Scott bit down on his sandwich, chewing thoroughly as Trevor slurped his drink through his straw. Carl struggles to tear his Lays bag open. "Like I was saying," Lonnie said, "Superman beats Ichigo."
"Your proof is?" Felix arches an eyebrow.
"www.headcanon.com," Lonnie replied, smirking.
Felix mocked him silently before scooping some rice into his mouth. "You're just upset."
Muriel marched over to the no-go table and sat down, arms crossed. She huffed and picked at the sesame seed in her bread. Scott and the others exchanged confused glanced with each other. "I completed my homework this time," he said quickly.
"It's not about that..." Muriel muttered.
"So what's the matter?" Trevor asked.
She snapped her head up, eyes blazing.
"Have you not heard of Lying Much?" She asked.
"This might a be shocker," Lonnie said, "we may be nerds, but we're not on the internet 24/7."
"We have standards," Carl chimed in, grinning.
"Well Skiv Loot and his 'friend' Maddie Gossip don't even have a fraction of your standards," Muriel replied, grim.
"Who are these guys whom you speak of?" Lonnie said dramatically.
"They sound like TikTokers," Trevor joked.
"They're podcasters," Muriel continued. "And their latest episode? Full on slander! They said that the Lumen Knights should be held accountable for the pool incident."
"Hey!" Carl frowned. "Didn't we—uh—they die?"
"They died to Grimm?" She blinked.
The other nodded.
"And...And Lumen Aurora had to beat him because the other Knights are present."
She scoffed. "That's worse! They've been claiming that the Lumen Knights are just a bunch of weirdos pretending to be taken serious: aka Discord Mods."
Trevor spat out his drink, coughing so hard he fell out off the bench, rolling on the polished floor.
"Excuse me?" Lonnie said, standing to his feet. "How dare they lump us—er—them in the same group as those maidenless—uh...."
Scott shot him a fierce glare.
"Smelly...." Lonnie leaned back.
Scott shook his head.
"I can say losers?" Lonnie snapped, annoyance in his voice.
Scott thought about it before nodding.
"Right. How dare they lump them in the same group as those losers?!"
"Oh, it gets better," Muriel pulled out her phone, typing rapidly. "They've been saying that Lumen Knights are try-hard 'Sailor Moon knock-offs'. They called the leader a 'Cringe Sailor Moon wanna-be!'"
Felix leaned in. "So ignore them?"
The boys turned to the goth.
Lonnie scoffed. "I know you're all into the "love is love,' 'forgive' or whatever—"
"That's hippies," Felix corrected. "I'm a goth."
"Whatever," Lonnie rolled his eyes. "My Bubbe taught me, "If your enemy strikes you, strike him back!"
"Uh...." Trevor cleared his throat, standing shakily to his feet. "That's....That's not what the Bible said. It says if your enemy strikes you, you give him the other cheek also."
Lonnie blinked. "Oh...She'd must've have read the Italian version, then."
"No!" She snapped, then took a breath. "I won't let them spin lies. I'm going on their show."
The table froze.
"What?!" Scott said, nearly choking on his sandwich. "You can't be serious..."
"I am. Dead serious. I'm coming with me."
Scott raised but lowered his hands. "But...why?"
Muriel scoffed. "'Cause you're my brother?"
"Oh! Bring me. If they ask, tell them I'm your stepbro~ Ow!" Lonnie hissed as Trevor jabbed his side.
"Hey!" A boy shouted, barraging into the room. "The latest episode came out!"
The children abandoned their meal and gathered around the kid. The Lunch man tore off his bonnet and it slapped against the floor as he tossed it. The kid raised up the volume to hear. Another boy offered his Bluetooth speaker which he connected to.
The children craned their heads to listen.
"Morning, everybody!" Skiv Loot's voice boomed. A blare of an airhorn followed.
"It's us..." Maddie said.
"Lying Much?" they said in unison.
Muriel rolled her eyes.
"And we have something to address," Skiv said. "Some people think we're not fair in our criticisms of the 'Lumen Knights'"
"Or more accurately....the Necro Knights," Maddie's voice sneered. "That's gotta be racist," Trevor whispered. "There's no way...."
"So we offer the floor to you guys," Skiv said. "Call us at 1+ 307-334-5567 to come on set and try to debunk us. That's 1+ 307-334-5567. And who knows? You might end up famous like the DOLLS."
Lonnie blinked. "Diane goes on the podcast?"
"Of course, she does," Muriel scowled. "She hates the Lumen Knights."
"Bruh, why?" Trevor asked.
"She hasn't forgiven them for the pool incident," Muriel admitted. "She acts like we can control the elements or something," Scott murmured. "As if I can control air."
"How do they get on?" Felix asked. "Why do they have interest in unknown teenagers?"
"Jason Floyd is the reason," Muriel said. "He's the owner of Chanix and....father of Samantha."
"Wow," the boys gasped. "She should that up," Lonnie suggested. "Maybe we won't keep forgetting who she is."
Muriel stepped away from the crowd. "They've offered and I'm taking the bait," she said. The other boys turned to others.
This is not good.
-
"You failed again. And again. How much more times must I suffer your incompetence?"
Queen Amber stood, her form barely visible through the veil of darkness that curled around her like smoke. The chamber seemed to shrink from her growling presence, her power.
"The humans have vulnerable emotional triggers," Angelite said quickly. "It's only a matter of time before they're exploited."
"Time is no longer a luxury we do not have," Amber snapped. Her fingers twitched, casting eerie golden reflections against the throne's surface. "Every time you fail, my beloved cries out to me. The Eclipse is upon us."
