As the episode ended..The screen flickered.
Anaya clicked on episode 2 of the show. Her heartbeat quickened, fingers curled around the edge of her bedsheet as the episode loaded. The frame faded in, those twelve members stepping down onto a golden shore, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun from the ship.
Their shoes sank slightly into warm, powdery sand. Behind them, the silver ship swayed gently on the waves, its polished hull catching flashes of orange and gold. Gulls cried overhead, circling like watchful guardians, and the salty breeze carried a faint scent of coconuts and wildflowers. Towering palm trees danced along the edge of a lush, emerald jungle that seemed to whisper secrets with every rustle of leaf.
A silence settled among the group, not of fear, but of wonder. Every corner of Momo Island looked like it had been painted from a dream.
And then, just when they were starting to take it all in..
"SQUAWKKK!"
A familiar voice cut through the breeze. Bitto, the robotic parrot, dive-bombed from the sky and landed with a dramatic flap on a rock jutting from the sand. Its metal wings shimmered like oil under the sun.
"Welcome, life forms!" Bitto squawked with glee. "Guess who's back, beak first? As you named, I'm Bitto, your charming, highly intelligent guide, programmed for mischief, mystery, and mild chaos."
The group exchanged looks, half-annoyed, half-entertained.
Bitto puffed up, clearly enjoying the attention. "From now on, I shall accompany you all till the end of this adventure. Think of me as your guardian angel, only sassier and with sharper claws."
Mint stepped forward, arms crossed and a teasing smile on his face. "Oh great, the drama bird returns."
Before anyone could stop it, Bitto launched itself straight at Mint, gave a quick squawk and nipped his nose.
"OW! Ouch! What the heck?!"
The group burst into laughter. Mint's shocked expression, paired with Bitto proudly strutting away, was too much to bear. Even the usually reserved Jian was doubled over.
"I demand justice!" Mint said dramatically, rubbing his nose.
Mike tried to play the hero, stepping up with a mock-stern voice. "No one bites my teammate without answering to me!"
Bitto stared at him, cocked its head, then lunged again.
"OW! Ouch! Seriously?! Why fid you do that?" Mike said angrily.
Another wave of laughter exploded through the group. This time, even Bitto seemed to chuckle like a mechanical whirr that resembled a giggle.
But the humor faded when a soft chime echoed in the air. The bracelet-devices on their wrists lit up. A calm, cold voice from the system whispered:
"Shelter access requires combat. Prepare yourselves."
They all froze.
"Combat?" Kate echoed. "Against who?"
No one answered. The sea was calm, the jungle unmoved.
Bitto, now perched atop a coconut stump, dropped a scroll.
"Here's your hint," it said. "They are here. If you get sweet, you get them."
"Sweet?" Tomo muttered. "Is that... a riddle?"
Dae snapped his fingers. "Sugar or Honey."
They looked at him.
"The clue's about something sweet. And I remember, the ship had a drum of honey stored in the kitchen hold. For emergencies." Dae whispered.
"You mean... the answer is honey?" Riko asked, blinking.
"Let's hope," Jian muttered.
Moments later, the group returned with the drum of honey, hauling it down the beach. As they approached a strange, dome-shaped structure in the distance, they paused. From afar, it looked like a giant beehive, smooth, golden walls with hexagon patterns glowing faintly under the sun.
"That's where we're supposed to stay?" Kate whispered.
"It's shaped like... Beehive," said Mino.
"But who's inside?" Leo frowned. "How do we know that they'll even let us in?"
"Bitto?" AD asked.
But the robot fluttered away, wings buzzing lazily.
"I need a laugh first," it called back. "Entertain me."
The group sighed.
Yuetao suddenly stepped forward, clearing his throat dramatically.
With exaggerated flair, he began to sing an absurd song praising Bitto's "divine feathers" and "glorious biting skills," while dancing in a ridiculous chicken-waddle style. The others could hardly stand straight from laughing.
