Mystic Radiance's Mission Reports and Personal Notes

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Mystic Radiance's Mission Reports (sent to Ethereal Brilliance) and personal notes (not shared).

## S8 - Character Generation with Aramard

Mission Report: April 16, 2022
Location(s): The Nicchols Community Center, the Big Team Base, Camelot Park
Individuals involved: Sledge (AKA [insert name]), Echo (no other names known), Scarlett Rouge (no known aliases), Tristane (Chevalier)
Mission Report:
At 16:00, Ethereal Brilliance assigned me a new mission. I am to get close to the targets of the Enemy, to learn more about who they target and why, as well as what attracted them to Halcyon after they’ve been in Aurora Bay for so long. I must know what I am protecting. Their happiness depends on only me now, with Ethereal Brilliance’s powers nearly depleted. Observe their mundane lives without getting *too* close.
As Aeryn, I engaged with Chevalier, Scarlett, and Echo outside of the Community Center. I don’t think I roused any suspicions. We ate cupcakes and played ping-pong, which I take to be normal teenage activities. Echo was aware of the other two having powers, and was trying to recruit them to Big Team. Scarlett asked if I had powers, which I gracefully denied.
When they headed to their base, I excused myself as Aeryn and raced ahead to transform and be waiting there as Mystic Radiance. I introduced myself as they arrived and told them that I was there to join the Big Team. This procured me a tour. Before said tour, there was an interruption. A woman in a colorful pencil skirt suit was acting suspiciously nearby. She claimed to be scouting for an upcoming film. She had the proper permits, but only in digital form, which can be faked. We sent her on her way, and got on with the tour. The Big Team base was not as expected. There was a room for training and a nurse’s room, but also numerous recreational spaces, as well as small but comfortable-looking rooms.
Our tour was interrupted by a notification from GAIA, the base’s AI. They appear to have multiple bodies, and can occupy multiple of these at a time. They informed us that a dragon was attacking Camelot Park, and the four of us proceeded there. The lack of hierarchy on the team seems to lead to questions, which slowed our response time.
However, we arrived in time to stop the dragon before it did too much damage. Instead of fire, the dragon breathed gold, which limited the collateral damage. It was ~~odd~~ unfamiliar working with a team and without a leader, but I will work to make sure I adjust as quickly as possible.
It appears that Chartreuse, and by extension her employer (an individual who goes by the moniker “Yellow”), was behind the attack. There is no evidence that the Dire was involved. Threat level: medium.
End report.
Personal Notes (not turned in to EB):
I’M PART OF A TEAM!!! And this was my first mission without EB and it went well??? I am SO pumped! Plus I got permission to get a Chitter as Aeryn to further the mission of studying my peers. Of course I can’t get one for Mystic Radiance. The Shining Guardians have to remain enigmas. But Mystic Radiance is just so much better than Aeryn. At everything.
Anyway, everyone was so nice! Um, well, I guess maybe I wouldn’t describe Scarlett as “nice,” exactly, but I know what I mean.
AND THE DRAGON BREATHED GOLD omg that’s so cool. I mean, it’s scary and bad and all and EB would be very upset with me for thinking this, but it BREATHED GOLD. And I hadn’t gotten out to Camelot Park yet. It’s so pretty. The flowers are just starting to bloom. I know it’s been seven years, but Halcyon is even better than I remember.
I wonder if I could get EB to let me join a dance class at the community center. I really miss it. And it’s not competitive! So it won’t pull me away from my duties too much. Plus, community centers are hubs of emotion and activity, a prime target for the Enemy.
Tristane asked if I wanted to get ice cream after we defeated the dragon, and I agreed. She said we were friends now. I hope that’s true. I haven’t had a real friend…in a while. It could end up being a huge distraction, but I want to try. I’m in a new city, it’s the best to experiment and try new things, right? Everyone went for celebratory ice cream. I um, didn’t include that in my report. EB definitely wouldn’t approve. Can’t be aloof and mysterious if I’ve got caramel sauce on my nose. But I had fun. I’ll probably need to reign back on the frivolous fun, but one ice cream cone won’t totally ruin it.
I bought a postcard at a shop in Camelot Park, I can’t wait to send it to Isa. I’m gonna do that now, so I can give it to Andromeda to mail tomorrow morning.
I haven’t walked past my old house yet. Haven’t tried to see anyone. I wonder if they’re even still there. Maybe that’s why they’ve never answered me? They moved, and couldn’t tell me because I hadn’t told them my new address yet? I wish I had someone to go with me. I’m too scared to go on my own. Seven years is a long time. And if they are still there and haven’t tried to contact me…I don’t think I want to know.
PS: Oh no, Tristane and I were photographed eating ice cream together, and it ended up in a gossip magazine about heroes. Ethereal Brilliance was very upset. Being seen doing mundane things like that tarnishes the image of the Shining Guardians. But Tristane called us friends and I got swept up in the excitement. I’ll have to do better in the future. If I could just…tell them who I am, we could hang out without the hero thing. But I know, I know. Letting people know who I am puts them in danger, and puts the entire legacy in danger. Our secrets are why we thrive. Ethereal Brilliance knows best.
But the picture of me and Tristane laughing was…really cute? I don’t have very many pictures of myself, especially not transformed. I might try and get a hold of a copy of that magazine. The Big Team base had pictures like that up on that photo wall. This is for my research. It serves the mission.