Beryl chuckled softly, casting a sideway glance at Quartz.
"Let's hope your loyalty as numerous as your luck," he whispered, loud enough for her to hear.
-
"I don't think your sister should go through with it," Trevor admitted. The boys had gathered in Scott's bedroom with Dot hovering above.
"It doesn't matter," Dot argued. "You're saving the city."
"But...in Cheyenne, it kinds does," Lonnie grimaced. Dot shot a sidelong glance. "In Magicka, it doesn't."
"Speaking of which," Trevor pointed at her. "Who's this Queen Amber lady? You said later....It's been several weeks."
"I will soon. When you're ready," Dot insisted.
"Personally," Felix argued. "She shouldn't go. They're rage-baiting her. I've seen it. The invite people onto their show and insult them on purpose to evoke reactions."
"Then they upload the clips on YouTube," Lonnie cut in. "Yeah, these jerks have a YouTube channel."
He placed the phone in the middle and the boys craned over to see.
Trevor snorted as he saw Maddie in one of the thumbnails. She posed with exaggerated sass, eyelashes thick and her long nails painted pink, cat eared headphones tilted like a crown. A neon pink crop jacket popped under the bold letter of her cropped white shirt: Black Queen.
"She really thinks she's the main character," Trevor muttered.
"Hey," Scott warned, snatching the phone. "We don't judge—but seriously, what is this hairstyle?"
He jabs his finger at another thumbnail. Skiv Loot sported a blonde textured crop, blue open shirt, and oversized molded word shades with bold across the grim: King. He was flashing a smug smile as he pointed the crop image of furious woman mid-rant. A glinting Rolex watch clung tightly on his wrist
Beneath the thumbnail, the video was titled: Karen Gets Owned.
"This haircut should've stayed in the 2000s," Scott stuck out his tongue.
"Yeah," Lonnie agreed. "The only one who did that haircut right was Thor in Infinity War[1]."
Trevor turned to his friend. "You mean the actor, right?"
Lonnie blinked, then leaned forward. "Thor's play by an actor?"
"Yes!" Trevor shouted. "Chris Hemsworth—wait...did you think they were real, did you?"
Lonnie scoffed, then looked away. "Maybe..."
The boy groaned, Felix and Carl facepalming unison.
"I was a child, bro," he protested.
"You're still a child, dumbass!" Trevor countered.
"Enough!" Dot shouted, quieting the boys. "Focus. Marvel Movies don't matter—"
The boys whipped around, mouths agape.
"At the moment..." she grinned nervously.
Muriel burst through the door and Dot zipped under the desk, squirming into Scott's book bag. The others pretended to stare at the empty flashcards. "Well?" Muriel—dressed in tied crop shirt, denim shorts and pink slippers—snapped, hands firmly planted on her hips.
"Any points? Or were you too busy talking about nerdy stuff again?"
"Nerdy stuff," they admitted in unison.
Muriel sighed, pacing impatiently. "Guys, this is serious. The Lumen Knights' dignity is at stake!"
Lonnie tosses aside a card, glancing up at her. "I mean..." his gaze drifted downward before Trevor slapped his knee, snapping him out his self-hypnosis. "The Lumen Knights don't need defending. If anything, they can get a cosmic lawyer."
"Keep staring like that," Trevor hissed. "And you'll be needing a lawyer."
"You don't have to do this, sis," Scott said. "These guys are jokers. A well timed controversy here and there, destroying what little reputation they have left, and they'll sail away, disappearing into the abyss of irrelevance."
"Only for them to make an alleged 'comeback' under new names," Felix murmured.
The boys laughed.
Muriel sighed, kneeling. "You guys don't understand," she sighed. "I'm so adamant on defending them because...the Lumen Knights have my life and everyone else's. Diane forgot but they've saved us from Martyr, Reverbia even Grimm and Wrath...So it's not fair they get trashed on by a pair of jerks who used to rant about fashion!"
The boys stared at her in silence.
"They used to rant about...what?" Scott said, holding in a laugh.
Muriel blinked. "Fashion, I said...No."
"Ayo," Lonnie grinned.
"That's...sus as hell," Trevor chuckled.
"Mr. Loot is sus for that," Carl smirked.
"Guys, come on," Muriel said, a smile spreading on her face. "Be the bigger men here."
"All roasting aside," Felix snorted, calming down. "You should bring up your own experiences with these Echoes."
"That's a great idea," Muriel nodded.
"And...wear leather," Lonnie grinned. Trevor and Scott shot a glare at him.
"Leather jacket, bros," he argued. "Plus shades."
"And curl your hair," Carl suggested.
"Wear some earrings that are space-themed," Felix added.
"Thank you, guys," Muriel said, getting to her feet. "I got it."
She strolled towards the door, and opened. She cast a glance at her brother then exited the room, shutting the door.
Dot flew out of the bag, hovering over them.
"She'd look great in leather though," Lonnie commented.
"Lonnie, shut the hell up or I will do it for you," Trevor snapped.
-
The Gem Girls strolled down the pavement, flicking through a phone they stole. "Social Media..." sneered Jasper, flipping her long, red, slick ponytail backwards. "I don't get the appeal."
"You said the same about the newspaper," Lepidolite cut in, pigtails bouncing. "And...the same about the radio. And the same about the TV."
"Don't forget the computer," Quartz said, smirking. Jasper flickered her short white, ponytail in mock anger.
"Enough," Serpentine said, her eyes hooded, her green long hair swishing with every step.
The Girls strolled to a stop, standing outside a two story building, grey walls and a black gate. Its pink neon sign glowed in bold italics Lying Much?