Bitto flapped excitedly. "That... that was beautiful! A masterpiece of foolishness!"
Then it dropped another scroll.
"The one who makes it is the one you must meet. Solve this code: What dances in air and gifts you gold, but wears stripes not sold?"
Kate gasped. "Bees. It's the bees."
Suddenly, a low hum filled the air.
Footsteps, soft but growing closer.
And out from behind the hive structure emerged figures... tall, lean, wearing strange golden armor. They had wings strapped to their backs and helmets shaped like bee heads, their movements eerily graceful.
"Is it... them?" whispered Haru.
The group stared, unsure whether to feel relieved or even more confused.
The bee-like figures stopped a few steps away. One of them raised a hand in greeting.
Bitto landed beside the team and said with a grin in its voice, "Say hello to the Honeyguard."
The twelve stood still as the figures approached. They were all stopped and only the honeyguard made each step towards them with firm yet cautious. Their golden armor shimmered in the setting sunlight, and faint buzzing echoed softly from the wing-like structures on their backs. Though they moved like warriors, their eyes held exhaustion, as if they'd fought for far too long.
"Hello," the group said in unison, some with cheerful voices, others still unsure.
Two of the group members, AD and Kate stepped forward. AD raised his hand in peace, and Kate offered a gentle smile.
"We've just arrived here," AD began. "We were told there's shelter here. If you have any needs or requests, we're ready to help. Just let us stay."
The leader of the Honeyguard, recognizable by the slightly larger wing extensions on his back, tilted his head. His voice came out low and tired, edged with pain.
"There is no shelter here. Not anymore."
The group blinked.
"Our homes, our hive, have been seized. The bears came in waves… not just ordinary ones, but savage, twisted by hunger and greed. They've made us slaves. Our Queen was captured… imprisoned somewhere in their fortress. We are no longer free. And without her, we cannot make honey."
His eyes dimmed.
"But still... they force us. Every day, every night. Until we collapse. Until we... disappear."
A heavy silence followed. No one spoke. Even Bitto stood quietly on a nearby rock, head lowered.
"Our families... we've lost so many," the Honeyguard added. "And now we stand here, pretending to guard a place we no longer own."
One by one, the expressions of the twelve members changed from confusion to sympathy. Their smiles faded. Even Mint, who was still nursing his nose, looked serious now.
Then, the Honeyguard's voice shifted, barely above a whisper.
"But... if we had honey, enough of it. there will be a chance. A chance the bears would back off. Leave us in peace."
Hope stirred.
His eyes lifted. "Do you… have honey?"
For a moment, no one answered.
Then Jian stepped forward, glancing at the others before giving a small, meaningful smile.
"We do."
"We brought a drum of it from the ship," added Riko.
The Honeyguard's expression changed instantly. His eyes widened, and the trembling antennae on his helmet twitched. A breath caught in his throat, like someone who hadn't heard good news in years.
"You… you would give it to us?" he asked.
AD nodded. "If you let us stay here. Share this place."
The Honeyguard didn't hesitate.
"Yes! Of course! If you truly wish to help us. we can finally be free. We'll no longer need to bow to their demands. And this place, this hive.." he turned back to the golden dome " it can be yours. You may live here as long as you wish. Our Queen would have welcomed you too, if she were still... with us."
Joy rippled through the group. Mint gave a thumbs-up. Kate smiled warmly, and even Tomo gave a small cheer.
Then, without another word, the group hoisted the drum of honey between them. Together, side by side with the Honeyguard, they began walking toward the shimmering dome.
The light of the setting sun followed them, painting golden lines across the sand as Bitto flapped above, humming an old tune that sounded suspiciously like a victory anthem.
As that,.. Anaya is on her way to sleep. Her head is swinging front and back..
Then, she closed the laptop and whispered, "good night my dear boyfriend. We will meet tomorrow."
As that, the clock turns into midnight 1 am.
Then ahe fell asleep...