Steve, Robin, Eddie, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will are mid-argument about Moon and Holly when—
SLAM. The door swings open.
Erica strides in, arms crossed, chin high.
"Okay, nerds," she announces, "I saw flashing lights, Murray screaming at the Wheelers, and half the school thinks El passed out because aliens stole her hormones. So somebody better start explaining."
Everyone stares.
Dustin blinks. "Erica… how do you always know everything?"
She smirks. "Because I'm Erica Sinclair. Now spill."
Before anyone can answer—Moon enters from the back room, silent, glowing faintly around the hands.
Erica freezes."…Who is this?"
Will steps closer protectively. "This is Moon."
Erica narrows her eyes. "She looks like she walked out of an anime and also might kill us."
Moon tilts her head. "I do not know what an anime is."
Erica gasps dramatically. "Oh my god she's sheltered and powerful. Great."
CUT TO:
Eddie is seated on the counter, guitar on his lap, showing Dustin finger positions.
Dustin beams. "I missed this, man."
Eddie nudges him. "You kidding? You're my protégé. My heir. My goblin king."
They laugh loudly.
Steve watches from across the store, jaw tightening.
Robin leans in. "You okay?"
Steve: "No. Because apparently I've been replaced by a metalhead with hair prettier than mine."
Robin: "Oh my god—you're jealous of Eddie."
Steve looks offended. "I'm not jealous—Dustin's just—he used to come to me first. And now he's—"
They both laugh again.
Steve sighs. "Yeah. Okay. I'm jealous."
Robin pats his back. "You're still the babysitter-in-chief, dingus."
Steve grumbles.
The bell rings again.
Hopper marches in, holding El by the arm. Joyce and Murray follow.
El is pale, disoriented, but trying to stand tall.
Hopper's voice is urgent, controlled rage: "Vecna is alive. And we need every one of you."
The room goes silent.
Then Hopper points at Moon.
"You," he says."You said you saw Holly Wheeler. Tell me everything."
Moon looks ready to crumble under his intensity, but Will steps between them.
"Hopper—stop. She's scared."
Moon whispers: "Holly is trapped in Henry's memory. A loop. She can't get out alone."
El steps forward, staring at Moon like she's looking into a mirror she doesn't understand.
"You feel… wrong," El murmurs. "Like me. But stronger."
Moon's eyes flicker with light. "And you feel… broken."
Everyone tenses—especially Hopper.
El's hands ball into fists. "You make me weaker."
Moon shakes her head. "No. Henry does that. Not me."
The lights flicker. A low rumble shakes the DVD shelves.
Moon gasps— "He's listening."
Hopper turns sharply to the kids. "We move. NOW."
As everyone prepares to head out, Mike pulls Will aside behind the horror movie aisle.
"Will," he says quietly, "since this started… you've been different."
Will stiffens. "Different how?"
Mike breathes shakily. "You're braver. Closer to her. Closer to… everyone. And I—" He swallows. "I don't want to lose you again."
Will's heart almost stops.
"Mike…"his voice barely audible, "You're not going to lose me."
Mike looks at him with that same soft, terrified expression from the van.
"Promise?" he whispers.
Will nods.
Mike hugs him tightly—longer than a friend would.Will melts into it.
Erica walks by, sees it, and mutters: "Finally."
Eddie circles Moon like a kid discovering a new cryptid.
"So you're like, what? Witch? Alien? Elf princess? Fallen star? Friendly demon?"
Moon blinks. "I am… Moon."
Eddie clutches his chest. "She speaks in riddles. I love her."
Steve groans. "Don't encourage her."
Moon turns to him. "I like your hair."
Steve freezes. "…okay she can stay."
CUT TO:
Henry's memory dimension.
Holly sits on the floor clutching her teddy bear.
Mr. Whatsit kneels beside her, smiling too warmly.
"There you are, Holly. Don't worry. Your family will be here soon."
Behind him, massive vines shift and pulse like veins.
Vecna's voice echoes through the memory:
"Bring me the girl. Bring me the moon."
Holly begins to cry.
CUT TO BLACK.