Serpentine's green lips curled in a smug smirk.
"So this...Lying Much? Utter horrid name," She commented.
"Yet, this place is a negative emotions facility," Quartz grinned.
"Indeed it is," Angelite agreed, passing a hand through her cropped blue-grey hair.
The women vanished in a puff of smoke.
-
Muriel and Scott stood before the studio. Scott was dressed in an orange tee, blue shorts that clung to his legs and white socks with white high-top sneakers. His orange hair brushed back.
Muriel's long, curled brunette hair fluttered in the wind. She adjusted her black leather jacket worn over a pink shirt with bold blue letters: Winner. A pink short pleated skirt contrasted well with her brown sandals.
"You ready for this?" Scott asked her. Muriel let out a shaky breath. She glanced at her flashcards, brow furrowed in anxiety.
She snapped her head up and smiled at her brother. "I got this," she grinned.
The two exchanged a fist bump and strolled towards the gate.
Knocking on the door, the siblings waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Finally, the door cracked open and Skiv peeked his head out. He was completely shirtless, dressed in jeans and black laced boots. His molded shades had the words: King on them.
"What's up?" He frowned. "I don't want no damn brownies."
Muriel and Scott blinked, then their expressions sharpened. "We're your guests, remember?" Scott replied.
Skiv lowered his glasses, gazing down at the two. "I thought Muriel was a girl," he frowned.
"She is," Scott answered, voice sarcastic, pointing at his sister. "She's right next to me."
Muriel waved, her expression annoyed.
"Oh," Skiv said, adjusting his shades back. "That makes sense. But I though you were coming alone?"
"What?" Muriel blinked, brow furrowed in confusion. "I told I was bringing someone."
"Right, right," he nodded, sniffling a bit. "Welp, come on in."
He widened the door, although he didn't move. Muriel sighed and ducked under his raised arm to enter, Scott following.
The two were led to a black door which creaked open. Inside was a well light room, Skiv behind. Obnoxious neon signs with words like Killer, We rock and Hottie, decorated the beige walls. Three microphones dotted the black table in the middle of the room. Three revolving chairs surrounded the table. Behind one of the chairs was a cabinet with the neon sign "Lying Much?" glowing an obnoxious green.
Muriel sat down, the seat indenting due to her weight. "Um..." she turned to Skiv. "What about my brother?"
"He can grab chair," he said, dismissively. "I'll be right back."
The host left, leaving the duo in silence.
"Some hosts they are," Scott muttered.
After ten minutes, the door creaked open and Maddie Gossip froze mid-step. Her eyes scanned the two kids, her thick brows furrowed in confusion, glossy lips curled into a sneer.
Large hoop earrings hung from her ears, her lashes were thick and her long nails were purple. Her neon blue jacket made her black crop shirt pop and her denim shorts stand out. Pink thigh stockings clung to her legs and her white sneakers hugged her feet.
Her brown skin was luminated by the light and her hair was worn in afro buns. Cat eared headphones decorated her hair.
She scoffed and slammed the door. "This shit again?" She muttered. Her face then broke into a condescending smile. "Tell your mama this ain't no damn daycare. Skiv's better things to do then babysit his mistakes."
"Woah," Scott said, raising his hands. "Too much information."
Muriel rose to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes. "Are you people dumb?" She snapped. "Or do you just suffer from amnesia? We're your guests you invited to debate whether or not the Lumen Knights are fiends! I could care less of what Skiv does outside the studio. He's already a scummy person, I didn't need to know all that!"
Maddie blinked then tapped her forward. "I flipping forgot," she laughed. "Wait five more minutes okay? I need to freshen up."
She spun on her heel and opened the door.
"But we've been since eight! It's 8:13 now!" Scott said, tone exasperated as she exited the room, slamming the door shut.
Muriel sat back down, muttering to herself. Scott wiped out his phone.
He can distract himself for five minutes.
Finally, both hosts enter the room, Skiv wearing a blue open tropical shirt this time, and plop themselves into the seats. Scott paused his game of Geometry Dash, and focused on his two hosts. "Ahem," Muriel said, glaring. "The chair for my brother?"
Skiv pointed at Muriel. "I told you to deal with that," he frowned.
Muriel snorted in disbelief. "Oh yes," she said. "Because I know where all the chairs are."
Maddie rolled her eyes, and stood. She headed for the door. "I'll get him a chair."
She returned minutes later with a stoll, plopping beside Muriel.
Muriel's eyes met Maddie's. "Are you serious?" she said. Maddie shrugged. "What? It's a chair."
Muriel closed her mouth, reclining in her seat. "I refuse to believe," Muriel began, "that a 35 year old woman who went and graduated from elementary, high school and university with a MD mind you....can't tell the difference between a chair and a stool!"
Maddie stepped forward, eyes blazing. "I'm sorry, who's the adult here?"
"Clearly not you," Muriel snapped back. "So how about you do your job as a host and get him a chair, you dumb broad? Hmm? Sound good?"
Maddie leaned back, mouth agape.
"I vote for the chair," Scott said, hand raised.
Maddie curled her hands into fists before storming out the room.
"That was uncalled for," Skiv answered.
"Shut up," Muriel snapped to him. "I don't hear a talking down from a womanizer like you, okay?"
Skiv sank into his seat, head turned somewhere else.
Maddie returned, replacing the stool with a chair. Scott thanked her and sank down onto the chair as she settled as well. Muriel let out a steady breath. "Is this how Mom feels when we try to be snarky with our tasks?" Muriel asks.
Scott smiled. "Probably...yeah."
Muriel sunk down more. "I'm apologizing to Mom after this."