## S8E2 - The More Things Change...

Mission Report: April 23, 2022
Location(s): The docks at the semi-abandoned warehouse district, the North Downtown Halcyon Community Radio station
Individuals involved: Tristane (AKA Chevalier), Misty Hawthorne (AKA Mistletoe), Barbara “Barbie” Jacks, Joshua Hawthorne (no known aliases), Toxic Omen (no other names known)
Ethereal Brilliance took me to the semi-abandoned warehouse district for training. While there, she pointed out a teenager wearing a gang jacket and listening to something on headphones. This is a person with chaos inside of them, and that makes them a good target for the Dire. It’s up to me to protect this kind of person.
Ethereal Brilliance revealed that this person is one of my Big Team teammates. Her name is Misty Hawthorne. Ethereal Brilliance left me to my duties, and another Big Team member, Chevalier, arrived on the scene. She saw me as well as Mistletoe, and the three of us began to exchange information. In particular, Chevalier and I agreed to go over past reports of Big Team missions taking place in the semi-abandoned warehouse district together. We were interrupted by a very suspicious woman. She rode up to the docks on a ship with a pink flag, and was able to shift outfits in a matter of seconds. She introduced herself as Barbara “Barbie” Jacks. After asking us about Big Team and telling us that she was hired to “help” us, she was reticent to tell us who hired her. Through clues, she let us know that it was Mayor Christopher Crossover, AKA Cyclone. She wanted us to show her to the Big Team base.
It seems very likely that this “Barbie” is an agent of the Enemy. I will keep a close on her.
Our plans were changed when Mistletoe, who was still partly listening to her headphones, informed us that the DJ had been attacked by someone calling herself Toxic Omen. I informed the team of the dangers of this situation, and attempted to get Mistletoe to stay behind, due to her susceptibility. She firmly refused, since the DJ was her father.
The four of us proceeded to the North Downtown Halcyon Community Radio station, where a scheduled performer was in crisis outside of the station, since their performance was canceled. I told them that the music lived in them, and no one could take that away. This appeared to boost their spirits, removing the Dire’s influence. They began to play their instrument, which I have since learned is called a hurdy gurdy.
Mistletoe knew where to go, and we found Toxic Omen and an unconscious Joshua Hawthorne in the broadcast booth. After a fight, wherein Mistletoe rescued her father and sent him out of danger with Barbie, Toxic Omen revealed the Dire’s plan: to use the radio station to project its influence over all of Halcyon. Chevalier assisted me in finding the source of corruption. As practiced, I used a sealing spell to dissipate it.
Unfortunately, despite Chevalier’s best attempt, Toxic Omen turned into a gaseous form and escaped. Chevalier took me aside to boost my spirits after this failure, and I left the scene.
End report
Personal notes
Today was very confusing. I know that Ethereal Brilliance knows much more than I do, but I’m not sure that Misty is much more susceptible than most people? She didn’t fall prey to it, despite her father being in danger. And she was really nice to me. But if EB says not to trust her, I should listen.
Or maybe I’m forgetting how it feels to have a family. I tried to go by my old house a few days ago, but I chickened out a few blocks away.
After the fight, I went to a coffee shop to write my report. The barista kept looking at me. It’s the kind of thing that I’m supposed to report, since it’s suspicious, but I didn’t want to. I’m not sure why…I think I’ll go back to that coffee shop again. The seating was very comfortable.
And Tristane and the hurdy gurdy player were on the radio. I tuned in until they got kicked off the air. They were really funny.
EB messaged me that I did well to stop the Dire’s greater plan. We couldn’t meet in person to go over my reports like usual because she was busy. Since she also wasn’t home and thus couldn’t need me, I decided to go back to the base to get the reports that Tristane wanted. It felt a little bad, going there without her permission, but I was doing important research! I’m sure she would have approved. But I guess, I still didn’t ask. Have I been doing too many rebellious things lately?
Tristane was already there, so we sat on some of the couches (there are SO many couches in the base!!!) since there was no one to stop us. My posture was terrible! It was so comfortable! After a little while, Misty came back. Her father was doing well, and sent his thanks to us for saving him.
We continued to read reports, and Tristane and Misty started talking about Sir Galahad’s notes and whether or not Misty’s dad, Loki (yeah, like THE Loki apparently???), was in them. And he was. And then Misty used the runes on her arm to talk to him?!?! And apparently uh, he and Sir Galahad do know each other. You know. Like. Know. I think I was more embarrassed than either of them, which makes no sense. Maybe they’re just used to this kind of thing?
And then Tristane asked me if EB had any “relations.” Which seems like a weird question, but maybe things are different in Avalon. Or, I guess, anywhere where that kind of thing is allowed. I told her that of course not, it’s against the mission.
And then…she asked a lot of questions. The kind that are hard to think about. About the mission, and what kinds of relationships aren’t against it. She brought up sports teams, which reminded me of gymnastics and ballet. And how EB made me quit when I got too invested in them and my friends there. I used to take gymnastics here in Halcyon. I wonder if any of my old friends are still here, and if they’d remember me at all.
But anyway, I told Tristane that EB was the one who told me to join the team. And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the next thing that Tristane said. “Wouldn’t a socially isolated person be vulnerable to the Dire?” And how our connections make us who we are. And Misty agreed. The thing is, it sounds like she’s right? That sounds like a true thing. But EB wouldn’t raise me to be vulnerable. Keeping to myself protects me. She’s said so. And I told them that EB knows what she’s doing.
Tristane then let up and told me that if I make any friends or get any crushes, I have to tell her. I told her that I think I had made a friend, and then she and Misty took it as their solemn duty to pester me until I said who it was.
She didn’t get that I meant her. Not that she was in the dark for long. I’m not the best at not answering direct questions. It was a really nice afternoon. I mean, my first mission against the Dire without EB didn’t go *great*, but the rest of the day was really nice. Being on a team is really different, but I like it.

