“Here's your identification," a panther said as he handed each of the Bad Guys a black t-shirt with a number code on them. “Ismene will take you to where you all will be staying."

“How come Gabi... I mean, Aura... didn't get a shirt?" Shark asked as Gabi was giving a white and golden dress robe.

“When Mother Minerva gives someone their true name, they no longer need an identification," Ismene explained. “See?"

“My most beloved Flock, join me in celebration of our latest fully fledged member!" Minerva announced over a large screen. A bright light shown on a young white-tailed doe. “OV-505, you have proven yourself a helpful and loyal member of our family. From this day forward, you shall be known as Lybia. The Flock welcomes you with open wings, paws, and claws. Keep making us proud."

“I will make you proud," Lybia swore, her voice sounding empty. Piranha glanced back at Gabi with concern.

“Wolf, have you lost your mind?!" Snake angrily whispered in his friend's ear. “We were trying to get Gabi out, not trap ourselves in!"

“Relax, we'll figure this out," Wolf tried to reassure her, though even he was beginning to have doubts. “You saw the way that oversized chicken was with Gabi. We'll just listen to what Minerva told her. Then, we can work on a plan."

“I don't like this," Webs said in disgust. “Look at my shirt, it has a big BS on it! Who would do such a thing?!"

“Blame the Oppressors," Ismene replied. “They're the ones who gave you the name Brachypelma smithi."

“Oh, yeah," Webs realized. “I forgot about that."

“I'm sorry, break a what?" Piranha asked.

“Your friend is a red-knee tarantula," Ismene pointed out. “Brachypelma smithi is the scientific name the Oppressors gave her. So until she breaks free from them and earns her true name, she will be called BS-829. I was CR-011 before earning the name of Ismene."

Piranha looked down at the stitching on his shirt to read PN-177. “Okay, that's not creepy at all. And, uh, who were you before you were CR-011?"

“That information is classified," Ismene stated once they arrived at a door. “Welcome to your new home until after the Blood Moon. Now, go change and get some rest. Except you, CL-252. I have a few questions for you."

“Um... Okay?" Wolf agreed nervously as everyone else went inside.

“Why did you do it?"

“Do what?" Wolf asked the younger wolf. She didn't seem to be much older than eighteen, and her copper eyes were gleaming with curiosity.

“Redeem yourselves in the eyes of the Oppressors," she said. “I know who you and your friends are. They ran from you until you started helping them. Why would you do that?"

“We did what was right," Wolf answered. “No other reason."

“But why?" Ismene asked again. “I'm a living example of what they've done. Gray wolves may be doing fine for now, but my species is dying because of those... those monsters."

“Ismene... they think we're monsters," Wolf pointed out. “I don't know what Minerva is planning, but do you really think this'll make things better?"

Ismene thought about this for a moment, but then, remembered her place and said, “I shouldn't have opened my big mouth. Just get some rest. Tomorrow night is the Blood Moon. We must prepare."

“Kid, wait!" Wolf replied, but it was too late. The young red wolf had run off.

🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶

“Do you guys think Wolf is worried about something?" Webs asked the group as they settled into what looked like a typical New York apartment... only without the view. Instead of a window, there was just a poster of Minerva in a forest that said “The Flock Is Your Family."

“What do you mean?" Shark wondered.

“I don't know, he just seems kinda off," she pointed out. “Now that we all got things going on in our lives, he seems kinda upset."

“You might be onto something," Snake realized. “Last week was our thirtieth anniversary, and I couldn't spend it with him because I promised Quentin I'd hang out with his family."

“Ooh, that's rough," Piranha said.

“Maybe Wolf just doesn't like that things are changing," Shark figured. “Diane asked him to move in with her, Snake has a son, Piranha and Gabi are married now, I may or may not have gotten into Monique's theater troupe... If I could just get some sort of reception, I'd know by now."

“So, everyone except Webs has something going on?" Piranha asked. “Girl, you must be bored."

“Well, actually, smart guy, I... Uh..." Webs stammered.

“You, uh, what?" Piranha asked as Webs covered her mouth, as if she was hiding something. “Webs, spill it! What's going on?!"

“BRENDA AND I ARE DATING!" she screamed. The boys dropped their jaws and Shark dropped his phone. “For, like, a couple of months now! We have matching bracelets!"

“Uh, girl, that's crazy!" Shark exclaimed. “Why didn't you tell us until now?!"

“It's my first serious relationship," she replied. “I don't know what the heck I'm doing. And I knew if you guys knew, you'd make a big deal about it and I'd get even more nervous."

“Aw, we get it," Snake assured her. “Newfound romance can be scary."

“Yeah, I remember my first girlfriend," Shark said. “I had so many butterflies in my stomach, I thought I was gonna start floating."

As Snake and Webs laughed with Shark, Piranha then noticed that Gabi hadn't said a single word since they left Minerva's headquarters. Now, she was just staring blankly at the robe she was given. Piranha knew what to do, but just before he could talk to his wife, Wolf opened the door and stepped inside with a confused look on his face.

“What did the girl want?" Snake asked.

“Nothing, she just asked me why we would go good," he explained. “I think she's just confused about all this."

“Poor kid," Webs muttered in sympathy.

“Eh, no matter," Wolf said, shrugging it off. “The sooner we stop Minerva, the sooner we can go home and things can go back to normal. Gabi, did Minerva tell you anything that we can use to our advantage? Gabi?"

Unfortunately, Gabi didn't answer. She was completely lost in thought, focusing more on the familiar pattern on the fabric...

⏪⏪⏪⏪⏪⏪

The following summer, Gabi returned to fashion camp and, as fate would have it, Mi-Na was her bunkmate again. They decided to put their creative skills to the test this year. With Gabi's vision and Mi-Na's flair, they should have been destined for greatness, right?

Right?

“Well, what do you think?" Gabi asked Mi-Na, who observed the mermaid gown carefully. The bodice was black as night and the skirt was white as snow with a pattern of golden bird silhouettes along the hem. Wrapped around the shoulders was a soft, white faux fur shawl.

“It's a little too generic," Mi-Na criticized. “But, hey, that's just my opinion. Who knows? Maybe far more serious judges with much less forgiving opinions will actually like this piece of crap. You never know."

“Oh," Gabi muttered sadly. “Well, what would you change about it?"

“Ditch the skirt to show the stomach, replace the shawl with a red leather jacket, add ripped jeans with black leggings underneath, and spiked elevator boots. Once you're in it, we can get you some dark purple lipstick and go extra heavy on the eyeliner."

“Um, isn't that a little too punk?" Gabi asked nervously.

“Do you not trust me?"

⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩⏩

“Gabi? GABI!"

“I trust you!" Gabi squeaked. She, then, noticed the rest of the group staring at her in surprise. “Uh, I mean..."

“Wolf, maybe we should just call it a night," Piranha suggested. “We need sleep and we still have until tomorrow night, so..."

Wolf sighed. “Yeah, I guess you're right."

Just want to make something clear: Ismene is not related to Mr. Wolf in any way. They're the same genus, nothing more.

Remember to vote. ⭐