"Yep," Scott nodded, quickly. "You should."
"And we're live!" A feminine voice in the recording studio shouted. "In three!"
Maddie and Muriel glared at each other.
"Two!"
Skiv grinned at Scott, earning him a sneer from the boy.
"One!"
"Morning, everybody!" Skiv shouted into the mic.
"It's us...." Maddie spoke, still glaring at Muriel.
"Lying Much?"
Serpentine reclined in the chair in the booth, her sisters standing beside her. "How do you know how to operate these things?" Jasper whispered. "It's a talent," Serpentine grinned.
The tied up woman thrashed about. Quartz kicked her in the side, earning a muffled squeak. "Shut up!" She hissed.
The woman quieted down.
-
"So...The Lumen Knights," Skiv said, casting a brief glance at his partner. "A bunch of scammers and frauds."
"Honestly," Maddie propped her feet on the table. "They need to put down the toys and pick up some books. Those guys should be working at McDonalds. Where's my burger at?"
The two broke into laughter.
Scott and Muriel didn't join in.
"You know they're teens right?" Muriel asked as the laughter died.
"Whatever, girl," Skiv said. "Also, wearing dresses too? Not very...uh...masculine!"
Laughter filled the room once more.
"You used to comment on fashion," Scott cut in, expression sharp. "That's more sus to me. You wore a tutu once, bro. Your the last person in the universe to talk about masculinity. You don't know if that's the uniform....or they're stuck like for the next three years. You don't know."
"They haven't been interviewed," Maddie countered. "They show up, cause property damage and disappear with their bizarre lizard creature."
"That creature is not a lizard!" Muriel cut in.
"Alright, alright," Skiv said, lowering his hands. "We've started on the wrong foot. The point is, the Lumen Knights are frauds. Those 'Echoes' look fake—"
"Diane was on your show," Scott spoke up. "She got tossed by one of them."
"Exactly!" Muriel cut in. "Ask my classmates who were frozen by Martyr, ask the judges who witnessed Reverbia at the theatre, ask the swimmers who went to the Aquatic Centre and witnessed Grimm!"
"There's no camera footage," Maddie countered.
"People believe in Bigfoot and they only have a picture," Muriel glared.
"What if a blind person was there?" Maddie smirked, leaning forward. "What if...a mute person was there? A deaf person? They could make up anything."
"That's ridiculous and you know it," Muriel shot back. "I thought your jig was 'We don't believe in probabilities' because that's a lot...of probabilities!"
-
At the school steps, Lonnie and the others, with Sydney craned over the phone, mouths open. "Muriel took my advice," Lonnie grinned. "You mean she took our advice," Felix corrected. "Same thing," Lonnie argued.
"Ugh..." Diane flipped her hair as she strolled past the boys. "I feel sorry for Muriel. Poor thing's gonna get eaten alive."
Sydney's head snapped up, eyes blazing. "Shame on you," she spat, "for promoting this slander. The Lumen Knights saved your life
"I got sick because of them!" Diane snapped.
Sydney marched up the steps, her nose inches for the cheerleader. "And you alive to gets sick. They did their best, okay? They were new at this clearly so give them a break! You wanted Superman but instead you got Spiderman and you're mad! Grow up and get over it! You don't Eli complaining about the water damage in his house, do you?"
Diane shrieked in anger and spun on her heel, storming off. Carl rubbed his nape. "Thanks," he shouted. Sydney turned back. Her eyes made her see Lumen Caelum sitting there, grinning.
"You're welcome, Carl" she said, swooning.
Carl chuckled, his cheeks burning red.
"Thanks Sydney," Lonnie muttered, crossed his arms. "Now I'll never get a shot at Diane."
-
Muriel twisted her Saturn earrings nervously as Scott took a swig of water.
"I'm going to ask this once," Skiv burped, wiping his mouth. "Are the Lumen Knights heroes?"
"Yes," Muriel said, voice cracking.
"Oh yeah?" Maddie snorted. "Why?"
"They saved my mom," Muriel stood to her feet. "They saved my Dad. They saved me."
She paused, regaining her composure.
"Those girls ripped out my soul, my anger," her lips quivered. "I thought I was going to die. Ask the other victims. That...is a traumatizing experience. It lives with you, forever. If the Lumen Knights, I would be in the ground right now."
Muriel's eyes met her brother's.
"But..." Maddie interrupted. "But that was fixed. The hole in the Aquatic center? Not so much."
Muriel blinked, fury slowly rising within her.
"Uh oh..." Scott muttered to himself.
"Are you dismissing my situation?" Muriel pointed her trembling finger at her. "Are you underscoring the vulnerable state I was in by comparing a hole in a concrete roof to my soul getting snatched?"
Maddie shrugged as Skiv chuckled. "Yup," he nodded. "Because at the end of the day the taxpayers suffer."
At school, the boys grimaced, exchanging harrowing looks.
"Why can't the Lumen Knights use their magic to fix the area they destroyed?" Maddie snorted. "They should be solving all the world's issues, but why aren't they? Is it because it's took hard?"
"No," Scott muttered. "It's because we don't to kill innocent people with lava."
"Here's what I think," Skiv adjusted his mic. "The Lumen Knights are danger to society."
"No!" Muriel snapped. "No, you people and your stupid podcast are danger to society!"
Scott watched frozen, the words dying on his tongue.
Serpentine leaned forward, manic joy in her constricted pupils, her face etched with an an eerie grin.
"Yes..."
"The negative emotions is ripe within her," Jasper smirked.
"Muriel Denoise shall serve us once more," Angelite murmured, her grin matching Serpentine's.