## S8E6 - Pounding for Peace

Mission report: April 29, 2022
Location(s): Big Team Base, Crossover Event Center
Individuals involved: Echo (AKA CX-14, but derogatory, do not use), Sami (AKA Atlas), The Warden (no other known name), Mayor Christopher Crossover (AKA Cyclone)
Today while I was studying mission reports at the Big Team Base, my teammates Echo and Atlas discovered an advertisement for a wrestling promotion that was sponsored by Bishop and the Syndicate. They found this very suspicious, and decided to go to make sure nothing untoward happened. Since more backup is always useful, they asked to accompany them. I agreed.
Since going as Mystic Radiance would have drawn too much attention, I used some of the base’s resources to assemble a disguise for myself. I used a baseball cap to hide my blonde hair, and dark sunglasses to help conceal my identity. I also used a purple hoodie that was lying around to conceal my regular clothes. It was very effective. To maintain my cover, I allowed the others to call me Ray for the duration of the mission. (Short for Radiance.)
After doing some reconnaissance, Echo discovered that Mayor Crossover was in the building. The announcers for the event implied that he was in danger, and we decided not to wait for that to happen. Additionally, Echo detected a large number of people in the tunnels below the stage, as well as a villain who is opposed to him in particular: a half robot man who goes by the moniker The Warden. He is very dangerous.
Echo and I decided to go to evacuate Christopher Crossover, and Atlas went to enact a plan of their own. Mayor Crossover was reluctant to leave, as it was a dream of his to be in wrestling promotion. He additionally wanted to stay and beat up the Warden after finding out that he was after Echo. At this point, we received a text from Atlas informing us that the people below the stage were placing explosives meant to incapacitate the mayor, capturing him for the Syndicate. The Warden was also hoping that this would lure out Echo, allowing him to capture them. Mayor Crossover then agreed to leave, since he needed to inform the proper authorities about the threat.
Echo and I escorted him partway to the exit, and then split up. Echo went to assist Atlas in the tunnels, and I returned to the place where Mayor Crossover was awaiting his entrance. Using my magic, I made an illusion around myself so that I appeared to be the Mayor. Keeping the match going would lure the Warden away from the tunnels, allowing the others to disable the explosives without his interference. Echo warned me to be careful, and I assured him that it would be detrimental to the Mission for me to get injured or killed on this kind of outing. This didn’t appear to comfort him for some reason, but he left.
Before it was time for me to go onstage, I heard a suspicious person yelling. As it sounded like it could be something to do with the Dire, I immediately investigated. Threats from the Dire outweigh all other duties. Upon investigation, a person calling themself Harrowing Sorrow was demanding people in the room bow and quiver before them. I confronted them, but it quickly became apparent that this person was a wrestler practicing their “kayfabe” and not a Dire general.
Fortunately, I was able to get back to the waiting area before it was time to go onstage. The illusion I cast this time was not like usual. It felt more solid and very fragile. As there was no time to fix this, I had to work with it.
