowing violet. Shadows writhed inside it, monstrous shapes pushing forward.
Max gasped. "What the hell is that?!"
Dustin's voice shook. "It's the Upside Down. And it's not waiting anymore."
The kids spilled out of the basement, staring at the sky as a massive crack widened above town. From inside, guttural screeches echoed — creatures clawing their way through.
Moon's violet eyes flared, tears streaking down her face."I didn't mean to… I can't stop it…"
Mike pulled her close, whispering, "You're not alone. We'll figure it out."
The final image: Hawkins drowning in storm, the violet moon glaring down, and the Upside Down spilling into their world.