"I don't why I came here. I..." Her eyes darted around, searching for words. "Felix was right!"
She fisted out her flashcards and tossed them into Skiv's face. Skiv skidded back in his chair, arms flailing like he was drowning.
"Wow. That's assault. Bye," Maddie waved.
Muriel pushed her chair before storming out the room.
Serpentine stood to her feet. "Come, sisters," she said, turned. "We must not let her leave the premises."
The portal appeared behind them and the headed towards. One by one, they entered before the portal closed.
The tied up woman thrashed about, her screams muffled by her gags.
Scott eyed the flopping man.
"Please stop," he murmured. "You're thirty-seven and it's not funny."
Skiv froze mid-flail, brushing off the flashcards. "Man," he grinned. "Your sister just made us a fortune."
"That storm-out was hilarious," Maddie laughed, clapping once.
"I'm glad you're entertained," Scott glared.
"Bro, lighten up," Skiv said, waving.
Scott placed down his cell, meeting his gaze.
"How do you live?" Scott asked, tilting his head. "Like...day-to-day...as a horrible person?"
"She's just mad cause we're right," Skiv snorted. "Shorty rage-quitted in RL."
"No-one says 'in RL, bro," Scott said, grim. "They say in real life. Only some a wanna-be-young doofus says 'RL'. And another thing..."
Skiv arched a brow. Maddie leaned in, grinning.
"'Skiv'—which I hope is not your name—is British slang for unemployed lay about. Fitting since you've been fired twice. You're a washed-up party boy who's gotten so many women pregnant that Maddie that we were those kids they drop off here.
Skiv turned to Maddie, eyes blazing.
"Are you shitting me?"
She only shrugged. Scott stood, adjusting his shirt.
"Get your shit together."
And he left.
Skiv glanced towards the recoding booth.
"...We can cut that out, right?"
-
Muriel's footsteps echoed as she marched down the hall, her shoes clicking the against tiles.
She froze.
The lights above flickered, then again. One burst with a pop, raining down.
She screamed.
A low hum filled the air—dark energy crackling—and a portal split open ahead.
Muriel backed away, shaking her head.
"No. No, not again...."
The Gem Girls emerged, silhouettes sharp in the dimming light, arms folded, hips cocked.
"Hello, Muriel Denoise," Angelite purred.
Muriel spun on her heel—but couldn't move.
Thick vines slithered up her legs, wrapping her torso like snakes. She thrashed, panicked, trapped.
Lepidolite lowered her hand, lips curled into a smug smirk.
"Poor prey," Angelite chuckled. "You thought you could escape us?"
Muriel squeezed her eyes shut, whimpering.
Angelite's cold fingers hovered her chest, crackling with blue-grey magic.
Pain exploded inside her.
Muriel convulsed, chocking on her own breath as something was torn from within her. Her arms dropped limp. The vines released.
She crumpled to the floor.
Angelite stood over, grinning, a swirling marron orb glowing in her hand. The other gathered around. Angelite stood in the center.
"Grow, grow, big and strong," she chanted, the orb pulsing. "Become the threat we know you are."
The orb twisted, mutated—sprouting arms, fingers. A wild mess of hair erupted.
A girl rose: red crop top, black shorts, white socks and sneakers. Her grin was wild, chaos.
"What is your name?" Angelite asked.
The figure bowed slightly.
"My name is Rave, mistresses."
A beautiful name, " Angelite sneered. "Now go—exact revenge on Maddie and Skiv. And destroy the Lumen Knights."
Rave vanished in a puff of violet smoke.
Angelite smirked—then frowned. She looked down.
Muriel griped her ankle, trembling but defiant.
"You think you can stop me?" Angelite scoffed.
Muriel let out a breath, shaky but steady. "I can try," she whispered.
Angelite ripped her foot away. Muriel collapsed.
Her eyes fluttered, then closed.
"Come," Serpentine urged. The women past through the portal, which promptly vanished.
-
Maddie tapped on the recording booth glass. "Hello? Betty?"
Skiv groaned, feet propped on the table. "What's going on with her today? She's been unresponsive."
He squinted. "Is she asleep?"
Maddie shrugged.
Meanwhile, in the corridor, Scott walked with his hands stuffed in his pockets. A pale shape caught his eye—slumped against the wall.
His stomach dropped.
"Muriel?" he gasped, sprinting forward.
He slid to his knees and gently flipped her over. Her eyes fluttered.
"Scott...tell me that's you."
"It's me," he said, voice firm but shaking. "Was it the Gem Girls?"
Muriel's lips barely moved. "I thought I was stronger..."
Scott yanked out his phone and fired off a quick group text:
Code red. Muriel's down. Meet now.
At school...
Ping.
Their phones lit up in unison. Trevor read the text, face paling. "Uh...we gotta go Sydney."
"Lasagna with the fam," Lonnie added quickly.
"Me too," Carl blurted.
Lonnie side-eyed him. "Dude. Seriously?"
"We talked about this," Trevor hissed.
Sydney leaned in and kissed Carl's cheek. "I understand," she said softly.
Carl gave a grateful nod, then bolted after the others.
"Be safe, Lumen Caelum," she whispered.
Outside the studio, the boys slowed near the building. "This place is depressing," Trevor muttered. "I've never seen a place with less color than my uncle's house," Lonnie added.
"In the back," carl said, guiding them around.
Behind the building, Felix turned to the others.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Lonnie grinned.
Suddenly, the back door slammed open. Scott burst through, Muriel limp in his arms.
Dot ducked behind a nearby car. The boys stared stunned.
"What the hell?" Trevor hissed.