The Mayor’s opponent was to be the Warden. I entered in the Mayor’s place, and successfully distracted him long enough for both Echo and Atlas to return. We were also aided by a mysterious wrestler known as Optimus Crime. He seems to have his own motives, but they aligned with ours today. If you’ve watched the broadcast, you will see him defend me (disguised as the Mayor) from the Warden, and then use a “robot control ray” to control Atlas into fighting for him. After talking with Atlas post the fight’s conclusion, the control ray is part of the “kayfabe” and Atlas was not in danger or a liability to us in that fight.
The Warden was a fierce opponent. Echo ran from the fight after the Warden said some very upsetting things. They were televised if you wish to know what he said precisely, but Echo assured Atlas and me later that there was no truth to the words. Given the circumstances and history with Echo and the Warden, I do not think him fleeing reflects badly on his ability to be an effective teammate.
Unfortunately, during the fight, my illusion shattered. Optimus Crime was also defeated, although since he is a robot, I believe he will recover and return. Despite my and Atlas’s best efforts, the Warden escaped. Then the arena was calmly evacuated. No civilians were hurt, and very few seemed to notice that the fight was real and not the intended scripted show.
Atlas and I made contact with Echo to ensure he was okay, which he confirmed.
End report
Personal Notes
Oh my gosh I’ve never lied in a mission report before. Listing Sami’s aliases as just Atlas was difficult enough, but not telling EB that they’re also Optiumus Crime, and the way I said it…I couldn’t figure out a way to say what happened without lying. Everything was televised, so EB can check everything I said…But I promised Sami that I wouldn’t tell anyone. And not to mention that Echo was definitely not okay…He solidified his story while talking to us, saying that it was just typical villain stuff, but it was pretty obvious that was a lie. And he made us promise not to tell anyone what the Warden said. Something about Echo being a danger to the city? And the Warden called himself a hero for taking Echo down.
I’ve been on Big Team for less than three weeks and already things are so complicated…
But Echo seemed much more upbeat after eating the pizza I brought, so I’m sure he’ll be fine soon, even if he wasn’t then. It was a traumatic day for him, so it makes sense that he wasn’t okay.
OKAY BUT ALSO TODAY WAS SO FUN??? I know I shouldn’t have been having fun. People were in danger. But pretending to be the mayor was a blast. Wrestling is just saying dramatic things and putting on a show. I got to ham it up and blow kisses at the crowd, and when someone shouted that they loved me (wel….the mayor), I said “and I love you, random citizen.” I just…it was fun. It was ridiculous and silly and horribly cheesy. Until my illusion broke anyway. Then I didn’t do so well…
Oh no, I hope Mayor Crossover isn’t upset with me for impersonating him??? I didn’t even think of that…
But I talked about how fun it was with Sami after, and they also agreed that it was fun. They have three bodies and were using all three of them, which was really cool. And Optimus Crime is a secret identity so she can have fun. I know I’m not a robot, so I can’t really do that, but wouldn't it be fun if I could?
And I know that wrestling and ballet couldn’t be much more different, but it reminded me of ballet a little. Maybe just the performative part. I miss doing that kind of thing. Anyway, I had a great time. And Sami and I brought pizza back to the base because Echo had mentioned wanting to get pizza after the mission earlier. I think it definitely helped. I’m doing great at this team thing.
Until next time! ✨

