"She came from the future to rewrite the past—before the Upside Down consumes them all." - A Steve Harrington Story

"Citizen One-nine-six-seven, surrender yourself immediately!"

Nova sprinted down the narrow metal walkway, her lean, defined legs propelling her forward with determination. A grin crept across her face, spurred on by the frustration evident in her superior's voice echoing over the com system. "Citizen One-nine-six-seven, surrender yourself immediately!"

With a flick of her wrist, Nova activated her comlink, bringing it to her mouth. "I got the piece we needed, I'm on my way back," she announced triumphantly. "This is so ursa major!"

The comlink crackled once before a weary voice responded, "And you also have the troops hunting your ass down. Couldn't you have gotten the part discreetly, like we planned, Nova?"

Nova couldn't help but snicker, lifting the device back up. "When do our plans ever go right, Mom?"

There was no response, but Nova hadn't expected one. Despite their banter, the urgency of their mission loomed large, resting squarely on Nova's shoulders.

Growing up on NA-01 had its perks, though. Nova knew the ins and outs of the place like the back of her hand, every nook, every shortcut, safe or risky. It was how she managed to evade the pursuing troops, navigating her way back to her parents' lab before the alarm sounded. An alarm that gave her precisely six minutes and twelve seconds until the Toasters reached the lab.

This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It had been meticulously planned for over a year, ever since Nova's mother had detected the impending mutation. Despite years of research and historical evidence, her warnings had fallen on deaf ears, her voice silenced and her expertise dismissed. Now, however, that punishment served a purpose.

Nova's hand slammed onto the palm scanner, her breaths coming in heavy as she focused on the cornea monitor. Finally, two green lights flashed, and the thick metal doors began to slide open. Without hesitation, Nova squeezed through the narrow gap, bursting into their apartment.

What greeted her wasn't the luxurious pad of her childhood but a scene of chaos. Gears, controls, nuts, and bolts littered the floor like confetti after a particularly wild party. And oil, lots of oil, creating slick pools across the room.

With practiced ease, Nova slid across the room, propelled by the sticky substance, until she reached her parents who were hunched over a large machine. Despite the chaos surrounding them, they worked with a calm determination. When her father caught sight of her, his brown eyes sparkled with pride as she tossed him the chip.

"Good job, my little Supernova," he praised, his voice laced with admiration.

Nova's mother remained engrossed in her pad, fingers dancing across the screen in a flurry of determined taps. She was a woman of precision, her mind sharp as a razor, but her attention was momentarily diverted by her daughter's presence. Her gaze flicked up for the briefest moment, catching Nova's eyes in a silent exchange that spoke volumes, before returning to her work. "Little? She's taller than both of us," she remarked dryly, a hint of amusement lacing her words. "Are you sure she's ours?"

Caught in the rhythm of familial banter, Nova flashed a quick grin at her mother. "Hey, genetics can be a real wild ride," she quipped, her tone laced with playful sarcasm.

Meanwhile, her father's voice resonated from within the depths of the machine, his words carrying a mix of jest and affection. "She's got my eyes and your magnificent brain, there's no way she belongs to anyone else." Emerging from the mechanical labyrinth, he shot Nova a teasing glare, his eyes alight with paternal pride. "She got the height from my dad, a trait that spitefully skipped a generation." His gaze softened as he turned to Nova's mother, his expression earnest. "It's installed. You were right; power is only at 63%."

Nova's brow furrowed, her mind racing to comprehend the implications of the percentage. She was too engrossed in her calculations to notice the fleeting exchange between her parents, the silent language of shared understanding. But the truth soon revealed itself, and her chestnut eyes widened with apprehension. "63%?" Fear tinged her voice as she darted a desperate glance between her parents. "That's barely enough for two people."

"I know." Her mother's affirmation was resolute, her gaze returning to the illuminated screen with a sense of grim determination.

Turning to her father for answers, Nova's voice trembled with uncertainty. "Dad... what—"

But he cut her off with a gentle smile, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and sorrow. "We knew this could be a possibility."

"How?" Nova's frustration bubbled to the surface, her emotions raw and unfiltered. "We ran the numbers, over and over again. How could it be so low?"

Her father's touch was reassuring as he clasped her arms, his thumbs tracing soothing circles on her skin. "That was until the control center redirected the power to fend off the mutation. Our calculations became irrelevant the moment they intervened. Command acted sooner than we anticipated..." His voice trailed off, a hint of sadness creeping into his words. "Variables we couldn't predict."

The word echoed in Nova's mind like a haunting refrain. Variables—those unpredictable elements that defied logic and defied control. "I hate variables," she confessed, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and frustration.