"They got my sister," Scott growled, voice shaking as he ran towards them.
Scott passed them and gently set Muriel down against the car door. He placed his hand on her forehead. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I should've protected you, sis."
Her head dipped slightly, unconscious but breathing.
Scott rose, jaw set. He turned to the others. "Let's do this."
The others nodded and gathered close.
"For Muriel?" Lonnie asked.
"For Muriel!" They shouted in unison.
"By the constellation of Sagittarius, transform me!"
"By the constellation of Pisces, transform me!
By the constellation of Leo, transform me!"
"By the constellation of Cancer, transform me!"
"By the constellation of Taurus, transform me!"
A blast of radiant light blanketed them.
Scott spun sharply, his ginger hair flashes bubblegum pink as it lengthens and curls into soft waves. A white midi, sleeveless halter frill dress materialized around him in a shimmering sweep of light. Pink blooms in his irises, his brows reshape to match, and glittering eyeshadow, lipstick, and lashes complete the look. With a cheeky dab, his arm sleeves appeared, flowing with soft sparkle. His boots slammed onto his feet, and he caught his winged wand in mid-air, twirling it before striking a dramatic pose.
Lonnie followed, hair turning a brilliant electric blue, as it reshaped in a sharp, stylish bob. His irises turn sapphire, and his lashes, brows and lips match in bold, vivid blue. As he performed the floss, a white halter frill dress spiraled around him, slipping into place like water wrapping his frame. Arm sleeves snapped onto his arms with a shimmer of light. He tapped each leg and a boot appeared on each step. He caught his star winged wand mid-spin and smirked, striking a pose like a fashion icon mid-runway.
Trevor launches a flurry of shadow punches, each blow conjuring up arm sleeves that wrap around his arms like smoke. He threw shadow kicks, and with each strike, his boots burned into existence with a sizzle of heat. A high spin-kick ignited the rest of his transformation—his midi, white halter dress sliding into place as his hair turned blazing orange, twisting into a spiky dread ponytail. His irises, lashes, and lips, pulsed with the same fiery hue. He landed hard, grabbed his star winged wand, and posed with a grin that promised trouble.
Felix slid his hand over his beanie—revealing a cascade of long, violet hair. Dark eyeshadow boomed across his eyelids, lashes thickened, and glimmer of plum lipstick tinted his lips. Felix mouthed softly, "Tonight will that I will fall for you,"
A midi, sleeveless halter white dress shimmered into place on his body. Matching boot materialized on his feet. He brushed off his bare shoulders—arm sleeves spiraling into existence on each arm. With a flick of his wrist, his wand appears, which he twirls like a drumstick before striking a sharp pose.
Carl stood tall and whipped his head back—green light bursting from his crown as his hair shot up and then fell into a slick, leaf green ponytail. His glasses vanish in a flash. With a snap of fingers, his frilled halter dress and arm sleeves swirled onto his body like vines wrapping around a tree. He swept an open hand dramatically across his face, mouthing: "You can't see me." Green glitter lit up his lashes, eyes and lips as he summons his star winged wand and held up a glowing peace sign, planting himself firmly in place.
"Dot," Lumen Vespera called.
Dot fluttered over to them and raised her paws. The sky above swirled pink and purple, and a pillar of brilliant light beamed down from the heavens, enveloping them.
In a flash—they vanished.
-
Skive stretched as he got up. "I'm going to the bathroom," he mumbled.
Suddenly—Rave burst through the glass window of the recording studio, grabbing Maddie by the throat and slamming her onto the floor.
Skive let out a high-pitch scream, scrambling backward and knocking over the "Lying Much?" sign as he flailed towards the cabinet.
"Don't...move," Rave giggled.
Maddie coughed, eyes wide in horror as she stared up at the glowing Echo.
"Who the hell are you?" She gasped.
"I'm Rave," the Echo smirked. "And I'm not hear to party—I'm here to end your pathetic lives."
Her skin pulsed orange—rays of burning light flaring off her body.
Just then, a beam of light exploded through the ceiling and into the room, making Rave flinch. When the light vanished, the Lumen Knights stood in its place, poised and ready.
"Hey there," Lumen Orion said, cocking his head. "What's your name?"
Rave grinned, rising to her feet. "Rave."
Orion nodded. "Cool. So, Rave...do us favor and, like...leave?"
"I'm afraid not, Lumen Knights," she chuckled, opening her palm to conjure a fireball. With a flick, she hurled it straight at them.
"Plasma shield!" Vespera shouted.
A pink barrier bloomed around them just in time. The fire ball struck, exploding on impact. The shield shattered, sending the Knights flying backwards, along with Dot, through the wall in a shower of dust and rubble.
Amid the chaos, Skiv bolted for the door, Maddie, coughing, scrambling behind him.
As the dust began to settle, a streak of purple lighting shot through the room and slammed into Rave, launching her into a far corner.
Lumen Aurora stepped through the smoking hole in the wall, eyes glowing with violet power. "Try that again," he growled.
Rave staggered to her feet, laughing—and vanished in a puff of purple smoke.
The other shortly emerged from the hole. Orion brushed off his frilled dress. "That's new. An Echo avoiding a fight?"
Vespera tapped his chin, thinking. Then he snapped his fingers. "Of course! Muriel's frustration is directed at Skiv and Maddie—so her Echo is targeting them."
"Cool," Orion nodded. "Remind me why we're saving them again?"
"Because it's out duty," Trevor groaned. "Unfortunately."
"Come on," Vespera called, already sprinting through the busted door. The others and Dot followed.
Back in the studio, Betty wriggled on the floor, crying through the gag tied over her mouth—completely forgotten.
