ITT: We are our avatars.

-The word around town seems mainly to be about the new mayor's plans. He has built a new railway system and tonight is the opening of a new observatory. People are angry about how the mayor has been focusing on infrastructure instead of giving the police extra funding to help solve the case of several mysterious disappearances. Some are asking when the Rangers will return...-

Catherine: ...this is very serious. (she asks where the observatory will be located)

Alyx: Very serious, indeed.

Victoria: Damn. Uh...

Ryan: (Well, if the people want the Rangers back, they'll get it.)

-The observatory has been built in the hills above the city, and tonight there will be an opening party for only invited guests.-

Catherine: ...okay. (she frowns) (Damn. Whoever this mayor is, he must be clever.)

Michael: What kind of guests is this mayor inviting?

Random Passerby: Astronomers...physicists...and sponsors, I'd guess. It has cost a lot of money.

Michael: I see. That's...that's terrible.

Catherine: Okay...(she takes a deep breath, looking at Michael)

Michael: ...(he speaks through his Lunar Gem) Alyx. (he tells Alyx what's going on)

Alyx: Okay. I see. Gotcha, Michael. (he looks up) Thanks for the help. I promise you, we'll try to figure this out!

Michael: Yes, thanks for the help!

Tommy: *over Alyx' communicator* Tommy here. Have you found anything?

(Alyx nods to Adult!Rika and Andreus, and the three run to a dark alley. When they manage to hide well, Alyx manages to speak)

Alyx: Yes, we have! (he tells Tommy about everything he found out, both by his group's admissions and other groups' findings)

Tommy: That's very interesting...we've heard that there is going to be a lunar eclipse tonight. Combining that with what you've found about the suspicious mayor and the observatory, it seems we should hurry and check that place out. Relay the message to the others that we all depart for that place now.

Alyx: Right. (he contacts the others and tells them about what Tommy said)

Catherine: Good! We'll help you.

Alyx: ...but...if there's a battle in the observatory...I have to fight. You don't need to follow me. I don't want to kill you all.

Ryan: What?! Are you crazy?

Victoria: We don't want you to die again!

Alyx: ...trust me. I'll be fine...if you guys feel that we need help...then you can go.

Catherine: Very well. We'll regroup elsewhere and head to the observatory. Alyx, I love you...like a sibling. Like a brother. And we'll always be here for you. Remember that.

(Alyx nods, and he looks at Adult!Rika and Andreus)

Alyx: ...likewise with you guys. Go back to the family. Regroup with Catherine.

Adult!Rika: ...right. (she and Andreus leave, and Alyx alone heads to the observatory)

(eventually, elsewhere near the observatory but far from Alyx, Tommy, and the former's Kelsey, the Graysons and Catherine's Lightspeed Rangers regroup)

-The area around the newly built observatory is brightly lit now that the sun has set. Music and laughter can be heard from inside the large building in polished stone. A large telescope is clearly visible, stabbing at the sky like an ominous gnomon of science.-

Tommy: Smart thing leaving the others behind. It makes sneaking in easier. What's your plan, Alyx?

Alyx: ...I'm going to break in. (he sighs) Since I'm demorphed, no one would recognize me much.

(he looks up at the observatory)

Tommy: Yeah, no other way around it. Luckily, this thing doesn't seem to be heavily guarded. We'll find a way inside as well. Good luck, Alyx.

-Indeed, the observatory is not heavily guarded. However, two large men in black suits are standing outside the main entrance, checking the tickets of those that enter. However, there's also a caterer's van parked behind the observatory, implying that there may be a back entrance.-

(Alyx raises an eyebrow, and he quickly heads to the back entrance. He quietly enters there and tries to go through the observatory)

Caterer 1: Hey, did you just hear something?

Caterer 2: What, you mean except from the music and laughter of about a hundred people? Nope.

Caterer 1: Could have sworn I heard something...

Caterer 2: Get back to work, or "you're fired" will be the next thing you hear!

Caterer 1: Y-yes boss!

-The hallways of the observatory are mostly deserted, with most of the people gathered down in the spacious hall down on the first floor. However, there are sounds coming from the telescope room upstairs as well.-

(Alyx peeks once he gets to the uppermost area)

Alyx: (This is it...)

Mana: Hmm... I wonder were everyone went?

-Almost all the lights are off in the telescope room, and only a small desktop lamp near a switched-on computer makes it possible to discern a group of mysterious figures. They all have their backs turned to where Alyx is, and so he can not see what it is that they are working on. They seem to be focused on something on the floor, however.-

*Vriska wanders by*

(Hal looks at Mana and he looks confused.)

Hal: @Mana: Why would you say that?

(Alyx walks slowly toward the mysterious figures, his heart pounding)

-Suddenly, the figures rise. They are wearing loose and baggy clothes, and their faces are obscured by hoods. When they speak, their voices seem almost inhuman...-

Mysterious Figure 1: Rhcright. Donrr.

Mysterious Figure 2: Yessss...let'ssss return.

Mysterious Figure 3: Allmost there...just a llittlle more...

-The figures move towards the exit, meaning that they will soon be able to see Alyx.-

(Alyx looks up)

Alyx: It's over! You'll never be able to destroy Mariner Bay, I'm taking it back! (he pulls out the Rescue Blaster) Before more people get hurt!

Mana: *notices those coming by* Huh? Oh, well... it got really quiet, so I thought everyone left. Guess I wasn't paying attention.

Vriska: I don't know a8out any8ody else 8ut I just got here.