Her father's laughter was tinged with tears, a bittersweet melody of affection and regret. "You always did, Supernova. That's the perfectionist in you..." His gaze drifted to Nova's mother, a silent acknowledgment of their shared traits and their shared burden. "Your mother in you."

"Warning! Sector seven has been breached."

The blaring alarm shattered the tense silence, sending Nova's heart into a frenzied rhythm. Panic surged through her veins like an electric current, jolting her from the comforting embrace of her father's arms. She stumbled backward, her mind a whirlwind of terror and disbelief. "No!" Her voice cracked with desperation, bile rising in her throat at the thought of the impending doom. "They're early. They're too early."

Her father's smile was tinged with sorrow, a silent acknowledgment of the cruel hand fate had dealt them. "Variables," he murmured, his voice heavy with resignation.

"I'm not ready," Nova choked on her tears, the weight of responsibility bearing down on her like a suffocating blanket. She glanced frantically between her parents, the realization sinking in that she was facing this ordeal alone.

"You are," her mother's voice cut through the chaos like a beacon of strength, her words ringing with unwavering determination. With a final tap of the screen, she cast aside the pad, her gaze fixed firmly on her daughter and husband. Moving with purpose, she enveloped Nova in her arms, holding her close as sobs wracked the young woman's body. "This is our destiny, my love," she whispered, her embrace a shield against the encroaching darkness. "You know the stories, you know the history, you know the truth. We have the power to reverse these awful events, save so many innocent lives."

"But I'll never see you again," Nova's voice cracked with anguish, her eyes brimming with unshed tears as she searched her parents' faces for solace. "I'll never see the both of you ever again."

Her mother's resolve faltered for a moment, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability in her steely facade. "Yes, you will," she declared, her voice steady despite the tremor of emotion. "We will be reunited in another life."

Nova recoiled slightly, her disbelief evident in the furrow of her brow. "You've always said that religious and spiritual beliefs are irrational," she pointed out, her voice laced with bitter irony. "And those that believe anything other than science should be hung, drawn, and quartered."

A wry smile tugged at her mother's lips, a hint of defiance in the face of impending doom. "We're about to commit treason," she countered, her tone unapologetic. "That may be happening to all of us if this doesn't work." With a gentle touch, she brushed away Nova's tears, her touch a fleeting comfort in the midst of chaos. "But right now, faith is the only thing that is comforting me and keeping me together."

"Then let's all have a little faith," her husband interjected, his voice a beacon of solidarity in the gathering storm.

Warning! Sector three has been breached.

"It's time," her mother's smile wavered, a fragile facade masking the tumult of emotions roiling beneath the surface. With trembling hands, she pressed her lips to her child's forehead, a silent prayer lingering in the air as she clung to this fleeting moment of connection. She held on for as long as she dared, a desperate attempt to imprint the memory of her daughter's warmth against her skin, before reluctantly pulling away.

Beside her, Nova's father offered silent support, his grip on her hand a lifeline in the face of impending separation. Together, they stood united, bound by love and a shared sense of duty.

As Nova's father began the meticulous task of securing her equipment, her mother stepped forward, her sleeves damp from wiping away tears. "Coms?" she inquired, her voice steady despite the tremor of emotion lurking beneath the surface.

Nova nodded, rolling up her sleeve to reveal the sleek device nestled against her skin, a lifeline connecting her to the world beyond.

"Emitters?" her mother continued, her gaze sweeping over Nova's form with a mixture of pride and apprehension. The miniature emitters, cleverly disguised as delicate ear cuffs, served as a silent testament to their ingenuity—a last line of defense against the dangers that lurked in the shadows.

Nova brushed her blonde hair behind her ears, revealing the subtle gleam of the emitters nestled against her skin. "All set," she confirmed, her voice tinged with determination.

With a reassuring squeeze, Nova's father stepped forward, his touch a silent reassurance as he rubbed her shoulder. Together, they had crafted the tools that would see her through the trials ahead—a testament to their unwavering love and unwavering belief in her abilities.

"All done, Supernova," her father murmured, his voice a soothing balm against the uncertainty that hung in the air. With a glance exchanged between them, he moved to stand beside his wife, their hands instinctively seeking solace in each other's grasp.

Warning! Sector two has been breached.

The tremor in their daughter's voice pierced through the air, a raw expression of vulnerability that struck a chord deep within the hearts of her parents. Despite their own tumultuous emotions threatening to engulf them, they held back their cries, their faces a mask of stoic resolve.

Summoning every ounce of strength she possessed, Nova's mother forced a smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm not," she declared, her voice steady despite the tremble of uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface. "I can guarantee you will do this."