## S8E17 - The Legend of GAIA

I went back and forth so many times about if I was going to write a mission report for this. The size of lie I’d have to weave to write it with enough detail to satisfy Andromeda and not make her suspicious…is pretty big. I don’t know if I can do that. Since everything happened in the base, I can probably get away with saying that I went to the base to train after doing my homework? Or just say nothing?
I hate lying to Andromeda this much.
I can’t believe I ran into Isa…Randi…Revenant. One minute I was at Screamin’ Beans, worrying about my science homework, and the next there’s this tall blue girl holding my hands and saying she’s my long lost sister. And her - our - parents are missing??? And what happened to her? She’s blue and cold and
AND she’s taller than me! Isa isn’t allowed to be TALLER than me! By a lot!!!
She didn’t seem to know what had happened to me, so I guess Mom and Dad never told her? I guess that makes sense, 10-year-olds aren’t very good at keeping secrets. Who wouldn’t tell everyone who would listen that their sister is a chosen one superhero? But it’s weird that they wouldn’t have told her anything? And it’s not like I didn’t send her postcards. Did Mom and Dad not give them to her? Did they move before I sent any? It’s been a long time, I don’t remember exactly when I sent the first one. It was so exciting to move across the country and start training. How long did I forget about my family? I mean, I was 10, I don’t think anyone would blame me, but still…
And then there was the mission, where I did a terrible job. Cait Sidhe had kidnapped GAIA (virtually and from a distance), which cut short my and Randi’s reunion. He had us run a simulation in the danger room, which pulled up a world that was probably like a video game? I don’t know for sure, I haven’t played a video game since I started training. Randi did a great job. And Angy is really powerful, and Signe seemed to know what was going on and led us through.
I was such a wreck that whole mission. And then when Randi got hit by lightning and dissolved into mist…I thought she’d died. I shouted her first name, but she didn’t hear me, and I don’t think the others noticed. Which is a good thing. I think.
Yeah, so we saved GAIA, and they got us out of the danger room simulation. They got the bug out of their systems that let Cait Sidhe infiltrate the base in the first place.
And then Randi went back to Screamin’ Beans. I knew she was hoping I’d still be there. And I almost went back in. I had my hand on the door. But I was filled with an overwhelming sense of dread, and I left.
Why didn’t I go in?
I’ve been missing Randi for six years and when I finally found her, I chickened out and ran away. I guess I’m worried about who I am. And who she is. Six years is a long time. Will she even like me anymore? I mean, without the Mystic Radiance stuff, I’m not really interesting or important. And she can’t know. Secret identity, no exceptions. Except Andromeda, I guess. And even if Randi did know, it’s not like I was anything to be impressed by.
Also Angy was mean to me during the mission. I mean, nothing she said was wrong, but she didn’t need to be mean about me failing at nearly everything I tried. And THEN after we were done, she was upset that the weird gem things from the game world didn’t come out with us! Can you imagine? Randi almost died and that’s what she was worried about. So I made her one with my powers. It was a lot more glittery than the ones in the game, but it served my point. I told her, “If that’s what you care about, here.” That’ll show her.