-
Muriel's eyes fluttered open. She groaned, forcing her upright.
"Gotta...help..." she muttered.
She took a shaky step—and fell. But she didn't stop. She began to crawl, dragging herself across the floor, not caring that her shirt scraped across the ground, her knees blistered.
"Gotta...help...."
-
Meanwhile, Skiv and Maddie skidded to a halt—Rave stood in their path, grinning. With a flick of her wrist, she launched a fireball straight at them.
They barely had time to flinch before a pink barrier enveloped them. The explosion rocked the hallway. They hit the floor hard.
Solus and Orion grabbed them, yanked them to their feet.
"Hey!" Skiv protested, wrenching his arm out of Solus' grip. "Watch the shirt."
"Shut the hell up," Solus snapped.
The Lumen Knights sprinted ahead, dragging the two behind them. Behind, Rave burst through the smoke—glowing brighter, and running faster.
Aurora raised his wand. "Leo!"
A howling wind roared to life, slamming into the Echo and forcing her back. Paintings flew from the walls, the wallpaper shredded, and the hallways turned into a wind tunnel.
"My hair!" Maddie shrieked.
"I think you mean 'you're welcome,'" Caelum grunted, shielding his face.
"Dot—the roof!" Vespera shouted.
From above, the celestial beam shot down again, engulfing them all in radiant light.
The wind ceased. Rave collapsed to her knees, panting. Growling. Her prey was gone.
-
They landed on the roof, blinking under the midday sun. Skiv and Maddie were shoved to the ground as the Knights touched down around them.
Skiv scrambled up, brushing himself off. "Nice job, Necro Knights! You just ruined my building!"
"Prepare to get sued," Maddie snapped, whipping out her phone and hitting record. "The public will so be on our side!"
The door to the recording studio creaked open.
A pale, trembling Muriel stumbled inside. Her gaze locked on Betty, still tied up on the floor. With a burst of strength, Muriel crossed the room, and tore at the ropes, removing her gag.
Betty gasped, coughing. "Thank you."
Muriel feel back on her knees, panting. "Can you record from a phone?"
Betty's eyes lit up. "Of course. I'm the techno wizard. I can do, anything."
Muriel nodded, weakly freeing Betty's hand. "Then...follow me."
-
Elsewhere in a quiet park, the Gem Girl watched the chaos unfold through their shimmering crystal ball, the images flickering within.
The five sat on a bench, as children ran past.
"Those two humans are so infuriating," Jasper muttered, biting into a chocolate bar with venom.
"For once," Lepidolite said dryly, finishing her granola bar, "we agree on something."
-
Vespera turned to the two influencers, his patience fraying. "You may mock us. Insult us. But like it or not—you're in danger"
"You're in danger," Skiv snapped back. "Of being sued."
Rave appeared behind them without warning, fireball in hand.
Before anyone can react, Dot zipped in front of Vespera and fired a blast of sparkling yellow light from her forehead. The glittery beam whooshed past Skiv and Maddie, slamming into Rave and knocking her flat with a grunt.
Skiv and Maddie, now coated in glitter, coughed and gagged.
"Ugh—what is this, edible slim," Maddie chocked.
"I'm allergic to glitter!" Skiv whined.
"Nice shot, Dot," Orion said, squinting past the glittery aftermath. "But no matter how much frosting or glitter you slap on it....It's still a shit cake."
Rave staggered upright, glitter still clinging to her like ash. She grinned.
"Nice try, but it's useless."
Vespera didn't flinch. "Aurora. Do your thing."
Aurora raised wand. "Leo!"
Above, the sky churned. Thunder cracked. Wind screamed. Glitter blown away like confetti in a storm.
"Tempestas Vocarre!"
The clouds twisted into a monstrous vortex, purple lightning flashing in jagged veins. Rave blinked, her cocky grin faltering.
"Woah! Woah!" Skiv threw up his hand. "What about us?"
"Move. And get out the way!" Solus barked.
The idiots scrambled, tripping over themselves to dive out of the blast zone.
The clouds twisted into a vortex overhead, a funnel of storm. Wind screamed like a living thing.
Aurora hovered inched from the ground, purple eyes locked on Rave. Purple energy blazed around him, rippling the air.
"Lightning Spear!"
A colossal bolt of violet lightning ripped from the heavens, Mid-air, it twisted—sharpening, morphing into a jagged spear of crackling energy.
It slammed into Rave.
Light flashed.
A massive explosion occurred.
Rave screamed, then collapsed in a heap, smoking.
The door burst open. Muriel stumbled out, pale and breathless, Betty right behind her.
"Keep the camera...rolling..." Muriel gasped, then slumped to her knees.
Betty dropped beside her, catching her.
"Muriel!"
"I'm okay," she whispered, smiling weakly. "Just...get the footage. Please."
The two influencers staggered to their feet, eyes wide as they surveyed the destruction.
"Oh my God...." Skiv gasped. "My roof!"
Solus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Man, worry about literally anything else."
Suddenly, Rave appeared behind them, seizing both influencers by the collar.
"There's nothing inside them," she giggled. "What did you expect?"
She dangled over the edge of the ruined rooftop, her grin growing wild
"Stop...uh...drop...oh—um—stop that!" Caelum shouted, wand shaking.
The Lumen Knights and Dot let out a collective sigh. Solus gave Caelum a pat on the back.
"Improvement," he muttered with a proud smile.
"Never!" Rave screamed.
Vespera stepped forward, hands raised. "I know you're fsutrated. I get it--they're inufferable. But killing then won't solve anything."
