Chapter 5: Recovering Alchemi
Back at the hideout, Alchemi lay unconscious on the metal workbench, sparks crackling faintly from her fingertips.
The crew stood around her, looking like a group of clueless tourists who had just realized they were in the wrong country.
Iceberg crossed his arms. "Well. This is bad."
Lizzy nudged Ember. "Do something."
Ember dramatically set his hand on fire. "I am doing something. I'm panicking."
Lizzy sighed and turned to Iceberg. "Go get the underground doctor."
Iceberg blinked. "The quack doctor? The guy who tried to sell us 'cursed band-aids' last time?"
Lizzy shrugged. "They worked, didn't they?"
Twenty minutes later, Iceberg returned with a tall, wiry man wearing oversized glasses and an unsettlingly wide grin. He carried a bag that said 100% LEGIT MEDICAL TOOLS in large, friendly letters.
"Ah, yes, a classic case of electrical corruption," the doctor mused, dramatically adjusting his glasses. "I've seen it a million times."
Ember squinted. "How many patients have you actually had?"
The doctor waved a hand. "Irrelevant. She will recover… for the right price."
Lizzy cracked her knuckles, and the doctor immediately backpedaled. "Or, uh, I could do it for free! Out of the goodness of my heart!"
The crew watched as the doctor poked at Alchemi with various tools, muttering things like "hmm" and "ah, fascinating" as if he had any idea what he was doing.
Hours later, Alchemi finally stirred.
"She's waking up," Iceberg whispered.
"Alright, act natural," Ember said.
Lizzy smacked him. "We're literally her friends."
"Oh, right."
Alchemi blinked groggily. "...Did I miss something?"
"Yes," Iceberg said. "You tried to kill us."
Alchemi nodded. "Sounds about right." Then she fell back asleep.
Chapter 6: The Truth About the Suits
With Alchemi recovering, the group had time to address a pressing issue: their suits.
Lizzy tapped the table. "We've never really questioned where these came from."
"I just assumed mine appeared because I'm awesome," Ember said, stretching.
"Doubt," Iceberg said.
Lizzy continued. "They enhance our abilities, but Alchemi doesn't need one."
"Yeah, because I built them," Alchemi muttered from her cot.
The room fell silent.
"You what?" Ember asked.
Alchemi shrugged. "You thought they just magically appeared? Do I look like a fairy godmother?"
"No," Ember admitted. "But you do wear goggles like a mad scientist, so, y'know, it checks out."
Before anyone could process this revelation, a voice spoke from the shadows.
"You're right."
The crew whirled around to see a new figure leaning casually against the wall. He had soft gray hair, wore a silk jacket, and had an expression that screamed I know things you don't.
Ember squinted. "Who are you?"
The boy smirked. "Misty."
Iceberg tilted his head. "Misty, huh? That's a pretty soft name for a guy sneaking into our base."
Misty smiled faintly. "I get that a lot."
Lizzy folded her arms. "And you just so happened to be lurking in our hideout?"
Misty shrugged. "I've been watching you."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Ember pointed at him. "That's a really weird thing to say."
Misty didn't react. "Your suits aren't just suits. They're part of something much larger."
Lizzy frowned. "Like what?"
Misty's smile didn't fade. "You're not ready to hear it."
"Then why bring it up?" Ember demanded.
"Dramatic effect."
"…Fair."
Chapter 7: The Underground Agents Attack
Later that night, Misty was preparing to leave when Ember blocked the door.
"You're not leaving."
Misty raised an eyebrow. "And why's that?"
"Because you're suspicious," Ember said, arms crossed.
Misty smirked. "And yet, here I am, inside your hideout, unharmed."
Iceberg leaned in. "He does have a point."
Before they could argue further, alarms blared.
"Uh-oh," Lizzy muttered.
"We've got company!" Iceberg shouted as figures in dark uniforms swarmed in.
Ember ignited his fists. "Looks like we get to make some friends."
"Or enemies," Iceberg corrected, launching ice spikes.
Lizzy raised a stone wall while Alchemi, still woozy, muttered, "I swear, if they break my equipment, I'll haunt them."
The agents rushed forward—until Misty casually raised his hand.
A strong gust of wind violently yeeted half of them into the ceiling.
The rest gasped for air, clutching their throats as Misty simply stood there, watching.
"Uh, Misty?" Iceberg said cautiously.
Misty chuckled, but it sounded off.
"Bro," Ember whispered. "You good?"
Misty dropped his hand, letting the agents collapse. "They're gone."
"…Right," Lizzy said slowly. "Well. That was terrifying."
Misty smiled. "You'll get used to it."
Chapter 8: Alchemi Wakes Up
The next morning, Alchemi finally sat up and groaned.
"What happened?"
Iceberg gestured at Misty. "We picked up a cryptic weirdo while you were out."
Misty raised a hand. "Hello."
Alchemi eyed him suspiciously. "I don't trust you."
"I get that a lot."
Alchemi didn't respond—she just raised her gauntlet and blasted Misty with an electric charge.
Without even flinching, Misty exhaled and sent the electricity right back at her, knocking her backward.
Ember whistled. "Ooooh, reversal uno card."
"Stand down," Lizzy said, stepping between them. "We think he's on our side."
Alchemi glared at Misty. "I'm watching you."
Misty smiled. "So am I."
"…Weirdo."
Alchemi turned to the others. "Now someone explain what happened to me."
Lizzy sighed. "You got corrupted by shadow energy. It messed you up."
Alchemi flexed her fingers, frowning. "And now I'm just fine?"
"Well…" Ember started. "Define fine."
Alchemi narrowed her eyes. "I will throw a wrench at you."
Ember quickly changed the subject. "So! What's next?"
The crew glanced at Misty, wh
o just smiled.
"I suppose," he said, "it's time we start talking about the Shadow Lord."
The air grew tense.
Ember broke the silence.
"Alright. But can we please do it over snacks?"