## S8E19 - Who Watches the Bay Watchers

Mission Report: May 30, 2022
Location(s): Halcyon City Beach, Ethereal Brilliance’s Base
Individuals involved: Tristane (AKA Chevalier), Echo (no known aliases), Carol Queen Crossover (clone, AKA Quinn, AKA Aquatic Malady)
While at the beach for training today, the day was disrupted by the emergence of a new Dire General: Aquatic Malady. She took several civilians hostage. Fortunately, Chevalier, Echo, and I were there and responded quickly. Chevalier rescued the civilians while Echo and I entered combat with Aquatic Malady. Chevalier is very good at thinking on her feet and came in to assist several times in creative ways, utilizing the environment. Most involved a frisbee.
After we knocked out Aquatic Malady, I contacted you so that we could sever her ties with The Dire and release her. My teammates and I met you at your base, where she woke up and escaped before we could do the ritual. I created a portal to let my teammates back out on the beach, and that concluded the mission.
Profile on Aquatic Malady:
Quinn, as she was called by the other clones, is a clone of Carol Queen Crossover, the principal of Big High. She was cloned as part of the same program as Echo. However, for some reason, she did not gain the powers of her original. This, combined with having no support system after escaping from the program, made her a perfect target for The Dire. Aquatic Malady has water-controlling powers, but she is weakened when not in water herself. It does not appear that she can summon water, and must use the water that is at hand.

Personal Notes:
I hadn’t intended to meet Tristane and Echo at the beach, but I was really excited when I did. My excuse for being there was to surf as balance training, and Echo wanted to learn, so I was going to teach them! I was looking forward to it. But we hadn’t even been there for ten minutes before I sensed something wrong. I ran off to investigate in the wrong direction, which gave aquatic Malady the opportunity to take several civilians hostage. I’m really glad that Echo and Tristane were there, I wouldn’t have been able to stop her on my own. I really wonder sometimes why my legacy is set up like this. One in a generation gets the powers, but the Dire gets multiple generals. Why is this set up so I’m supposed to be alone?
And when the others knocked Aquatic Malady out, it turned out she was one of Echo’s friends. Siblings? A clone from the same program. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if Hal or ~~Isa~~ Randi turned out to be a Dire general. So I get why he was so upset. They really didn’t think that Quinn would have chosen to be a Dire general. I can’t say I understand why anyone would ever do that.
I really thought I’d be able to do things right this time. I can’t do the ritual to sever generals from the Dire’s influence by myself, so I took the team to EB’s base, and she met us there. But Quinn woke up before we could do the ritual, and Echo wasn’t able to convince her to stay or reconsider what she’s doing. And she escaped. The rest of the mission was a mess. EB blamed me for Quinn’s escape, and Echo defended me. It seemed like they had a lot more to say to EB, but Tristane stopped them, and EB left.
Echo said that Ethereal Brilliance is a jerk, and she’s not, even if Tristane agrees with him. She’s my mentor, she takes care of me, taught me to use my powers, shows up to parent teacher conferences, and it’s the end of the world if we fail. She knows what she’s doing. Echo said…some really mean things before storming off. And I couldn’t get Tristane to see my side of things, even after explaining that it was my fault that EB lost most of her powers. She compared EB to her dad, in a bad way, but didn’t elaborate, and I wasn’t really in a mood to ask questions. I made Tristane a portal back to the beach, and I considered not going back. But I didn’t really want to be alone, or go home, so I did.
Tristane texted me to invite me (as Aeryn) to ice cream with her and Echo, and said we were kidnapping Echo into it, since they just wanted to go and mope. Sometimes having an identity that doesn’t have all this hero baggage is really nice. I mean…it’s also lying, and I feel bad about that, but being able to go out and not be Mystic Radiance and hang out with my friends without everything that just happened hanging between us? That’s really nice.
But then again…Echo told me a secret because I wasn’t on Big Team. How he’s dying, and part of why he was so upset was because he wants to make sure all of the other clones are okay in case he can’t fix it. What do you even say to that? I don’t think I did a very good job. But then again, words can’t make it better, and I don’t think that’s what he wanted from me. My life has gotten catastrophically more complicated than it was before I joined Big Team. Aurora Bay wasn’t half this convoluted.
And Echo did sort of apologize about what he said to me, when I was transformed. I mean, I doubt he would have said it at all if he’d known who I was, but he regretted it, and called Mystic Radiance a good hero. I don’t get told that very often. It was a nice afternoon, though. Despite everything.
I finally went by my old house. I asked Tristane to go with me after an extremely embarrassing misunderstanding where she thought I was asking her out, I almost died on the spot. Ahhhhhhhhh. Anyway. She went with me, and didn’t ask many questions, which I was grateful for. I didn’t think I could go by myself, even though I knew what I’d find. My parents and Randi weren’t there, some other family lives there now. But I had to see it for myself. Tristane could tell something was up, and invited me to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail with her. She pitched it as “there’s a carnivorous rabbit, it’s quite humorous.” Which. Isn’t usually the kind of pitch that would get me to watch a movie, but I still didn’t really want to be alone. And the movie was really good.
I never did get to teach Echo how to surf…

