ORION HIGH – MORNING HOMEROOM
The bell rang. Students settled into their seats, buzzing with post-weekend chatter. Kael leaned back in his chair, yawning, while Zayn and Rayna scrolled through their group project notes. Jett, as usual, had sunglasses on indoors.
Then—
TEACHER (O.S.)Good morning, class. I'll be your substitute for the next few days. My name is… Miss Kaori.
The classroom fell silent as the new teacher walked in.
But two people didn't just go quiet.
Lyra and Daiki froze in their seats.
Eyes wide. Hearts racing.
DAIKI (whispers)No way…
LYRA (softly)It… can't be...
Standing at the front of the class, Miss Kaori looked exactly like their mother. Same calm eyes. Same way she tucked her hair behind her ear. Even the scent—faint jasmine.
INT. HALLWAY – LUNCH BREAK
The team had gathered outside. Lyra gripped her notebook tightly.
LYRA (conflicted)It's her. I know it's her. I felt it.
DAIKIBut why wouldn't she tell us? Why would she vanish for years… and come back as a schoolteacher?
ZAYN (carefully)Are we sure it's not an illusion? We've seen shape-shifters before.
JETTYeah, last week that ice cream vendor tried to vaporize me. Still not over that betrayal.
KAELLet's not jump to conclusions. But we stick together on this, got it?
INT. CLASSROOM – AFTER SCHOOL
Lyra lingered behind as students left. Daiki stayed by the door.
LYRA (to "Miss Kaori")If it's really you... where have you been?
"Miss Kaori" turned slowly, her smile soft—but something was off. A flicker in the eyes. A hesitation in her voice.
"MISS KAORI"I… was lost. But I've found my way back to you.
LYRA (suspicious)If you found your way back… why here? Why not home?
DAIKI (narrowing eyes)You always said your favorite lullaby was Star Petals. Finish the last line.
The teacher blinked.
"MISS KAORI" (flatly)…The stars sleep in morning dust.
Lyra stepped back.
LYRA (coldly)That's not it.
Suddenly, the air shimmered.
The illusion dropped—and standing before them was a distorted creature, her face still shaped like their mother's, but eyes glowing sickly green.
KARNEX'S MONSTER – MORPHA LUXClever children. But memories can be sharp knives.
INT. SCHOOL HALLS – SECONDS LATER
Kael, Zayn, Jett, and Rayna came sprinting in as Daiki triggered a distress pulse. The team assembled in front of Lyra and Daiki.
ZEVOR (through comms)Be warned. Morpha Lux manipulates emotional energy. Do not let your memories guide your moves.
KAELTeam, ready!
JETTLet's turn this family reunion into a demolition party.
LYRA(taking a breath)She's not my mother. Let's end this.
EXT. SCHOOL ROOFTOP – BATTLE SEQUENCE
Under the golden light of sunset, the Sentinels faced off against Morpha Lux.
The monster lashed out with illusions—projecting visions of lost family, fractured memories, and tempting whispers.
ZAYN used logic to cut through the false visuals.
RAYNA coordinated counter-moves to protect Lyra.
JETT disrupted the illusion field with a flash grenade of his own design.
KAEL and LYRA fought side-by-side, their moves seamless, grounded in trust—not illusions.
DAIKI, though un-morphed, hurled a stun disc at a crucial moment, breaking the monster's focus.
LYRA (charging up)For my real memories—and the people still with me!
KAELLet's finish this!
Together, they launched a Nova Fusion Strike, disintegrating Morpha Lux in a surge of radiant energy.
INT. NOVA BASE – LATER THAT NIGHT
The team sat in silence, decompressing.
LYRA (softly)For a moment, I wanted to believe it was her...
DAIKIYeah. Me too. But I'm glad we didn't lose ourselves in the past.
KAEL(placing a hand on Lyra's shoulder)You were strong. Both of you.
DAIKI(suddenly smirking)And speaking of strong—Shin-nee-san, you were really worried back there.
KAEL(groans)Please don't.
RAYNA(teasing)Too late. It's canon now.
Everyone laughed—even Lyra.
TO BE CONTINUED...