The cold fluorescent lights of Hawkins National Laboratory buzzed overhead as Levi worked tirelessly in the secluded depths of the facility. Unlike the other scientists who moved with rigid purpose, unaware of the supernatural truths he carried, Levi remained an enigma, both to them and himself. He had been here for months, weaving his knowledge of magic into the rigid structures of science, hoping to bridge the two worlds.
Though the Resurrection Stone granted him dominion over lingering souls, it had proven insufficient in giving them true form. His latest experiment involved capturing raw energy from the remnants of spectral entities—ghosts, if the scientists dared to call them that. He had spent weeks developing a containment field, feeding a concoction of arcane sigils and electromagnetic pulses into a reinforced chamber.
Tonight, the test would begin.
Levi held the Resurrection Stone between his fingers, whispering ancient words under his breath. The machine before him hummed, coils of electricity dancing across its surface. Inside the containment chamber, an ethereal figure began to take shape—a grotesque, humanoid shadow with hollow, empty eyes. It lacked the mind-draining kiss of a Dementor, but it radiated an aura of hunger, as if it desperately sought something to fill the void of its existence.
He watched intently as the creature stabilized, its form flickering like a flame caught in the wind. Then, without warning, it exploded. The chamber's reinforced walls held firm, but Levi staggered back, shielding himself as a burst of magical energy rattled the room. His jaw tightened in frustration. Another failure.
But failure was a lesson, and Levi had long since learned to embrace them.
Rubbing his temples, he reflected on what went wrong. The creatures, while bound to his magic, lacked structure—they were incomplete vessels, unable to sustain themselves in the physical world. If he was to create something that could exist beyond the realm of ghosts and shadows, he needed something stronger.
Then the thought struck him.
The Dark Mark.
Not in the way it had been used before—not merely as a symbol, but as a conduit. A mark that could connect another person to his magic, much like a Curse Mark from Naruto. If he could create something similar, he could imbue others with his power, allowing them to channel it without self-destruction.
He turned to his desk, where a glass jar sat. Inside, fragments of Pennywise's remains writhed unnaturally, pulsing with a malign presence. He had sealed them away after their battle in Derry, unsure of what use they might serve. Now, an idea took root.
Using a mix of alchemical compounds, Levi extracted dark energy from the remains and infused it into his next test subject. If he could blend Pennywise's essence with his magic, perhaps he could anchor his creations, prevent them from unraveling.
The results were… unexpected.
As the creature within the containment chamber took form, it did not remain singular. Instead, the individual entities began merging, fusing into something grotesque and unstable. The room quaked as the being thrashed against its confinement, its warped mass shifting uncontrollably. Levi's breath caught in his throat. He had sought to control magic and science, but now, he had created something else entirely.
He had fused them.
With a wave of his hand, he cast a sealing spell, forcing the entity to collapse in on itself. The containment unit went silent once more, and Levi exhaled, his mind racing. This was dangerous—more dangerous than anything he had done before. He needed time to refine his approach, to ensure he did not create something beyond even his control.
And so, he took a step back.
The next phase of his plan required patience. He needed a new cover, a way to observe the world beyond the cold walls of Hawkins Lab. With carefully forged documents and a bit of subtle persuasion, he arranged for himself to be enrolled at Hawkins Middle School. A simple civilian. Just another face in the crowd.
His first day was uneventful. He played his role well—distant, but approachable enough not to arouse suspicion. He found himself placed in the same class as Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Lucas Sinclair, Will Byers, and Max Mayfield. The so-called "Losers" of the school, though he found them far more interesting than most.
Dustin was the first to approach him. "New kid, huh? What's your deal?"
Levi smirked. "Just moved here. Figured I'd keep a low profile."
Mike narrowed his eyes. "Hawkins isn't exactly a place people move to."
Levi shrugged. "Guess I like small towns."
Max, leaning against the lockers, gave him an evaluating look. "You don't look like a small-town type."
He simply smiled. If only they knew.
Over the next few weeks, he found himself growing closer to them, despite his initial plans to keep a safe distance. Their antics, their relentless curiosity, and their unwavering loyalty reminded him of a past life—a life where he had once fought alongside others, risking everything.
Still, he kept his secrets well-guarded. To them, he was just Levi, the new kid who was a bit too quiet, a bit too perceptive, but nothing more. And for now, that was exactly how he wanted it.
Because something was coming, and when it did, they would need him far more than they knew.