"Oh it will," Rave grinned. "Then, I'll join my mistresses in reviving their master. He'll conquer Earth and then, Magicka."
Dot gasped.
"What?" Vespera blinked.
"Don't be surprised," Rave cooed. "The Gem Girls, the Echoes...in a way, they're your fault."
Orion turned slowly turned to Vespera. "What did you do, bro?" He hissed.
"I don't know..." Vespera shrugged confused.
"Enough!" Rave snapped. "It's over."
"I wish my element was usable right now," Orion muttered "Why can't I be surrounded by water for once?"
Caelum stepped forward, twirling his hand. "Good thing my element is everywhere."
Rave hurled the influencers off the roof. They screamed.
"Aurora!" Vespera shouted.
Aurora sprinted—Betty right behind to record—then leapt off the roof.
"Sagittarius!" Vespera called, striking a dramatic pose dramatically. Glowing pibk arrows formed around him, targeting Rave.
"Plasma Arrow Barrage!"
The arrows rained down, pinning Rave. She screamed as she fell off the edge—
"Taurus!"
A green aura sanked around her, locking her form in place.
"Gravi Slam!"
Rave slammed into the ground below—an eruption of smoke and blue energy erupted out.
In the air, Aurora bit down on his wand and caught the plumemting influncers.
"Leo!" He shouted through his teeth
A gust of wind blast from above, sending them crashing into a nearby tree.
Aurora pulled the wand from his mouth as the influencers groaned.
"We're fine," he grunted.
He hopped from the tree and approached the marron orb, hovering and protected by its shield.
"Now come to me," he whispered, reaching in the shield with glowing fingers.
-
Aurora returned with the orb, gently placing it into Vespera's hands.
Vespera ran to his sister, kneeling beside her. "Please..." he whispered, gently pushing the orb forward.
The moment it touched her, her body jolted—light surged through her. Color returned to her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open.
She looked up at the Knights and smiled softly.
"Thank you."
Skiv and Maddie burst through the rooftop door, panting.
"You are the worst heroes ever!" Skiv shouted.
"Like you're better," Betty snapped back, rolling her eyes
Maddie blinked. "Wait—where were you?"
"Tied up in the booth!" Betty yelled. "Those...Gem Girls attacked me. Muriel saved me!"
Muriel stepped forward, glaring, exhausted but unyielding.
"You've got today and tomorrow morning to think about your actions," she said coolly. She turned to the Lumen Knights.
Her expression softened. "Take me home, please."
Orion stepped in and scooped her up with a smile.
Muriel blinked in surprise.
Vespera glared.
Orion winked.
With a pulse of celestial light, the seven vanished—gone in a blink.
Betty turned to the door. "I'm gonna upload this to your channel," she muttered. "Then I quit."
She walked back inside without looking back
"Betty!" Skiv called after her. "Don't be like that!"
-
At the no-go table, Scott bit down on his sandwich, chewing thoroughly as Trevor slurped his drink. Carl struggled to tear open a bag of Lays chips.
"And that's why..." Lonnie smirked. "Luffy's losing to Wukong."
"How do you know that?" Felix scoffed.
"From www.trustmebro.com," Lonnie grinned.
Muriel joined them at the table, sipping a smoothie.
Footsteps approached.
"Hi, Muriel," Diane sneered. The other girls flanked her.
"Hi," Lonnie waved, starry-eyed. "I'm single."
Trevor facepalmed.
"I heard you went on that podcast," Diane said, ignoring him. "Didn't go so well, huh?"
"Yeah," Muriel nodded. "At least I was memorable. They had to reintroduce you every time you came on. Ouch."
Diane's fingers curled into fists. With a snort, she stormed off.
"No!" Lonnie cried. "Come back!"
Trevor stamped on his foot.
"Wow," Scott smirked. "Look at my sis. It's like you're a different person."
"Yeah," she nodded. "The Lumen Knights don't let others dictate their life so why should I?"
The other nodded. "Yes," Felix replied. "Wise words."
"Hey!" A boy shouted, barraging into the room. "Their apology came out!"
The children abandoned their meal and gathered around the kid. The Lunch man tore off his bonnet and it slapped against the floor as he tossed it. One boy offered his speaker which he connected to.
The children craned their heads to listen.
"Morning, everybody!" Skiv Loot's voice boomed. A blare of an airhorn followed.
"It's us..." Maddie said.
"Lying Much?" they said in unison.
"And we have something to say," Skiv added. "In light of the Lumen Knights' saving us from the Echo—stupid name—Rave. It made us realize..."
"That the Lumen Knights..." Maddie said. "have no regard for property!"
Scott and the others groaned.
"But...we've all probably seen the video," Skiv continued. "Of us not being our best selves, and for that we apologize."
"This goes to the Lumen Knights," Maddie said softly. "We take back our comments and mean words."
"Your heroes," Skiv said. "The best we've got."
"We're sorry," they said in unison.
"This apology is brought to you by Raid Shadow Legends," Skiv said. "The only game I play when I'm running from accountability."
The cafeteria erupted in applause. Muriel clapped softly. Diane kicked at nothing in particular as her friends hovered nearby, unsure what to say. Lydia reach out. "Diane, are you
"I'm fine," she snapped, brushing past them
The boys snuck away to their table. They began to gather their things and head for the door.
"I liked it better when they talked shit," Trevor groaned. "Man, Youtuber apologies are lame."
"I agree," Lonnie stuck out his tongue.
"Don't worry," Scott grinned, pushing the door. "They'll be back to their former in no time."
The boys laughed as the doors behind them swung shut.
[1] is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team the Avengers.....
-Wikipedia