The storm raged over the clearing, lightning flashing violet as it streaked across the sky. Moon stood in the center, hair whipping wildly, eyes glowing brighter with every breath.
From the trees, Eleven stepped forward, blood trickling faintly from her nose. Her gaze locked on Moon.
"You," Eleven said, voice sharp and unyielding.
Moon's eyes narrowed. She didn't move.
Mike darted between them, panicked. "Wait, wait! El—don't! She's not trying to hurt us!"
Eleven's jaw clenched. "She's dangerous."
Will shook his head, stepping up beside Mike. "No, she's not. She… she could've hurt me last night. But she didn't."
Lucas hissed, keeping his distance. "She almost called a lightning strike on top of you, Will!"
Dustin tugged at his cap nervously. "Yeah, uh, for the record? Storm girl equals unpredictable. And unpredictable is usually bad."
Moon finally spoke, her voice low, cold, but trembling with exhaustion. "I didn't… want to."
The kids fell silent. Her violet eyes flickered, then dimmed slightly.
Eleven took a cautious step closer, her hands curling into fists. "Papa made you."
At the word Papa, Moon's expression twisted—anger flashing across her face like another bolt of lightning.
"Don't. Say. His name," Moon snapped, her voice trembling. The storm crackled louder above them, thunder rolling without pause.
Mike's eyes darted between the two girls. "El, please—she's like you! She's not the enemy!"
But before Eleven could answer, another voice cut through the chaos.
"HEY!"
Headlights burst into the clearing as Hopper's Blazer skidded to a halt. Hopper leapt out, Joyce close behind.
"Are you kidding me?!" Hopper roared. "What did I tell you about sneaking off into the woods at night?!"
The kids froze.
Joyce gasped as her eyes landed on Moon. "Oh my god… Hop."
Moon stepped back, breathing faster, her eyes flashing dangerously bright.
Hopper lifted a hand, cautious. "Easy, kid. I'm not here to hurt you. Just… take a breath."
Moon's voice shook. "You'll lock me up again. Like him."
Her gaze flicked toward Joyce, softer now. But then—she turned, and in a blink, she was gone—her figure dissolving into the storm as if swallowed by the wind.
"Moon! Wait!" Will shouted, but the storm carried her away.
"Dammit!" Hopper barked, running a hand through his hair. He turned on the kids. "You four are grounded until you're forty."
"Chief," Joyce whispered, still staring at the sky. "She's just a girl."
Hopper's face was grim. "She's a storm on legs. And storms don't just… stop."
Scoops Ahoy
Back in the fluorescent-lit Scoops Ahoy, Steve slammed the counter with his palm.
"She made lightning come out of the sky, Robin. Lightning. And the kids? They want me to chauffeur them around like this is a Saturday field trip!"
Robin leaned on the counter, unimpressed. "Okay, but… she's hot, right?"
Steve nearly choked on his own spit. "What—NO! No. I mean… maybe. A little."
Robin smirked. "Knew it."
Steve dragged a hand down his face. "This is insane. First the Demogorgon, then tunnels full of gross goo, and now—Storm Girl? What's next, Robin? Aliens?"
Robin shrugged. "Honestly? Wouldn't be surprised."
Hawkins Lab
In the depths of Hawkins Lab, alarms still blared faintly. Papa stood before a wall of monitors, his face stony as scientists delivered reports.
"Her power spikes whenever she's emotionally unstable," one said. "Tonight she covered three square miles with unnatural storm patterns."
Papa's eyes glinted with cold ambition. "Good. That means she's growing stronger."
Another scientist swallowed. "Doctor Brenner… we've also detected increased fluctuations in the Gate. The more she uses her power, the more unstable it becomes."
Papa turned slowly. "Then find her. She belongs to me."
Behind him, the Gate pulsed—violent, alive, as if feeding on Moon's storms.
Abandoned Cabin
Moon sat curled in the corner of a derelict cabin, her knees pulled to her chest. Her hospital gown was soaked through, clinging to her skin. She shivered, staring into a puddle on the floor.
Her reflection stared back, violet eyes glowing faintly like lanterns in the dark. She touched the surface, voice breaking.
"Monster."
A memory flashed—Papa's voice: You are mine. You are nothing without me.
Moon shook her head violently, whispering, "No. Not his. Not anymore."
She thought of Will—his kind eyes, the way he didn't flinch when he saw her. Her chest tightened. For the first time, someone hadn't looked at her like a weapon.
Her fingers sparked faintly with electricity. She pressed them into her palms until it hurt, whispering, "I'll protect them. I have to."
Outside, lightning cracked the sky. The storm never stopped.
Mike's Basement
The kids huddled around the table, voices tense.
"We have to find her," Mike insisted.
Lucas shot back, "What part of 'she almost fried us' didn't you get?!"
"She didn't mean to!" Will snapped, louder than usual. "She's scared. Just like El was when we found her."
Eleven's voice cut in, steady but sharp: "She's not me."
Silence fell over the room.
Dustin sighed. "Well, whether she's El 2.0 or Stormzilla, the lab's gonna be hunting her. And if they find her first? That's bad. For everyone."
Mike leaned forward, determined. "Then we don't let them. We'll find her. We'll protect her."
Across the room, El's face hardened, unreadable.
Cut to Moon in the cabin, whispering into the storm: "Even if it kills me."
Lightning tore across the sky, illuminating Hawkins below.