But Nova's fear was palpable, her words a whispered plea for reassurance. "You said the only thing that is guaranteed in life is death."

A flicker of understanding passed between mother and daughter, a silent acknowledgment of the harsh truths they had faced together. "Not this time," her mother countered, her smile unwavering in the face of uncertainty. "I believe with all my being that you will do this."

"It's time, Supernova."

With a final, shuddering sob, Nova stepped forward, her resolve steeling against the tide of fear threatening to consume her. As she entered the transport unit, the air crackled with anticipation, the hum of machinery filling the silence.

Warning! Sector one has been breached.

The sound of metal against metal reverberated through the chamber, a stark reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the confines of their sanctuary. But Nova's father's upgrades held firm, a testament to his ingenuity and determination.

"I love you," Nova's voice quivered with emotion, her words a heartfelt testament to the love that bound them together.

Her parents flickered before her, their forms wavering like specters in the fading light. Despite the ache of separation tearing at her heart, Nova steeled herself against the rising tide of despair, drawing strength from the memory of their unwavering love.

"We love you more than all the stars in the universe, our beautiful Supernova," her father's voice cracked with emotion, tears streaming down his cheeks in silent tribute to the daughter he was about to lose.

Nova's gaze locked with her mother's, a silent exchange of love and farewell that transcended words. In that fleeting moment, she heard her mother whisper her final goodbye, a bittersweet echo that lingered in the air long after she had disappeared from view.

As their daughter vanished into the depths of the unknown, Aniece's façade of strength crumbled like a fragile fortress battered by the relentless onslaught of grief. She collapsed into her husband's arms, her sobs echoing through the chamber as the machine powered down, leaving behind a void where their daughter had once stood. With each breath, she felt the weight of loss pressing down upon her, a suffocating embrace that threatened to consume her soul.

Salinger held his wife close, his own anguish mirrored in the lines etched upon his face. He had fought tooth and nail to protect their daughter, but now she was beyond their reach, lost to a destiny they could scarcely comprehend. As the door to their home was breached, reality crashed down upon them like a tidal wave, washing away the remnants of their former life in a torrent of despair.

"Where is Citizen One-nine-six-seven?"

The harsh demand cut through the air like a blade, drawing Salinger's attention to the commander standing before them—a man he had once called friend, now transformed into a faceless adversary. With a primal roar of fury, he lunged forward, his fist connecting with the commander's face in a satisfying burst of violence. "Her name is Supernova Joyce," he spat, his voice thick with righteous indignation. "And you'll never find her."

Aniece pulled her husband back from the fray, a wry smirk playing upon her lips as she watched the commander wipe away the blood trickling from his nose. "She's going to save the universe," she taunted, her words a defiant challenge in the face of tyranny. "While you've doomed us all."

As the troops trained their weapons on the esteemed couple, a ripple of uncertainty coursed through their ranks. Whispers spread like wildfire among the citizens, questioning the veracity of the commander's actions. Doubt gnawed at the edges of their loyalty, fueled by the undeniable truth of Aniece's words—a truth that threatened to unravel the very fabric of their reality.

Commander Hackit sneered in disdain as he surveyed the blood staining his fingers, a tangible reminder of his recent altercation. With clenched teeth, he issued a terse command, his voice dripping with contempt. "Detain them."

Without hesitation, the troops sprang into action, surrounding the scientists and ushering them out of their quarters. Only the commander and his loyal second-in-command, Tris, remained, their faces etched with determination.

"And the girl?" Tris inquired, his voice a low rumble of anticipation.

Hackit's gaze fell upon the cracked pad lying discarded upon the floor, its screen frozen in defiance. He snatched it up with a snarl, his fingers tracing the cryptic code etched upon its surface. Hawkins, Indiana—a name that sent a shiver down his spine, a location he knew of too well since he'd become commander.

With a curse, Hackit thrust the pad into Tris's chest, his frustration palpable. Without a word, he turned on his heel and stalked away, his mind ablaze with questions and doubts.

Tris studied the letters on the pad with a furrowed brow, his thoughts racing as he pondered the significance of their destination. What secrets lay hidden within the enigmatic town of Hawkins, Indiana? And why had the Byers family risked everything to go there, sacrificing their only child in the process?

Who's the hunter who's the game

I feel the beat call your name

I'll hold you close a victory

I don't want to tame your animal style

You won't be caged when they call the wild

Shootin' at the walls of heartache

Bang, bang

I am the warrior

Steve Harrington drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road ahead as the unfamiliar song blared through the radio speakers. He had no clue what the lyrics meant, but the chick singing sure had some serious pipes, and it was a welcome distraction from Dustin's incessant ramblings about summer camps.