## S8E21 - Deep in Your Feelings

Mission Report: June 3, 2022
Location(s): The Nicchols Family Community Center
Individuals involved: Comet (AKA Hal Taylor), Sledge, unknown Dire general
After doing research at the base into the team’s interaction with a Dire general a few days ago, as you requested, I had heard about an ice cream social at the Nicchols Family Community Center. As these kinds of events often attract villainous activity, I deemed it prudent to attend to keep an eye out. Of course, I attended as Aeryn, to keep a low profile.
Comet was also in attendance, and detected an anomaly in Sledge’s office. I went with them, and realized this was a Dire crystal, designed to explode and let the smoke disperse, filling everyone in the center with bad emotions for the Dire to feed on. As this was Sledge’s office, she arrived and took custody of it. Since there was not opportunity for me to transform, I did not have the authority to take it myself. However, Sledge appeared to have things well in hand. Investigation did not reveal which Dire general had planted the crystal, but stopping it seemed to have stopped them from any further action.
Personal Notes
Reward for the biggest lie of a mission report goes to…this one! I wasn’t sure how else to not reveal to EB that I was a total stupidhead and got knocked out by the crystal and revealed my secret identity to Hal. I KNOW I shouldn’t touch the crystals. That’s the most obvious thing. But Hal touched it and was fine, so I thought, why not? Maybe I’ll figure something out. But no, I just passed out and revealed my secret identity. The first rule of the legacy.
Although…if anyone was going to know, I’m glad it’s Hal. I’d been avoiding them since Randi cheeted about me avoiding her, not knowing how to explain why. But they know now. I did run away, but they caught me in the alley outside and made me talk to them. They really didn’t like having to keep this a secret, especially from Randi, but what else am I supposed to do? Ethereal Brilliance told me just this morning how she was disappointed that I let Randi find me at all, and that I needed to do better and stay away from her. They’re also worried that Randi might beat them up, too, for hiding me from her, but I don’t think she’d take this out on them, it’s not like they have a choice in the matter.
But Ethereal Brilliance CANNOT know that I messed up this badly. She said my powers could choose someone else…and I’m not anyone without them. Aeryn is boring and insecure and…what would I even do if I couldn’t be a superhero?
I’m glad Hal understood why I took the powers, though. No one else seems to understand why I’d agree to work with Ethereal Brilliance. Sure, she’s strict, but of course she is - the fate of the world is on us. I went with a sparkly cool superhero who told me I was special and chosen, Hal picked up a weird sword in the woods, it’s not all that different.
Speaking of Randi though…it’s our birthday tomorrow. I really miss her. But…I don’t know what to do. How can I be someone she’s proud of, someone she wants to know? And she’s threatening to beat me up when she does find me. Have I already messed things up beyond repair?