The storm was over, but Hawkins still looked broken.Flooded streets reflected the violet moonlight fading behind the clouds, power lines sagged like spiderwebs, and sirens echoed somewhere distant.
Inside the police station, the air was thick with exhaustion and fear. The kids huddled in the corner, wrapped in blankets. Hopper leaned on his desk, rubbing his temples, watching as Moon sat silently by the window — face pale, eyes dim.
She looked fragile now. Not like the storm that had torn through Hawkins hours ago.
Hopper finally spoke."You're not safe here."
The kids tensed. Mike stepped closer. "What do you mean?"
Hopper glanced at Moon, voice low. "Owens called. He's back. He's offering help — real help this time. A safe place, away from Brenner's reach. A lab, but one that's actually trying to protect her."
Moon's head snapped up, panic flickering in her violet eyes."No. No more labs. I can't—"
Hopper knelt in front of her, steady but gentle."He's not like Papa. Owens helped El once. He'll help you too. You can learn to control this… whatever it is."
Her voice trembled. "What if he finds me there? What if I lose control again?"
"Then we'll be there to pull you back," Hopper said. "You've got us now."
For the first time, she didn't argue.
Before She Leaves
An hour later, rain still drizzled as Hopper packed his truck. Moon stood outside with Mike, the sky still heavy and gray.
She stared at the ground, then at him. "You don't have to walk me out."
"Yeah," Mike said quietly, "I do."
They stopped beside the truck, neither speaking for a long moment. The rain whispered between them.
Finally, Moon reached for her wrist. Her hospital band was frayed, a loose thread hanging from it. She tore it off and tied it into a small knot, handing it to him.
"If I lose control again," she said, voice barely a whisper, "remember who I was before the storm."
Mike took it gently, heart pounding."I'll remember," he promised. "You'll come back, right?"
She smiled faintly — the kind that hurt to see."I'll try."
Hopper honked the horn softly. Moon stepped back, climbed into the truck. As it rolled away, Mike stood in the rain, holding the little white thread in his palm.
Scoops Ahoy
Scoops Ahoy was unusually quiet the next day. Steve leaned against the counter, trying to look normal while Robin flipped through tapes.
"Feels weird," Robin muttered. "Storm nearly kills us, monsters crawl out of the sky, and we're just… renting Ghostbusters again."
Steve gave a dry laugh. "Yeah. Hawkins normal."
Robin glanced at him. "You keep thinking about her, don't you? The new girl. Moon."
He didn't answer right away. "She saved all of us. And she looked… scared, Robin. Like she didn't even want those powers."
Robin smirked. "Steve Harrington, savior of the broken and superpowered."
He rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Shut up."
At the Lab
Hopper's truck rolled through the gates of a secluded facility surrounded by forest. It wasn't the same Hawkins Lab — it looked newer, safer. The air was cleaner, the walls brighter.
Owens greeted them at the entrance, clipboard in hand and an easy smile on his face."Sheriff Hopper. You weren't kidding about the storm damage."
He turned to Moon, eyes soft with curiosity."And you must be Moon. We're here to help you, okay? No restraints. No cages. Just science, patience, and maybe some snacks."
Moon nodded nervously.
Owens led her to a wide chamber filled with sensors and soft blue lights. "Let's start simple," he said kindly. "Try to feel your power — don't fight it."
She closed her eyes. Slowly, wind began to swirl around her, papers fluttering. Sparks of electricity danced along her fingertips.Owens watched in awe."Incredible… she's not drawing from an energy source — she is the source."
Moon opened her eyes, glowing faint violet. "I can't stop it when it starts," she whispered.
"We'll help you," Owens said softly. "You're not alone here."
Back in Hawkins
Meanwhile, the kids met again in Mike's basement.Will spread drawings across the table — distorted shapes, purple skies, cracks in the ground."This is what I saw," Will said quietly. "The Upside Down isn't gone. It's… waiting."
El stared at the sketches, her expression tightening."She's connected to it," she said. "Moon. Just like me."
Max frowned. "You think Papa's still alive?"
El's voice dropped to a whisper. "I know he is."
Papa's Return
In the dark depths of the real Hawkins Lab, far below the surface, a dim light flickered.Papa stood in front of a shattered observation window, hands clasped behind his back.
"She's in Owens's care now," he murmured to his assistant.The man swallowed nervously. "Should we retrieve her?"
Brenner smiled faintly."No. Let her believe she's safe. The moon will rise again soon enough… and when it does, she'll come to me."
Back to the Lab
Hours passed. Moon sat alone in the training chamber, surrounded by flickering lights. Owens watched from behind the glass, monitoring readings.
Her powers pulsed in waves — wind, sparks, faint blue mist swirling around her. She was finally steady. In control.
Until the lights dimmed.
The air shifted. The mirrors along the walls rippled — and in one reflection, she saw him.
Papa.
His cold eyes, his hand pressed against the glass. Watching.
Moon gasped, stepping back. The sensors spiked — wind roared, lightning cracked through the ceiling.Owens shouted from the intercom, "Cut the power! Now!"
The room went dark. Sparks fizzled out. Moon dropped to her knees, trembling.
Her voice was small, broken."He found me…"