"I-I just can't figure it out," Dustin muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration as he leafed through the brochure Mr. Clarke had thrust upon him. The ever-present cap perched atop his head seemed to add an air of gravity to his deliberation. "Up & Atom camp sounds cool, and Never Boron camp has everything except robotics, but there's something about Camp Know Where that's calling out to me." He turned to Steve, seeking his opinion.

Ignoring the question, Steve continued to tap along to the beat, his attention focused on the road ahead. But Dustin wasn't one to be easily dismissed.

"Are you still giving me the silent treatment about leaving this summer?" Dustin's voice was tinged with frustration, his gaze fixed on Steve's profile.

Steve's jaw clenched, but he kept his eyes forward, his expression unreadable. "Shit, Steve! It's just a month. Even the parties aren't this upset."

Steve's grip tightened on the steering wheel, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Alright, Henderson, let's get one thing straight," he interjected, his tone sharp. "I'm not upset about you going to your nerdy space camp. I'm just sick of hearing about it. Just pick a damn camp!"

Immediately, Steve winced as Dustin continued to stare at him in silence, the tension thickening in the air between them. With a resigned sigh, Steve's gaze returned to the road ahead, his knuckles white against the steering wheel as Dustin loftily questioned, "Are you done?"

"Yes, I'm done!" Steve snapped back, his annoyance palpable at the calmness of Dustin's tone. He knew that tone all too well—it was the calm before the storm, the precursor to Dustin's infamous 'know-it-all' mode.

"Okay, first..." Steve groaned inwardly at the impending lecture. The litany of grievances was even worse. "First, it's science camp, not nerdy camp. Second, even if it was nerdy camp, it'd be better than hanging out with a douchebag who barely graduated and only just managed to get a job scooping ice cream in the new mall, and that was because his dad plays golf with the owner." Steve's teeth ground together at the memory of his failed attempts to land a decent job. "Thirdly, you really should stop acting like you're in high school, where your arbitrary standards for coolness stem from naming others derogatory terms to boost your fragile ego."

That was the final straw.

"That's it, Henderson!" Steve slammed down on the brakes, his frustration boiling over as he turned to face the curly-haired teen. "Your ass is grass!" His fist clenched, poised for action.

But fate had other plans.

Just as Steve's fist reared back, a demogorgon fell from the sky, landing directly in front of his car with a deafening roar. Shocked into paralysis, Steve's fist remained suspended in midair, his eyes wide with disbelief as the creature's gaping maw loomed before him.

In that moment of surreal terror, Steve and Dustin were united in fear, their screams mingling in a cacophony of panic. "Reverse! Reverse!" Dustin shrieked, his voice tinged with desperation as he flailed his arms in a futile attempt to ward off the impending danger.

Reacting on instinct, Steve threw the car into reverse, his foot hovering over the accelerator as he glanced frantically at the rear-view mirror. But his heart sank as he caught sight of a second demogorgon descending behind them, sealing their fate in a nightmare of monstrous proportions.

Dustin's voice pierced the tension, echoing urgency as he scrambled for his bag, his fingers fumbling until they found the familiar shape of his CB radio. With swift movements, he pulled it out and began broadcasting to their party, his tone urgent and panicked, "Code red! I repeat, this is code red! We are being attacked by demo—what the hell!?"

Before Dustin could finish his sentence, both boys were rendered speechless as something unexpected plummeted from the sky, slicing the looming demogorgon cleanly in half. In its place stood a figure—a girl. Steve's breath caught in his throat as he took in her appearance, his hazel eyes meeting hers, a kaleidoscope of colors reflecting back at him, splattered with the blood of the fallen creature. A smirk played on her lips as she faced the second demogorgon, forgotten until now.

With a fluid motion, the girl leaped onto the hood of Steve's car, effortlessly scaling over it and landing gracefully in front of the raging demogorgon.

"Whoa," Dustin breathed out, his astonishment mirroring Steve's.

In a silent agreement, the two boys lunged into the backseat, their urgency driving them to witness the surreal scene unfolding before them. Luckily, Dustin's Cleidocranial Dysplasia proved to be an unexpected advantage as he maneuvered himself, allowing them both to tumble ungracefully into the back, their focus unwavering as they settled to watch the spectacle.

The girl circled the demogorgon, her sword vanished, leaving her weaponless yet unfazed.

"Who the hell is she?" Steve's voice was heavy with disbelief.

"My future wife," Dustin declared, his eyes shining with unwavering devotion.